text:
University of Rochester, The Institute of Optics, Box 270186, Rochester, New York 14627
University of Rochester Medical Center, Department of Imaging Sciences, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 648, Rochester, New York 14642
* Address all correspondence to: Thomas Foster, University of Rochester, Imaging Sciences, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box, 648, Rochester, New York 14642; Tel: 585 275 1347; Fax: 585 273 1033; E-mail: email@example.com.
We present a new Monte Carlo model of cylindrical diffusing fibers that is implemented with a graphics processing unit. Unlike previously published models that approximate the diffuser as a linear array of point sources, this model is based on the construction of these fibers. This allows for accurate determination of fluence distributions and modeling of fluorescence generation and collection. We demonstrate that our model generates fluence profiles similar to a linear array of point sources, but reveals axially heterogeneous fluorescence detection. With axially homogeneous excitation fluence, approximately 90% of detected fluorescence is collected by the proximal third of the diffuser for μs'/μa = 8 in the tissue and 70 to 88% is collected in this region for μs'/μa = 80. Increased fluorescence detection by the distal end of the diffuser relative to the center section is also demonstrated. Validation of these results was performed by creating phantoms consisting of layered fluorescent regions. Diffusers were inserted into these layered phantoms and fluorescence spectra were collected. Fits to these spectra show quantitative agreement between simulated fluorescence collection sensitivities and experimental results. These results will be applicable to the use of diffusers as detectors for dosimetry in interstitial photodynamic therapy.
Cylindrical diffusing fibers (diffusers) are optical fibers in which the distal portion emits light radially along some length. They are designed to provide homogeneous irradiance along the length of the diffusing section. This irradiance is also uniform in all radial directions. These diffusers are used in a number of areas in biomedicine, such as interstitial photocoagulation and interstitial hyperthermia.1
Perhaps the most prominent use of cylindrical diffusing fibers is in interstitial photodynamic therapy (iPDT). Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an emerging treatment that has been used to treat malignant, premalignant, and benign conditions.2- 3 iPDT refers to the use of PDT for tumors that are not accessible to off-surface or intraluminal illumination. This is generally accomplished with the use of embedded cylindrical diffusers, although linear arrays of light emitting diodes are also used.4 iPDT has been used in humans to treat many types of cancer, including obstructing esophageal5 and bronchial cancer,6 prostate,7- 8 cholangiocarcinoma,9 glioma,10 and large tumors of the head and neck.11- 12 The outcome of iPDT is largely determined by the fluence distribution of the treatment light, the distribution and concentration of a photosensitizer, and the availability of molecular oxygen. Therefore, accurate determination of the fluence distribution from cylindrical diffusers is important for the prediction of the outcome and treatment planning.
A key part of determining the fluence distribution involves knowing the optical properties of the regions being treated. These optical properties depend on tissue properties, such as blood volume, and oxygenation, as well as photosensitizer absorption. The values of optical properties are typically determined in a spectroscopic fashion. Most photosensitizers are naturally fluorescent, so fluorescence measurements are often used.13 In iPDT, this typically involves the insertion of dedicated spectroscopy fibers.14 This increases clinical complexity and can lead to increased bleeding. In some cases, it would therefore be convenient to use the previously inserted treatment diffusers for spectroscopic measurements, especially fluorescence measurements. This is especially true for situations in which only a single fiber can be inserted into the desired volume, such as in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma.9
In order to examine these problems, we would like to simulate light propagation in and around individual cylindrical diffusers, as well as arrays of diffusers. A common method for the simulation of light propagation in biological tissue is the Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. This technique treats light as a series of photons or photon packets which undergo absorption, scattering, and transmission and reflection at boundaries. Each of these phenomena is handled in a statistical fashion, based on the optical properties of the sample. If enough photons are run, MC simulation provides very accurate results. The accuracy of MC simulations has been demonstrated many times,15- 16 and MC is treated as the "gold standard" for simulation of light propagation in biological tissue. A number of MC codes are freely available, including Monte Carlo modeling of light transport in multilayered tissues (MCML) by Wang et al. 17
In order to use cylindrical diffusers in the MC simulation, a model of them must be created. Previous efforts have treated cylindrical diffusers as linear arrays of ideal point sources.18- 19 While this makes computation more straightforward than in a more complex model, this description may not be fully accurate. Once photon packets are launched from the linear array of point sources, the effect of the diffuser on the propagation of light is neglected. The sources are treated only as launch points for photon packets, and the effect of the index mismatch between the diffuser and the surrounding tissue is ignored. Photon packets that would re-enter the diffuser are treated as still being in the surrounding tissue, which eliminates the possibility of using linear arrays of point sources to model detectors for spectroscopy. In order to model the detection of photon packets, these packets must be followed through the diffuser to the detection point. Therefore, a more complete MC model of cylindrical diffusing fibers is desired.
A disadvantage of conventional, CPU-based MC simulation is the long run-times of the simulations. A MC simulation of a typical tissue volume with an adequate number of photons can sometimes take hours or days.20 This clearly limits the use of MC in clinical practice. This has caused many investigators to use various approximations to represent light propagation in tissue, particularly the diffusion approximation.21 While this approximation can be calculated more rapidly, it is less accurate than MC simulation and places certain limitations on the measurement geometry.
One way to reduce the run-time of a MC simulation is through the use of a graphics processing unit (GPU). GPUs were originally designed to be used in computer graphics, and are therefore very efficient at performing calculations in parallel. Since each photon run is independent of other runs, MC simulation is an ideal candidate for parallelization on a GPU. This allows reduction of run-times by multiple orders of magnitude with no loss in accuracy. A number of GPU-based MC codes exist, capable of representing layered samples,22 three-dimensional (3D) samples with voxels,23 and three-dimensional samples with a triangular mesh.24 However, none of these code packages includes a diffuser model or tracks fluorescence generation and detection.
In this study, we have created a GPU-accelerated MC model of cylindrical diffusing fibers that is based on the physical construction of these fibers. This model has been used to simulate the irradiance delivered by these fibers, as well as the generation and detection of fluorescence by them. The simulation of fluorescence detection was particularly interesting, as heterogeneous detection along the length of the fiber was predicted. This heterogeneous detection sensitivity was experimentally validated using a layered phantom, showing quantitative agreement with simulation.
Our diffuser model is based on a patent by E. L. Sinofsky,25 whose construction is shown schematically in Fig. 1. It consists of four components: a fiber core, a diffusive medium, a dielectric reflector, and cladding. The fiber core is the 400 μm core of a 0.22 numerical aperture (NA) jacketed optical fiber. The diffusive medium consists of titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles, with an average radius of 14.7 nm and an index of refraction of 2.488, embedded in a clear epoxy (Mastersil 151, Masterbond Inc., Hackensack, New Jersey) that has a density of 1 g/cm3 and a refractive index of 1.43.25 The number density of TiO2 particles providing a uniform axial fluence distribution is determined through simulation, as described in Sec. 3.1. The reflector is a dielectric stack, which is designed to provide maximum reflection with minimal heating. The cladding is a 0.25 mm layer of Teflon® FEP (DuPont, Wilmington, Delaware) with an index of 1.344 that surrounds the diffusive medium and dielectric reflector.
Schematic of the cylindrical diffusing fiber, showing the four regions that are modeled. Photon packets are launched from the fiber core, with the diffusive medium being treated as having negligible absorption, and the cladding being treated as having negligible absorption and scattering. The dielectric reflector is treated as a perfect reflector.
Each of these four regions is modeled differently. The fiber core is treated as the launch point for photon packets, with packets being launched within the NA of the fiber. The face of the fiber core also serves as the detection point for fluorescence photon packets. Any fluorescence packet striking the fiber core within the NA of the fiber is recorded as being detected.
Since the diffusive medium consists only of TiO2 spheres and a clear epoxy, it is treated as having negligible absorption. Photon propagation within the diffuser is therefore governed only by scattering. The bulk scattering coefficient (μs) within the diffusive medium depends on the concentration and size of the TiO2 particles and is assumed to be uniform. This scattering coefficient must be optimized to achieve axially homogeneous irradiance along the diffuser length. In order to determine the optimal scattering coefficient for each diffuser length, μs was varied over a series of simulations and the homogeneity of the axial fluence profile was examined. The optimal value of μs was found by minimizing the deviation from an axially homogeneous fluence profile along the length of the diffuser.
The cladding layer consists of clear plastic and does not contain any scatterers. It is therefore treated as having negligible absorption and scattering. Therefore, this layer has the effect of inducing Fresnel reflection and transmission. The dielectric reflector is treated as a perfect reflector.
The propagation of photons is based upon the variance reduction MCML code by Wang et al. 17 The movement, absorption, and scattering of photon packets are handled in the same way as in MCML. The code has been expanded to include the above diffuser model, a full 3D volume of optical properties, and fluorescence generation and detection.
Diffusers are specified by the three-dimensional coordinates, length, and radius of the diffusive region, and the outside radius of the cladding. Also specified are the NA of the fiber core, the scattering coefficient of the diffusive region, and the refractive indices of the diffusive region, and cladding. The total fluence to be delivered by the diffuser is specified in units of J/cm. An arbitrary number of these diffusers can be included in the simulation, with each diffuser able to launch photons and detect fluorescence. In the current version of the code, these diffusers are constrained to be parallel to the z-axis for simplicity. In clinical practice, diffusers are generally inserted in a parallel fashion,26 so this limitation is not a major one.
For photon propagation, each photon packet is launched at a random location on the specified fiber core at a random angle that is within the NA of the fiber. In the diffusive region, the photon packet propagates by normal MC methods. This includes reflections off of the dielectric reflector and cladding. Since the scatterers present in the diffusive region are much smaller than a wavelength, the scattering can be treated as isotropic (g = 0), assuming random orientations of the scatterers and random polarization of the light. Upon transmission into the cladding, propagation continues without scattering or absorption. If the photon is transmitted into the surrounding tissue, propagation is continued as normal with the specified scattering and absorption in the tissue region.
Boundary interaction with the diffuser is done by monitoring the photon position with respect to the coordinates of the diffuser axis. If the current step size of the photon would take it either into or out of a diffuser, the coordinate system is temporarily converted to cylindrical coordinates. A random number is then compared to the Fresnel reflection coefficient for the boundary. If this random number is less than the reflection coefficient, the photon is reflected and propagation continues. Otherwise, the photon undergoes refraction and then continues propagation.
In order to represent the 3D tissue volume in which the diffuser is embedded, the simulation space is sub-divided into a matrix of cuboid voxels. Each of these voxels stores the absorbed weight at that location, scaled by the user-specified fluence and the size of the voxel, as well as an identifying region number. Each of these region numbers is tied to a set of optical properties that is specified by the user. These optical properties consist of the absorption coefficient (μa), the scattering coefficient (μs), the index of refraction, the scattering anisotropy (g), and the quantum yield of fluorescence if that region is fluorescent. These properties are specified at both the excitation and fluorescence emission wavelengths.
The 3D nature of the simulation also means that boundary reflections must be handled in three-dimensions. An excellent overview of this is given in Pfefer et al. 27 In our model, this is done by first determining all possible voxel boundaries that the photon packet will cross. The distance to each boundary is determined based on the current photon trajectory, and the region beyond that boundary is also recorded. The step size is then set to the shortest boundary distance that also leads into a different region. Reflection or transmission is determined based upon Fresnel coefficients, as described above, and photon propagation then continues. If the photon packet would not strike a boundary before executing its full step size, it is allowed to propagate its full step size.
During propagation of photon packets, fluorescence can be generated in the tissue. Whenever photon weight is absorbed, a fluorescence photon packet with a weight equal to the absorbed weight multiplied by the quantum yield of fluorescence is launched at that location. This fluorescence photon packet is immediately propagated by the above MC methods, but uses optical properties specified for the fluorescence emission wavelength. If a fluorescence photon packet strikes the fiber core inside the diffuser within the NA of the fiber, the photon is scored as detected. The position of its creation is recorded, as is the detected weight. This allows for the generation of a map of the origins of detected fluorescence photons, as well as what diffuser they were detected by in the case of an array of diffusers. This provides a description of regions that are sampled by spectroscopic measurements performed using the diffuser as a detector.
All of the above functions are performed on a GPU (GeForce GTX 570, NVIDIA Corporation, Santa Clara, California). It was programmed using NVIDIA's Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) extensions to C. This allows for the code to run much faster than on a CPU. The GPU version of our model runs approximately 30 times faster than a CPU version of the same code. The parallel random number generator used in the code is based on that by Alerstam et al. 22 This is required to ensure that photon packets being run simultaneously on separate threads use independent random numbers. The simulation parameters are stored in shared memory for faster access, while the absorption and detected fluorescence matrices are stored in the global device memory due to their large size. Atomic operations are required to update the absorption or detected fluorescence matrices in order to eliminate race conditions in memory access.
In order to validate the MC results, multilayered phantoms were created. These phantoms consisted of either two or three layers, as shown in Fig. 2. In both cases, the bottom layer was a solid layer comprised of agar. 500 mg of agar (SELECT Agar®, Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, California) was added to 50 ml of de-ionized water and heated to 95 °C while stirring. Heat was then removed and the solution was stirred until the temperature fell to 80 °C. At this point, 5 mL of 10% Liposyn (Liposyn® II 10%, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Illinois), 14.6 μl of India ink (Higgins No. 4418, Chartpak Incorporated, Leeds, Massachusetts), and 36.6 μl of 1 mg/ml fluorescein (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Missouri) were added. Stirring continued until the solution reached 60 °C, at which point it was refrigerated at 5 °C overnight to solidify. The addition of this concentration of Liposyn provides a scattering coefficient of ∼90 cm−1 at 488 nm.28 Assuming a scattering anisotropy of 0.82, this produces a reduced scattering coefficient of 16.2 cm−1. To ensure consistency, all phantoms were prepared from the same bottle of Liposyn. The addition of India ink brings the absorption coefficient to 2 cm−1 at 488 nm. The amount of fluorescein added gives a fluorophore concentration of 2 μM. This will be referred to as the fluorescein layer.
Experimental set-up for measurement of fluorescence in (a) two-layer and (b) three-layer phantoms. The diffuser was inserted such that each layer bordered on an equal length of the diffuser. Only one diffuser is shown for clarity, but experiments used two diffusers inserted in parallel with a separation of 1 cm. One diffuser was used for delivery of an axially homogeneous fluorescence excitation profile, while the other was used for detection of fluorescence.
For the two layer phantom shown in Fig. 2, the top layer was a liquid layer. This layer consisted of 10 ml of octanol (1-octanol, Sigma-Aldrich), 1 ml of 10% Liposyn, 2.8 μl of India ink, and 20.5 μl of 1 mg/ml 1,1′-Dioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI) (Sigma-Aldrich). This was again designed to have a reduced scattering coefficient of 16.2 cm−1, an absorption coefficient of 2 cm−1, and a fluorophore concentration of 2 μM. This will be referred to as the DiI layer.
For the three layer phantom shown in Fig. 2, the top layer was the DiI layer and the bottom layer was the fluorescein layer, both of which are described above. The middle layer consisted of 10 ml of 0.9% saline, 1 ml of 10% Liposyn, 3.06 μl of India ink, and 110.4 μl of 201.3 μM 2-[1-hexyloxyethyl]-2-devinyl pyropheophorbide-a (HPPH) dissolved in 1% Tween/phosphate buffered saline (PBS). HPPH is a second generation photosensitizer29 that is also fluorescent. It was prepared for us by Ravindra Pandey at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York, using the procedure described in Pandey et al. 30 This will be referred to as the HPPH layer.
Before use, each of the two liquid layers was stirred vigorously and poured on top of the fluorescein layer. Due to the immiscibility of octanol and saline solution, the DiI and HPPH layers remained distinct. HPPH is hydrophobic, but we dissolved it in Tween/PBS before diluting this solution in 0.9% saline. This keeps the HPPH confined to the saline solution, and we have seen no evidence of HPPH crossing into the DiI layer. Both liquid layers also remained distinct from the solid fluorescein layer.
For fluorescence measurements, two diffusers were inserted parallel into the above phantoms, with a separation of 1 cm. For two layer experiments, two 1-cm diffusers (Pioneer Optics Company, Bloomfield, Connecticut) were inserted 0.5 cm into the fluorescein layer shown in Fig. 2. The DiI layer was designed to have a depth of 0.5 cm when poured into a 150 ml flask, which meant that the proximal half of the diffuser was fully in the DiI layer and the distal half was fully in the fluorescein layer. Therefore, any detected DiI fluorescence is known to have been generated along the proximal half of the diffuser, and any detected fluorescein fluorescence is known to have been generated along the distal half of the diffuser.
For three layer experiments, two 1.5-cm diffusers (PhotoGlow Inc., South Yarmouth, Massachusetts) were inserted 0.5 cm into the fluorescein layer shown in Fig. 2. Both the DiI and HPPH layers were designed to have a depth of 0.5 cm when poured into a 150 ml flask, which meant that the diffuser length was divided into three equal sections.
In both cases, excitation light at 488 nm was provided by an argon-ion laser (Innova 70, Coherent, Santa Clara, California), filtered by a band-pass filter (Z488Trans-pc-xr, Chroma Technology Corp, Bellows Falls, Vermont). Excitation light was delivered at 40 mW/cm for two-layer experiments and at 15 mW/cm for three-layer experiments. The optical power was lower for three-layer experiments due to larger coupling losses in the 1.5 cm diffusers. Optical power was measured using an integrating-sphere-based laser power measurement system (LPMS-060-SF-Si, Labsphere, North Sutton, New Hampshire). Excitation light was delivered through one of the diffusers in the experiment, and fluorescence was detected by the other. This was done to ensure homogeneous excitation along the diffuser length, and to minimize the detection of autofluorescence generated within the fiber. Light captured by the second diffuser was filtered through a long-pass filter (HQ500LP, Chroma) before being detected by a TE-cooled, 16 bit spectrometer (Compass X, B&W Tek, Newark, Delaware) using an integration time of 20 s.
For calibration purposes, fluorescence spectra were also collected from phantoms consisting of only one of the fluorophore layers. In order to do this, larger volumes of the layers described above were created while maintaining the concentrations of each component. This allowed the diffusers to be fully submerged in each layer.
All fluorescence spectra collected were corrected for background and system response. This was done by subtracting a dark measurement from the raw fluorescence measurement and dividing by a wavelength-dependent system response. Dark measurements were acquired by integrating dark signals for the durations described above. System responses were acquired by placing a single diffuser in the center of an integrating sphere (3P-LPM-060-SF, Labsphere) and shining a NIST-traceable lamp (Model No. LS-1-CAL, Ocean Optics, Dunedin, Florida) through one of the detection ports on the sphere. The measured spectrum was then background subtracted and divided by the known lamp spectrum to obtain the system response.
