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Translate your feeds into your own language
When you want to follow all what's going on in search in Europe you can simply follow Searchcowboys. However, some off you still like to gather their own feeds from around Europe. As we all know, language then can be a problem. After all, not all of us speak more than one or two languages.
Google was already a big help by providing us with Google Translate. Now it has made life for those of us who like to reed feeds a lot. In Google Reader it has added an automatic translate feature.
How does this work? It's very simple. In your feed settings an extra option has been added: "Translate into my language". Turn this on and the specific feed will automatically be translated in your prefered language. No, the translation is not perfect, but for a start on what to read and what not it's pretty easy.
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text: John Wagner FALCON FODDER MAC men's Power Rankings By John Wagner | BLADE STAFF WRITER Published on Feb. 25, 2014 Share Tweet Share Email Comments Print How do the Mid-American Conference's 12 men's basketball teams stack up? Read more at the Falcon Fodder blog. Related Items: Falcon Fodder Click to comment

subset: commoncrawl


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Engineering Know-How
Quinnipiac is offering engineering programs in four of the fastest growing fields. Students are eager to tackle some of society's most pressing problems with engineering know-how.
Rewarding Home Work
Quinnipiac students spent a week hammering, drilling and hanging drywall at Habitat for Humanity sites in three states. Their work helped to strengthen homes, communities and their own personal and professional skills.
Real-World Challenges
A class of engineering students was challenged to work in teams to create robots that could navigate an obstacle course.
Innovative Facilities
Learn more about our facilities within Tator Hall and the Center for Communications and Engineering on the Mount Carmel Campus.
Learning by Doing
Our engineering facilities consist of several unique classrooms and learning workshops, from a laser cutter workshop and network systems and security classroom, to a biomedical engineering workshops. We give you the opportunities to learn about concepts in a hands-on environment so you can engineer a brighter future outside of the classroom.


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Florida News
Zika Virus Shows Up In Palm Beach County
State health officials reported four new cases of the Zikavirus on Thursday, including a locally transmitted case involving a Palm Beach County resident.
National News
At Al Smith Dinner, Donald Trump Turns Friendly Roast Into 3-Alarm Fire
It was tense even before they started. Reporters tweeted that Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump entered the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner from separate sides of the room, and didn't even shake hands (which at this point really isn't a surprise).But there was hope that Thursday night's event could serve as a comedic salve for the nation following three decidedly nasty presidential debates. The fundraising event for Catholic charities — now in its 71st year — traditionally is a time...


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Over 14+ years of successful experience conceiving software architectures, designing and implementing multi-tier applications and system integration solutions as application architect, system integrator, and technical lead. Very good understanding of application analysis and design concepts. Strong ability to apply optimal design patterns to the system design and employ extreme programming techniques to the robust implementations. Specialties ASP.NET 3.5/4.0/4.5, C#.NET, MVC, Web API, ,XML Web Services, WCS, RESTful Services, WPF, MV


text:
The 1999 Ford F-250 diesel is a super-duty truck that was made in regular cab, extended cab and crew cab models. Each model is available in several styles, including XL, XLT and Lariat, has rear wheel drive or four-wheel drive and a 5.4 liter, V8 engine base engine.
The 1999 Ford F-250 diesel truck averages 13 miles per gallon in the city and 17 miles per gallon on the highway. The overall miles per gallon average 14 mpg. The gas tank hold 35 gallons of fuel.
Cost to Drive
The cost to drive the truck is estimated to be $4.36 per 25 miles. This figure assumes the truck is driven 15,000 per year and gas costs $2.44 a gallon.
Expert Insight
In 1999, Edmunds.com voted Ford's F-250 Super Duty as "most wanted" in the $10,000 to $25,000 price range. The Edmunds editors praised the number of styles to choose from and the truck's horsepower and torque, but noted the interior was not refined.
The Ford F-250 is popular among people who need a vehicle for hauling. Heavy cargo can reduce fuel efficiency, so if you are hauling a trailer or boat, the truck's gas mileage will be lower.
Using air-conditioning doesn't use more gas. In fact, if you're driving over 40 miles per hour, you'll save more money by rolling up the windows and using the air. Additives and gadgets that claim to improve fuel efficiency are also generally ineffective.
Gas-saving devices that are found to be effective are keeping your engine warm, not idling for too long, keeping your vehicle tuned up, properly inflating tires and driving at a steady pace.
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BBB Accredited Business since
Unique Electric Services Inc
Phone: (780) 695-1502 Fax: (780) 438-9188 10820 63 Ave, Edmonton, AB T6H 1P8 View Additional Email Addresses http://www.uniqueelectricinc.ca
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BBB accreditation does not mean that the business' products or services have been evaluated or endorsed by BBB, or that BBB has made a determination as to the business' product quality or competency in performing services.
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Additional Information
Business ManagementAdam Dourandish Yazdi, Owner /Master Electrician
Contact Information
Business Category
Electricians Electricians Circuit Breakers Converters - Electric Switches - Electric Fuses - Electric Electric Equipment - Service & Repair Lighting Fixtures - Repair & Maintenance Electric Switchboards Lights Bulbs & Tubes Wire & Cable - Electric Cable Splicing
Service AreaThis business states they are specialized in Electrical Services Upgrade from 60 Amp to 100 Amp and more with prices starting at $1700 which include LABOR, MATERIALS and ELECTRICAL INSPECTION.
Alternate Business NamesUnique Electric
Products & Services
Unique Electric Services Inc. is specialized in Electrical Services Upgrade from 60 Amp to 100 Amp
and more with prices starting at $1700 which include LABOR, MATERIALS and


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Welcome to Fior Daycare of Throgs Neck
Dear Parent,
Ms. Fior's Daycare is owned and operated by me, Fior Montella. We are a licensed child daycare facility located in the Throgs Neck area of the Bronx with a full support staff in place. We have been in operation since 2004.
Our goal at Ms. Fior's Daycare is to offer you, the parent(s), peace of mind, while providing your child with a warm and nurturing atmosphere that encourages and supports a child's social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development. We achieve this through educational activities, age-appropriate play, arts and crafts, music and dance, social skills development, and, simply, our love for children.
Communication is an essential part of childcare. I am free to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about your precious one's care here at Ms. Fior's Daycare. Please feel free to contact me at (917) 667-5684. I look forward to hearing from you!
Fior Montella
Ms. Fior's Daycare
936 Balcom Ave
Bronx NY 10465
Tel. (917) 667-5684
Email: email@example.com
License # 000760907
Home | About Us | Daily Activities | Contact Us
Copyright 2016. Fior Daycare. All Rights Reserved. Houston Web Design.


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Search only for mama say mama sa mamakusa lyrics - read more
Jun 11, 2007 · What does 'mamase mamasa mamakusa' mean? ... by Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango. The song contains the lyrics "mamako, mamasa, ... - read more
Please vote if the answer you were given helped you or not, thats the best way to improve our algorithm. You can also submit an answer or search documents about mama say mama sa mamakusa lyrics.


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Excited dog nails 'Star Wars' fighter noise
October 21, 2016, 12:17 p.m. by Noel Kirkpatrick
As she leaves the vet's office, Geraldine makes sounds like a TIE Fighter from 'Star Wars.'
Lion gives sleeping leopard a wake-up call
October 20, 2016, 2:34 p.m. by Noel Kirkpatrick
A battle between2 big cats is a rare sight.
Bulldog would like dinner 'to go,' please
October 20, 2016, 12:30 p.m. by Noel Kirkpatrick
Wherever he is, this French bulldog is ready to chow down.
Just get in the burrow! Raccoon mom struggles with little ones
October 19, 2016, 11:40 a.m. by Noel Kirkpatrick
Herding little ones is tough, no matter what the species.
It's a girl! Iowa zoo has a new baby black rhino
October 18, 2016, 10:53 a.m. by Noel Kirkpatrick
The rhino calf appears happy and healthy.
That's the spot! Koala enjoys some belly rubs
October 17, 2016, 12:13 p.m. by Noel Kirkpatrick
Wolverine the koala loves nothing more than getting scratched in just the right spot.
A little help here? Mark the rhino gets tire stuck on his horn
October 17, 2016, 11:02 a.m. by Noel Kirkpatrick
This Zimbabwe rhino is a victim of pollution.
Silly woodpecker — that's a human, not a tree
October 12, 2016, 8:03 a.m. by Noel Kirkpatrick
This bird decided to take a few pecks at a good-natured animal patrolman.
Headbanging dog loves sick guitar riffs
October 11, 2016, 12:26 p.m. by Noel Kirkpatrick
Who doesn't enjoy a good jam session?
Polar bear loses it over kiddie pool full of ice
October 10, 2016, 10:33 a.m. by Noel Kirkpatrick
This polar bear is so happy to play in a tub of ice.
Bigfoot keeps an eye on Michigan eaglets
October 6, 2016, 2:54 p.m. by Noel Kirkpatrick
Or does he?!
Butterfly adds flare to koala's photo shoot
October 5, 2016, 1:40 p.m. by Noel Kirkpatrick
Willow the koala was happy to share the spotlight at her photo shoot with a butterfly.


