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Xylitol gummy bear snacks: a school-based randomized clinical trial
Habitual consumption of xylitol reduces mutans streptococci (MS) levels but the effect on
Children, first to fifth grade (n = 154), from two elementary schools in rural Washington State, USA, were randomized to xylitol 15.6 g/day (X16, n = 53) or 11.7 g/day (X12, n = 49), or maltitol 44.7 g/day (M45, n = 52). Gummy bear snacks were pre-packaged in unit-doses, labeled with ID numbers, and distributed three times/day during school hours. No snacks were sent home. Plaque was sampled at baseline and six weeks and cultured on modified Mitis Salivarius agar for
There were no differences in
Reductions in
Trial registration
Mutans streptococci (MS), more specifically
A recent review summarized the availability of xylitol-containing products on the internet and in supermarkets and other commercial outlets in the U.S. and included an assessment of their potential to provide a minimally effective dose (6 g) to reduce MS and tooth decay
Xylitol chewing gum and lozenges are widely available and used by consumers in Europe and in Korea, Japan, Thailand, and China. Finland was the first country to implement a national campaign, "Smart Habits" xylitol, to promote xylitol use to reduce tooth decay in children
The purpose of this RCT was to test the hypothesis that six weeks of habitual consumption of a xylitol gummy bear snack is effective in reducing
Subjects (n = 154) were first to fifth grade children attending Morton and White Pass elementary schools in rural Washington State, USA. The children were initially presented a skit with an oral health message during a general assembly to introduce them to the University of Washington research team. A partnership between the research team and each school was established. The school sent parents an informational letter describing the study and asked permission for their child's participation in the "Gummy Bear Study" (see Additional file
Additional file 1
Gummy bear study informational school letter to parents. Letters sent to parent prior to recruitment with information about the study.
Click here for file
Additional file 2
Gummy bear study baseline health questionnaire. Questionnaire used to obtain descriptive and general health information.
Click here for file
Study design
This prospective double-blind, randomized trial employed a three-group design. Children received either 15.6 g (X16) or 11.7 g (X12) xylitol/day, or maltitol (M45) 44.7 g/day. Maltitol was used as the null-comparison because it is only slowly fermentable and a previous study reported no adaptation by MS in plaque to maltitol or xylitol compared to sorbitol and sucrose
The study design controlled for the frequency and number of gummy bears consumed. Dose of xylitol was varied by combining xylitol and maltitol gummy bears. Pre-packaged and labeled gummy bear unit-doses were distributed in the classroom during school hours three times per day. Gummy bears were not sent home on non-school or missed school days. Subjects were randomly assigned to groups using a computer generated block randomization procedure to ensure a similar proportion of participants in each group. The group assignments were kept by the biostatistician and were decoded at the end of the study. Study and school staff and subjects were blind to group assignment.
Sample size
The sample size was determined based on intent-to-treat and to provide sufficient power to test the hypothesis that xylitol gummy bears would reduce
Gummy bears & unit-dose packaging
Both the xylitol and maltitol gummy bear snacks used in this study were produced by Santa Cruz Nutritionals (Santa Cruz, CA) especially for this study and are not available in the general market. The gummy bear snacks looked identical having the same weight (5 g/gummy bear), size, colors (red and green) and flavor (strawberry). They had similar texture and sweetness. Each gummy bear was 30 × 20 × 15 mm in size (see Figure
Figure 1
Photograph of Xylitol and Maltitol Gummy Bears
Photograph of Xylitol and Maltitol Gummy Bears.
Study personnel pre-packaged the gummy bears in unit-doses for classroom distribution three times a day: 15.6 g/day = four xylitol gummy bears; 11.7 g/day = three xylitol and one maltitol gummy bears; and maltitol control = four maltitol gummy bears per unit-dose for a total of 12 gummy bears per day for all three groups. Unit-dose packages were labeled with the appropriate randomized ID numbers, date, and period of distribution to facilitate tracking of the administrations each child received per day.
Gummy bears distribution and adherence procedures
Unit-dose packages were ordered by day and session for each child and pre-packed into bins by classroom before being delivered to the schools weekly. School principals identified people who regularly served as classroom volunteers to hire as community workers for the study. Those women received training in the Responsible Conduct of Research at the University of Washington and were trained to distribute and monitor consumption of the gummy bear snacks in the classroom. The community workers established a schedule with the teachers that allowed them to cover all classrooms three times over the course of the school day at approximately even intervals. The unit-dose packages were distributed according to the child's assigned ID number, date and session number. The community workers observed the consumption of the gummy bears and immediately collected and recorded any unconsumed gummy bears, including those for any absent children. Classroom logs were faxed to the research staff daily to monitor study progress. Incompletely consumed packages of gummy bears were stored in the staff workroom and were picked up by the research staff weekly and checked against the classroom logs for accuracy.
To increase acceptance of the gummy bear snacks and to permit adaptation of the gastro-intestinal system to the polyols, the first week of the study was designed as a ramp-up period. All groups consumed one unit-dose (four gummy bears) corresponding to their group assignment (X16, X12, or M45) on day one and gradually increased to the full three unit-doses (12 gummy bears) by day six. Parents were provided with information on and encouraged to report to the community workers laxative effects common to polyol consumption such as bloating, stomach cramps, flatulence, loose stool, or diarrhea that their child might experience. During the third week of the study, parents were sent a questionnaire on their child's side effects experiences.
Plaque sampling and culture
Trained research staff collected plaque samples from the children at enrollment (baseline) and six weeks later. Research staff collected samples on-site in the stage area of the assembly hall, from one to four classrooms, throughout the school day. No special instructions were given regarding tooth brushing on collection day. As with our previous xylitol dose and frequency studies, research staff collected samples from the cervical third of the buccal surfaces of all teeth using one sterile Kerr applicator per arch. The samples were placed in 5 mL tubes containing glass beads and 1 mL of pre-reduced saline. The tubes were stored at room temperature and transported the same day from the schools to the laboratory by study staff. Samples were processed the same day or within 24 hours of collection. In the laboratory, plaque was prepared in pre-reduced saline and 10-fold dilutions were prepared separately. For each sample, a modified Mitis Salivarius agar (Difco Laboratories Inc., Detroit, MI, USA) supplemented with 500 μg/mL kanamycin, 1% potassium tellurite solution, and 50 U/mL bacitracin (MSKB) was used to enumerate
Statistical procedures
Descriptive statistics were used to describe the cohort. Significance of pre- to post-intervention reductions in bacteria levels within groups were assessed using paired T-tests. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to assess the association between different treatment groups for pre- and post-intervention bacterial levels. The latter was adjusted for compliance. The SPSS (v.11.5) and SAS (v.9.1) statistical software were used.
A total of 154 children participated in the three-arm study: 15.6 g xylitol/day (X16, n = 53); 11.7 g xylitol/day (X12, n = 49); and 44.7 g maltitol/day, (M45, n = 52). The mean age (standard deviation) of the children was 8.4 (1.4) years, 55% were boys (85/154) and 90% (138/154) was Caucasian. The mean age and racial/ethnic distribution among the groups were similar (Table
Table 1
Descriptive statistics and gummy bear compliance by group.
44.7 g/day
11.7 g/day
15.6 g/day
Mean Age (SD)
8.63 (1.4)
8.01 (1.3)
8.60 (1.37)
8.42 (1.38)
Male (%)
26 (49%)
31 (63%)
28 (54%)
85 (55%)
Caucasian (%)
49 (92%)
42 (86%)
47 (90%)
138 (90%)
% Missed GB (SD)
21% (24.7)
25% (28.1)
24% (26.2)
23% (26.3)
Six week follow-up
At the six week follow-up, 97% of the children completed plaque sampling collection (X16 = 49/52, X12 = 48/49, M45 = 52/53). Overall, children consumed 77% of the total number of gummy bears possible for the study period (X16 = 76.4%, X12 = 73.7%, M45 = 80.4%, Table
The hypothesis tested was whether consumption of xylitol gummy bear snacks at the study dosages over a six-week period, including the one week ramp-up, would reduce
Table 2
Mean log10
Std Dev
Paired T-Test
M45 (maltitol 44.7 g/d)
Six weeks
Six weeks – baseline
p < 0.0001
Six weeks
Six weeks – baseline
p = 0.13
X12 (xylitol 11.7 g/d)
Six weeks
Six weeks – baseline
p < 0.0001
Six weeks
Six weeks – baseline
p = 0.75
X16 (xylitol 15.6 g/d)
Six weeks
Six weeks – baseline
p < 0.0001
Six weeks
Six weeks – baseline
Figure 2
Table 3
Analysis of the Covariate (ANCOVA) comparing
Comparison Group
Maltitol vs. Xylitol groups combined
X16 Xylitol vs. X12 Xylitol
X16 Xylitol vs. M45 Maltitol
X12 Xylitol vs. M45 Maltitol
M45 Maltitol vs. Xylitol groups combined
X16 Xylitol vs. X12 Xylitol
X16 Xylitol vs. M45 Maltitol
X12 Xylitol vs. M45 Maltitol
*Analysis of the Covariate (ANCOVA) adjusted for treatment assignment, baseline
Changes in
When children with no measurable
Figure 3
Table 4
Mean Log10
Std Dev
Paired T-Test
M45 (maltitol 44.7 g/d)
Six weeks
Six weeks – baseline
p < 0.0001
Six weeks
Six weeks – baseline
p = 0.42
X12 (xylitol 11.7 g/d)
Six weeks
Six weeks – baseline
p < 0.0001
Six weeks
Six weeks – baseline
p = 0.99
X16 (xylitol 15.6 g/d)
Six weeks
Six weeks – baseline
p < 0.0001
Six weeks
Six weeks – baseline
p = 0.73
Snack program acceptability
Post-study informal discussions were held with school principals, teachers, and community workers. All agreed that it was feasible to implement an in-classroom xylitol gummy bear snacks program for caries prevention, and that parents are accepting of the program and children are willing to consume gummy bear snacks daily. Teachers indicated that although challenging initially, it was possible to organize classroom activities to incorporate the snack time, that the community workers were of tremendous value in keeping the program on track and flowing, and that the children were generally well behaved during snack time and followed directions once they became accustomed to the routine. Community workers enjoyed the interaction with the teachers and children and they liked the idea that they were contributing to a program that could improve children's oral health.
This study is part of a series to explore effective xylitol delivery vehicles that can be used in school programs in the U.S. Results from the xylitol dose study
Another study in this series assessed the bioavailability of xylitol in saliva over 15 to 20 minutes during and after consumption of different xylitol-containing products including: pellet (2.6 g) and stick (3 g) chewing gums, syrup (2.7 g), and gummy bear (2.6 g)
In the present study, we tested the effectiveness of gummy bear snacks containing higher levels of xylitol in reducing
The results showed that six weeks of habitual xylitol gummy bear consumption reduced the levels of
There have been only a few studies on the association between maltitol and MS or dental caries. In a specific pathogen-free (SPF) Sprague-Dawley rats study, Ooshima and colleagues reported that maltitol did not induce dental caries in SPF rats infected with MS including
The finding that
As noted earlier, 27% of the children (X16 = 32%, X12 = 24%, M45 = 25%) did not have measurable
This study also assessed
Finally, the post-study discussion with school principals, teachers, and community workers suggested that it is feasible to implement a school-based xylitol gummy bear snacks program. Teachers were willing and able to incorporate the three times per day snack program into their classroom curriculum with minimal disruption after a brief adjustment period. Parents were willing to allow their children to participate in an oral health program and to consume gummy bear snacks at school to reduce tooth decay. Children were willing to eat most of the gummy bears provided at each distribution. A significant degree of commitment, cooperation, motivation, and effort from all parties involved was necessary to successfully implement and carry out the program. The information and experience gained from the current study were valuable in strategizing and developing the protocols used to implement and carry out the xylitol gummy bear snacks randomized clinical trial being conducted among kindergarten children in an elementary school district in Cleveland, Ohio. A lower xylitol dose is being used.
This study had several limitations. Plaque collection was not standardized by plaque weight but rather by sampling the arches of teeth. This may be viewed as qualitative and may affect the quantitative analysis. However, the effect is minimized by standardization of sampling technique, by staff training, and by the use of staff with previous experience in this sampling technique. Furthermore, our previous studies with xylitol chewing gums showed that
Based on our findings, it is feasible to develop and implement xylitol-based caries preventive programs in structured settings such as schools and daycare. These structured environments offer an opportunity to achieve xylitol frequency and dose compliance. However, implementing a new activity into an institutional setting would undoubtedly be a challenging task and require the acceptance and commitment of all parties within the setting (e.g., school administration, teachers, parents and students, etc.).
Xylitol gummy bear snack consumption at therapeutic dose and frequency reduced
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Authors' contributions
KAL was the project director and PM was the principal investigator for the overall series of xylitol studies. CAR coordinated this study. MR contributed to the design of this study, supervised and carried out the study procedures and contributed in the editing of the manuscript. MCR was the director of the laboratory that processed the studies' samples, generated all the numbers for
The authors acknowledge the consultation of Drs. Eva Söderling, Jason M. Tanzer, and Brian Leroux in the design of this series of studies and the work of Greg Mueller, Mary K Hagstrom, and Kellie Whitcomb in carrying out the study procedures, and the support of the Lewis County Health Partnership, teachers and administration at Morton and White Pass elementary schools, in particular Ms. Kathleen (Kip) Henderson and Ms. Kathleen Tully. The study could not have been conducted without the invaluable help of the community workers at White Pass, Toni Lowe and Sarya Kilmer, and at Morton, Patricia Fairhart, Pat Johnson, and Ellen Perry. Supported by Grant No. U54DE14254 from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, and Grant No. 90YD0188 from the Office of Head Start.
Role of Streptococcus mutans in human dental decay
Xylitol, sweeteners, and dental caries
Mutans streptococci dose response to xylitol chewing gum
Linear response of mutans streptococci to increasing frequency of xylitol chewing gum use: a randomized controlled trial [ISRCTN43479664]
Smart Habit Xylitol campaign, a new approach in oral health promotion
Army's "look for xylitol first" program
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nonfatal choking-related episodes among children--United States, 2001
Adaptation of dental plaque to metabolise maltitol compared with other sweeteners
A review of the clinical toleration studies of polydextrose in food
A modified mitis salivarius medium for a caries diagnostic test
How xylitol-containing products affect cariogenic bacteria
A selective medium for the isolation and enumeration of oral lactobacilli
A surrogate method for comparison analysis of salivary concentrations of Xylitol-containing products
The effect of chewing xylitol gum on the plaque and saliva levels of Streptococcus mutans
Oral biochemical status and depression of Streptococcus mutans in children during 24- to 36-month use of xylitol chewing gum
Xylitol and caries prevention--is it a magic bullet?
Noncariogenicity of maltitol in specific pathogen-free rats infected with mutans streptococci
Xylitol candies in caries prevention: results of a field study in Estonian children
Long-term effect of xylitol gum use on mutans streptococci in adults
Long-term xylitol consumption and mutans streptococci in plaque and saliva
Properties of whole saliva and dental plaque in relation to 40-month consumption of chewing gums containing xylitol, sorbitol of sucrose
Dental plaque formation and salivary mutans streptococci in schoolchildren after use of xylitol-containing chewing gum
Suppression of salivary Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli by topical caries preventive agents
Turku sugar studies XX. Microbiological findings and plaque index values in relation to 1-year use of xylitol chewing gum
Effect of chewing gums containing xylitol or probiotic bacteria on salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli
The rocky road of xylitol to its clinical application
Pre-publication history
The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:


