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Search Swinburne Research Bank
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/157375
|Download PDF (Published version) (Adobe Acrobat PDF, 306 KB)
- Title
- The Qualitas Corpus: a curated collection of Java code for empirical studies
- Author(s)
- Tempero, Ewan; Anslow, Craig; Dietrich, Jens; Han, Ted; Li, Jing; Lumpe, Markus; Melton, Hayden; Noble, James
- Abstract
- In order to increase our ability to use measurement to support software development practise we need to do more analysis of code. However, empirical studies of code are expensive and their results are difficult to compare. We describe the Qualitas Corpus, a large curated collection of open source Java systems. The corpus reduces the cost of performing large empirical studies of code and supports comparison of measurements of the same artifacts. We discuss its design, organisation, and issues associated with its development.
- Publication type
- Conference paper
- Research centre
- Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Information and Communication Technologies
- Source
- Proceedings of 'Software for Improving Quality of Life', the 17th Asia Pacific Software Engineering Conference (APSEC 2010), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 30 November - 03 December 2010 / Jun Han and Tran Dan Thu (eds.), pp. 336-345
- Publication year
- 2010
- FOR Code(s)
- 0803 Computer Software
- Keyword(s)
- Curated code corpus; Empirical studies; Experimental infrastructure; Java code; Qualitas Corpus
- Publisher
- 1530-1362 (series ISSN)
- 9780769542669, 0769542662
- Publisher URL
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2010 IEEE. Published version of the paper reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Personal use of this material is permitted. However, permission to reprint/republish this material for advertising or promotional purposes or for creating new collective works for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or to reuse any copyrighted component of this work in other works must be obtained from the IEEE.
- Full text
- Peer reviewed


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Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - An illegal immigrant and the secretary of Homeland Security will be among the witnesses as the Senate opens its first hearing on overhauling the nation's immigration laws.
The Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday comes amid a concerted push on immigration reform from the White House to the Capitol. President Barack Obama used his State of the Union address Tuesday night to renew his commitment to providing a pathway to citizenship for the nation's estimated 11 million illegal immigrants.
Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of senators has been meeting in private to craft a bill that could accomplish that goal while also satisfying conservatives who want to improve border security first.
That process is separate from the Judiciary Committee, but the committee would vote on whatever bill emerges.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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May 6, 2016
Investigators in Wayne County are looking for who shot and killed a man at his home early Thursday morning.
Goldsboro Police say 36-year-old Anthony Holloman was shot at his George Street home and died at Wayne Memorial hospital about 5:30 Thursday morning.
Police have not released any suspect description. Anyone with additional information concerning this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 919-735-2255 or the Goldsboro Police Department at 919-580-4216.
Click Here to access the online Public Inspection File
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Wrigley Skate To Benefit Haiti Relief
The Cubs Community Connection is making a nice effort to benefit the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
The fundraising event takes place tomorrow –Sat, Jan. 29– at the Rink at Wrigley from 8:30am to 10:30am.
The event is open to the public and PARKING IS FREE!
Suggested donations are $20 for individual skaters and $40 for families, which includes admission and skate rental.
All the proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross for the relief efforts in Haiti.
See you tomorrow at Clark & Addison!


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Chemotherapy and targeted therapy use drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. Chemotherapy kills any cells that divide quickly. That means they kill cancer cells as well as some fast growing normal cells, such as those in the hair. Its goals are to shrink a tumor and keep it from spreading. How chemotherapy drugs affect normal cells depends on the amount and types of drugs used. It also depends on the person taking the drugs. Liver cancers are not very sensitive to chemotherapy. Targeted therapies are medications that target specific molecular defects found in the cancer cells. They preferentially kill cancer cells, or stop the cells from growing, relatively sparing normal cells. Thus they may be more effective than chemotherapy with fewer side effects. Sorafenib (Nexavar) is a targeted therapy used in liver cancer and the first drug that has been shown to improve survival in liver cancer patients.
These are the three main ways to get chemotherapy or targeted therapy for liver cancer:
Systemically, meaning drugs go through the whole body
By local injection, straight into your liver into the cancer cells
By chemoembolization or bead embolization
Chemotherapy for liver cancer can be given through a vein for delivery to the whole body. Sorafenib is taken by mouth and absorbed into the blood stream for delivery. This is called a systemic treatment. Sorafenib is the most common systemic therapy for liver cancer. The most common chemotherapy used to treat liver cancer is Adriamycin (doxorubicin), which is now rarely used.
Chemotherapy may also be put into an artery that goes right to your liver. This may be done with oil and chemotherapy or using beads coated with chemotherapeutic agents. This is called local injection, or more specifically, hepatic artery infusion. It is used less often than systemic chemotherapy. Your doctor must first test you to make sure you do not have tumors in other parts of your body. Much of the chemotherapy is broken down as it enters the liver, so it doesn't reach other parts of the body. This may allow doctors to use higher doses of chemotherapy. One limitation of this treatment is that it may require surgery to insert a small tube called a catheter into the hepatic artery, which many people with liver cancer may not be healthy enough for.
Chemoembolization is another way to deliver chemotherapy into the hepatic artery. You may have this treatment if you can't have surgery and you have poor liver function with advanced liver cancer. This procedure is usually used to reduce the tumor for better pain control. It may also be used to shrink the tumor before you have surgery. For this procedure, the doctor uses X-rays to guide a small tube called a catheter into an artery in your groin and to the artery that supplies blood to the tumor. Then, the doctor injects chemotherapy drugs into the tube mixed with particles that are coated with chemotherapeutic agents or oil mixed with chemotherapeutic agents. Then, the particles block the blood flow (known as embolizing) to the tumor. The rest of the body is exposed to the chemotherapy drugs at a lower dose.
The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the type of drugs you take and the length of your treatment. Since chemotherapy attacks cells that divide quickly, it can also affect healthy blood cells. Report any symptoms of infection during chemotherapy, especially fever, to your doctor or nurse as soon as possible.
These are some of the possible side effects from chemotherapy for liver cancer:
Bruising and bleeding (from low platelet counts)
Hair loss
Infection (from low white blood cell counts)
Loss of appetite
Mouth sores
Tiredness and fatigue (from low red blood cell counts)
Bone marrow suppression
Some drugs can reduce side effects and help you recover from chemotherapy more quickly. Most side effects go away when treatment is complete.
Sorafenib does not usually cause as many side effects as chemotherapy drugs, but it may cause fatigue, high blood pressure, skin rashes, decreased appetite, diarrhea, and skin redness or blistering on the hands or feet.
Bayhealth is Southern Delaware's healthcare leader with hospitals in Dover and in Milford. Bayhealth provides a wide range of medical services, including cardiovascular, cancer, orthopaedics and rehabilitation, pediatrics, respiratory care, sleep care, surgical weight loss and women's services.


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TomTom developed the 2D City Map product to meet the growing demand for more visual details in the navigable
map. The 2D City Map Product offers a wealth of visual information for many urban areas globally consisting of
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May 2, 2016
WASHINGTON - With plenty of Americans getting their tax documents in order this time of year the IRS is warning people, to beware of scams.
The agency says, they will never use e-mail to initiate contact with tax payers and will never ask for your credit card information over the internet.
If you think, you may be the victim of a scam, you can forward the questionable e-mail to phishing at www.irs.gov.
The link is posted below.
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Nicola Formichetti is no stranger to subverting expectation. So just when you think he can't get any bigger, he figures out a way to go totally global. This fall, fashion's favorite ubiquitous force will begin yet another new reign: in addition to his ongoing work for Uniqlo, the Haus of Gaga, and V (not to mention additional projects at Studio Formichetti), the multitalented multihyphenate is about to take on another headlining gig... creative director for megabrand Diesel!
"We've been talking for about a year," Formichetti says of Diesel founder Renzo Rosso. "Basically Renzo approached me and said, 'You remind me of myself when I was younger. I want to hand Diesel to you and I want you to make Diesel relevant for modern-day people.' Coming from him it was like, Wow!" Though he'd never worked for a denim brand before, Formichetti found the DNA of Diesel an ideal fit with his own progressive point of view. "In the '90s Diesel was one of the coolest brands. I remember the store in Covent Garden had DJs and hired actors to work there. They were the first high-denim brand, it was a mix of high fashion and street—back then there was no H&M or Uniqlo. Renzo changed the concept of denim from workwear to a fashionable thing to wear."
"It also had the marketing," he continues. "Remember the iconic David LaChapelle campaign with two sailors kissing? It was so shocking. Diesel was in bed with MTV at that time. It was kind of a happening."
For his first order of business, Nicola will work with Rosso on rebranding the entire company, from mass marketing to visual merchandising in the brand's 750 stores worldwide. "I have so many ideas that I usually do with people and magazines, and now I can bring everything together with the support of a huge global company," he says. "I can really go global." In addition to creating crowd-sourced campaigns—a project being planned in partnership with Tumblr—Nicola's new Diesel will collaborate with big-name designers and at the same time embrace emerging young talent. "It's this huge global machine," he says. "Diesel is everywhere, from India to China. I have to go in like a virus and just transform."


