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Coherent has brought industrial reliability to cutting-edge scientific lasers
Coherent provides laser-based solutions specifically optimized for a wide range of applications in scientific research. These applications include ultrafast and high resolution spectroscopy, multiphoton microscopy and other laser-based imaging techniques, material and environmental sciences, pulsed-laser deposition and holography/interferometry.
As the world's largest supplier of scientific lasers, Coherent offers state-of-the-art laser systems featuring CW, Q-Switched and mode-locked operation ranging in output wavelength from 190 nm to 20 microns. And all new scientific lasers from Coherent feature industrial stability and 24/7 reliability, enabled by the laser industry's first comprehensive HALT/HASS program. Coherent lasers not only enable you to get better data, they enable your lab to produce more data.
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Scientific research is highly demanding and competitive. Reproducible results and exceptional reliability reduce your cost of data and accelerate your career. Click on the thumbnail to learn more about how Coherent scientific ultrafast lasers are designed and built for industrial-grade reliability.
Pump-probe experiments using picosecond or femtosecond lasers.
Generally, ultrafast spectroscopy refers to pump-probe experiments using picosecond or femtosecond lasers to get time-resolved spectral information.
Traditionally ultrafast spectroscopy was restricted to gas phase reactions, where molecules are considered to be isolated. It is therefore easier to distinguish spectral features and energy transfer mechanisms than in condensed phase systems. These experiments have lead to an ever increasing knowledge of gas phase reactions resulting in quantum control of reactions in the gas phase.
Since the development of reliable solid-state ultrafast lasers over 10 years ago, ultrafast spectroscopy is not limited to gas phase reactions. The ability to choose pulsewidth, wavelength, or amplify the traditional Ti:S output means ever more increasing applications in condensed phase systems as well.
Ultra short FIR pulses as a spectroscopic tool.
There are numerous processes that occur in the far-infrared (FIR) region of the spectrum that have not been studied directly due to the lack of availability of ultrashort FIR pulses. Recent developments have yielded ultrashort FIR pulses, referred to as THz pulses (0.1 to about 6 THz), and the full capability of this technique is just starting to take off. Techniques once limited to the UV, visible and IR region can now begin to be applied to the FIR region as well. Attention has been focused on generating these THz pulses and understanding the physics of generation and propagation; now the actual THz pulses can be used as a spectroscopic tool.
THz spectroscopy has applications in semiconductors, liquids, gases and 2-D imaging. Imaging is rapidly emerging as an exciting THz application, and images can be taken using transmission or reflection geometry. By analyzing the THz waveform in either the time domain (material homogeneity or thickness variations) or the frequency domain (frequency-dependent absorption) as well as by other methods, images identifying material properties can be constructed (J.V. Rudd, D. Zimdars, and M. Warmuth, Picometrix, Inc., "Compact, fiber-pigtailed, terahertz imaging system"). Polar liquids and gases are highly absorptive in the THz regime; therefore, these type of samples are readily suitable for THz imaging. Such imaging serves as a complement to existing imaging methods or allows substances that haven't been studied previously to be imaged. Recent examples of published THz imaging applications include: identifying raisins in a box of cereal by water content; studying water uptake and evaporation in leaves; examining circuit interconnects in packaged ICs; reading text in envelopes or beneath paint; identifying tooth decay; locating water marks in currency (also from J.V. Rudd et al, "Compact, fiber-pigtailed, terahertz imaging system").
The number of commercially available terahertz imaging systems is extremely few even though many applications are emerging for THz imaging. New techniques have been developed for the generation and detection of THz radiation based on frequency conversion using nonlinear optics. THz techniques combine pulsed ultrafast laser technology with optoelectronics to generate terahertz radiation with sub-picosecond pulse duration. A typical set-up includes a modelocked solid-state laser that produces pulses with 100 femtosecond pulsewidths. The Coherent Vitara laser can be used as the femtosecond optical excitation source; alternatively, the Mira Optima 900-F system may be used. The Vitara offers the advantage of using a hands-off, turnkey solution in a single, compact, rugged package that includes the Verdi diode-pumped solid-state pump laser operating at 532 nm and the modelocked Ti:S oscillator.
Low noise lasers enable interferometry with unprecedented precision.
Low noise laser systems allow the detection of very small length changes with a precision that was unattainable until just recently. High precision interferometry now enables the study of previously unobserved phenomena such as gravitational waves. The direct detection of gravitational waves stands at the beginning of a whole new field of astronomy, because such waves are emitted by very massive accelerated objects such as black holes, which are often not visible with conventional telescopes. For this purpose, large scale Michelson interferometers housed within vacuum systems with an arm length of several kilometers are being built at several sites around the world. A passing gravitational wave will cause a very small arm length change in such an interferometer. Great care has to be taken to suppress all other potential noise sources below the strength of the signal that is to be detected. Such unwanted noise sources are seismic noise, thermal noise, electronic noise , as well as noise associated with the laser. Multiple stage monolithic suspensions of the interferometer optics and advanced interferometer designs with arm cavities and additional power and signal recycling mirrors are being used to address these noise sources. The laser of choice in these high precision interferometers is usually the Mephisto laser due to its very low frequency noise.