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And yes, I can believe it. While the time has flown, you've grown into such a little girl – I think you were a toddler for a brief few months my little niece. You love your brother to an extreme, and he loves you back even if he does want a break sometimes! You have…
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how to spend a long weekend
Cats Skinny Dipping Cuddles Kisses Canberra Wine Misfits Tennis Rain Sleep
Save me Jebus!
(The Mormons won't call for my beheading over my giving their Jesus card to the baby to chew on, right???)
Whatcha Thinkin little one?
Ez has awesome taste in movies – Number FIVE is ALIVE! (Wordless Wednesday)
(ps shoutout to @aBigDumbBaby for sponsoring me for my quest to raise $1000 for the Steve Waugh Foundation for my 30th birthday!!) (ps you can play SNAKE with the youtube loading symbol….)
All hail yesterday's tomato!
As found driving the truck. Because that's where I keep my leftovers. (or, on my face. or ears. or eyes. or nose. like this carob) ***** Congrats to Kel who won the Groupon voucher! Persistence pays off!
Some day are Dizzy Days
**************** Don't forget to enter to win an awesome Shanalogic necklace! Entries close midday, Wed 9th May!

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A builder, hard worker, honest, with your feet planted squarely on the ground, you bring structure to the world. Your work requires a tangible finished product at completion. You are excellent at details and routine. Your economical and practical side make...s you a good accountant, efficiency expert, programmer. Analytical and organized, you bring order for others. It is possible that you could work in the field of law and order, as you can assume much responsibility and help to protect others. Your work has an earthly quality to it, and you are here to experience the world as a structured place.
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
transfomer ur thought!
.It might not look like like much at first, but as you continue to reject negative thoughts and
redirect the flow, as you choose faith instead of fear, expecting good things and taking control of your thought like, that negative stream will dwindle and the positive river will flow with positive, faith-filled thoughts of victory.
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Started from Camerapix in 2008, Africa24 Media is a Pan-African online media agency that connects the rest of the world with content production resources and information from and about Africa. We represent the best of media – past, present and future.
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Poll: Which story should I published first on Elsword fanfiction? Justice Breaker or Power of Six Masters? Vote Now!
Hi there, my name is Jinsei Dragon! You can call me anything you want. Anyways there is one thing you should know about me, that me and Shin Dragon are the same person. The reason why I made this new account is that I wanted to start out fresh and use my new account as an excuse to do the other stories that I was so desperate to do. My step-sis didn't want to because I had to work on my other stories. Yeah ... I'm a lazy person :P I won't deny the truth. Yeah, I transferred the poll of which stories I should make next. You guys get to choose which one should be published. Also for a fact, I still will use my other account just for commenting and reading messages. If you have any questions about it, just ask on my previous account.
Anyways, let me tell you about myself. I'm kind of weird to be honest. I like to do weird things and I am very awkward. I can be super shy and yet I can be brave. I'm like a person who has a change of personality depending on people I'm around. If I would put it in hetalia terms, then I would be Japan,Russia,America, and Canada in one person. My favorite foods would be rice,meat, hamburgers, pasta, soba, udon, and anything sweet. My favorite colors would be black and white. Even though they are shades, I consider them as colors. Black is like darkness and madness that hides within a person and white is like a gentle light. Black can also stand for justice and white can stand for false hope in my point of view. My hobbies are playing video games, writing, drawing, and reading. I love the outside but I don't want to go outside because of my allergies. Now if look down below, there will be the couples I support.
Katekyo Hitman Reborn - arcobaleno27 , All27, B26,226, etc.
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Mobile App
Malout Institute of Management and Information Technology Placements
The college has a separate training and placement cell managed by a dedicated team. The cell acts as a linker for the industrial training and placement of students. The training and placement cell establishes contacts with industrial houses to arrange training and placement of the students. It also guides and helps the final year students in securing jobs with their knowledge and achievements, by organizing campus interviews and exploring various avenues for their placement.
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Beatrice Pastel Double Sideboard Console
Crafted from magnificent elm wood, the Beatrice Pastel Double Sideboard Console is quite stunning. It is painted in a pastel blue grey finish that is both delicate and beautiful. This also makes it easy to pair it with other existing room decor or style.
This curved sideboard is great for living rooms as well as bedrooms. It also offers plenty of storage space which you can use for a variety of items. Add this lovely furniture inside your home for a classy, vintage touch. It's definitely worth it.
Height: 90.5 cm
Width: 159 cm
Depth: 45 cm
Product information
- aandp19135
- Sideboards & display cabinets
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Alexander and Pearl are online retailers of exquisite chandeliers, lighting, furniture, mirrors and decorative accessories for the home and garden. More about Alexander and Pearl...
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|window dressing NYC
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Wordless Wednesday: February 25, 2015
from the mind and heart of Maureen Reynolds at 11:39
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Knitting and Crochet Patterns from Red Heart Yarn
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"My cats love these. They are quick and simple to make. For anyone unfamiliar with the yarn that is suggested for the pattern, it is a fingering weight, 4 ply yarn that is 100 percent cotton. I used worsted weight and a 3.5mm hook for mine, so I wouldnt have to worry about the cats pulling the stuffing out through any holes."
"The name is very attention getting with the recent death of Prince. The link to the crochet pattern takes me to a different posting on this site where the project is included within a free ebook with 16 other easy crafts. There you can download the entire ebook as a pdf in order to get the pattern."
"The name is very attention getting with the recent death of Prince. The link to the crochet pattern takes me to a different posting on this site where the project is included within a free ebook with 16 other easy crafts. There you can download the entire ebook as a pdf in order to get the pattern."
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Kids Super Star and Sweetheart Sweaters
By: Patons
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Adorable his and hers sweaters for the super stars and sweethearts in your life! This free sweater pattern from Patons is for the intermediate level. Create a fun pullover sweater this season!
- Patons Astra (50 g/1.75 oz)
- Size 4 6 8
Star Version
- Main Color (MC) (Green)
- 5 5 6 balls
- Contrast A (Blue)
- 1 1 1 ball
Heart Version
- Main Color (MC) (Lt Pink)
- 5 5 6 balls
- Contrast A (Dk Pink)
- 1 1 1 ball
- Knitting Needles: size 3.75 mm (U.S. 5) or size needed to obtain tension.
- 2 stitch holders.
Chest measurement
- 4 24 ins [ 61 cm ]
- 6 26 ins [ 66 cm ]
- 8 28 ins [ 71 cm ]
Finished chest
- 8 28 ins [ 71 cm ]
- 6 31 ins [78.5cm ]
- 4 33 ins [84 cm ]
24 sts and 32 rows = 4 ins [10 cm] in stocking st.
The instructions are written for smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger sizes, the instructions will be written thus: ( ).
**With MC cast on 82 (90-98) sts.
***Work 4 rows stocking st.
Next row: K2. *P2. K2. Rep from * to end of row.
Next row: P2. *K2. P2. Rep from * to end of row.***
Rep last 2 rows twice more inc 3 (3-1) st(s) evenly across last row. 85 (93-99) sts.**
Work 50 (58-70) rows stocking st, ending with RS facing for next row.
Shape armholes: Cast off 6 (7-7) sts beg next 2 rows. 73 (79-85) sts.
Work 50 (54-58) rows even ending with RS facing for next row.
Shape shoulders: Cast off 6 (7-7) sts beg next 4 rows then 6 (6-8) sts beg following 2 rows. Leave rem 37 (39-41) sts on a st holder.
Note: When working from chart, wind small balls of the colors to be used, one for each separate area of color in the design. Start new colors at appropriate points. To change colors, twist the 2 colors around each other where they meet, on WS, to avoid a hole.
Work small areas of color in duplicate st.
Work from ** to ** as given for Back.
Work 6 (14-26) rows stocking st, ending with RS facing for next row.
Work Chart I for Star Version or Chart II for Heart Version to end of chart.
With MC, work 2 (2-4) rows even.
Neck shaping: Next row: K26 (29-32) (neck edge). Turn. Leave rem sts on a spare needle.
Dec 1 st at neck edge on next 4 rows, then on following alt rows until there are 18 (20-22) sts.
Work 5 (7-9) rows even, ending with RS facing for next row.
Shape shoulder: Cast off 6 (7-7) sts beg next and following alt row.
Cast off rem 6 (6-8) sts.
With RS facing slip center 21 sts onto a st holder. Join yarn to rem sts and knit to end of row.
Dec 1 st at neck edge on next 4 rows, then on following alt rows until there are 18 (20-22) sts.
Work 6 (8-10) rows even, ending with WS facing for next row.
Shape shoulder: Cast off 6 (7-7) sts beg next and following alt row.
Cast off rem 6 (6-8) sts.
With MC cast on 42 (42-46) sts.
Work from *** to *** as given for Back.
Rep last 2 rows twice more inc 5 (7-7) sts evenly across last row. 47 (49-53) sts.
Proceed in stocking st inc 1 st each end of needle on 5th and following 2nd (2nd-4th) rows until there are 61 (63-91) sts.
Sizes 4 and 6 only: Inc 1 st each end of needle on 4th rows until there are 79 (85) sts.
All Sizes: Cont even until Sleeve from beg measures 9½ (11-13) ins [24 (28-33) cm] ending with RS facing for next row. Place a marker at each end of last row. Work a further 8 rows even. Cast off.
Pin garment pieces to measurements. Cover with a damp cloth leaving to dry.
Neckband: Sew right shoulder seam. With RS of work facing and MC, pick up and knit 20 (21-24) sts down left front neck edge. K21 from front st holder dec 2 sts evenly. Pick up and knit 20 (21-24) sts up right front neck edge. K37 (39-41) from back st holder dec 2 sts evenly. 94 (98-106) sts.
1st row: (WS). *P2. K2. Rep from * to last 2 sts. P2.
2nd row: *K2. P2. Rep from * to last 2 sts. K2.
Rep last 2 rows twice more, then 1st row once.
Work 4 rows stocking st. Cast off.
Sew left shoulder and neckband seam, reversing seam on neckband for curl-back edge.
Sew in sleeves placing rows above markers along cast off sts of Front and Back to form square armholes. Sew side and sleeve seams allowing lower edges to curl.
Bring needle up through center of stitch from back of work and * insert from right to left behind stitch immediately above.
Bring needle down through center of original stitch and out through center of next stitch to be worked.
Repeat from * to continue.
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Member 14523
Mar 23, 2010
You will need to open and print the attached pdf. Click "Pattern" on the materials list to bring up the pattern. The charts are on page 4-5. Happy knitting!
Crafter 1641796
Feb 19, 2010
I printed out this pattern, and find there is no graph for the star or the heart. Sure would like to find one. Thanks.
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2017 3D Gumtree Shoot
Gumtree shoot dates will be June 17th & 18th 2017. There will be a night shoot on Saturday night for smoker round. The targets will be have glow sticks by them to light them up and you will have to have either a light on your sight or someone holding a flash light.
/Portals/0/Docs/IHB/Gum Tree Flier 2017.pdf