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Crews continue their search for 13-year-old Dylan Redwine, who disappeared nearly two months ago near the town of Vallecito, Colorado. His mother tells 11 News she's not giving up hope he will be found.
After weeks with no word from her young son, Elaine Redwine has the same question as most do: Where is Dylan?
"I've always believed someone has him," Elaine said Wednesday night. "I am pleading to whoever has him or knows what happened, let us know."
Since Dylan's disappearance, Elaine has spent a great deal of her time in La Plata County near Durango, scouring the area, sometimes with groups of perfect strangers. Each morning she wakes up anticipating the new day will bring new information.
"The community is what's keeping this alive," she said. "They've been the most instrumental part in keeping his name and face out there."
She and her older son Cory wear matching wristbands. The message on it spells out a family motto: "Hope for Dylan."
"Keep his face and name out there, and don't ever stop or give up hope," Cody said. "Not until he's home."
The offer of a reward, now more than $30,000, may keep the search from going cold. Investigators have few clues. But Dylan's family has something for the missing boy: A promise to never give up.
"We love you Dylan. We need you here," Elaine said. "Whatever that takes, we will do."
Authorities do not think Dylan ran away. However, investigators say their leads are dwindling, and they need some solid information.
Dylan's family said Wednesday they now hope he'll be home by his 14th birthday on February 6.
A benefit dinner is scheduled for next Thursday, January 17. It's at Lewis-Palmer High School in Monument.
Proceeds will go to help the ongoing search for Dylan.
KKTV firmly believes in freedom of speech for all and we are happy to provide this forum for the community to share opinions and facts. We ask that commenters keep it clean, keep it truthful, stay on topic and be responsible. Comments left here do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of KKTV 11 News.
If you believe that any of the comments on our site are inappropriate or offensive, please tell us by clicking "Report Abuse" and answering the questions that follow. We will review any reported comments promptly.powered by Disqus


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Special rates require proof of eligibility at check-in.
You're one step closer to paradise...
By: Kim Steutermann Rogers
The walk to the historic lighthouse at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge takes me about three minutes from the parking lot. I call out hello to Christa the Park Ranger at the fee booth (a mere $5 per person or free with a National Parks pass) as I go by. I note the burrows on the hillside where the wedge-tail shearwater chicks are starting to hatch at the back of three-foot tunnels. I skirt a cliff that freefalls down to a cove where Hawaiian monk seals sometimes bask on smooth volcanic rock, and I follow the sidewalk on a narrow strip of land to the northernmost point in the main Hawaiian Islands. As I top a slight hill, a panoramic view of the blue Pacific Ocean and a coastline of serpentine cliffs opens before me, just as if someone drew back a pair of heavy theater curtains.
Here, in 1913, the Kilauea Point Lighthouse was lit for the first time, providing a beacon to passing ships as far as 21 miles out to sea. The $15,000 French-made lens weighed over four tons and rotated on a bed of mercury, flashing its signature double flash every 10 seconds. After three hours and forty minutes, lighthouse keepers wound the pulley-and-cable mechanism by hand to keep the lens turning, operating just like grandfather clocks.
In 1930, electricity and a light bulb replaced the kerosene-like lamp.
In 1939, an electric motor replaced the lighthouse keeper's task of winding.
In 1976, a much smaller, and less beatific, rotating beam eliminated the need for the clamshell lens and its five-story stone housing.
In 1979, the Kilauea Point Lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Today, the 31-acre site is part of a 203-acre wildlife refuge. On this peninsula that juts out to sea on Kauai's north shore, thousands of seabirds mate, nest, and raise their young.
This is where I spend many Friday afternoons. I serve as a docent, sharing what I know about the passing whales (in season), sea turtles, seals and, of course, the historic lighthouse. But the real attraction is the birds. I am continually astounded by how much happens—and changes—from week to week.
Over a three-day period in November, Laysan albatross arrive from afar. The mass arrival looks like an air-raid squadron returning to base.
Red-tailed tropicbirds return in February, within a day or two of Valentine's Day. It seems so fitting to me that these birds with red beaks and red ribbon tails would arrive on the day our society associates with love—and red.
Wedge-tailed shearwater make their entrance in March, winging it all the way from Central America.
Like so many of us—I first visited Hawaii on my honeymoon 20 years ago—these marine birds come to the Hawaiian Islands for one thing: Romance. That may be anthropomorphizing a bit, but these birds do fly thousands of miles—again, like us—to find a mate and, simply put, breed.
After living here almost nine years now, I think of Hawaii as a connecting place. The hub of a wheel, if you will. Look at a map of the world, and you will find Hawaii smack in the middle of the Pacific. Spokes reach out to the United States, Mexico and Canada in one direction; the Marquesas Islands, Tahiti and Samoa in another direction; New Zealand, Fiji and Australia in another; and the Marshall Islands, Phillipines and Japan in yet another direction.
Of course, that's the reason for the Kilauea Point Light Station. It serves as a waypoint or landmark for ships, connecting Asia and America. As a refuge, the peninsula serves as a connecting—er, mating—place for birds.
For me, the Kilauea Lighthouse is a visual reminder of the connections we have with people.
Several weeks ago, chatting with two visiting couples about the height of the lighthouse (52 feet), one of the men compared it to the height of a silo.
Hearing a familiar word, I asked, "Where are you from?"
"Missouri," he said
I smiled, taking a step closer. "Where in Missouri?" I asked.
"Outside Kansas City," he said.
"Where outside Kansas City?" I asked. Now, he was feeling something coming, like a punch line to a joke.
"Sedalia, Missouri," he said.
"Do you know my friend Diann Gordon?" I asked.
From a bench behind him, his wife looked up. "I do," she said. "I used to work with her at the bank."
On Kauai, I have found the pop culture concept of "six degrees of separation," whereby anyone in the world can be connected to any other person through a chain of no more than five acquaintances, is reduced to a mere two degrees. I used to live in a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, where I befriended Diann Gordon who lived a couple hours away in Sedalia. Connections.
With over 500,000 visitors a year, Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most visited sites on Kauai. I think it is also one of the most spectacular—the views, the birds, the people. That's why I volunteer here. If, by chance, you visit on a Friday afternoon, be sure to find me and say something like, "Diann says hi" or "Diann sent me," and I guarantee I'll smile as bright as the Fresnel lens that once sent a beam as far as 21 miles out to sea.
Find inspiration for your journeys to Outrigger's exotic locations.
Read our travel blog.


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Established in 1817, the University of Michigan Ann Arbor is the oldest institution in that particular state. UM is a major research facility and is considered to be one of the original eight Public Ivies, a reference to a school giving an Ivy League educational experience at a public school price. Michigan's fight song "The Victors" supposedly was hailed by legendary composer John Philip Sousa as the greatest fight song of all time.
It makes sense, because athletics play a big part in the tradition of this university. The Wolverines play at the largest college football only stadium in the world. Michigan Stadium holds over 107,000 Wolverine fans! In addition, Michigan's basketball team plays at Crisler Arena, and the Wolverines hockey team which plays at Yost Ice Arena is a perennial favorite to win the Frozen Four each year. Once the games are over, head on over to the Blind Pig and Hill Auditorium for your music needs!
Use the following links to purchase tickets for events at the University of Michigan:


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Self sealing surface recovers almost immediately while protecting expensive furniture from wear and tear. Secure with double sided tape. Covers are available in gray with white on the reverse side or green with cream on the reverse side. Also available in a translucent finish.
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Fields of Study
The Cornell system of graduate education is organized around two key foundational elements: graduate fields and the special committee system.
Both represent a belief and tradition grounded in academic freedom that continues to attract outstanding graduate students to Cornell and both encourage students to work across departments, disciplines, and colleges.
As embodied in the graduate field structure, academic freedom is a foundational value for the Graduate School, which is a centralized unit, formally independent of the various colleges of the university.
The Field Structure
At Cornell, graduate study is organized using a field structure. Fields are composed of faculty members from a number of departments who come together around a shared intellectual interest, and may draw from different campuses or colleges. Graduate students are admitted to fields of study. Within each field, they select major and minor subjects, which are research interests or concentrations.
Fields span departments and even disciplines. It's possible for a student in the field of economics to include faculty on his or special committee from industrial labor and economics, civil and environmental engineering, and sociology along with the more traditional economics and management.
For example, the graduate field of economics includes faculty from
- policy analysis and management (College of Human Ecology)
- applied economics and management (College of Agriculture & Life Sciences)
- industrial and labor relations (School of Industrial and Labor Relations)
- management (Johnson Graduate School of Management)
- civil and environmental engineering (College of Engineering)
- sociology (College of Arts & Sciences)
- economics (College of Arts & Sciences)
A complete list of fields is located on the "List of Fields" page. The complete "Fields of Study, Subjects, and Concentrations" is available in PDF form as well.
Some professional degrees are administered directly by the fields. For example, the Master of Architecture I is administered by the College of Art, Architecture, and Planning. To learn more, visit http://aap.cornell.edu/academics/architecture/graduate/march.
The Special Committee:
For research degrees, most fields of study have no core course requirements. Instead, students pick a group of faculty members to work with during their coursework and research. These faculty members comprise the "Special Committee" and will guide students throughout their graduate study. The advisor, also known as the committee chair, works closely with students to make sure they meet their academic objectives.
While the committee chair must be a member of the student's special committee, committee members can be drawn from nearly 1800 graduate faculty. Cornell encourages graduate students to form a committee whose members cross disciplines.
Faculty and Staff Support:
Director of Graduate Studies (DGS)
Faculty members in each field appoint a director of graduate studies (DGS) to represent them to the Graduate School and coordinate activities of the field. The DGS is the primary liaison between the field and the Graduate School. He or she helps establish academic priorities and allocate resources for graduate students. The DGS strives to enhance the quality of graduate education and general student welfare. These individuals also oversee the admissions process and may be the most familiar with admitted students when they arrive. The DGS signs documents required by the Graduate School.
Graduate Field Assistant (GFA)
Graduate field assistants (GFAs) help students, faculty members, and the DGS. The GFAs serve as liaisons between students and faculty members. They are familiar with campus resources and can answer many questions about the degree process. Your GFA also can help you with paperwork and clarify your student status.
Graduate Student Services Office
In addition to the GFA and the DGS, the Graduate School has staff members who can assist students on administrative issues. The graduate student services staff serve as a resource for issues related to admissions, records, fellowships, and financial aid.


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Historic Cities Programme
Shigar Fort Residence is a unique heritage conservation project which offers guests the opportunity to experience the restored original architecture of a 17th century Raja fort palace, while enjoying the amenities and services of a luxury 20-room guest house. This achievement combines the preservation and re-use of a significant historical and architectural site with a commitment to socially responsible tourism and economic development in the Shigar Valley.
History of Shigar Fort Residence
The original Shigar Fort Palace (known as Fong-Khar, which in the local Balti language means, "Palace on the Rock"), was built by Hassan Khan, the 20th ruler of the Amacha Dynasty, in the early 17th century. The Amacha family claims to have ruled Shigar for thirty-three generations, with origins in the "Hamacha" tribe of Ganish, Hunza. When the Hamacha tribe was massacred in Hunza, a few of its members managed to flee to Shigar across the Hispar glacial pass, where they gained power and were recognized as the Amacha Dynasty in the 13th century.
Fong-Khar is the last remaining structure associated with the ruling Amacha family. The oldest of them was Khar-e-Dong, the fort whose ruins can still be seen high up on the cliffs overlooking the present site. It is thought that Khar-e-Dong was captured and destroyed by Mughal forces sent by Shah Jehan, in aid of Hassan Khan to regain his throne which was lost to marauding invaders. In all probability, the destruction of Khar-e-Dong necessitated the construction of the present Fong-Khar.
Hassan Khan brought a variety of artisans, gold smiths, carpenters, stone carvers, and textile weavers from Kashmir to Shigar to build his Fort-Palace. This resulted in a blend of Kashmiri-influenced carving and details with local Balti architecture, one of the unique features which make Fong-Khar a significant historical and architectural treasure.
The Fort-Palace is situated in a powerful natural setting, full of dramatic contrasts. The raw natural quality of this scenery, softened by human settlement that began at least two millennia ago, offers strong contrasts between rocky cliffs and cultivated terraces, as well as between the continuous thunder of the rushing river and the quiet spaces within the garden-site and buildings themselves. The steep rocky escarpment forming the background of the palace, the stream passing in front of the complex, and many of the irrigation channels meandering through a well-preserved and authentic settlement, all account for the unique charm of the site.
Architectural Significance
The Old Fort-Palace
The original Fong-Khar was founded on top of a platform which rises 5m from the ground and partly surrounds a gigantic cone-shaped rock (thus, the origins of the name, Fong-Khar, or "Palace on the Rock"). Although the Old Fort-Palace as it is now restored appears to be one structure, upon closer examination, it is actually a collection of three separate buildings, built adjacent to each other in different times and with different engineering and workmanship. During the restoration of the site, these three structures were identified as Modules I, II, and III.
Module I represents the oldest part of the original structure estimated at 400 years old. It can easily be interpreted as a single, clearly conceived and executed structure, with a distinct and noble architectural expression. Original usage of this structure can be identified through its sequence of rooms including entrance hall, grand audience hall, retiring rooms for the ruler, and kitchen.
Module II is estimated to have been constructed approximately 100 years after the original Fong-Khar, with Module III following another 150 years later. Both Modules II and III were comprised of residential rooms for the royal family, some more elaborate than others.
Old House
The building to the south of the Old Fort-Palace is now known as Old House. Its lower floor had accommodated a horse stable, a cattle pen, and storage for animal feed. It appears to have existed as the royal stable for as long as Fong-Khar itself. The upper floor of this structure was added much later by the raja as new residential accommodation when the Old Fort-Palace was abandoned in the middle of the 20th century.
Amacha Garden and Baridari
It is not known when this decorative square pool - the central feature of the garden - was built, or what its initial appearance was like. Early in the 20th century, a pavilion was built on the central platform of the pool by Raja Muhammad Adam Khan, the father of the present Raja Muhammad Ali Saba. At the time of the takeover of the site by the conservation team, exquisitely carved marble bases that would have supported free-standing and attached columns could still be found on the central platform. The artistic quality of these marble bases approaches the perfection of Kashmiri buildings of the high Mughal style. Knowing that nothing of a quality approaching that of these column bases was built anywhere else in Shigar at the time the pavilion was built in the early 20th century, one can deduce that the column bases have a provenance in an earlier building.
The Raja's Mosque
The Raja's public mosque is a handsome and ornate building adjacent to the entrance to the complex and is of significant antiquity and artistic value. It is similar in form and ornament to other mosques in the Shigar area: a single four-bayed room with a central column support and a veranda on the eastern side.
The Vision for Shigar Fort Residence
In 1999, Fong-Khar was bequeathed to the people of Baltistan by Raja Sahib Mohammad Ali Shah Saba of Shigar and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) was entrusted with its restoration. In a painstaking process lasting over five years at a cost of approximately $1.4 million USD, the entire site was brought back to life following a careful strategy of adaptive re-use and restoration. This strategy would form the foundation for the three-fold mandate of Shigar Fort Residence: Preservation of Cultural Heritage, Socially Responsible Tourism and Economic Development, and Self-Sustaining Operations.
Preservation of Cultural Heritage
One of the most important considerations in the entrustment of Fong-Khar to AKTC for restoration was that the project remain true to the original character and architecture of the buildings as much as possible. Much care was taken to identify original use, to adhere to that use or adopt a new use compatible with the original use so that there was minimal impact on the cultural significance of the building.
Socially Responsible Tourism and Economic Development
The project provided a perfect opportunity to act as a catalyst for comprehensive improvement of the local economy, by generating direct and indirect employment opportunities. Situated in the immediate proximity of a poor and unskilled village population, it was thought that the Shigar Fort Residence project could raise the quality of life in the villages surrounding it, and boost economic enterprises in the bazaar area. This process was to be accompanied by a proactive village upgrading and rehabilitation programme in which micro-finance played an important role.
The idea of promoting a new type of environmentally conscious cultural tourism was decisive for the reuse design of Shigar Fort, both in terms of providing new opportunities to local residents and of ensuring financial self-sustainability for the restored building. With little existing commerce related to tourism, and the resulting lack of pressures on land, the Shigar context was relatively untouched by any major conflict between heritage and development. It was consequently possible to put in place mechanisms linked to social and economic development for appropriate management of cultural, scenic and environmental resources prior to the onset of the pressures of tourism. The establishment of a wide-ranging local institutional base before the commencement of tourism promotion programmes in the region was a part of this strategy.
Self-Sustaining Operations
The reuse concept for Shigar Fort Residence strikes a balance between, on the one hand, a museal site and, on the other, a very special resort-type guest house offering the unique experience of authentic guest rooms in a historic palace. The ongoing operations of Shigar Fort Residence strive towards long-term self-sustainability providing continuing economic and tourism development for the entire Shigar Valley.
© 2007 The Aga Khan Development Network. This is the only authorised Website of the Aga Khan Development Network.


