text:
I worked in the nursery into the late afternoon and found myself thinking about the key. The one that had turned up inside the envelope tucked in Tiffany's baby book. I didn't have any experience with such books because my mother hadn't really kept any photos of back when I'd been a baby. It's almost as if she wanted to forget that part of her life.
The beginning of my life.
I was so past taking it personally, as I'd learned to accept my mother as she was, once I figured out she'd never take care of me. It was a full time job just seeing to her own needs, needs that a child could never begin to fill. And I'd been an accident after all, the baby that had ruined all of her plans, destroyed her future.
No wonder my childhood had been erased by her without much of a record. But Tiffany had a mother who loved her, cherished her since even before she'd been born. I could tell that when I thumbed through the pages of the book recording her birth, her first steps taken and her first words spoken.
Photos of her from before kindergarten through her high school graduation. No part of her life had been left out. But why had the key been there? I also found it interesting that there were as many photos of Brock in there as her own father. Brock holding the baby in his arms at the hospital, a private and intimate moment caught on film. Brock hoisting her up so she could pet a horse…and a photo of him holding her hand while wading in the ocean…all caught without him watching. Before being tucked away in the baby book…I wondered why he had figured so prominently in her life, well at least the earliest part of it because once she hit junior high, he disappeared.
The heat seared the valley that day and I took many water breaks but the thoughts that lingered inside my head…questions about what I'd seen and they were foolish really. It was totally innocent for him to be included in her book if he'd been Devlin's working partner and one of his closest friends.
He was neither now and I didn't know why. Also Brock just didn't seem as close with Gloria as he had in these photos. But a lot of time passed and a lot could happen in even a short period of time as this summer had already shown.
Brock and I double dated with Lars and Tiffany and we went on a picnic in the nature park near the lake. We brought fried chicken, potato salad and other side dishes and a couple bottles of wine. Not that we did much talking because Tiffany was totally into getting Lars' clothes off so we chatted for a while about nothing really and then she took Lars off into the bushes somewhere.
That left the two of us alone and we went on a walk around the lake holding hands almost like a normal couple. Which we weren't of course but sometimes it was nice to pretend for a little while…
"So this ball is next week," I said casually, "sure you want to go to it?"
"Yeah haven't been to it in years," he said, "Never been in town when it's going on."
"If it makes you uncomfortable…"
He stopped and looked into my eyes.
"Does it make you feel uncomfortable?"
His question surprised me but I shook my head. No it didn't, because I didn't care much what people thought or said about us being together. I'd been pretty much labeled a slut even when I'd been a virgin because of my mom so what difference did it make what I did?
"I feel fine with it," I said, "I even got a dress for it."
He smiled.
"You'll look beautiful in it or nothing at all."
I slapped his arm playfully.
"Brock…we'll have to do some dancing first."
He stroked my face with one of his hands and my skin tingled.
"You always look so pretty…I'd say when you look prettiest but it'll make you blush."
I looked up at him.
"Yeah I like riding you too," I said, "and watching your face just before you come from it."
He smiled wider and slipped his arms around my waist as we stood there hidden in some trees facing the ocean. I watched him as he looked at me just before he kissed me, teasing me with his mouth and making me want more until he seized my lips with his own, ardently. I responded even more and slid my tongue inside his mouth while his lips tried to hold it snugly.
His hands roamed my dress unbuttoning the front of it, breaking his kiss just enough to do that and then palming my lacy covered breasts so they'd harden in his hands. I arched against him and my hands reached for the snap on his pants, so I could pull out his cock and watch it grow harder in my hands. He liked that groaning when I stroked it with my hands while looking at him. His own hands moved from my breasts to sliding my dress up my thighs slowly, his fingers grazing my inner thighs. I sucked in my breath because I knew if he didn't fuck me right now, I'd scream. He lifted me up.
"Wrap your legs around me…"
I did that and he carried me to push me against a huge tree trunk and then I felt his fingers fondle my panties as he lowered them just enough to bear my pussy. His fingers caressed it, rubbing my clit and oh god, I nearly bucked right out of his arms.
"You're nice and wet…you've been waiting for this all day haven't you?"
I bit my lip because the way his finger rode my wetness I couldn't speak. I just wanted him inside of me nice and fast.
"I know you have and now you're going to get it. I'm going to fuck you right into that tree."
I gasped as his thick cock parted my pussy lips with a single hard thrust and my walls clung to his hardness letting him inside just slow enough to torture me. My weakness of course, being ridden slow and leisurely always undid me, made me beg for more…left me feeling so hot that I'd spiral out of control.
Brock figured that one out quickly. He didn't need to tie me up, when he impaled me with his cock I was putty in his hands. In ways that frightened me sometimes to give up that control but Brock's way of being in charge was different from Devlin's, as different as the sun and the wind.
He bucked his hips jamming me against the tree so my bare ass felt its roughness. His cock tunneling inside me each time so that we were so close…damn I just wanted to explode around his cock but just when I came so close…he slowed the tempo down even more.
"Damn you Brock…just let me…"
He shut me up with his mouth on mine and pushed me against the tree even harder. Then he quickened the tempo, and oh man, I could barely hold on when he did that. Sliding in and out of my wetness, my clit on fire until suddenly…damn I climaxed so hard he had to kiss me to keep me from screaming. He bucked a few more times until I felt his molten heat inside of me.
We lay on the ground on a patch of grass after we fixed our clothing and he held onto me kissing me still. His hands on my breasts in a gentler way, rubbing my nipples…promising me when we got back to his place that he'd dab them with some tequila and taste them….oh what that did to me just remembering that.
But for now we just held onto each other as our bodies returned back to normal. I felt so elated and so…I couldn't put it into words.
And then something slipped out.
"Brock…I took a pregnancy test."
He stiffened suddenly next to me and around me and I cursed myself for saying it out loud. Why had I done that, how could my guard go down so much?
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you…it was just recent and I wasn't pregnant."
He remained silent and I thought damn, I just lost him before I reminded myself there was nothing to lose.
"Okay…I wished you told me."
I heard a twinge of wariness in his voice.
"Me too…but damn it was just so overwhelming," I said, "I mean I'm on the pill so I thought I'd be safe."
He didn't let me go which I took to be a good sign at least.
"When I got tested, there was nothing to tell."
He sighed.
"That's not true Ruby," he said, "You should have told me so I could have shared that with you."
That puzzled me.
"Why…why would you want to do that?"
"Because it's part of being with someone Ruby," he said, "Whatever happens, it involves me too and I have responsibilities."
"No you don't…like I said it turned out okay…if it hadn't…I wouldn't have kept it from you."
"I would have been there for you Ruby even if I weren't the only candidate for fatherhood."
I just looked at him in shock. How had he known but then I thought, wait I had told him in the beginning I'd been sleeping with another man. I just hadn't told him who.
"Well that's nice Brock but it's not necessary," I said, "You know this is all so new to me…having sex and worrying about pregnancy."
He squeezed me tighter enough so I could feel it.
"I know… but I didn't say that to hurt you," he said, "I just hope you're as open with him as you were with me."
I couldn't answer that because there's no way in hell I'd tell Devlin about the test. No way that I could tell him, the way he'd been acting lately.
So I just nodded and he pulled me closer to him as the sun began to set over the ocean.
| Email this Novel
| Add to reading list


text:
Spoiler show
Practical, reliable, easygoing, understands the true value of things. Likes good food and gardening, hates unpredictability.
The Moon in Taurus is often a sign of good practical skills. Those who were lucky to be born with such a Moon are usually talented cooks, and they enjoy doing everything themselves. They prefer a calm, stable life, whith everything known years ahead. It is important for them that everything they own is of good quality and that their home is comfortable. They know how to deal with plants, and time spent digging in the garden is the best way for them to restore their energy.
Routine everyday activities like cooking, washing or gardening are not difficult for the Moon in Taurus, and he or she often feels a need to do something like this because this is a sure way to get satisfaction from the practical results of their actions. Some of them like to have plenty of food in their house: they feel more confident if there is always something around which they like to eat.
The physical body of those born with the Moon in Taurus also feels that it should have a good supply of nutrients, but if left to its own devices it might quickly accumulate unwanted extra weight, especially considering that the Moon in Taurus loves good food and knows how to relax and enjoy itself. The neck and throat may be quite sensitive with such a Moon, so it is always good to keep warm, and avoid food and drinks which irritate mouth and throat.
Food for the Moon in Taurus should contain plenty of vegetables and salad, as well as vitamins, and it should be of a really good quality. Moderate activity and exercise are always beneficial, but life should be predictable and stable, without abrupt changes.
If asked what they want to do to recharge their batteries after a period of stress, Moon in Taurus individuals often say that they need to eat something savoury. An ancient truth works here: if there is good food in the house, nothing is lost.
Taurus Moons can be superb parents, although sometimes they think that the most important thing is to feed their children properly, forgetting their other needs, such as intellectual pursuits. Nevertheless, their children will always remember their parents' home as a Home Sweet Home.
That's me:hee

subset: commoncrawl


text:
- Filed Under
Caddo Middle Career & Technology "School Wide Positive Behavior Support Awards" for November were presented to Ty'Vonta Thomas, eighth grade; Christian Williams, seventh grade; Tiara Welch, sixth grade; Nanette Cooper, support personnel; and Sandra Smallwood, librarian.
The Bossier Arts Council hosted the Bossier Parish Student Art Show and awarded $1,500 in prizes, thanks to Target Corp. The Best in Show award went to Taylor Avery of Haughton High School for "Panda." The High School second place award went to Lane Kirkland of Benton High School for "Rainbow Trout." The High School third place award went to Alfonso Vaca of Airline High School for "Nevermore." The High School honorable mention award went to Jet Banks of Haughton High School for "Jaguar God." The Middle School first place award went to Fabiola Sardina of Greenacres Middle School for "My Fish." The Middle School second place award went to Katie Walker of Haughton Middle School for "Goofy." The Middle School third place award went to Madelyn Elliot of Elm Grove Middle School for "Sugar Skull." The Middle School honorable mention award went to Caden Davis of Elm Grove Middle School for "Dragonfly."
Jennifer N. Bird, of Shreveport, received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Southern Mississippi during the fall commencement exercises.
The Bossier Parish winners in the Ark-La-Tex Chapter, Military Officers Association of America's Letters to the Front contest are Ryan Potts, Meadowview Elementary School; Travis Flowers, Apollo Elementary School; Chloe Highsmith, Platt Elementary School; Allen Hardbarger, R. V. Kerr Elementary School; Avery Meeks, W. T. Lewis Elementary School; Jordon Cole, Elm Grove Middle School; and Lauren Feliciano, Haughton High School. Bossier students wrote 6,542 motivational letters to our troops in Afghanistan that were delivered just prior to Christmas by the local chapter of Operation Support Our troops (OSOT). All contest winners were recognized at the Dec. 6 Bossier Parish School Board meeting, where they read their winning letters and received their awards.
Centenary College students Jordan Ring, Tia Landrum, Paul Eugene, Ellen Orr, Emilie Harmeyer and Lauren Moore traveled on Washington, DC, to march in a rally supporting the end of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), a militant group operating in northern Uganda under Joseph Kony. The group had one goal: convince leaders to move for justice. Following the rally, participants attended a global summit on the LRA with world leaders from Central Africa, the African Union, European Union, United Nations and International Criminal Court.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette student Alexandria Einerson, of Bossier City, was appointed to the Student Orientation Staff, the university's student leadership group. Einerson is a freshman majoring in industrial design.