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Awesome Product
Verified Purchase
Awesome Product
My joint pain has decreased notably since taking 3 capsules a day. I have RA and when I forget to take this product, I become aware of it due to the stiffness and pain. I highly recommend it!!
Awesome Product
Posted by Reviewer1897983 on Jan 24, 2009 | Verified Purchase
My joint pain has decreased notably since taking 3 capsules a day. I have RA and when I forget to take this product, I become aware of it due to the stiffness and pain. I highly recommend it!!
Increased energy
Posted by Reviewer1247611 on Oct 30, 2008 | Verified Purchase
I have been using this product for about a week now and have noticed a definite increase in my energy and stamina, throughout the day. I am no longer getting a mid day lull, just calm and clear all the way through. I do use more than the bottle recommends about 6-8 caps a day, divided up, it feels great and at such a great price I can afford to use more than suggested and not go broke. I highly recommend this product, I have not tried any other Acai capsules so I can not compare it.
Great Product
Posted by Reviewer2953593 on Jan 27, 2009 | Verified Purchase
This is a great product. Have ordered several times
If I took 24 capsules...
Posted by Reviewer1858204 on Oct 27, 2011 | Verified Purchase
If I took 24 capsules a day I would get back pain relief and feel a lot better. I started at 3 capsules but didn't feel any difference and kept raising it because I am doing megavitamin therapy with vitamin c for health. I think 24 capsules is 200% daily value of vitamin c or more. I think I was getting reactions from the processing of the veggie capsule or the citric acid in it. I hope there is no animal products in the processing of both of those.
Very good and great price!!
Posted by Reviewer1558342 on Jul 24, 2009 | Verified Purchase
They are good I really like the easy of taking them and I feel my skin feels better and so does my stomach. Very good for you!
Good stuff
Posted by Reviewer2808958 on Oct 24, 2008 | Verified Purchase
This is freeze dried which is the best way to preserve the berries.
Acai Fruit caps
Posted by Reviewer1084222 on Aug 31, 2008 | Verified Purchase
Great product and great buy!
Somewhat disappointed
Posted by Reviewer1806567 on Aug 01, 2008 | Verified Purchase
I have not noticed any of the effects yet, but I have not had any bloodwork done either. But as far as weight loss, none. My nails are much harder though and I do think that my hair and skin are somewhat softer.
Have not recieved
Posted by Reviewer2150071 on Mar 10, 2009 | Verified Purchase
Sorry I have not recieved my Eclectic Acai fruit yet so I will rate it then once I have my product.
1-9 of 9 total


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Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML) has issued a recruitment notification for the recruitment of Deputy General Manager through recruitment notification. Candidates who have completed Post Graduate, LLB can apply for the new recruitment notification from Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML).
Eligible candidates can apply offline for the Deputy General Manager Job on or before 03/12/2015. Find more information about the vacancy like Age limit, Selection Process, Qualification, Application fee, How to apply etc can be found below.
Company Name : Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML)
Vacancy Name : Deputy General Manager
Educational Qualification : Any Post Graduate, LLB
Total No of Vacancy : 01 Post
Salary : Rs.46,400-85,000/- p.m
Job Location : Kollam
Last Date to Apply for this job : 03/12/2015
Address for the Job Vacancy : The Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited A Government of Kerala Undertaking) Sankaramangalam, Chavara, Kollam Kerala, India – 691 583
Detail of Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML) Deputy General Manager Recruitment:
Deputy General Manager (DGM) (P&A)
Hiring Organisation: Kerala Minerals And Metals Limited (KMML)
Address: Sankaramangalam, Chavara PO, Kollam, Kerala – 691583
Educational Qualification: Post Graduate Degree in Personnel Management/ Industrial Relations & Labour Welfare from a recognized University or equivalent. LLB with Labour Law as elective subject is desirable.
Experience: Minimum 15 years post qualification experience in Personnel Management/HR in Executive level out of which at least five years should be in a senior Managerial capacity as the Chief of Personnel/HR Dept. in a major industrial establishment with minimum 1000 employees. Should be well versed with all functions of personnel management/HR functions and should be fully conversant with interpretation and implementation of Labour Laws.
Pay Scale: INR Rs.46400-1150-55600-1320-66160- 1490-75100-1650-85000/- Per Month
Age Limit: Not above 50 years.
Selection Procedure for Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML) – Deputy General Manager Post:
Candidates can apply on or before 03/12/2015.
No detailed information about the selection procedure is mentioned in the recruitment notification.
How to apply for Deputy General Manager Vacancy in Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML) :
Applications should be sent to Kerala Minerals And Metals Limited (KMML) office. Send your fully filled applications to General Manager (P&A/EDP), The Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd, Sankaramangalam, Chavara PO, Kollam-691583 on or before 03/12/2015
Important dates to remember :
Last Date to Apply for this job 03/12/2015


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Peanut Butter Granola Balls
Be the first to review
READY IN: 20mins
Recipe by virginie_m
Why buy dry tasteless granola bars when you can easily make better ones at home? These are a quick, no-bake granola snack that can be easily modified to suit your tastes and make a perfectly portioned healthy snack. Kashi cereal adds a nice crunch, and nuts can be a nice addition. Originally from Wondertime magazine.
See Discussion:
Ingredients Nutrition
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup honey
- 3 cups old fashioned oats
- 1⁄2 cup ground flax seeds
- 1⁄2 cup natural bran
- 3⁄4 cup Kashi Golean cereal
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2⁄3 cup dried cherries
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions See How It's Made
- Toast oats in a dry pan over medium heat for 10 minutes.
- Mix all ingredients.
- Pat down in bowl (for easier scooping), and then use an ice cream scoop to make even sized balls. With greased hands, lightly roll into firmer balls.
- Refrigerate to reduce stickiness and enjoy!


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Palm Beach Gardens iPhone Repair
South Florida is our home!
We are located just outside of Palm Beach Gardens in Lake Park. You can find directions to our office by clicking here or using the Google Map below. Scroll down for service options!
Please select the type of repair you need by clicking the images below


text: Friends! How is the New Year treating you so far? Good I hope. Have you made any resolutions yet? Any luck at keeping them? I love this post by Zen Habits for inspiration on goal setting. Do share your ambitions in the comments - we'd love to know! We've been enjoying our new ... Read more →


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By Christine Dugas, USA TODAY
Alexandria, Va., a historic city close to the nation's capital, always has been a desirable place to live. It may be even more attractive now.
Concerns about gas prices and frustration with gridlock traffic have sparked more interest in the city, says Susan Mekenney, chairman of the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors.
Workers can rely on four Metro stations within Alexandria's city limits to ride trains to work, instead having to drive. And many Washington, D.C., employers subsidize Metro passes, says Gayl Warman, a Coldwell Banker real estate agent.
Throw in that the metro area has the lowest unemployment rate among the country's top 15 metropolitan areas, and it's no wonder prices (down 5.0%) have not dipped as much as elsewhere, says John McClain, senior fellow at the Center for Regional Analysis, George Mason University.
"We used to call ourself 'recession-proof,' " Mekenney says. "That's not true anymore, but we are not feeling what the rest of the country is feeling."
Job growth is focused on highly paid professional employees, McClain says. That is good news for Alexandria's housing market, because single-family homes are not cheap: The median price is $680,000.
With such high prices, it's no wonder that condominiums have held up better than single-family homes, McClain says. And because they are generally more affordable than homes and townhouses, they give first-time home buyers an option in Alexandria. In December, condominium sales were up 4% from a year ago.
Mortgage rates are low and sellers are willing to negotiate, Mekenney says. Traffic through homes on the market has been good, she says, but that doesn't mean potential buyers are rushing to make offers.
"People are very sensitive and well-informed here," Warman says. "They are also fairly optimistic."
Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more.


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3 cups of crisp, hot French fries, roughly chopped--preferably home made, but Fast Food take out fries or frozen fries baked in your oven will do.
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 cup minced fresh chives
3 hard boiled eggs, chopped
1/2 cup fat free mayonnaise
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
We ran out of potatoes one lazy Saturday, and potato salad was just the thing we needed to go with our grilled hamburgers. Turns out we had lots of French fries on hand in the freezer--so I baked up a batch and dressed them using my traditional recipe. T
1 cup finely chopped celery
French Fried Potato Salad
1/2 cup chopped chilled bread and butter (sweet) pickle chips
1 tsp. garlic powder


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Better Business Bureau
5 Ways Small Businesses Can Prevent Cyber AttacksCybersecurity breaches are becoming more common for small and medium-sized businesses.
Latest in Better Business Bureau
Cybersecurity breaches are becoming more common for small and medium-sized businesses. Steve Karantzoulidis · October 12, 2016
Door-to-door alarm firm Alarm Protection's deceptive sales practices has resulted in 116 complaints with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of North Alabama. SSI Staff · February 03, 2015
Trio Alarm, a door-to-door alarm company, is in hot water with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for allegedly duping elderly Virginia residents into signing contracts they didn't fully understand. SSI Staff · January 13, 2015
Ken Kirschenbaum answers whether there any good legal reasons why security companies should not join their local Better Business Bureau chapters. Ken Kirschenbaum · January 14, 2013
Alarm companies have earned the top spot on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Utah's Top 10 Industries for Customer Complaints for 2011. February 15, 2012
View SSI's 2017 MVP Award Winners and Entrants


