text:
Patent application title: HELICAL CONDUIT ENABLED FOR CASTING INSIDE A HOUSING
Satish D. Savant (Peoria, IL, US)
Caterpillar Inc.
IPC8 Class: AH05K720FI
USPC Class:
Class name: For electronic systems and devices with cooling means fluid
Publication date: 2010-04-08
Patent application number: 20100085706
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Patent application title: HELICAL CONDUIT ENABLED FOR CASTING INSIDE A HOUSING
Satish D. Savant
Caterpillar Inc.;Intellectual Property Dept.
Origin: PEORIA, IL US
IPC8 Class: AH05K720FI
USPC Class:
Patent application number: 20100085706
The present disclosure is directed to a fluid-cooled housing for an
electric device having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner
surface defining, at least in part, a housing cavity having a
longitudinal axis, an end wall continuous with the inner surface. The
inner surface having a plurality of core print openings along the
longitudinal axis, and a helical conduit integrated within the housing
between the outer and inner surfaces along the axis formed from a helical
coil core having two or more laterally extending tabs which form the core
print in two or more planes.
1. A fluid-cooled housing for an electric device, comprising:an outer
surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining, at least in
part, a housing cavity having a longitudinal axis;an end wall continuous
with the inner surface, thereby substantially enclosing the housing
cavity at a first end thereof; the inner surface having a plurality of
core print openings along the longitudinal axis; anda helical conduit
integrated within the housing between the outer and inner surfaces along
the axis, formed from a helical coil core having two or more laterally
extending tabs which form the core print in two or more planes.
2. The housing of claim 1, wherein the helical conduit has a rectangular cross-section.
3. The housing of claim 2, wherein the rectangular cross-section is defined by a first elongated dimension disposed substantially parallel to the axis.
4. The housing of claim 1, wherein the helical conduit has two or more core print holes per turn of the spiral, opening to the inside.
5. The housing of claim 1, wherein the helical conduit has two or more core print holes per turn of the spiral, opening to the outside.
6. The housing of claim 3, wherein the conduit further comprises an outer surface and a first end, a tube fluidly connected to the conduit in the proximity of the conduit end and extending substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the conduit and is the inlet for the coolant.
7. The housing of claim 6, wherein the tube extends beyond the outer surface of the housing and is the outlet for the coolant.
8. The housing of claim 1, wherein the conduit has a first end and a second end that extends outward from the outer surface of the housing with the coolant entering one end, passing through the spiral and exiting through the other end.
9. A casting configuration for a helical conduit cast for a fluid cooled housing in an electric device comprising:a cope and drag mold, having a spiral core embedded within the contours of the mold, said core held rigidly within the mold with tabs that serve as core prints.
10. The casting configuration of claim 9, wherein the spiral core is created by laser sintering.
11. The casting configuration of claim 9, wherein the spiral core is split in two or more pieces.
12. The casting configuration of claim 9, wherein the helix angle at the two ends of each spiral of the helical conduit core are reduced for ease of extraction of core halves from a core box.
13. The casting configuration of claim 9, wherein core edges have fillet radii for ease of extraction of the core halves from a core box.
14. The casting configuration of claim 9, wherein said helical conduit core is formed of compacted sand.
15. The casting configuration of claim 9, wherein said helical conduit core has a rectangular cross section.
16. The casting configuration of claim 9, wherein said helical conduit core has two or more inwardly facing core prints per spiral connected to form a singular planar tab.
17. The casting configuration of claim 9, wherein the helical conduit has two or more outwardly facing core prints per spiral connected to form a singular planar tab.
18. The casting configuration of claim 9, wherein the core print tab extends axially out into the cope and drag of the mold.
[0001]The present disclosure relates generally to an electric device such as a motor, generator or alternator, and more specifically to a helical conduit enabled for casting inside an electric device.
[0002]Switched Reluctance (SR) electric machines such as, for example, motors and generators may be used to generate mechanical power in response to an electrical input or to generate electrical power in response to a mechanical input. Magnetic, resistive, and mechanical losses within the motors and generators during mechanical and electrical power generation cause a build up of heat, which may be dissipated to avoid malfunction and/or failure of the device. One of the limitations on the power output of the electric generators may be the capacity to dissipate this heat.
[0003]One example of a liquid cooled generator is depicted in FIG. 9. The generator 300 generally includes a rotor assembly 302 including a rotor shaft 304 with steel laminations 306. Surrounding the rotor assembly 302 is stator assembly 308, which includes a plurality of stator coils 310. Rotor 302 is configured for rotation about axis 312 within stator 308 for generation of electrical power in a conventional manner.
[0004]The stator 308 and rotor 302 are disposed within a cavity 314 defined by a generator housing including a front housing 316, middle housing 318, and rear housing 320, with middle housing 318 including an inner surface 322. Fitted against inner surface 322 is a cooling sleeve 324 having a series of grooves 326 forming a cooling passage when outer surface 327 of sleeve 324 is mated against inner surface 322. O-rings 328 are positioned in the sleeve surrounding the grooves 326 to prevent leakage of coolant. The sleeve includes a radially extending flange 330 being positioned between front housing 316 and middle housing 318. An upper axial lubricant/cooling bore 340 passes through the front housing 316, flange 330, middle housing 318, and rear housing 320, sealed by O-rings 334. Similarly, a lower lubricant/cooling sump 336 is sealed by O-rings 338 between the flange 330, front 316, and middle 318 housings.
[0005]One method of dissipating heat within a generator includes a fluid cooled electric device having outer and inner surfaces that define a housing cavity having a longitudinal axis with a helical conduit integrated within the housing between the outer and inner surfaces thereof, along the axis. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/975612 (the '612 application) to Savant teaches such a liquid cooled switched reluctance electric machine that includes a helical conduit integrated within the housing between the outer and inner surfaces thereof, along the axis.
[0006]However, coring a continuous internal helical cooling conduit is a challenge, from both technical and cost standpoints. One major factor is the inherent springiness of the conduit, due to its spiral geometry. As a result, the core may shift in diameter and length resulting in casting rejects. Core flex may also occur when sand is poured or compacted in the mold, leading to inconsistency between any two castings. Also, the thermal forces generated during the solidification process may cause the core to compress axially, requiring access holes to clean sand from the cored cooling grooves after the housing is cast. Additionally, the cost associated with the tooling required for coring a continuous helical conduit may be prohibitive.
[0007]The disclosed method is directed to overcoming one or more of the challenges set forth above.
[0008]The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method to enable casting of a helical conduit inside an electric device housing involving a fluid-cooled housing for an electric device having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining, at least in part, a housing cavity having a longitudinal axis, an end wall continuous with the inner surface. The inner surface having a plurality of core holes along the longitudinal axis, and a helical conduit integrated within the housing between the outer and inner surfaces along the axis formed from a helical coil core having two or more laterally extending tabs as core prints.
[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosed electric device;
[0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a housing of the device of FIG. 1;
[0011]FIG. 3 is an enlarged portion of a cross-section of the device of FIG. 1;
[0012]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an helical cooling conduit core in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0013]FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of an embodiment of a housing in accordance with the present disclosure; and
[0014]FIG. 76 is an illustration of a prior art liquid-cooled generator.
[0015]Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
[0016]FIG. 1 illustrates a rotary electric device 1, such as a generator, motor, or alternator, particularly a switched reluctance electric device. Such devices are typically employed in connection with various machines to generate electric power to convert electrical power to mechanical output. For example, such devices may be employed as a portion of a mobile machine such as, for example, a dozer, an articulated truck, an excavator, or any other mobile machine known in the art, with electric machine 16 functioning as the main propulsion unit. It is also contemplated that electric device 1 may form a portion of a stationary machine such as a generator set, pump, or similar machines.
[0017]The device 1 generally includes a housing 2 that may consist of a front housing 4 and a rear housing 6, the housing 2 containing a stator assembly 8 having a stator coil 10. The stator assembly 8 is disposed within housing cavity 12 at least partially surrounding a rotor assembly 14 having a steel lamination, the rotor assembly 14 being operatively connected to a power source (not shown) for rotation about an axis, thereby generating electrical power in a conventional manner.
[0018]Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, rear-housing 6 may be generally cylindrical, having an outer surface 20 and an inner surface 22 defining inner cavity 12, which is disposed about a central axis. Enclosing one end 26 of the housing cavity 12 is rear wall 24 that is continuous with axial portion and inner surface 22 of the housing. "Continuous" refers to the fact that the components are unitary, formed of a single, cast piece. However, in an alternative embodiment, the rear wall 24 (or a rear portion of the housing 2) may be formed of a separate component (for example, see prior art FIG. 7). Extending radially from a front end 28 of rear housing 6 is a generally annular flange 30 having a series of circumferentially disposed, spaced holes 32 for connection of the rear housing 6 to the front housing 4.
[0019]Front housing 4 defines the forward end of housing cavity 12, and also at least partially defines a gear cavity 34. Front housing 4 includes a radially extending wall 36 that includes a series of bolt holes which are aligned with the holes 32 of rear housing 6 for securing the two together. Rotor assembly generally includes rotor shaft 56, including pinion gear 52, and a steel lamination coaxial with the rotor shaft 56. A steel lamination may, for example, be fastened to the rotor shaft 56 by interference fit, welding, threaded fastening or any other appropriate manner.
[0020]In one embodiment, and referring primarily now to FIG. 3, the electric device includes, as part of the overall cooling strategy for the device, a fluid cooling system that includes generally a helical conduit 130 that is integrated into the rear housing 6. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the rear housing 6 includes a helical conduit 130 having a substantially rectangular cross-section with a first, radial dimension 132 and a second, elongated, axial dimension 134, the helical conduit 130 being disposed coaxially along an axis. By integrating the cooling conduit 130 into the housing 6, the device limits the number of necessary components, and eliminates leakage that may occur at the various seals necessary in conventional cooling arrangements.