In related experiments, fundamental quantum optic effects and the generation and application of squeezed light are studied. The observation of these effects is only possible when an ultra stable low noise laser system is available.
When a higher output power is needed, the Mephisto MOPA is available with the same frequency stability. Interferometry applications at different wavelength such as 1319 nm or 532 nm are also possible.
Instead of detecting changes in the arm length of an interferometer, some standard institutes and research facilities require the measurement of an absolute length with very high precision. To achieve this, an absolute frequency standard, as well as extremely low frequency noise are required. The iodine stabilized Prometheus laser fulfills these requirements.
This type of spectroscopy analyzes fluorescence as a function of wavelength when the laser is tuned to an electronic absorption of the sample.
This type of spectroscopy analyzes fluorescence as a function of wavelength when the laser is tuned to an electronic absorption of the sample. In general, luminescence involves the emission of electromagnetic radiation by a material after that material has absorbed energy from a light source. Luminescence is described as fluorescence when the time lag between excitation and emission is on the order of 10 nanoseconds. Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) can be used for a wide array of applications, including the qualitative and quantitative measurements of the concentrations of molecules in a sample and the mapping of energy level diagrams.
Fluorescence studies are usually conducted with tunable continuous wave (cw) laser systems; the use of frequency-doubled Ti:Sapphire (Ti:S) lasers enhance the experimental capabilities of cw fluorescence measurements. For broadband fluorescence studies of samples in the solid or liquid states, linewidths between 2 and 400 GHz are usually suitable.
For fluorescence spectroscopic experiments in the gas phase, the most important laser parameter may be the linewidth. For reliable high-resolution fluorescence studies, which dictate linewidths under 10 MHz and high output power, Coherent's Ring Laser is designed for optimum performance with Ti:S gain media (Ti:dye). Systems such as the MBR-110 ring lasers operate reliably over extended periods of time with linewidths as low as 75 kHz.
One of the most important contributions to fluorescence spectroscopy has been the availability of ultrafast lasers capable of picosecond and femtosecond pulses in time-resolved fluorescence measurements. Lasers such as the Mira Optima 900 have allowed direct excitation of materials within the lifetime of an excited state.
Narrow linewidth lasers with broad tuning range enable advances in high resolution spectroscopy.
Laser-based atomic spectroscopy is the measurement of absorption, emission, or scattering of electromagnetic radiation by atoms and molecules (or atomic and molecular ions) to study these species and their related physical processes. The interaction of radiation with matter causes redirection of the radiation and/or transitions between the energy levels of atoms and molecules. There are three types of events that are often studied with lasers: absorption, fluorescence and scattering.
Absorption happens when photons are absorbed by the atom and its electrons are promoted to higher energy levels. Absorption can be studied measuring the amount of laser light transmitted by the sample as a function of the wavelength. Fluorescence happens when the excited electron decays back to its original state by emitting a photon of light at a longer wavelength (smaller energy) than the exciting photon from the laser. Scattering may be elastic (like Rayleigh and Mie scattering) or inelastic. Inelastic scattering takes places in atoms, molecules or lattices where part of the photon energy is transferred to/from the medium in processes like Raman or Brillouin scattering. In this section we consider mostly absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy and steady-state phenomena with high spectral resolution, rather than time-resolved studies, where pico- or femtosecond pulses are used. For a description of Raman scattering applications, please go to the section "Raman Spectroscopy".
There are many high-resolution spectroscopic techniques. For example, the laser wavelength can be tuned to an electronic absorption of the sample and the resulting fluorescence can be analyzed as a function of wavelength. Alternatively, if laser excitation at an initial wavelength is introduced to a sample, absorption/transmission spectroscopy can be used to monitor the amount of light transmitted through the sample. If the excitation wavelength is scanned, an absorption spectrum can be analyzed. Many distinctions of this spectroscopy exist.
Lasers play an important role in high-resolution spectroscopy because of their simultaneous high-power output beam and narrow linewidth. Atomic spectroscopy (both absorption and fluorescence) usually requires wavelengths between 100 nm and 2 micron. Tunable Titanium Sapphire lasers are ideally suited for atomic spectroscopy because they provide powers and tuning ranges unavailable with any other source. The natural tuning range of 700-1,000 nm can be extended using second harmonic generation to cover the region 350-500 nm. Coherent's MBR family of CW tunable lasers offer all these wavelength ranges with different power levels and with various linewidths. The flagship model MBR-110 provides a very narrow 75 kHz linewidth, suitable for high-resolution studies. The laser output of the MBR lasers can be stabilized and scanned to provide accurate spectra of atomic species. The MBD-200 resonant ring frequency-doubler efficiently converts the MBR output to its second harmonic and further extends the available wavelength range.