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Submitted to the Optic
Martín V. Domínguez who has been the Labor Relations Program Manager/Group Leader at Los Alamos National Laboratory since Dec. 1, 2008, retired late last month.
He has been responsible for negotiating and administering 14 collective bargaining agreements with more than a dozen building and construction trade unions; facilitating labor arbitrations, grievance mediations, and responding to Federal and State agencies on employment and labor relations claims.
• The Wealth of Water: Short Term Gains vs. Long Term Opportunity, presented by Miguel Santistevan, a native of Taos, 4 p.m. children presentation, 5 p.m. adult and children presentation, 6:30 p.m. free tamales and refreshments with the documentary showing of "Gasland" on Monday, April 16 at Tapetes de Lana in Mora. Sponsored by Mora Democracy School Committee. For more information, contact the MDSC at 575-387-5485.
Submit your calendar items and notices to firstname.lastname@example.com
• The Las Vegas Optic is updating its noticias. Organizations are asked to resubmit their submissions to firstname.lastname@example.com. For questions, call 425-6796 ext. 239.
• The Las Vegas Police Department is requesting assistance from business owners to update the department's emergency contacts. They are requesting all local businesses to fill out an afterhours contact form to better serve the community. Forms are available at the station and on the city's website.
We anticipate, on the eve of Las Vegas' first runoff election, that the turnout will be low. Most runoffs in other locales turn out fewer voters than the election that preceded them, and that's likely to be the case here in Las Vegas.
This is what people in the news business call an "explainer" piece, where I offer up insights about how letters to the editor get published here at the Optic. Whether you're a letter writer or simply a letter reader, hopefully you'll find this informative.
I have the privilege of handling the letters sent in for publication. In a typical week, I get a steady flow of letters, mostly by e-mail, a few typed up and dropped off or mailed in, and one or two a week sent in someone's handwriting.
For the first time, a New Mexico Highlands University athlete has been honored by the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference as its Athlete of the Month.
It's appropriate that it's the lone Highlands competitor to have won a national championship this year — Cowgirl track and field standout Jillisa Grant.
Grant won national championships in the long jump and the 200-meter dash at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships, March 9-10 in Mankato, Minn. She was one of just two multiple event winners in the meet.
The lead switched hands four times Saturday afternoon before New Mexico Highlands' four-run surge in the bottom of the sixth claimed a hard-fought 11-9 triumph over visiting Colorado School of Mines.
The back-and-forth nature of the game — the second in a three-game weekend series — served up drama that didn't really reflect the Cowboys' strength in winning the first three contests.
Albuquerque (3-7) blinked first in the 13th inning of a four-hour, 21-minute Saturday night marathon against Omaha at Isotopes Park, falling 14-10 in just the second home game of the year.
The visiting Storm Chasers pulled ahead with five runs in the top of the 13th to end a 9-9 stalemate that had stayed intact since a two-run 'Topes rally in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings.
Throwing a wrench into the Robertson Cardinals' strong start to the District 2-3A baseball schedule, the Taos Tigers earned a road split Saturday at a wind-swept Whorton Field.
The host Cardinals (13-6) cruised to a 10-0 win in game one and led 4-1 in game two but allowed Taos to rally back for a 6-4 win.
"The first game, we played sound baseball," said Robertson head coach Tony Renon. "Antonio Arguello did an outstanding job on the mound, throwing a shutout."
Copyright © 2017
The Las Vegas Optic is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in San Miguel County and Las Vegas, NM, and the surrounding area.


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It only takes a minute to get started. Fill out our uncomplicated sign up form and login to the site.
This step is up to you but will greatly multiply your chances of getting interest from other over 50s members on the site. Let people know a bit about yourself, your hobbies and upload a nice photograph of yourself.
Utilise our website's state-of-the-art search to spot over 50s members who meet your requirements. Or just browse through listings and spot singles that attract you.
Identified someone who could be interesting? Drop them a line or just a wink and see if anything happens. With a little luck you'll be on your way to a lifetime of happiness.
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text: In 1872, before women could vote in national elections, Susan B. Anthony cast a ballot for a federal election in New York. She was arrested and put on trial. In court she argued that her action was legal under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which gave all citizens the right to vote. The court found her guilty but the highly publicized trial raised public awareness about woman suffrage. Women finally achieved national voting rights with the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920.


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I just returned from my fifth annual trip to the Grants Managers Network (GMN) Annual Conference, held this year in St. Petersburg, FL. As always, I had a great trip! The first three GMN conferences I attended were in Chicago, Denver and Seattle. While these are all great places to visit, I get really excited about heading south in March after our long, cold Montana winters. Chris Dahl and I arranged our schedules so we could fly down a little early to enjoy the sunshine before the conference. I've included a picture of Chris writing code for the next GLM upgrade while enjoying beautiful St. Pete Beach.
The GMN conference is one of my favorite events of the year, likely because the GMN membership generally has an attitude that is very similar to ours at Foundant. GMN members are often the hands-on, behind the scenes engines of their organizations and they appreciate practical solutions that make the granting process easier for everyone. We also like that GMN has been at the forefront of important initiatives such as Project Streamline and we appreciate their efforts to increase efficiency for grant makers as well as the nonprofit community.
Chris and I enjoyed re-connecting with many of our long-time clients and getting to meet many of our new clients for the first time. We were busy in our booth, hosted a great dine-around event and led a successful Users Group session where we were able to introduce some upcoming additions to GLM. We're already looking forward to seeing all of our GMN-member clients at the 2014 conference in San Diego. We are also excited that GMN chose another warm state so that those of us from Montana can get a little break from winter.


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It was a snoozer of a day in the AUD/USD market as the pair ranged at about 27 pips since 12 am EST. Just my luck, the top of the day's range did manage to trigger to long order. Fortunately, I closed out the trade with only a 9 pip loss per lot.
Lot 1: -9 pips
Lot 2: -9 pips
Total: -18 pips


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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 30, 2003) -- The Rolex Sports Car Series held first round qualifying for this weekend's 41st Rolex 24 At Daytona today at Daytona International Speedway. Scott Maxwell put the ...
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 30, 2003) -- The Rolex Sports Car Series held first round qualifying for this weekend's 41st Rolex 24 At Daytona today at Daytona International Speedway. Scott Maxwell put the #88 1-800-PITSHOP.COM Ford Focus Daytona Prototype of Multimatic on the pole with a 115.969 mph lap in 1:50.512, however it was Justin Bell clocking the quickest time in the #40 Xtremelens Corvette of Derhaag Motorsports with his 1:49.394 lap at 117.155 mph.
Maxwell was awarded the pole position per Grand American rules, which state that all the Daytona Prototypes will start at the front of the grid for the Rolex 24 At Daytona.
"We are a little bit confused because these guys (Daytona Prototype teams) are kind of getting slower every time we go out onto the track. They were running 47s at beginning in December, 48s at the test and 50s today, but we were running exactly what we did during the test weekend. I don't know why they're sandbagging on me," joked Bell following qualifying.
"These races are rarely won from the pole," quipped David Donohue in response. Donohue will start the #58 Red Bull Porsche-powered FABCAR Daytona Prototype in the number two position on Saturday after recording a 1:50.775 lap at 115.694 mph.
"We weren't expecting this, that's for sure," said Maxwell of his first Rolex 24 pole. "And I have to thank David (Donohue) for giving me the world's greatest tow around the bank," he quickly added with a smile.
Porsche factory driver Marc Lieb grabbed the GT pole at the wheel of the #43 YES Network Porsche GT3 RS of Orbit Racing. Leib's 1:53.386 lap time at 113.030 mph was nearly a second quicker than the number two GT qualifier of Schumacher Racing/Champion Porsche. Sascha Maassen piloted the #98 Champion Porsche GT3 RS to a 1:54.264 lap at 112.161 mph.
"The car felt brilliant. With these tires, you only have one lap to do a really, really fast lap in qualifying. The first lap I had a few mistakes. But it was still a good lap and I was very happy," said Lieb of his GT pole-winning lap.
The #21 Team Seattle Nissan-powered Lola of Essex Racing was awarded the SportsRacing Prototype pole position for the Rolex 24 after the lap time posted by the #97 Lucchini Engineering Nissan-engined Lucchini was disqualified due to an illegal air box in post-qualifying technical inspection. The Team Seattle Lola, which is raising funds for the Seattle Children's Hospital, clocked a 1:56.898 lap at 109.888 mph.
Positions one through 36 were set during today's first round qualifying and the remaining slots on the grid for Saturday's 41st Rolex 24 At Daytona will be filled on Friday during second round qualifying at 9:45 a.m.
Tickets for the 41st Rolex 24 At Daytona are available online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling the Speedway ticket office at 386-253-RACE. SPEED Channel will provide 16 hours of live coverage of the Rolex 24 on Saturday, Feb. 1, 12:30 p.m.-9 p.m. ET, and Sunday, Feb. 2, 6 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. ET.
More information on the Rolex Sports Car Series is available online at www.grandamerican.com.