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I agree other alternatives should be explored & developed and the Mylan monopoly crushed.
Unfortunately, the above suggestion while inexpensive is simply not feasible. When experiencing anaphylaxis, the immediate shutting down of multiple body systems, a syringe & a vial would be next to impossible to navigate for an adult, let alone a child or parent of a child fighting to survive.
What you said! Combat Capitalism with Capitalism! And perhaps someone could convince the federal government to remove, or at least reduce the barriers to creating a generic version of EpiPen, like what THOSEGREENMOUNTAINS said above!
18 is the age of legal adulthood. We need to allow consumers to make their own decisions when it comes to things like this and stop trying to add costly legislation around it. This is obnoxious. Yes, smoking is bad for you - everyone knows that. But an adult should be allowed to make his/her own decisions when it comes down to it. Unless we raise the voting and military age to 21, I will never support this. I also believe the drinking age should be lowered to age 18, and all illicit substances should be decriminalized (except for use/sale/transport by a minor, of course). Vermonters can, in fact, take care of themselves if given the tools and opportunity to do so. Let's stop treating our citizens like children and let them make their own ways.
Perhaps the state should look at alternatives to the EpiPen since nobody requires access to the brand name. A simple vial of epinephrine and a syringe would cost consumers about $14 per injection, which is less than half a percent of what Mylan charges. Sometimes, convenience is costly. I don't blame Mylan for wanting to make money. Mylan is an innovative health care corporation. I would look to the FDA for allowing patents that block competition, and I would look at insurance carriers, including Medicaid and Medicare, to add better consumer protections. Why not remove the EpiPen from the formulary list and offer patients epinephrine with a syringe instead? Mylan simply charges for the convenience of the spring-loaded dispensing mechanism.
Its all blood money and supported by american capitalism which means that people die in this country because they can't afford medications, everyday, while there are multi-millionaires running this companies.
This new treatment industry is just ridiculous. A dishwasher has been on buprenorphine for 5 years for an addiction to percocet? JUST QUIT. Yes, you will be sick, yes, it is awful, and then it is over and you can move on.
Unfortunately, I speak from experience. My doctor put me on percocets for 11 months. I quit last August cold turkey after the pain clinic accused me of not wanting surgery just to keep taking pain killers. I went home and spent 4 days in hell detoxing by myself, in a heat wave in August.
You know what? After that, I will never take opiates again. I learned the hard way, something these people all need to do.
We need to stop coddling people, otherwise they don't learn anything and just keep repeating dysfunctional behavior, and we all end up paying for it. Oh, you don't want to be sick?? Too bad, that is the price you pay for taking opiates. You will not die, and you will hopefully not put yourself in that position again. No pain, no gain. Sounds harsh but the truth is never easy to hear.
Gotta love it when the FDA "Fast Tracks" new, Pharmaceutical products. Screw the testing, get em out to market, the investors are waiting for their returns!!!
$5000. for drugs, to replace other drugs. Probably destroy your liver and kidneys while they "help" with your drug addiction. Meanwhile, commonly available, natural herbs that cost $20. for a month supply & acupuncture at $85./session can do the same thing, minus all the damage and profiteering.
Sadly, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Lower the smoking age to 12. I mean the Jews consider you a man at the age. After all, this is America and someone has to contribute to our outrageous cost for healthcare (if you're lucky enough to have it). Also, the younger a smoker starts, the less social security they'll collect. Really it's a win/win. Lastly, if you are on death row, the smoking age should be banned all together.
Raising the age to 21 is a good idea. Most smokers get addicted before 18 and got their cigarettes from peers who are 18 - like high school seniors. A smaller amount of smokers get hooked a couple years after. This bill would make a big dent in the number of people becoming addicted to smoking.
Also, if Peter Shumlin has any sense he will support this bill, and not veto it as a parting shot against the office he's leaving, like Bob Kiss did when he vetoed the Church St. ban. He could learn a thing by studying how Kiss' political career went after leaving the mayor's office.
Yup you have register for the service at 18, you can buy a bar at 18, but can't drink in it..you can get a loan and credit card at 18..you can get a drivers license at 15..but god forbid you smoke!!!
I'm not a smoker but I feel it's a person right to choose what they want to do..Vermont liberals has taken enough of our rights away from us..Last time I looked this was America, home of the free.. now you can't even shit without someone complaining about it..I've always said the more democrats/liberals who have moved here, they will take over, they want Vermont to be a non-alcohol state, now they want it to be a non-smoking state..
Perhaps we should raise the minimum age limit to 65 ? Never understood why you can die for your country or vote or be executed at 18 but not consume alcohol till 21 . And now tobacco ?
The smoking age should be raised. I wonder what the idiots who thought banning smoking in parks targets the poor are going to think.
The Little Hamlet of Putney is host to the "SOUNDVIEW" paper mill, the sweet sackers brook winds it clean and lovely way towards the mill, and I walk by it, enjoying its beauty in sadness, for I know, below the mill, it will have added dioxin and other contaminates. The little neighborhood below the square has had 4 of the 5 cases of clef pallet, a more serious condition then clef lip, in the State of Vermont. So it is with mixed feeling that I send my recyclable paper to the bin, for I know the poisons that this plant will dump to reuse it. Oh, Oh the health of our next generation, so much less important than the profit and the jobs, so it goes with a criminal money system. Why not talk about cleaning up that?
Five years to shut down an arsenic-contaminated water supply is effective oversight? Four months for notification of lead contamination? Guess it depends on if you and your children are unwittingly drinking it.
Here are the links to the reports ...
Knowledge is power. Contact me if you are interested in being a part of the change we need to see.
James Ehlers
Lake Champlain International
james @ champlain.ngo
Note: Look us up on Facebook for more info on the topic of contaminated drinking water and lax monitoring.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
-- Margaret Mead
And, we have it easy. We only need change our little corner here in VT!
20-30% of Burlington children are not tested for lead levels. Lead is in paint in old housing stock (pre 1978) and in soil where children play. Testing is voluntary. The high cost of health care and education for children who are lead poisoned, as well as high incidence of criminality later in life, makes this a public health issue. Kids are forced to get vaccinated, but not lead tested. I wrote my Representatives and they aren't interested.
I admire Senators Sears and Campion for caring, and getting on ANR/DEC's case. DEC knew for months that contaminated soil was dumped in our neighborhood park, upslope of the lake, and they never informed residents. ANR/DEC sees it's role today as partners with cities and towns, and when contamination will cost the municipality money to remove or remediate, they look the other way, hold test results for months, and facilitate deception and delay.
These ACO:s are nothing more than capitated HMOs. What is not spent on care then gets divided up among the providers. This is a system that puts doctors in the position of executioners. Why is it these meddlers never look to the only system that has ever been shown to reduce costs: people paying their own bills out of their private HSAs?
With the current track record why would anyone trust the snake oil salesman, er..Shumlin
It's amazing to see all of this growth and monolith billion dollar budget, but the focus seems to be on facilitates and growth with little mentioning patient care. My observations of my father's care is that there needs to be more investment in real patient care rather than just facilities.


text: Kids' Health Autism, ADHD, and Video Game Use A new study finds an increased use of video games by boys diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder. Don't Miss This Should You Treat Early Puberty? Harsh Prescription for Vaccine Refusers Sign Up for Our Healthy Living Newsletter Thanks for signing up! Sign up for more FREE Everyday Health newsletters. Oops! Please enter a valid email address Submit We respect your privacy. Last Updated: 7/31/2013 top


text: I was ready, and when I stepped on that stage, I could feel the spotlight, I could see the music, I could breathe the lyrics, singing was living for me. And when I sang, everything washed away in the waves, I was free to fly, I could reach the stars, I could just be who I wanted to be. I wasn't under pressure to do anything. I could just feel the words and the melody, and I could sing them. Nothing was wrong.