Coherent's Ion lasers (Innova 300 series) can be operated in single frequency at several blue and green wavelengths and provide linewidths narrower than 50 MHz. The single frequency Verdi DPSS laser produces up to 18 Watts at 532 nm and 20 W at 1064 nm. The specifically designed doubler MBD-266 can be used to convert the green output of Verdi to its second harmonic in the deep UV.
The development of methods to cool and trap atoms using laser light.
The control of atomic motion by laser light is an application that has exploded over the last few years. The possibility of reaching extremely low atomic kinetic-energy temperatures near absolute zero is perhaps the most astonishing achievement. Research in atom trapping and cooling has led to insights into the interaction of matter and radiation and a variety of applications in areas such as spectroscopy, atomic clocks, atomic interferometers, optics, lithography, and gravitational measurements.
Laser beams are used to chill atoms and trap them in space. At first it would seem that cooling atoms using a laser source would be unlikely, but the technique has readily been demonstrated by the Nobel prize-winning work of Steven Chu, William D. Phillips and Claude Cohen-Tannoudji. When an atom is illuminated by counter-propagating light and absorbs a photon, its momentum changes the atomic velocity. After many cycles of absorption and emission, the velocity of the atom becomes nearly zero. In each cycle the atom loses energy which corresponds to the Doppler shift. The kinetic energy of the atom can eventually be lower than one microKelvin. This atom can then be trapped by two opposing laser beams that have frequencies lower than the atom's absorption maximum. As the atom moves in the direction of one of the laser beams it sees a frequency increase (Doppler effect). The frequency increase moves into the atom's absorption band causing a momentum kick in the opposite direction. The atom is then fixed in space by the two beams. Cooling allows the atom to be held longer since its random thermal motions are minimized.
Short and intense laser pulses provide unique benefits for many pulsed laser deposition applications.
Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) is a laser-based technique used to grow high quality thin films of complex materials on substrates like Silicon wafers. The material to be deposited (target) is vaporized by short and intense laser pulses and forms a plasma plume. Then, the vaporized target material from the plasma bombards the substrate and – under the right conditions – creates a thin homogenous layer on this substrate. For each laser shot, a layer of only a few nanometers of material is ablated to form the plasma plume in a process that typically last a few tens of picoseconds. To enable this process, nanosecond pulses with energies of tens or hundreds of millijoules are necessary and UV wavelengths are usually preferred. These requirements match well the performances of excimer lasers.
The first laser deposition experiments took place in the mid to late 1960s, but PLD gained tremendous interest after T. Venketesan in 1987 first applied this method to create high temperature superconductive (HTSC) films. Since then, many hundreds of lasers have been sold to drive research, process development and small-scale production of thin film devices, such as superconductive magnetic sensors (SQUIDs), thin film ferroelectrics and "high k" gate resistors, semiconductor alloys, carbon nano-tubes, and more.
Although visible or IR laser beams have been used for PLD applications, UV beams are now most commonly employed. Among UV pulsed lasers, excimer lasers provide a variety of short wavelengths combined with energy levels that fit perfectly most PLD applications. High laser pulse energy provides several benefits for pulsed laser deposition. First, it extends the range of possible target materials that can be used. Second, it enables a larger area on the target to be ablated with the desired fluence. In turn, this area enlargement increases the deposition rate and reduces the plume angle, resulting in higher deposition efficiency. Finally, higher pulse energy provides a larger process window, allowing a more consistent process.
Coherent's COMPex and LEAP laser series are designed for demanding high-pulse energy applications and are highly effective tools for pulsed laser deposition. They deliver the beam stability and energy stability performance required to achieve superior results in sophisticated thin film deposition experiments.
Laser pulses can vary over a very wide range of duration (milliseconds to femtoseconds) and fluxes, and can be precisely controlled. This makes pulsed laser ablation very valuable for both research and industrial applications.
Laser Ablation is the process of removing material from a solid (or occasionally liquid) surface by irradiating it with a laser beam. At low laser flux, the material is heated by the absorbed laser energy and evaporates or sublimates. At high laser flux, the material is typically converted to a plasma. Usually, laser ablation refers to removing material with a pulsed laser, but it is possible to ablate material with a continuous wave (CW) laser if the laser intensity is high enough. The depth over which the laser energy is absorbed, and thus the amount of material removed by a single laser pulse, depends on the material's optical properties and the laser wavelength.