text:
This application contains a professional recording of Playing with Fire -- wrapped in a beautiful and elegant player to create an immersive and enjoyable audiobook experience.
USA Today best-seller lists, Katie MacAlister's' paranormal romances combine devilish wit and spicy' passion. The start of a thrilling new series, Playing with Fire' finds Gabriel Tauhou, leader of the Silver Dragons, smitten' by the beguiling May Northcott. Possessing an unusual' ability to disappear into the shadows, May, however has little time for love as she evades Otherworld law and hunts a mysterious' blackmailer.
Player Features:
- Background playback and Retina Display enabled (Specific devices required)
- Automatic bookmarking to keep track of your place for you
- Gorgeous user interface to create an immersive reading experience
- Notes - Allows you to write down thoughts as you listen and email them to yourself or friends.
- Preloaded with content to allow for offline use
Supported Devices:
- iPad
- iPhone
- iPod Touch


text:
The Daily Summer Presents: Alice In Fashionland!
Follow us down the rabbit hole as we explore fashion's most whimsical fall trends! Wilhelmina's Nastya Siten models chic looks to love from Chanel, Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Fendi, Stuart Weitzman, Miu Miu, Prada, and more, in shots by Giorgio Niro and styled by Rebecca Dennett.
Lindsey Wixson Fronts The Daily Summer, Shot by Sebastian Faena
At just 22, Society Management stunner Lindsey Wixson has been at the top of her game for years. But there's something new now. Something freer and sexier and deliberate about the choices she's making and the life she's living. And it shows.
Philipp Plein…Oh, Yes, He Cannes
Designer Philipp Plein has homes and offices in more places than we can count on our fingers. And what does he do at them all year? #workworkwork. Thank goodness for August in the South of France....
The Daily Summer Season Finale Issue Is Here!
Summer isn't over just yet---there's still one final Daily Summer issue of the season to enjoy! For the cover and feature inside the issue, Lindsey Wixson appears like you've never seen her before, transforming into "Vixen Wixson."
The Uncensored Truth About Everything Hamptons
Over the years we've anonymously interviewed Hamptons teens, housewives, trainers, and chefs about the choice life (and life choices) on the East End. As the season winds down, we've collected our most sparkling gems. Upshot: Nannies are everything!
Lexington Clothing Co. Invites Shoppers and Pooches to Its Hamptons Store
Though she calls Sweden home, Kristina Lindhe is an East Coaster at heart---which is why she founded Lexington Clothing Co., an apparel and home goods brand that embraces the region's lifestyle and has some serious Hamptons vibes.
Gwyneth Paltrow Hosts Fifth Annual Hamptons Paddle & Party for Pink
On Saturday, actress and Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow hosted the fifth annual Hamptons Paddle & Party for Pink to raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Maria Baum, a breast cancer survivor, created the event, which never fails to bring out the Hamptons crowd in strong numbers. Here's a stat to prove it: 500 Hamptonites, including many members of
Lara! Miles! Hari! The Daily Summer's Luxury Issue Has Arrived
The fifth installment of The Daily Summer has arrived, and the Luxury Issue, as it's known, is our buzziest one yet. Edited and photographed by Sebastian Faena, it features Lara Stone, Hari Nef, and Miles McMillan.
Sebastian Faena's Exclusive Shots of Lara Stone for The Daily
In our latest fashion-filled summer issue, luxury is front and center with cover model extraordinaire Lara Stone. And who better to lens the shoot than the brilliant Sebastian Faena?
Paddle & Party for Pink Prep with Town & Country's Jennifer Levene Bruno
With the annual Hamptons Paddle & Party for Pink benefit around the corner, we caught up with Town & Country publisher Jennifer Levene Bruno, who's heading into her third year with the organization.