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Just three days after a similar proposal was unanimously voted down by the selectboard in Sabattus, the western Maine town of Byron is considering becoming the second community in Maine to take a clear stand on gun control - but perhaps not in the way you might expect. Next Monday, citizens who attend the open town meeting will decide whether or not to make gun ownership for the town's residents mandatory. Meanwhile, as Jennifer Mitchell reports, gun control advocates are saying it's a terrible idea - and civil rights advocates are at a loss.
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The town of Byron may be joining Kennesaw, Georgia, and Bowerbank, Maine, on a very short list of towns around the country that actually require residents to possess a firearm.
"The selectmen talked it over and we said, 'You know what? Sounds like a great idea,'" says Anne Simmons-Edmunds, who heads the Byron board of selectmen. She also works in law enforcement with the Dixfield Police Department.
While some might point out that an actual gun requirement could be viewed as an infringment on the rights of those who do not wish to possess guns, the difference, she says, is that this article will be decided "by the people."
"If you're totally opposed to it, vote in the negative. There's no hard feelings," Simmons-Edmunds says. "We just wanted to make a statement that it's the people that make the decisions, not upper management, because that's not how this country was started. This country was started by people making their decisions and government listening to us, not the other way around."
"Making provocative political statements that may get some attention are unfortunate, in my view, and a distraction from the really important issues that are being debated and will be debated this spring," says Bill Harwood, founder of Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence.
Harwood is not impressed with the Byron selectboard's position. The request for the gun requirement, he says, comes at an unfortunate time, when the gun control debate has never been more polarized. It also comes at a time when both nationally and at the state level, legislators are trying to address domestic violence.
"More guns lead to more violence," Harwood says. "The presence of a gun inside a home makes it much more likely that the residnets of that home will be the victims of gun violence, rather than saving them from an intruder."
But Simmons-Edmunds insists that it's not guns that are the problem, it's people. If the article is approved by the people at the town's open town meeting, Simmons-Edmunds says there's no plan for the town to start knocking on doors to check if people have purchased the requisite firearms.
But the question of whether they could remains, says Rachel Healy, with the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine. It's unusual for the ACLU of Maine to comment on gun control one way or the other, but, Healy says Byron's proposal has raised some interesting questions.
"Does it offer exceptions for people whose religion may prohibit them from owning guns? What about people who, for certain reasons, are prohibited from owning guns under federal law - will they be prohibited from living in Byron?" Healy wonders.
If the rule functions as it has in the town of Bowerbank- a tiny community in Piscataquis county, which quietly passed a gun requirement rule decades ago - it won't do much but sit on the books as more of a principle, than something that is actually enforced. Either way, Byron voters will decide.


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Posted November 23, 2012 by Rich Johnston
Fox has released a new behind-the-scenes featurette focusing on the birth / re-birth of Azrael. After being killed by James Gordon (Ben McKenzie), Theo Galavan (James Frain) is brought back to life without knowing his own name by Hugo Strange (B D Wong). And the good doctor convinces the former mayor that he is a 17th… Read more »
Cinema Purgatorio is the new curated Alan Moore anthology comic coming out from Bleeding Cool owners Avatar Press. Launched at the London Super Comic Con and available digitally right now, this 52 page anthology be out in comic stores this Wednesday for $5.99. They are well ahead of it I'm told, with material coming in for… Read more »
The following posts contains what some may see as spoilers for Amazing Spider-Man, Avengers Standoff: Omega and Ultimates. Though Angela, Queen Of Hel, Ms Marvel and All-New Wolverine, you should be able to get away with. But handle with care. Because we are looking at the the shape of the post-Secret Wars Marvel universe. Now on its… Read more »
It was way back in May 2011 that I told you that, as part of what would be called the New 52 relaunch, DC Comics would be making a couple out of Superman and Wonder Woman. A year and a half later, it was confirmed. And the pair have continued as a couple since. Until… Read more »
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] [Audio clip: view full post to listen] [Audio clip: view full post to listen] By Joe Cammisa Monday night is here and it's time for a triple shot of The SML Podcast here on Bleeding Cool! The SML Podcast Episode 182: Gryphon Chat Epic welcomes Sandro Tomasetti of… Read more »
Valiant has sent over an early look at A&A: The Adventures Of Archer & Armstrong #3 by Rafer Roberts and David Lafuente. This may be one of the funniest and most insane comic series of the year. On May 11th, Archer and Armstrong awake inside the insane maze of fine wines and lost treasures that… Read more »