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#426640 javier solis wallpaper | 1200 x 1600
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One Big Happy by Rick Detorie
- May 02, 2013
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Stupid kids. You should have left two cookies (so as to account for the use of plural), and nobody wuold have been wiser.
That depends on how many cookies there were. But it's really not safe to send kids over there with cookies and expect them not to sample a few.
Made me laugh. :)
That's one heck of a pie. That would cost about $20 in a bakery. And they're just handing those out?
I suspect Grandma never intended the cookies to arrive safely but without them the pie wouldn't have either!
Smart of grandma. I never thought of that.
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4 homes for sale within 5 miles of Leigh (Wigan)Did you mean?
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3 Bedroom For Sale
Bracken Road, Leigh, Greater Manchester, WN7
The property briefly comprises of entrance hallway leading to downstairs WC, lounge and kitchen. The spacious lounge has recently been redecorated. The galley kitchen is also well presented with space for a dining area leading to the back garden which has been paved to
4 Bedroom For Sale
Old Sirs, Westhoughton, Bolton, BL5
A Rare opportunity has arisen to purchase this unique and charming 17th century former farmhouse. This four bedroom traditional home has a stunning mix of period and contemporary features including stone floor, exposed beams and oak floor. A large entrance hall...
For Sale
Hindley Road, Westhoughton, Bolton, BL5
OPEN HOUSE EVENT - Entwistle Green will open up this property 2.30-3.30pm Saturday 5th November. We invite you to come along, or if you wish to view before the event, call 01942840973. Dont miss out! Fully refurbished two bedroom semi-detached with private driveway...
3 Bedroom Semi Detached For Sale
Holden Lea, Westhoughton, Bolton, BL5
Three bedroom semi-detached family home. Featuring entrance hall, spacious lounge, open plan good size kitchen and dining area with additional sun room leading out to rear garden with patio area. Front garden and driveway. Three bedrooms and family bathroom with...
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text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Sep 19, 2006
|Filing date
|Oct 30, 2002
|Priority date
|Oct 30, 2002
|Fee status
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Derek H. Smith, Brian L. Schmidt, Georgios Chrysanthakopoulos
|Original Assignee
|Microsoft Corporation
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (7), Non-Patent Citations (3), Referenced by (8), Classifications (17), Legal Events (4)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
The present invention generally relates to audio processing in a game console; and more specifically, pertains to recursively processing audio data through a multistage processor.
Many electronic devices include both a primary and a secondary processor. The primary processor is typically used to perform core functions of the electronic device. The secondary processor performs other functions, such as media processing, math co-processing, and other specialized functions, freeing the primary processor from such tasks. Typically, the hardware structure of the secondary processor is optimized to perform the desired specialized functions. For example, an audio processor may have a pipeline stage architecture that performs one or more predetermined functions on a stream of input audio data prior to applying programmable audio effects to the audio data.
A pipelined stage architecture is efficient for processing a stream of data, but may be inefficient for multiple streams of data. For instance, in performing a predetermined three-dimensional (3D) audio spatialization function on a single input data stream, an audio processor produces multiple outputs corresponding to multiple speakers (e.g., five speakers). Each of the multiple outputs is stored in local memory of the secondary processor at a separate location (sometimes referred to as a mix bin). The audio processor can then apply a programmable audio effect, such as reverberation, to the data passing through each mix bin. However, there is typically more than a single input data stream that must be processed for 3D audio spatialization. Thus, the total number of mix bins required to process 3D output data would be equal to the product of the number of input streams multiplied by the number of speakers. Unfortunately, the number of mix bins is usually limited on a secondary processor. Also, the same programmable audio effects are typically applied to each of the multiple outputs of the predetermined functions. Thus, a conventional use of a pipelined stage architecture results in inefficient processing of multiple input data streams.
It would be desirable to use the pipelined stage architecture for such audio processing, because of the low cost of the secondary processors. However, a technique is needed to improve the processing efficiency of secondary processors having one or more input data streams. It would also be desirable to modify parameters of one or more of the predetermined functions in relation to the output of the programmable audio effects. Another desirable objective would be to enable reprocessing of an output from the programmable audio effects through one or more of the predetermined functions.
The present invention provides a method and system for efficient recursive audio processing of one or more input data streams using a multistage processor capable of performing one or more predetermined functions and programmable audio effects. Preferably, the multistage processor comprises at least one digital signal processor. The input data streams are provided to a first stage of the multistage processor, which performs a first predetermined function, such as an enveloping function or a frequency shifting function. An intermediate result for each data stream is preferably mixed and stored in a memory location that is accessible to a second stage of the multistage processor. The second stage applies programmable audio effects to the mixed data, such as a reverberation effect, and stores the second stage output in a memory location that is accessible to the first stage of the multistage processor. The first stage then performs a second predetermined function, such as 3D spatialization, on the second stage output to produce one or more output audio signals. The output audio signals are preferably used to drive one or more corresponding speakers directly or via a network to other sound transducers.
Another aspect of the invention involves a primary processor that is substantially independent of the multistage processor. Preferably, the second stage output data is stored in a destination mix bin that is dedicated to the multistage processor, but is mapped to a portion of a main memory that is accessible to the primary processor. The second stage output data is transferred to the portion of the main memory. The second stage output can then become a unique input data stream back into the first stage of the multistage processor. This enables the first stage to then perform the second predefined function on the second stage output data. This recursion provides for very efficient processing by the multistage processor. The primary processor may further modify one or more parameters of the first predetermined function to adjust the processing of the original input data streams. Such adjustments enable the multistage processor to efficiently perform dynamic operations, such as Doppler shifts and volume transitions between multiple sound sources and a mixture of those sounds into a single point source. A further aspect of the invention is a memory medium storing machine instructions for carrying out the steps described above, and described in further detail below.
The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below in regard to an exemplary use in providing audio for an electronic gaming system that is designed to execute gaming software distributed on a portable, removable medium. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may also be implemented in other computing devices, such as a set-top box, an arcade game, a hand-held device, an effects processor module for use in a sound system, and other related systems. It should also be apparent that the present invention may be practiced on a single machine, such as a single personal computer, or practiced in a network environment, with multiple consoles or computing devices interconnected to each other and/or with one or more server computers.
Exemplary Operating Enviroment
As shown in
On a front face of game console 102 are four ports 110 for connection to supported controllers, although the number and arrangement of ports may be modified. A power button 112, and an eject button 114 are also disposed on the front face of game console 102. Power button 112 controls application of electrical power to the game console, and eject button 114 alternately opens and closes a tray (not shown) of portable media drive 106 to enable insertion and extraction of storage disc 108, so that the digital data on the disc can be read for use by the game console.
Game console 102 connects to a television or other display monitor or screen (not shown) via audio/visual (A/V) interface cables 120. A power cable plug 122 conveys electrical power to the game console when connected to a conventional alternating current line source (not shown). Game console 102 includes an Ethernet data connector 124 to transfer and receive data over a network (e.g., through a peer-to-peer link to another game console or through a connection to a hub or a switch—not shown), or over the Internet, for example, through a connection to an xDSL interface, a cable modem, or other broadband interface (not shown). Other types of game consoles may be coupled together in communication using a conventional telephone modem.
Each controller 104 a and 104 b is coupled to game console 102 via a lead (or alternatively, through a wireless interface). In the illustrated implementation, the controllers are universal serial bus (USB) compatible and are connected to game console 102 via USB cables 130. Game console 102 may be equipped with any of a wide variety of user interface devices for interacting with and controlling the game software. As illustrated in
A removable function unit 140 can optionally be inserted into controller 104 to provide additional features and functions. For example, a portable memory unit (MU) enables users to store game parameters and port them for play on other game consoles, by inserting the portable MU into a controller connected to the other game console. Another removable functional unit comprises a voice communication unit that enables a user to verbally communicate with other users locally and/or over a network. Connected to the voice communication unit is a headset 142, which includes a boom microphone 144. In the described implementation, each controller is configured to accommodate two removable function units, although more or fewer than two removable function units or modules may instead be employed.
Gaming system 100 is capable of playing, for example, games, music, and videos. It is contemplated that other functions can be implemented using digital data stored on the hard disk drive or read from optical storage disc 108 in drive 106, or using digital data obtained from an online source, or from the MU. For example, gaming system 100 is capable of playing:
As an example of one suitable implementation, CPU 200, memory controller 202, ROM 204, and RAM 206 are integrated into a module 214. In this implementation, ROM 204 is configured as a flash ROM that is connected to memory controller 202 via a PCI bus and a ROM bus (neither of which are shown). RAM 206 is configured as multiple Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAMs (DDR SDRAMs) that are independently controlled by memory controller 202 via separate buses (not shown). Hard disk drive 208 and portable media drive 106 are connected to the memory controller via the PCI bus and an Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) bus 216.
A three-dimensional (3D) graphics processing unit (GPU) 220 and a video encoder 222 form a video processing pipeline for high-speed and high-resolution graphics processing. Data are carried from GPU 220 to video encoder 222 via a digital video bus (not shown). An audio processing unit 224 and an audio encoder/decoder (CODEC) 226 form a corresponding audio processing pipeline for high fidelity and stereo audio data processing. Audio data are carried between audio processing unit 224 and audio CODEC 226 via a communication link (not shown). The video and audio processing pipelines output data to an A/V port 228 for transmission to the television or other display monitor. In the illustrated implementation, video and audio processing components 220–228 are mounted on module 214.
Also implemented by module 214 are a USB host controller 230 and a network interface 232. USB host controller 230 is coupled to CPU 200 and memory controller 202 via a bus (e.g., the PCI bus), and serves as a host for peripheral controllers 104 a–104 d. Network interface 232 provides access to a network (e.g., the Internet, home network, etc.) and may be any of a wide variety of various wire or wireless interface components, including an Ethernet card, a telephone modem interface, a Bluetooth module, a cable modem interface, an xDSL interface, and the like.
Game console 102 has two dual controller support subassemblies 240 a and 240 b, with each subassembly supporting two of game controllers 104 a–104 d. A front panel I/O subassembly 242 supports the functionality of power button 112 and eject button 114, as well as any light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or other indicators exposed on the outer surface of the game console. Subassemblies 240 a, 240 b, and 242 are coupled to module 214 via one or more cable assemblies 244.
Eight function units 140 a–140 h are illustrated as being connectable to four controllers 104 a–104 d, i.e., two function units for each controller. Each function unit 140 offers additional features, or memory in which games, game parameters, and other data may be stored. When an MU is inserted into a controller, the MU can be accessed by memory controller 202. A system power supply module 250 provides power to the components of gaming system 100. A fan 252 cools the components and circuitry within game console 102.
To implement the present invention, a game software application 260 comprising machine instructions stored on a DVD or other storage media (or downloaded over the network) is loaded into RAM 206 and/or caches 210 and 212 for execution by CPU 200. Portions of software application 260 may be loaded into RAM only when needed, or all of the software application (depending on its size) may be loaded into RAM 206. Software application 260 (typical) is described below in greater detail.
Gaming system 100 may be operated as a stand-alone system by simply connecting the system to a television or other display monitor. In this standalone mode, gaming system 100 enables one or more users to play games, watch movies, or listen to music. However, when connected to the Internet or other network, which is made available through network interface 232, gaming system 100 may interact with another gaming system or operate as a component of a larger network gaming community, to enable participation in multiplayer games that are played over the Internet or other network and with players who are using other similar gaming systems.
Network System