text:
The aim of the study was to develop a virtual microscopy enabled method for assessment of Ki-67 expression and to study the prognostic value of the automated analysis in a comprehensive series of patients with breast cancer.
Using a previously reported virtual microscopy platform and an open source image processing tool, ImageJ, a method for assessment of immunohistochemically (IHC) stained area and intensity was created. A tissue microarray (TMA) series of breast cancer specimens from 1931 patients was immunostained for Ki-67, digitized with a whole slide scanner and uploaded to an image web server. The extent of Ki-67 staining in the tumour specimens was assessed both visually and with the image analysis algorithm. The prognostic value of the computer vision assessment of Ki-67 was evaluated by comparison of distant disease-free survival in patients with low, moderate or high expression of the protein.
1648 evaluable image files from 1334 patients were analysed in less than two hours. Visual and automated Ki-67 extent of staining assessments showed a percentage agreement of 87% and weighted kappa value of 0.57. The hazard ratio for distant recurrence for patients with a computer determined moderate Ki-67 extent of staining was 1.77 (95% CI 1.31-2.37) and for high extent 2.34 (95% CI 1.76-3.10), compared to patients with a low extent. In multivariate survival analyses, automated assessment of Ki-67 extent of staining was retained as a significant prognostic factor.
Running high-throughput automated IHC algorithms on a virtual microscopy platform is feasible. Comparison of visual and automated assessments of Ki-67 expression shows moderate agreement. In multivariate survival analysis, the automated assessment of Ki-67 extent of staining is a significant and independent predictor of outcome in breast cancer.
With the emergence of virtual microscopy and whole slide scanning techniques, there is an increasing need for efficient tools to automate assessment of digitized biological samples. One possible solution is to integrate computer vision methods with a virtual microscopy platform and to run the image analysis software on the same server system as the virtual slides are stored.
A considerable number of published scientific studies have addressed computer vision for quantification of protein expression as determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) [1-16]. Only one of the previous studies is based on an open source solution [17]. Very few studies have compared human visual interpretation and computer vision of IHC expression levels with regard to clinically important endpoints, such as disease outcome [2,15,16].
While tissue sample processing and IHC staining methods are increasingly automated, the evaluation of staining results is still predominantly performed by visual assessment. A human interpreter has excellent image comprehension and pattern recognition capabilities, but is prone to substantial variability in quantification tasks. Computer vision methods are capable of processing images consistently and generally perform well in repetitive processes. Virtual microscopy combined with computer vision techniques can aid the human observer by analysis of large tissue areas at a high magnification. The digital sample (i.e. the virtual slide) can be an entire section of a single cancerous tumour or an array of 100-200 tumour tissue samples assembled by the use of tissue microarray technology [18].
We decided to develop and study a computer vision method for IHC analysis that can be run on a virtual microscopy platform and to compare the method to visual interpretation of IHC staining. A highly studied biomarker, Ki-67, with known prognostic value in many cancer forms was chosen as the target [9,11,12,19-22]. Ki-67 is a protein associated with cell proliferation and is present in all other cell cycle phases except G0, the resting phase. Ki-67 is thoroughly studied in breast cancer and Ki-67 immunostaining shown to be evaluable with computer vision methods [9,11,12]. One previous study found that semi-automated analysis of Ki-67 staining with image analysis can be used for prognostic assessment of patients with breast cancer [10].
In this study, a tool for automated quantitative assessment of Ki-67 expression is presented. The tool is implemented within a previously described web-based virtual microscopy platform [23]. The IHC quantification method is evaluated by comparing the results with visual assessment of Ki-67 expression in a comprehensive series of breast cancer specimens. By linking the clinicopathological data with related tissue samples, the relationship between automated Ki-67 expression analysis and survival is assessed.
The FinProg series consist of 2842 breast cancer patients diagnosed during 1991 and 1992 within five geographical regions of Finland. The regions cover half of the population and the cases represent 53% of all breast cancers diagnosed in Finland during this period. Clinical data associated with subjects were extracted from the hospital case records, hospital registries, the Finnish Cancer Registry, and Statistics Finland. The data comprises more than 50 clinicopathological factors, including the histological type and grade of breast cancer, the number of metastatic and examined lymph nodes, primary tumour size, tumour ER and PR content evaluated by immunohistochemistry in the TMA samples, treatment details, and follow-up data. More than 50 pathologists performed histological typing and grading of cancer at the time of the diagnosis according to the World Health Organization guidelines. The median follow-up time of subjects included in the study was 9.5 years. Permission to use clinical data and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues for research purposes was provided by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finland (permission 123/08/97). With reference to the large number of studied cases the authorities granted permission to use tissue samples without individual patient consent.
Exclusion criteria
Subjects diagnosed with ductal or lobular carcinoma in situ were excluded from the study before statistical analyses as well as those who had distant metastases at the time of the diagnosis, bilateral breast cancer, or other malignancy than breast cancer in history, except basal cell carcinoma or cervical carcinoma in situ. Since the risk of dying from these last mentioned two malignant diseases after diagnosis and proper treatment is exceedingly small, the possible confounding effect on the survival estimates was considered insignificant and not to require exclusion of the subjects. A subject was also excluded if no breast surgery was carried out. A single subject may have been excluded for one or more reasons. A consort diagram is provided in figure 1.
Figure 1. Consort diagram.
Preparation of tissue microarrays
Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples of the primary tumours (n = 1931) were collected and 1-4 tissue cores (core diameter 0.6 mm) from each patient assembled into tissue microarrays (TMAs, n = 23) as described elsewhere [24]. Sections of 5 μm were cut and processed for immunohistochemistry (IHC).
Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
Immunostaining for Ki-67 was done using a mouse monoclonal antibody MM-1 (Novocastra Laboratories; 1:1,000 dilution) as previously described [25]. An evaluable Ki-67 staining was available in 1334 (69,1%) of the 1931 eligible cases with tumour tissue available for analysis. The number of samples lost due to tissue processing or with non-representative tissue spots was 597. The extent of Ki-67 staining was assessed visually in 1292 of the cases by one of the researchers (HS) under supervision of a single pathologist (JI) as part of a previous study [25], counting the number of positive tumour cells and classified into negative, moderate and high expression with cut-off values at 0% and 20%. Immunostainings for ER, PR, HER1, HER2, TP53, cyclooxygenase-2, KIT, GATA-3 and CK 5/6 were also assessed as previously reported [25]. Molecular subtypes were defined as luminal A (ER+ and/or PR+, HER2-), luminal B (ER+ and/or PR+, HER2+), basal-like (ER-, PR-, HER2-, cytokeratin 5+, and/or HER1+), HER2+/ER- (ER-, PR-, and HER2+), and five-marker negative (negative for all markers) [25].
Sample digitization
Twenty-three TMA slides, with 2749 tissue spots including duplicates, triplicates and quadruplicates, were digitized with an automated whole-slide scanner (Mirax Scan, Zeiss, Göttingen, Germany), using a 20× objective and a DFW-X710 camera (Sony, Tokyo, Japan). The pixel resolution was 0.26 micrometers per pixel. The virtual slides were compressed to a wavelet file format (Enhanced Compressed Wavelet, ECW, ER Mapper, Erdas Inc, Atlanta, Georgia) with a conservative compression ratio of 1:5.
Virtual microscopy platform
The computer vision algorithm was integrated with a previously described virtual microscopy platform [23,26], which allows image analysis scripts to be run in a batch mode on the server hosting the virtual slides. The compressed virtual slides of the TMAs stained for Ki-67 analysis were uploaded to the web server equipped with 2 quad-core Intel Xeon processors and 16 GB of RAM. TMA spot locations on the virtual slides were defined by an annotation system in the virtual microscopy user interface and linked to the corresponding clinical data. Images of the TMA spots, 1634×1634 pixels in size, were extracted from the virtual slides as separate image files, exported into the computer vision algorithm, and stored on the server for later manual inspection and documentation purposes.
Computer vision algorithm
The computer vision algorithm (IhcJ) is depicted in figure 2. It utilizes the macro language of an image processing and analysis software, ImageJ, which is open source and available free of charge for multiple operating systems at http://rsb.info.nih.gov/ij/ webcite. The IhcJ algorithm first divides the acquired image of the IHC stained specimen in RGB colour space into separate colour channels by a colour deconvolution method [27]. The ImageJ plugin for colour deconvolution has a built in vector for separating haematoxylin (H) and diaminobenzidine (DAB) stainings. After colour deconvolution, H and DAB images are processed separately. By using five random test samples stained for Ki-67, suitable threshold levels for H and DAB were determined. These thresholds were used on both H and DAB images, respectively, and kept constant for the analysis of the main image dataset. Thresholding creates binary masks of H and DAB positive areas and the two areas may overlap. Binary masks were merged into a single result image. In the result image, the area of H-positive and DAB-negative pixels is pseudocoloured with green colour. The area of DAB-positive pixels regardless of H-status is pseudocoloured with red colour. The background, where both values are negative, is indicated with white colour.
Figure 2. The IhcJ algorithm for automatic quantitative assessment of Ki-67 proliferation index.
The extent of staining is calculated as the total number of DAB-positive pixels divided by the union of the total number of H-positive pixels and the total number of DAB-positive pixels. The intensity of staining is calculated from DAB-positive area, as a mean pixel value of original DAB image. The mean intensity value is scaled to range from 0 to 100 percent.
Statistical analysis
For statistical analyses, only the highest extent or intensity of Ki-67 staining was considered if multiple evaluable tissue cores were available for the same patient. Continuous Ki-67 extent and intensity values generated by the computer vision algorithm were grouped. There is no consensus for cut-off values in the literature, some studies use arbitrary values, some median and some divide data in tertiles [19,22]. In the current study we decided to split the patient series into three approximately equally sized groups according both to Ki-67 extent of staining tertiles and intensity tertiles. For evaluation of agreement between the visual and automated assessment of Ki-67 we also split the automated results into similar proportions of low, moderate and high expression as for the visual results. Frequency tables were analyzed using the chi-square test. The agreement between the visual and automated methods in the assessment of Ki-67 expression was estimated by percent-agreement and kappa-statistics. Since the categories of the variables are ordered as described before, a linearly weighted kappa value was used [28]. Life tables were calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method. Distant disease-free survival was calculated from the date of the diagnosis to the date of detection of metastases outside of the locoregional area or to the date of death from breast cancer, if a patient died of breast cancer without distant metastases. Patients who died from an intercurrent disease were censored on the date of death. Survival curves were compared with the log-rank test. Multivariate survival analyses were done with the Cox proportional hazards model, entering the following covariates: automated assessment of Ki-67 extent of staining or visually assessed Ki-67 proliferation index, method of tumour detection, tumour size in centimetres, number of metastatic lymph nodes, histological grade, and age at diagnosis. The assumption of proportional hazards was ascertained by assessment of log minus log survival plots. All P values are two tailed.
Automated Ki-67 expression assessment
A total number of 1648 TMA spot images from the 1334 subjects were analysed in 107 minutes. There were 251 subjects with duplicate, 21 with triplicate and 7 with quadruplicate cores among the readable cases. The average analysis time for single TMA spot was 3.9 seconds. The mean and median extent of staining for Ki-67 according to the computer vision analysis was 8.8% and 4.3% (range 0-95.3%) and the mean and median intensity was 52.5% and 53.2% (range 33.9-67.0%). Sample images are displayed in figure 3. For the purpose of statistical analysis, the patient series was split at tertiles into groups according to the automated assessment of Ki-67 extent of staining: 0 to 2.3 percent extent of staining was assigned to the low extent group, 2.4 to 6.3 percent extent of staining to the moderate extent group and 6.4 to 100 percent to the high extent group. For automated assessment of Ki-67 intensity the tertile thresholds were: low intensity group from 0 to 49.6 percent, moderate intensity group from 49.7 to 56.6 percent, and high intensity group from 56.7 to 100 percent.
Figure 3. Sample images of variable area of Ki-67 staining in FinProg series. Low extent of staining (a), moderate extent of staining (b), high extent of staining (c), and corresponding result images from IhcJ macro (d, e, f).
Visual assessment of Ki-67
According to visual assessment of Ki-67 staining, 7.7% of the patients were assigned to the negative expression group, 55.7% to the moderate expression and 36.7% to the high expression group.
Association of automated assessment of Ki-67 expression with clinicopathological characteristics
When the patient series was split according to automated assessment of Ki-67 extent of staining into similar size groups as the visual Ki-67 results, 76% of the cases with high visually assessed extent had high automatically assessed extent, and none had low extent. Forty-six percent of the cases with negative visually assessed extent also had low automatically assessed extent, and only 2% had high extent (table 1). The percentage agreement was 87% and weighted kappa value 0.57 (table 1).
Table 1. Agreement between automatic and visual assessment of Ki-67 proliferation index (Kappa statistics, linear weights, Percentage agreement 87%, Kappa 0.57)
For the main analysis, we examined the relationship between automated assessment of Ki-67 expression and clinicopathological variables by splitting the series according to automated assessment of Ki-67 tertiles. Patients younger than 35 years at the time of diagnosis had a significantly higher extent of Ki-67 staining than those diagnosed at a higher age (P = 0.0008) (table 2). Cancers detected within mammography screenings had lower automated assessment of Ki-67 extent than those detected outside of screening (P = 0.0001). Increasing primary tumour size is strongly associated with higher Ki-67 extent of staining (P < 0.0001), as is increasing histological grade (P < 0.0001). A higher number of metastatic axillary lymph nodes also associates with higher Ki-67 extent of staining (P = 0.01). There is a significant difference in distribution of automated assessment of Ki-67 extent among different histological types of breast cancer (P < 0.0001): in ductal carcinomas, higher extent is more frequent, whereas lower extent of Ki-67 staining predominates in lobular carcinomas. For molecular markers, high automated assessment of Ki-67 extent is strongly associated (all with P < 0.0001) with negative ER and PR expression, positive HER2 amplification and expression and high p53 expression. When molecular subtypes are considered, only Luminal A is associated with low automated assessment of Ki-67 extent, while other molecular subtypes tend to have higher Ki-67 extent of staining (P < 0.0001).
Table 2. Association of automated assessment of Ki-67 extent of staining with clinicopathological characteristics
Uni- and multivariate analyses of distant disease-free survival
Increasing extent of Ki-67 staining as determined by image analysis is significantly associated with a decrease in distant disease-free survival (DDFS; figure 4a). Patients with a moderate automated assessment of Ki-67 extent of staining have a hazard ratio of 1.77 (95% CI 1.31-2.37) for distant recurrence, and those with the high automated assessment of extent of staining have a hazard ratio of 2.34 (95% CI 1.76-3.10), as compared to patients with a low automated assessment of Ki-67 extent of staining (table 3). The 5- and 10-year DDFS for the low Ki-67 extent group were 89% and 81%, respectively (table 4). DDFS for the moderate automated assessment of Ki-67 extent of staining group were 77% and 71%, and for the high automated assessment of Ki-67 extent group 69% and 64%.
Figure 4. Distant disease-free survival (Kaplan-Meier curves, whole dataset). by the grouped Ki-67 extent of stainings (a), and by the grouped Ki-67 staining intensities (b).
Table 3. Cox uni- and multivariate distant disease-free survival analyses
Table 4. 5- and 10-year survival
In subgroup analysis according to histological grade, patients with grade 1 tumours and moderate automated assessment of Ki-67 extent had a hazard ratio of 1.05 (95% CI 0.35-3.22) and patients with high automated assessment of Ki-67 extent a hazard ratio of 4.63 (95% CI 1.83-11.75), as compared to patients with low automated assessment of Ki-67 extent. In patients with grade 2 tumours, the corresponding figures were 1.51 (95% CI 0.95-2.42) and 1.99 (95% CI 1.26-3.15). In the grade 3 subgroup, the results were 1.37 (95% CI 0.69-2.73) and 0.97 (95% CI 0.51-1.84). In the subgroup of patients with ductal breast cancer, the figures were 1.83 (95% CI 1.30-2.58) and 2.30 (95% CI 1.66-3.18), and in the lobular carcinoma subgroup, the corresponding hazard ratios were 1.40 (95% CI 0.67-2.93) and 2.29 (95% CI 1.06-4.95).