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this wiki
|122 Countries · 490 NGOs · 469 Individuals
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Welcome to the Solar Cookers International Network (SCInet) Wiki, the world's premier resource for solar thermal cooking and related technologies. The articles on this site are consulted more than a quarter million times each month as people seek in-depth information on these topics. This wiki-based site can be edited by everyone and thus offers a global platform for information sharing. Learn about solar cooking field projects, research, design, and promotion. Groups and individuals directly involved in these efforts are invited to join SCInet and work with us to improve this resource and to further solar cooking around the world. For more information, contact firstname.lastname@example.com.
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- From 'Wonderbags' to solar cooking, brilliant solutions to Africa's alarming charcoal problem - Mali & Guardian Africa (See also: Wonderbag page)
- Institutional solar cooker with heat storage allows cooking after sunset - Commissioned on October 26, 2013, the steam-based ARUN®100 solar cooking system at the Ram Krishna Mission Student's Home, Mylapore, Chennai in India now allows early morning and evening cooking. The accompanying graph shows when they need to cook and when the mid-day sun recharges the system. Read more about it at: ARUN®100 with Thermal Storage at Ramkrishna Mission, Chennai - Ajay Chandak
- The stage is set for the next world's largest solar cooking workshop - A Bhayander, India based NGO, Keshav Srushti, in a bid to spread awareness on solar cooking, will be gathering 25,000 students from 500 schools across Mumbai on January 15, 2015 to cook solar-powered dishes. Read more...
- Solar Cookers International contributes data for US-Africa Leaders Summit - President Barack Obama announced August 6th, 2014 that the U.S. NGO community invested over $1.5 billion in Africa in 2013 and anticipates investing another $4 billion over the next three years. Solar Cookers International (SCI) was one of the members of the InterAction network collaborating to collect data on U.S. NGO aid spending in Africa. See information on SCI's current projects and the news release.
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July 2014
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- Solar cooking conference extols virtues of cookers to developing world (Sacramento Bee) - Hundreds of people Saturday cooked using only the power of the sun – a practice little used in the United States, but considered a liberating tool for women in developing countries that also helps curb greenhouse gas emissions. Read more...
- The value of heat-retention cooking reviewed - Kris De Decker, author and founder of Low-Tech Magazine, reviews the history of heat-retention cooking and its value when used with solar cookers. If We Insulate Our Houses, Why Not Our Cooking Pots?
June 2014
- A New Turn Toward Solar Cooking - Pia Piroschka Otte. Learn how solar cookers are accepted and used in Burkina Faso and India. This paper discusses six case-studies from the two countries where Scheffler reflectors were used by a diverse selection of institutions. More information about how solar cooker use can vary between cultures can be found on the solar cooker dissemination and cultural variables page.
- Solar Cooking: The No-Fuel, No-Emissions Way to Make Dinner - Edible Manhattan
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April 2014
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March 2014
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- Renewable Energy Cooking Resource Center under construction in Biharwe, Uganda
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FORT WAYNE, Ind. (21Alive) - The Fort Wayne Mad Ants traded on Thursday forward Olek Czyz to Canton.
In exchange, the Ants receive the returning player rights to guard Brady Morningstar and a 2nd round pick in the 2014 NBA D-League.
Czyz, from Poland, 23, from Poland, averaged 9.3 points and 4.5 rebounds in 11 games with the Mad Ants.
Morningstar has yet to play in the D-League this year, but would play for the Ants if he does return to the league.
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How will emiratization succeed?
The UAE government is struggling to encourage more Emiratis to work in the private sector. But they will first have to change the educational and labor conditions in the country, say analysts.
February 12, 2010 10:43 by Aarti Nagraj
"If I am a private sector employer in the Gulf, when I hire somebody from abroad, what do I get? I get a pretty good education depending on where they are from, I get a relatively low wage… Basically, I get really good skills, for much less than the reservation wage for a national," Dyer says.
"Also, because [expatriates'] work permits are tied to my sponsorship, they have no mobility. And so they don't have a lot of ability to push me in terms of promotions and salary increases; because they are tied to me, they don't really have the free choice to go and be competitive. So that keeps their costs low," he explains. Also, while it is possible to dismiss an expatriate worker anytime, it has become very hard to fire an Emirati for being unproductive, thanks to the new legislation.
"And then you have illegal activity such as keeping [expatriates'] passports, and you really get into a situation where you have a lot of control over foreign workers, which you don't have over the nationals," Dyer explains.
Another factor that gives expatriates an edge over the locals is their exposure to the requirements of the labor market.
"One thing I have really noticed is that there is not a lot of job or labor market information available to your average Arab youth," says Dyer.
"When they think about what they want to do when they grow up, they turn to the family, they turn to what they know. There is not a lot of information out there for them to consume about other choices," he says.
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12 Comments
I like the article which is a very balanced one. The root cause if I may add is education (not the degree type) but the education of dignity of labour, equality, equal opportunities, workers rights etc.
The policy adopted by the government i must say is flawed. If you incentivice for lazyness, for being a national, for ineffency etc you are going to get a young generation who has no motivation to excell.
Private sector is competitive and Emaratis should learn to rough it out and succeed. After all the expats will come in droves only when there is opportunity. Once the shift happens which we are seeing there will be a reverse flow. This will hurt the nation and they need to gear up and face reality.
So the solution would be to make it an equal opportunity market, provide permanent residence to expats and include them in the day to day running of the country like it happens in other countries. A tall order one might say, but a visionary leader will do just that for his people. Make them competent.
The approach currently being used by the Emirati government is completely ridiculous. Changing and creating laws to make the private sector more appealing to the average Emirati does not work to their benefit at all. In fact, it only encourages the same unproductive and complacent mind set that the general Emirati population has been so famously criticized for. The only difference will be that they will be contaminating the private sector with the same substandard work ethic. Salaries and employment opportunities shouldn't be tied to nationality, but rather productivity and merit. This would give Emiratis motivation to work harder and be able to compete with expatriates on an even playing field. Otherwise, employers in the private sector will never see any incentive to hire an emirati over an expatriate because one is skilled and productive (the Expatriates) and the other is lazy and stupid because there is simply no motivation whatsoever to be any different (the Locals). Forgive my generalizations, but for the most part this is the reality.
One other factor that attracts UAE nationals to the public sector are public
holidays. For eg in the banking sector, public holidays such as EID
holidaysand others are way shorter than the public sectors because
holidays are governed by the UAE Central Bank.Holidays for both public & private
sectors needs to be standardized. Families tend to encouage their children to join
the public sector due to work /life balance and so families can spend quality time
and pursue other interests such as education, hobby or start of a business.
One main factor why the emirtisation strategy placed for the banking
sector has failed is the fact the authorities have failed to differetiate
between private and local banks. The annual mandatory 4% quote of
recruting nationals was just not fair for the private banks who
had restrictions on the number of branches they could open in the. UAE.
Where as, the local bank had no restrictions whatsoever.Employing 4 %
annually was a struggle for the private banks.
Even when career fairs exist in Shj, Dubai, Abu Dhabi etc.., yes, you will
see more Emirati's at the stands of the public / local based companies to apply for jobs. However said ,Emiratisation has come a long way in the
banking sector.
The global financial crisies has played a major part now a days for private
companies who mostly have seized to employ in these current circumstances)
to recruit Emirati's due to some of the reasons included in the above article and
cutting cost ofcourse.Emirati's have to be flexible and open to private sector if jobs
arise as there are not much jobs available in the public sector othewise not only will
they be unemployed but may take the risk of loosing their skills and their degree could
be obsolete after being out of the workplace for so long. This will further have a big
impact their chances of finding a job, let alone 'a suitable one'
A very concerned Emirati.
The government approach to Emiratization is exactly backwards. As an Expat Professor, I deal with students everyday. The Emirati women are very bright, and far more motivated than men. The men feel "entitled". They think things should be given to them by the government. In most countries, young people get ahead in life by working hard. In the UAE, many, not all, Emiratis think they do not have to work hard, because they will be taken care of. The UAE should cut back on government jobs, reduce gov salaries to market, and allow the private sector to fire lazy employees. The era of entitlement would be over quickly.
What Rob said; there's far too much of a "To the Manor Born" mentality amongst many Emiratis, overwhelmingly men. I count myself rather lucky in that about half of my close friends are Emiratis, and each and every one of them is hardworking whether working in the public or private sectors – they are however in the minority.
The carrots haven't worked; so how about sticks?
Rather than throwing money at private companies to hire Emiratis, the government has to quit the welfare state mentality and make public sector salaries and conditions comparable to that of the public sector. As long as short hours, long holidays, guaranteed promotion, job security regardless of incompetence and 70 per cent payrises are the norm, there will never be any widespread hiring of Emiratis in the private sector.
Promotion on merit in the public sector is essential too. The solutions are all so obvious but try encouraging the government to tell 20-year-old Emiratis that their starting salary as a pen-pusher for a government department will be Dh8,000 and see how far you get.
Emiratis are 10% unemployed… hard task
I do not know why we blame ambitious UAE Nationals for not joining the private sector? I think there are other UAE Nationals who do not have a degree and only have high school certificates but can work in the private sector effectively.
My arguement is that, not all UAE Nationals are ambitious and have Master or Bachelor degrees, and those struggle to find a job in the public sector, so why do not we look at that segmant too?
How many years now they've been doing this Emiratization? They even set an employment/recruitment offices only for Emiratis. Unless the government stop pampering and tolerating their locals, to work starting from the entry level, not to always start in managerial position doing nothing but to sip coffee and chit chat.
Emiratis Employment:
10% Employed and functional
80% Employed and not functional (doing nothing)
10% Unemployed
is there any law affect promotion in private sector in UAE