Laser pulses can vary over a very wide range of duration (milliseconds to femtoseconds) and fluxes, and can be precisely controlled. This makes laser ablation very valuable for both research and industrial applications.
The 193 nm solid-sampling-system GeoLasPro is a self-contained laser ablation system for sample introduction in high-resolution LA-ICP MS (laser ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry). GeoLasPro integrates the COMPexPro 193 nm ablation laser including beam homogenizing and shaping optics, a sample chamber, and unmatched microscopic sample observation capability. 193 nm sampling speed can be varied in a wide range from 1 Hz up to 100 Hz.
GeoLasPro includes several innovative features that enhance the performance of the overall LA-ICP-MS system. For example, the new sample observation microscope is made perfectly co-linear with the laser beam delivery optics through the use of an all-mirror microscope objective, which is free of chromatic aberration. This objective is also able to operate at higher laser power without the risk of coating damage that can occur when using lens-based objectives. These beam delivery optics can achieve a homogenized spot with a diameter as small as five (5) microns, which is ideal for sampling small fluid inclusions. The optics also include interchangeable circular and square beam shaping masks providing high sampling flexibility.
GeoLasPro is designed for geological and nuclear physics research and for quality control of materials and pharmaceutical samples. Examples include analysis of fluid inclusions in minerals, age determination of samples by isotope ratio analysis and analyzing high purity semiconductor materials.
Advantages of Laser Ablation
Several high-throughput techniques rely on laser fluorescence.
DNA sequencing involves the use of automated and miniaturized biochemical techniques to determine the fundamental base sequence (ACGT) of strands of DNA, chromosomes and even the entire genome. DNA sequencing is characterized by its technological diversity, with several completely different high-throughput approaches, each promoted by their suppliers for their superiority in terms of accuracy (i.e., fewer read errors), maximum read length, and cost-effectiveness. These methods feature incredible parallelism that has enabled the cost of genome sequencing to fall by several orders of agnitude in less than 25 years. At present, the most popular of these techniques all rely on laser illumination of fluorescently tagged bases.
The diversity of methodology is reflected in the diversity of laser parameters needed for the different approaches. Some utilize tight focus and use just a few tens of milliwatts, whereas those that rely on wide-field excitation may use lasers at the 1 watt level and beyond. In order to track the four different bases, up to four different visible laser wavelengths are used depending on the fluorophore properties.
In terms of its usage and applications, DNA sequencing is widely used in research but is still in its infancy as a clinical tool. Oncology is a key application area with diagnosis, tumor gene profiling and customized therapies. Sequencing services are also offered as discretionary paid services to consumers fueling market growth. Ultimately, it is expected to play critical roles in the fast growing world of personalized medicine and emerging gene therapies.
High throughput methods key to modern drug discovery.
The use of arrays (well plates) revolutionized modern drug discovery and particularly screening, providing unique advantages including automation, miniaturization, and high speed. Array plates have gotten denser over the year and today can total as many as 1,536 separate wells, so imaging speed is of paramount importance in order to view all these wells at high resolution on a practical timescale. High performance array readers are used to image these arrays that are also used in academic research. The combination of laser-based confocal imaging and fluorescent markers in these readers now enables individual cells and even sub-cellular components to be mapped with three dimensional (depth) resolution.
Compact and cost-effective visible lasers with plug-and-play functionality have enabled the development of these next generation array readers, where up to five different excitation wavelengths are used of multi-parameter screening. These wavelengths range from violet/UV 405 nm to red (630 nm). In this way, the same reader might automatically map a genetically expressed fluorescent protein, a nuclear label like DAPI, a membrane stain, and a mitochondrial marker, all in the same fast measurement cycle.
Raman scattering is a valuable spectroscopic technique that can be applied to solid, liquid or gas samples.
The Raman effect occurs when a sample is irradiated with UV, visible or IR light and a small fraction of the incident radiation is scattered and shifted at frequencies that correspond to vibrational transitions specific of the sample.
The Raman signal is much weaker than the incident and scattered light, so it may be difficult to detect it, unless appropriate measures to enhance the signal/background noise ratio are taken. For example, when a laser source is tuned to match an electronic transition of the sample, the resonant effect increases the Raman scattering by several orders of magnitude. This so-called resonance Raman spectroscopy is often used for applications such as qualitative analysis and molecular structure determination of samples which exhibit electronic transitions in the visible region of the spectrum. For non-resonant Raman spectroscopy, the most commonly used sources are visible or IR laser sources in the range 500 nm to 1,000 nm; shorter wavelength are more likely to excite fluorescence that can easily hide the Raman scattered light, unless the fluorescence is carefully filtered out. For this reason, near-IR light is often used.