In addition to gaming system 100, one or more online services 304 a, . . . 304 s are accessible via network 302 to provide various services for the participants, such as serving and/or hosting online games. It is contemplated that the online services might also be set up for serving downloadable music or video files, hosting gaming competitions, serving streaming A/V files, enabling exchange of email or other media communications, and the like. Network gaming environment 300 may further employ a key distribution center 306 for authenticating individual players and/or gaming systems 100 for interconnection to one another as well as to online services 304 a, . . . 304 s. Distribution center 306 distributes keys and service tickets to valid participants that may then be used to form game playing groups including multiple players, or to purchase services from online services 304 a, . . . 304 s.
Network gaming environment 300 introduces another memory source available to individual gaming systems 100, i.e., online storage. In addition to optical storage disc 108, hard disk drive 208, and MUs, gaming system 100 a can also access data files available at remote storage locations via network 302, as exemplified by remote storage 308 at online service 304 s.
Network gaming environment 300 further includes a developer service 309 that is used by developers when producing media effects, updated media data, game code, and to provide other services. Such services can be distributed between the online services and the gaming systems, and between other devices within, and outside of network gaming environment 300.
Exemplary Media Processing System and Audio Configuration
Setup engine 320 communicates with a voice processor (VP) 322. VP 322 is preferably a digital signal processor (DSP) operating as a first stage of audio processor 224. Specifically, VP 322 functions as a primary PCM synthesis and sub-mixing engine. VP 322 comprises a fixed function DSP core 330 that is in communication with a pipeline of programmable, but predetermined, functions 332. DSP core 330 is also in communication with a VP memory 334 that includes physical storage locations that are referred to as mix bins 335. Preferably, individual audio data sources (sometimes referred to as voices) are routed through one or more of predetermined pipeline functions 332, and the results are temporarily stored in mix bins 335 of VP memory 334.
Voice processor 322 and setup engine 320 are in communication with a global processor (GP) 324. GP 324 is another DSP that is considered a second stage of audio processor 224. Preferably, GP 324 can access physical mix bins 335 for VP output audio data. GP 324 applies programmable audio effects to the VP output audio data to create final linear PCM stereo or multi-channel output. GP 324 comprises a programmable DSP core 336 in communication with a GP memory 338. GP memory 338 preferably stores audio effect programs, audio effect data, and a DSP execution kernel. The output of GP 324 is preferably temporarily stored in physical mix bins 335 of VP memory 334.
Global processor 324 and setup engine 320 communicate with an encode processor 326. Encode processor 326 provides real time Dolby digital and Dolby surround encoding. Encode processor 326 also monitors peak and root mean square (RMS) levels for individual audio streams as well as down mix for stereo output.
In general, audio data, such as voice communication data during a software game or audio data that is part of the game program, flows to VP 322, to GP 324, to encode processor 326, and ultimately, to one or more speakers (or other sound transducers) and/or to a network. During the flow of audio data through the audio processor, one or more predetermined functions may be applied to the audio data by VP 322, and one or more audio effects may be applied to the audio data by GP 324. The resulting processed audio data are copied to console RAM 206.
If the game developer wishes to process audio data through pipeline 332, but does not wish to apply any audio effect to some of the audio data, the game developer may route the selected audio data directly to one of a plurality of logical GP mix bins 370. For example, audio data from a voice three 355 may be routed through pipeline 332 to a low frequency encoding (LFE) speaker VP mix bin 365 and directly on to a corresponding LFE speaker GP mix bin 375. Preferably, logical VP mix bins 360 and logical GP mix bins 370 correspond to the same physical memory space (i.e., VP mix bins 335 of
Alternatively, the game developer may choose to mix audio data from multiple voices. For example, audio data associated with the first three voices may correspond to sounds from a simulated vehicle, such as an engine noise, a tire skidding noise, and a noise from a weapon attached to the vehicle. The developer may wish to provide these noises individually, with separate 3D audio spatialization, when the game displays a simulated active view from within the vehicle. In addition, the developer may wish to mix these noises into a single point source in case the user of the computer simulation changes the active view to a point external to the vehicle, so that the vehicle is viewed from some distance. When the active view is from within the vehicle, each different noise, and the spatial location of each noise, will be perceptible to the user. Conversely, when the active view is outside and away from the vehicle, these different noises would be heard as a combined point source and would be perceived as being mixed together and emanating generally from the spatial location of the vehicle—not from different positions on the vehicle. To ensure quick and smooth audio transitions when the active view is changed, the separate noises and the mixed noise are preferably processed in parallel. An appropriate volume control or other control can be set to correspond to the active view, according to a distance of the viewpoint of the user relative to the vehicle, or according to another characteristic that affects the user's perception of the vehicle noises in the simulated environment of the game.
To mix audio data from multiple voices, each voice is preferably processed through one or more predetermined functions of pipeline 332 and then added together through one or more mixers. For instance, audio data from voice one 352, voice two 353, and voice three 355 may each be processed through selected predetermined functions of pipeline 332. The resulting processed audio data from each pipeline may then be added together by a logical mixer 390, and the mixed audio data may be stored in a VP FX send 19 VP mix bin 369. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a separate mixer is not required, but that mixing can be accomplished directly while writing the audio data to a mix bin.
Additional mixing and programmable audio effects may further be applied by the GP. Audio effect programs 380 are executed by the DSP core of the GP to modify the audio data. The audio effects that are applied may include reverberation, distortion, echo, amplitude modulation, infinite impulse response of a second order (IIR2), chorus, and other conventional or custom audio effects. The modified audio data may be mixed with unmodified audio data from one or more VP mix bins, or the modified audio data may be temporarily stored directly in a GP mix bin. For example, the mixed vehicle noise data stored in VP FX send 19 VP mix bin 369 may be modified by one or more audio effects programs 380 and the resulting modified audio data then temporarily stored in a GP FX send 19 VP mix bin 379. Again, VP mix bins 360 and GP mix bins 370 preferably represent the same physical memory space. Thus, mixing, or other processing, simply modifies the audio data stored in a memory location associated with both sets of logical mix bins.
After each frame of processing, the DSP execution kernel of the GP initiates a DMA copy of the audio data from all of the GP mix bins to console RAM 206. The audio data are then accessible to the game that is executing on the CPU of the game console. To provide desired recursive multistage audio processing, the game instructs a software sound subsystem module 395 to route selected data from console RAM 206 back through the audio processing unit. The game may also instruct software subsystem module 395 to update selected parameters of one or more predetermined functions of the VP pipeline. For example, the developer may include instructions in the game to update a frequency parameter in a pitch shifting function of the VP pipeline that will cause a Doppler shift in the simulated vehicle noises as the simulated vehicle moves toward or away from a virtual position in the computer simulation. Alternatively, or in addition, the mixed noises of the simulated vehicle may be routed back through a voice N 356 and processed by a 3D audio positioning function. By mixing the noises before applying the 3D audio positioning function, a single set of 3D outputs is produced. This minimizes the number of mix bins required to store the 3D outputs. For instance, the 3D audio positioning function may produce outputs that are routed to front-left speaker mix bin 362, front-right speaker mix bin 363, back-left speaker mix bin 366, and back-right speaker mix bin 367. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the data stored in console RAM 206 may be used in relation to many other combinations of input and output routings.
Overall Process
The initialization process also includes instructing the audio processor to allocate a VP hardware voice, at a step 582, to receive loop back data from a console RAM location that corresponds to the destination mix bin. As indicated above, the GP and VP mix bins are preferably the same physical memory location in the audio processing unit, so the destination mix bin may correspond to the single VP mix bin storing the mixed output of the predefined functions of the VP pipeline. Preferably, however, the destination mix bin corresponds to a GP mix bin storing data that was produced by applying audio effects with the GP. For instance, the mix bin labeled effects send 19 379 in
Once the initialization steps are complete, the data associated with the source voices are processed through the selected predetermined functions of the VP pipeline, at a step 584 of
If desired, the computer simulation may optionally apply one or more programmable audio effects with the GP, at a step 587. Processing by the GP may be considered a second stage. Whether processed by the GP or not, the desired data is still stored in the destination mix bin, since the VP and GP logical mix bins correspond to the same physical storage location. As indicated above, at each processing frame, a DSP execution kernel of the GP initiates a DMA transfer of the data in all the mix bins to the console RAM, at a step 588. Thus, on each successive processing frame, the computer simulation can call for the data in the console RAM to be processed back through another VP voice. For instance, step 589 illustrates that the computer simulation can call for the VP to perform 3D audio positioning for the data that were copied from the destination mix bin to the console RAM. The computer simulation may also adjust parameters of the predefined functions in the VP pipeline. Further details of step 589 are provided by
With regard to
It is also well known that the spatial motion of a sound source relative to a listener is indicated by a Doppler shift in the frequency of the sound heard by the listener. An efficient method of achieving a Doppler shift is to perform a time-variant frequency shift by sample rate conversion (SRC). This conversion is sometimes referred to as predetermined pitch shift function of the VP pipeline. However, the predetermined pitch shift function would have to be performed on each component of the data corresponding to each speaker, which is inefficient. If the predetermined pitch shift function was performed before the volume components were determined, the VP would still produce multiple components for a single source voice. If audio effects were to be applied, each of the multiple volume components would have to be processed through the GP. Moreover, if the simulation required multiple source voices to be mixed (such as for a point source), the individual components would have to be mixed and processed through the GP to apply audio effects. It is more efficient to first mix the source voices and apply the audio effects to the mixed data. Unfortunately, the VP can not simply reprocess the resulting data as part of a single 3D process that includes both the predetermined pitch shift function (the time-variant frequency shift by SRC) and a function to compute each of volume components. The GP operates at a fixed data rate (e.g., 48 kHz). To ensure that the GP continues to operate at its maximum efficiency, the VP should process the data from the destination mix bin and provide final volume components at the same data rate. If the data rate is less than expected by the GP, the GP will be starved of data, and unintentional silence may result. Conversely, if the data rate is greater than expected by the GP, some data will be overwritten before the GP can process the data. Performing the predetermined pitch shift (the time-variant frequency shift by SRC) on the mixed data from the destination mix bin would cause a change in data rate that could result in a starvation or overwriting condition.
To overcome this problem, a preferred embodiment performs frequency (Doppler) shifting on the source data from each of the individual source voices that are associated with the destination mix bin, rather than on the mixed data in the destination mix bin. Thus, at a decision step 594, the sound processing program determines whether any source voices are still associated with the destination mix bin, or whether the source voices are no longer associated with the destination mix bin, because no more source data is available or because another change in the computer simulation has occurred. If at least one source voice is still associated with the destination mix bin, the sound processing program obtains information needed for Doppler shifting at a step 596. For instance, the sound processing program may obtain velocity information and the format of the source audio data. As a function of this information, the sound processing program sets the frequency for each source voice that is still associated with the destination mix bin, at a step 598. The predetermined pitch shift function of the VP pipeline will then process the data from the associated source voices at the new frequency settings.
Controlling each individual source voice while also controlling a mixture of the sounds further enables the sound processing system to transition between the multiple individual sounds and a point source sound. For example, the sound processing system can increase the volume of the mixed vehicle sounds as the vehicle moves further from a virtual listener position in the computer simulation. Correspondingly, the sound processing system will then decrease the volume of each individual sound. Conversely, as the vehicle moves closer to the virtual listener, and as the virtual listener enters the vehicle, the sound processing system can decrease the mixed point source sound, and increase the individual sounds, so that the separate sources are clearly distinguished, in different speakers.
Although the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred form of practicing it, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that many modifications can be made thereto within the scope of the claims that follow. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the invention in any way be limited by the above description, but instead be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.
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I have TSLA which had a nice short squeeze now waiting for the riper SGEN to do the same
Is anybody buying SGEN the day after a quarterly update? The stock always drops and comes back stronger a few days later. This technique is a way to make some easy money.
If the stock goes up and you own the stock you make money and buy because you want more share or not buy. Are the shorts that easy to figure out?
would not be surprised to see SGEN over $40 after ASCO if they present new and promising data.
A new all time high is on the short term horizon.
...at which time all the shorts are underwater....with a similar situation as TSLA which was up ...I think it was about 32% yesterday alone and more thus far today