text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Sep 29, 1992
|Filing date
|Oct 10, 1990
|Priority date
|Oct 10, 1990
|Fee status
|Publication number
|Masahiko Miyata
|Original Assignee
|Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (3), Referenced by (28), Classifications (14), Legal Events (5)
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a data compressing system, and more particularly to a data compression system for an image processing system employing multiple predictors.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In an image processing system it is typically desirable to compress image data. If the image data is being stored, compression of the data conserves the amount of storage space used. If the image data is being transferred over a communication line, compression of the data reduces bandwidth requirements or reduces transmission time.
Many compressors employ a run-length encoder that encodes sections of the input data containing a run of zeros into a number indicating the number of zeros successively appearing in the input data. Another type of encoder uses a two dimensional encoding system that encodes based on a correlation in the vertical as well as the horizontal direction.
One or two dimensional encoding is suitable for image data because image data tends to have similar types of data grouped together within a given area of the image. Before processing image data with a run-length encoder, however, it is desirable to precondition the data to increase the number of successive zeros with a "predictor." A predictor predicts the value of the next pixel on the basis of values of pixels already processed.
A typical predictor unit contains multiple predictors. Each predictor is applied to a current pixel, and the predictor generating the least amount of error is used to predict that particular pixel. Multiple predictors are used because the predictor generating the least amount of area will be a function of the type of data in the particular portion of the image being processed. Some predictors are suitable for halftone image data such as that obtained from a television signal.
There is a trade off between prediction error and the amount of processing needed to make a particular prediction. To reduce the average amount of prediction error, it is desirable to have a large number of predictors available to the prediction unit so that it is likely that a predictor will be present to be suitable for the particular type of data being processed. Having a large number of predictors means that a correspondingly large number of trial predictions must be made to predict a particularly pixel. Having a large number of trial predictions means either that the time needed to predict a particular pixel is large as each trial is conducted in succession, or that a correspondingly large number of processing elements is required to conduct concurrently.
Conversely, reducing the number of available predictors increases the amount of prediction error making it more difficult to attain high redundancy reduction efficiency.
It is an object of the present invention to optimize the trade off between prediction error and prediction processing.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an image data processing system having less prediction error and providing a high redundancy reduction efficiency, without the usual penalty of additional prediction time.
Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
Briefly, this invention selects one set of predictors from multiple sets of predictors based on characteristics of the input image data. A trial prediction is conducted for each predictor in the selected set, instead of for every available predictor. Thus, processing is reduced.
To achieve these and other advantages according to one aspect of the invention a method of predicting a series of input pixels comprising the steps, executed by a processor, of determining, in accordance with the bit pattern of a current pixel, whether the current pixel is a first type or a second type; detecting, in response to the determining steps, whether the current pixel type is different than the pixel type of a preceding pixel; inserting, in response to the detecting step, a boundary code into the pixel series before the current pixel if the pixel type of the current pixel is different than the pixel type of the immediately preceding pixel; selecting one set of predictors from a plurality of sets of predictors including the substep of detecting a boundary code; predicting the previous pixel with multiple predictors in the selected set of predictors; selecting one of the predictors in the selected set of predictors in accordance with the number of error bits generated by predicting the previous pixel.
To achieve these and other advantages according to another aspect of the invention an image data processing system for processing input image data arranged in a series of portions, each portion including either gradation type image data or text type image data, comprises means for detecting a boundary where a portion of the input image data is of a different type than a preceding portion of input image data in accordance with a bit pattern of the portion of input image data; means, coupled to the detecting means, for inserting a boundary code into the image data when said detecting means detects a boundary; and predicting means, coupled to the inserting means, for predicting data in a plurality of portions in the series of portions. The predicting means includes means for detecting the boundary code; a first predictor set containing predictors suitable for predicting gradation image data; a second predictor set containing predictors suitable for predicting text image data; predictor set selecting means, responsive to the boundary code detecting means, for selecting either the first predictor set or the second predictor set.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image processing system in which a data compressing method according the preferred embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a compressor unit and a decompressor unit that are used in the image processing system shown in FIG. 1.
FIGS. 3(a) through 3(d) are diagrams for explaining various type of predictors.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining error data generated by a predictor.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing terminator codes for delineating runs of zeros.
FIGS. 6(a) through 6(b) are diagrams for explaining the selection of a terminator code.
FIGS. 7 to 9 are diagrams for explaining the coding of runs of various lengths.
FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) are diagrams illustrating the encoding of a bit series generated by the prediction unit.
FIGS. 11(a) to 11(c) are diagrams for explaining the structure of image data.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram for explaining the data compressing system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a determining circuit for determining whether the image data is text image data or gradation image data.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the insertion of boundary data into the image data.
FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b) are diagrams of image data containing inserted boundary codes.
An embodiment of a data compressing method for an image processing system will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image processing system in which a data compressing method according to the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 shows a document 100, an image input terminal (IIT) 101, an image data processing unit (IPS) 102, a compandor (compressor/expandor) section 103, an input interface (I/F) 104, a data compressor unit 105, a transmission line 106, a page buffer 107, an image data storage unit 108, an expander or decompressor unit 109, an output interface (I/F) 110, an image output terminal (IOT) 111, a copy/print output unit 112, and a network interface (I/F) 113.
Image data obtained by scanning the surface of document 100 by IIT 101 is processed by the IPS 102, and is transferred to compandor unit 103, through input I/F 104. Image data generated by I/F 104 is compressed by compressor unit 105, as will be described in detail later. Each page of the compressed data is either stored into page buffer 107 or is directly transferred to decompressor unit 109 where it is decompressed. The decompressed image data is transferred through output I/F 110 to IOT 111. The image data is also transferred to an image network, through output I/F 110 and network I/F 113. The image processing system is capable of receiving image data from the image network for compression, decompression, and reproduction. Further, the image data as compressed by compressor unit 105 is stored into image data storage unit 108 and may be output at a later time.
FIG. 2 shows compressor unit 105 in series with decompressor unit 109. In compressor unit 105, input data is first processed by predictor 120. The output of predictor 120 will tend to have longer runs of zero than the input of predictor unit 120.
Predictor unit 120 consists of 2 sets of predictors, a first set in 120b suitable for text image data and a second set in 120a suitable for gradation image data. The first set of predictors suitable for text image data contains 3 predictors of 3 different types. The first type of the predictor is a bit-above predictor shown in FIG. 3(a). The bit-above predictor predicts a value of a bit P by referring to a value of a bit X located at the corresponding horizontal position in the previous line.
The second type of the predictor is a pre-bit predictor shown in FIG. 3(b). The pre-bit predictor predicts a value of a pixel P by referring to a value of a bit X immediately preceding bit P.
The third type of the predictor is a font (five elements) predictor shown in FIG. 3(c). The font predictor predicts a value of a bit P on the basis of the statistical result of states of five reference pixels X1, X2, X3, X4 and X5.
The second set of predictors is suitable for gradation halftone image data and contains 12 halftone predictors. Each of the 12 halftone predictors uses a reference pixel preceding predictive bit P by 5 to 16 bits respectively, as generally shown in FIG. 3(d).
In order to implement each of the predictors described above, predictor unit 120 contains a memory to enable it to refer to the 16 pixels preceding the predictive pixel, and to the pixels of the previous line.
The prediction process adapts to changes in the input data. The adaptive prediction process operates as follows. For the selection of one of the predictors in the first set, a predictor priority order is initialized at the beginning of each line. The priority order at the beginning of a line is as follows:
(1) 5 element predictor
(2) bit-above predictor
(3) pre-bit predictor
After priority order initialization, the predictors are selected in the following way. If the previous 8-bit data was predicted with no error, the predictor used to predict the previous 8-bit data is used for the current 8-bit data. If the predictor used for the previous 8-bit data produced an error, the predictor that produces the least amount of error for the previous pixel is selected among from the predictors in the priority order of (1) to (3). In case where the predictor previously used produces an error and the other predictors are successively selected and used in the priority order and each produces an error equal to that of the previously used predictor, the previously used predictor is used for the current 8-bit data.
