text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Oct 13, 2009
|Filing date
|Dec 30, 2004
|Priority date
|Jun 21, 2002
|Fee status
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Ross G. Cutler
|Original Assignee
|Microsoft Corporation
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (64), Non-Patent Citations (2), Referenced by (4), Classifications (20), Legal Events (4)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/177,315, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,259,784, entitled "A System and Method for Camera Color Calibration and Image Stitching", filed Jun. 21, 2002 by the present inventor and assigned to Microsoft Corp., the assignee of the present application. Priority is claimed to said application which is hereby incorporated by reference for all that is shown and taught therein.
This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/608,363, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,298,392, entitled "Omni-Direction Camera Design For Video Conferencing", filed Jun. 26, 2003 by the present inventor and assigned to Microsoft Corp., the assignee of the present application. Priority is claimed to said application which is hereby incorporated by reference for all that is shown and taught therein.
The following description relates generally to image processing. More particularly, the following description relates to calibration of multi-camera photographic devices to compensate for temperature differences.
In multi-camera photographic devices—i.e., panoramic cameras—images from two or more individual cameras are combined to produce a single panoramic image. A multi-camera photographic device may use a remapping function from each individual image to the panoramic image to properly size and place each individual image in the panoramic image to make the panoramic image appear seamless.
The remapping function relies on a particular focal length of the camera lenses. A problem with this reliance is that the focal length of a lens changes with a change in temperature. The remapping function is calibrated to a particular room temperature at some point in the manufacturing process of the panoramic camera. If the camera is operated in an environment wherein the temperature is different from the calibrated room temperature, errors can occur in the sizing of the individual images with regard to each other in the panoramic image, thus leading to noticeable seams in the panoramic image.
The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
In panoramic images that are formed from multiple individual images, it is important that each individual image is of a proper size so that when the individual images are assembled, there are no noticeable seams that appear where the images are joined. One factor that can affect the size of an individual image is the focal length of a camera.
An image produced by a camera shrinks as the focal length of the camera increases. In a multi-camera device, such as a panoramic camera, the panoramic image is formed by remapping individual images into a panoramic space. As long as the individual images are an appropriate size relative to each other and to the panoramic space, seams do not appear in the panoramic image.
Such panoramic cameras are calibrated at a particular room temperature to determine a proper remapping function for the particular focal lengths of the cameras. When the cameras are used in a significantly different temperature, however, the focal lengths of the cameras change, thus causing the individual images to shrink or to expand. If the temperature is higher, the focal length will be longer due to expansion of the lens thereby shrinking the resultant image. Conversely, if the temperature is lower, the focal lengths are shorter and the images are expanded. In either case, the individual images will no longer fit properly in the panoramic space and seams between the individual images will appear in the panoramic image.
The expected operating environments of a panoramic camera and the lens material are factors to determine when corrections for temperature are needed. A plastic lens typically has an operating range of �2� C. while a glass lens typically has an operating range of �10� C.
If a panoramic camera utilizing glass lenses is used in an environment wherein the temperature does not vary by more than, for instance, 5� C., then temperature correction may not be required. If, however, a panoramic camera having plastic lenses is used in an environment with temperature changes of, for example, 5� C., then correction for temperature may be advantageous.
In one or more of the implementations described herein, ambient temperature is detected by a panoramic camera and adjustments are made to a remapping function so that the individual images are mapped properly to the panoramic space. Appearance of undesirable seams in the resulting panoramic image are thereby avoided.
The adjustments to the remapping function are accomplished by interpolation and/or extrapolation. Typically, the remapping function utilizes a remapping table to convert an image from image space to panoramic space. The remapping table contains values that are calibrated at a particular room temperature.
In at least one implementation described herein, a panoramic camera records an ambient temperature and adjusts the remapping table to correspond to the ambient temperature. If the remapping function utilizes only one remapping table, then the values in the table are extrapolated to determine new values that are used in the remapping function. This can be done linearly by increasing or decreasing the original remapping table values by a ratio of the ambient temperature to the temperature at which the remapping table was calibrated. More general correction functions (e.g., an nth order polynomial) can be used to give improved results over linear correction.
In at least one other implementation described herein, a panoramic camera includes multiple remapping tables, each remapping table being calibrated at a different ambient temperature. During operation, an ambient temperature is recorded. If there is a remapping table corresponding to the ambient temperature, then that particular remapping table is used in the remapping function.
If no remapping table corresponds directly to the ambient temperature, then the two nearest corresponding tables are used and a value is interpolated to determine an appropriate remapping value for the remapping function. Any one of a number of interpolation methods (described in greater detail below) may be used.
Remapping tables can be calibrated at particular temperature intervals. In one implementation, remapping tables are calibrated at 1� C. intervals for each temperature in an expected range of operating temperatures. If a camera has an operating range of �5� C., then eleven remapping tables may be calibrated. This eliminates the need for interpolation or extrapolation.
Continuing discussion will be made with reference to the figures described above.
Exemplary Operating Environment
The described techniques and objects are operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
The following description may be couched in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The described implementations may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices.
With reference to
Computer 110 typically includes a variety of computer readable media. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by computer 110 and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by computer 110. Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term "modulated data signal" means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media.
The system memory 130 includes computer storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) 131 and random access memory (RAM) 132. A basic input/output system 133 (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within computer 110, such as during start-up, is typically stored in ROM 131. RAM 132 typically contains data and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presently being operated on by processing unit 120. By way of example, and not limitation,
The computer 110 may also include other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,
The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed above and illustrated in
The computer 110 may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer 180. The remote computer 180 may be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described above relative to the computer 110, although only a memory storage device 181 has been illustrated in
When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 110 is connected to the LAN 171 through a network interface or adapter 170. When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 110 typically includes a modem 172 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN 173, such as the Internet. The modem 172, which may be internal or external, may be connected to the system bus 121 via the user input interface 160, or other appropriate mechanism. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 110, or portions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. By way of example, and not limitation,
Exemplary Photographic Device
Although the primary effect of temperature on the panoramic photographic device 200 described herein is related to changes to one or more camera lenses, it is also noted that temperature change may affect other factors, such as the size of the column 208. At different temperatures, the column 208—which may be made of plastic, metal, or some other substance—may expand or contract, thus causing a difference in a length between the inverted pyramidal mirror 202 and the cameras 204. This, too, may affect the size of individual images. This factor may not have as pronounced of an effect as a change to a lens, but it is a factor that can also be compensated for by the techniques and configurations described herein.
Exemplary Camera Configuration
The diagram shows multiple cameras 302-310 arranged in a pentagonal configuration to form the panoramic camera 300, corresponding with the pentagonal shape of the inverted pyramidal mirror 202 of
For purposes of the following discussion, images taken by the cameras 302-310 are identified as image "1" 10, image "2" 20, image "3" 30, image "4" 40 and image "5" 50. These individual images are assembled to form a single panoramic image.
Exemplary Image Assembly Module
Utilizing a remapping function that maps pixels in individual image space to pixels in a panoramic image space, the image assembly module forms the panoramic image 402. The remapping function is calibrated so that the individual images are stitched together seamlessly where the images are joined together. This is so that the panoramic image 402 appears seamless, i.e. no distracting artifacts occur between individual images. Typically not all parts of images 10-50 are used by the image remapping function; because of image distortions, some regions of the images are discarded and not used in the panorama.
If an individual image shrinks from or expands to a size different than that for which it is calibrated, seams will appear where the images are joined. If one image shrinks when an adjoining image does not, the images will not match up correctly. If adjoining images shrink, there will not be a continuance of images at a seam between the images. If adjoining images expand, then the images will overlap and cause undesirable effects.
The implementations described herein are used to overcome such undesirable artifacts as may occur due to the resizing of the individual images.
Exemplary Camera
The exemplary camera 500 includes a processor 502, memory 504 and at least one lens 506. The camera 500 also includes several sensors typically found in cameras (e.g. charged coupled device (CCD), Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS), etc.) for sensing light and transmitting electronic information.
An input/output (I/O) module 510 is included that consists of one or more units configured to receive external data and/or to transmit data. One example of a common I/O module is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) or other type of port, although the I/O module 510 is not limited thereto.
A power module 512 supplies electrical power to the exemplary camera 500 and the camera 500 includes other miscellaneous hardware 514 elements that may be required to carry out typical functionality of such a camera.
An operating system 516 is stored in the memory 504 and includes executable code that is executed on the processor 502 to control camera operations. The memory 504 also stores camera settings 518 such as channel gains, white balance, exposure settings, and the like, as well as miscellaneous other software elements 520 that may be required to support one or more functions set forth herein or other functions typically performed by digital cameras.
Exemplary Panoramic Photographic Device
The panoramic endpoint 600 includes a processor 602, memory 604 and multiple cameras 606 that can be similar to the camera 500 depicted in
The exemplary panoramic endpoint 600 is shown having one or more microphones 610, one or more speakers 612, an input/output (I/O) module 614 and a user interface 616 that may include user operable controls and displays. A power module 618 provides electrical power to the panoramic endpoint 600 and its components, and other miscellaneous hardware 620 that may be required to perform some of the functionality described herein.
The memory 604 stores an operating system 622 that includes processor-executable instructions for carrying out operational functionality for the panoramic endpoint 600 and its components. Multiple images 624 detected by the cameras 606 are stored in the memory 604.
One or more remapping tables 626 are also stored in the memory 604 and are utilized by a remapping module 628 to determine a correct mapping of individual images 624 from image space into a panoramic space to create a panoramic image 632. The remapping module 628 operation and the remapping tables 626 will be discussed in greater detail below. Details of one or more remapping techniques are described in parent U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/608,363 entitled "Omni-Direction Camera Design For Video Conferencing", filed Jun. 27, 2003 by the present inventor and assigned to the assignee of the present application. Said application is hereby incorporated by reference for all that is contained and taught therein.
An assembly module 630 is stored in the memory 604 and is configured to assemble the individual images 624 into the panoramic image 630.
A more detailed explanation of the features and functionality of the subject matter corresponding to previously discussed figures is presented below, with respect to
Exemplary Methodological Implementation
At block 702, the temperature measuring device 608 monitors ambient temperature in a camera environment. The monitoring continues until it is time to perform a calibration routing ("No" branch, block 704). At a predetermined time, a calibration routing is executed ("Yes" branch, block 704).
The time at which the calibration routine is performed may be determined in advance. In one implementation, a calibration is performed when the panoramic camera 600 is powered on. In another implementation, the calibration routine may be run whenever a call is made to the panoramic camera 600 from an external device. In yet another implementation, the calibration routine may be performed at certain periodic intervals, for example, every hour or two. Usually, the calibration routine would not be executed in short intervals because ambient temperature would not be expected to change very often or at a significant rate.
When it is time to run the calibration routine, the ambient temperature is referenced from the temperature measuring device 608 (block 706). If there is a remapping table 626 that corresponds to the referenced temperature ("Yes" branch, block 708), then that particular remapping table 626 is used by the remapping module 628 to remap pixels from image space to panoramic space.
Usually, there will not be an exact match between a remapping table 626 and the ambient temperature unless a number of remapping tables 626 closely approximates the operating range of the panoramic camera 600. If, for example, the panoramic camera operates in an environment ranging from 22� C. to 30� C. and there are nine (9) remapping tables, each corresponding to a temperature between 22� C. and 30� C., there will usually be a match and values from a remapping table may be used without further calculations. Also, for efficiency purposes, temperatures may be recorded in or truncated to integer readings to increase the chances that there will be a remapping table that corresponds to the recorded temperature.
If, however, there is not a remapping table 626 that directly corresponds to the referenced temperature ("No" branch, block 708), then a determination is made at block 710 as to which table or tables most directly relate to the referenced temperature. If the referenced temperature falls outside the range of remapping tables 626—i.e., the referenced temperature is lower than the remapping table corresponding to the lowest temperature or is higher than the remapping table corresponding to the highest temperature—then the remapping module 628 extrapolates remapping values from the nearest corresponding remapping table 626 at block 712. This may be accomplished using only the nearest remapping table 626 or using the nearest remapping table 626 and one or more other remapping tables nearest to it in calibrated temperature. Any extrapolation method known in the art may be used for this purpose.
If the referenced temperature falls between two remapping tables 626 (i.e. between two temperatures for which remapping tables exist), then the two remapping tables are used to interpolate values for the referenced temperature. For example, if the referenced ambient temperature is 25� C. but no remapping table 626 exists that contains calibration values for that temperature, it is determined if there is a remapping table 626 for a temperature below 25� C. and if there is a remapping table 626 for a temperature above 25� C. If so, the tables nearest 25� C. are used and corresponding values of the tables are used to interpolate new values for a remapping table corresponding to 25� C.
In the above example, consider a situation in which there is a remapping table 626 calibrated at 22� C. and a remapping table 626 calibrated at 28� C. Then corresponding values in each table are used to construct (virtually or literally) a remapping table for 25� C. (block 714). If a new remapping table 626 is literally constructed, the interpolation technique will be carried out for each value in the existing remapping tables 626 and stored for the new remapping table 626. If a new remapping table 626 is not literally constructed, then the remapping module 626 calculates an interpolated value from two or more remapping tables 626 and passes the value to the assembly module 628 after it is derived. The assembly module 628 carries out the remapping process to build the panoramic image 630.
One way in which this interpolation can be done is by taking a weighted average of corresponding values in the two tables. Since the referenced temperature in this example falls exactly between two remapping tables, an average between corresponding table values will suffice to create a remapping—or calibration table—that corrects the remapping function for the referenced temperature (25� C.).
Any interpolation method known in the art for deriving remapping values corresponding to the referenced temperature may be used, such as linear interpolation, quadratic interpolation, bi-quadratic interpolation, bi-cubic interpolation and the like. It is noted that for some interpolation techniques, more than two remapping tables 626 may be needed. Those skilled in the art will recognize the techniques available for deriving the correct remapping values from the referenced temperature and the remapping tables 626.
One technique which can be used to correct an image when a lens changes from a first focal length ("f1") to a second focal length ("f2") is image scaling by a factor of f2/f1. For example, if f1 increased to f2, that represents a zoom by f1/f2 and the image needs to be corrected by f2/f1.
One way in which that be done in the context of the present description is to apply the scaling factor to the individual images before the images are assembled into a panoramic image. Another way to accomplish the scaling is to combine the scaling with the remapping procedure. For example, if T(x,y)=(u,v,C) maps camera C pixel (u,v) onto panorama point (x,y), then the corrected function is T(x,y)=(f2/f1*u, f2/f1*v, C).
It is noted that the actual focal length of a lens does not have to be known, only a nominal focal length, a current temperature (t), and calibrated temperature (t0). Let S(t, t0) be the image scaling factor. This function can be determined using lens design programs known in the art. It is sufficient to implement S(t, t0) as a lookup table with integer values t and t0.
A direct method to create the image remapping tables 626 at different temperatures is to calibrate the camera at each of those desired temperatures. To reduce manufacturing time, a model can then be generated to fit these measurements so that only one calibration is needed; the image remapping functions for other temperatures are then generated using this model.
At block 716, the assembly module 630 uses the calibration values derived (either directly, by extrapolation or by interpolation) from the remapping tables 626 to map the individual images 624—pixel by pixel—from image space to panoramic image space to form the panoramic image 632.
While one or more exemplary implementations have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims appended hereto.
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Owner name: MICROSOFT CORPORATION, WASHINGTON
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|May 26, 2017
|Maintenance fee reminder mailed