After fluorescence spectra were corrected, they were fit using a singular value decomposition (SVD) algorithm based on the work of Press et al. 31 Basis spectra for each of the fluorophores were used in the fits. These basis spectra were acquired by measuring the fluorescence emission of each layer in a commercial fluorometer (Varian Eclipse, Palo Alto, California). In addition to the basis spectra, a series of 61 Fourier terms was also used in fitting to account for unknown possible contributions to the measured fluorescence. These Fourier terms were given a smaller weight in the fitting in order to favor the basis spectra. Fitting followed the SVD scheme found in MATLAB (Mathworks, Natick, Massachusetts).
After SVD fitting, the fit magnitudes for each fluorophore were further corrected for absorption and fluorescence yield effects. Each of the three fluorophores used has some absorption at 488 nm, and emits fluorescence beyond 500 nm. However, each fluorophore has different absorption at 488 nm and a different quantum yield of fluorescence. As mentioned previously, fluorescence spectra were acquired for each layer individually. These "pure" measurements were made using the same excitation wavelength and power as in the layered measurements, and with the same concentrations of scatterer, absorber, and fluorophore. So, any differences in absorption at 488 nm or fluorescence quantum yield were also present in the pure measurements. Therefore, any difference in magnitude between the pure and layered measurements was due to the detection capability of the diffuser at the height of the appropriate layer. To account for this, we divide the fit magnitude of the layered measurement by that of the pure measurement. This gives a relative measurement of the detected fluorescence that is weighted for absorption and fluorescence quantum yield.
As mentioned previously, the scattering coefficient within the diffuser determines the homogeneity of the axial fluence profile at the surface of the diffuser. If the value of μs is too large, most of the light launched from the fiber face will scatter out of the diffuser near the proximal end. If the value is too small, then the scattering out of the diffuser will be weak, which decreases the efficiency of the device. Figure 3 shows the simulated degradation in axial fluence profile for a 1 cm diffuser that is induced by use of an improper scattering coefficient. Figure 3 shows the homogeneous fluence profile along the surface of a 1 cm diffuser for the determined optimal value of μs = 0.2009 cm−1 inside the diffuser. Figure 3 shows the effect of raising the value of μs to 10 cm−1 within the diffuser, which results in too much light scattering out of the diffuser near the proximal end. The value of μs within the diffuser is therefore crucial to the generation of a homogeneous axial fluence profile.
Simulated irradiance profiles along the surface of a 1 cm diffuser, with its proximal end at z = 1 cm, illustrating the effect of changing μs. Simulation parameters are identical in both cases except for the value of μs inside the diffusive region, which was (a) 0.2009 cm−1 and (b) 10 cm−1.
The optimal μs for homogeneous axial fluence changes with diffuser length. The optimal μs values computed using our MC model for diffuser lengths between 1 and 5 cm are shown in Table 1. As can be seen, the required μs for homogeneous fluence decreases with increasing diffuser length. This corresponds to a reduced concentration of scatterers through μs = σN, where σ is the scattering cross-section and N is the number density of scatterers.32 The scattering cross-section can be calculated using
Display Formula
A typical fluence map generated by a 1 cm diffuser is shown in Fig. 4. The air-tissue boundary is located at z = 0, and the proximal end of the diffuser is at z = 0.5 cm. For this particular simulation, the tissue sample is homogeneous and semi-infinite with μa = 2 cm−1, μs = 100 cm−1, g = 0.9, and n = 1.395 (Ref. 34).
3D rendering of the fluence distribution around a 1 cm cylindrical diffusing fiber with its proximal end at z = 0.5 cm and an air-tissue boundary at z = 0. Tissue optical properties were set to μa = 2 cm−1, μs = 100 cm−1, and g = 0.9. Voxel size was 0.02×0.02×0.02 cm.
In order to compare to a model based on a finite linear array of point sources, the radial degradation of fluence from the diffuser was examined for both models. In these simulations, we assumed a refractive index of 1.43 for the linear array to match that of the epoxy in the diffuser. Cuts through the fluence distribution were made radially from the axial mid-point of the diffuser for both models. The results of this are shown in Fig. 5. As can be seen, the fluence cuts are virtually identical for the two models. Similar results were obtained for cuts at other axial positions on the diffuser, and at other angles (data not shown). This indicates that a model based on a linear array of point sources is sufficient for determination of fluence distribution.
Comparison between linear array of point sources model and our MC model in terms of radial degradation of fluence for μa = 2 cm−1, showing substantial overlap between the two methods. Shown is a cut through the fluence at the axial center of a 1 cm diffuser. Simulation parameters were identical, except for the source model. The arrow indicates the position of the outer radius of the diffuser.
As mentioned previously, fluorescence photon packets are generated at the location of each absorption event within the tissue medium surrounding a diffuser. Generated fluorescence photon packet weights consist of the absorbed weight, scaled by the quantum yield of fluorescence. Therefore, the distribution of generated fluorescence is a scaled version of the absorption distribution. This is shown in Fig. 6 for a 1 cm diffuser. As expected, this generated fluorescence is homogeneous along the length of the diffuser. Figure 6 shows the origins and weights of generated fluorescence photons that cross into the diffuser. This is simply a scaled version of the generated fluorescence, and is again homogeneous along the length of the diffuser. The distribution of the origins of detected fluorescence photon packets is shown in Fig. 6. Each pixel magnitude is the sum of the detected weight of fluorescence photon packets generated at that location that migrated through the diffuser, reached the fiber core, and were scored as detected. This distribution is highly heterogeneous, with a majority of the detected fluorescence being generated near the proximal end of the diffuser.
(a) Fluorescence generated in tissue by a 1-cm diffuser with its proximal end at z = 2 cm and an outer radius of 0.05 cm. (b) Origins of fluorescence photons that crossed into the diffuser after being generated in the surrounding tissue. (c) Origins of fluorescence photons that were detected by the diffuser. μa was set to 2 cm−1 in tissue. Planar cuts are shown through the simulated volume at the center of the diffuser. Only the right half of this plane is shown for clarity. The left half is identical.
Axial profiles of the simulated detected fluorescence are shown in Fig. 7. These profiles were created by summing the detected fluorescence at each z position within the simulated tissue volume. Optical properties of the tissue sample were set to μs = 90 cm−1, g = 0.82, and n = 1.395, with either μa = 2 cm−1 to match experimental conditions or μa = 0.2 cm−1 to represent a typical value in tissue.35 As can be seen, the majority of detected fluorescence comes from the proximal portion of the diffuser, with a slightly increased contribution from the distal portion of the diffuser relative to the center. Detected fluorescence, detailed by the diffuser segment, is shown in Table 2. In all cases, the majority of detected fluorescence comes from the proximal third of the diffuser, with contributions ranging from 86 to 92% for μa = 2 cm−1 and from 70 to 88% for μa = 0.2 cm−1. In all but the 1 cm case for both values of μa and the 1.5 cm case for μa = 2 cm−1, the distal third of the diffuser is responsible for the next largest contribution to detected fluorescence, with the center segment having the smallest contribution. Relative fluorescence collection by the distal third ranges from 5.38 to 6.66% for μa = 2 cm−1 and 9.11 to 11.98% for μa = 0.2 cm−1, with the center section collecting 1.63 to 6.11% for μa = 2 cm−1 and 2.03 to 18.15% for μa = 0.2 cm−1.
Simulated detected fluorescence by axial position along (a) 1 to 2 cm diffusers with μa = 2 cm−1, (b) 3 to 5 cm diffusers with μa = 2 cm−1, (c) 1 to 2 cm diffusers with μa = 0.2 cm−1, and (d) 3 to 5 cm diffusers with μa = 0.2 cm−1. All simulations used μs = 90 cm−1 and g = 0.82, and placed the diffuser's proximal end at z = 0.5 cm. The arrows indicate the location of the proximal end of the diffusers.
Simulations were run with 1,000,000 photon packets on a 100×100×100 grid of voxels. Due to the statistical nature of MC modeling, simulations were repeated three times in order to evaluate reproducibility. The variation in detected fluorescence varies by at most 4% between runs, with most values varying by less than 1%. The run-times were approximately 1 min for simulations of fluence distribution and approximately 30 min for simulations of fluorescence detection.
Experiments were performed in two- and three-layer phantoms with 1 and 1.5 cm diffusers, respectively. Typical SVD fits to corrected fluorescence spectra are shown in Fig. 8. The two-layer fit in Fig. 8 shows contributions from DiI and fluorescein, while the three-layer fit in Fig. 8 shows contributions from DiI, fluorescein, and HPPH. In both cases, the magnitude of the Fourier terms is relatively small, indicating a good fit to the data.
Results of SVD fitting to representative fluorescence spectra collected from (a) two-layer and (b) three-layer phantoms, with spectra corrected for background and system response. Fit magnitudes shown are not corrected for the effects of fluorescence quantum yield and absorption at 488 nm.
Fit coefficients for the fluorophores were further corrected for absorption and fluorescence quantum yield as described above. The corrected values were then used to determine the relative contributions of each segment of the diffuser to the overall detected fluorescence. The results of this are shown in Fig. 9, with the simulated values shown for comparison. For both two- and three-layer experiments, there is agreement between the simulation and experiment to better than 6%. The results shown are for a set of 6 two-layer experiments, and a set of 4 three-layer experiments. Error bars are standard deviations. Error bars for simulated data are the standard deviations from three successive runs of the simulation.
Comparison between simulated and experimental fluorescence detection using (a) 1 cm and (b) 1.5 cm diffusers. Heights of experimental bars (□) indicate the mean value of (a) n = 6 and (b) n = 4 experiments, with error bars representing standard deviation. Values used were corrected for background, system response, fluorescence quantum yield, and absorption at 488 nm. Heights of simulated bars (■) indicate the mean value of 3 simulations, with error bars representing the standard deviation. The value of μa was set to 2 cm−1 for both simulation and experiment.
Simulations of both the linear array of point sources and our diffuser model show very similar results for radial fluence profiles, demonstrating that it is appropriate to use the linear array of point sources model when only the fluence distribution for a
single diffuser is desired. This less complex model will run slightly faster, since the propagation of photons within the diffuser and boundary collisions with the diffuser are not computed.
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that heterogeneous collection of fluorescence by a cylindrical diffuser has been demonstrated, either experimentally or by simulation. As shown here, most of the fluorescence collected by a diffuser is generated near its proximal end with a relatively small spike near the distal end. Given the long scattering mean free path within the diffuser, the large contribution from the proximal end may be explained simply in terms of the diffuser geometry. The NA of the fiber core and the index mismatch between the tissue, cladding, and diffusive medium define the range of angles over which fluorescence entering the diffuser is detected. The axial-coordinate of a photon incident on the diffuser and the index mismatch combine to constrain the range of angles over which the photon can enter the diffuser and be detected. As the axial-coordinate of the incoming photon moves further from the fiber core, this range of acceptable angles decreases. Because fluorescence in the tissue is emitted isotropically, photons are incident on the diffuser at a random angle. Therefore, if the range of acceptable angles decreases with increasing distance from the fiber core and the incident angles are random, the detection of photons also decreases with increasing distance from the fiber core. The spike in collection at the distal end can be explained by the presence of the dielectric reflector. Photons that enter the diffuser close to the distal end are more likely to strike the reflector, which directs the trajectory of a fraction of these toward the proximal end of the diffuser. Coupled with reflections off of the cladding, this can result in increased probability of detection. In geometric terms, this has the effect of increasing the range of incoming photon angles that can reach the fiber core.
It is important to note that the detection distribution of a cylindrical diffuser is sensitive to the optical properties of the tissue. In particular, the absorption of the tissue will change the axial detection profile. As we have shown, the proximal portion of the diffuser is most sensitive to the detection of fluorescence. With lower tissue absorption, the likelihood of a fluorescence photon reaching the proximal portion of the diffuser before being absorbed is increased. This allows fluorescence that is generated a larger axial distance from the fiber core to be detected. For example, a value of 2 cm−1 for μa results in approximately 86% of detected fluorescence being generated along the proximal third of the diffuser. For μa = 0.2 cm−1, this value is reduced to 70%, with a greater proportion of the detected fluorescence being generated further from the proximal end of the diffuser. While the fluorescence detection profile is still heterogeneous, the sharp degradations shown in Figs. 7 are smoothed out for lower values of μa, as seen in Figs. 7.
Knowledge of the detection distribution of a cylindrical diffuser is important if these fibers are to be used for dosimetry in iPDT. Given a detected fluorescence spectrum, spectroscopic methods can be used to estimate optical properties and photosensitizer concentrations. Having a MC model of the origins of detected fluorescence photons allows for these quantities to be mapped to a specific tissue volume. However, a disadvantage of using cylindrical diffusing fibers as spectroscopy probes is that an incomplete map of optical properties would be generated. As we have shown, the detection sensitivity of a cylindrical diffuser is highly heterogeneous, with certain regions near the diffuser not being sampled by spectroscopic measurements. This means that spectroscopic data would not be available for all locations within the tissue, requiring assumptions of optical properties in un-sampled regions. In schemes that use separate spectroscopy fibers, a full map of optical properties can be generated by translating the spectroscopy fibers.36
The use of separate spectroscopy fibers is not always an option, as in some cases, only a single fiber can physically be inserted into the desired volume. This is typically the situation in iPDT for cholangiocarcinoma,9 as well as in the treatment of other hollow organs. In these cases, the only way to obtain spectroscopic information about the tissue would be to use the single treatment diffuser as both a source and detector.
Of critical importance to the clinical deployment of this technique is the speed of the MC simulation. As previously noted, traditional MC simulations can take several hours to run. With our GPU-accelerated model, we have reduced this run-time to the order of 1 min. While this is a large improvement, it would be desirable to further reduce this to the order of 1s. Alerstam et al. have shown a 300× speed-up by moving to a GPU-accelerated version of MCML.22 This would be excellent for our model, but it is unclear whether this speed-up is achievable for our scenario. The model presented by Alerstam et al. only allows for layered samples and does not incorporate a diffuser model or fluorescence. This eliminates the need for boundary checks at each voxel and at the diffuser boundary, and removes the need for atomic operations in the detection of fluorescence. These differences make a large difference in run-time due to the nature of the GPU. Each of the boundary checks currently requires a substantial number of conditional statements. When executed on the GPU, all branches of conditionals are serially executed before converging after the conditional.37 This results in an increase in run-time. The use of atomic operations for fluorescence detection also results in a significantly increased run-time. Other studies have shown that the use of atomic operations in GPU-accelerated MC can result in a slow-down of 75%.23 These factors do not mean that further speed-up is impossible for our code, just that it will require significant removal of branching and intelligent usage of atomic operations.
Our MC model may also be useful in the design of cylindrical diffusing fibers. As mentioned previously, the output irradiance of the diffuser is largely determined by the scattering properties of the diffusive region. These scattering properties are determined by the size and index of the scatterer used, as well as the density of the scatterer. Once a scatterer is chosen, its size and index are known. By simulating a range of μs values and optimizing homogeneity, the density can be computed. This can then be used to manufacture the desired diffuser.
Alternatively, some other nonuniform irradiance profile along the diffuser may be desired. Our model can again be used to predict the scatterer concentration required to achieve this profile. This could be done by adjusting a uniform scatterer concentration, or by allowing a heterogeneous distribution of scatterers. Having a nonuniform distribution of scatterers is often used in the design of two-dimensional diffusers to generate a desired illumination pattern,38 and could therefore be applied to the design of cylindrical diffusers.
We have demonstrated a new MC model of cylindrical diffusing fibers. This model predicts a fluence distribution similar to that of a linear array of point sources and a heterogeneous fluorescence detection distribution. The heterogeneous detection of fluorescence has been experimentally demonstrated, and indicates agreement with the model.
This work was supported by NIH Grant Nos. NIH CA68409 and NIH CA122093 awarded by the National Cancer Institute. The authors wish to thank Ron Hille from Pioneer Optics Company for providing parameters used in commercial diffusers.
Timothy M. Baran and Thomas H. Foster"New Monte Carlo model of cylindrical diffusing fibers illustrates axially heterogeneous fluorescence detection: simulation and experimental validation", J. Biomed. Opt. 16(8), 085003 (August 08, 2011). ; http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/1.3613920
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text:
by Christopher Freeburn | September 10, 2013 9:48 am
[1]On Monday, Twitter announced that it had purchased[2] mobile ad solution developer MoPub for undisclosed terms. Sources told the New York Times that the social messaging company paid $300 million for MoPub.
Twitter generates about $583 million in annual advertising revenue, according to one market research firm. The company is attempting to boost its ad sales as it prepares for a widely anticipated initial public offering in 2014.
Adding MoPub will allow Twitter to leverage its automated platform for mobile app ad space bidding and placement. That would replace Twitter's current system, which forces advertisers to do a significant amount of tinkering to get their ads in front of the right viewers.
The company plans to expand MoPub's platform to reach more apps for mobile devices running Apple's (AAPL[3]) iOS and Google's (GOOG[4]) Android.
Last month, Twitter hired Nathan Hubbard, formerly president at Ticketmaster, as its first head of commerce[5].
Recent media reports indicate that company will launch an IPO[6] worth about $15 billion early next year.
Source URL: http://investorplace.com/2013/09/twitter-buys-mobile-ad-company-mopub-for-300m/
Short URL: http://invstplc.com/1nuGojg
Copyright ©2017 InvestorPlace Media, LLC. All rights reserved. 700 Indian Springs Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Mon Feb 25, 2013, 02:15 PM
pampango (24,377 posts)
CAP: 5 Reasons the World Is Catching on to the Financial Transaction Tax
Campaigners and European trade unions dress as Robin Hood while calling on European Union
leaders to go ahead with a financial transaction tax to mobilize money to help poor people hit by
the economic crisis, in front of the European Council building in Brussels on May 23, 2012.
A financial transaction tax would bring in much-needed revenue
The U.S. government is currently operating at its lowest level of revenues in more than 60 years. A 2010 report from the International Monetary Fund identifies the financial sector of the economyparticularly in the United Statesas substantially undertaxed.
A financial transaction tax helps stabilize volatile financial markets
An astounding share of transactions on financial markets today consists of high-frequency trades made on the millisecond by computers programmed with sophisticated algorithms. The computers make large-volume trades based on tiny changes in pricesfractions of a pennyand, in so doing, reap tremendous trading profits. While economic theory might suggest that this would lead to slightly more efficient financial markets, the Bank of Englands Andrew Haldane has shown that high-frequency trading appears to have amplified the markets erratic undulations.
A financial transaction tax incentivizes investment for real growth
By changing the incentives that investors face in U.S. financial markets, a tax on financial trading will shift behavior toward investment for the long term, which is better for financing businesses and for stable sustained economic growth.
Many countries already have a financial transaction tax
The standard stalling tactic for bringing a financial transaction tax to the United States is saying that we should wait until other countries do it first. But financial transaction taxes already operate in at least 23 countries around the worldincluding in international financial centers such as the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Hong Kong, and Japanand that number is about to grow. On January 22, 2013, 11 of the European Unions 27 member countries, including France, Germany, and Italy, indicated their intention to initiate a financial transaction tax. As the policy nears implementation, other EU countries are certain to get on board. Of the worlds major financial centers, only the United States has no tax on financial trading.
Wall Street has fought and will continue to fight this. We will soon be the only developed country without a FTT.
1 replies, 625 views
Always highlight: 10 newest replies | Replies posted after I mark a forum
Replies to this discussion thread
|1 replies
CAP: 5 Reasons the World Is Catching on to the Financial Transaction Tax (Original post)
|Feb 2013
|Teamster Jeff
|Feb 2013
Response to pampango (Original post)
Mon Feb 25, 2013, 05:22 PM
Teamster Jeff (1,598 posts)
1. This makes so much sense
that it's hard to imagine it ever passing here