When extent of Ki-67 staining was determined visually, patients with a moderate visually assessed Ki-67 expression had a hazard ratio of 1.41 (95% CI 0.83-2.39) for distant recurrence, and those with a high visually assessed Ki-67 expression had a hazard ratio of 2.58 (95% CI 1.52-4.37), as compared to patients with a negative visually assessed Ki-67 expression.
For computer determined Ki-67 intensities, no statistically significant difference was observed between low and moderate intensity groups (figure 4b). The high intensity group was associated with significantly less favourable distant disease-free survival (HR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.04-1.73) compared to the low intensity group.
In a multivariate survival analysis, adjusted for tumour size, the number of positive lymph nodes, histological grade, method of detection and age at diagnosis, patients with a moderate automated assessment of Ki-67 extent of staining had a hazard ratio of 1.62 (95% CI 1.10-2.39) and those with high Ki-67 extent a hazard ratio of 1.73 (95% CI 1.19-2.51), compared to patients with low automated assessment of Ki-67 extent of staining (table 3). The visually determined Ki-67 expression was not retained as a significant prognostic factor if entered instead of the computer determined Ki-67 extent in the same multivariate model (table 3). Computer determined Ki-67 intensity was not significantly associated with DDFS in the multivariate model.
In the current report we describe the integration of an open source image analysis tool with a virtual microscopy platform. Computer determined extent of immunohistochemical staining of the extensively studied biomarker Ki-67 shows prognostic value comparable to visually assessed Ki-67 in a comprehensive series of patients with breast cancer.
The automated assessment of Ki-67 extent of staining was significantly associated with all the examined clinicopathological characteristics, including tumour size, number of positive lymph nodes, histological type and grade, oestrogen and progesterone receptor status, age at diagnosis, method of tumour detection, as well as molecular subtypes. These findings are in good agreement with previously reported results on the association between Ki-67 expression and clinicopathological factors [25,29]. The comparison of visual and automated assessment of Ki-67 expression showed only moderate agreement. The human observer may exclude non-tumour or stromal areas in the sample more effectively than the image analysis algorithm, which may explain part of the discrepancies. Also, the image analysis algorithm can include artefacts and staining errors. On the other hand, the human interpretation can vary due to the visual evaluation being done on several separate occasions. Visual thresholds may change between scoring sessions because of altered microscopy settings or reference spots with varying stain intensity. The observed variability between visual and automated methods mostly occurred between adjacent groups, only 2 patients with negative visual score were in the automatically assessed high extent group, and none of the patients with high visual score were classified by the automated analysis into the low extent group. The two totally discrepant cases were caused by partially folded TMA spot and falsely dyed spot. In general, automated method underestimated the extent of staining in samples with high stromal content or with just a few strongly positive tumor nuclei. The main causes for too high automated scores were out-of-focus samples, debris on the glass slide or positive staining of the tumor cytoplasm.
The analysis of distant disease-free survival shows that the automated assessment of Ki-67 extent of staining is a significant predictor of outcome in breast cancer. When compared to low extent of Ki-67 staining, moderate and high extent of staining is associated with hazard ratios of 1.77 and 2.34 for distant recurrence during the follow-up period. These results are in line with previous meta-analyses, where the pooled hazard ratios for disease-free survival (DFS) associated visually determined Ki-67 overexpression have been 1.93-2.18 [19,22].
When other variables are taken into account in the multivariate survival analysis, the automated assessment of Ki-67 extent of staining remains as a significant prognostic factor with hazard ratios of 1.62 and 1.73 for moderate and high extent of staining groups, respectively. Thus, the automated assessment of Ki-67 extent of staining is an independent predictor of patient outcome after adjustment for established clinicopathological factors. Also this is in agreement with results of meta-analyses, where a pooled DFS hazard ratio for Ki-67 overexpression in multivariate analysis was reported to be 1.76-1.84 [19,22]. In the current study, the visually determined Ki-67 failed to reach significance in the multivariate model, possibly due to previously discussed variability in human observer assessment. The automated Ki-67 intensity assessment was of limited prognostic value. This could partly be explained by the difficulties in quantification of the diaminobenzidine staining, due to a previously described non-linear relationship between the amount of antigen and the staining intensity [30].
The strengths of this study include that we analysed a large unselected breast cancer series with long follow-up period. The software and algorithms that were utilized are open source and integrated into a virtual microscopy platform. They could be made freely available as a software service on a public web site. Examples of this approach have recently been published and represent a promising methodology for standardization of quantitative immunostaining assessment and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) signal counting [17,26]. This method could also be useful tool in routine breast cancer diagnostic pathology of prognostic and predictive factors. Even though the usage of TMA slides in this domain has shown promising results [31], these factors are mainly assessed from whole slide sections. Our approach can, however, be applied also to whole slide sections via either taking digital snapshots of regions of interest, or in case of virtual whole slides, the area to be analyzed can be selected manually.
A weakness of the algorithm proposed in our study is the need for manual adjustment of threshold levels before starting the batch analysis. A constant threshold level for the image analysis algorithm seems acceptable if similar tissue processing and staining protocols are applied throughout the whole specimen series, as in the current study. Another weakness of the current computer vision approach is that also stromal components of tissue samples were included in the automated assessment. This affects the distribution of the extent of staining as compared to studies that have excluded tumour stroma and calculated the proportion of stained cells in the tumour parenchyma only. An approach that does not exclude stroma might be acceptable for analysis of tissue microarrays that have been constructed to mainly contain tumour tissue. However, also in the TMAs the ratio of stroma to tumour epithelium can vary according to tumour grade and histological type, which can affect the extent of staining. Therefore we performed subgroup analysis according to histological grade and type, as well as adjusted for these possible confounders in a multivariate survival model. The automated assessment of Ki-67 extent of staining was a significant prognostic factor in all subgroups, except for in the group of patients with poorly differentiated tumours. This is in line with previous results showing a lack of prognostic value of Ki-67 in grade 3 tumours [32]. For analysis of individual samples and whole slide surgical tumour samples within a routine diagnostic setting, an image analysis method for excluding stroma would be needed. Examples of such method have been described in commercial systems [15,16]. Also, a method that segments and analyses tumour nuclei only might be better suited for the Ki-67 antigen, which mainly is expressed in the cell nuclei. However, algorithms that segment tumour nuclei require an optimal nuclear counterstain, which can be hard to achieve in practice. On the other hand, a recent study showed that also cytoplasmic and membranous expression of Ki-67 is of prognostic value in breast cancer [33].
We conclude that the extent of Ki-67 staining determined by automated image analysis algorithm is an independent predictor of survival in breast cancer based on multivariate survival analysis. In univariate analysis, the automated assessment of Ki-67 extent of staining yields comparable results to the visual Ki-67 assessment. The current approach could be utilized in screening of prognostic biomarkers in large series of tissue microarrays, by integration with whole slide microscopy imaging and virtual microscopy.
Declaration of competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Authors' contributions
JK participated in the design of the study, assembled the image analysis system, performed data analysis and interpretation, statistical analysis and manuscript preparation. ML wrote the code for the virtual microscopy platform, participated in data acquisition and analysis, and manuscript revision. HJ and JL devised the nationwide FinProg breast cancer study. HJ supervised the FinProg study, and participated in manuscript revision. KH, TT-H, VK and LS participated in data acquisition and manuscript revision. TL assembled the tissue microarrays and participated in data acquisition and manuscript revision. HS performed staining of the samples and visual interpretation of the staining results, and participated in manuscript revision. JI supervised the laboratory work, contributed to the design of the image analysis system, and participated in data acquisition and manuscript revision. JL designed the study, performed data analysis and interpretation, statistical analysis and manuscript preparation. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Role of the Funding Source
The study sponsors had no involvements in the study design, in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; and in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.
This study was supported by the Finnish Cancer Society, Sigrid Juselius Foundation, Finska Läkaresällskapet, Medicinska Understödsföreningen Liv och Hälsa, and a Special Governmental Research Grant (EVO/TYH 2010106).
Bloom K, Harrington D: Enhanced accuracy and reliability of HER-2/neu immunohistochemical scoring using digital microscopy.
Am J Clin Pathol 2004, 121:620-630. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
Camp RL, Chung GG, Rimm DL: Automated subcellular localization and quantification of protein expression in tissue microarrays.
Nat Med 2002, 8:1323-1327. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
Chen W, Reiss M, Foran DJ: A prototype for unsupervised analysis of tissue microarrays for cancer research and diagnostics.
IEEE Trans Inf Technol Biomed 2004, 8:89-96. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
Chung GG, Zerkowski MP, Ghosh S, Camp RL, Rimm DL: Quantitative analysis of estrogen receptor heterogeneity in breast cancer.
Lab Invest 2007, 87:662-669. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
Corletto V, Verderio P, Giardini R, Cipriani S, Di Palma S, Rilke F: Evaluation of residual cellularity and proliferation on preoperatively treated breast cancer: a comparison between image analysis and light microscopy analysis.
Anal Cell Pathol 1998, 16:83-93. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
Kolles H, Forderer W, Bock R, Feiden W: Combined Ki-67 and Feulgen stain for morphometric determination of the Ki-67 labelling index.
Histochemistry 1993, 100:293-296. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
Layfield LJ, Saria EA, Conlon DH, Kerns BJ: Estrogen and progesterone receptor status determined by the Ventana ES 320 automated immunohistochemical stainer and the CAS 200 image analyzer in 236 early-stage breast carcinomas: prognostic significance.
J Surg Oncol 1996, 61:177-184. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
Lehr HA, Hansen DA, Kussick S, Li M, Hwang H, Krummenauer F, Trouet S, Gown AM: Assessment of proliferative activity in breast cancer: MIB-1 immunohistochemistry versus mitotic figure count.
Hum Pathol 1999, 30:1314-1320. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
Pietilainen T, Lipponen P, Aaltomaa S, Eskelinen M, Kosma VM, Syrjanen K: The important prognostic value of Ki-67 expression as determined by image analysis in breast cancer.
J Cancer Res Clin 1996, 122:687-692. Publisher Full Text
Pinder SE, Wencyk P, Sibbering DM, Bell JA, Elston CW, Nicholson R, Robertson JF, Blamey RW, Ellis IO: Assessment of the new proliferation marker MIB1 in breast carcinoma using image analysis: associations with other prognostic factors and survival.
Br J Cancer 1995, 71:146-149. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text | PubMed Central Full Text
Querzoli P, Albonico G, Ferretti S, Rinaldi R, Magri E, Indelli M, Nenci I: MIB-1 proliferative activity in invasive breast cancer measured by image analysis.
Journal of Clinical Pathology 1996, 49:926-930. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text | PubMed Central Full Text
Querzoli P, Ferretti S, Albonico G, Magri E, Scapoli D, Indelli M, Nenci I: Application of Quantitative-Analysis to Biologic Profile Evaluation in Breast-Cancer.
Cancer 1995, 76:2510-2517. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
Stromberg S, Bjorklund MG, Asplund C, Skollermo A, Persson A, Wester K, Kampf C, Nilsson P, Andersson AC, Uhlen M, et al.: A high-throughput strategy for protein profiling in cell microarrays using automated image analysis.
Proteomics 2007, 7:2142-2150. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
Sullivan CA, Ghosh S, Ocal IT, Camp RL, Rimm DL, Chung GG: Microvessel area using automated image analysis is reproducible and is associated with prognosis in breast cancer.
Hum Pathol 2009, 40:156-165. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
Turashvili G, Leung S, Turbin D, Montgomery K, Gilks B, West R, Carrier M, Huntsman D, Aparicio S: Inter-observer reproducibility of HER2 immunohistochemical assessment and concordance with fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH): pathologist assessment compared to quantitative image analysis.
BMC Cancer 2009, 9:165. PubMed Abstract | BioMed Central Full Text | PubMed Central Full Text
Turbin DA, Leung S, Cheang MC, Kennecke HA, Montgomery KD, McKinney S, Treaba DO, Boyd N, Goldstein LC, Badve S, et al.: Automated quantitative analysis of estrogen receptor expression in breast carcinoma does not differ from expert pathologist scoring: a tissue microarray study of 3,484 cases.
Breast Cancer Res Treat 2008, 110:417-426. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
Tuominen VJ, Ruotoistenmaki S, Viitanen A, Jumppanen M, Isola J: ImmunoRatio: a publicly available web application for quantitative image analysis of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and Ki-67.
Breast Cancer Res 2010, 12:R56. PubMed Abstract | BioMed Central Full Text | PubMed Central Full Text
Kononen J, Bubendorf L, Kallioniemi A, Barlund M, Schraml P, Leighton S, Torhorst J, Mihatsch MJ, Sauter G, Kallioniemi OP: Tissue microarrays for high-throughput molecular profiling of tumor specimens.
Nat Med 1998, 4:844-847. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
de Azambuja E, Cardoso F, de Castro G Jr, Colozza M, Mano MS, Durbecq V, Sotiriou C, Larsimont D, Piccart-Gebhart MJ, Paesmans M: Ki-67 as prognostic marker in early breast cancer: a meta-analysis of published studies involving 12,155 patients.
Br J Cancer 2007, 96:1504-1513. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text | PubMed Central Full Text
Domagala W, Markiewski M, Harezga B, Dukowicz A, Osborn M: Prognostic significance of tumor cell proliferation rate as determined by the MIB-1 antibody in breast carcinoma: its relationship with vimentin and p53 protein.
Clin Cancer Res 1996, 2:147-154. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
Rudolph P, Olsson H, Bonatz G, Ratjen V, Bolte H, Baldetorp B, Ferno M, Parwaresch R, Alm P: Correlation between p53, c-erbB-2, and topoisomerase II alpha expression, DNA ploidy, hormonal receptor status and proliferation in 356 node-negative breast carcinomas: Prognostic implications.
J Pathol 1999, 187:207-216. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
Stuart-Harris R, Caldas C, Pinder SE, Pharoah P: Proliferation markers and survival in early breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 85 studies in 32,825 patients.
Breast 2008, 17:323-334. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
Lundin M, Lundin J, Helin H, Isola J: A digital atlas of breast histopathology: an application of web based virtual microscopy.
J Clin Pathol 2004, 57:1288-1291. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text | PubMed Central Full Text
Joensuu H, Lehtimaki T, Holli K, Elomaa L, Turpeenniemi-Hujanen T, Kataja V, Anttila A, Lundin M, Isola J, Lundin J: Risk for distant recurrence of breast cancer detected by mammography screening or other methods.
JAMA 2004, 292:1064-1073. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
Sihto H, Lundin J, Lehtimaki T, Sarlomo-Rikala M, Butzow R, Holli K, Sailas L, Kataja V, Lundin M, Turpeenniemi-Hujanen T, et al.: Molecular subtypes of breast cancers detected in mammography screening and outside of screening.
Clin Cancer Res 2008, 14:4103-4110. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
Konsti J, Lundin J, Jumppanen M, Lundin M, Viitanen A, Isola J: A public-domain image processing tool for automated quantification of fluorescence in situ hybridisation signals.
J Clin Pathol 2008, 61:278-282. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
Ruifrok AC, Johnston DA: Quantification of histochemical staining by color deconvolution.
Anal Quant Cytol Histol 2001, 23:291-299. PubMed Abstract
Cohen J: Weighted kappa: nominal scale agreement with provision for scaled disagreement or partial credit.
Psychol Bull 1968, 70:213-220. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
Ahlin C, Aaltonen K, Amini RM, Nevanlinna H, Fjallskog ML, Blomqvist C: Ki67 and cyclin A as prognostic factors in early breast cancer. What are the optimal cut-off values?
Histopathology 2007, 51:491-498. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
Fritz P, Wu X, Tuczek H, Multhaupt H, Schwarzmann P: Quantitation in immunohistochemistry. A research method or a diagnostic tool in surgical pathology?
Pathologica 1995, 87:300-309. PubMed Abstract
Sapino A, Marchio C, Senetta R, Castellano I, Macri L, Cassoni P, Ghisolfl G, Cerrato M, D'Ambrosio E, Bussolati G: Routine assessment of prognostic factors in breast cancer using a multicore tissue microarray procedure.
Virchows Arch 2006, 449:288-296. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
Klintman M, Bendahl PO, Grabau D, Lovgren K, Malmstrom P, Ferno M: The prognostic value of Ki67 is dependent on estrogen receptor status and histological grade in premenopausal patients with node-negative breast cancer.
Mod Pathol 2010, 23:251-259. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
Faratian D, Munro A, Twelves C, Bartlett JM: Membranous and cytoplasmic staining of Ki67 is associated with HER2 and ER status in invasive breast carcinoma.
Histopathology 2009, 54:254-257. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text
Pre-publication history
The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:


text:
Cowboys official injury report: Nagy out with neck injury
IRVING — Cowboys left guard Bill Nagy missed Thursday's practice because of a neck injury he suffered during Wednesday's session.
According to the Cowboys' official injury report, Nagy was sidelined along with receiver Dez Bryant (thigh) and cornerbacks Terence Newman (groin) and Orlando Scandrick (ankle). Earlier in the day Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Bryant would play Sunday but that Newman wouldn't. Scandrick, meanwhile, is expected to wear a protective boot for the next three to six days.
For the second consecutive day, cornerback Mike Jenkins (shoulder) and Anthony Spencer (shoulder) were limited in practice.


text:
This offer for free shipping and handling applies to ground ship orders over $100 and is valid for orders placed online at www.etundra.com from 11/26/2015 12:01 AM MST thru 11/30/2015 11:59 PM MST. This offer applies to standard ground shipping and handling within the U.S., excluding Hawaii, Alaska and U.S. Territories (other than Washington, D.C.). LTL shipments are not eligible for this offer and may be subject to additional shipping and handling charges. Customers are responsible for all taxes and for all Rush Delivery upgrade fees for 3-Day Express, 2-Day Express and Next Day Delivery. Tundra Restaurant Supply reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time. Void where prohibited by law. Does not apply to previous purchases and cannot be combined with other offers. Above code will need to be added to the shopping cart before checking out. Click on "Do you have a coupon" link and add code to redeem.
In the commercial kitchen, keeping things in one place (ideally off the floor and in the container, pot, or pan it's supposed to be in) is an important part of staying organized and on top of your game. A great way to avoid the mess while transferring ingredients is to use some convenient commercial funnels to get the job done. Funnels are simple to use, and putting a few to use when you need them most is a smart idea. Prone to making a mess and spilling things? Then these tools are a kitchen necessity for you, our friend.
Enter your email address to receive
exclusive discounts, promotions
Sign up now to receive
your next order!
Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved by Tundra Restaurant Supply -
3825 Walnut Street Unit E, Boulder, CO 80301. v 2015.4.5806.43060