text:
Confusion about coding epilation for trichiasis can be a thing of the past if you can keep up with your modifiers.
Epilation for trichiasis 67820* (Correction of trichiasis; epilation, by forceps only) and CPT 67825* ( epilation by other than forceps [e.g., by electrosurgery, cryotherapy, laser surgery]) the removal of uncomfortable misdirected eyelashes that grow in toward the eyeball, can be a difficult procedure to code because different carriers demand different methods of billing. Coding epilation becomes even more daunting if your physician completes the procedure bilaterally or on multiple eyelids, or if more than one eyelash is removed.
How can coders keep epilation billing straight and ensure proper reimbursement? The first step to correct coding is to determine your payer's accepted billing method. There are three methods of billing epilation per eye, per eyelid, and per lash and your payer will only reimburse you for claims submitted by one of these methods.
Typically, private payers consider billing per eye to be the correct way to handle epilation coding. In contrast, some Medicare carriers, such as Noridian Mutual of Arizona, pay by the eyelid. And on a rare occasion, you may come across a carrier with an LMRP that allows for billing for each lash. I always recommend that you check with your local payer representative and ask for their filing guidelines on this procedure" " says Sherry Searson CPC an independent coding consultant based in Charleston S.C. "This will reduce your denials and save time and money on refiling denied claims."
Regardless of the method you must use to garner reimbursement for epilation you must document an ICD-9 code that signals to Medicare that the procedure was performed out of medical necessity. Acceptable diagnosis codes will vary among carriers but some ICD-9 codes that typically support medical necessity include 374.01 Senile entropion; 374.04 Cicatricial entropion; 374.05 Trichiasis without entropion; 374.54 Hypertrichosis of eyelid; and 374.89 Other disorders of eyelid.
Method 1: Code Per Eye
If the carrier pays per eye you should use the correct epilation code 67820 or 67825 with the correct eye modifier -RT or -LT or modifier -50 (Bilateral procedure) if performed bilaterally.
Procedure codes 67820 and 67825 are designated bilateral indicator "0" codes by the 2002 National Physician Fee Schedule. The "0" indicates that bilateral rules do not apply (to 67820 and 67825) because of physiology or anatomy or because the code description specifically states that it is a unilateral code. Therefore bilateral modifier -50 is not a viable option for indicating epilation of lashes on both eyes.
However epilation codes 67820 and 67825 [...]
Recent Issue ofOphthalmology Alert