text:
Speaker appeals budget ruling
-dissatisfied with entire decision by CJ
Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman has moved to the Court of Appeal to challenge the ruling by Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang in the 2012 budget cuts case and is asking for the judgment to be reversed and/or set aside.
In the Notice of Appeal which was filed on February 25 by attorney at law Khemraj Ramjattan, it was stated that Trotman was dissatisfied with the entire decision, more particularly paragraph two, which was handed down on January 29, 2014.
Trotman was listed as the Appellant in the court documents while the Attorney General of Guyana is the respondent.
Six grounds of appeal were listed in the court documents.
The first ground is that the judge erred when he ruled that the National Assembly and its Committee of Supply do not have legal and constitutional authority to amend or reduce the Estimates of Revenues and Expenditure of Guyana for any given year.
The second ground is that the judge erred when he ruled that Standing Orders, or rules of procedure of the National Assembly, which provide for the amendment and reduction of the Estimates of Revenues and Expenditure of Guyana are not procedural rules of law, nor are they written law, nor are they subsidiary legislation, within the meaning of the Interpretation and General Clauses Act such as can impact upon or have a significance on the purposeful construction of article 218 of the Constitution.
The third ground is that the judge wrongly construed Articles 218 and 171 (2) (a) and (b) of the Constitution of Guyana thereby resulting in a construction that effectively ousted the National Assembly's right and power to amend or reduce the Estimates of Revenues and Expenditure of Guyana for the purpose of charging the said Estimates to the Consolidated Fund. The judge, instead, ought to have properly and purposefully construed the said articles ensuring a construction thereof which would have resulted in the National Assembly possessing that 'incidental' power and right to amend or reduce the said Estimates in accordance with the text and context of the Constitution of Guyana.
The fourth ground is that the judge erred and overreached when he ruled that the amendment and reduction of the Estimates of Revenues and Expenditure of Guyana for the year 2012 by the National Assembly through its Committee of Supply, was an abrogation of the doctrine of separation of powers, and hence unconstitutional, unlawful and void, because the National Assembly by such reduction and amendment was encroaching on the function of the Executive as exercised by the Minister of Finance.
The fifth ground is that the judge erred when, consequent upon his finding that the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly acted unconstitutionally and unlawfully in amending and reducing the Estimates of the Revenues and Expenditure of Guyana for year 2012, he ruled that the Minister of Finance was at liberty to make advances/withdrawals from the Contingencies Fund pursuant to Article 220 of the Constitution for the purpose of restoring the funds as originally budgeted for in the said Estimates of 2012.
The sixth ground is that the judge erred and overreached when he ruled that the Court has a supervisory jurisdiction over the National Assembly and its Committee of Supply when the said National Assembly and its Committee of Supply proceeds upon the process of considering and deciding on the Estimates of Revenues and Expenditure and, thereafter, charging those said Estimates to the Consolidated Fund.
According to the court documents, the persons who would be directly affected by the appeal are Trotman, Nandlall, Minister of Finance, Ashni Singh and Leader of the Opposition, David Granger.
In June of 2012, Nandlall moved to the court to seek relief after APNU and the AFC, using their combined one-seat majority in the National Assembly, moved to reduce the estimates by $21 billion. Similar cuts were effected last year. The opposition had cited a lack of transparency and accountability in the explanations for the cuts to the allocations.
Although President Donald Ramotar later assented to the budget appropriations bill passed by the National Assembly, Nandlall subsequently moved to the courts to reverse the cuts.
On June 19 last year, Justice Chang struck out Granger and the Finance Minister as defendants in the 2012 budget cuts case on the ground that they are parliamentarians and can't be sued. This resulted in Trotman being the sole defendant.
Granger has since taken steps in the court to challenge that exclusion.
According to Justice Chang in his decision, while the Assembly may approve or not approve the Finance Minister's estimates of expenditure, it has no power to change them by either reducing or increasing them. "The power to amend may involve the power to approve.
But a power to approve does not imply a power to amend," he wrote in his decision on a challenge to the cuts that was brought to the court by Nandlall.
It is the executive Minister's estimates and it is he who must amend them to obtain the Assembly's approval so that the Cabinet may recommend or consent to the presentation of an Appropriation Bill to the Assembly for passing for the purpose of charging those estimates to the Consolidated Fund, Justice Chang found. It appears that only the Constitution itself and not even Parliament, much less the Assembly, he added, can authorise the Assembly to amend the estimates of the executive minister. And despite arguments to the contrary, he said the Standing Orders, being mere internal regulatory rules, cannot do so.
Justice Chang said the very fact that the Constitution has provided for the approval and, by implication, non-approval of the minister's estimates of expenditure by the Assembly in Article 218, leads to the "irresistible conclusion" that approval cannot be interpreted to mean "to amend." It would not make sense for the Constitution to require the Assembly to approve that which it has itself amended, he explained.
"In the circumstances, the court sees it fit to declare that the National Assembly through the committee of supply has acted unlawfully and unconstitutionally in purporting to reduce or cut the Estimates of Expenditure of the Minister of Finance for the financial year 2012," he wrote.
"The court sees it fit to further declare that the power of the National Assembly is limited to giving or withholding its approval for the Minister's Estimates when those estimates are laid before the Assembly for its approval under Article 218 of the Constitution," Justice Chang added.
Justice Chang's decision was severely criticized by the opposition, non-government groups and commentators.
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text:
THE STRANGER THE BETTER: Meursault + Sons of Noel & Adrian + Woodpecker Wooliams
This event has now finished. Sat Jan 12
Time Out says
The last night of a three day mini-festival welcomes Edinburgh's Meursault, who veer between beautifully stripped-down, uke-driven alt.folk and synth-strafed electro, as on latest (third) album 'Something for the Weakened' and older, folkier material.
Kings Place details
Kings Place, 90 York Way, N1 9AG
Kings Place
Part of a complex that includes galleries and office space that houses, among others, the Guardian and Observer newspapers, Kings Place's main...Read full venue review
Transport King's Cross
0844 264 0321