Laser sources for continuous wave (CW) Raman spectroscopy include laser diodes, diode-pumped lasers, optically pumped semiconductor lasers (OPSL), and ion lasers. For excitation at fixed wavelengths with CW solid-state lasers, Coherent offers the Sapphire SF single-frequency OPSL series with wavelengths at 488 nm and 532 nm. The Innova 300C and 70C series of small-frame argon or krypton ion lasers are also well suited for Raman experiments in the visible region of the spectrum. Innova 70C Spectrum is a mixed gas lasers that can generate a number of laser lines from the UV to the near IR.
Ultraviolet (UV) resonance Raman spectroscopy is a useful tool for the investigation of molecular structure, kinetics, and excited-state surfaces and dynamics. In particular, it finds numerous applications in systems of biological interest. The Innova series of frequency-doubled argon ion lasers - Innova FRED - is perfect match for resonance Raman spectroscopy because it produces several wavelengths in the range 229 nm to 257 nm. The very short wavelengths of these CW lasers minimize sample damage, compared with nanosecond pulses lasers, and minimize excitation of competing fluorescent signal.
A dynamic field of Raman studies is coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering, or CARS. This technique uses two synchronized picosecond or femtosecond sources to stimulate a strong signal response at the so-called Anti-Stokes frequency. This happens only when the wavelengths of the two lasers are separated by a wavenumber matching the Raman transition of the sample. This technique is particularly suitable to detect lipids (fats) in microscopic cellular specimens. Ti:Sapphire (Ti:S) lasers and OPOs are well suited for CARS experiments: broad tunability and flexible pulse duration match the application requirements perfectly. Mira-900, Chameleon and Mira-OPO are ideal laser sources for CARS.
Multiphoton Excitation (MPE) microscopy was first reported in 1990 (Denk, Strickler and Webb). Since then, it has grown to become an ubiquitous imaging technique when in-vivo, optical sectioning is key. In multiphoton microscopy, a fluorescent molecule – attached to the specimen or naturally present – is excited by two or three photon of infrared light. This is in contrast with confocal microscopy where the same type of molecules are excited by a single photon of blue-green or UV light. Multiphoton excitation offers several fundamental advantages over confocal microscopy: the IR light penetrates more deeply in the tissue because of lower absorption and scattering; the longer wavelength is less damaging and allows in vivo imaging also in human subjects; finally, the non-linear process excite fluorescence only on the focal plane and a the confocal aperture required with single-photon excitation is no more necessary. The sectional image of a living mouse brain, imaged to a depth of 800 micron with Coherent Chameleon Ultra II laser is an impressive paradigm of the capability MPE.
In parallel to MPE, several other non-linear techniques have become increasingly popular. These include Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) microscopy and Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopic (CARS) microscopy. This suite of non-linear techniques require the use of Ultrafast lasers, generating pulses of 100-200 fs and tunable over the near IR region of the spectrum. These lasers are inherently more complex than the blue-green lasers used for confocal microscopy and other bioinstrumentation applications.
Coherent recognizes that microscopists, neurologists and biologists should not have to become laser experts to do their work. For this reason we designed and manufacture and expansive line of lasers designed specifically for non-linear imaging. This way, MPE users can focus on their sample, not on the laser equipment.
Learn more about Multiphoton Excitation Microscopy by visiting our OASIS™ page.
Yields a series of high-resolution, high-contrast images that can be reassembled into a three-dimensional picture.
The microscope is confocal because the objective lens is used both to illuminate the sample and to image it. It is a scanning optical microscope because only one point of the sample is illuminated at a time. As the sample is scanned, the image is built up pixel by pixel. True optical sections of a sample are taken because of the short focal plane of the objective lens (as small as .5 microns). Any image data above or below the focal plane is prevented from reaching the detector. Levels of the sample are collected as the focal plane (Z axis) is raised or lowered. These levels are then computer-assembled into a three dimensional structure. Features of a confocal microscope include high-resolution, submicron microscopy, without the expense of an electron microscope, magnification ranging from 100x to 10,000x, and non-destructive examinations of living samples. Confocal Microscopes are used in the following applications:
Confocal Microscopes are used in the following applications:
The use of laser pulses to find range or other information of a distant object.
ght etection nd anging uses the same principle as RADAR. The LIDAR instrument transmits light to a object. Some of this light is reflected or scattered back to the instrument where it is analyzed. The changes in the light enables some properties of the object to be determined. The time for the light to travel out to the object and back to the LIDAR is used to determine the range to the object.
There are three basic generic types of lidar:
Range finder LIDAR is used to measure the distance from the LIDAR instrument to a solid object.
fferential bsorption LIDAR (DIAL) is used to measure chemical concentrations (such as ozone, water vapor, pollutants) in the atmosphere. A DIAL LIDAR uses two different laser wavelengths which are selected so that one of the wavelengths is absorbed by the molecule of interest while the other wavelength is not. The difference in intensity of the two return signals can be used to deduce the concentration of the molecule being investigated.