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Fashion Stylist to the Stars, Barbara King, Publishes New Book
Barbara King, professional fashion stylist to celebrities as well as the average woman next door, has put her expertise and experiences to print with her first book entitled "Be Delicious Now: The Ultimate Fashion Secrets" released late December 2012.
Barbara has worked in the past with industry giants such as Calvin Klein and Donna Karan and has styled celebrities like Sylvester Stallone, Sandra Bullock and Mary Tyler Moore. King has also been featured in the L.A. Times, Maxim, Life & Style & the Orange County Register and has made several television appearances on both HGTV and the Fine Living Channel.
After 20 years of shopping trips and working with the emotions of frustrated women seeking a new look, a boost in their overall image or who felt they required a complete fashion overhaul, King decided to create a book to help women find their own personal style. After countless talks with women from all walks of life, King realized that her assistance, advice & expertise were in demand on a far grander scale than her personal reach could ever achieve. So now with the help of her book she has the ability to assist women across the country.
King, who recently was featured in an article in Coastal Life, self-published her new book with the help of Darlene Cecil, founder of Image Marketing in Naples, FL. and CWest Design and Marketing in Montana. Cecil stated upon the book's completion, "Be Delicious Now" speaks to modern women, no matter what income level or age, on how to style themselves, learn the colors that work for them, accessorize, match outfits for different occasions and more. It's down-to-earth advice coming from a professional in the industry."
"I've always had a passion for style and fashion. Since I was about the age of 5 I was always organizing my dresser drawers and spent a lot of time putting together the perfect outfit. I never lost that passion, I just used it to create a career. I'm doing what I love and I'm so excited that I can finally assist women in a way I could never have dreamed of before writing this book" King said.
"Be Delicious Now" can be ordered at King's official website, BarbaraKingStyling.com for exclusive autographed copies and through Amazon.com for non-autographed copies.
King will be making appearances at several public book signing events within the southwest Florida area. The first of which are scheduled for Saturday Jan. 19th from 10 a.m. to noon at Norris Home Furnishings in Naples and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Barnes & Noble at Waterside Shops in Naples. Fort Myers book signing appearances will be held on Saturday, Feb. 2nd from 10 a.m. to noon at Norris Home Furnishings, and also from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Barnes & Noble.
About Barbara King
King resides in Bonita Springs, FL with her husband John and two children, and has been a fashion industry guru for more than 20 years working as a styling professional in big cities like New York, Los Angeles & Miami. In 1995 she started her own fashion consulting business and is the founder and owner of Barbara King Styling. King is also a yoga instructor and personal life coach. For more information about future public or scheduled Private book signing events contact firstname.lastname@example.com


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TWENTY-TWO miners working at a northern Swedish ore extraction mine when a fire broke out are safe but remain underground.
The group were the only employees in the Kristineberg mine in Lycksele when the fire started around midday.
Initial reports suggested three employees were missing but all were later accounted for, mining company Boliden said.
Most of the miners sought refuge in safety chambers, Boliden spokesman Mats Pettersson told the online edition of the daily Aftonbladet.
The fire has been extinguished and efforts were under way to air out the smoke before evacuating the miners.
Initial reports said the fire broke out in a compressor, about 1000 metres underground.
Originally published as Fire in Swedish mine out; 22 workers safe


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About Corazon
Hungry but craving for something light? Market on 5th's take on the Mediterranean Salad is a refreshing starter that will perk up your palate. Made with lush greens, juicy tomatoes, Feta cheese, and olives, this salad can definitely be eaten on its own. Just choose from our array of dressings to suit your taste.
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"Ugly Betty" will soon be over for its star, America Ferrera, but she's got a new project in the works from behind the scenes.
Ferrera will serve as executive producer of "Pedro & Maria," a multicultural, interactive telenovela in development for MTV television and various Web platforms. The project was announced Monday by MTV and Electus, the multimedia studio created by the prolific producer and former NBC executive Ben Silverman.


text: Video: Santino Quaranta on Ch. 4 June 10, 200911:25PM EDT Previous Next NBC4 came out to RFK Stadium earlier this week to talk to Santino Quaranta about his past drug addiction and how far he's come in the last year and a half. Check out their piece below. View more news videos at: http://www.nbcwashington.com/video. Previous Next


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APG-L ArchivesArchiver > APG > 2002-09 > 1032633381
From: Christine Crawford-Oppenheimer <>
Subject: Re: [APG] Indexing Females
Date: Sat, 21 Sep 2002 14:36:21 -0400
It might work to index women only by their maiden names if we knew their
maiden names, but one reason why we need to index them by their married
names as well is so we have an alternative to looking at the 50 entries for
(-?-), Mary
for those 50 women named Mary whose maiden names we haven't been able to
ascertain. I'm sure other list members will have come up with other reasons.
At 09:05 AM 09/17/2002 -0700, Myra V Gormley wrote:
>Ah, for simplicity's sake -- women should be listed (and thus indexed) by
>their maiden names -- not their husband(s) names. Blessed be the Dutch (and
>a few other ethnic groups) for being sensible.
>I know this does not address the indexing problem presented here, but why
>is it necessary to list women by their husbands' names? Knowing the names
>of their husband(s) are important when you are doing the research to find
>them, of course, but otherwise, what purpose does this serve?
>Myra (Vanderpool) Gormley, CG
Christine Crawford-Oppenheimer
Hyde Park, NY
author of _Long-Distance Genealogy_
This thread:
|Re: [APG] Indexing Females by Christine Crawford-Oppenheimer <>


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ROYAL Bank of Scotland (RBS) chairman Sir Philip Hampton has warned senior executives will "feel it in their pockets" if the bank fails to live up to its customers' expectations on service.
Sir Philip, who joined RBS just months after its near collapse in autumn 2008, was setting out the bank's ambition to be number one in "all our lines of business" after declaring the mission to make it "safe and sound" was complete.
And he pledged to hold senior personnel to account if it falls short of the goals on service standards it has set.
Loading article content
Speaking at the ACT (Association of Corporate Treasurers) conference in Glasgow, Sir Philip said: "We want to be substantially better and regarded for our customer service right across [our business] and we aim to become the UK's most trusted bank.
"We will monitor and measure our performance on these metrics, and will publish those results.
"Your judgment, all of our customers' judgements, on the quality of service we provide will form a central part of the remuneration of our top people.
"If we don't convince you to be an enthusiastic advocate of RBS because of what we do and how we do it, then our top team will feel it in the pockets."
Sir Philip hailed the "outstanding achievement" of all RBS staff in putting the bank on an even keel, highlighting its improved position on capital, short-term wholesale funding and liquid assets, as well as shrinking its portfolio of "unwanted", non-core assets. But he conceded that recovery had taken longer than expected as a result of "legacy" issues" such as fines over the mis-selling of Payment Protection Insurance (PPI), meaning the soaring losses linked to the crash in 2008 are now only "part of the story".
Sir Philip said: "Many of the huge bills that are falling now or recently are not actually related to the financial crisis or the credit crunch, rather they are the price the industry is paying for past misconduct.
"I think this is sometimes underestimated because it has come out in dribs and drabs effectively. They are the result of poor decisions and poor behaviours around the banks, as well as some bad judgements that characterised the noughties."
Sir Philip said the bill of fines and expenses incurred by banks across the US and Europe currently runs to more than £100bn, with RBS having made total provisions of £8bn for these costs.