text:
8 Reasons why you must have proper job descriptions in place...
Taryn Strugnell, Managing Editor Labour Law For Managers, 07 Mar. 2013
Tags: job description, job profiles, job description toolkit, pre-written job description, job description examples
Do you often find employees aren't sure about what they should be doing? It could be because you haven't outlined what's expected from them. To stop this happening, you need to make sure you have up to date, accurate job descriptions so your staff are performing up to scratch.
Here are our top 8 reasons to create successful job descriptions…
Here are our top 8 reasons to create successful job descriptions…
1) Job profiles can help you in discrimination claims
This is especially true with prospective employees applying for a job and employees applying for promotions. For example, if a job applicant claims you didn't hire her because she's a woman. Pull out your job profile and prove gender has nothing to do with it - she simply didn't meet the requirements.
2) Job profiles can help you choose between two job applicants
Job profiles can help you decide between two candidates who both meet the minimum standards. You probably only summarised the job specifications in the recruitment advert. You can use other things from the job profile that were not listed in the ad to choose a candidate.
3) Job profiles can help you in poor performance claims
It's much easier to prove the responsibilities of a role weren't met if they're documented in a job profile.
4) Job profiles provide structure
A job profile is often used to grade the positions in your business. Once you have the grading, you can then look at the salary scales. This'll help you pay people of the same grade similar salaries. It also gives you an idea of what to pay new employees.
The only toolbox that gives you electronic templates and organograms that WILL save you hours, days, even weeks of your time…
Whether you want to:
• Cut your recruitment time in half
• Get rid of poor performers
• Save your company R219 700 in consultant fees
• Make your job easier…
The 169 Job Descriptions Toolbox is the quickest, easiest and cheapest way to do it!
5) Job profiles will help you comply with the law and code on employees with disabilities
You shouldn't give an employee with a disability the generic job description that others in the same position get. Specify the duties he won't have to perform in that role. You must also specify what reasonable accommodation you've taken to facilitate him in his job.
6) You can use job profiles for recruitment advertising
Job profiles can form the basis of your recruitment adverts. You need to give the right information to attract the right candidate. E.g. don't just say "marketing manager wanted". You'll just get a flood of responses that you'll have to sift through to find the appropriate candidate.
7) Job profiles form the foundation of training and development
You can use these to assess where the employee needs to grow and you can mentor him. The profile will tell you what training he needs to close the skills gap or what training he needs to move to the next level.
8) Job profiles are essential for restructuring
You can match the job profile to the new position to determine who gets the job in the new structure.
Stop wasting your time sifting through CVs!
From personal assistants, to accountants we give you 169 pre-written job descriptions to help you cover all your requirements and save you time. Click here now to read more.
P.S. Would you like 98 out of 100 of your job applicants to be the right ones for the job? Cut out endless hours spent wading through irrelevant CVs with one easy step… here's how!
Related articles:
- » To write the perfect job ad, you first need a job description for the position you're hiring for. Here's what to include in it
- » Make sure you have these 6 things in your employees job description
- » To create a successful job advertisement, consider these six points
- » To write the perfect job ad, you first need a job description for the position you're hiring for. Here's what to include in it
- » Drafting your recruitment and selection policy? Include these four items to make sure it's legally compliant
- » Cut your recruitment time in half! Ask job candidates these five questions before they come for an interview
- » Three criteria to select suitable job applicants so your hiring process is fair
0 comments


text:
While all the snow's melting in time for Super Bowl XLIV, we have this on the game show menu:
-The latest edition of the "Jeopardy! College Championship" begins!
-"Launch My Line" crowns possibly its only winning team; also, "Shear Genius" makes its GSK debut!
-Who will re-join the game on "The Biggest Loser"?
-The "American Idol" Season 9 preliminary auditions conclude in Denver.
All this, plus "Wheel of Fortune" does a week-long salute to NYC, and possibly a lot more, next week on GSK.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Next Week in Game Shows: February 1-7
Posted by Robert McBride at 9:44 PM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
- 23 Sat Mar 2013
Whales: Giants of the Deep
The newest exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History - Whales: Giants of the Deep will transport visitors to the vibrant underwater world of the mightiest animals on Earth. The museum's iconic big blue whale will get some company with this exhibit, which comes to New York courtesy the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
New York City Calendar of Events
Big Apple Happenings, From Broadway to Brooklyn
New York City is America's entertainment mecca. Sports, theater, music, art and fashion call the five boroughs home, and as a result, the city hosts an array of one-of-a-kind events. Make the most of your experience by attending signature New York City events: free concerts, world-class theater, adventurous live music, art gallery openings and professional sports year-round.