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How To Enjoy Golf Without Hurting Your Lower Back
The golf swing, lower back, and injury are common phrases in the world golf. The execution of the golf swing places the lower back under enormous shear forces each and every golf swing, and the muscles of the lower back should hold up against these shear forces. When the lower back muscles are fatigued, supporting the stressors of the golf swing and carrying out the mechanics of the golf swing are compromised. Find more info on footjoy here.
Again, we are all aware the lower back is one of the most oft hurt locations of the body in the video game of golf. Outside of the lower back ending up being hurt from the golf swing. The scenario of efficiency on the golf course comes into play.
On the PGA Tour keeping the lower back strong and injury free is an everyday task. It is understandable just how much time is spent on lower back injury prevention when the biomechanics of the golf swing are understood. The biomechanics of the golf swing position the lower back under large quantities of shear force/stress every time you swing a golf club.
Primarily the reasons for lower back pain manies and is very well recognized by a certified doctor.
My first tip is to obtain the lower back taken a look at by a back specialists. This will determine what exactly is going on with the lower back and exactly what is the best treatment.
Now Bryan brings up a great point in his e-mail. He goes over the possibility that his lower back discomfort is caused by playing excessive golf. (you can never play enough golf!, well ... perhaps). This definitely could be the reason that his lower back is "tight" and "aching".
Again, we know the lower back is put under high amount of moneys of anxiety every swing of the golf club. With time the muscles of the lower back can become tired out from the golf swing. This will ultimately result in the muscles of the lower back "quiting" and ending up being tired out. When the muscles of the lower back are fatigued it is a really short action to injury. Exactly what is the process of eliminating this type of circumstance playing out?
It merely requires the advancement of muscular endurance in the lower back to hold up against the stressors of the golf swing. Profits the golf swing is a recurring motion, needing the body to carry out the swing over and over again. In order for the muscles (lower back muscles consisted of) associated with the golf swing to carry out the repeatable motions of the golf swing over and over once more in an efficient way.
Muscular endurance is the ability of the neuromuscular system of the body to perform a repeated biomechanical motion (i.e. golf swing) without becoming fatigued. How do you establish muscular endurance specific to the golf swing? By merely, executing golf fitness exercises into a structured program.
In addition to the advancement of enhanced muscular endurance the efficiency of the golf swing mechanics might require change. Performance within the mechanics of the golf swing can directly impact the quantity of stress put upon the lower back.
Extra research study has indicated the shear forces put upon the lower back of an expert golfer is significantly less than the amateur golfer. The reason for the distinction is the mechanics of the golf swing carried out by the expert is a lot more efficient, positioning less anxiety on the lower back.
Specified previously, numerous factors exist for the lower back to become injured. The mechanics of the golf swing and endurance with muscles of the lower back are just two of many possibilities. If the lower back is weak the shear forces put upon it by the golf swing will ultimately result in fatigue. The development of greater levels of muscular endurance can counter act this circumstance. The usage of golf fitness exercises is finest in relation to the golf swing for this situation.
Furthermore, the efficiency where the mechanics of the golf swing are executed influences the lower back. A less efficient golf swing places greater levels of shear force upon the musculature of the lower back causing fatigue and possible injury. A detailed golf fitness program to develop greater levels of muscular endurance and the creation of a efficient golf swing golf through direction may assist keeping your lower back injury complimentary.