text:
Jason McComb, 37, of St. Thomas, Ont. is drawing on his own personal experience as a homeless person in encouraging people during a cross-Canada trek to give a meaningful hand up to people struggling in life.
©Guardian photo by Jim Day
Jason McComb knows his story is not the ultimate story of homelessness — just one of many.
Homeless people, says the St. Thomas, Ont., man, each has his or her own baggage that leaves them without a permanent residence.
There is, notes McComb, a "plethora of reasons'' why some people end up on the street.
It could be a job or a relationship coming to a sudden end. Or the root cause may be a mental health problem or a struggle with addiction.
No two people have fallen into homelessness by slipping down the same dark path. So helping a person get back on his or her feet — and back into a home — requires care and attention to the specifics of each person's plight, stresses McComb.
"There must be a level of understanding that we are individuals,'' he says.
"So you have to see there is an individual here (and comprehend) what is broken.''
Homeless shelters, in his view, are a mere umbrella bandage approach that skirts the real issues that result in many people being without a home. He prefers homeless people receiving a hand up, rather than a handout.
McComb, 37, has spent a good decade "collectively'' over the past 20 years as a homeless person.
At 17, his stepfather sent him packing.
His mother had already split the scene.
He was alone and lonely and battling alcoholism that began when he was a mere boy. He would later be diagnosed with a manic depressive disorder.
He started sleeping at the home of friends but soon outstayed his welcome.
Suddenly, he was a homeless man, spending his nights sleeping in stairwells or in any nook or cranny where he could find protection from the elements. He started landing himself in jail, intentionally, because he found prison accommodations preferable to his homeless haunts.
For years, he was in and out of homelessness. Today, he is focused on the plight of others.
His initiative called Homeless Happens Helping Hands has him provide donated items such as clothing and hygiene products to less fortunate people, including the homeless.
And two months ago, he set out on foot, with a bulky back pack, on a cross-Canada trek to visit as many communities as he can to encourage people to fight back against homelessness.
He told The Guardian Monday as he was making his way around P.E.I. this week he is thrilled with how well his message is getting out.
He is bringing his insightful perspective on homelessness to media, politicians (he would love an audience with P.E.I. Health Minister Doug Currie) and community groups.
"I want to inspire people, motivate people, just to take care of the people in their community,'' he says.
"We are all worthy.''