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Rabbis Clash Over IDF Conversions
Ultra-Orthodox political activists collect signatures of leading Ashkenazi Haredi rabbis to condemn a recent religious ruling stating that conversions to Judaism performed by IDF rabbis are valid.
Ultra-Orthodox political activists are collecting the signatures of leading Ashkenazi Haredi rabbis, led by Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, to condemn a recent religious ruling stating that conversions to Judaism performed by Israel Defense Forces rabbis are valid.
In the wake of Friday's ruling by influential Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the Chief Rabbinate has begun approving 4,500 military conversions.
Shortly after Yosef publicized his ruling, Sephardi Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar appointed a representative to complete the conversions carried out by religious judges in the army. The conversion certificates had not been submitted to Amar for his signature, as required.
In another sign that Ashkenazi Haredim are gearing up to fight the ruling, the Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox newspaper Yated Ne'eman is expected to run an editorial today attacking Yosef, one of Amar's predecessors as Sephardi chief rabbi. The editorial is the latest salvo in an attack that began yesterday, when the paper's red-lettered (but rather verbose ) lead headline was "Shock and painful and vigorous protest over the desecration of God's name in approving thousands of 'military conversions.'"
Shas wants Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to state publicly that he will shoot down a military conversion bill initiated by Yisrael Beiteinu, which would allow military conversions to be approved without the chief rabbi's signature. The Yisrael Beiteinu party plans to discuss the proposal in the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee tomorrow ahead of the bill's first reading.
In yesterday's Yated Ne'eman article, anonymous sources identified as "longtime religious judges and rabbis" vilified the military conversion process, saying the army taught the soldiers "heresy rather than religious commandments."
The article also attacked Yosef himself, saying it was difficult to understand how he could have made the ruling, which it described as contrary to Jewish law and liable to cause "extensive assimilation among the Jewish people."
Religious Services Minister Yaakov Margi of Shas said the paper's comments were "filth" and should be ignored.
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|Home > Montague
♂ Montague
What does Montague mean?
Montague as a boys' name is of French origin, and the meaning of Montague is "pointed hill". Place name. More common as a given name in the 19th century.
ASSOCIATED WITH Mo-, hill (mountain), 19th century
VARIANTS Montagew, Montagu, Monty▼
SEE ALSO MonteCREATIVE FORMS
Montague Aizen (M.A.), ..
How popular is Montague?
Montague is an uncommonly occurring given name for men but a very prominent last name for all people (#3100 out of 150436, Top 2%). (2000 U.S. CENSUS)
Which version is better?
Monte (#1527 VIA LATEST LIST) and Monty are the popular varying forms of Montague (OUTSIDE TOP 2000). These forms of Montague were favored 55 years ago (AVERAGE #371) and are now much less popular (#1763, ▼88.2%), with versions such as Monte becoming less fashionable. (TOP BABY NAMES, 2015)
Similar Names
Suggested similar-sounding names are Donahue, Donohue, Dontae, Dontaye, Fontaine, Fontane, Fontayne, Jontae, Magee, Magus, Mattaeus, Mattaus, Menashe, Mohave, Mojave, Monahan, Monroe▼, Montae, Montaine, Montana▼, Montane, Montanna, Montanus, Montaro, Montay, Montayne, Montel, Montes, Montez, Montie, Montrel, Montrell, Morgun, Murtagh, Rodrigue and Teague. These names tend to be more frequently used than Montague.See names in meaning and etymology.


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text:
First and foremost, I'd like to wish all the regular visitors here a Merry Christmas or whatever you may celebrate and a Happy New Year to go with it. Thanks to all of you frequent this site, without you guys, I wouldn't have the motivation to do this, so without you, there would be no WYDU. Thanks! Hopefully, Santa brought everyone what they wanted. I was pretty lucky this year and scored a digital camera and a new computer, so I'm rather happy with my loot.
Well I survived the Holiday Blizzard of 2006. That is the most snow I've ever since at once since I moved to Denver back in 2004. The most I had experianced before that was 15 inches in April of 05′. I had 25 inches in my apartment parking lot, along with drifts that were up to my waist, roughly 4 feet. It was an absolute mess. The city was basically brought to a stand still and if you were unlucky enough to be out on the highways, most notably the Boulder turnpike, you spent your night in a city shelter. Good to see my fellow Coloradoans Notes and Kido made it out alright. I, myself, was stuck in my apartment for basically two days. Could be worse I guess. It took me two hours Friday to unbury my car. I was supposed to fly out of Denver Friday morning. DIA didn't open back up until Friday afternoon, so needless to say, that didn't happen. I didn't even mess with it, I had the airline credit me for a future ticket and got in my car and drove fourteen hours in snow, ice and fog. Guess what it was doing when I got into town? Yup, that's right, fucking snowing. I'm offically sick of snow. Santa can shove his white Christmas up his ass.
I haven't been around the internet since Wednesday. I usually like to stockpile some uploads then share them when I have the time when I'm on vacation, but I didn't have the chance this time. So since I'm away from my collection, plus the fact that my parents don't know that hi-speed internet even exsits, let alone have it, I'll be jacking albumbase links. I know most of you have albumbase, but some don't, plus it might be some stuff you don't know was on there.
250 Rap Videos
Some great long lost videos in this collection. It's worth looking over, that's for sure. Everything from Apache "Gangsta Bitch" to Smoothe The Hustler "Broken Language".
Merry Muthafu*kin' Christmas
Eazy E – 5150 Home 4 Tha Sick (Ruthless, 1992)
1 Intro: New Year's E-vil (0:49)
2 Only If You Want It (3:03) Producer – Naughty By Nature
3 Neighborhood Sniper (5:12) Producer – Cold 187Um
4 Niggaz My Height Don't Fight (3:14) Producer – Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin
5 Merry Mutha****** Xmas (5:54) Producer – Dr. Jam , Madness 4 Real; Rap [Featuring] – Atbann Klann , Buckwheat , Menajahtwa
I'm not very big on Christmas Themed Hip Hop. It's not that I find it sacreligious or anything. I'm not religious and don't me get started on the topic of religion. It's just that there is nothing very similar in the terms of Hip Hop and what you think of Christmas. Needless to say, I don't own any "true" Hip Hop Christmas albums. Yes, I have "Christmas In Hollis", but who hasn't heard that. But in the "spirit" of Christmas, this is the closest thing to a Hip Hop Christmas carrol I own (okay, it's an albumbase link, but I do own it).
I realize most of you should already have this in your crates, but for those who don't, or lost it, here it is again. It's more of a maxi single, coming in at 4 cuts and an intro of pure Eazy E influenced attitude. I don't remember the exact chronological events leading up to this (nor am I going to take the time to research it right now), but I believe this is after NWA had all but split up. "Merry Mutha ******Xmas" has the Atbann Klann, the precursor to everyone's favorite pop rap grou, The Black Eyed Peas…oh yeaaaa. Eazy was never as good holding a whole album effort by himself, but at four songs, this was just about as much as one could stomach of Eazy without regurgatating. It's good for a fun, short lived, time and also a crucial piece of any Eazy discography. So crack open that 40 tonight that Santa left under the tree and throw on some gangsta shit.
RIP James Brown