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Transcript-Savvy Discovery Is a Smart Bet
Drug Developers Are Finding Ways to Bend the Transcriptome to Their Will
Humanizing Animals for Immuno-Oncology
Success in Humanizing Mice Has Inspired Similar Efforts in Rats, Pigs, and Other Animals
Molecular Dx Has Your (Copy) Number
CNV Detection and Analysis Tools Are Being Used To Fill Genetic Diagnostic Gaps
Probiotics Help Save the Spine
Sounds of Science Podcast
Eurofins to Provide Roche GS Junior for Smaller-Scale Projects
Eurofins MWG Operon expanded its sequencing capacity with a Roche GS Junior. The GS Junior is the optimum system for sequencing smaller-scale projects that require only one-eighth of the capacity of a GS FLX Titanium run or that would not be suitable for an Illumina run, according to Roche and Eurofins.
As a consequence, the GS Junior adds a higher degree of flexibility in project planning and will have a positive impact on the turnaround time for small-sized initiatives, Eurofins states. In addition, it allows new possibilities in quality control, e.g., library checking in advance of starting high-throughput sequencing or the validation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) data for molecular diagnostics.
"We are pleased to integrate this new system in our NGS service pipeline," says Bruno Poddevin, Eurofins svp, Genomic Services. "It allows our customers to plan experiments that have not been possible in this short timeframe before. In addition, it will secure the high quality of our high-throughput sequencing projects and allow us to develop new applications in a reasonable time and at reasonable cost."
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Top Tracks: June 13 - June 19
For ten out of the 24 weeks of 2016 we've experienced thus far, Drake has held the top spot in our Top 100 tracks list. Similar to the streak VIEWS is currently enjoying at the top of the Billboard charts, Drizzy's dominance in our metric of streaming-and-viewing success is pretty astounding, especially considering the mixed reaction his new album received.
Top Tracks: June 6 - June 12
Let's face it, as far as high-profile tracks go, there's no way this week (or any week really) could have lived up to the seven days that preceded it. Drake, Kanye, Jay Z, Justin Bieber, Gucci Mane, Travi$ Scott, and Pusha T all joined forces with some combination of one another to make for the craziest batch of tracks we've seen in such a short span this year.
Kanye West's "Champions" To Hit iTunes Tonight As 1st "Cruel Winter" Single
UPDATE: Kanye West's "Champions" single has arrived in the US iTunes store. Find it here.
Top Tracks: May 30 - June 5
Do you ever get the feeling that hip hop's current class of elites is more of a group of superfriends than ever before? Let's play six degrees of separation with this week's top ten tracks-- the most momentous batch in recent memory. At the top we've got DJ Khaled, who's collaborated with more of rap's A- B- and C-listers in his career than arguably anyone else, and who's accompanied by Drake.
Summer Jam 2016 Recap
"SEVERE WEATHER ALERT: A storm is expected to hit between 6:00pm – 7:30pm. For your safety, please seek shelter in your vehicles." Thus began Summer Jam 2016.
Staff Picks Playlist (June 3)
It's everyone's favorite day of the week... Friday. FRIDAY. FRIDAY!!!!! While we stare at the clock for the next two or three hours and count down every single second until the work day (/school day) finishes, we've rounded up our favorite Soundcloud releases from the past week for the weekly Staff Picks playlist.
Top 5 G.O.O.D. Music Posse Cuts
Today has proved to be VERY HOTTTTT across the board, but at the top of the list, (if you checked our -definitive- ranking on the homepage) is Kanye West's new single for Cruel Winter, which just so happens to be a posse cut featuring G.O.O.D. Music artists and beyond.
Top Tracks: May 16 - May 22
This past week, we were finally able to take a deep breath and reflect on all of the major projects we've heard in the past month -- A$AP Ferg, Bankroll Mafia, Beyoncé, Drake, Skepta, Rittz, Chance The Rapper, and Post Malone have all dropped full-lengths in that relatively brief timespan. It would appear that the summer's first burst of high-profile albums has subsided, but as we await projects from Travi$ Scott, YG, ScHoolboy Q, and others, at least guys like The Underachievers and Casey Veggies have given us something new to chew on.
BET Awards Announce 2016 Nominees
The nominations for the 2016 BET Awards are in! Drake secured nine nominations, miles ahead of any other artist. Beyonce and Rihanna earned five each; Future and Bryson Tiller earned four apiece. Adele received her first BET nomination in the Best Female R&B/Pop Artist category.
De La Soul Reveal Tracklist & Cover Art For "And the Anonymous Nobody" Album
De La Soul was supposed to drop their Kickstarter-funded album And the Anonymous Nobody on April 26. Due to outstanding clearances and assorted legal obstacles yet to be hurdled, the album wasn't ready in time. So the group instead delivered a token of their appreciation, a 4-track EP called For Your Pain & Suffering, and announced that the full album would arrive on August 26.
Top Tracks: May 9 - May 15
In contrast with the first few months of 2015, when it seemed like our Top Tracks lists were just the same Kanye and Drake tracks rising and falling with each ensuing week, the past few editions have been utter chaos, with the #1 spot changing every week. Staying power is proving difficult to achieve in an increasingly crowded summer playing field-- Beyoncé and Birdman's chart-toppers from two and one week ago, respectively, are nowhere to be found this week, although a few of the lower-ranking tracks stuck it out.
5 Great Lil Wayne Features From The Last Year
Lil Wayne's guest appearance on Chance The Rapper's "No Problem" reminded us of everything we love about Weezy, and inspired us to go back through some of his more recent features. While some flew under the radar more than others, Wayne has had a solid run of guest appearances over the last year, so we assembled a few of our favorite 16s (and beyond) from the last 12 months.
BTS Photos: 2 Chainz & Lil Wayne's Video Shoots For "Gotta Lotta" & "MFN Right"
2 Chainz and Lil Wayne's ColleGrove has been one of the year's most enjoyable projects, and a few of its tracks should continue to blow up and dominate the summer.
5 Things To Expect On Post Malone's New Mixtape
We attended the listening session for Post Malone's upcoming mixtape August 26 last night, and it was lit. Hosted in an upscale lounge in Manhattan, the single room setting was populated with a mix of music journalists, record company representatives, musical artists and girls brought in by the artists. Kitty Cash and FKi took care of DJ duties for the first half of the event while the crowd got good and liquored.
Top Tracks: April 11 - April 17
Is it just me, or have the past few weeks felt like the calm before the storm? After all of the TLOP hubbub died down (this is the first week in a long time that we haven't had a Kanye solo joint in our top ten list), we've had quite a lack of releases from rap's upper echelon. Teasers, singles, and release date announcements seem to keep flooding in, but this Friday, when A$AP Ferg releases Always Strive And Prosper, things will really get cooking.
Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz Can't Wait For You To Hear Their Havoc-Produced Track, "Bars"
On the first part of he and 2 Chainz' interview with Genius, Lil Wayne revealed that he was brought to tears when he first heard Chainz' verses on CollegeGrove opening track, "Dedication," and part two features some equally interesting anecdotes. After talking about how Tity's "I kiss ya lady, eat her pussy, then kiss the baby" bar on "Bounce" actually caused him to fall to the ground, Wayne spoke of an unrelease track called "Bars" that seems like it will continue in the rappin'-ass-rappin' tradition of "Bounce".
Lil Wayne Admits He Cried Upon Hearing 2 Chainz' "Dedication"
"Dedication," the opener on ColleGrove, is a solo 2 Chainz track, and it's a tribute to Lil Wayne, who would go on to feature on 8 of the album's remaining 11 songs. "If it wasn't for Wayne it wouldn't be / A lot of dudes in the game, including me," Chainz begins the song, before going on to detail his early experiences being around Wayne, who brought him into his circle with open arms and encouraged him to pursue his dreams.
Lil Wayne Doesn't Think Anyone Is Trying To Be The Best Rapper Alive Anymore
Lil Wayne once called himself the "best rapper alive," and with good reason. His output combined with the quality of his rhymes for a few years was unparalleled to this day. However, Lil Wayne doesn't think anyone is even trying to reach that level of lyrical focus, let alone getting anywhere close to it.
Tidal To Host Exclusive Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz Concert This Week
Lil Wayne is a part-owner of Tidal, and in a few days, he will use the platform to provide a live stream of an exclusive "ColleGrove" concert in Atlanta, where he'll be joined by 2 Chainz. The concert goes down on Wednesday, March 30 at 9pm at the Tabernacle in Northwest Atlanta, and entry will only be granted to Tidal members.
Top Tracks: March 14 - 20
Last week was definitely dominated by SXSW, with most of the rap world seeming like they were down in Austin either to perform, kick it with some of their equals in the game, or announce mixtapes in creative ways.