text:
Jean Chen
Carmen Williams
Office of Institutional Research
March 6, 2006
The purpose of this study is to assess why students leave the university before completing graduation.
During the early fall semester of 2005, the Office of Institutional Research surveyed the students who were
enrolled for fall semester 2004 but did not return for spring semester 2005 or fall semester 2005. The 2005 ACT
Withdrawing/Non-Returning Student Survey (short form) was mailed to 686 students. Overall, 95 students
responded to the survey for a net response rate of 15.2%. This survey that was administered consisted of
demographic and background questions along with a total of 48 reasons why students did not continue at UND.
Background Information (percentage of respondents shown in parenthesis)


text:
'New generation' of bombers
Page Tools
THREE suicide bombers who killed 19 people in Bali probably represent a "new generation" of terrorists, according to Bali police chief Made Mangku Pastika.
Police spokesman Sunarko Artanto said investigators were no closer to identifying the trio, despite interviewing 150 witnesses. But police hope DNA testing will result in their identification within a week.
Security across Bali is being boosted, because of police fears that Tuesday's third anniversary of the original Bali bombing could be a magnet for terrorists.
Sources close to the investigation confirmed that police had identified several suspects around the town of Solo and other parts of Java, but all appeared to have fled.
A house two hours' drive from Solo was raided by an anti-terror squad early yesterday morning after intelligence suggested bomb masterminds Azahari Husin or Noordin Mohamad Top were sheltering there, but police emerged empty-handed.
A reliable police informer has named one of the bombers as Gareng. The man was seen in Solo earlier this year.
Positive identification of the suicide bombers will depend on matching DNA from their severed heads with samples from families taken in Solo and other towns in East and West Java.
The fact that none of the three heads matched police records and that no captured JI members have identified them has led police to believe they were fresh recruits.
Police are also searching for three women, believed to have accompanied the bombers when they visited the bombed restaurants on the afternoon of the blast. The men are believed to have asked staff at each venue when they would be busiest.
General Pastika said it was probable the bombers were recently recruited specifically for the attacks.
"Until now they have not been recognised by old groups. That means they are new people," said the man who was largely responsible for the successful hunt for the 2002 Bali bombers bombers, who killed 202 people.
General Pastika said it was possible the three had been trained by older militants, veterans of earlier attacks. "That's where our investigation is starting from," he said.
■ Indonesia, meanwhile, is reviewing an August decree giving automatic remissions to well-behaved prisoners, which resulted in JI leader Abu Bakar Bashir having four months cut off his 30-month sentence.
Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said yesterday the review was into whether remissions should apply to the most serious crimes, such as terrorism, and said there were no plans to cancel further remissions for Bashir pending the review.
Prime Minister John Howard has warned that any further reduction for Bashir would cause "deep and lasting anger" in Australia.
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text:
J. Luis Saenz
707 South 16th St.
McAllen, Texas
November 20, 1951
Mr. Alonso S. Perales
San Antonio, Texas
Esteemed Alonso:
I hope you find yourself well amongst your people. As I remain, thanks to God.
Perhaps you are well aware of the commotion that the bulletin posted about the wet backs has caused, true? It is not the first nor shall it be the last insult that the derailed launch at us. While they are sure of our poor racial solidarity and of ideas, they shall be free to remark this way and by worse ways.
While some, who had never before worried about these matters, considering those of us who did, as being crazy, etc. Now they are enthusiastic and with loud voices ask for the unification of our race. Others remain with poor spirit; "I have never been rejected." "I eat ice cream at pharmacy counters." "Anyway do they have much truth in what they say." Finally, there are those cowards who have dogs who don't even bite the gringos, as they say in the pamphlet.
Listen, I was already going outside my issue: I have to write a thesis about "public relations" and how they are "public" or prostitute the relations, I want to include all the relations that come to my mind. Give me your opinion, what do you understand as, "public relations". Afterwards you can tell me something about "human relations", the relation of the good neighbor has already been explained to me. Afterwards add LULAC and GI relations.
I am translating ten volumes of Father Camacho of Guadalajara, entitled LA VIDA DE CRISTO NUESTRO REY. It is the only important thing I am doing; kicking every now and then, and going to college two nights per week.
Answer quickly, huh? Be happy and enjoy better health than when I last saw you.
Your incapable friend,
J. Luis Saenz