text:
Flo Rida
|Flo Rida
Flo Rida at the 2012 Logie Awards in Melbourne, Australia
|Background information
|Birth name
|Tramar Lacel Dillard
September 17, 1979
Carol City, Florida, United States
|Years active
|Associated acts
Tramar Lacel Dillard (born September 17, 1979),[3][4] better known by his stage name Flo Rida (pronounced /floʊ ˈraɪdə/), is an American rapper from Carol City, Florida. He is perhaps best known for releasing a string of hit singles, such as his 2008 debut "Low", which was number one for 10 weeks in the United States and broke the record for digital download sales at the time of its release. Further international hit singles include "Right Round", "Club Can't Handle Me", "Good Feeling", "Wild Ones", "Whistle" and "I Cry". He has also been featured on several hit singles, namely "Running Back" by Jessica Mauboy, "Bad Boys" by Alexandra Burke, and "Troublemaker" by Olly Murs.
Flo Rida has released four albums so far: Mail on Sunday (2008), R.O.O.T.S. (2009), Only One Flo (Part 1) (2010), and Wild Ones (2012). In total his music has amassed over 75 million downloads worldwide.[5]
Life and career
1979–2006: Early life and career beginnings
Tramar Dillard was born on September 16, 1979,[6][7] in Carol City, Florida.[8] His parents raised him and his seven sisters together, some of whom sang in a local gospel group.[9]
Dillard's brother-in-law was a hype man for local rap group 2 Live Crew, and while in ninth grade, Dillard joined an amateur rap group called the GroundHoggz.[10] The GroundHoggz had been a three-man group, with members 1Bred, Key Lime, and Fist, who lived in the same apartment complex as Dillard, 187 Apartments. They started recording at underground studios in Carver Ranches.[11] The GroundHoggz, in this four-man incarnation, remained together for eight years.
His work with 2 Live Crew member Fresh Kid Ice attracted the attention of DeVante Swing, a member of the band Jodeci. However, he was rejected by several of the major labels, so he sought many other jobs outside of music.[12]
After graduating from high school in 1998, he studied international business management at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for two months and attended Barry University for two months.[12][13] He returned to Florida to continue pursuing his music career after receiving a phone call from a representative of the independent label Poe Boy Entertainment.[12]
Dillard signed with Poe Boy in 2006, and as Flo Rida he began affiliating with other artists, such as Rick Ross, Trina, T-Pain, and Trick Daddy. A promotional street single entitled "Birthday", featuring Rick Ross, was his first significant release. He made his debut guest appearance with the song "Bitch I'm from Dade County" on DJ Khaled's album We the Best, which featured Trick Daddy, Trina, Rick Ross, Brisco, C-Ride, and Dre.[14]
2007–2008: Mail on Sunday
Flo Rida's debut album, Mail on Sunday, was released in March 2008. The first single was "Low", featuring T-Pain, which was also included in the soundtrack to the movie Step Up 2: The Streets. "Low" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[14] "Elevator", featuring Timbaland, "In the Ayer" featuring will.i.am, and "Roll" featuring Sean Kingston followed, and both charted on the Hot 100 and other charts.[15]
Other than T-Pain, there were many featured guests throughout Mail on Sunday. Timbaland, who produced the second single "Elevator", is also featured on the track. Rick Ross, and Trey Songz made appearances as well.[16] Lil Wayne[16] appeared on the track "American Superstar", while Sean Kingston appeared on the J. R. Rotem-produced "Roll", which was co-written by Compton rapper Spitfiya. Various other guests include Birdman, Brisco, and Yung Joc.
"Money Right", featuring Brisco and Rick Ross, was scheduled to be the fourth single, but this was canceled due to the upcoming release of Flo Rida's second studio album, R.O.O.T.S. His second collaboration with T-Pain, "I Bet", as well as his collaboration with Trina, named "Bout It", both didn't make the final tracklist, but were recorded.
After the success of Mail on Sunday, Flo Rida made guest performances on other R&B, rap, and pop singles, including "Move Shake Drop" by DJ Laz, "We Break the Dawn" by Michelle Williams, the remix of "4 Minutes" by Madonna, "Running Back" by Australian R&B singer Jessica Mauboy, "Feel It" by DJ Felli Fel, and the remix of "Speedin'" by Rick Ross. During the summer of 2008, he did live performances on the Fox dance competition program So You Think You Can Dance in the US[17] and 2008 MuchMusic Video Awards in Canada.[18] He appeared on the albums We Global by DJ Khaled, Gutta by Ace Hood, and The Fame by Lady Gaga, among others.
Flo Rida began recording his second album, R.O.O.T.S., 9 months after Mail On Sunday. The album was released on March 31, 2009.[19] The first single, "Right Round" featuring Ke$ha, was released for airplay in January 2009. "Right Round" jumped from number 58 to the top spot in one week in late February. The song broke a record for the most digital one week sales in the U.S., with 636,000, beating the previous record he had set himself with "Low".[20] "Right Round" sampled "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)", a 1985 hit by Dead or Alive.[21] The second official single was "Sugar", which featured R&B singer Wynter Gordon. The song reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Jump", featuring singer Nelly Furtado, was the third official single and was released on July 27, 2009 in the UK, and July 28, 2009 worldwide.[22] "Be on You", featuring features singer Ne-Yo, was the album's fourth official single, released on October 6, 2009. Both songs charted in the top 100 in various countries. "Available", featuring Akon, was going to be released on iTunes but was cancelled. It charted at number 120 in Ireland. A music video was also shot in mid-2009.[23] R.O.O.T.S. debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 55,000 copies in its first week.[24] As of August, 2009, the album has sold 223,000 copies in the United States, and 536,000 worldwide. By the end of 2009, the album sold 247,000 copies in the US, becoming the eighth best selling rap album of 2009.[25]
Flo Rida made guest performances on "Feel It" by DJ Felli Fel, "Starstruck" by Lady Gaga, and "Feel It" by Three 6 Mafia. "Bad Boys", the first single by winner of British reality show The X Factor Alexandra Burke that featured Flo Rida, debuted at No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart in October.[26]
2010–2011: Only One Flo (Part 1)
Flo Rida's third album Only One Flo (Part 1) was released on November 24, 2010. In March 2010, Flo Rida announced on Twitter that the album would be titled The Only One.[27] Billboard reported that The Only One was to be a double album.[28] A promo single, titled "Zoosk Girl", which features T-Pain, was released on the internet, though the song is not featured on the album, the single does have its own music video. On June 28, 2010, Flo Rida released the song "Club Can't Handle Me" featuring David Guetta, which was stated to be the official first single for the album. The song was also featured in the Step Up 3D soundtrack.[29] On November 2, 2010, "Come with Me" was released as the first promo single for the album, along with "Puzzle", produced, and featuring by Electrixx, which isn't featured on the album. On November 16, 2010, "Turn Around (5, 4, 3, 2, 1)" was released as the second official promo single for the album via the iTunes Store.[30] It debuted on the Australian Singles Chart at number thirty-four on November 29, 2010.[31] After the release of the album in the UK, "Who Dat Girl" started to receive a strong amount of downloads, thus causing it to debut at number 136[32] on the UK Singles Chart and chart at a current peak of number thirty-one on the UK R&B Chart.[33] "Why You Up In Here" was released as the fourth single, and third promo single, on May 11, 2011. The song features Ludacris, Gucci Mane, and Git Fresh.
Flo Rida also made guest appearances on "iYiYi", a song by Australian teen singer Cody Simpson, and on the song "Out My Video" by Bulgarian singer LiLana. Flo Rida collaborated with UK girl group The Saturdays, recording a new version of their single, "Higher".[34]
In December 2010, Flo Rida created his own label, International Music Group, inspired by Nicki Minaj's signing with Lil Wayne's. He has signed an 18-year-old rapper, Brianna[35] and Git Fresh[36] to International.
2011–2013: Wild Ones
Flo Rida's fourth album, Wild Ones (originally titled Only One Rida (Part 2)) was released in July 2012. Its debut single was "Good Feeling", released on August 29, 2011.[37] The song samples "Levels" by Avicii, which in turn samples Etta James' 1962 song, "Something's Got a Hold on Me". Following the death of Etta James on January 20, 2012, Flo Rida dedicated the song in her memory.[38] The song peaked at No. 3 in the United States,[39] and topped the charts in Austria,[40] Germany,[41] Scotland,[42] and the UK. It reached the top five in nine other countries.
The next two singles from the album were the title track, "Wild Ones", released in December 2011, and "Whistle", released April 2012. "Wild Ones" reached #1 in various countries, and hit #5 in the US, while "Whistle" reached #1 in 20 countries, including the United States.
On April 1, Flo Rida made an appearance at WrestleMania XXVIII and had a segment with Heath Slater, Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks where Heath calls Flo Rida "Florida" and Flo Rida shoves him into a wall; making Tyler and Curt come out laughing at Heath. Later that night Flo Rida performed "Wild Ones" and "Good Feeling" before Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson came out to battle John Cena. On April 6, 2012 an exclusive Australian EP entitled Good Feeling was released in Australia, which contains six of his biggest hits and two remixes.[43] It debuted at No. 21 on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart[44] On May 22, 2012, Flo Rida performed and closed the show at the first Q102 Springle Ball Concert, and the following day he performed "Goin' In" with Jennifer Lopez on the America Idol finale.
On September 13, Flo Rida performed his new single "I Cry" on America's Got Talent.[45] In an interview with New York Music News, Flo Rida said he is currently recording his next album and that he has finished shooting the music video for "Let It Roll".[46] On December 9, he performed "Let it Roll" and "Wild Ones" at the 2012 edition of WWE's Tribute to the Troops. In November 2012, Flo Rida collaborated with Olly Murs for his song Troublemaker.
In June 2013, Flo Rida collaborated with Marc Mysterio on the song "Booty on the Floor" to benefit the families and victims of the Boston Marathon Bombings via One Fund Boston.[47]
2014–present: My House EP
On September 29, 2014 (October 21 in the U.S) Flo Rida released the lead single from his EP My House (2015) titled "G.D.F.R." featuring Sage the Gemini.[48] The track became his first top ten hit since 2012's "I Cry". My House will be succeeded by the release of his fifth studio album.
- Mail on Sunday (2008)
- Only One Flo (Part 1) (2010)
- Wild Ones (2012)
Awards and nominations
|American Music Awards
|Breakthrough Performer[49]
|Favorite Male Hip-Hop Artist
|BET Awards
|Best New Artist[50]
|Best Collaboration ("Low" with T-Pain)[51]
|BET Hip Hop Awards
|Ringtone of the Year ("Low" with T-Pain)[52]
|Rookie of the Year[53]
|Best Hip-Hop Collabo ("Low" with T-Pain)[54]
|MuchMusic Video Awards
|Best International Video ("Low" with T-Pain)[55]
|People's Choice Favorite International Video ("Low" with T-Pain)
|MTV Video Music Awards
|Best Hip-Hop Video ("Low" with T-Pain)
|Best Male Video ("Low" with T-Pain)[56]
|Ozone Awards
|Breakthrough Artist[57]
|Club Banger of the Year ("Low" with T-Pain)
|Teen Choice Awards
|Choice Breakout Artist[58]
|Choice Rap Artist
|Choice Hook-Up ("Low" with T-Pain)
|ARIA Music Awards
|Breakthrough Artist Single ("Running Back" with Jessica Mauboy)[59]
|Highest Selling Single ("Running Back" with Jessica Mauboy)
|APRA Awards
|Urban Work of the Year ("Running Back" with Jessica Mauboy)[60]
|Grammy Awards
|Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ("Low" with T-Pain)
|MTV Australia Awards
|Best Video ("Low" with T-Pain)
|Best Collaboration ("Running Back" with Jessica Mauboy)[61]
|MTV Video Music Awards
|Best Hip-Hop Video ("Right Round")[62]
|NT Indigenous Music Awards
|Single Release of the Year ("Running Back" with Jessica Mauboy)[63]
|People's Choice Awards
|Favorite Hip-Hop Song ("Low" with T-Pain)[64]
|Teen Choice Awards
|Best Hip-Hop Rap Track ("Right Round")
|APRA Awards
|Urban Work of the Year ("Running Back" with Jessica Mauboy)
|Grammy Awards
|Best Rap Album (R.O.O.T.S.)[65]
|Album of the Year (The Fame as featured artist)
|Latin Billboard Music Awards
|Crossover Artist Of The Year
|Crossover Artist of the Year, Solo
|People's Choice Awards
|Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
|Premios 40 Principales
|Mejor Artista Internacional en Lengua No Española[66]
|Mejor Álbum Internacional en Lengua No Española[66]
|Teen Choice Awards
|Single by Male Artist ("Good Feeling")
|R&B/Hip-Hop Artist [67]
|R&B/Hip-Hop Song ("Wild Ones" with Sia)
|Music Star Male
|Billboard Music Award
|Top Rap Song ("Good Feeling")[68]
|International Dance Music Award
|Best R & B/Urban Dance Track ("Good Feeling")[69]
|Best Rap/Hip Hop Dance Track ("Good Feeling")[69]
|MTV Europe Music Awards
|Best Male[70]
|Best World Stage Performance[70]
|American Music Awards
|Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist[71]
|Peoples Choice Awards
|Favorite Hip-Hop Artist
|Grammy Awards
|Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ("Wild Ones with Sia")
|NRJ Music Awards
|International Male Artist of the Year
|International Dance Music Awards
|Best Rap/Hip-Hop Dance Track ("Wild Ones")
|Billboard Latin Music Awards
|Crossover Artist of the Year
|2013 Billboard Music Awards
|Top 100 Artist
|Top Male Artist
|Top Digital Songs Artist
|Top Rap Artist
|Top Rap Song ("Wild Ones")
|Top Rap Song ("Whistle")
- ^ "Another Wild Hip House Ride, from Flo Rida | Noisevox: Music Rebooted". Noisevox. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
- ^ "Hip-House Is Back, Whether You Like It or Not". Turnstylenews.com. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
- ^ Flo Rida | Music News and Videos - Yahoo Music. Yahoo! Music.
- ^ Flo Rida | Music Biography, Streaming Radio and Discography. Allmusic.
- ^ Robehmed, Natalie (2013-10-21). "Rapper Flo Rida Endorses Debt-Riddled Beamz Players". Forbes. Retrieved 2014-06-09.
- ^ "Tonight". Flo Rida Official Instagram account. September 16, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
- ^ "Birthday Recap". Flo Rida Official Twitter account. September 17, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
- ^ Hillary, Crosley (January 19, 2008). "Rapper Flo Rida puts on "Sunday" best". Yahoo!. Reuters. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
- ^ "Bio". Officialflo.com. Poe Boy Entertainment. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
- ^ "GroundHoggz". GroundHoggz.
- ^ "Flo Rida interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' April 2009". Bluesandsoul.com. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
- ^ a b c Concepcion, Mariel (November 28, 2007). "Flo Rida". Billboard. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
- ^ Garland, Maurice G. (February 2008), "Flo Rida: Sunshine All Day", Vibe 16 (2): 86
- ^ a b Kellman, Andy (2007). "Flo Rida: Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved December 19, 2007.
- ^ Flo Rida > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles. Retrieved November 9, 2008.
- ^ a b Danica Dow (February 23, 2008). SOHH Exclusive: Flo Rida Goes "Postal" on Debut, Collaborates w/ Will.i.am, Lil' Wayne. SOHH. Retrieved February 24, 2008.
- ^ Sample, Kristin (June 20, 2008). "So You Think You Can Dance: Top 16 Revealed". TV Squad.
- ^ "2008 MMVA Guests". MuchMusic. Retrieved June 14, 2008.
- ^ Cohen, Jonathan (January 9, 2009). "Flo Rida Gets 'Round' To Second Album". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2009.
- ^ "Flo Rida Makes History Again, New Single Breaks Digital Record". XXL. February 18, 2009. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
- ^ Reid, Shaheem (February 20, 2009). "Flo Rida Talks About Record-Breaking Single 'Right Round'". MTV News. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
- ^ "Radio1 – UK Forthcoming Singles". Radio1.gr. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
- ^ "Flo Rida feat Akon Available". youtube.com. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
- ^ "Keith Urban Soars To No. 1 On Billboard 200". Billboard. September 14, 2009. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
- ^ Douglas, DeVaughn (December 30, 2009). "AllHipHop ChartWatch: 2009's Top Selling Hip-Hop Acts". allhiphop.com. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
- ^ Griffiths, Peter (October 18, 2009). "Alexandra Burke beats Robbie Williams to top charts". Reuters. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
- ^ "Twitter update 10892447100". Twitter. March 22, 2010. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ Graff, Gary (August 17, 2010). "Flo Rida to Show Range of Skills on Double Album, 'The Only One'". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
- ^ Popular right now: (August 20, 2010). "Flo Rida Talks Collaborations And New Album...". TaleTela. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
- ^ "Turn Around (5,4,3,2,1) – Deluxe Single by Flo Rida – Download Turn Around (5,4,3,2,1) – Deluxe Single on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. November 16, 2010. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
- ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart: 29/11/2010". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
- ^ Only One Flo (Part 1) Chart Log UK. Retrieved August 2011
- ^ "R&B Singles Chart". Theofficialcharts.com. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
- ^ "The Saturdays Announce New Single + Flo Rida Collaboration!". thesaturdays.co.uk. September 2, 2010. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
- ^ "Flo Rida talks music, preps female rapper protege". Associated Press. December 15, 2010. Retrieved December 20, 2010.
- ^ Vasquez, Annie (February 5, 2011). "The lowdown on Flo". Miamiherald.com. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
- ^ "iTunes".
- ^ "Etta James Tribute (Flo Rida - Good Feeling)". youtube.com.
- ^ "Good Feeling - Flo Rida". www.billboard.com. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
- ^ "FLO RIDA - GOOD FEELING (SONG)". austriancharts. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
- ^ "Flo Rida".
- ^ "Scottish Singles Top 40 - 4th August 2012". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
- ^ [1] iTunes EP. Retrieved 2012-04-15
- ^ [2] Chart Watch. Retrieved 2012-04-15
- ^ "FLO RIDA PERFORMS ON AMERICA'S GOT TALENT TONIGHT!". Retrieved 6 October 2012.
- ^ "FLO RIDA Interview Atop The Empire State Building". New York Music News. 2012-11-20. Retrieved 2012-11-20.
- ^ "Guestlisted with Jed Gottlieb". Boston Herald. 2013-06-07. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
- ^ https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/gdfr-feat.-sage-gemini-lookas/id923466096
- ^ Harris, Chris. "Lil Wayne, Coldplay, Alicia Keys Lead 2008 American Music Award Nominees". MTV News. Retrieved October 14, 2008.
- ^ Best New Artist. BET Awards 2008.
- ^ Best Collaboration BET Awards. 2008
- ^ Ringtone of the Year Retrieved August 24, 2010.
- ^ Rookie of the Year. BET Hip Hop Awards 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
- ^ Best Hip Hop Collabo BET Awards 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
- ^ Best International Video – Artist. MuchMusic Video Awards 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
- ^ Best Male Video, Best Hip Hop Video. MTV Video Music Awards 2008.
- ^ "Ozone Awards 2008 Nominees". Retrieved July 15, 2008.
- ^ "2008 Teen Choice Awards winners and nominees". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 17, 2008.
- ^ 2009 ARIA Awards details announced Retrieved August 20, 2010
- ^ APRA Award winners announced Retrieved August 24, 2010.
- ^ "List of nominees". Sydney Morning Herald. February 19, 2009. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
- ^ Jayson Rodriguez. "Flo Rida Says He 'Looks Up To' His VMA Rivals". MTV News. Retrieved August 14, 2009.
- ^ "NT music awards". Blogs.abc.net.au. 2007-08-26. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
- ^ People's Choice Awards Nominations 2009 Retrieved 2008-11-10
- ^ Robinson, Dantrel (January 13, 2009). "It's A Rap! — A Look At Rap In 2009". Grammy.com. Retrieved January 13, 2009.
- ^ a b "Premios 40 princiaples 2012".
- ^ "Teen Choice Awards 2012". teenchoiceawards.com.
- ^ "Billboard Music Awards 2012". Billboard.com.
- ^ a b "International Dance Music Award 2012". dancemusic.about.com.
- ^ a b "MTV EMA FLO RIDA". la.mtvema.com.
- ^ "VOTE FOR FLO RIDA TO WIN A 2012 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARD!". Retrieved 14 November 2012.
External links
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to Flo Rida.