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PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (21 Alive) - 18 year old Blake Siebenaler, who three years ago was played in the Fort Wayne High School Hockey league, was taken in the third round of the National Hockey League Draft on Saturday by Columbus.
Siebenaler, a defenseman who left Fort Wayne after his freshman year at Carroll High School to pursue his drream to play big time hockey, was the 77th overall pick.
He will report to the Blue Jackets development rookie camp on July 6th.
Couldn't be anymore excited to be apart of the Columbus Blue Jackets #CBJ— Blake Siebenaler. (@BlakeSiebenaler) June 28, 2014
Siebenaler had six goals and 30 points in 68 games for Niagara Falls of the Ontario Hockey League this past season.
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Both directions of I-25 at Garden of the Gods are now re-opened following a rollover accident.
Police say it started as a possible road rage incident. A man in a red Subaru wagon was headed south on I-25 when he crossed three lanes of traffic and hit a black Jeep. The Subaru rolled and landed upside down in the median. The driver had to be extricated from the car. He was rushed to the hospital to be treated for his injuries.
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|editShikaku Nara [1][2][3]
|奈良シカク Nara Shikaku
|Volume #16, Naruto Chapter #137
|Naruto Episode #59
|Naruto the Movie: Blood Prison
|Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2
|Hidden Leaf Village Grand Sports Festival!
|Appears in
|Anime, Manga, Game, Movie
|Voice Actors
|July 15
|Blood type
|Ninja Rank
|Ninja Registration
Shikaku Nara (奈良シカク, Nara Shikaku) is the Jōnin Commander of Konohagakure, head of the Nara clan and was a member of an Ino–Shika–Chō trio alongside Inoichi Yamanaka and Chōza Akimichi.
During the Nine-Tails' attack on Konoha, Shikaku and his team-mates assisted in the village's defence. He wondered if it was Minato who had deflected the Nine-Tails' Tailed Beast Ball.[4]
When he was first seen, he was portrayed as a bit of an alcoholic, and, at times, uses some of Shikamaru's catchphrases ("What a drag" in English and "How troublesome" in Japanese). Like his son, he thinks that women should be tender and sweet, but, as his son says, his wife has him "whipped". Also like his son, he is a very intelligent but lazy person, yet he is also quite caring, and is ready to jump into action when needed. Unlike his son, his resolve is much stronger, as even during the most depressing or dangerous of situations, he has been shown to maintain great determination and understanding, as shown from how he has repeatedly helped Shikamaru regain his sense of worth. In battle, Shikaku appears merciless. During the invasion of Konoha he had no qualms about choking the Suna shinobi to death, even when one of them was clearly cowering.
It was also revealed that he was amongst the few parents who did not order his son to stay away from Naruto Uzumaki. He instead encouraged Shikamaru to do what he thought was best.
Since Shikamaru became a chūnin, Shikaku has taken a greater interest in his son's training and has started teaching him the clan's more secret techniques. He also spends a great deal of his time tending to the clan's deer.
Shikaku has two scars on the right side of his face which are probably his most noticeable feature. Like his son, he has dark hair tied up into a spiky ponytail, dark eyes as well as a goatee. His ears are also pierced. In Part I, Shikaku wore a meshed shirt underneath his flak jacket, a deer skin coat over that and hand guards.
In Part II however, he has been seen in the standard Konoha shinobi outfit. Earlier in the anime, Shikaku also has a scar on the left side of his face, however, this scar had been removed since subsequent episodes. Also in the anime, Shikaku's flak jacket is depicted as a deeper shade of green, this is possibly to indicate his status as the Jōnin Commander.
As a jōnin-level shinobi and head of his clan, Shikaku is undoubtedly a strong shinobi.
Nara Clan Techniques
Like other Nara, he has mastered many of his clans secret techniques which revolve around the use of shadows. His prowess with these were witnessed during the Invasion of Konoha when he effortlessly bound and killed several invading shinobi. In the anime, he also displayed great control over his shadow able to use the Black Spider Lily technique to bind several shinobi, while at the same time freely using a tendril of his shadow to move his comrade to safety.[5]
Along with this, Shikaku can work flawlessly with his team-mates, Chōza and Inoichi, due to the strong bond forged between their clans and their long-standing friendship. This was again seen in the anime most prominently where Shikaku was able to use his techniques to support his team-mates as well as garner support for his own techniques — for example using Chōza's large shadow to facilitate his use of the Black Spider Lily technique.[5]
Above his physical abilities, Shikaku is even more renown for his intellect. He has carried on his family's tradition of keeping a medical encyclopaedia filled with various information, such as remedies for the Three Coloured Pills of the Akimichi clan — which Tsunade has praised him for.[6] He regularly defeats his son Shikamaru — who himself is a genius with an IQ of over 200 — at shōgi, without the latter realising that the game was even lost.[7] During the Fourth Shinobi World War, his years of experience and skills were put to great use. He was appointed the Chief Strategist of the Allied Shinobi Forces and showed himself to be a shrewd tactician and strategist, able to quickly and calmly analyse a great deal of information, anticipate actions and use it to quickly formulate or reformulate highly effective plans. Because of these skills he was praised by the Fourth Raikage who stated that he now understood why Konoha had been so hard to take down.[8]
Part I
Chūnin Exam Arc
Shikaku debuted in the anime during the Chūnin Exams, attending a festival with his former team-mates and giving Inoichi Yamanaka a hard time for having a daughter. When Shikamaru came to pick him up, he instead asked his son why he was not enjoying the festivals.
Invasion of Konoha Arc
During the Invasion of Konoha, he fought alongside his former team-mates to repel the invading forces and used the Shadow–Neck Binding Technique. He is later seen at the Third Hokage's funeral after the failed invasion.
Sasuke Retrieval Arc
Later, when Shikamaru failed during the course of the mission to save Sasuke, and some of his team-mates suffered severe injuries, Shikaku spoke with him. He encouraged his son to keep his responsibility as team captain, as it might be that a team on a mission without him could have several casualties, but, if he was there, that team might end up with no casualties.
Part II
Hidan and Kakuzu Arc
Shikaku appeared following Asuma Sarutobi's funeral, comforting Shikamaru about Asuma's death and offering to play shogi with him. After Shikamaru avenged Asuma and they played shōgi again, he discussed the concept of the "king" with Shikamaru before defeating him.
Invasion of Pain Arc
Shikaku was later shown to have survived Pain's destruction of Konoha, along with Shikamaru and Shiho. Apparently having some knowledge of senjutsu, he told his son not to interfere with Naruto Uzumaki's fight with Pain, and they instead regrouped with nearby villagers. He and Inoichi went searching for Pain's real body soon afterwards, only to run into Naruto, who had defeated Pain. When Naruto told them not to follow him to Pain's base, as he wished to speak with Pain alone, Inoichi argued that talking wouldn't solve anything. However, Shikaku, remembering Shikamaru's words about Naruto, convinced Inoichi to comply. When Pain then revived all those who he had killed, Shikaku realised he made the right choice in trusting Naruto.
Five Kage Summit Arc
After the invasion, Shikaku is one of five Konoha villagers to be summoned before the Fire Daimyō to discuss the village's response and reconstruction. With Tsunade in a coma, Danzō Shimura also suggests selecting a new Hokage. Fearing that Danzō may be appointed to the position, Shikaku nominates Kakashi to become the next Hokage. Much of the council agrees, but Danzō is able to undermine Kakashi's credentials. Shikaku tries to persuade the council not to take Danzō's ideals into account, but despite that, the daimyō decides to appoint Danzō the Sixth Hokage. In the anime after he returns to the village, he is seen with Homura and Koharu telling them that the members of Root were unusually restless. Afterwards, he is seen asking his son to talk to him about something.
Confining the Jinchūriki Arc
When Danzō is killed, Shikaku is once again called before the daimyō, this time to appoint Kakashi to the position. The meeting is interrupted with news that Tsunade has woken up, bringing an end to the proceedings. As one of Tsunade's first acts, she convenes a war council to decide the village's plans with the approaching Fourth Shinobi World War. Shikaku and Shikamaru attend, although Shikaku believes his son is too young to be there. Later, when Tsunade travels to Kumogakure to meet with the other heads of the Shinobi Alliance, Shikaku goes with her and stays by her side during the meetings. Shikaku advises that she agree with the other Kage by sending the jinchūriki into hiding.
Adventures at Sea Arc
Main article: Adventures at Sea Arc
Shinobi World War Arc
Shikaku is appointed the Chief Battle Strategist of the alliance and remains at headquarters with Tsunade, the Fourth Raikage, and the Third Tsuchikage. He advises the Kage on battle tactics and how to mobilise the troops to deal with the White Zetsu Army and the various reincarnated ninja. His repeated usefulness earns the praise of the Raikage. When news of Mū's reincarnation reaches headquarters, Shikaku considers reforming the original Ino–Shika–Chō to deal with him. The Tsuchikage opts to go instead. He soon afterwards devises a strategy to seal Kinkaku that involves the new Ino–Shika–Chō, which he relays to them through Inoichi's telepathic abilities. After they defeat Kinkaku, Shikaku tasks Ino–Shika–Chō with fighting Asuma, believing that, as Asuma's former students, they have the best chance of defeating him without suffering casualties. This proves to be correct.
Headquarters is later informed that the jinchūriki have escaped their confinement. Tsunade and the Raikage leave to confront them, leaving Shikaku in charge during their absence. One of the first challenges he must face is how to deal with the Zetsu that have infiltrated all portions of the Allied forces. Shikaku analyses all he knows of the Zetsu's abilities and the information he came across while preparing for the war to create the perfect response. As Shikaku tries to come up with a counter measure against the infiltrators, Katsuyu asks whether or not they should inform Tsunade and A of what was happening, but Shikaku declines saying that he was put in charge of the situation at headquarters while the Kage tried to stop Naruto and B. After careful consideration, Shikaku realises that the only way to uncover the imposters was to use Naruto's new ability to sense negative emotions through the use of the Nine-Tails' power as well as using his shadow clones to cover a larger area. After hearing this, Mabui says that there is no way A would allow Naruto to participate in the war, although Katsuyu informs them that this might not be entirely impossible due to the Raikage finally allowing Naruto and B to pass. After hearing this, although in disbelief, Shikaku immediately contacts Naruto and B through Inoichi's telepathy and informs them of the immortal army and Madara's Eye of the Moon Plan, he also warns Naruto to not hold back while on the battlefield or try to reason with Madara as he would not be swayed from his plan like Nagato as he was not one that was fuelled by hatred but used it instead.
Later, when Gaara tells Naruto that he hopes his reason for being on the battlefield, Shikaku tells him that might be impossible due to the situation. He then tells them that he would explain as he had decided to leave the explanation until they had finished fighting Mū.
After hearing the progress that the Alliance was making on the battlefield thanks to Naruto, Shikaku exclaims that they had the upper hand on the battlefield and that all that was left was the capture Madara who was heading towards the jinchūriki, by concentrating their remaining forces on attacking him. However, the mild celebration at headquarters is seemingly cut short by Ao's detection of a new presence on the battlefield. However, after hearing that the real Madara Uchiha had appeared on the battlefield, headquarters try to decipher who the masked man really was then. After feeling a huge tremor he asks Inoichi what was going on. Inoichi reports that the Fourth Division was under attack. After confirming that it was definitely Madara's doing, he turns to Tsunade saying that if they continued to lose troops at this rate they'd be in trouble.
As Tsunade prepares to leave headquarters using Mabui's Heavenly Transfer Technique, Shikaku tells her that they should use the Flying Thunder God Technique to mark Katsuyu instead, but Tsunade states that she would just use her Yin seal instead. Remembering this, Shikaku tells her that it was still a big gamble to use Mabui's technique for someone that was very unlucky when it came to gambling but Tsunade tells him that her life was a different story altogether. After the Raikage decides to head to the battlefield as well, Mabui pleads with Shikaku to speak reason to them. However, Shikaku states that things were heating up on the battlefield and it was in fact time for the Commander to head to the front lines. Contacting Genma, he tells him that he should prepare to teleport Mei to Tsunade who was heading to the battlefield.
Assuming the role as leader again at headquarters, Shikaku asks for the status of the other battlefields. After hearing this, he orders them to inform the First, Second, Third and Fifth Divisions to back Naruto and B up as soon as their fights are over. After receiving intelligence from the Ao and the other sensors, in an effort to boost everyone's morale at once and get backup for the men fighting Tobi, Shikaku requests that Inoichi communicate with all the members of the Allied Shinobi Forces and tell them their position. Later, when the Sensing System Technique water sphere becomes distorted, Shikaku ordered Inoichi and Ao to check on the situation to confirm his assumption.
Naruto 5: Blood Prison
During Naruto's flashback to the members of the village when he was gathering natural energy to enter Sage Mode, Shikaku can been seen amongst the villagers.
- (To Shikamaru) "No matter how strong-minded a woman is, she will show kindness to the man she loves."[9]
- (To the invading Suna shinobi) "Oh, come on. If you've never heard of the Shadow Bind Technique, then you'll love this next one: the Konohagakure's Shadow–Neck Binding Technique."[10]
- (To Shikamaru) "Even if you quit being a shinobi, missions will still occur. Someone will carry them out. Your companions will just go out with a new leader. So then, maybe your companions will die… but if you're their leader that time, your companions may not reach that end… If you look at this time as an experience and you learn from it, maybe you can carry out your missions with less problems. If your companions are really important to you… before you think about running away, consider that you may become greater for the sake of your friends!"[11]
- (To the new generation Ino–Shika–Chō) "Legends from the distant past are always exaggerated, but eventually, someone outdoes them… that's when new legends are born!"[12]
- (To the new generation Ino–Shika–Chō) "If he's powered by the Nine Tails, you're powered by the bonds of Ino–Shika–Chō! Have faith in your teamwork."[13]
- (To himself) "Cool head, agile mind."[14]
- Shika means "deer", but Shikaku can mean "assassin". It is also a game of logic.
- According to the databook(s):
- Shikaku wishes to fight his son, Shikamaru, in shōgi.
- His hobby is looking after deer.
- ↑ Second Databook, page 115
- ↑ Third Databook, page 121
- ↑ Fourth Databook, page 130
- ↑ Naruto chapter 502, page 7
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Naruto: Shippūden episode 239
- ↑ Naruto chapter 235, page 17
- ↑ Naruto chapter 342, page 16
- ↑ Naruto chapter 525, page 13
- ↑ Naruto chapter 182, page 8
- ↑ Naruto chapter 137, page 10
- ↑ Naruto chapter 235, pages 14-15
- ↑ Naruto chapter 529, page 11
- ↑ Naruto chapter 529, page 12
- ↑ Naruto chapter 540, page 15