text:
By Kevin Posival
Killeen Daily Herald
With high school football spring training approaching, Killeen ISD administrators do not have a lot of time to contemplate the Harker Heights Knights without head coach Ross Rogers.
At the end of February, Rogers' retirement will be official and his replacement could be just weeks away.
"We're hoping to have someone in place by spring break," said Martin Allen, Killeen ISD Executive Athletic Director. "I've already had several calls from folks that are qualified and some that are not qualified. I feel sure that we will have a number of people that are interested."
Rogers will stay in his position at Harker Heights High School until the end of February, when he leaves to begin work for sports equipment maker Riddell.
Allen said the position was posted late last week and would remain so until Feb. 9. Once the deadline passes, the school district will review the applications and put each through a screening process to sort the probables from the impossibles.
Among the qualifications listed for the athletic coordinator and head football coach position is a minimum of two years as a Texas high school head football coach and at least 10 years of coaching at the Class 3A level or higher.
Rogers announced his retirement on Jan. 13, ending a coaching career that has spanned from high school to college and back to high school over a 32-year period.
Rogers, a 1971 graduate of Killeen High, coached the A&M Consolidated Tigers into three state finals, including a state championship in 1991.
In 2000, Rogers returned to the Killeen area to build the Harker Heights' football and athletic program from the ground up in the high school's first year.
Under Rogers, the Knights have gone to the playoffs six of the last seven years and he was the first Texas coach to win a district championship in the first year of a new high school. He is also the first Texas high school coach to win 14 or more games in four consecutive seasons.
Contact Kevin Posival at email@example.com


text:
A winter without end
You aren't imagining it.
This unrelenting winter has been truly that.
Temperatures have been frigidly low. Snowstorms have sprung at us out of nowhere. The slush and ice have been everywhere – in our cars, on our boots, in our foyers and back hallways.
When was spring scheduled to arrive, again?
"It needs to be over," said Kristin Scheda, 23, of Cheektowaga.
"It won't end," said Ariane Miller, 29, of West Seneca.
Pete Bialaszewski of Dunkirk put it this way: "This is an old-fashioned winter."
That's true – if the winters you remember are ones like retiree Bialaszewski recalls, with tons of snow and freezing cold that went on for days, if not weeks.
If you ask weather experts at the National Weather Service, they will tell you that the winter season has already produced well over two feet more snow than we usually get.
We've had more than 94 inches of total snowfall so far for the season – almost 27 inches more than normal.
Last year, we had about 58 inches of snow for the whole season. And the winter before, we had just under 37 inches. In other words, add up the last two winters, and that's this winter in snow alone.
As for the cold?
We're riding out a string of consecutive months that have all been below normal for thermometer readings.
January's average temperature – 20 degrees – was about five degrees below average, making it the coldest of any month in about five years, the weather service reported.
For 10 consecutive days toward the end of the month, the daily low temperature was at or below 10 degrees – the first time that's happened since 1979.
And that doesn't even factor in wind chills, which frequently dipped into the minus-double digits, causing several rounds of school closings.
All this is wearing on the nerves of people across the region.
"My car's a mess," said Scheda. "I don't clean out my car when it's this cold because I hate to be outside."
With a 9-month-old baby to look out for, Scheda said that outdoor play has not really been possible for much of the past several weeks. "We're always in the house," she said.
For Miller, the West Seneca resident, the weather has been more than mood-dampening.
"It's been scary," said Miller, who moved to the Buffalo area from Florida. "You have to really consider whether you need to go out."
The toll that such a gripping winter takes on people's moods and health is not imaginary, said experts in the area.
"At this latitude, more people are slowed down or openly depressed than in the summertime," said Steven L. Dubovsky, professor and chair of the department of psychiatry in the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo.
A large part of the problem is the amount of daylight people are getting, Dubovsky said.
"It's the variance in available daylight that does it," he said.
Light is crucial to health, and at this time of year we aren't getting much of it.
"That will make people feel more susceptible to feeling helpless and overwhelmed," Dubovsky said.
Hamburg resident Mark Diaddiaro, 56, said he's noticed that the winter is putting people into bad moods.
"People are more down. More blah," Diaddiaro said. "There's no sun."
One thing that might help people overcome the winter blues is finding a way to master some task, or facet of their lives, said Dubovsky.
"Pick something that you can see as a challenge, that you can overcome," Dubovsky said.
Bialaszewski said this winter feels harsh coming in the wake of a few winters in these parts that seemed mild.
"I just wish it was over with," he said.
Diaddiaro agreed.
"I don't remember it being this cold before – in a long time," he said. "Maybe in the '80s. We've had mild winters for a while – they were great. This is bad."
In a few places, though, folks are reaping some benefits from the tough winter.
At Maureen's Buffalo Wholesale Flower Market on Ellicott Street in Buffalo, owner Maureen Bartley said that flowers are selling well this winter.
She thinks it's due, in part, to them being sought out by winter-weary people looking to put some life and color into their homes.
"On a really cold day, it's really warming in a room," said Bartley. "It definitely changes it – it definitely does."
At 7Kids Play, a children's enrichment center in East Amherst, co-owner Lucy DeStefano-Wells said that after the worst of the winter storms, it seems like families are coming out again more to look for activities.
"It's starting to pick up now that people are starting to deal with it," said DeStefano-Wells. "We were pretty busy on Wednesday and Friday."
"I think people are sick of sitting home," said DeStefano-Wells. "The kids are getting antsy."
As for Scheda, she said she is eagerly awaiting spring and summer.
"I'm ready to go kayaking," she said.
email: email@example.com
News Staff Reporter T.J. Pignataro contributed to this report.