Doppler LIDAR is used to measure the velocity of an object. If the object is moving away from the LIDAR, the return light will have a longer wavelength (sometimes referred to as a red shift), if moving towards the LIDAR the return light will be at a shorter wavelength (blue shifted). The object can be either be solid or atmospheric - the atmosphere contains many microscopic dust and aerosol particles that are carried by the wind. These are the object of interest, as they are small and light enough to move at the true wind velocity and thus enable a remote measurement of the wind velocity to be made.
For more information on LIDAR-related products, visit:
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Nothing Feels Good: Punk Rock, Teenagers, and Emo
by Andy Greenwald Author
This isn't a book to read if you clung too dearly to emo around a decade ago, as Andy Greenwald can be occasionally scathing in his conversational critique. He defines emo as a reaction to macho and aggressive punk rock, which seems reasonable, but he strikes a chord in noticing that no emo musician or fan self-describes that way, as it's inherently limiting. So to be emo, you have to deny all associations with emo. Further, they envelope themselves in a community that rewards a stagnant immaturity. Andy spends many pages thereafter spending time with emo fans and hearing them endlessly relate with their icons. And after a few hundred pages you are left with this idea that twenty years of emo "culture" has come full circle to mimic the actions of Jefferson Airplane where giant stadiums and tour busses are surrounded by khaki and tank top clad fans clamoring to spend a minute with Chris Carraba to relate their break ups, hardships, and a perceived relationship. And by the end, it doesn't feel like the book was making fun of emo kids but rather creating a feeling of understanding—understanding how they get stuck between points of emotional development and decision making; understanding why they hurt so much and cherish their sensitivity to painful events in their lives; and most of all, understanding how it became a self-perpetuating culture that spread into millions of fans, despite remaining "underground."
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Eventbrite lays off half their workforce as the events industry shuts down.
The company's share price rose by 15% after the layoffs.
Spain plans to roll out Universal Basic Income as soon as possible.
With plans to make it permanent.
WeWork sues Softbank after pulling out from $3billion tender offer.
SoftBank said it will not be moving forward with the deal due to regulatory issues and unmet requirements.
Airbnb raises $1 Billion to increase cash flow
Airbnb's business has been deeply affected over the past few months
Malaysian government announces RM10 billion stimulus package for businesses.
Wage subsidies for businesses are up to RM1200 per employee.
Stimulus for Malaysian SMEs in the planning.
Many SMEs have been badly affected by the nationwide shutdown.
Malaysian startups can now pitch to 50+ investors online via KK Fund's Meet Your Match initiative.
The total capital available for funding surpasses US $2 billion.
TikTok's twin app Douyin launches movie streaming feature
The platform has 800 million daily active users
Singapore's startup Doctor Anywhere raises $27 million despite current economy
The company is eyeing expansion to Malaysia and Philippines
Airbnb to pay hosts $250 million on cancellations during this period.
Due to worsening travel industry, cancellations have been taking place globally.
Singapore's Hashtaqs is helping entrepreneurs upskill themselves online during the stay home period.
A survey stated that 39.5% entrepreneurs prefer online learning during this critical period
KK Fund launches initiative to connect startups and investors online.
Helping startups raise funds more effectively during this difficult period.
Singapore's TripGuru offering stranded Malaysians affordable accommodation.
Up to 300,000 Malaysians could be affected in Singapore.
China temporarily suspends all travel into the country.
Visas of foreign nationals have all been suspended.
Investors shut down Singapore robo-advisory startup Smartly.
The firm was acquired in 2019 by Vietnam's VinaCapital.
MDEC launches campaign offering free / discounted services from local tech companies.
To alleviate the struggles SMEs are facing during this difficult period.
Yelp and GoFundMe team up to promote local business fundraisers
Daily Digest 25/3/2020: 10 tech and business news around the world
Facebook reducing video quality as more people stay at home.
Following similar moves from YouTube, Netflix and Amazon.
SoftBank planning to sell US$14 billion shares in Alibaba
Stake sale could range from as little as US$12 billion to as much as US$15 billion
Singapore's GovTech launches contact tracing app.
Using bluetooth technology to estimate the distance and duration when people come in contact with each other.
Malaysian entrepreneur launches News Asia Today to help businesses reach consumers in Asia.
The company will cover lifestyle, technology, and business news surrounding Asia.
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Head of the Large Animal Research Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge
Earthwatchers investigated how and why the meerkats of South Africa's Kalahari region cooperate in raising their young.
Dr. Clutton-Brock studies and writes about the ecology of mammals.