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Trisha Yearwood will perform during the July 15th Olympic-sized celebration in Centennial Olympic Park. Yearwood, who performed during the closing ceremonies of the 1996 Olympic Games, will join thousands in the Park to reunite, reminisce and relive the excitement shared a decade ago.
The 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Centennial Olympics is an opportunity to share the legacy with future generations, as well as to give thanks to those who volunteered during the Centennial Olympics. The volunteers that worked so hard will have the opportunity to come together ten years later and relive the emotion of the Centennial Olympic Games.
In other Trisha news, listen for her on labelmate Vince Gill's upcoming 4-cd project, These Days, scheduled for release on October 17.
And, if she's coming to your town, there's some nice audio on her website which could be repurposed for the concert promotion announcements too!
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Cassandra Nathan attended a vigil for her son Ketron who was killed early Sunday. His younger brother Aleke was one of three people wounded in the shooting at the Jumbo Pocket Sports Bar and Billiards in the 2700 block of Majesty Drive in Arlington.
Published at 3:44 AM GMT on Mar 24, 2014 | Updated at 6:06 PM GMT on Mar 24, 2014


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From OptiStatim, LLC (Dr Nathanson), Longmeadow, MA; Baystate Medical Center (Drs Higgins and Brennan), Tufts University School of Medicine, Springfield, MA; Cerner Corporation (Dr Kramer and Ms Stark), Kansas City, MO; and Tufts University School of Medicine (Dr Teres), Springfield, MA.
Correspondence to: Brian H. Nathanson, PhD, OptiStatim, LLC, PO Box 60844, Longmeadow, MA 01116; e-mail: email@example.com
Funding/Support: This work was supported by the Cerner Corporation.
Reproduction of this article is prohibited without written permission from the American College of Chest Physicians (http://www.chestpubs.org/site/misc/reprints.xhtml).
© 2011 American College of Chest Physicians
A recent update of the Mortality Probability Model (MPM)-III found 14% of intensive care patients had age as their only MPM risk factor for hospital mortality. This subgroup had a low mortality rate (2% vs 14% overall), and pronounced differences were noted among elderly patients. This article is an expanded analysis of age-related mortality rates in patients in the ICU.
Project IMPACT data from 135 ICUs for 124,885 patients treated from 2001 to 2004 were analyzed. Patients were stratified as elective surgical, emergency/unscheduled surgical, and medical and then further stratified by age and whether additional MPM risk factors were present or absent.
Mortality rose with advancing age within all patient categories. Elective surgical patients without other risk factors were the least likely to die at all ages (0.4% for patients aged 18-29 years to 9.2% for patients aged ≥ 90 years), whereas medical patients with one or more additional risk factors had the highest mortality rate (12.1% for patients aged 18-29 years to 36.0% for patients aged ≥ 90 years). In these two subsets, mortality rates approximately doubled in the elective surgical group among patients aged in their 70s (2.4%), 80s (4.3%), and 90s (9.2%) but rose less dramatically in the medical group (27.0%, 30.7%, and 36.0%, respectively).
Although mortality increased with age, the risk differed significantly by patient subset, even among elderly patients, which may reflect a selection bias. Advanced age alone does not preclude successful surgical and ICU interventions, although the presence of serious comorbidities decreases the likelihood of survival to discharge for all age groups.
People are living longer around the world. Ten percent of the world's population is aged > 60 years, and this age group is expected to double in size by 2050.1 Hospitalized patients' acuity in the United States also is rising.2 Between 1985 and 2000, the number of ICU beds in the United States grew to 26% (from 69,300-87,400 beds) despite a decrease in other inpatient beds during the same period.3
These two trends, the "graying" of the population and rising inpatient acuity, are profoundly affecting our health-care system. The mean age of intensive care patients is climbing,4 and studies have shown that 11% of Medicare patients spend > 1 week in the ICU in their last 6 months of life.5 In short, today's ICUs are largely occupied by older and sicker patients.
It is unethical to deny access to potentially life-saving therapies on the basis of age alone. However, the suffering of critically ill geriatric patients is significant, and care that merely prolongs the dying process is neither sensible nor compassionate. In addition, ICUs account for nearly one-third of acute care expenditures6,7 and are routinely at full capacity, making resource allocation challenging.8 Finally, it is difficult to offer appropriate counsel if the expected outcomes for older patients are unclear. Physicians often make inaccurate predictions on the life expectancy of critically ill patients,9 which highlights the importance of analyzing severity-adjusted mortality in diverse populations.
A number of researchers have examined outcomes for older ICU patients.1,10-13 Most of these studies were small (sample sizes < 1,000 patients), but the findings suggest that advanced age alone should not preclude ICU admission. The presence of other comorbidities appeared to have a greater impact on in-hospital mortality. Nevertheless, there is still some reluctance to admit very elderly patients to ICUs, even when critical care is otherwise appropriate.14
Project IMPACT (PI)14 is a large, modern, multicenter database of intensive care patients. We recently used PI data from 135 ICUs for 124,885 patients treated in 2001 to 2004 to update the Mortality Probability Model (MPM)-III4 in which we observed that 14% of patients had no MPM risk factor other than age. This "zero factor" subgroup of elective surgical patients had a notably low mortality risk (2% vs 14% overall). We also saw that age modified the effect of seven risk factors on mortality.4 For reference, we provide the model and its variable definitions in e-Appendixes 1 and 2, respectively. Here, we further analyze PI data to determine more definitively how age is associated with mortality among critically ill patients.
Data were provided by PI, and additional information on PI is available online.15 Participating ICUs in PI submitted data at least quarterly to a central repository. User software performed extensive checks for data accuracy and completeness. The central site performs supplementary data analyses and queries participants when questionable data are identified.16,17 Previous studies using this database have been published,4,18,19 and good agreement between the PI central database and reabstracted patient charts exists.16 PI data were stripped of identifiers in accordance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act regulations, and the data set provided was limited to variables needed for this project. We analyzed data for patients treated in 156 PI ICUs in 116 primarily North American hospitals between March 2001 and June 2004. To eliminate potential bias from very-low-volume ICUs and new participants, we excluded data from ICUs with < 100 patient records in the study database, and records for patients not meeting MPM-II applicability criteria (ie, cardiac surgery, acute myocardial infarction, burns, or aged < 18 years) were further excluded, leaving 124,885 patients from 135 ICUs at 98 hospitals. The MPM-III project was reviewed by the Institutional Review Board at Baystate Medical Center (Springfield, Massachusetts) and was determined to be exempt from the need for approval (IRB-6-170) because it met all requirements for use of anonymized data.
We stratified the data set by age (18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80-89, 90+ y) and by patient type (medical, unscheduled/emergency surgical, and elective/scheduled surgical). We also identified patients with at least one additional MPM risk factor other than age, patient type, zero factor, or full-code status. Counts and in-hospital mortality rates among groups were compared using the χ2 test. All statistical analyses were done using Stata/SE version 10.1 (StataCorp; College Station, Texas).
The seven interaction terms with age in the MPM-III model (e-Appendix 1) all had negative coefficients, meaning that these risk factors interacted with age in a nonadditive way (ie, mortality probability for each of these risk factors depended on the patient's age). In other words, the presence of these risk factors increased the risk of dying, but this increased risk was not constant and instead lessened as patients aged. Figure 1 depicts this increase for three commonly encountered risk factors: hypotension, cirrhosis, and metastatic cancer. Had age not modified the effect of these risk factors, the lines representing the mortality rates of those patients with each factor would have been parallel to the line plotted by age alone (denoted as the solid line).
Table 1 provides information on patient characteristics. A histogram of the patients' ages is shown in Figure 2. The median age was 63 years (interquartile range, 48-75 years). The histogram shows that age was not normally distributed, but instead, a disproportionate number of patients were aged > 65 years, which confirms known demographic trends.4
Data are presented as No. (%) or mean ± SD. CMO = comfort measures only; DNR = do not resuscitate; LTV = long-term ventilation facility; PACU = postanesthesia recovery unit; SNF = skilled nursing facility.
Table 2 shows the counts and prevalences by age group and patient type. For example, 17,315 patients (13.9% of the data set) were aged 80 to 89 years, and 12.7% of this group were elective surgical patients with no risk factors (ie, the "zero factor" patients in MPM-III), whereas 45.9% were medical patients with at least one MPM risk factor other than age. Table 2 also reveals that older medical patients admitted to the ICU were more likely to have additional MPM risk factors, whereas this trend was not seen among the surgical patients.
Data are presented as No. (%). The percentage in each cell shows the proportion of the respective age group (column) (eg 5.7% of patients aged 18-29 years had elective surgery with no other MPM risk factors). The percentages in the last row and column represent the fraction of the total sample size of 124,885 patients. MPM = Mortality Probability Model.