text:
What is Bolivian Children's Alliance?
The Bolivian Children's Alliance (ABNA) is a movement for child participation promoted by UNICEF. Over 1,500 children and adolescents from all over the country form part of the ABNA. Its motto: "We are here for our rights and for our country ".
The initiative is based on the idea that children and adolescents should protagonise their rights, as persons who are listened to and respected by adults when they express what they think and feel.
The Alliance began its existence in May of 2001. Nationwide it agglutinates over 80 civil society, church and State institutions, working for and with children and adolescents.
1. Promote and demand that child and adolescent rights are respected and implemented within the framework of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Child and Adolescent Code, and the Global Movement for Children.
2. Strengthen participation by children and adolescents.
Key points:
· CITIZENS VALUES: when participating, children and adolescents acquire and/or strengthen values which facilitate peaceful coexistence in society: solidarity, team spirit, respect … to become responsible citizens, it is fundamental that children and adolescents participate in their community from the beginning of their lives.
· CHILD PROTAGONISM: children and adolescents are the protagonists within the movement. Adults accompany them and propose actions, but do not impose them. The institutions participate as promoters for integrated development and of social and affective self-learning (such as self-esteem), and awareness of their own rights.
· COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND SELF-ESTEEM: During BCA encounters and workshops, the training in community leadership and the development of self-esteem have always had special importance. Positive self perception produces quality participation (children and adolescents acquire the confidence to constitute themselves in agents of change of their own personal or social reality).
· Make the needs and interests of Bolivian children.
· Raise awareness of the existence of children's rights in.
· Place children on the political agenda, so as to incide in the creation of public policies.
Role of children and adolescents:
· Design strategic plans.
· Define and implement activities.
· Role as a protagonist and a social actor.
Children and adolescents are the protagonists: they have participated in each and every one of the phases. They have designed strategic plans and defined and implemented activities.
· Role of institutions:
Institutions are strategic actors. They provide areas for participation and support the processes for children and adolescents to be able to make their own decisions. Institutions facilitate and promote the process, although their role is secondary.
Institutions recognize that children and adolescents have the capacity to be social actors and not mere beneficiaries. BCA workshops and encounters have, amongst others, the objective of promoting this capacity.
Amongst the institutions that form part of the BCA are the following: SOS Children's Villages, Christian Children's Fund, Care Bolivia, CIEC, CEADL-Centre of Studies and Support for Local Development, CEBIAE-Bolivian Research and Education Actions Centre, Pathfinder International, CARITAS-Episcopal Pastoral Commission for Action, Plan International-Bolivia, Child Defense-International Bolivia, Land of Men Platform - Germany, ENDA Bolivia, Inti Watana, Save the Children-USA, Food for the Hungry International, World Vision and UNICEF.
· Adolescent training with participative dynamics in 5 workshops held on weekends. Topics covered:
1. Child and adolescent rights (International Convention on the Rights of the Child).
2. Community leadership.
3. Self organization and management.
4. Processes of participation and the role of social actors.
5. Self-diagnosis
6. Outlining political proposals.
· Elaboration of a National Decalogue. This decalogue reflects the rights which Bolivian children and adolescents consider priorities for their development. It was presented to the President of the Republic in September, 2001. Afterwards, it has served as an input for the drafts of departmental and national strategic plans.
· Participation of two delegates from the Alliance in the CHILD FORUM as representatives of Bolivian children and adolescents. This, within the framework of the UN Special Session for Children, held in New York from May 8 to 10, 2002. Gabriela Azurduy and Jorge Chavez took part in the elaboration of the document entitled "A World Fit For Children". Bolivia was one of the 189 countries which ratified this document, thus committing to implement 21 goals in the areas of health, education and child protection for the year 2012.
· Celebration of a FORUM WITH THE POLITICAL CANDIDATES TO THE PRESIDENCY AND VICEPRESIDENCY IN THE GENERAL ELECTIONS HELD IN 2002. The Forum, "Children and Adolescents on the Political Agenda", was held on June 17, 2002. At this event, children and adolescents put forward their preoccupations and demands. The electoral candidates also presented their proposals relating to children and adolescents and signed a political commitment to give priority to these themes in designing public policy for the government period to begin in August of 2002.
· Incorporation of the RURAL AREA in the Alliance movement. The rural area has been traditionally obviated by the sphere of participation and decision taking. According to the Alliance movement, an approach to this population has already started. In November 2002 took place a meeting with the exclusive participation of children and adolescents of the rural area. The objective: incorporate finally the rural area in the ABNA.
· Celebration of the NATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE CHILDREN'S PARLIAMENT. The National Congress held an official session on April 12, 2003 in the city of La Paz, Bolivia. Children and adolescents from the nine national departments took part. 130 child Deputies aged under 12 held a session in the Lower Chamber, while 27 adolescent Senators aged 13 to 17, held a session in the Upper Chamber.


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Its winter in New York
Blair and Serena are discussing Blair's date to the senior snow flake Charity Ball. Blair explains that it's the holiday event of the year and she needs a ringer. Chuck overhears and gives Blair reasons not to go out with the guys that she has shortlisted
Serena spots Dan and runs over to him (as they are doing the friends thing). They start talking about the dance and Serena tells Dan how much she love the dance but how she will be flying solo because it's not really Aaron's thing. Dan tells Serena that he will be going as well as all of his happiest memories have happen at these events. They decide to go together as friends.
Cut to Jenny who is reorganising her Dad's CDs. She has called Vanessa to whine to her about her future. Jenny can't seem to figure out what happened with Nate. This remark causes Vanessa to look very guilty. At the moment Nate calls Vanessa. She lies to jenny and makes an excuse to leave. As she is leaving Penelope walks in and asks jenny to commission a dress, which she accepts after pointing out that she is expensive.
You find out that Rufus is helping lily with the dance. They talk about Bart who happens to show up and tells Lily that they need to talk.
Serena and Dan show up at Aaron's gallery where Lexi (Aarons ex) just happens to be bad mouthing Serena (awkward moment).
Vanessa and Nate are having a couple moments and talking about how Vanessa hadn't told jenny that they are dating. They seem to get over pretty quickly and start kissing. Someone sends a picture of this to GG.
Aaron asks Serena to give Lexi a chance and then Serena blackmails him to go to the winter dance.
Jenny confronts Vanessa about the picture. Vanessa tries to apologise but in the end just tells jenny to get over it.
Chuck and Blair make a bet that they can get each other the perfect dates. If chuck wins then he gets Darota. If Blair wins she gets chuck's limo for a month.
Lexi pushes herself on Dan who then asks her to the ball. Aaron asks Serena if she is OK with Lexi going. Aaron then informs Serena that Lexi always sleeps with guys on the first date.
Jenny brings Penelope her dress. Then they all scheme against Vanessa. They come up with the idea that they would take the lining of Vanessa's dress to humiliate her.
Serena and Blair discuss her problem with Lexi and Dan. Then we find out that Serena and Aaron haven't had sex.
Jenny offers Vanessa the dress. Darota and Blair try to find chuck's date. Dan calls Serena to make sure that she is ok with him going with Lexi to the ball. Serena then tells Aaron that they should have sex after the ball.
At the snowflake ball Chuck and Blair introduces their dates to disastrous results. The dates end up making out with each other
Lexi tells Dan about Serena and Aarons plans. Which obviously makes him uneasy? Serena and Dan share a dance and they talk about how they are both going to have sex with their dates.
Vanessa shows up and tells Jenny that she is ending things with Nate which makes Jenny have second thoughts.
Vanessa tells Nate that she has feelings for him and confesses to him that she stole the letter. As she is leaving Penelope shines a spot light on Vanessa which makes her dress see through.
Nate tells jenny that Vanessa stole his letter and that he is glad because he doesn't want to be with her. Then he goes out to find Vanessa and they make up
Lilly gets a phone call she asks Serena where chuck is because Bart has been in an accident


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Baseboard- 7.5 lft per piece
Baseboards are used to transition between a hardwood floor and a wall.
Measures 3-1/4" high and 5/8" thick.
Place your order now through our web site, call 1-800-HARDWOOD to talk to one of our sales representatives, or click here to find the closest store to you.
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hard to cut
By jk1988
from MN
About Me Casual Do-It-Yourselfer
Best Uses
Comments about 7.5 LFT Summer Retreat Teak Laminate Base Board:
the finish can peel off very easily.
Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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Looks great with flooring
By HNT in NM
from Albuquerque, NM
About Me Avid Do-It-Yourselfer
In the southwest, and maybe elsewhere, people have walls in their home that come to rounded corners, instead of a 90-degree corner. It would have been very nice for their to be some sort of rounded corner available to go with our baseboard. At [...]'s they don't have anything the same height. Even with the corner problem, the baseboard in the same color as the floor is a nice touch to the room.I would recommend staining the cut end of the baseboard before installing, so not having to touch up the tan stripe afterwards.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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Hi to the very kind person who left me a message today about guest lecturing. I was very tired and when I thought I was saving your message, I accidentally deleted it, so if you see this and would like to call back, I'd be happy to discuss it! Sorry about that. Long week.
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text:
Cardinal opens Theology on Tap series
A colored stage light casts a red glow over Cardinal OMalley as he speaks the Theology on tap event at the Brewery Exchange in Lowell Oct. 18. Pilot photo/ Christine Williams
LOWELL -- After Cardinal Seán P. OMalley fumbled over some words while speaking at The Brewery Exchange on Oct. 18, he joked I havent even had any beer.
Nevertheless, the cardinal met with some sobering questions from his young adult audience at the Lowell watering hole. The event kicked off the 2006 season of Theology on Tap in the Archdiocese of Boston.
Someone asked about the need for confession, another about why non-Catholics cannot receive Communion and another about how to cultivate a life of prayer.
Regarding prayer, Cardinal OMalley stressed the need for Catholics to have a game plan in their prayer lives. Otherwise, prayer will take a backseat to everything else, he said.
If we dont do that, then prayer is somehow always going to be relocated to the moments of leisure that never seem to come, he said.
Theology On Tap series are currently planned for four different locations -- The Brewery Exchange in Lowell, Redline in Cambridge, The Globe in Boston and The Harp at the Garden in Boston. However, Anastacia Stornetta, coordinator of young adult ministry, said she hopes to expand the program this year to bring a Theology On Tap series in each of the archdioceses five regions.


text:
At the distance of a day's sail from Thule the sea is difficult to pass through, and frozen; it is by some called Cronium.
Yonder boy," said she, pointing to little Thule, "has saved me.
This must be an echo of the tales about Thule, which he had got from older Greek or Roman authors.
He had heard of Thule, the little woodcutter who was called so brave and generous and true.
By Thule is no doubt meant the Scandinavian peninsula, or rather the western coast of it.
For all the words are in Horace, except Thule, which might have been there.
Thule has a longest day of twenty hours, and it is distant west from Alexandria two hours.
He also went to England and "sailed a hundred leagues to the island of Thule in 1477."
And he was followed by his brother Aordus and two hundred youths of the Eruli in Thule.
She sang the 'King of Thule,' and every one listened in profound silence.
northernmost part of the world, Old English, from Latin, from Greek Thyle "land six days' sail north of Britain" (Polybius). Identity is speculative; it came to be used in a transferred sense of "extreme limits of travel."