My research focuses both on the evolution of animal breeding systems and on the way in which these affect population dynamics and selection. Specific topics we are currently working on include the evolution of cooperation and the causal mechanisms controlling it; negotiation between helpers and juveniles; sexual selection in females and males; and the evolution of aging. Members of my group work on a wide range of animals, including insects, fish, birds, and mammals. Much of my own work focuses on three long-term studies: of red deer on the Isle of Rum; of Soay sheep on St. Kilda; and of meerkats in the southern Kalahari.
Questions of great beauty revolve around 'why.' Why does the extent of parental care vary so much between species? Why do only females care for eggs and young in some animals, only males in others? Why do some animals live in groups, and others not? Why do meerkats behave as they do? It's a major human endeavor to understand the world around you; good science is its own reward.
How do meerkats choose a dominant female? How do subordinate meerkats become dominant? Find out from Tim Clutton-Brock.


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The science and organizational dynamics are challenging, but clear strategies and Smart Simplicity can improve pipelines, launches, and productivity.
Research and development is the lifeblood of the biopharma industry and the ultimate source of the economic value it creates. R&D allows companies to generate new products that will eventually lead to growth and save lives. The ultimate importance of R&D is noted clearly in the more than 30% of market capitalization attributable to the value of the most successful biopharma company pipelines.
Advances in science open up new opportunities for growth—and challenges to optimizing a productive R&D organization. Biopharma companies first and foremost must construct R&D portfolios that will drive value creation. This requires a thorough look at their organization's ability to be first-in-class or truly best-in-class in the therapeutic areas where they decide to play. Strategically sourcing external innovation through partnerships and licensing is another powerful lever for driving R&D productivity.
The most successful R&D organizations have a deep understanding of their distinctive capabilities and leverage these to gain competitive advantage. A strong focus on operational excellence and innovation are critical to ensure shorter time-to-market.
Effective use of these strategies also helps companies maintain R&D spending levels and "do more with less." Looking beyond the lab, the most successful biopharma companies have been able to overcome the critical organizational dynamics that have been a barrier to R&D productivity. Through approaches that leverage "Smart Simplicity," these organizations have increased productivity despite flat R&D investments through more targeted drug development, improved decision making, and sharper prioritization, as well as through better collaboration with the commercial organization.


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The Ultimate Guide to American Express Merchant Financing You probably know American Express as the massive personal and business credit card issuer. But did you know that American Express offers more than just credit cards? American Express has ventured into the small business lending world: offering a variety of Amex business loans. The major player in Amex's suite of financing… Read more »
Posts Tagged: low cost business loans
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- American Express Business Loans
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For Immediate Release, August 14, 2012
Contact: Mollie Matteson, (802) 318-1487
Northeast Mountain Songbird Threatened by Climate Change Moves Closer to Federal Protection
RICHMOND, Vt.— In response to a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a "90-day finding" that the Bicknell's thrush, a northeastern songbird threatened by climate change, may warrant protection as an endangered species. The decision, which initiates a year-long status review, resulted from a landmark settlement with the Center in 2011 that is speeding up protection decisions for 757 species.
"This year is the warmest on record in the Northeast, so the need to protect the Bicknell's thrush couldn't be more urgent," said Mollie Matteson, a conservation advocate at the Center's Northeast office.
Bicknell's thrushes are olive-brown, migratory birds that nest in dense, coniferous forests near timberline in New York and New England and also breed in Quebec and Canada's Maritime provinces. Scientists identified them as a distinct species in 1993.
The overriding threat to these mountain-dwelling birds is climate change. Widely accepted climate models show the species' breeding habitat shrinking dramatically in the Northeast: Under a conservative scenario of roughly 2 degrees Fahrenheit warming, the thrush's U.S. habitat will be reduced by 48 percent to 66 percent. If the climate of the Northeast warms by approximately 6 degrees, the bird's habitat will essentially disappear in the United States. Scientists have already documented 7 percent to 19 percent annual population declines in parts of the bird's range.
Bicknell's thrushes face a plethora of other threats in addition to climate change, including high-elevation development such as ski areas and wind energy, logging, and acid rain deposition and accumulation of mercury in the food chain, both linked to air pollution. The thrushes winter on a handful of islands in the Caribbean, where they have also lost significant amounts of habitat to deforestation and development.
"Fish and Wildlife has made the right decision to take a closer look at the plight of the Bicknell's thrush — I hope it leads to full protection under the Endangered Species Act," said Matteson. "This modest-looking, sweet-singing bird is a bellwether of the future we all face in a rapidly warming world; we need to help other species to help ourselves."
The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 375,000 members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.
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SPEECH TITLES AND/OR TOPICS Click Here for Detailed Description
Future | Technology | Entrepreneurship | Design
Elwood "Woody" G. Norris won the 2005 $500,000 Lemelson-MIT Prize as Inventor of the Year. He holds 55 U.S. patents with more than 100 corresponding patents worldwide. He is widely recognized as a prolific inventor and a talented technology integrator. His interest in electronics started at a young age, with a rigorous experimentation method of inventing that he continues to this day.