text:
The game didn't mean anything as far as playoff seeding, but it could have been a great springboard for the Atlanta Falcons heading into the playoffs. Instead, the Falcons came out looking uninspired against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and lost their third divisional game of the season, 22-17.
Coming out of the season's final game looking as flat as they did isn't exactly what head coach Mike Smith wanted. The Buccaneers weren't going to lay down easily, and everyone knew that. Yet the Falcons couldn't capitalize on a Tampa pass defense that had been picked apart all season.
It's not like the Falcons played a particularly bad game, but they didn't play like a team that was sitting atop the NFL and getting ready to prove all doubters wrong about their chances of making a deep run in the playoffs…or even winning a single game in the playoffs.
The other perplexity of the game was the fact that all of the Atlanta starters played through the entire game. Even when the game seemed at least a little bit out of reach for a while, Matt Ryan, John Abraham and all the other starters were still on the field. You might have to question the logic of having crucial members of the team playing late into a losing effort in what was basically a meaningless game.
So here's the glass half-empty/glass half-full of the season.
The Falcons finished 13-3 (matching the second best record in franchise history) and are the No.1 seed in the NFC playoffs. They get a week off, and get to host the lowest remaining seed after next week's wild card games. But…
All three of the Falcons losses came against divisional opponents, in what is widely considered one of the weaker divisions in the league this season. All three teams Atlanta lost to–the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers–figured the best formula for diffusing Atlanta's high-powered passing attack is to just punch holes in the offensive line and keep Matt Ryan from setting his feet and going through his progressions.
All three did it exceptionally well, and may have provided a nice road map for Atlanta's playoff opponents.
But the news isn't all gloom and doom coming off the disappointing performance. Here's the biggest thumbs up that can come out of this loss.
Since taking over as head coach in 2008, Mike Smith and his Falcons are 15-3 following a loss, and have never lost a home game following a loss.
And, outside of the Super Bowl, all the Falcons have left are home games.
Michael Collins is a Rant Sports NFL and MLB Network Manager, and Atlanta sports columnist. Follow him @GaSportsCraze on Twitter and here on Facebook


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A beautiful bay horse pranced about, the sun bringing out
hints of gold within his coat. He pricked his ears forward, his bright eyes
taking in the sights around him. This was a happy horse. A horse that was
loved, cherished, and well taken care of.
But at one point in his life, this horse had faced one of the worst situations
a horse could encounter. Starved and neglected, this young Thoroughbred had
once been mistrusting of humans. After all, they'd left him to become weak with
starvation as he developed a terrible case of rain rot, and their negligence
had led to the death of his dam.
This is the story of a horse named Spanky.
Registered with Jockey Club as Make Me Laugh, Spanky was born in Louisiana in
January of 2009. As a two-year-old, he sold for just $500 at the John Franks
Memorial Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. But he never raced.
Instead, he ended up at Charles Ford's farm in Many, Louisiana, where his life
would take a turn for the worse. Among nearly 80 other horses, the young horse
was neglected, leaving him to starve while more than 25 horses died on the
farm. Charles Ford has since pleaded guilty to ten counts of felony animal
cruelty; sentencing and a restitution hearing are set for November.
In early January of 2012, the Louisiana Horse Rescue Association and Remember Me Rescue stepped in to help the animals. Spanky was among a handful of
horses that were brought to Remember Me Rescue in Burleson, Texas, where he was
rehabilitated and prepared for adoption.
"He really touched my heart at the Many farm," co-founder of Remember Me, Donna
Keen, said. "He was so scared and timid, but as soon as I got close enough to
scratch him, he was my best friend."
Two months later, Spanky was adopted by Elizabeth Felgendreher of Holly Oak Farm near Midway, Kentucky. In
far better condition than he had been when he first arrived at Remember Me,
Spanky made the long journey to Kentucky, where he joined his new family at Dietrich
and Elizabeth Felgrendreher's farm.
It was never part of the plan for Elizabeth to adopt Spanky. But when she heard
about the rescue of the horses from Many, Louisiana and saw the pictures of the
needy horses, she couldn't help but step in.
"It was clear to me that each of them should have someone to love and care for
them well forever, given what they had already endured," Elizabeth said. "I
thought about our own horses here on the farm, knowing how lucky they are to
have a life of bounty, and thinking they could 'share' a bit of their good
fortune with a 'needy soul.'"
And so it was Spanky that she chose to adopt.
"Spanky's sweet face and his gentle, timid appearance left no question in my
mind that he was the one I wanted," Elizabeth said. "I imagined that Spanky was
a frightened little boy who was just beginning to learn that somebody cared
about him, and that he might actually be safe."
Upon his arrival at Holly Oak, Elizabeth launched a Facebook fan page –
titled Spanky of the Bluegrass – for
the rescued Thoroughbred. Written in Spanky's point of view, the page shares
Spanky's adventures, chronicling his life on the farm and his new life.
"I can't really remember exactly why and how the idea of the Facebook page
began," Elizabeth said. "At the time, my cousin in Virginia was maintaining a
Facebook journal about her various farm animals and organic gardens. . . That's
probably what motivated me to do the same for Spanky. I think I also wanted his
little life to have a recognizable time on earth, so to speak. I wanted someone
more than just me to care about the fact he had lived among us. I guess I
figured he might not become 'rich and famous' as a competition horse, but maybe
he could leave his mark by telling his tales of happiness."
In the sixteen months that Spanky's Facebook page has existed, it has
accumulated more than 500 likes. A number of loyal fans and supporters tune in
for his updates, leaving kind comments on his fun posts.
"The Facebook followers are great," Elizabeth stated. "I feel like I know some
of them personally now. . . and I do (know some personally)! Even some local
horse people here in Kentucky who I have never met but know of are now
following the escapades of Spanky. I'm sure, as time rolls on, I'll probably
meet these people at local events, because of Spanky! There's even a jockey
from Arlington Park who follows the page, and Egyptian and Saudi Thoroughbred
people. Can you imagine that?!"
As Spanky's Facebook page began, so did his life at Holly Oak, a life far
different than the one he had endured in Many, Louisiana.
"Spanky was exactly the way I had imagined when he arrived here on the farm,"
Elizabeth said. "He came off the van cautiously, seeming as if he was gently
stepping into a new world where he needed to be careful not to offend anyone. .
. He seemed to appreciate any little thing we did for him. I spent a lot of
time with him, grooming, snuggling. . . He showed no signs of being greedy or
pushy. He was always grateful, in his timid way. He has always been the kind of
horse who comes forward to you when you approach his stall, not because he
wants out, but because he wants to greet you. He is still that way."
Spanky settled in to his new home well and quickly became friends with the
other horses on the farm, which he often included in his Facebook updates. It
didn't take long for him to transform into a beautiful, happy Thoroughbred with
a sleek bay coat and bright eyes.
"What was so wonderful about his transformation. . . was how his body responded
to the exercise and riding," Elizabeth said. "He gained muscle mass and
developed the shape of an athletic dressage horse. His neck filled out and his
hindquarters grew to be delicious."
Elizabeth began riding Spanky, teaching him dressage. Along the way, she found
that his gentle demeanor was the same under saddle.
"From the beginning, Spanky was a pleasant and willing horse to ride,"
Elizabeth stated. "It's remarkable to think that the most training he probably
ever had was to be quickly broken for his two-year-old in training sale."
Fourteen months after Spanky arrived at Holly Oak, he participated in his first
horse show, an all-Thoroughbred show at the Kentucky Horse Park. Although the show was intended to be an
opportunity for Spanky to gain experience, he did not just emerge with
experience, but also a blue ribbon in a dressage horse in-hand conformation
class. His show career had officially begun.
"The last time I asked Spanky, he told me that he wanted to continue learning
about dressage and go to more horse shows, particularly those special
Thoroughbred shows," Elizabeth said. "If he ever indicates that he would rather
try something different, like jumping, I have a couple of friends here in
Kentucky who do combined training and would love to be part of that process."
Spanky has clearly made a transformation since arriving at his new home last
spring. Although he may look like a different horse than he did early last
year, he is still the same horse – just with greater assurance.
"Spanky's personality of gentleness and sweet curiosity has not changed over
the time he has been here," Elizabeth stated. "He is more confident now, and
likes to be a 'trickster.' [It] seems like he has a sense of humor, pulling
pranks on me, primarily. He knows exactly how far he can go before someone gets
angry with him. He seems to have a different set of rules for me versus my
husband. Of course, I find this brilliant of him."
Adopting Spanky has served as the perfect reminder for Elizabeth – a reminder
of why she does what she does. In Spanky, she has found a best friend.
"Spanky reminds me every day of my own childhood and the 'why' I ended up
spending a lifetime with horses," Elizabeth stated. "It's not the horse shows
or the prospect of finding fame or fortune. It's the other stuff – the simple
daily interaction and accomplishments between the two of us. I suppose some
might find this as a self-indulgent waste of time, but I like to think of it as
sharing our best with each other."
Be sure to like Spanky's Facebook page, Spanky of the Bluegrass.
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North Dakota City Evacuated
Evacuations of Minot, North Dakota began Wednesday as a historic flood is expected to engulf much of the city. The Souris River had not been expected to breach the town's levees until later this week, but waters are already reaching record levels and overtopping levees in the afternoon. The town of Minot is located in a river basin which has received almost 200 percent more rainfall than usual over the past two months. The Souris River is expected to rise above a previous record of 1,558 feet on Thursday or Friday.