text:
Merillat Cabinetry
- Inspiration & Design
- Our Products
- Plan Your Space
- Where To Buy
- Support
- For Professionals
Sarah is the Director, Designer Relations & Education at Masco Cabinetry. With approximately 15 years of experience in the design industry, Sarah's specialties include: home interiors, kitchen and bath design, writing, public speaking and trend forecasting.
See what our experts have to say in the professionals section of our Blog.
Please provide the information below to be added to our professionals email mailing list:


text:
by David Francis
Mixed, Mastered & Engineered by Jeff Philips
Hot Sound Studios NYC
Arranged & Produced by David Francis, 2007
CD Baby: David Francis: Poems
Compact Disc / 18 Poems / $15.00 US
OUT-look: a review
by Eve Anthony Hanninen
In the Here and Now
of Music and Spoken Word Poetry:
David Francis' Poems
The cover art is unassuming, with a scene of a peaceful lake (or river) and boats on the front
side; towering trees planted on a grassy bank, with Bentwood-style chairs paralleling the water's edge on back. The
title? Just "Poems." Simple, but the placid imagery does set the tone for the content inside.
And listening to David Francis' spoken word / music CD, Poems, proved to be a delightful
surprise for this bone-weary editor on the eve of The Centrifugal Eye's May quarter publication. Okay, so normally
when I plan to review something myself (not often), I give myself at least a couple weeks' lead time, but believe me,
this time it just wasn't possible.
It was lucky for both David Francis and me that these eighteen poems set to music were soothing,
amusing, and touching (yet uplifting). Otherwise, they'd have been given a lukewarm listen and then slipped to the
"dead file." Well, they're not really "set to music." The poems are more like small, lyrical,
vocal interludes between accomplished phrasings of instrumental music. The "verses" range, both in voice and content, from
diverting to pensive vignettes that vine around the story of a couple's cycle through the genesis of their relationship.
I've only listened to the entire CD three times so far, and haven't decided yet on
particular favorites. I also find it unfortunate that the track titles are not listed on the CD insert, so couldn't
really identify the poems yet, anyway. The individual titles can be located on CD Baby.com, but I find that inconvenient.
I can tell you that there are more than a couple poems which get me nodding or smiling,
sometimes both. Each poem is first introduced by a melody or rhythmic riff which features a different musical instrument,
be it piano, guitar, flute or horn, for example, so it's natural to consider each of these poems a song of sort. Personally,
I don't usually like commercial songs that have "talky" parts in them, however my impression of Francis'
poems doesn't suffer from this same disdain. Instead, the soft quality of Francis' voice, his steady and practiced
intonation, place me immediately into the setting of a poetry reading staged in a funky, European bistro glazed with slanted
The climate of David Francis' Poems sows introspection; the musical riffs seed emotions,
the melodies of both instrumental and vocal craft flourish into a hybrid of form, his poetic world of contemporary romance
flowers in my imagination. All this, on a dreamy, lightly-involved level. Refreshing, especially after the rather somber
material I've recently been buried in the past few months.
Highlights of Poems: Francis' ability to weave slant rhymes naturally into many of the pieces. His
subtly retro, beat-like intonation. Jazzy, folksy, percussive accompaniments. Good pacing.
Eve Anthony Hanninen is the Editor of The Centrifugal Eye.
You can find out what else Eve's been doing lately, besides simmering in the fiery hell of editorial duties, by reading her
editorial page.
"Go to Heaven for the climate,
Hell for the company."
~Mark Twain
Contemporary Poetry with an Eye Towards Resistance
Copyright 2015 The Centrifugal Eye - Collected Works.


text:
101st Grey Cup Championship Game sold-outJuly 17, 2013 - Canadian Football League (CFL) - Saskatchewan Roughriders Press Release
"The response from Saskatchewan Roughrider season ticket holders and CFL fans across the country has been amazing," stated Saskatchewan Roughrider President/CEO Jim Hopson. "Hosting the 101st Grey Cup Championship Game and Festival gives the province an amazing opportunity to showcase Saskatchewan to the entire nation."
"The fact that the Grey Cup game has sold out months in advance in recent years is a testament to its importance to Canadians, the passion of our fans, and the strength of the modern Canadian Football League," said Mark Cohon, Commissioner of the CFL. "Our season, now fully underway, is really the road to the Grey Cup. And we know this year's journey for CFL teams will culminate with an amazing celebration in a province that truly loves our game and our country and the bond between them."
"We are thrilled to sell the game out this quickly and are now focusing our attention on making sure this is the greatest Grey Cup Festival the country has ever seen," stated 101st Grey Cup Festival Executive Director Neil Donnelly. "The Grey Cup, held in Saskatchewan in 1995 and 2003, have been considered two of the most successful ever and we will look upon the people of Saskatchewan to raise the bar even higher."
Tickets to a number of events taking place during Grey Cup Festival week are currently on sale through 101greycupfestival.ca.
• Discuss this story on the Canadian Football League message board...
• Digg this story
• Add to Del.icio.us
Canadian Football League Stories from July 17, 2013
- Stamps Face Alouettes Saturday at McMahon - Calgary Stampeders
- Riders Add Eddie Russ to Practice Roster - Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Game-day improvements help fans get home easier - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- 101st Grey Cup Championship Game sold-out - Saskatchewan Roughriders
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


text:
Junior college transfer Mychal Bailey ruptured an opponent?s spleen while in high school.
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The highlight hit for which Mychal Bailey is best known was premeditated. And vicious.
And as the University of Kentucky safety would like to make clear, it was within the rules.
"Straight-up clean hit," Bailey said with a grin. "But I got a flag for celebrating after." ...