[0021]With a helical conduit, heat can be pulled directionally away or towards a particular zone. This is useful when dealing with a thermal gradient over the surface that is to be cooled. And, even though a helical shape is the most preferred geometry for reasons of low pressure drop as compared to other conduit designs, heretofore, it has been difficult to cast spirals embedded inside the casting. As a result, manufacturers have resorted to casting circular conduits inside castings which are connected to each other at junction points, thus creating unnecessary pressure drops and the cooling fluid not being used optimally to conduct away heat. Generally, the inability to cast spiral grooves pushes many manufacturers to cast a continuous annular ring instead of a spiral or helical conduit.
[0022]The core design of the present disclosure allows a smooth helical groove to be cast inside a housing 2. In a typical integral generator/motor housing the cooling grooves are integrated inside the housing. A helical conduit design offers the least pressure drop across its length compared to other cooling groove patterns (like circular and axial), which are easier to cast internally. The core 350 of the present disclosure may be made of compacted sand.
[0023]A pattern of the conduit 130 made of suitable material will have core prints that create registers within the molds for the sand cores. The cores, sometimes reinforced by wires, are used to create under cut profiles and cavities which cannot be molded with a traditional cope and drag, as with the present innovation, for the interior passages of valves or cooling passages in generator/motor housing, for example.
[0024]Referring now to FIG. 4, shown is an exemplary helical conduit 130 core, having four and one half helical turns 150, a pitch of 40 mm, and a distance of 180 mm from end to end. Further, the helical conduit core has two or more tabs 160 along the axial length of the conduit, which may be continuously connected, each turn of the spiral being connected to the core print tab at two or more locations by circular sections. As would be understood by one skilled in the art, core print refers to the tab and the circular interconnection between the helical coil spiral and the tab 160. The two or more tabs 160 provide rigidity in both the axial and radial direction, and the core print is required to support the helical coil core in a cope and drag mold. The interconnect 162 between the tabs 160 and the spiral band of the helical conduit 130 can be any cross-section (circular, elliptical or rectangular). The exemplary core in FIG. 4 includes rounded rectangular tabs 160. Helical conduit core with interconnecting continuous tabs 160 provides rigidity in axial and radial directions and is a one-piece design. However, as would be understood by one with skill in the art, the tabs 160 may also provide location for split of the core into two sections.
[0025]The helical conduit 130 includes an inner surface 138 and an outer surface. At either end of the conduit 130, there is provided a connection tube 149 extending outwardly from the outer surface. The tubes 149 may be welded to the conduit 130, and serve as inlet and outlet connections. The inlet, not shown, may be positioned gravitationally above the outlet 154 (FIG. 1), with either or both being provided with a threaded connector. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the helical conduit may have end in a complete turn, with the tubes being extending outwardly from junction boxes, and axially aligned on the same side of the generator housing 2.
[0026]In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, the conduit may only have two tabs 160. However there may be more than two tabs 160 if the outer diameter (O.D.) of the helical conduit trajectory is large and to enhance rigidity. One of skill in the art would readily appreciate that the specifications, including, without limitation, the length of the helix, number of turns, number of tabs, pitch, distance between coils, conduit wall thickness, and cross-sectional dimensions may be altered to a fit a variety of applications, depending on, for example, the size, weight and cooling requirements of any specific generator. Moreover, the helical conduit 130 (and thereby the helical conduit core 350) does not need to be uniform with respect to any of these characteristics. For example, the pitch, cross-sectional dimension, and even the diameter of individual coils may vary. For example, in one embodiment, the helical conduit 130 or core 350 may be a conical helix (not shown), wherein each successive turn has a decreasing diameter.
[0027]Further, the core print tabs 160 may be located on the inside, as shown in FIG. 5, or on the outside of the helical conduit 130. Outer tabs 160 require for access core holes on the outer surface of the housing (see FIG. 6). Outer core holes 25 may prevent water-enhanced glycol (WEG) and stator lamination interactions. This might be preferred when using WEG as a coolant. Contrastly, inner (internally facing) tabs 160 may be advantageous when housings are oil cooled. The tabs 160 may be located anywhere along the path of the conduit coil 130 and would advantageously be placed along opposing sides of the conduit 130.
[0028]The present design provides support to the helical conduit 130 core by having two or more continuous inner tabs 160 running along the length of the spiral. As would be understood by those skilled in the art, this also may provide support to the core and a linear reference so core-shift errors are minimized.
[0029]One method of casting is sand or ablation processing. This process yields itself well to the helical conduit geometry because of the simplicity. Additionally, ablation casting may provide better material properties, which may be advantageous for generator housing designs. Further, sand casting provides superior (low) porosity properties, which may also assist in preventing cross talk between the cooling spirals.
[0030]In sand casting or permanent mold, the conduit 130 may involve a spiral core helical core 350 embedded into the casting. The spiral conduit core 130 may be adapted to each unique casting process requirement. For example, some cores require additional support points and some may require additional fill holes and some cores may be split, as would be understood by one skilled in the art. Regardless, the basic core concept is retained by modifications made to adapt to different casting processes, such as lost foam or the like.
[0031]The core design of the present disclosure allows a smooth helical groove to be cast inside a housing 2. In a typical integral generator/motor housing the cooling grooves are integrated inside the housing. A helical conduit design offers the least pressure drop across its length compared to other cooling groove patterns (like circular and axial), which are easier to cast internally.
[0032]As illustratively shown in FIG. 5, the present disclosure teaches a generator housing 2 with a plurality of core print or access holes 21 on the inner surface 22 of the housing 2. This allows access for cleaning the casting of any sand. Once the cleaning is done, the housing bore 42 is machined. A stator coil may then be press-fitted into the housing bore, thus closing the holes. An advantage of this machining operation is that it cleans up the surface and provides a clean sealing surface when stator laminations are press-fitted into the bore.
[0033]The access holes 21 may extend into the un-machined area 23 of the housing. As would be understood, welding a plate (see FIG. 5), inserting a plug, or placing another cover onto the opening can close any access holes 21 in the un-machined area 23 of the inner surface 22 of the housing.
[0034]Further, windings may be placed into the stator slots (not shown) and subsequently vacuum pressure impregnated. This seals the leak paths of oil from the cooling groove. An advantage of sealing of the core openings or access holes 21 with stator laminations is that the sealing occurs without adding any additional parts, thus reducing cost and time of manufacture and increasing throughput.
[0035]As discussed above, in one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 3-5, the conduit 130 has a rectangular cross-section, elongated axially. However, a variety of other cross-sectional dimensions may be employed. For example, the helical conduit 136 may be cylindrical with a circular cross-section. However, the rectangular cross-section may be advantageous for a number of reasons. First, as shown in FIG. 4, the rectangular cross-section may provide a greater surface area along an inner surface 138, at a constant distance 140 from inner housing surface 22, which may facilitate heat exchange.
[0036]In addition, the rectangular configuration may have certain advantages in the manufacturing process due to the substantially uniform distance 142 between the sidewalls 147 of adjacent coils. In the case of a cylindrical conduit, the varying distance between coils may be susceptible to the formation of voids between the conduits, and hence may require a larger spacing between coils to reduce any radial thermal differential during the solidification of casting.
[0037]As illustrated, the helical conduit 130 is integral to the rear housing 6 in that the coils themselves are completely enclosed therein. In another embodiment (not shown), the helical conduit 130 may be substantially, but not completely enclosed, with a portion of the conduit 130 exposed to either the inner housing cavity 12, or to the external environment outside the housing. For example, the inner surface 138 of the conduit 130 may be coextensive with inner surface 22 of the housing.
[0038]In operation, a cooling system may include a pump (not shown) which is fluidly connected to inlet 152 to provide a circulating coolant, such as water, an ethylene glycol solution, or the like. The system may also include a heat exchanger to remove heat from the coolant prior to circulating the coolant back through the device 1. A pump may be dedicated to providing coolant for the electric device 1, or the system may also be fluidly connected to other components, such as an engine fluid jacket or oil heat exchanger (not shown).
[0039]The disclosed electric machine finds potential application in any power system where it is desirous to control heat dissipation within a switched reluctance electric machine. The disclosed SR electric machine finds particular applicability in vehicle drive systems. One skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosed SR electric machine 16 could be utilized in relation to other drive systems that may or may not be associated with a vehicle. When the drive system of this disclosure is in operation, the cooling media, conditioned by a heat exchanger, may be pumped through power source and/or SR electric machine.
[0040]It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of a novel cooling method for an electric machine. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples, as would occur to those skilled in the art. All references to the disclosure or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure more generally. All language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from the scope of the disclosure entirely, unless otherwise indicated.
[0041]Recitation of ranges of values or dimensions herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
[0042]The housing designs of the present disclosure may be used in connection with various electric devices to provide fluid cooling with fewer components, and at a potentially lower cost than conventional designs. Moreover, the fact that there are no internal seals between the coolant passages and the interior of the device may result in improved performance and lifespan of the device by preventing leakage that may occur when such seals fail. In particular, the housings may be used in connection with electric devices such as, for example, motors, alternators and generators.
[0043]Such electric devices may be used in connection with any machine that requires the generation of electrical power from a mechanical input, or mechanical power from an electrical input. This may include mobile machines such as construction, passenger and recreational vehicles, trucks, and watercraft. These devices may also be employed in mobile industrial machinery, such as that used in mining, construction, farming, transportation, or any other industry known in the art. This may include earth moving machines such as dozers, wheel loaders, excavators, dump trucks, backhoes, motorgraders and the like. In particular, the disclosed SR electric devices may find applicability in the drive systems of such vehicles. It should be recognized that a wide variety of applications, mobile and stationary, might fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0044]Other aspects, objects, and advantages of the present disclosure can be obtained from a study of the drawings, disclosure and the appended claims.