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In a piece that begins by recounting a few signal moments of President Obama's recent trek through Asia, Der Spiegel bemoans the President's diplomatic efforts and seems to take glee in the tepid response of Asian leaders to his overtures. President Obama, who before embarking on the Asian junket, predicted a friendly reception as he was one of their own, the first "Pacific President." Twelve banal banquets and hundreds of handshakes later, it was evident that the President's "fellow" Asians were not quite au fait with the welcome wagon routine he was expecting.
As evidence of Asian indifference to the American president's visit, Der Spiegel describes a particularly irksome meeting with journalists outside of the Blue House in Seoul, the official home of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak. The report depicts a harried President Obama rushing past the gathered media offering nothing more than a "thank you" before ducking into his Korean counterpart's home and leaving his press secretary, David Axelrod to make a statement on the president's behalf.
"The Asians smiled but made no concessions," crows the magazine. The friendly but futile reception that awaited President Obama in Asia is proof, the author of the article claims, that President Obama's domestic appeal has for the most part been lost in translation overseas and he now suffers from diminished stature throughout the world. Several examples of the president's shrinking influence are cited.
First, there is the case of Israel, traditionally one of America's staunchest and loyal allies. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has informed President Obama in very clear and certain terms that his government adamantly refuses to adhere to a moratorium on development of Israeli settlements in the region. Furthermore, Netanyahu recently reiterated to the president that peace with Palestine will be brought about only through that nation's acceptance of a roster of well-defined and inviolable terms, pressure from the United States notwithstanding. "We thought we had some leverage," groaned a former Clinton-era ambassador to Israel, "but that proved to be an illusion." It seems that the misdirection and sleight of hand so masterfully employed by President Obama at home is seen as fumbling and inexpert elsewhere.
Japan is another erstwhile ally of the United States that gave President Obama the cold shoulder while traveling in Asia. Ministers of the new Japanese governing coalition were scheduled to appear with President Obama at a photo opportunity in the Indian Ocean where they would watch tankers from the Japanese navy refuel American warships on their way to service in the war in Afghanistan. The Japanese officials were a no-show. With friends like these, the President doesn't need enemies, even those with glossy pages.
Finally, the article in Der Spiegel cites President Obama's failure to achieve any significant concessions from Beijing in the area of human rights abuses as convincing evidence that President Obama may not be up to the burden that has been placed upon him. His detractors are quick to compare the current American president's foreign policy frustrations to those of another unqualified world citizen, Jimmy Carter. Carter's weaknesses, missteps, and mishandling of delicate and complicated matters, both foreign and domestic, are legendary. The perception, whether accurate or not, that Mr. Carter was weak and too willing to quickly accede to global pressure, is to be fervently avoided according to Obama spokesmen. There is a sense in the West Wing that it would be better for Obama's foreign policy posture to be compared to that of George W. Bush than that of Jimmy Carter.
The President's political foes are equally dedicated to drawing the unfavorable comparison as often as possible. One of the Democratic party's most vociferous and media-savvy critics, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, accentuates the mash-up in his inimitable fashion, "Carter tried weakness and the world got tougher because the predators, the aggressors, the anti-Americans, the dictators, when they sense weakness, they all start pushing ahead. This [President Obama's foreign stature] does look a lot like Jimmy Carter."
As the previous several administrations have proven, however, it matters little which party's principal occupies the Oval Office, while the rhetoric and reasons between Democrats and Republicans may appear antipodean, the quantifiable results are undeniably indistinguishable.
Photo: AP Images


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_Josh_ wrote:If the guy sitting on the other side of the partition from me does not stop talking before the end of the day I am going to tell him that he:
Mike Hankey wrote:Yeah it does make one wonder?
c:\>adb shell ps
newton.saber wrote:Celeron
newton.saber wrote:The only problem I had with Genymotion is that I had to install VirtualBox
Ravi Bhavnani wrote:CeleronThat may have been part of the problem.
Kornfeld Eliyahu Peter wrote:today I got an email from a company that asks me if I interested in a team leader position...
The most amusing of all this that I do not know how they got my resume
Once you lose your pride the rest is easy.I would agree with you but then we both would be wrong.
The report of my death was an exaggeration - Mark Twain
Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
I'm on-line therefore I am.
JimmyRopes wrote:You are a fictionlegend in your own time!
JimmyRopes wrote:You are a leg end in your own lunch time
Kornfeld Eliyahu Peter wrote:or maybe they visited CP?
General News Suggestion Question Bug Answer Joke Praise Rant Admin
Use Ctrl+Left/Right to switch messages, Ctrl+Up/Down to switch threads, Ctrl+Shift+Left/Right to switch pages.


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Encinitas, Ca. (March 8, 2010) — The best of the best high performance surfboards and equipment will be on display during the two-day exposition at the Sacred Craft Consumer Surfboard Expo in Ventura, Ca. These exhibitors will be vying for the acclaimed "Best of Show" award given to the manufacturer that is on the cutting edge of performance, design, and manufacturing technique. The "Best of Show" winner will receive a 10′ x 10′ booth space at an upcoming Sacred Craft Expo.
"Of course all of the surfboards at Sacred Craft are incredible, so it makes picking the 'Best of Show' difficult," said expo director Scott Bass. "We employ a covey of luminaries that walk the expo floor and check in with each other regarding their favorites. The not-so-anonymous experts are generally looking for a board that is creating a lot of buzz during the expo."
Last October, in San Diego, Australian surfboard designer/shaper Daniel Thompson was awarded the 2009 "Best of Show" for his unique Raptor surf design. "A truly modern adaptation of the fish design," said Thompson. Successfully combining (Steve) Lis style foils with performance shortboard refinement and a unique split diamond tail for low drag planing efficiency and a tighter turning radius at speed. Why surf when you can fly?"
Raptor v1 bottomBauguess Alaia hybrid
WHO: Surfers, Shapers, Designers, Craftsman, Manufacturers
WHAT: Surfboards and the culture that flows from them.
WHEN: April 10 & 11 2010; Sat. 10am-6pm; Sun. 10am-4pm
WHERE: Ventura County Fairgrounds @ C Street
WHY: Because surfers really only care about two things; waves and the equipment to ride them with.
HOW: $10 at the door includes TransWorld SURF subscription and door prizes including surfboards and one week stay at Joyo's G-Land Surf Camp.
About SACRED CRAFT CONSUMER SURF EXPO
In the beginning, it was all about the surfboard. The only thing that mattered. From ancient Polynesia to the ASP World Championship Tour; from Waikiki to Maverick's; from The Endless Summer to Surfline; as the eras passed what we've worn or said or listened to or traveled to or read or watched are just sidebars on surfing's timeline. Because the history of our sport is the history of the surfboard. Nothing has defined the surfing experience more than that on which we ride the waves. Nothing defines the surfer more than his (or her) surfboard. So much more than a tool, the surfboard has become a philosophical icon, a sacred craft, a culturally pervasive symbol of freedom, adventure and enduring youth.