text:
Second suspect arrested after attempted murder in Vancouver
VANCOUVER, Wash. – U.S. Marshals arrested a man who police said robbed, kidnapped and shot an Oregon man in Vancouver last month.
Pedro Godinez, Jr. was arrested in Grandview, Wash. It's unclear how authorities found him.
Police said on Nov. 28, Godinez and Joanna Speaks kidnapped the unidentified 37-year-old victim in East Vancouver and took him to an area near Vancouver Lake Park, where they robbed and shot him multiple times.
The suspects left in his 2012 Nissan Sentra.
The victim survived the shooting. Police said he walked about a mile through a wildlife recreation area before finding a group of houseboats and getting help.
Speaks was arrested on Nov. 30 after a standoff with a SWAT team at a Vancouver apartment.
Police found the stolen car on Dec. 4.
Godinez was taken to the Grandview Police Department jail. Police said he will be transferred to the Clark County Jail to face the charges against him.


text:
Jenny can be commissioned or hired as a choregrapher for various projects, events, venues and companies.
*Commission her company, Rocha Dance Theater to perform new or past contemporary works of dance theater that can range from a short work to an evening length piece. Check out the latest work, Battledress!
*Jenny also creates a large repertory of short vignettes for her cabaret dance group, The Painted Ladies. Hire the company to perform new or existing choreography.
*Hire Jenny to choreograph acts for your commercial or entertainment events and projects! She can create for your group of dancers or provide dancers from her own roster of dynamic performers. Rocha currently choreographs for various entertainment companies in the U.S. and abroad.
*Hire Jenny to choreograph for film/video. Film credits include: It Felt Like Love-Sundance Film Festival selection/Film Festival Rotterdam/BamCinemaFest 2013 and Ode-directed by Gary Shore.
*Hire Jenny to be part of a creative team for your event or venue.
To inquire about Choreography, Email Here
"lively choreography that borrows just as much from hip hop as it does ballet"- Gia Kourlas, New York Times
Rocha's choreography is a no-holds-barred mixture of modern, hip-hop, and jazz, rife with lifts, spins, body rolls, athletic extensions, beautiful lines..."- Amy Pearsal, NYtheater.com
Jenny performs various genres of dance such as modern/contemporary, dance theater, performance art, jazz, hip hop, tap, contact partnering, improvisation, character work, burlesque, physical comedy, mime and more. She has worked with noted choreographers and companies such as Heidi Latsky Dance, Sean Curran Company, Gary Shore and Kelli Wicke Davis. She currently performs with her 2 companies (Rocha Dance Theater and Painted Ladies), Elan Artists, Shien Lee's Dances of Vice, The Box and others. "Jenny Rocha & Her Painted Ladies" perform every weekend as a resident dance company at Galapagos Art Space' Floating Kabarette. Check for performance updates Here!
For inquiries, Email Here
"a beauty in her clear, bold way, her face nakedly revealing fierce self confidence and vulnerability"- Jennifer Dunning, New York Times
""Rocha's full-out, confident, passionate style in performance as well as choreography makes her an artist to watch"
-Eva Yaa Assantewaa-Infinite Body
"..one of those tiny women who becomes larger-than-life onstage, and puts on styles with steps, the costumes almost an after thought." -JD Oxblood
"In her own dancing, she welds a fierce attack to a sexy sensibility and a sense of humor." Culturebot.com
Jenny has been a teaching artist in NYC since 2000. Currently, she is the lead instructor for BAM's "Dancing Into the Future" program and is on the guest faculty at Mark Morris Dance Center. She has been a guest artist at Rhode Island College, West Virginia University, ACDFA at Conn College and a revisiting artist at Roger Williams University from 2002-2013. She has also taught at Dance New Amsterdam, was on faculty for the Brooklyn organization CREATE and has taught at many other studios and after school programs. She has taught all ages and levels.
Classes include:
Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced modern dance
Contemporary Jazz
Contact Partnering
Movement for the Actor
Costume Design for Dance
Cabaret Dance
Painted Ladies Workshop
To make an inquiry, please Email Here
Book or commission:
Jenny for solo projects, acts and gigs.
Jenny also has an extended roster of professionally trained dancers that can be booked for Go-Go, Roaming Acts, Improv performances, Greeters, film extras, video dance and Burlesque.
Email Here for booking inquiries.
Dance styles that can be provided:
Dance Theater
Modern Dance
Contemporary Jazz
Cabaret Dance
Era themed (1920's, 1940's, !950's, 1960's Mod, !970's Disco)
Storytelling Acts
Partnering Dances
Comedy Dance
Physical Theater
Commission or Hire Jenny for:
Costume Design & Costume Making
Costume Stylist
Costume Consultant
Click here to see examples of Jenny's designs!
For inquiries, Email Here
"somehow managing to channel both the grace of Claudette Colbert and the comedy of Buster Keaton"- NYtheater.com
Jenny Rocha is a versatile dance artist- creating contemporary work, commercial work, mixing genres of dance, designing costumes and teaching various classes. Currently, Jenny is a teaching artist at BAM for their "Dancing Into the Future" program (2012-2014), a resident artist at Galapagos Art Space (Jenny Rocha & Her Painted Ladies), the in-house choreographer for Elan Artists, a performer for Shien Lee's Dances of Vice and on the guest faculty at Mark Morris Dance Center. Her current projects include a dance/installation piece entitled "Battledress" which premiered at The Boston Center for the Arts in December 2013 and her cabaret dance group, The Painted Ladies. As a dancer, she has worked with noted companies and artists such as Heidi Latsky Dance, Sean Curran Company and mentors, Gary Shore & Kelli Wicke Davis. Rocha has performed in formal theaters, cabaret stages, operas, films and video, NBCs America's Got Talent, outdoor festivals, and many other performance mediums. As choreographer and artistic director of her Brooklyn-based company, Rocha Dance Theater, Jenny has created over 50 works and 12 evening-length productions since 2001. In addition to choreographing for her own company, she creates work for directors, clubs, music shows, commissioned events, entertainment companies, films and college companies. As a teacher, she has been a guest artist at Rhode Island College, West Virginia University, ACDFA at Connecticut College and a revisiting artist at Roger Williams University (2001-2013). Jenny has also taught in NY public schools for the organization CREATE and has been a guest artist at Dance New Amsterdam in NYC. Rocha graduated with a BA in Dance from Roger Williams University in 1996 where she received the Thomas Paolino Scholarship and The Outstanding Achievement in Dance Award. Rocha has received funding from The Emerging Artist Award in Boston, the Thomas Moore Foundation, Danspace Projects Commissioning Initiative, The Boston Center for the Arts and the Puffin Foundation.
"she evokes strong emotion physically, here through flung, pivoting and slashing bodies."
"a beauty in her clear bold way, her face nakedly revealing fierce self-confidence and vulnerability"
"lively choreography that borrows just as much from hip hop as it does ballet"
"authoritative work"
"Every now and then, I see a production that makes me clasp my hands with delight and I want to send everyone to experience it for themselves."
"If you enjoy innovative, high-energy dance performances tinged with wry wit, make a point to see her work."
Rocha has a notable talent for creating work that is both aesthetically interesting and powerfully communicative."
"hilarious manic tootsies"
"In creating this brilliant performance piece, it is very apparent that Ms. Rocha has tapped into a vast treasure of artistic and intellectual capital."
"witty amalgamations of modern and jazz dance styles in vaudeville frames.."
"this show puts the art back into tart"
Jenny Rocha & Her Painted Ladies perform vignettes that are a fusion of dance, physical comedy, theater and burlesque. Using a wide range of styles such as modern, hip-hop, jazz and tap, Rocha creates versatile, high-energy dances for a stunning cast of ladies.
Battledress is a dance/installation piece created specifically for museums and galleries. The work embodies bold movement, costume design and an original music score. This work is a project of Rocha Dance Theater.
Click here to learn more about this exciting new work!


text:
This is University Hospital in downtown Louisville. (By Bill Luster, The Courier-Journal) July 21, 2011
- Filed Under
Dr. Kerri Remmel has been named as the new chairwoman of the Department of Neurology at the University of Louisville School of Medicine.
Remmel, who has served as interim chairwoman since March, joined the U of L faculty in 2000, and in 2002 was named director of the Stroke Center at University of Louisville Hospital, now part of ...


text:
Based in the heart of Los Angeles, Modernica occupies a factory built in 1925, from where they make furniture and Nelson Bubble Lamps®. Working as a design collective, their 70 employees share a united responsibility to modernism's core values – from the past and present.
Be the first to know about DWR special offers, new product launches and Studio events.
Receive free monthly catalogs showcasing
the best in modern design.


text:
Updated 05/11/2015
Whimsical indoor–outdoor decor and comfort food with a twist help define this popular eatery in tony Mizner Park. Instead of dinner rolls, pretzel bread and mustard get things started. Share plates like bacon-wrapped shrimp and sea bass lettuce cups to promote convivial social dining. Move on to creative wood fired pizzas and burgers; there's also a sushi menu. Happy hour at the bar is 4–7 and offers half-price drinks and appetizers.
402 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, Florida, 33432, United States
Website: www.racksboca.com
Updated 05/11/2015
No Thanks


text:
ewww kanye… totally fugly
If Kim is 5'2″, does that make Kanye about 5'5″?
@haroos lol u dont know shit, how in the world is ur country and isearl good? think about it, u do hostile take overs all over the world for their oil and u kill thousands of innocent people, and when 9/11 occurs u blame us?? how do u think we feel, ur stupid imperial pig country kills millions of our innocent people before 9/11 and u still do after it, i really hope russia and china kick your ass for good this time
Seriously – who the fuck wears a pleather spaghetti strapped mini dress to a basketball game? And, what is that a chiclet, a tooth, or a grill KW is about to spit out?
that pleather thing isn't sucking it in anymore [Kim dress you're age]
I have to throw up can't look at these narcissists any longer!
A dimwitted Armenian girl who thinks she's black.
That body of hers is banging.
"No Kim you can't be a Laker Girl, you will kill a bitch in the pyramid".
Her ass could be the entire bottom level of the pyramid. That shit would never topple over.