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May 5, 2016
Jacksonville High School track star Wesley Tucker is headed to Cornell University to run track and study to be a research scientist in either astrophysics or astronomy.
Tucker, who won two state titles this year in both the 110-meter hurdles and the 300 hurdles, graduated with a 3.5 grade point average.
Chris Obarski has more on WITN's Pepsi Player Of The Week.
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text:
Community Briefs
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, 25 September 2007 20:33
- Written by Town Crier Staff
Boy Scout Troop 37 celebrates 90 years
Los Altos-based Boy Scout Troop 37 has scheduled a potluck barbecue in honor of its 90th anniversary 3-7 p.m. Oct. 7 at Foothills Tennis & Swimming Club, 3351 Miranda Ave., Palo Alto.
Henning to address Federated Woman's Club
The Federated Woman's Club of Los Altos has scheduled Richard Henning, founder of the Foothill College Celebrity Forum series, as guest speaker at its Oct. 3 meeting at Michaels at Shoreline restaurant, 2960 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View.
A business meeting will begin at 11 a.m., followed by lunch at noon and the program at 1 p.m. Guests are welcome by reservation. For more information, call 948-3553.
Discovery Shop sponsors art sale
The American Cancer Society Discovery Shop has scheduled a sale of Asian and African art 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the store, 243 Main St., Los Altos. Proceeds from the art, donated by a local collector, will benefit ACS programs in the fight against cancer. For more information, call 949-0505.
California Baron's Ball comes to Fremont Hills
Grand View League, a fundraising branch of the American Cancer Society, has scheduled the 12th annual California Baron's Ball 6-11 p.m. Saturday at the Fremont Hills Country Club, 12889 Viscaino Place, Los Altos Hills.
25 years of Community Volunteer Service Awards
The 25th Los Altos-Los Altos Hills Community Volunteer Service Awards luncheon is scheduled Dec. 7 at the Los Altos Youth Center.
Nomination packets have been mailed to a number of local volunteer-driven organizations. A total of 111 non-profit groups that serve the community through service clubs, social agencies, churches, schools and health support may submit candidates for the awards. Nominations are due Oct. 29.
A joint committee comprising five members from Los Altos and five from Los Altos Hills selects award recipients based on nominations submitted by various agencies that engage volunteers in their services.
Winners of the awards have been active as volunteers in multiple organizations over a period of time.
For more information, call Virginia Roberts at 941-1697.


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Here's why Republican pollster Glen Bolger says Mitt Romney lost the elections:
Mitt Romney put together a coalition that just eight years ago would have won the presidential election (hence the data comparisons to George W. Bush). However, instead of whites being 77% of the electorate, they were 72% of the electorate. Instead of Republicans and Democrats being equal, Democrats far outnumbered Republicans, and washed out Romney's advantage among Independents. Bush kept it close with younger voters (under age 40), while Obama won them decisively….Underscoring that there are considerably more Democrats than Republicans, Romney was the first national candidate in exit polling history to decisively win Independents and lose the election (John Kerry won Independents, but by just one point).
Thus, to have a chance, Republicans have to appeal to Hispanics. It's simple math, but it's hard to do. We have to start today.
The Fix's Chris Cillizza says he's right. But they're both wrong.
They're both stuck in what I like to call "Dualistic Thinking." Either/or. It's doomed as an advanced society since Adam and Eve. Either Adam, or Eve.
It's just not about demographics, which is the only thing pollsters understand, or think they understand. It's the only thing politicians understand. Saying the right thing to get the right group of people to touch the box by your name on the electronic voting machines.
I have a better idea. How about we get our dualistic, either Republicans or Democrats to think about saying the right thing to get a human being to vote for them.
I know, I know. Wishful thinking. But focusing on demographics is so short term. What's changing right along with the make-up of the electorate is how that electorate thinks. And THAT, my friends, is something Republicans have absolutely no clue about (and Democrats have only a slightly better clue about).
I will give you that both sides do it. But there's a difference. Just to give you an example, here's a little sampling of a political disagreement between a conservative and a liberal, from the comments section of an article on Politico.
E Be Rose · Top Commenter
Isn't it interesting, how easily everyone over on Fox lies? As if people will not call them out on it, especially a real journalist like Ricks? Not an "on-air personality." Right now, Baier, Celmente, Klinghoffer, Ailes & Murdock are all working on a response. It will be brilliant, for sure. It will somehow blame Ricks for making Fox lie in the first place. It's never their fault.
Brett Richard · Top Commenter
ROFL! Like it's NEVER obama's fault!! His little, pointy blame finger must be getting worn down to a NUB by now!!!
E Be Rose · Top Commenter
People like you amuse me
Brett Richard · Top Commenter
Glad to be of service!
People like you disgust me…
Just so you know, the conversation was about a journo who was on Fox who said that Fox was an arm of the Republican Party and the Fox exec who said that said journo apologized for saying it, except the journo said he didn't.
My point is found in the last two comments. "People like you amuse me" and "People like you disgust me." If you see no difference in those two comments, you might be a Republican. I'm just sayin.
Or you might be like the dumbest of dumb Republicans, Erick Erickson — who runs RedState and sometimes spouts his idiocy on CNN — who wrote an entire column about how Republicans just needed to convince 6 percent or so of the population to vote for them in order to win. Of course, he used the wrong figures, beginning with the population of the United States.
Excuses, excuses. These guys all thought Mitt Romney was gonna win in a landslide. He didn't. It wasn't even close, and he even ended up with 47 percent of the vote. How's that for a sign?
What these guys really need to understand is that they're being left behind by the steady march of progress. Get on the clue bus, boys, or think long and hard about Neanderthals.