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Whether by day you are a struggling photographer working for a paper that hates you, or a reporter who also flies around saving the innocent, or a newspaper publisher who moonlights as a masked vigilante...geez there are a lot of superheores working at papers...a secret identity has always been an important thing for a superhero. It hides who you really are protecting the ones you love from let's say, being thrown off a bridge, and gives the opportunity for some much needed downtime. But in this age of CBMs - and what an age it is - is the secret identity no longer required?
Raimi's Spider-Man Trilogy (2002 - 2007)
When does this guy keep his mask on? This is in my eyes, the film that started it off. Not CBMs obviously, but the need for the star to have 'face-time'. Tobey Maguire is constantly out of his mask or has some of it torn off. This happens in every film and by the end there is no significant character who hasn't learned his identity, barring J Jonah Jameson and Aunt May (who hints at knowing). Every villain knows him. By name. And the reprocussions for his loved ones is not inconsequential. Added to this a whole train load of people and you've got to think the old 'secret' identity isn't worth all that much.
The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005 - 2012)
To pay Nolan his dues Batman Begins addresses this issue head on. On his reconnection with Alfred, Bruce says he needs to be more than a man; he needs to be a symbol and it's Alfred who points out he needs to protect those closest to him. But then what happens? Bruce proceeds to tell Rachel, Ra's of course already knows (and so too do Talia and Bane) and his identity is 'figured out' by John Blake. But this isn't all; Bruce even tells Jim Gordon which, whilst this may not result in the whole world finding out, there must be a little suspiscion over Batman and Bruce Wayne dying the same day. By this point it may not matter so much as Bruce is 'dead', but it really does throw secret out the window.
Iron Man Trilogy (2008 - 2013)
The start of the MCU...and what does Tony do? He only tells the whole world at the end that yes, he is Iron Man. There's even a joke about people not believing that the old shellhead is Tony's bodyguard. And who would right? So not only does the world know of Tony's extra-curricular activities which could paint a giant target on him , he goes as far as revealing his home address in the third film....secret indeed!
Man of Steel (2013)


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EVALUATION OF A SMART ANTI-SNORE PILLOW DEVICE FOR OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA PATEIENT TREATMENT – PRELIMINARY REPORT. PF-22. Tsung-Te Chung 1,2 , Cheng-Yu Wei 1,3 , Ming-Chou Ku 1,4 , Chien-Fang Chung 1 , Ya-Ling Ke 1 , Yi-Jie Huang 1
Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author.While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server.
Tsung-Te Chung1,2, Cheng-Yu Wei1,3, Ming-Chou Ku1,4, Chien-Fang Chung1, Ya-Ling Ke1, Yi-Jie Huang1
1. Sleep center, Changbin Show-Chwan Memorial Hospital, 2 .Otolaryngology Head and Neck Department, Changhwa Show-Chwan Memorial Hospital
3. Neurology Department, Changbin Show-Chwan Memorial Hospita, 4. Orthology Department, Changhwa Show-Chwan Memorial Hospital
Background & Objectives : Positional therapy (PT) can prevent obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to sleep in the worst position. Some PT
devices had been tested and reported a positive effect of PT on apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) or snoring. But some devices (tennis ball, positioner, alarm etc.) were not well tolerant/acceptance. A innovative Smart Anti-Snore pillow device can move in horizontal way smoothly after detecting four continuous snore. It would change patient's head/neck position without noise. The study assessed the efficacy, tolerance and sleep pattern of Smart Anti-Snore pillow device in OSA patients.
Subjects & Methods : Thirty adults were recruited with following inclusion criteria (1) baseline PSG showing AHI≧5 with OSA symptoms (2) age ≧20 years and (3) informed consent was obtained. Patients were assigned to a secondary night PSG with Smart Anti-snore Pillow (Hong Jian Technology Co. Ltd., Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China) in sleep laboratory.
PSG setting and scoring were according to 2007 AASM manual. Sleep quality were measured by three sleep questionnaires including
Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Athens insomnia scale (AIS) and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS).
Smart Anti-Snore pillow device : The special pillow includes a base and a mobile seat as figure . A shift control assembly shifts the mobile seat between positions and includes a motor, gear set and drive assembly. The head/neck position changed through different positioning of the mobile seat after detecting continuous snoring ( as video show).
Statistic Analysis : For paired samples, Paired-T test or Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to assess changes in the variables between baseline
and pillow therapy in all patients. The relationship of mean differences of AHI and snore index within improvement and non-improvement between baseline and pillow therapy were analyzed with Wilcoxon rank sum test. A two tailed p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. All data were analyzed using the statistical package SAS for Windows version 9.2 .
Results : All 30 subjects can accepted and completed whole night PSG with Smart Anti-snore pillow device.AHI and snore index improved in 22 and 20 patients. The demography and PSG of improve vs. non-improve group were analyzed in Tab 3 & 4.
Table 2: Comparison of PSG between
baseline and pillow therapy
Tab 1 :Demographic and clinical
characteristics of OSA patients
Table 3 Comparison of AHI improvement
and non-improvementgroup
Table 4: Comparison of snore index
improvement and non-improvement gr.
Table 5 : Comparison between baseline
and pillow PSG in AHI improvement group
Discussions & Conclusions:
Smart Anti-snore pillow can improve AHI, snore number & index, desaturation index; no change in arousal index, sleep stage , total sleep time & efficiency (Table 2). Smart Anti-snore pillow will improve AHI & snore index in supine –related OSA patients ( Table 3 & 4). For AHI improvement OSA patients, it can also improve their snore number, index desaturation index and reduce supine position (Table 5).
The Smart Anti-snore pillow is an effective device to improve OSA patient's AHI & snore by changing head/neck position smoothly without noise. It would not alter sleep efficiency and well-tolerant by OSA patients.


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Office designers come up with a helter skelter and treehouse
You don't have to be six years old to work here, but it helps. A pub in Southampton has been converted into a 1,600 sq m playground-cum-office, complete with a helter-skelter and treehouse.
Peer 1 Hosting, an IT company, commissioned a firm of office designers to draw up blueprints for "the best place in the UK to work". While for some this may conjure up images of high-end espresso machines and adequate parking, Space & Solutions took a more blue-sky approach to their brief.
The premises now contain a pool table, putting green, giant swing, cinema, and a space where employees are contractually obliged to put up their feet.
Sarah O'Callaghan, the lead designer, said the slide was integral to job applications. "It is part…


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December 6, 2013
FIRST SNOW of the season fell in downtown Hood River and the Gorge Friday morning, to the delight of some, but to the dismay of others, like the many involved in morning traffic accidents.
Stories this photo appears in:
Scenic, yet slick
Friday weather causes numerous accidents, some events canceled
The winter weather is forecast to continue this weekend with frigid temperatures falling into the single-digits in some areas.
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nerobertson 3 years, 11 months ago
Beautiful picture. We lived in Hood River in 1965. Fell in love with the quaint lovely city. We came there because some friends of ours lived there. Chuck & Mildred Wilson. They now live in Washington state. Hope we get to visit again. Beautiful first snow.


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Okay, yes, pancreatitis in dogs is serious, and it is scary. But there is something you can do about it to take control. In fact, many people have done so, and very effectively, by using preemptive strategies and being proactive!
In Part I of this article, we will discuss the causes and symptoms of pancreatitis as well as differentiating between acute and chronic cases of pancreatitis in dogs. After we review these basics, you'll be better equipped to take control of the condition and lead your dog on a path of wellness.
In this article (Part I):
- Recognize the causes
- Recognize the symptoms
- Know what type of pancreatitis your dog has
- Know when to see a veterinarian
- Taking control with diet, exercise, and supplementation
What Causes Pancreatitis in Dogs?
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The dog's pancreas (just like the human) is very important as it produces enzymes, which digest food, and it produces the hormone insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar. Inflammation of the pancreas causes poor function of these two areas, which has adverse health effects on your dog. Unfortunately, pancreatitis in dogs has become more and more common in recent years. The increase of pancreatitis in dogs may be due to the modern dog diet as well as genetic predisposition..
- Modern dog diet which is lacking in natural enzymes causes the pancreas in dogs to get overworked.
- Genetic predisposition most common in miniature Schnauzers. Other dogs that seem to be more predisposed to this condition are Yorkshire and Silky Terriers, Dachshunds, Miniature Poodles, and Cocker Spaniels.
- Dog obesity or dogs that are overweight are more likely to develop pancreatitis.
- Overuse of prescription drugs such as prednisone (or other corticosteroids), azathioprine (Imuran Rx), potassium bromide (used for seizure control), l-asparaginase (a chemotherapeutic agent) and zinc used as a dietary supplement have been suspected of causes pancreatitis in dogs.
Two Types of Pancreatitis in Dogs
There are two types of pancreatitis in dogs:
Acute Pancreatitis: More severe
Chronic Pancreatitis: Less severe, yet happens more often
With acute pancreatitis you will likely want to see a vet immediately. In milder, chronic pancreatitis, case symptoms are less severe but, if left untreated, the damage can be irreversible.
Recognizing Pancreatitis in Dogs
Below are some of the common symptoms dogs will display when they are suffering from pancreatitis:
- Frequent vomiting
- Frequent diarrhea
- Pain in the abdomen (if severe case, bloating)
- Yellow stools
- Poor appetite
- Fever
Other pancreatitis symptoms include:
- Appearance of lethargy or depression
- Changes in stool (diarrhea or yellow and greasy)
- Dehydration
- Sunken eyes
- Dry skin
- Weakness
- Irritability
- Rapid heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- Redness of the gums
- Appearance of shock
If you think your dog may be developing or have pancreatitis, take him to your veterinarian as soon as possible before the situation gets worse.
Read: Pancreatitis in Dogs : Taking Control of the Condition
- Allergies in Dogs
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- Crate Training
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Tag Cloudafter antibiotics allergy antibiotics antioxidants arthritis Bladder coat cranberry diarrhea digestion digestive enzymes dog aging dog allergies Dog Dental Health dog vitamins Enzymes finicky fish oil fussy eater Gas GI disorder gut hot spots inflammation irritable bowel joint ligament loose stool miraclezyme omega-3 pancreatitis picky probiotics probiotics after antibiotics psychological skin issues skin problem socialization systemic enzymes Urinary Tract Infection UTI vomiting when to use probiotics yeast yellow stool