Table 3 presents the in-hospital mortality rate for each cell. For example, the mortality rate for patients aged 80 to 89 years with elective surgery and no other MPM risk factors was 4.3%, whereas for elective surgical patients with at least one other MPM risk factor, the rate was 17.7% (P < .001). As expected, mortality rates increased with age for all patient subtypes as shown in Figure 3. The elective surgical group with no other MPM risk factors had the lowest mortality rates (0.4%-9.2%), whereas medical patients with at least one other MPM risk factor had the highest mortality rates across all age groups (12.1%-36.0%). In these two subsets, mortality rates approximately doubled in the elective surgical group among patients in their 70s (2.4%), 80s (4.3%), and 90s (9.2%) but rose less dramatically in the medical patients (27.0%, 30.7%, and 36.0%, respectively).
Data are presented as percentages. See Table 2 legend for expansion of abbreviation.
Mortality rose considerably for all patient types when MPM risk factors were present. The smallest relative increase in deaths occurred in medical patients aged > 90 years. However, even for these nonagenarians, the mortality rate was 19.3% for those with no other MPM risk factors but almost doubled to 36.0% (relative risk ratio, 1.87; P < .001) for those with at least one additional risk factor.
Table 3 and Figure 3 also highlight low mortality rates for certain patient subsets. Among elective surgical patients aged < 40 years with no MPM risk factors, the mortality rate was just 0.4%, although these same patients in their 80s and 90s had mortality rates of 4.3% and 9.2%, respectively, which may be considered quite high. However, "acceptable" mortality rates are context driven because the youngest (aged 18-29 years) patients with at least one MPM risk factor had similar mortality rates as the elderly patients (elective surgical, 4.7%; emergency surgical, 10.8%; medical, 12.1%).
The primary reason for ICU admission varied by patient type (Fig 4). Postoperative observation was more common in elective than unscheduled surgical patients (21.1% vs 15.1%; P < .001). However, the proportion of postoperative observation surgical patients aged ≥ 70 years (38.2%) was similar to surgical patients overall (40.0%).
This study demonstrates that select older patients admitted to ICUs have low in-hospital mortality rates, particularly when MPM risk factors are absent and surgery is scheduled. Because MPM risk factors are quite serious conditions known at ICU admission (eg, coma/deep stupor, metastatic neoplasm, CPR within 24 h), it is both clinically intuitive and empirically supported that their presence increases the chance of dying.4 We note, though, that mortality rates of nonagenarians undergoing elective surgery were somewhat high (9.2%-23.2%), and this finding must be considered carefully when deciding treatment options.
Caution also must be taken when generalizing these findings to all elderly critically ill patients due to the selection bias present in these results. Patients aged in their 80s or 90s who are terminally ill or in poor overall health are more likely to choose palliative care or less aggressive therapies that do not require ICU monitoring. We also observed that older medical patients were more likely to have additional MPM risk factors, but this trend was not seen in the surgical patients. So in some fundamental ways, the study's population of elderly ICU surgical patients may be healthier than other hospitalized geriatric patients outside the ICU with the same MPM risk factors. This selection bias, however, reflects the real-world decision-making of clinicians, patients, and families as well as suggests that ICU case selection is reasonably judicious, at least among PI hospitals and for the outcome of in-hospital mortality. Further research is needed to examine the association between age and resource use in the ICU to further ensure that intensive care is given to the most suitable populations.
In addition to the risk of mortality, physicians may be reluctant to recommend surgery in geriatric patients for fear of postoperative delirium or permanent postoperative cognitive dysfunction.20,21 No large prospective study has examined short- and long-term cognitive outcomes among elderly patients requiring ICU admission after major surgery,21 and existing research has produced conflicting results. However, Avidan et al20 showed retrospectively that operating on older adults was not linked to cognitive decline, whereas Ouimet et al22 found that age was not a risk factor for ICU delirium.
The MPM-III was validated on external data19 and across a wide range of patient subsets.23 However, MPM-III and other models specifically designed for critically ill geriatric patients24 are not applicable to individuals but only to patient groups and as such, may help to identify elderly subgroups at high risk of dying after ICU admission.
Notably, the PI age-stratified risk-adjusted mortality rates dovetail with prior research. de Rooij et al11 reviewed 15 studies of geriatric ICU patients from 1966 to 2005. Although most studies were small (10 studies had < 1,000 patients) and from single institutions, the overall conclusion was that "ICU mortality was higher in elderly patients" but that "high age alone was not responsible for poorer outcomes, but premorbid functional status and severity of illness also contributed." Marik25 also conducted a literature review and agreed, noting that "age alone should not be used to triage ICU patients." He recommended that decisions to admit elderly patients rely on an assessment of their acuity, prehospital functional status, and personal treatment wishes. European studies also have found that advanced age alone does not preclude good outcomes for patients admitted to ICUs.26-28
The MPM-III relies only on the most common and severe critical care risk factors by design.4 Consequently, some variables that influence ICU admissions and outcomes that are prevalent among the elderly, such as malnutrition and low BMI,29 are not included, and their effects cannot be assessed. Other absent factors such as dementia, depression, and prior nursing home residence are associated with poor outcomes for elderly patients requiring hospitalization and have not been comprehensively analyzed by intensivists.12,30,31 Geriatric patients with these risk factors likely will die at higher rates than predicted by the MPM-III, even in the absence of other MPM-III risk factors, and may be poor candidates for ICU admission.4
We stratified the elective surgical, emergency surgical, and medical patients into two groups: those with no additional MPM risk factors and those with at least one additional risk factor (excluding age, full-code status, and medical or emergency surgical status) and did not distinguish between acute and chronic factors. This decision was reasonable because the median number of additional risk factors after these exclusions was 1 (interquartile range, 0-1). However, an analysis of specific MPM-III variables or variable combinations may have provided more nuanced results though likely similar overall conclusions. We also did not have data on the type of surgery performed within the surgical groups, and so the association between surgical complexity and mortality is unknown.
Finally, we could only assess in-hospital mortality among patients admitted to the ICU. The association of age on long-term survival for these patients is unknown. Also unknown, although clearly of interest, would be how patients fared who were not admitted to the ICU because of their age, acuity, prognosis, or wishes. We also lacked data on the quality of life after discharge in this cohort. Recent studies showed that prolonged ICU stays, regardless of age, led to ICU-acquired paresis.32 Nevertheless, other studies indicated that elderly patients who survived had an acceptable quality of life thereafter.10,33,34 A more-robust analysis of outcomes for critically ill older patients would include data on patient quality of life, functional status outcomes, readmission rates, and ICU admission status.
Because of its size and recent data, this study definitively confirms that even the oldest ICU patients may fare well if other risk factors are absent. Our main finding is that advanced age alone does not preclude successful intensive care, especially in the cohort of elderly elective surgical patients admitted to ICUs. These findings may reflect the preferences of both clinicians and patients to avoid surgery or intensive care for those who are frail and nearing the end of their lives, but in a real-world population, the relatively low hospital mortality rate even in patients in their 80s is encouraging. This study also highlights that chronologic age alone offers much less prognostic information than age in the context of known MPM risk factors. Therefore, a holistic assessment of the critically ill patient, regardless of age, is needed to determine appropriate treatment.
Author contributions:Dr Nathanson: contributed to the study concept, analysis and interpretation of the data, statistical analysis, drafting of the manuscript, and review of the manuscript for important intellectual content.
Dr Higgins: contributed to the study concept, analysis and interpretation of the data, and review of the manuscript for important intellectual content.
Dr Brennan: contributed to the analysis and interpretation of the data and review of the manuscript for important intellectual content.
Dr Kramer: contributed to the study concept, analysis and interpretation of the data, and review of the manuscript for important intellectual content.
Ms Stark: contributed to data acquisition and review of the manuscript for important intellectual content.
Dr Teres: contributed to the study concept, analysis and interpretation of the data, and review of the manuscript for important intellectual content.
Financial/nonfinancial disclosures: The authors have reported to CHEST the following conflicts of interest: Dr Nathanson's company, OptiStatim, LLC, has an annual consulting agreement with Cerner for > $10,000; Dr Higgins has consulted for Cerner and holds stock in Cerner; Dr Kramer has been employed with Cerner and holds stock ownership and options with Cerner; and Ms Stark has been employed with Cerner. Drs Brennan and Teres have reported to CHEST that no potential conflicts of interest exist with any companies/organizations whose products or services may be discussed in this article.
Role of sponsors: Cerner provided the data for this study. This study was an additional analysis of a project funded by Cerner.
Additional information: The e-Appendices can be found in the Online Supplement at http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/139/4/825/suppl/DC1.
Mortality Probability Model
Project IMPACT
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