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A Passion to Know and Tell; MICHAEL FARADAY. By L. Pearce Williams. Illustrated. 531 pp. New York: Basic Books. $12.50.
By CHARLES C. GILLISPIE ();
July 04, 1965,
, Section book review, Page BR6, Column , words
THERE is no more charming figure in the history of science than Michael Faraday. No other physicist comes to mind whose temperament has held the appeal of this naturalist, whose passion it was to know and tell of nature for its own sake and with little thought to reputation.
July 04, 1965
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Home › Forums › General Forums › General Lightweight Backpacking Discussion › New to backpacking, how does all of my gear stack up?
Jun 13, 2012 at 12:11 am #1290985
Hey everyone, my name is Jeremy, I'm 26 years old, and I'm new to the world of backpacking. I've been hiking and camping, but never backpacking. It's always been something that I wanted to do, and decided to take the plunge this year.
I've purchased a bunch of gear and wanted to provide a list to see what you all thought, as well as to get suggestions on other items that I should purchase.
Gear List:
Deuter Act Lite 65+10 pack
Suisse Sport +30F bag
REI Light-Core 1.5 pad
Nalgene 1L bottle
Camelbak 1.5L hydration pack
Ozark Trail Scout Jr. Dome tent with plain blue tarp
Merrell Moab Mid Gore Tex boots
Snow Peak Giga Power stove with Piezo, plus two canisters of fuel
GSI Soloist cookset with Coughlan knife/spoon/fork
Katadyn Hiker water purifier
Black Diamond Storm headlamp
Surefire C2-Centurion flash light
Smith and Wesson Extreme Ops knife with partial serrated blade
Light my Fire Swedish Firesteel Army model
Homemade fire starter bundle (hemp dipped in paraffin wax and Vaseline)
Homemade first aid kit based on multiple sites for DIY kits
Marmot PreCip jacket
REI pants with zip off legs
Alpinestars hoodie for warmth
Older Garmin hiking gps
I eventually want to purchase the following items:
Platypus 3L hydration bladder (to be dedicated to the Deuter pack)
Black Diamond trekking poles (not sure which model yet)
A better tent
Decent compass
My current pack weighs in at 18.4 lbs according to my bathroom scale (weighed myself without pack 3 times to ensure accuracy, then put on pack and weighed self with pack 3 times), which feels quite light thanks to the excellent suspension system that the Deuter pack offers.
Any suggestions on gear? Am I doing well so far? I plan on making my maiden voyage this weekend with two of my friends.Jun 13, 2012 at 8:25 am #1886516
Link .BPL Member
You might want to read these
And watch these
http://ultralightbackpackintips.blogspot.com/search/label/video%20tutorialsJun 13, 2012 at 9:27 am #1886529
Daniel CoxBPL Member
@cohikerLocale: San Isabel NF
Looks like you covered all the bases.
At a glance, my suggestions:
-Ditch the camelbak pack, just stick the bladder in your Deuter for hiking.
-You only need one canister of fuel unless you're doing all the cooking for 3 or more people. I can make a 4 oz canister last 20 or more meals if you're just boiling water.
-get an aluminum bubble-wrap windshield sunshade at the auto parts store and make a cozy for what ever you eat out of, pot or ziplock. It reduces fuel needs by 'coast cooking' and you won't burn yourself either.
-Ditch the surefire. your headlamp is plenty of light for around camp.
-I'd swap the knife for a swiss army esquire (scissors) but if big knives are your thing, I know how people get without them. I hike with a buddy who carries THREE. I personally cut dozens of moleskin, tape and string pieces with scissors and rarely even open the knife blade.
-Ditch the blue poly tarp. It's bulky and heavy. good site selection and prep eliminates the need for a ground cloth. If you need a clean place to stand in front of your tent, take a trash bag and lay it down. If you feel you MUST have a groundcloth, get painter drop plastic and cut it down, or google shrink-wrap window insulation. It's much more durable than it looks.
Swap the cotton hoodie for fleece, or if you can swing it, a synthetic puffy. Many reasons for this. better warmth to weight ratio, and nicer to sleep in if need-be.
Get a topo map to supplement the GPS. Trust me.
For your future list:
You can get some really decent trekking poles at K-Mart, WalMart, Big 5, Sports Authority, Dicks, or Costco for under $30 a pair. No need to spend a Benjamin on Name Brand. I personally have a pair from Costco that cost $28 and are still rock solid despite me beating the p!$s out of them for the last 6 months climbing 14'ers.
A decent compass is $10-15 at any Big 5 or similar. Brunton makes a good one.
Good luck and enjoy the trip! Don't get too hung up on gear. go have fun.Jun 13, 2012 at 2:08 pm #1886611
Thanks for the feedback and links! I live in Sacramento, CA, and plan to backpack around this area for a while. Anyone who has been to California knows that we have a diverse climate, cold and rainy on the coast, scorching hot in the valley, and often snow at higher elevation.
I plan on using a scale to weigh the individual weight of each of my items to get a comprehensive idea of how much weight I'm really carrying.
Good suggestion on the puffy jacket. I'll look around next paycheck and see what I can find.
I don't think I'm ready for ultralight or superultralight anytime soon, but I'd like to eventually get to that point if money and skill permits.Jun 13, 2012 at 4:09 pm #1886647
Charles PSpectator
@mediaurasLocale: Terra
Somebody just posted this link on another thread, and I think its great. And could be helpful to you. Its a way to get started without spending a lot of money. Mostly, at first, you just need to get a basic kit and get out there. Once you start backpacking you can understand your needs and refine as you see fit. (Like a puffy jacket is really nice, but at first, given the expense, maybe just take fleece. Its cheap, durable, warm and will be fine for beginning trips. Thermal +fleece + rain jacket is a pretty good night-time setup when the sun sets.)
Have fun!
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/content.php?190-Cheap-Gear-%96-How-to-Dirt-Bag-and-Deal-Shop-Like-a-ProfessionalJun 13, 2012 at 6:37 pm #1886700
Nathan HaysMember
@oroambulantLocale: San Francisco
Ditch the Nalgene. Use a plastic juice bottle instead. I paid 1.59 for a nice 64 oz bottle of cranapple, saving 5 oz, and used the difference to buy some vodka for cocktails to celebrate.
For a bladder, I like the Nathan zip tops. Lighter than the Platys by ~1.5 oz IIRC.
The Katadyn works well, but a Sawyer filter is a half-pound lighter.
Fill the bladder with dirty water and have it pass through the filter to your nipple or juice bottle. You can roll-squeeze the bladder and it will filter 32oz real fast.
Your tent is 3+ pounds, but at $25, it is hard to tackle right away. Sleeping arrangements are probably the most personal of the choices. Prices go through the roof for UL gear. Tarps make for excellent first MYOG projects and with cheaper materials you can stay under $75 and under 1 LB.
Good luck!Jun 17, 2012 at 7:17 pm #1887798
I took my maiden voyage with two of my friends this weekend. We went up to Silver Lake and hiked over to Granite Lake for the night. Beautiful views. I had the lightest pack by far.
We hiked to Hidden Lake the next day, but we were disappointed by the poor water quality and mosquito infestation, so we hiked back to Granite Lake and sat up camp in the same spot as the night before. Six miles in total, 1 on Friday, 4 on Saturday, and 1 on Sunday.
Pack final weight was about 25 lbs not including water. I removed my tarp, extra clothes, extra flashlight, and brought a .357 mag with hip holster and 12 rounds. Probably won't bring the gun next time, but it was nice to know it was there.Jun 17, 2012 at 7:40 pm #1887805
Daniel CoxBPL Member
@cohikerLocale: San Isabel NF
Glad to hear you had a good time. Hopefully you were able to identify some tweaks to your list, so next time is even more enjoyable.
It's amazing how much more fun it is when you're not a pack mule, right?
Don't get hung up on what weighs what, just make smart choices and enjoy the trips.
Out of curiosity, the 25#'s included food but not water? If so, that's pretty dang respectable for a first try.Jun 17, 2012 at 7:52 pm #1887808
The 25 lbs did not include food. One of the guys who went didn't bring anything for dinner, so we bought the food and he carried the food in a bear canister. Food wasn't too heavy though, was two mountain house dinners (lasagna and beef stroganoff, 4 servings a piece), freeze dried green beans, clif builders bars, instant oatmeal, jerky, dried cranberries, pistachios, some Pringles. Everything bulky was repackaged.
We ate like kings!Jun 17, 2012 at 9:06 pm #1887824
Dan DurstonBPL Member
@dandydanLocale: Cascadia
Here's my quick opinions on your gearlist….not try to be harsh, just quick.
Deuter Act Lite 65+10 pack
Kinda big. I think their air back systems are overkill too, but some people love it.
Suisse Sport +30F bag
Seems like a good buy for the price if the weight isn't a total lie
REI Light-Core 1.5 pad
Nalgene 1L bottle
Too heavy. Use disposable water bottle to save nearly 0.5 lbs
Camelbak 1.5L hydration pack
I don't like these…some do. Pain to fill IMO.
Ozark Trail Scout Jr. Dome tent with plain blue tarp
Okay but sounds heavy.
Merrell Moab Mid Gore Tex boots
Boots? No. Gore-Tex? No.
Snow Peak Giga Power stove with Piezo, plus two canisters of fuel
One canister
GSI Soloist cookset with Coughlan knife/spoon/fork
Does 'cookset' mean more than one pot? Bring one + a spoon.
Katadyn Hiker water purifier
A bit heavy and hassle to use, but okay if you don't like chemcials. I'd use Cl02.