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Wrong interpertation: Mistake costs Panther golfers trip to state
BEMIDJI - Unlike some sports where interpretation can dictate the actions and the outcome of the game, golf is governed by a set of rules that leave nothing to chance.
Unfortunately, there are so many rules that the vast majority of golfers are in the dark when situations out of the ordinary surface.
Tuesday during the Section 8A boys tournament at the Bemidji Town & Country Club, Cass Lake-Bena's Cody Wind bounced his tee shot on No. 15 off a tree guarding the left side of the dogleg.
When he and his playing partners, Orlin Thorsteinson of Kittson County Central and Seth Carlin of Fosston, headed to the spot they were unable to find the ball. Assuming the ball bounced into the hazard, the group decided that Wind should drop, take the one-shot penalty and continue playing the hole.
And that's what he did.
After taking the shot Wind found his original ball and the group, unsure of what procedure to follow, decided that the safe bet would be to have Wind play both balls and determine which one to count after the round.
When Wind, who was in the last group of the day, finished his card would show an 85 or an 84, depending upon whether a penalty shot would be assessed for originally thinking that the ball found the hazard.
In the long run, either score would have been fine with Wind and his teammates as the Panthers would have collectively registered a 354 or 355. Both scores would be better than that of runnerup Fosston which shot 364 and the other two teams in the field. And, either way, the Panthers would be rewarded with a trip to the state meet.
When the group explained to the tournament officials what happened, however, a third option on how to play that hole was brought up.
BTCC pro Rick Grand referenced the Decisions Book on the Rules of Golf and Rule 26 on water hazards dictated that, because no one in the group could definitively say that the ball caromed into the hazard after it hit the tree, the proper thing to do was to declare it a lost ball and return to the tee box after assessing a two-shot penalty.
Grand also contacted a few PGA officials who confirmed that ruling.
In addition to the obscure rules that govern golf, drastic penalties are the consequence when you violate one of those decrees. Wind and his teammates found that out Tuesday.
Because Wind did not follow golf protocol on No. 15, he was disqualified from the tournament. As a result, Cass Lake-Bena's team score dropped to 377 and the Panthers officially finished behind Fosston in the chase for the state tournament.
Instead of CL-B representing Section 8A at the state meet, only Dakota Brunelle who carded Tuesday's medalist round of 77, will be going. Wind and teammates Caleb Duoos, Kyle Pemberton, Angel Rosilio and Bryce Premo will be staying home.
Red Lake also had two state individual qualifiers, Rob McNeal who carded an 84 in the boys division and Daisey Mondragon who shot 95 to claim the sixth spot in the girls division.
The top team and the top six individuals earned trips to the state Class A golf meets which will be June 12-13 at Pebble Creek in Becker.
Brunelle has been playing well and, barring the unforeseen, the senior believed that he would make it as an individual.
But that wasn't his ultimate goal.
"I wanted us to go to state as a team," Brunelle said. "The younger kids were counting on me to play well and I was counting on myself to get the younger kids to state."
A birdie on No. 2 helped Brunelle post a 1-under par round after four holes. Double bogeys on the fifth and seventh holes, plus a bogey on No. 6, however, vaulted Brunelle to a 40 on the front side.
He also started the back nine with bogeys on 10 and 11 but, with the help of birdies on 12 and 14, Brunelle recovered to shoot 37 and finish at 77.
"After the 40 on the front I knew I had to step it up on the back nine," Brunelle said. "After 3-putting for bogey on 10 and 11, I told myself that I had to do better and then on No. 12 I hit it to three feet and I was on my way."
McNeil wasn't as confident in his game when he began Tuesday's round and compounding the problem was the wind and intermittent mist that pestered the golfers.
"During the last few days I didn't do well on this course," the senior said. "My goal was to make it to state and this was my last chance.
"The wind was messing with my shots a little bit but my putting was good all day. Now that I made state my goal is to give it my best," he added.
Section 8A Golf Tournament
BTCC, par 72
Boys Division
Fosston 364, Cass Lake-Bena 377, Lake of the Woods 384, Kittson County Central 386
Medalist: Dakota Brunelle (CLB) 77
Other state individual qualifiers: Tanner Knutson (Northern Freeze) 79, Ben Langaas (Badger-Greenbush-Middle River) 83, Rob McNeal (Red Lake) 84, Seth Carlin (Fosston) 85, Hunter Swendseid (Sacred Heart) 90
Other Cass Lake-Bena: Caleb Duoos 95, Kyle Pemberton 98, Angel Rosilio 107, Bryce Premo 109, Cody Wind DQ
Girls Division
BTCC, par 74
Fosston 386, Badger-Greenbush-Middle River 393, West Marshall 419, Climax-Fisher 433
Medalist: Kailey Carlin (Fosston) 88
Other state individual qualifiers: Kailey Younggren (Kittson County Central) 89, Vanessa Burke (Badger-Greenbush-Middle River) 89, Adrienne Kronschnabel (Fertile-Beltrami) 93, Hannah Wagner (Climax-Fisher) 94, Daisey Mondragon (Red Lake) 95


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There�s another name change for the high school basketball tournament played at the Greensboro Coliseum�s Special Events Center next month.
It was founded as the Little 4 Invitational in 1976. This year as it marks the 37th annual event, it will be called the Greensboro Sports Council Invitational.
The tournament, which includes boys� and girls� teams, will be held Dec. 26-28.
Tournament organizers announced this week that the local Pizza Hut franchise that funded the tournament sponsorship was purchased by a larger franchise operator located in South Carolina earlier this year. Terms of the purchase didn�t require the new owner to honor existing contracts, and the new franchise elected not to continue its sponsorship. Pizza Hut became the title sponsor of the tournament in 1996.
The Greensboro Sports Council made last-minute efforts to secure title sponsorship for the 2012 tournament. Organizers announced that multiple local entities have made significant donations to provide funding for this year�s tournament and allow time for the search for a new title sponsor.
The 2012 tournament will feature the same field as last year: Greensboro Day School, Greensboro Grimsley, Northeast Guilford, Northern Guilford, Northwest Guilford, Greensboro Page, Ragsdale and Greensboro Smith.
Tournament proceeds are donated to area charities and the participating schools.


text: @schumixmdI haven't done anything with OSD capabilities but TVout has been modified to do this previously (search the old thread linked to in the first post). An OSD has also been done with nothing more than a few resistors see (not TVout based but this is where I had planned on starting if I was to create a TVout OSD version): http://www.elenafrancesco.org/arduino/baroneosd/ which will do some basic text overlay.As far as the pollserial issues that is odd but not all that surprising as I did'nt do much testing beyond the super basic terminal app meant as a quick example on using the hbi_hook. If I remember correctly pollserial goes a bit crazy if the rx buffer gets full maybe start there? (make sure to handle the data fast enough maybe)


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so i drove the bus around yesterday went to sheridan on 35 to see my dad. blue smoke started comming out of the vents again. now i know robb was saying it was paint burning off but it can't be the paint is gone. but it will do it for like 15 minutes then stop and i won't see it again but it does it every time i go on a high speed adventure (55mph) i know i have a slight oil leak comming from what i think is the oil cooler. could that be what is causing the smoke. oil leaking from the cooler being blown into the heat exchanger and then burning off and all that smoke is now comming into the cab? or is there some other more severe problem.
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