Predictor unit 120 receives 8-bit data, and produces error data every four bits.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining error data generated by predictor unit 120. As shown, the predictor unit 120 sequentially receives 8-bit data. Then, in the predictor unit, a predictor is selected in accordance with the rules described earlier. Predictor unit 120 produces error data every four bits (nibble). When an error is 0, the error data is a zero nibble (0000). When an error occurs, the bit of the error is set to "1", and the error data might be (0100), for example.
Encoder 121 encodes the data generated by predictor unit 120. The data generated by predictor 120 will consist of runs of zero nibbles interspersed with nonzero nibbles. Encoder 121 encodes the runs of zero nibbles with a run-length and a terminator code. A terminator code is selected based on the bit pattern of the first nonzero nibble after a run of zero nibbles. In other words, terminator codes are selected depending o the types of the error data.
FIG. 5 is a chart associating types of error data with a terminator code. In the case of the error data containing a single error bit, such as 0001, 0010, 0100, and 1000, the terminator code is TA. In the case of error data containing multiple error bits, the terminator code is TB.
For the terminator code TA, the error data is encoded tttt→aa; 0001→00, 0010→01, 0100→10, and 1000→11 (see FIG. 6(a)).
FIG. 6(b) shows that in the case of the terminator code TB, the error data is encoded rrrr→bb; 0011→0100, 0101→0101, 0110→0110, 0111→0111, 1001→1001, 1010→1010, 1011→1011, 1100→110, 1101→1101, 1110→1110, and 1111→1111 (see FIG. 6(b)).
FIG. 7 shows the encoding of a run of the zero nibbles in accordance with the run-length and the terminator codes case by case. Consider a case where a run-length of zero is delineated by error data containing a single error bit (terminator code TA). In this case, the run-length of 0 is expressed by 10aa. Run-lengths of 1 to 25 are designated by Orrr rraa, 26 to 63 by 11rr rrr ttt, and 64 to 89 by 11ss ssss tttt. The codes rrrrr and rrrrrr denote a binary expression of the run-length. The code ssssss denotes a binary expression of the result of subtraction of 64 from the run-length.
In the case of the terminator code TB for the error data containing a plurality of error bits, the run-length of 0 or 1 is expressed by 011b bbbr. The run-lengths of 2 to 63, by 11rr rrrr tttt. Here, tttt is encoded by bbbb shown in FIG. 6.
Run-lengths too long to be encoded by the scheme shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are encoded in the form of a multiple of 64 number of 0 nibbles. FIG. 9 shows the encoding of long run-lengths as 11rr rrrr 0000 where rrrrrr is a binary value obtained by dividing the run-length by 64. Run-lengths that are multiples of 64 in the range 64 to 4032 are encoded in this manner.
FIG. 10 shows an example of the processing of encoder 121. FIG. 10(a) is a series of bits applied to encoder 121 and FIG. 10(b) is the encoded version of the bit series of FIG. 10(a) generated by encoder 121.
In FIG. 10(b), "0000 0001" on the first line indicates a normal mode in which input data is predicted and then encoded. "0000 0001" is used for distinguishing the case of no prediction and no coding. The second line encodes the 8 nibbles of successive "0"s from the beginning up to non-zero nibble containing "0001". The terminator code is TA, because the non-zero nibble contains a single error bit. Because the run-length is 8, this case corresponds to the second line of the table in FIG. 7, covering run-lengths between 1 and 25. Thus, "0" is the first digit of the code. Next, the run-length of 8 is expressed by "1000" followed by the terminator "0001", because the code is 11 in the column of "aa" (see FIG. 6(a)). As a result, an 8-bit binary code of "0010 0011" of the second line is formed.
The third line represents the run-length of the bit series from the second half of the fifth byte delineated by the 1111 in the first half of the sixth byte. Because the terminator is 1111 (TB), this case corresponds to the second line of the table of FIG. 8 where the run-length is 0-1, and "011" will appear in the code. "bbbb" representative of the terminator corresponds to "1111", and hence is "1111" (see FIG. 6(b)). Finally, "1" representative of the run-length appears in the code. Consequently, a code "0111 1111" is formed. The fourth line represents the start of the next line of encoded input image data.
The error data encoded by encoder 121 is transferred through a transmission line to a decoder 123 where it is decoded. An inverse predictor 124 converts the decoded error data to the image data in accordance with the predictor used.
No special code is inserted in the compressed data to indicate which predictor was applied by predictor unit 120. Inverse predictor 124 can determine the predictor used by predictor unit 120 because inverse predictor 124 contains the same predictor selection rules as predictor 120, and because the predictor selected for the current pixel is based on the predictor that would have worked best on the previous pixel. Thus, inverse predictor 124 has the same information available for selecting a predictor as predictor unit 120.
The processing of predictor 120 will now be described. In the description it is assumed that raster data is serially input to compandor 103.
In the present invention, input I/F 104 shown in FIG. 1, which serially receives raster data from IPS 102, contains a line memory for storing the image data, and determines whether the serial data is text image data or gradation image data.
If the image data P0, P1, P2, P3, P4, . . . as collected by scanning the surface of a document as shown in FIG. 11(a), is text data, "0's" of white data or "1's" of black data successively appear as shown in FIG. 11(b). If the image data is gradation image data bit patterns other than successive "0's" or "1's" appear as shown in FIG. 11(c).
Input I/F 102 contains a determining means 130, as shown in FIG. 12 for determining that the image data having the bit pattern as shown in FIG. 11(b) is text data, and that image data having the bit pattern as shown in FIG. 11(c) is gradation data. In the description to follow, the image data has the data structure of 4 bits/pixel.
FIG. 13 is a diagram of some circuitry in the determining means. To determine whether the 4 bit input pixel contains all 1's, the 4 bits of the input pixel are applied to exclusive NOR gates 1305-1325 respectively. An exclusive NOR gate generates a 1 output when its two applied input values are equal. AND gate 1360 will generate a 1 when the outputs of exclusive NOR gates 1305-1325 are all 1, thereby causing NOR gate 1380 to generate a 0 to indicate that the pixel is a text pixel. Similar processing occurs for exclusive NOR gates 1330-1345 and AND gate 1370 to determine whether the pixel contains all 0's, thereby causing exclusive NOR gate 1380 to output a 0 to indicate that the pixel is a pixel of text data. Exclusive NOR gate 1380 generates an output of 1 when the input pixel is gradation image data.
When the type of the pixel is determined as described above, and the type is different from the type of the previous pixel, a boundary code is inserted to flag the boundary of the text data and the gradation data.
FIG. 14 shows a boundary data inserting means 132. With the pixels determined to be either text data or gradation data, at a boundary where the image data changes from text to gradation, or from gradation to text, a boundary code is inserted into the image data. When the data compressor detects a boundary code, it selects the predictor set suitable for text image data or the predictor set suitable for gradation image. As a consequence, the data compressing system suffers less prediction error, providing a high redundancy reduction efficiency, without the usual increase in the amount of processing needed to select a predictor for each pixel.
A decision means 150, coupled with the output of NOR gate 1380 shown in FIG. 13, detects a point where the output data of NOR gate 1380 makes a transition from "0" to "1" or "1" to "0". When decision means 150 detects such a transition, decision means 150 applies a signal to the control input of selector 152 causing selector 152 to select the boundary code data instead of data from the pixel bit series. In the preferred embodiment the boundary code is "1010", which is a bit pattern that will not appear in a pixel of image data. In general, the boundary code may be any code that does not appear in pixel image data.
Compressor 105 contains a boundary code detector 134 and a prediction set selector 136. When boundary code detector 134 detects a boundary code, prediction set selector 136 switches from one predictor set to the other thereby selecting the predictor set most suitable for the input image data. When decision means 150 does not detect a transition of the output data of NOR gate 1380 selector 152 decision means 150 applies a control input causing selector 152 to select data from the pixel bit series.
Accordingly, when the image data P0, P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, . . . as shown in FIG. 15(a) is received, the image data with inserted boundary codes is output to compressor 105 as shown in FIG. 15(b).
Predictor set selection and predictor selection within the selected predictor set in decompressor 109 is similar to the processing of compressor 105. Decompressor 109 will always be depredicting with the predictor used by compressor 105 because decompressor 109 follows the same selection rules as compressor 105.
With the compression system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention compression efficiency is enhanced by the selection of an appropriate predictor without the usual increase in processing associated with selecting the correct predictor. Thus, image data containing both text image data and halftone image data is efficiently compressed.
Although in the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention, the data of 4 bits/pixel is used, any number of bits per pixel may be used.
With the method of predicting a series of input pixels according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, predictors unsuitable for the current type of image data tend to be not considered in the prediction selection process, while predictors suitable for the current type of image data tend to be considered in the prediction selection process. Thus, more predictors can be added to the total set of predictors without the usual increase in processing required for predictor selection thereby reducing the average prediction error. Prediction immediately after a boundary will have the most noticeable reduction in prediction error.
Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or the scope of applicant's general inventive concept.
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|U.S. Classification
|382/176, 382/245, 382/238
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|Dec 7, 1990
Owner name: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD., A CORP. OF JAPAN, JAPAN
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:MIYATA, MASAHIKO;REEL/FRAME:005520/0939
Effective date: 19901115
|Feb 23, 1996
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4
|Apr 25, 2000
|Maintenance fee reminder mailed
|Oct 1, 2000
|Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
|Dec 5, 2000
|Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee
Effective date: 20000929