Black Diamond Storm headlamp
Surefire C2-Centurion flash light
Bring one.
Smith and Wesson Special Ops knife with partial serrated blade
Too heavy. Unneeded.
Light my Fire Swedish Firesteel Army model
Homemade fire starter bundle (hemp dipped in paraffin wax and Vaseline)
Homemade first aid kit based on multiple sites for DIY kits
Marmot PreCip jacket
Alpinestars hoodie for warmth
Cotton? Sounds heavy and under performing.
Older Garmin hiking gps
Fun but prob not needed.
I eventually want to purchase the following items:
A better tent
Six Moon Designs Skyscape – whichever model fits your budget.Jun 17, 2012 at 9:40 pm #1887838
Thanks for your feedback! I did a bit of weight shedding before my trip, which I failed to mention above.
I removed –
Surefire light
Alpinestars hoodie
Garmin gps
I substituted –
just the Black Diamond headlamp
light thermal top to wear under Marmot jacket
Suunto compass
I also realized that I posted the wrong model knife, I actually have a S&W Extreme Ops knife, which is a folding knife and weighs 3.9oz.
I don't quite understand what you mean by the comments about my footwear. What did you mean exactly?
Here's a link for the Merrell's I have –
Thanks again for all of the feedback!Jun 17, 2012 at 10:39 pm #1887845
Dan DurstonBPL Member
@dandydanLocale: Cascadia
Sorry I just fixed my earlier post there….I didn't realize I messed up the bold tags and made it all bold.
Regarding the footwear, boots aren't that popular in lightweight hiking. Traditional hikers commonly cite 'ankle support' as the reason why it's reckless to head into the woods with anything less that boots, but the majority of lightweight hikers are out there in some sort of a shoe – usually a trail runner. Weight saved on your feet makes a big difference (ie. 'a pound saved on the feet is worth 5 on the back') and using boots will slow you down and wear you out more. With a light load, boots are not needed unless you suffer from ankle problems. IMO, a better strategy is to hike in shoes and your ankles will grow stronger over time instead of getting weaker from non-use.
Gore-tex is also not that popular in these circles. For one, your feet tend to get damp in waterproof/breathable shoes because you feet generate more moisture than the shoe can breathe. Non-waterproof shoes are going to keep your feet drier and more comfortable when the weather is nice. When the weather isn't nice, gore-tex can be nice at first but water has an uncanny way of always finding it's way in. You might get a soaker or it might just slowly run down your pants over the course of the days hike or wick it's way down your socks. If none of those, your feet will still get damp/somewhat wet because your shoes don't do any breathing at all when it's wet out because the outer fabrics are soaked and the ambient humidity is 100% so there's no potential for the fabric to breath.
There are some shoulder season conditions where waterproof footwear may be a good option, but for most hikes you're better off with a breathable shoe that keeps your feet dry when it's nice out and when it's wet at least the water can drain out and the shoe will return to being dry much sooner. Gore-tex footwear is tough to dry out. You need hours around the campfire and half the time they wind up burnt.Jun 18, 2012 at 9:28 pm #1888192
Thanks for breaking it down, I finally understand! I'm definitely a novice to all of this. I bought the Merrell's per the advice of a few people at Bass Pro Shops, and have been happy with them so far. I'll definitely have to check out lightweight trail running shoes later on.Jun 22, 2012 at 8:48 am #1889198
Bob ShaverBPL Member
@rshaverLocale: West
Looks like you have servicable gear that will be more than adequate for backpacking, and really that setup could be satisfactory for 20 years of use.
But if you want to lighten the load, you might think of:
ditch the nalgene and camalback, and use cheap pastic bottles of the bottled water/pop/gatoraid type
I'd look at tarptent.com for a tent that weighs less then 2 lbs.
Keen hiking shoes or boots
Alcohol stove and small pot (I'm a Caldera Cone fan)
plastic spoon, ditch the coughlan set
your Katadyn filter is a workhorse, and sturdy and durable. Aqua Mira is lighter, but your filter works fine.
I put a post on my blog about gear for new hikers, and its at
or just http://backpackingtechnology.com
as you have already seen, the Surefire is not needed.
Check out a small lockback knife, a swiss army classic, or a Mora knife is very practical at 2 oz
Ditch the hoodie. I have a down coat for warmth, and its lighter than a fleece pullover.
For a lot of trips you could leave the GPS at home.
For the areas I hike, a fleece hat is appreciated at night, plus light fleece gloves, and a baseball type hat. For longer trips I take a waterproof stuff sac to wash clothes in.
A Neoair is very light while providing a good thickness for a pad, but it is pricey.
I use a long sleeve nylon shirt, and one or 2 nylon t shirts.Feb 12, 2013 at 9:06 am #1953513
Daniel FishMember
@danielfishfamilypdx-comLocale: PDX
…Feb 12, 2013 at 9:34 am #1953522
Misfit MysticMember
@cooldripLocale: "Grand Canyon of the East"
Hi Jeremy,
One thing I would recommend if you have never done this before. Go to a serious running shoe store or hiking/mountaineering shop. Not a big box like Bass Pro, REI etc. You will pay more in a specialty shop than big boxes, but the person helping you will probably have much more extensive knowledge and experience both in fitting footwear properly and in the performance aspects of the shoes they carry. The one giant essential to backpacking, no matter the locale or season, is properly fitted shoes/boots and good socks.
On that note, I didn't see mention of socks on your list; good socks aren't cheap, but they're worth the money IMO.Feb 12, 2013 at 9:37 am #1953523
Andrew ZajacMember
@azajacLocale: South West
I would suggest replacing the water filter with the sawyer squeeze. You'll end up saving around 8oz probably as well as save some time. With the squeeze you won't have to stop and filter your water all at once, but can just squeeze it through the filter as you need it making your hiking more efficient. At $50 it isn't too expensive either.
You could also make the cat food can alcohol stove if you are just boiling water. Directions can be found on andrew skurka's website or with just a quick youtube search. Mine weighs in under 0.5oz and cost around $1 to make if you already have a hole punch.
As for the firearm, I'm guessing you carry a revolver because you said its .357 magnum. I am no expert on guns and would personally just go without, but you could consider something smaller like a kel tec pf9. 12.7 oz unloaded according to their website.Feb 12, 2013 at 11:56 am #1953585
michael leviMember
@m-lLocale: W-Never Eat Soggy (W)affles
Honestly if you want my advice then do yourself a favor and return just about everything and do more research before you buy.
You will save money, time, and weight by buying the right gear the first time around.Feb 12, 2013 at 12:48 pm #1953604
Bob GrossMember
@b-g-2-2Locale: Silicon Valley
"a few people at Bass Pro Shops"
Good Grief! This explains a few things.
People at Bass Pro probably know a few things about fishing, but they are not known for ultralightweight backpacking gear.
–B.G.–Feb 12, 2013 at 12:55 pm #1953609
Misfit MysticMember
@cooldripLocale: "Grand Canyon of the East"
Hi Jeremy,
Nothing wrong with using inexpensive gear when you're starting out. You've done one short backpacking trip, so you really don't have alot of experience with gear and techniques. As you take more frequent and more challenging trips, you will start to develop a "feel" for your hiking style; this increased awareness of your needs and wants as regards gear will allow you to critically assess potential purchases for their applicability to your particular performance criteria. Right now, since you don't know alot, you might just be flushing money down the drain by purchasing expensive gear that may or may not work for you.
If, on your first trip, you were warm, dry, and well-fed, then you're on the right track. Get out there and have fun with what you've got! It's not a competition, and gear isn't that important anyway. It's all about skill and experience, and having fun! 25 years from now you might not even remember the gear you're using now, but I guarantee you'll remember the places you go and things you see!Feb 12, 2013 at 1:00 pm #1953612
Think of the stuff you use for lightweight backpacking more of a system rather than a bunch of gear in a bag. Good systems are lightweight, efficient, comfortable, and durable. Look for dual use items. Also, try to keep an open mind about everything you buy/make. As you use the gear, you'll soon figure out how you want your system to work, and you may have to get new gear–so don't get your heart set on a particular piece of gear.
Also, in regards to boots: I copied this from a recent post here by Jennifer Mitol:
"It turns out that taller, stiffer boots actually transfer a great deal of unwanted forces to both the hip and the knee. Under normal conditions the very mobile foot and ankle compensate for uneven surfaces, as well as flexing your leg over your foot during walking (called dorsiflexion). If you wear higher boots you limit your ability to dorsiflex, thus tranferring all that force through the knee and the hip. So…in a "normal" condition, the higher boot actually causes more trouble than it helps. If, however (there are tons of ifs in orthopedics), you do have some underlying condition anywhere along the kinetic chain (back, hip, knee, ankle, foot) then you may need something different. But no one can tell you that through a forum."Feb 12, 2013 at 1:08 pm #1953619
robert van puttenMember
@bawanaLocale: Planet Bob
"but you could consider something smaller like a kel tec pf9. 12.7 oz unloaded according to their website"
I think I'd stay away from that one. I know someone who tried one and he reports –
"Speaking of the PF9, it was the 2nd worst recoil I've experienced. The absolute worst was a Taurus 605SS with the 2-finger grip in 357. That one actually ripped the skin in the web of my hand – made me bleed really good. I still have a scar there — it took a long time to heal. 3rd worst – Ruger's LCP in .380….
You ever ding a baseball on a swing near the center of the bat, rather than out at the sweet spot? That bad vibration you get that stings and makes you nearly drop the bat? Yeah, that was the PF-9 for me."
At least so far as firearms are concerned, you can indeed get to light – for a given caliber, anyway.