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Billy's Records is record label and store. The stores in both GTA Vice City and GTA San Andreas cannot be accessed by the player and never plays a role in the both games storylines. They have been in business since at least 1986.
- In Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, the store is located in Little Haiti.
- In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the store is located in Angel Pine.


text:
26 U.S. Code § 6158 - Repealed.
prev | next
Section, added Pub. L. 94–452, § 3(a),Oct. 2, 1976, 90 Stat. 1512; amended Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A),Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1834, related to installment payment of tax attributable to divestitures pursuant to Bank Holding Company Act Amendments of 1970.
Savings Provision
For provisions that nothing in repeal by Pub. L. 101–508be construed to affect treatment of certain transactions occurring, property acquired, or items of income, loss, deduction, or credit taken into account prior to Nov. 5, 1990, for purposes of determining liability for tax for periods ending after Nov. 5, 1990, see section 11821(b) ofPub. L. 101–508, set out as a note under section 45K of this title.
LII has no control over and does not endorse any external Internet site that contains links to or references LII.


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Combined Treatment of Methotrexate + Glucocorticoids Versus Glucocorticoids Alone in Patients With Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis (Prometheus)
Recruitment status was Active, not recruiting
- Full Text View
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- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Therapeutical trial in patients with idiopathic polymyositis and dermatomyositis is proposed. The study will investigate the safety and efficacy of combined methotrexate + glucocorticoids treatment compared with glucocorticoids alone.
This will be a randomised, open-label, assessor-blind, international multicenter trial, performed in several European centres interested in research on inflammatory myopathies.
A total number of 50 patients with polymyositis/dermatomyositis will be randomised into two groups (1: Methotrexate + glucocorticoids and 2: Glucocorticoids only). Patients will be equally distributed between the two groups providing 25 patients per treatment arm. The randomisation will be based on random numbers generated by a computer program. After being enrolled in the study, the patients will receive 12 months of therapy followed by a 12-month follow-up period.
The primary endpoint is the total dose of glucocorticoids (calculated in mg/kg weight), which will be administered for 12 months between baseline and the end of treatment.
There are several of secondary objectives, which will be pursued during and after the trial. Disease activity and damage will be prospectively assessed by the newly developed tools for myositis disease activity (MYOACT and MITAX) and for myositis damage (MYODAM and MDI. Other secondary objectives comprise: global assessment of activity and damage by patients and by physician, muscle endurance, muscle strength by manual muscle testing, enzyme levels, glucocorticoid related side effects, functional ability measured by HAQ, quality of life by SF-36, and number of patients with treatment failures. The other aims will also include (i) search for reliable prognostic parameters in the further prognosis of patients with inflammatory myopathies and (ii) studies on the pathogenic aspects of inflammatory myopathies. The investigations of serum, lymphocytes, muscle tissue and MRI will be organized. DNA and RNA will be stored for future genetic studies.
Patients with definite or probable polymyositis or dermatomyositis diagnosed according to diagnostic criteria will be enrolled. They will have disease activity that according to physician's own judgement requires high dose immunosuppressive treatment (based on clinical assessment of weakness, elevation of muscle enzymes and, if available, on magnetic resonance imaging findings). Patients should be previously untreated with the exception of glucocorticoid treatment up to 8 weeks.
Patients with other than primary idiopathic polymyositis or dermatomyositis, such as drug-induced myositis, myositis in association with other connective tissue disease, inclusion body myositis, malignancy related myositis, and juvenile dermatomyositis will be excluded.
All patients will start with prednisone 1 mg/kg/day and the dose will be tapered if patients meet definition of improvement, which has been proposed by IMACS group. Methotrexate will be administered orally, once weekly, with a starting dose 10 mg. This will be increased gradually to 25 mg/week if tolerated by week 5. Patients will be first assessed after 2 weeks and than monthly for a period of 48 weeks. There will be a follow-up after a further 1 year in order to find out the impact of the early treatment on the long-term disease outcome.
All efficacy analyses will be performed using intention-to-treat population (ITT). In addition, the primary and secondary variables will be analysed using the per-protocol population, which will contain all patients in the ITT population, who also reached Week 48 of treatment without any major protocol violations. The safety population, which will contain any patient who received at least one dose of study drug, will be used for all safety analyses.
Drug: Prednisone
Drug: Methotrexate
Phase 3
|Study Type:
|Study Design:
|Allocation: Randomized
Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single Blind (Investigator)
Primary Purpose: Treatment
|Official Title:
|A Prospective, Randomised, Assessor-blind, Multicenter Study of Efficacy and Safety of Combined Treatment of Methotrexate + Glucocorticoids Versus Glucocorticoids Alone in Patients With Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis.
- The primary endpoint that will be measured is the total dose of glucocorticoids administered between baseline and the end of treatment. [ Time Frame: 1 year and the 2. year follow up ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
- Assessment of disease activity and damage,muscle strength and endurance, enzyme levels, glucocorticoid side-effects, dose, HAQ,SF-36, treatment failures [ Time Frame: 1 year and the 2. year follow up ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
|Estimated Enrollment:
|Study Start Date:
|May 2008
|Estimated Study Completion Date:
|January 2015
|Estimated Primary Completion Date:
|January 2014 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
|Assigned Interventions
Active Comparator: 1
Prednisone will be administered orally, initially at 1.0 mg/kg/day dosage and then tapered gradually equally in the two arms.
ARM 1 has only Prednisone
Drug: Prednisone
Prednisone will be administered orally, initially at 1.0 mg/kg/day dosage and then tapered gradually equally in the two arms
Active Comparator: 2
MTX will be administered orally (in case of oral intolerance intramusculary (i.m.)), once weekly for 48 weeks. There will be a clinically oriented dose escalation starting from 10 up to 20-25 mg of MTX. Five to ten mg of folic acid will be given 24 hours after each methotrexate dose.
Drug: Methotrexate
MTX will be administered orally (in case of oral intolerance intramusculary (i.m.)), once weekly for 48 weeks. There will be a clinically oriented dose escalation starting from 10 up to 20-25 mg of MTX. Five to ten mg of folic acid will be given 24 hours after each methotrexate dose.
Show Detailed Description
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years to 80 Years
|Genders Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age between 18 - 80 years.
- Patients with definite or probable polymyositis or dermatomyositis diagnosed according to diagnostic criteria (9, 10) (Appendix 1)
- Physician's own judgment of the disease activity that requires high dose immunosuppressive treatment (based on clinical assessment of weakness, elevation of muscle enzymes and, if available, on magnetic resonance imaging findings).
- Previously untreated patients with the exception of glucocorticoid treatment up to 8 weeks
- Signed informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Treatment with any immunosuppressive drug prior the study start.
- Treatment with glucocorticoids (> 20 mg of Prednisone or equivalent) more than 8 weeks prior to study start.
- Drug induced myositis.
- Polymyositis and dermatomyositis in association with other connective tissue disease.
- Inclusion body myositis.
- Patients with immunodeficiency syndrome.
- Pregnancy and lactation.
- Fertile women not using adequate contraception during the study, women planning to have children during the study course or 12 months after the end of the study.
- Malignancy.
- Juvenile dermatomyositis.
- Uncontrolled, clinically significant hematological, cardiovascular, pulmonary, endocrine, metabolic, gastrointestinal, hepatic or renal disease, which according to physician's consideration would interfere with high dose glucocorticoid and immunosuppressive treatment or would prevent to follow the treatment protocol.
- Severe infection.
- History of drug or alcohol abuse within the previous 6 months.
- Patients known to be HIV positive.
- Known hypersensitivity to methotrexate.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00651040
|Czech Republic
|Revmatologicky ustav
|Prague, Czech Republic, 12850
|Principal Investigator:
|Jiri Vencovsky, prof. MD.
|Institute of Rheumatology, Prague
|Responsible Party:
|Institute of Rheumatology, Prague
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT00651040 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|Study First Received:
|March 31, 2008
|Last Updated:
|October 21, 2013
|Health Authority:
|Czech Republic: State Institute for Drug Control
Keywords provided by Institute of Rheumatology, Prague:
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Connective Tissue Diseases
Muscular Diseases
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Nervous System Diseases
Neuromuscular Diseases
Skin Diseases
Abortifacient Agents
Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal
Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
Antineoplastic Agents
Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
Antirheumatic Agents
Dermatologic Agents
Enzyme Inhibitors
Folic Acid Antagonists
Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists
Immunologic Factors
Immunosuppressive Agents
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors
Pharmacologic Actions
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on May 04, 2016


text:
A woman can't stay at her home because of a fire Monday afternoon.
The fire was near Fountain Mesa Road.
Firefighters say flames were seen coming out of a window when they got the call.
The woman who lives there wasn't home at the time the fire started, and no one was hurt.
Investigators tell us some kind of spontaneous combustion started the fire, but they didn't know exactly what happened yet.
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And marauder is continually castigated for pointing this out! Enough of barla being unfit, the whole concept of the community board is unfit nd undemocratic, how on earth can you have a ncl official on it as a neutral! The game is committing suicide by a thousand cuts!
The worst things BARLA done in all of this is to remove Stuart Prior as there representative on the community board, consensus seems to be that the game lacks leadership at both BARLA and CB level hopefully that can be sorted out before its too late