text:
Dutch heavyweight uses physical advantages to secure a victory in UFC on Versus 6 heavyweight showdown.
Why should you watch tonight's fights? We've got you covered.
Our writers go toe-to-toe in this analytical battle about Saturday night's heavyweight battle between Pat Barry and Stefan Struve.
"UFC on Versus 6" weigh-ins are in the books, and all but one fighter made weight, including Dominick Cruz and Demetrious Johnson.
Breaking down tomorrow's fight card from the opening bout through the bantamweight title fight between Dominick Cruz and Demetrious Johnson.
We're streaming today's UFC on Versus 6 press conference. The event begins at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.
Heavyweights Stefan Struve and Pat Barry will face off at UFC on Versus 6 in October.
"UFC on Versus 4," which featured Cheick Kongo's incredible comeback knockout against Pat Barry, drew an average audience of 744,000 viewers.
Spencer Kyte looks back at the stories to emerge from Sunday's action in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
"UFC on Versus 4" replays this Wednesday on Versus at 9 p.m. ET, just days following the June 26 event.
Results and commentary for "UFC on Versus 4" live from Pittsburgh, featuring Pat Barry vs. Cheick Kongo in a heavyweight main event.
All 22 fighters for tomorrow's "UFC on Versus 4" event made weight, including new headliners Pat Barry and Cheick Kongo.
Want a complete preview of Sunday's free UFC on Versus 4 card? Spencer Kyte has you covered inside.
The UFC heavyweight breaks down Christian Morecraft, talks about sleeping on an air mattress, post-fight speeches, and pokes some fun at his good friend Pat Barry.
Here are three reasons to watch Sunday night's free UFC on Versus 4 card. Yes, it's free.


text:
Against the Saints this past Sunday, rookie wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher scored the first touchdown of his career on an 8-yard pass from QB Jay Cutler. While it was a great moment for him individually, the game's final outcome put a damper on the accomplishment.
"Sure I enjoyed that particular moment, but some of the luster was taken off by the fact that we didn't end up winning the game," Sanzenbacher said. "In my mind the team comes first. If I had no touchdowns last weekend, but we'd won the game, I would have been satisfied."
Veteran wideout Earl Bennett left last week's game with a chest injury and is not expected to play this week. As a result, Sanzenbacher should see even more action this Sunday versus the Packers.
"You always want your opportunity," said Sanzenbacher. "But you really would never choose to have that opportunity come at the expense of another player. Don't get me wrong. I'm thrilled at the prospect of more playing time, but I'd gladly trade that to have Earl back out there healthy and whole."
WR Dane Sanzenbacher
John David Mercer/US Presswire
That he's is on the field at all is somewhat surprising. Although he amassed 1,820 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns at Ohio State, Sanzenbacher came to the Bears as an undrafted free agent.
"I knew that the odds against my ever making the team were high since so few undrafted [rookies] are ever signed, but I thought I'd just take my best shot at the job. I worked my tail off in training camp then hoped for the best."
Ironically, he said Bennett was the player who helped him most throughout the long process this offseason. After taking over for the veteran on Sunday, Sanzenbacher caught three passes for 33 yards, including the aforementioned TD.
"I knew that if my number was called, I'd need to go out there and perform immediately," he said. "Actually it felt quite comfortable, which was somewhat surprising considering I am new to this level. The speed of the game fit my tempo and nothing happened out there in terms of intensity that I hadn't expected. Ohio State has an intense football program, not that different from the level I've seen so far in the NFL."
The Bears and Packers have the oldest rivalry in the NFL, which typically heightens the intensity level of the contests. Yet Sanzenbacher feels quite comfortable in rivalry situations.
"Ohio State versus Michigan, that was pretty emotional," he said. "And if anything, that college rivalry helps me understand the tradition between the Packers and the Bears. Both sets of games have been going on for a long time."
While he admits he's still learning, Sanzenbacher feels he has improved every week since the start of training camp.
"Obviously you want to get rid of mistakes but you also want to build on the good things," he said. "I personally learned a lot these past few weeks. I've analyzed what I did wrong and have tried to correct that. I think you have to face losses such as the game in New Orleans as something that happened. Nothing about it can be changed now. It's not that you forget it exactly but you try to find the best of it and build constructively from there. Dwelling on a loss is counterproductive."
And what about facing a hard-nosed Green Bay defense so early in his professional career?
"It'll be a test for sure. They're physical and athletic, a very good defense. I see this as a challenge but I've always enjoyed challenges. I'll miss Earl out there but the guys, including me, who are behind him on the depth chart are expected to step up. That's what we get paid to do, to be ready to step in. I feel up to the challenge and I'm eager to do this."
Beth Gorr has been covering the Bears for the last 12 years and is the author of Bear Memories: The Chicago-Green Bay Rivalry. She is currently working on a second book about early Bears history.


text:
James Bond fans might have been spared Sam Smith's decidedly average theme tune had producers asked Lana Del Rey to do it instead.
The 30-year-old singer, who penned the beautiful lead single from The Great Gatsby, has revealed that she would have said yes to an offer from the Spectre bosses had they given her a call.
"I would've done it if I was asked but I wasn't asked," she told NME. "I love all of the Bond music that's been put out over the years and I love soundtracks in general. There are a couple of songs on this record [Honeymoon] that have a Bond feel like "24" and "Swan Song".
Del Rey had been among the acts rumoured to follow Adele, who won the Best Original Song Oscar for "Skyfall" in 2012, but Smith was chosen after a hugely successful year in the global charts.
He admitted to writing "Writing's On The Wall" in twenty minutes; the resulting lukewarm critical reviews and 'Bring back Shirley Bassey' trend on Twitter proof that perhaps he should have taken longer.
Read the full interview with Lana Del Rey in the new issue of NME, out on 11 December.
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