I used to own a little two shot Davis derringer in 9mm ( same as the PF-9 ) and I was simply amazed at how painful it was to shoot that thing. I had been shooting a Browning High-Power clone and thought the 9×19 caliber a real pussycat, and got the Davis as a same-caliber back up. Boy, that didn't work out.
My lightest firearm is a Kel-Tec P32, which weighs 9.8 ounces loaded with eight Winchester Silver tips.
Anyway, for a good gun-nut discussion of backpacking guns, for anyone who might be interested –
So why is everyone so dead set against the humble Nalgene bottle?
"Nalgene 1L bottle
Too heavy. Use disposable water bottle to save nearly 0.5 lbs"
Dude, get a grip!
My wide mouth Nalgene HDPE bottles weigh four ounces each. My narrow mouth HDPE bottles are 3.7 ounces.
A Power Aid bottle is 1.7 or 1.8 ounces on my scale. The difference is as low as 1.9 ounces, hardly half a pound!
Back in the day I used to carry one wide and one narrow mouth Nalgene, plus a G.I. two quart canteen minus the cover ( six ounces ) for extra capacity for dry overnight camps and long dry spells.
Yeah, that was 13.7 ounces for a gallon capacity, and these days I do use two Power Aid or similar bottles, and a one liter Platypus flask for a total of three quart capacity at about 4.4 ounces, ( I actually hate the flaccid floppy platypus things ) but it really isn't a big fat hairy deal. I saved more than half a pound in my example, ( and carry less water ) but Jeremys one Nalgene isn't a big deal.
A nice thing about the Nalgene bottles is I get about ten solid years of use out of one. I don't buy sports drinks or water, so buying those lighter bottles is a special purchase and I'd hate to think of all the land-fill bait that would accumulate with ten years of using such bottles, and heck, the Nalgene make great hot water bottles!
But I guess some of the fancy Nalgene bottles do weigh more than the HDPE type? Never used 'em myself.
Jeremy –
Looking at your list I'm still not sure why your pack was quite so heavy, a 25 pound base load is a bit much. But hey, I am not criticizing you at all, I'm very glad you had fun and I hope you keep on backpacking!Feb 12, 2013 at 1:19 pm #1953626
>So why is everyone so dead set against the humble Nalgene bottle?
Its heavy. My hard Nalgene weighs 6.25 ounces. Yes, the HDPE ones weigh less.
A 1L water bottle, like the Nestle ones with small cap weighs 0.75 ounces.
That's a big difference for a water bottle, even with the HDPE nalgene.Feb 12, 2013 at 1:27 pm #1953633
robert van puttenMember
@bawanaLocale: Planet Bob
Yarg, a .75 ounce water bottle is light! Lighter than the Platypus, and I though those were as good as it got. But how many would you go through in ten years of backpacking? I guess it doesn't matter to much if you recycle, but I still have a concern about disposable gear.Feb 12, 2013 at 1:40 pm #1953642
Actually, they're quite durable! Depending how careful you were and how much you used them, you could get at least a few years out of them.
And if you didn't want to buy them, you could tell friends and family to give you the ones they buy.
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You are herecontent / Albany County Legislators: Bring the Troops Home From Afghanistan
Albany County Legislators: Bring the Troops Home From Afghanistan
Solid Majority Of Albany County Legislators Sign Proclamation To Bring the Troops Home From Afghanistan And Use Savings To Invest At Home
On October 9, 2012, the legislature of Albany County, NY approved a proclamation calling on the U.S. Congress to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan, reduce U.S. military spending, and use the savings to fund vital public programs in the United States.
Officially termed a "Proclamation Calling on Congress to Fund Urgently Needed Services in Albany County and Throughout the United States by Reducing Military Spending," the measure was signed by 22 of the county's 39 legislators – all Democrats.
Before the proclamation's final approval by the legislature, it had been endorsed by 29 labor, peace, religious, environmental, student, and other organizations. They included the Albany County Central Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO), the Interfaith Alliance of New York State, the Citizens Environmental Coalition, Upper Hudson Peace Action, the Labor Religion Coalition of New York State, Women Against War, the Commission on Peace and Justice of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, the Albany chapter of United Professions, the RFK Democratic Club and the Veterans for Peace.
Speaking for the steering committee of the public campaign for the proclamation, Larry Wittner stated: "It's a proud day for the people of Albany County, whose representatives have spoken out for changing this nation's priorities from war to peace." Douglas Bullock, the Albany County legislator who successfully circulated the proclamation to his colleagues, remarked: "After eleven years of bloody war in Afghanistan, it's time to bring our troops home and end its vast drain on U.S. lives and resources."
Similar proclamations have been passed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, as well as by Philadelphia, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Hartford, Portland, Pittsburgh, and dozens of other localities throughout the United States.
Albany County is one of the oldest counties in the United States and was a seedbed of the American Revolution. It includes the City of Albany, the capital of New York State, and has a population of 304,000.
Proclamation Calling on Congress to Fund Urgently Needed Services in Albany County and Throughout the United States by Reducing Military Spending
WHEREAS, the members of the Albany County Legislature and the constituents we represent want to ensure the safety, as well as the physical and mental well-being of U.S. soldiers, veterans, and their families; and
WHEREAS, the severity of the ongoing economic crisis has created budget shortfalls at all levels of government and requires us to re-examine our national spending priorities; and in Albany County there is a structural budget deficit approaching $20 million[i], causing layoffs, cutbacks and continued destruction of the public education system; and
WHEREAS, every dollar spent on the military produces fewer jobs than spending the same dollar on education, healthcare, clean energy, or even tax cuts for household consumption; and the current unemployment rate in Albany County is 7.9%[ii](nearly 24,000 people)[iii]; and this includes the current African American unemployment rate of 15.9%[iv]; and
WHEREAS, U.S. military spending has approximately doubled in the past decade, in real dollars and as a percentage of federal discretionary spending, and well over half of federal discretionary spending is now spent on the military, and we are spending more money on the military now than during the Cold War, the Vietnam War, or the Korean War; and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost Albany County taxpayers over $1.77 billion since 2001[v]; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. military budget is by far the largest in the world, and almost equals the military spending of all other nations combined; and
WHEREAS, the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform proposed major reductions in military spending in both its Co-Chairs' proposal in November 2010 and its final report in December 2010; and the U.S. Conference of Mayors passed a resolution in June 2011 calling on Congress to redirect spending to domestic priorities; and the people of the United States, in numerous opinion polls, favor redirecting spending to domestic priorities and withdrawing the U.S. military from Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, the United States has armed forces stationed at approximately 1,000 foreign bases in approximately 150 foreign countries; and
WHEREAS, the United States is the wealthiest nation on earth but trails many other nations in life expectancy, infant mortality, education level, housing, and environmental sustainability, as well as non-military aid to foreign nations; and in Albany County 13.5% of residents are without health care insurance,[vi]30.7% of African Americans and 22.6% of Hispanics are living in poverty,[vii]14.3% of children and youth with ages up to 17 years old lived in poverty in 2009,[viii]and 80 veterans are homeless on any given night[ix];
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Albany County Legislature calls on the U.S. Congress to bring all U.S. troops home from Afghanistan and significantly cut the Pentagon budget, and to take the money saved by those actions and fund education, public and private sector family-sustaining job creation, care for veterans and their families, special protections for military sector workers, environmental and infrastructure restoration, and human services that our counties, cities and states so desperately need; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to President Barack Obama, the New York Congressional delegation, the Governor of New York, the New York State Legislature, and all government departments in Albany County.
[i]Michael Conners, "What a Week!" Times Union. January 21, 2012. Last viewed online July 23, 2012 at http://blog.timesunion.com/
[ii]Economic Research Tool. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Last viewed online August 7, 2012 at http://research.stlouisfed.
[iii]U.S. Department of Commerce. United States Census Bureau. State & County QuickFacts. Last viewed online August 7, 2012 at http://quickfacts.census.gov/
[iv]U.S. Census Bureau. American Fact Finder. Last viewed online August 7, 2012 at http://factfinder2.census.gov/
[v]National Priorities Project. Cost of War Calculator. Last viewed online August 7, 2012 at http://costofwar.com/state/NY/
[vi]New York State Community Action Association. "New York State Poverty Report." February 2010, p. 6. Last viewed online August 7, 2012 at http://www.virtualcap.org/
[viii]The Annie E. Casey Foundation. Data Center – Kids Count. Last viewed online August 7, 2012 at http://datacenter.kidscount.
[ix]U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD's 2011 Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Programs. Homeless Populations and Subpopulations. Last viewed online August 7, 2012 at http://www.hudhre.info/CoC_
Co Sponsors: Hon. Brian Clenahan, Hon. David Mayo, Hon. Raymond Joyce, Hon. Timothy Nichols, Hon. Philip Steck, Hon. Norma Chapman and Hon. Douglas Bullock
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text:
Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with intracorporeal handsewn Billroth-I anastomosis (ICHSA)
- First Online:
- Received:
- Accepted:
DOI: 10.1007/s00464-011-2107-1
- Cite this article as:
- Matsuo, K., Shimura, H., Tanaka, S. et al. Surg Endosc (2012) 26: 2981. doi:10.1007/s00464-011-2107-1
- 851 Downloads
The number of cases of laparoscopic surgery has been increasing. Lymph node dissection has been standardized, and the enlarged view provided by laparoscopes allows for the procedure to be performed successfully entirely within the abdominal cavity, but many cases of reconstruction using the Billroth-I method are performed under direct vision through a small incision. In this study, by placing an anchor thread on a suture line on the lesser curvature of the stomach, we simplified the procedure for handsewn anastomosis and safely performed gastroduodenal anastomosis at low cost to obtain good results.