text:
1 mm Disco Chain in 14kt Gold
$ 200.00
Most people think that a chain is just a chain, but we beg to differ. Never tarnishing or losing its luxury appeal, Alex Woo's diamond cut ball chain is as good as it gets. Giving you non-stop glisten and shine, our chain is almost as fabulous as the pendant hanging from it.
- eco-friendly 14kt Gold with a lobster clasp
- arrives packaged in a signature Alex Woo gift pouch
- perfect for Mini Additions or a single Little Icon


text:
AN ARTIST who produces the world's smallest engravings is to showcase his work at a Ribble Valley gallery.
Graham Short has spent almost half a century honing his craft and his pieces are valued at thousands of pounds.
One of the works going on show at Art Decor Gallery, in The Arches, off Station Road, Whalley, is a dressing pin head, 2mm in diameter, inscribed with the Lord's Prayer.
Mr Short goes to physical and mental extremes for his art.
Using fine, late 19th century, gold-eyed needles, he straps his right hand to a bench to steady it and uses a 400 magnification medical microscope to write on his minute canvas.
Gallery owner Chris McCabe said: "I am very excited. We are right at the early stages of a genius in the making and we want everyone to see his wonderful work."
Now in his mid-60s Mr Short, from Birmingham, likes to be in top physical condition for his often gruelling work.
He said he swam 5,000 metres a day in a fitness regime which lower his resting heart to the level of athletes.
He then times his delicate engraving strokes between heart beats so they don't interrupt the steadiness of hand.
Mr Short wears a medical stethoscope to monitor his heart rate and also assesses the vibration of passing traffic on his work in case it affects his steadiness of hand.
He said: "I started doing it about 45 years ago and became obsessed with how small I could go.
"I wanted to do something that no-one else in the world could do and I wanted to push the limit of engraving as far as I possibly could with the work invisible to the naked eye. It is a gift."
When engraving the Lord's Prayer, Mr Short said a single vibration could have led to a slip obliterating several words.
It took 300 hours and 1,841 separately engraved strokes to complete.
Another piece, entitled 'Turn the Screw' has 'Frankly my dear I don't give a damn…' engraved on the surface of a screw point, will also form part of the exhibition.
'Second Shot' features the United States Constitution Bill of Rights 2nd Amendment engraved on to the end of a silver bullet.
Mr Short was born into a family with a serious engraving pedigree – his ancestor was Sir Francis Short a renowned Victorian engraver.
He has completed traditional engravings for the Royal Household, the Scottish parliament, the National Gallery, Rolls Royce, gunmakers James Purdey and Sons, Chanel and Vivienne Westwood.
The exhibition will open to the public on February 10.


text:
NanoSystems Biology Cancer Center 2
California Institute of Technology
Center Investigators
James Heath, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Leroy Hood, M.D., Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Michael Phelps, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Affiliated Institutions
Core A: UCLA Institute for Molecular Medicine
Core Investigator: Michael Phelps, Ph.D.
This Core is designed to provide project support and capability for the translation of the more advanced technology platforms of this CCNE to the greater (local) oncology community, thus expanding the influence of the most robust nanotechnologies.
Core B: Nanofabrication and Nanomaterials Characterization
Core Investigator: James Heath, Ph.D.
This Core is designed to support the CCNE activities that range from rapid prototyping of nanotech and microfluidics platforms, nanomaterials synthesis and characterization, surface science, and technology platform scale-up.
Core C: Systems Biology
Core Investigator: Leroy Hood, M.D., Ph.D.
This Core is designed to support the genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics work, as well as the computational biology and database mining and development that provide the base support for much of the biological content within the CCNE deliverables.


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Christian Resources
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Warning In Revelation
Revelation 22:17-21
The Warning In Revelation Bible scriptures located in Revelation 22:17-21 explains directly from God's Word the Warning In Revelation topic.
Revelation 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Revelation 22:18
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Revelation 22:19
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Revelation 22:20
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Revelation 22:21
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Revelation Bible Study Topics
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About the Heartland Hams Amateur Radio Club
Heartland Hams is an organization made up of federally licensed amateur radio operators who live in the heartland of America. Heartland Hams, Incorporated was formed in 1995 as a non- profit organization. The group is made up primarily of amateurs who live in Southwest Iowa and Eastern Nebraska, but the by-laws make membership open to any amateur who has an interest in being a member. Currently there are approximately forty members. We meet on the third Wednesday of each month with adjustments made for holidays or special events.
Our primary activities include Community Service, Emergency Communications, and Amateur Radio Education. We provide communication services for events like the Glenwood Iowa Homecoming Parade, High School band contests and track events and bike rides in the Southwestern Iowa region. Heartland Hams sponsors the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) organizations in four counties in Southwest Iowa. Our educational efforts include classes for those individuals who want to obtain an amateur radio license.
Why Ham Radio Endures in a World of Tweets
by David Rowan February 3, 2011
Somehow it makes little sense that amateur "ham" radio continues to thrive in the age of Twitter, Facebook and iPhones. Yet the century-old communications technology -- which demands such commitment that you must generally pass an exam to receive a license -- currently attracts around 350,000 practitioners in Europe, and a further 700,000 in the United States, some 60 per cent more than 30 years ago. What is it about a simple microphone, a transmitter-receiver and the seductive freedom of the open radio spectrum that's turned a low-tech anachronism into an enduring and deeply engaging global hobby?


text:
Baked Squash Soup With Cheddar Cheese
Recipe by Julie Bs Hive
This is one low-fat soup worth digging into!
Top Review by Sydney Mike
Made this & served it when we had company over the other day! I'm very partial to thick & nutty whole wheat breads, so used that in place of the French or Italian bread that was listed, & the result was AN ABSOLUTELY GREAT TASTING SOUP that I'll be making again & again! This time I used acorn squash (which was wonderful) but I'd now like to try it with a butternut or some other variety of squash! Thanks for a really great keeper recipe! [Tagged, made & reviewed as a recipenap in the Aus/NZ Recipe Swap #34]
See Discussion:1 Review
Ingredients Nutrition
- 1 1⁄2 lbs butternut squash or 1 1⁄2 lbs acorn squash
- 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 4 shallots, finely chopped
- 1⁄4 cup dry white wine or 1⁄4 cup water
- 1⁄4 cup chicken stock
- 1 cup skim milk or 1 cup low-fat milk
- 4 slices French bread or 4 slices Italian bread, cut 1 in thick
- 4 ounces low-fat cheddar cheese or 4 ounces gruyere cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons chives or 2 tablespoons parsley, snipped
Directions See How It's Made
- Preheat the oven to 400°. Halve the squash lengthwise and sprinkle with 1/8 tsp of the salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet, cover loosely with aluminum foil, and bake for 50-60 minutes or until tender. Scoop the squash from the shells and transfer the pulp to a food processor or blender. Set aside; discard the shells.
- In a small saucepan, heat the oil over moderate heat. Add the shallots and sauté, stirring, for 3 minutes or until softened. Add the wine and cook, uncovered, for 2 minutes or until reduced to 2 tablespoons. Stir in the stock, milk, and remaining 1/8 tsp each of salt and pepper. Add the mixture to the food processor with the squash; whirl until puréed, working in batches if necessary.
- Divide half of the soup among four 1 1/2 cup ovenproof bowls or baking dishes. Place a slice of bread on top of each portion, then sprinkle each with 2 tablespoons of the cheese. Top with the remaining soup and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Set the bowls on a baking sheet and bake the soup for 25 minutes or until bubbling. If you like, run the soup briefly under a preheated broiler to brown the cheese, then sprinkle with chives if desired.
- Makes 4 1 1/2 cup servings.


text:
State supreme court rejects appeal of ruling striking down parts of gas law
Pennsylvania's Supreme Court said on Friday that it won't reconsider a ruling that deems unconstitutional portions of a state law regulating natural gas drilling.
The Supreme Court denied a request by Gov. Tom Corbett's administration to vacate its Dec. 19 decision, which said new industry-friendly rules violate the state Constitution, including a provision that takes drilling-related zoning decisions out of the hands of local government.
"This is certainly a victory for all local governments," said Deron Gabriel, a commissioner in South Fayette, one of seven municipalities that challenged the state law known as Act 13.
A lawyer for the governor said the administration is "disappointed."
"Not only has the court set aside several critical environmental protections championed by both Gov. Corbett and the General Assembly, they have infringed upon a fact-finding role that they have always held was not their role to invade," James Schultz said in a prepared statement.
In the court's original decision, three Supreme Court justices said the law's restrictions don't sufficiently protect the environment and people's health and safety. A fourth justice said the law violates due-process rights of municipalities to carry out community planning.
Louis D. D'Amico, president and executive director of the Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas Association, predicted the Supreme Court's decision would "have a chilling effect on drilling in Pennsylvania."
Marcellus Shale Coalition President Dave Spigelmyer said the industry would "continue to work collaboratively with the communities in which we operate, as well as with regulators and elected officials, to make certain that we have predictable and workable policies in place (that are) aimed at maximizing the benefits of natural gas for all while protecting our environment."
Several issues were remanded to Commonwealth Court, including whether other parts of the law that were not invalidated can remain in effect. They include the establishment of a so-called impact fee that has generated hundreds of millions of dollars for governments to use for work such as road repairs and other infrastructure needs.
"We hope to get this unconstitutional law thrown out," said Jonathan Kamin, one of three attorneys representing the communities.
But Gabriel noted: "We didn't challenge the fee. There are still impacts on communities wherever drilling occurs, so why shouldn't communities be compensated?"
Tom Fontaine is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-320-7847 or email@example.com.