From January 2009 to December 2010, we performed handsewn gastroduodenal anastomosis in 18 cases. After performing lymph node dissection, the duodenum and the stomach were separated using an automatic stapling device. Anchor sutures were placed on the suture line of the lesser curvature of the stomach. First, the seromuscular layer of the stomach and the seromuscular layer of the duodenum were sutured by performing interrupted suturing using an extracorporeal knot-tying method. With the stomach and the duodenum in a fixed state, the anastomosis area was opened. The thread of the anchor suture was pulled toward the abdominal wall, and then all layers of the stomach and the duodenum at the posterior wall were continuously sutured. Similarly, for the anterior wall, all layers were continuously sutured from the lesser curvature toward the greater curvature.
We performed this anastomotic procedure in 18 patients with early gastric carcinoma. The mean time required for the anastomosis was 64.6 ± 17.1 min, and the estimated blood loss was 53.1 ± 91 g. All operations were curative, and the mean number of retrieved lymph node was 27.1 ± 10.8. A nasogastric tube was removed on the first or second day. An upper gastrointestinal series performed on postoperative days 5–6 showed no anastomotic leakage and normal transit. Oral intake was started on days 6–7. Postoperative complications included one case of a ruptured suture, but this was resolved through a conservative approach. There was no mortality. Postoperative endoscopy revealed that the anastomosis area was extremely soft, and no abnormalities were observed. Moreover, the only costs related to the anastomosis were for the thread and needles, and although more time was required compared with mechanical anastomosis, the cost was extremely low.
We performed gastroduodenal anastomosis under a total laparoscopic approach by handsewn. This method is economical, because it does not require the use of machinery for anastomosis, and the duodenal stump is short. We believe that this method, which can be performed in a similar manner even for obese patients, can be used as a standard method of anastomosis.
KeywordsIntracorporeal handsewn anastomosis Gastric cancer Billroth-I anastomosis
A Billroth-I gastrectomy was performed and followed by a handsewn gastroduodenostomy, so Billroth-I anastomosis with handsewn sutures has been widely accepted until now. However, in recent years, laparoscope-assisted surgery for early cancer has been increasing, and in a laparoscopic distal gastrectomy, the method in which a small incision is made at the time of reconstruction is common, which is referred to as laparoscope-assisted surgery [1, 2]. There are various methods of anastomosis for performing mechanical anastomosis entirely within the abdominal cavity, and each method requires at least three or six automatic suture devices [3, 4, 5]. Handsewn anastomosis under a total laparoscopic approach was first reported by Takiguchi et al. [6], but due to the large amount of time required for anastomosis and the complexity of the procedure, it is currently not widely performed. In this study, by improving the procedure and placing an anchor thread on a suture line on the lesser curvature of the stomach, we were able to perform handsewn anastomosis easily and entirely within the abdominal cavity and we safely performed handsewn gastroduodenal anastomosis at a low cost to obtain good results. We herein report our findings.
Patients and methods
From January 2009 to December 2010, we performed handsewn gastroduodenal anastomosis in 18 cases (10 males and 8 females) at our facility. Before surgery, we prepared images of the angioarchitecture of the celiac artery by conducted gastric endoscopic examinations, gastric fluoroscopy, and three-dimensional CT examinations.
Anastomosis was performed for two layers of the posterior wall and one layer of the anterior wall. After lavaging the abdominal cavity, a closed-end drain was inserted in the posterior surface of the anastomosis area.
Postoperative endoscopy revealed that the anastomosis area was extremely soft, and no abnormalities were observed (Fig. 9). Moreover, the only costs related to the anastomosis were for the thread and needles, and although more time was required compared to mechanical anastomosis, the cost was extremely low. The mean duration of hospitalization after surgery was 21.7 (range, 11–37) days.
Laparoscopic surgery is understood as a very minimally invasive procedure in the various fields of surgery. Total laparoscopy is close to being the established procedure for laparoscopic lymph node dissection, particularly for treating gastric cancer. However, it is difficult to say that methods for reconstruction after resection have reached a level similar to laparotomy. Complications of LADG, including hemorrhage, intraperitoneal abscess, pancreatic fistula, ileus, respiratory complications, and wound infection, account for up to 1%, whereas complications regarding reconstruction for ruptured sutures and stenosis of the anastomotic part, etc., account for 1 to 6% [7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12]. This indicates the difficulty of performing anastomosis in laparoscopic surgery.
In endoscopic surgery, the method of performing a handsewn gastroduodenostomy by making a small incision in the upper abdomen after a distal gastrectomy is commonly performed [1, 2]. However, in recent years, anastomosis using automatic suturing instruments has been mainly used for Billroth-I intracorporeal anastomosis, including a square suturing method[13] developed by Tanimura et al. [14] a hand-assisted method [14, 15, 16], an overlap method[4] developed by Uyama et al. [3] and δ anastomosis reported by Kanaya et al. [2].The disadvantages of mechanical anastomosis are characterized by the fact that it is affected by the degrees of freedom of the duodenum and that many automatic suturing instruments (namely 3–6) are used. However, the anastomotic opening is large, the procedure is simple, and the duration of anastomosis is short.
Since Taniguchi et al. [15] reported a case of intraperitoneal anastomosis under a total laparoscopic approach, there have been no reports of laparoscopic handsewn anastomosis [1, 14]. Handsewn gastroduodenal anastomosis has been avoided due to the complicated nature of the procedure. However, in recent years, high-definition laparoscopes have become widespread, and the enlarged views obtained with these laparoscopes have reduced the stress experienced by operators. Furthermore, the field of vision in the tangential direction can be improved by pulling the lesser curvature of the stomach toward the abdominal wall with anchor suture threads, and handsewn gastroduodenal anastomosis can be performed safely by adjusting the position of the port. Furthermore, handsewn sutures were not affected by the degree of freedom of the duodenum, and during anastomosis, due to the pneumoperitoneum pressure, there was almost no leakage of digestive fluid into the abdominal cavity. The postoperative endoscopy and the findings of fluoroscopy performed using a water-soluble contrast agent revealed that, because suturing instruments based on staplers were not used, the anastomosis area was soft and highly flexible, and it was believed that there was little stenosis of the anastomosis area after surgery. Although there are reports that laparoscopic surgery requires a shorter duration of hospitalization and is more economical and superior to abdominal surgery [15], because many instruments are used for anastomosis, it is not always economically superior. However, although handsewn anastomosis involves a high level of technical difficulty and many problems, including the need to perform knot-tying procedures, such as extracorporeal knot-tying and intracorporeal knot-tying, the stress experienced by operators can be reduced by using a high-definition laparoscope. Moreover, there are many advantages to handsewn anastomosis, including the absence of use of instruments for anastomosis and the safety of the procedure. Furthermore, cosmetically, a small 3 cm incision in the umbilicus is sufficient for extracting the stomach. We have treated 18 cases at our hospital, and although time was required to perform handsewn gastroduodenal anastomosis in the early cases, it is believed that the surgery time can be reduced if the procedures for anastomosis are standardized [16, 17, 18]. We plan to study and report further cases in the future.
Anastomosis for a laparoscopic distal gastrectomy was intracorporeally performed with no use of automatic suturing instruments. By making adjustments to these procedures, anastomosis can be performed at a level substantially similar to conventional abdominal surgery. Moreover, although we have only treated 18 cases, it is believed that handsewn anastomosis is a useful option for laparoscopic Billroth-I reconstruction considering both cost and safety.
Katsuichi Matsuo, Hideo Shimura, Shinnosuke Tanaka, Masahiko Nakano, Tatsuya Hashimoto, Daibou Kojima, Yuichi Yamashita have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.
Open Access
This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits any use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and the source are credited.
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Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Toby Nelson Receives Two Prestigious Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
Carnegie Mellon University postdoctoral research associate Dr. Toby Nelson has the rare honor of receiving two prestigious fellowships — a Ford Foundation Fellowship and a United Negro College Fund/Merck Postdoctoral Science Research Fellowship — that will support his research on designing plastics that have the potential for creating cheap, flexible, and easy-to-produce solar cells.
Nelson, who works in the laboratory of Chemistry Professor Rick McCullough, is creating a new class of plastics to improve current solar cell technology. Although the most common type of solar cell uses silicon to absorb sunlight, a new breed of solar cell utilize plastics, like regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophenes) (rr-P3HTs), to reduce costs. However, rr-P3HTs absorb only a fraction of light being emitted by the sun, limiting their efficiency.
Nelson is working with McCullough's company Plextronics, which manufactures rr-P3HTs and supplies a large portion of the materials used in polymer solar cells today, to create more efficient solar cells. Specifically, Nelson is creating novel plastics that will absorb more light over a broad range of wavelengths. Recently, he synthesized a light-absorbing polymer that is capable of transporting charge for electricity production. His ultimate goal is to optimize these light-absorbing polymers and use them to fabricate a new class of polymer solar cells.
"Toby Nelson's creative synthetic insights position him well to make a significant breakthrough in raising the efficiency of organic solar cells," said McCullough. "I fully expect that Toby will be a scientific leader in this field."
As a Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow, Nelson will receive one year of financial support and will be eligible to attend the national Conference of Ford Fellows to interact with established and emerging scholars in diverse fields.
As a UNCF·Merck Postdoctoral Fellow, Nelson will be given a generous stipend and a research grant to cover research expenses, such as the purchase of equipment and supplies, and travel costs for attending scientific meetings. In addition, he will be mentored by a Merck scientist and have the opportunity to attend "Fellows Day" to meet other Fellows and visit the Merck Research Laboratories in Blue Bell, PA.
Nelson earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry in 2007 from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. While there, he received many accolades, including the Alfred P. Sloan Scholarship for outstanding incoming minority Ph.D. graduate student, the Bouknight Teaching Award for excellence in teaching undergraduate organic chemistry, and the E. I. DuPont Award in recognition of outstanding graduate research from the National Organization of the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers.
By: Amy Pavlak


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Welcome, skip to the content.
Latrobe Regional Gallery is one of the largest public galleries in regional Victoria and is member of the Public Galleries Association of Victoria. Housing seven gallery spaces and a sculpture courtyard, the Latrobe Regional Gallery presents exhibitions and curated Latrobe Regional Gallery projects across contemporary art and design, experimental and interdisciplinary practices, curated collections of note, works by regional artists and national touring exhibitions.The gallery shop stocks quality arts and craft and the café, while So Swish cafe provides an enhanced experience for visitors. Guided gallery tours can be arranged by appointment.The gallery is one and a half hours' drive from Melbourne along the Princes Freeway (Exit B460) and a two minute walk from the Morwell Railway Station.
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Best of 2009
StingX2: Best of 2009
StingX2: Best of 2009
Multiplayer Diablo on my home system? YES
Street Fighter IV rocked but even the scenario campaign from hell couldn't keep this gem down.
No Ryan, the gameplay is better than Donuts song...but not by much.
I really blow at this game but solo its what I want from Mario and multiplayer is my wet dream come to life.
I haven't even started the single player and I'm listing this purely on multiplayer.
This is a sleeper hit of 2009 and with the DLC just released the fun can continue, this game rules
Took the plot of World End's with You and ran with it in a darker plotline backed up by solid Strategy gameplay.
Little Mac returns with poor sales but awesome gameplay/
Take Diamond and Pearl, then fixes its problems and you have a perfect game.
Use your keyboard!
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Father: Beththuel Church BABCOCK b: 28 Oct 1841 in Ohio
Mother: Phebe Ann MOYER b: 31 Jan 1846 in Pennsylvania
Marriage 1 Edward Clifford SEVERANCE b: 5 Oct 1876 in Wasioja, Dodge County, Minnesota
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Extras For WWE's Ultimate Warrior Blu-ray, John Cena Grants Another Wish, The Ross Report
– Below are Blu-ray exclusives for WWE's new set on The Ultimate Warrior that comes out on April 1st, courtesy of WrestlingDVDNews.com:
* Dingo Warrior vs. Matt Bourne, WCCW – 10/24/1986
* Ultimate Warrior & British Bulldogs vs. Mr. Fuji & Demolition, Maple Leaf Gardens – 7/24/1988
* IC Title Match: Ultimate Warrior vs. Dino Bravo, The Main Event – 2/23/1990
* WrestleMania VIII Contract Signing – 3/17/1991
* Ultimate Warrior vs. Sgt. Slaughter, WrestleFest – 3/30/1991
* IC Title Match: Ultimate Warrior vs. Goldust, In Your House: Good Friends, Better Enemies – 4/28/1996
– John Cena granted his 401st Make-A-Wish wish at Monday's RAW in Denver. WWE's Community website has photos of Cena meeting 5 year old Amir at this link.
– Jim Ross noted on Twitter that 2014 Hall of Famer Lita will be a guest on The Ross Report in the next few weeks. Ross also teased an interview with Scott Hall after WrestleMania XXX.


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Ban Ki-moon gets pranked
- By Colum LynchColum Lynch is Foreign Policy's award-winning U.N.-based senior diplomatic reporter.
- colum.lynch
- @columlynch
The Masked Avengers, the notorious Canadian radio disc jockey duo, have struck again. Their latest victim: U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
The comic team of Marc-Antoine Audette and Sebastien Trudel is best known for tricking former GOP vice presidential nominee, Sarah Palin, three years ago into participating in a six-minute conversation with a fake French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Yesterday, in the middle of the U.N. General Assembly session, the duo placed a call to Ban, claiming that Canadian President Stephen Harper wanted to talk to him. Ban's staff pulled him out of a meeting to take the call.
Speaking in halting French, the fake Harper apologizes for not showing up for this week's General Assembly debate, explaining that he had another priority to attend to: "I was combing my hair with crazy glue," he explains in French.
"Excusé moi," Ban responds, sounding confused. "Is this Prime Minister Harper speaking?" he asks in French.
"Yes, hello, Stephen Harper speaking," the fake Harper responds, speaking now in English. "How are you Mr. Secretary General?"
"How are you, how are you?" Ban answers, sounding relieved to be speaking in English. But his confusion returns when the fake Harper appeals to the world's top diplomat to use his diplomatic skills to convince the head of the National Hockey League, Gary Bettman, to return the Quebec Nordiques (who were sold to Denver and have become the Colorado Avalanche) to Canada.
"Actually, I was calling you because the U.N. has to give the support to the return of the les Nordiques," Fake Harper explains.
"Pardon?" Ban asks.
"I was calling about the most important subject for us," Fake Harper says.
"Oh, I do not understand what you are saying," Ban says. "About what?"
"It's about the hockey team the Quebec Nordiques you have to speak to Gary Bettman to bring them back. Now it's a big situation."
A U.N. spokesman, Farhan Haq, confirmed that "the Secretary General did receive such a call and he very quickly realized it was a prank. He took it in the way it was intended — as a joke."
"In this week of all weeks there are so many calls coming in from all over the world and from many delegations, and it was perhaps not the best use of his time, but these things can happen," Haq said. "It's obviously not supposed to happen and we will be listening out extra hard in future for poor French accents on the line from Canada."
In 2008, Audette posed as French President Nicolas Sarkozy and got a call through to Sarah Palin, just days before the U.S. election. Speaking in an exaggerated French accident, saying she would make a great president one day, and that he shared a passion with the governor for hunting.
"I just love killing those animals. Mmm, mmm, take away life, that is so fun," Fake Sarkozy told her.
"You know, I look forward to working with you and getting to meet you personally and your beautiful wife," Palin told Fake Sarkozy, referring to Carla Bruni. "Oh my goodness, you've added a lot of energy to your country with that beautiful family of yours."
Follow me on Twitter @columlynch


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Allen Acres Bed and Breakfast
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After a short 4 hour drive from Dallas we made it to our campsite in Louisiana. We are pretty central in Louisiana staying in a national park right on a lake. Assuming there are no alligators it will be refreshing to swim in it because the humidity here is not very fun. We met our camp hosts at the campground and there were about as typical southerners as you could be. They had a sandwich size ziploc of chewing tobacco that I'm pretty sure they finished in about an hour. They ...
Day 2 - Woodworth, LA
After a light shower overnight (we stayed dry), today was absolutely perfect. We relaxed all day, doing our own little things. Sherry read her book on a float in the water, Debby laid on her lawn chair in the sun, and I went for a long walk exploring the campground. We had grilled pork chops (not squirrel) for dinner, with wild rice, and French cut green beans with sautéed onions and mushrooms. The bathhouse showers are nasty here (thank God for shower shoes) and tonight was ...
Out of the Trace
... kind enough to chase me down the street shouting, to show me where I might find some. It was an easy gentle way back in. The Trace finishes a few miles away, and I sat in the town coffee shop drinking tea and eating cake for a while adjusting. Touted as the one city not razed by the Yankees in the War, it is surrounded by some pristine ante-bellum mansions. As I tried to take pictures of one from the sidewalk, I found it was being used as a wedding venue and ...
Day 21
Wow, its Easter Sunday!!!! Can not believe how time is flying!!!! Well, we left the camp and was home by noon. We had brunch....Sarge was in his glory sausage gravy and biscuits!!!! Had a great afternoon visiting with the great nieces and nephews. I even did dance wii game!!!! That was a treat and a work out! Dinner tonight was ...
Day 20
Here we are now at Toledo Bend RV Park with Jimmy and family. Up early to have breakfast....better known at the camp as brunch!!!! We had eggs, bacon, pork chops....first time for pork chops at breakfast. After brunch we rode around the camp on the golf cart. Everyone uses golf carts to get around....not too much golf playing but all good. Went out on the lake with "Big Bob" even went to ...


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Main Page
From XCloner - Website Backup and Restore
XCloner - Backup and Restore - Official User Manual
After you downloaded XCloner from www.xcloner.com, you will need to install it. There are currently three options: Joomla Installation, Wordpress Installation, or Standalone Installation.
After installing XCloner, you will need to configure the XCloner settings. See XCloner Configuration
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This sections explains how to Generate a Backup using XCloner.
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For downloading, deleting, renaming, and moving backups, see View Backups.
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An Angry Birds Save The Date Video
Ana and Ricardo's Angry Birds inspired save the date video pits the two love birds against each other in a winner take all battle. An innocent game of Angry Birds on the couple's iPad turns competitive, resulting in various battles of cards, cracker eating and eventually a real-life Angry Birds challenge.
Ana Beatriz e Ricardo – Save the Date from TLD Video on Vimeo.


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Art City Asks: Kevin Miyazaki
Artist and photographer Kevin J. Miyazaki traveled the 1,800-mile perimeter of Lake Michigan, staying off major highways and as close to the water's edge as he could, in order to create a portrait of the people who are drawn to this expanse of fresh water, the fifth largest lake in the world.
He traveled alone and with a portable studio, setting it up in beaches and on docks, to take photographs of residents, scientists, artists, fishermen, ferry captains, boat builders and surfers. Most of the 277 portraits were people he simply met along the way.
"Lake Michigan's significance as a source of fresh water has never been more important in political, social and environmental terms," Miyazaki writes in a statement about the "Perimeter" project, commissioned by the Haggerty Museum of Art at Marquette University. "In Milwaukee, the lake has been the impetus for growth in academic, environmental and business interests, as the city positions itself as a hub for knowledge and growth in the area fresh water research."
The drive along small state highways and country roads was a study in access to the water, Miyazaki says, which was sometimes easy to find and sometimes not. He took photographs of the lake at various junctures. These images, a split of water and sky, stand across from the grid of portraits in the installation of "Perimeter" at the Haggerty. They are a portrait of the lake itself and its ever changing appearance.
We asked Miyazaki to answer a few questions for this edition of Art City Asks.
Mary Louise Schumacher: What was the impetus for "Perimeter?"
Kevin J. Miyazaki: I was approached by Lynne Shumow, the Haggerty's curator of education, who proposed a project addressing the topics of fresh water and the Great Lakes. After a great meeting with Wally Mason and the whole Haggerty staff in which goals and ideas were discussed, I proposed the portrait series. The pictures of the lake were a secondary thought, but came to represent a record of the trip itself, and an investigation of access to the water.
MLS: The history of photography is full of projects in which photographers explore particular geographies. Robert Frank's exploration of America and Alec Soth's "Sleeping by the Mississippi," which, in a different way, integrates portraiture and landscape, come to mind. Are there any projects that you've particularly loved or been influenced by?
KJM: I really love the work of Chicago photographer Dave Jordano. His "Prairieland" series, in which he explores rural Illinois, and "Detroit — Unbroken Down," are both beautiful, serious explorations of place. Erika Larsen has a wonderful project documenting the Sami people in northern Norway and Sweden, who are traditional, nomadic reindeer hunters. And closer to home, Mark Brautigam's series "On Wisconsin" resonates with me, as I think it would with anyone who lives here in the state.
MLS: What initially inspired the portable studio that you use? Can you tell us a little about how you set it up?
KJM: While shooting in the same style previously, I've had the luxury of an assistant and a fair amount of equipment. For this trip, I knew I needed a portable setup that I could assemble quickly, and on my own. So I built the studio out of PVC pipe and designed it so it could strap to the top of my little Honda. I became "pit crew" fast by the end of the trip, and could set it up in 10 minutes. Sometimes I'd be in place and wait for people in a particular location, but I'd also set it up for a single subject I encountered. The most challenging location was on the Washington Island ferry in really strong winds, where I photographed ferry workers and passengers.
MLS: You've photographed several groups of people using this particular convention in recent years, many of them Wisconsinites, yes? Might this become part of a larger project about the Midwest or the state?
KJM: I have and you're right, my dream is to create a book one day, a portrait of Wisconsin. In addition to subjects shot for "Perimeter," I've photographed fans of the Brewers and Packers, artists in Milwaukee and a few small cheese-makers. I have a working list of people I'd love to photograph. A few groups high on my list: Harley-Davidson assembly workers, organic farmers in southwestern Wisconsin and dancers in a Native American powwow.
MLS: One of the things that I loved about the portraits you took during the protests in Madison, was the way the energy of those events and the cold weather could really be felt in the portraits, which had been lifted out of their context in an interesting way. What is the goal of isolating people from that context? What are some of the things that are gained?
KJM: It's really about stripping away external information so that the focus is on the subject. It's not about a pretty blue sky or a sea of protesters in the background, it's really a celebration of the individual. People like to look at people, and this very straightforward style is immediate and accessible. I first showed the protester pictures at the Portrait Society Gallery in Milwaukee and we taped 100 unmounted 8-by-10 prints to the wall. It was there that I realized the collective power of the images being shown together, how they could represent a community of individuals.
MLS: You've lived near Lake Michigan for much of your life. What did you learn about the lake during this project?
KJM: I'm not sure I can site facts, as I didn't look at this as a research trip. But I learned more intangible things. Reinforced was the fact that people love Lake Michigan, and see it as an important resource. Personally, I was reminded of how kind and friendly Midwesterners can be. I met wonderful people.
MLS: What do you like the look of?
KJM: While in Argentina a few weeks ago, I found a great undivided back postcard in a flea market. I've collected them in the past, but haven't sought them out for a while. The term 'undivided back' describes the common style of postcards in the early 1900's. You weren't allowed to write a message on the back of the postcard, so people often penned correspondence over the front image, resulting in beautiful, unique combinations of text and image.
MLS: What are you reading?
KJM: I'm currently doing research about Sears mail-order houses for a future project. I'm interested in the dreams of housing prior to WWll, in relation to the barrack-style housing used in Japanese American internment camps, a topic I've been addressing for quite some time.
MLS: What film has most influenced you?
KJM: It's hard to talk about Woody Allen because of his personal life, but his films have always been important to me. From a visual, cinematic point of view, "Manhattan" is just such a gem. Some filmmaker should shoot Milwaukee with the same love that Woody Allen shot New York City. We deserve to be swooned over, too.
MLS: What images keep you company in your studio?
KJM: My studio is also my living space, so unfortunately, dirty laundry and art co-mingle. But I have work on the walls by Steven Foster, Andrea Wohl Keefe, Colleen Plumb, Sonja Thomsen and Melinda Bergman. I have a lot of photography books, and a few that have remained within reach are "The Prototype Works," by Lewis Baltz, "Vivian Maier, Out of the Shadows," and "Dog Days Bogota," by Alec Soth.
MLS: What is art for?
KJM: I travel a lot and think that there are similarities in the value of art and travel. When we go to new places, isn't the underlying draw about how this new place differs from our own? When I look at art, it's framed by, "How does this person see and think about the world? How are their experiences in life and their motivations different from my own?" I think to be interested in art is also to be interested in people.
"Perimeter" is on view at the Haggerty Museum of Art, 530 N. 13th St., through May 19. More information about the project can be found at Miyazaki's website.. Miyazaki is also part of a collective of photographers called Milwaukee Comma and a founder of collect.give, where photographers offer work for sale to benefit good causes. "Art City Asks" are brief interviews with intriguing people who are part of or connected to Milwaukee's art scene. Some of the questions are inspired by the questionnaire in Frieze magazine.
- On Tap Today: Saving St. Josaphat
- Milwaukee galleries do well at Art Basel Miami
- Dirk Skreber's exhibit at Milwaukee Art Museum captivates with catastrophe
- Too much testosterone at the Business Journal?
- Finalists named for public art project on W. Wisconsin Ave.
- Ten art books for art lovers this holiday season
- Art-inspired alternatives to Black Friday
- Art City Radio: Nicolas Lampert and Black Friday
- Art City Radio: Tag Milwaukee
- Nohl exhibit a mismatch for some fellowship winners' art
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Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks of Charlotte's Independence High has also had a nice week of work. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Nicks flew under the radar during much of his stellar senior season, but had somewhat of a coming out party this week. While he has a big enough body to go across the middle and be physical with defensive backs, he also showed that he has enough speed to get open deep. North Carolina is getting a big-time playmaker with this one. (Irish Illustrated)
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Related: Football Recruiting | Hakeem Nicks
Recent Football Recruiting News:
UNC football recruiting: 2018 QB Jace Ruder decommits from TulsaSaturday May 27, 2017


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FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE LYNN – After 42 regular season games and an additional nine playoff contests, the North Shore Navigators battled their way to a second place finish in the division, defeated the defending champion Newport Gulls in the playoffs, and in the end won their first ever NECBL championship after they prevailed in […]
Tag: Wheaton (MA)
NECBL Playoffs Recap for August 5th
Here is your NECBL Playoff Recap for August 5th. The Newport Gulls defeated the North Shore Navigators 5-4 while the North Adams SteepleCats defeated the Danbury Westerners 4-2.
2010 NECBL All-Star Game Recap
The 2010 NECBL All-Star Game took place this year at Cardines Field in Newport Rhode Island which serves as the home of the Newport Gulls franchise. The NECBL features players from power conference teams like Vanderbilt and Georgia while also having players from lesser known schools like Nova Southeastern and UMass-Lowell.
Links from Around the Country (March 26th)
We will be checking in throughout the season with the best College Baseball articles. Here are your articles for March 26th. The first two articles come from CBB contributor Nate Owen who also writes for The Huntington News (Northeastern Student Paper). He checks in with senior Mike Tamsin who has had an excellent career with […]


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I put together the followup screencast to the previous one on Installing WordPress via Command Line. In this screencast we'll be covering how you can supercharge your WordPress Theme development using CSS Preprocessors. I've chosen to use LESS in this instance.
WordPress Install via Command Line
Okay, in an effort to somewhat diversify the content on the site I'm putting together a couple of screencasts. This is a fairly simple tip to get you up and running in WordPress using the Command Line, this will save you a ton of time over using FTP, trust me. So let's jump right into the video and extra info you may be searching for.


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The pressure to perform when a woman is at her most fertile drives men away, a new study suggests.
The pressure of rigorously timed love making sessions spurred one in ten men surveyed to have an affair, and a quarter claimed it made them impotent.
More than 400 men took part in the study, which found the pressure to conceive a baby caused men acute stress.
Fertility experts tell couples to time sex with the window when a woman is ovulating. There are even devices designed to help couples work out - down to the minute - when a woman is at her most fertile.
But as the number of timed sex sessions increased so did the men's level of stress, according to the research carried out in South Korea. None of the men in the study had ever had sexual problems.
The finding supports several previous studies showing that men who are under stress produce less testosterone, which has an effect on their libido.
The authors suggested couples should be made aware of these risks and attempt timed sessions for no longer than three months at a time, with breaks for a few months in between.
"Timed intercourse seems to impose a substantial degree of stress on male partners, inducing erectile dysfunction and, in some cases, causing them to seek extramarital sex," they wrote in the Journal Of Andrology.
"It is clear that the greater instances of timed intercourse trials, the more incidences of erectile dysfunction and extramarital sex and the greater the desire to avoid sex with the intended partner."
The authors said that having to sleep with their partner at a specific time "becomes a burden and is carried out as a job to be done, which imposes further stress". They believe higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, being produced by the body was to blame for lower testosterone.