Mr. Norris joined the U.S. Air Force in 1956 and was trained as a Nuclear Weapons Specialist, specializing in electronic fusing systems. He studied electronics at the University of New Mexico. In 1959, he began employment at the University of Washington where he continued his practical education, elevating his position from technician to Director of the Engineering Experiment Station within two years.
Upon conceiving his first commercial invention in 1970, Woody Norris left the university and embarked on his entrepreneurial career. He invented a phonograph tone arm that initially was developed for a contest, and was later sold for a modest $20,000.
Many of Mr. Norris' inventions are not just single product ideas; they shatter technology barriers creating multiple applications and a lasting impact. Among these technical breakthroughs, he developed and patented a cordless microphone, an artificial hip, and HyperSonic® Sound (HSS)--a revolutionary directional loudspeaker that focuses sound to a specific location. It also shapes the sound wave to fill only a predetermined area much as a spotlight narrows its beam. HSS® actually creates sound in the air. He has 11 additional issued patents relating to HSS® and others pending. HSS® has been recognized by various magazines as well as Popular Science as the "Best of What's New" in the General Technology Category, winning the Grand Award in 2002. That same year he was awarded the same honor in the Aviation category for his one-man helicopter invention.
Woody Norris also developed and patented Flashback®, the first hand held digital recording technology that allows digital recording of information on non-volatile flash memory rather than tape. He was a pioneer in the use of Flash memory. Flashback® has been recognized by numerous magazines as well as by Popular Science in its "Best of What's New" in the Audio & Video Category. This technology has been licensed to many of the world's leading manufacturing giants and is in almost universal usage today.
Mr. Norris invented an ear-mounted speaker/microphone combination that permits hands-free speaking and listening without audio feedback. This invention was sold to JABRA Corporation. He has four additional issued patents relating to this invention that were also sold to JABRA and which product is a market leader sold around the world. Yet another invention was his Gas Tube RF Antenna that can be called into existence and made to disappear at will. He has two additional issued patents relating to the Gas Tube Antenna and it is currently being used by the U.S. military.
Woody Norris developed and patented a Transcutaneous Doppler System and sold the technology to a medical company. This product was the precursor to today's Sonogram devices used by doctors and hospitals in imaging the human body. He also developed and patented a Helicopter Propulsion and Control System--a new generation, recreational flying vehicle. AirScooter® is a new kind of safe, single-person helicopter designed for recreation. Currently a production model of this craft is on display at California Disneyland in the Tomorrowland exhibit. Remarkably, it does not require a pilot's license and can be mastered in one afternoon of training. In 2002, AirScooter® was recognized by Popular Science as one of the "Best of What's New" in the Aviation & Space Category.
Mr. Norris has invented and patented 20 other diverse product ideas and technological breakthroughs. His inventions have been the keystone for several new companies. In 1980, he founded American Technology Corporation (ATC) where he recently retired as Chairman. ATC (now LRAD) is publicly traded and is marketing products to customers around the world.
Currently, Woody Norris is the Chairman and President of his new venture, Parametric Sound(TM) where he is marketing and selling the new and improved HyperSonic Sound.


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The Official Caving Forum of the National Speleological Society
NSS Home Page |
Flickr NSS Photo Pool | Online Cavers Network
CaveChat Room | NSS Bookstore | Find Local Caving Club
Moderator: Moderators
poppol wrote:
It seems that recently Leica has made a small change on the Disto X310 and E7400x which makes it incompatible with the upgrade "X2" kit. However I don't know the validity of this information
rlboyce wrote:I think there are cavers out there who assemble DistoX's and sell them. If you'd prefer to let someone else do the hard part, or you are having trouble getting the right components, perhaps this would be an option for you to consider.
Chads93GT wrote:Just built two of these myself, One for myself and one for the grotto. A buddy did the soldering as I didn't have the equipment for that. Anyway I was able to build the grotto's Distox2 for $442. People are really charging $200 for building these? it literally takes 20-30 minutes.
Mine only cost me $250 but I got the Leica E7400x for $30 with hotel points via amazon, hahaha
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Green season prep for the 2020 BC season
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For those who think financial advice is commoditized, think again. A new report from the research and consulting firm Advisor Impact found that nine out of 10 clients said the advice they received played an important or critical role in meeting their financial goals.
The report, titled "The Rules of Engagement" and sponsored by Genworth Financial Wealth Management, contained surprisingly good news for advisors and the job they're doing. It described 28% of clients as engaged clients, up from 24% a year ago. Some of its other findings:
• 79% of clients said they somewhat agreed (46%) or strongly agreed (33%) that their advisor added value over and above market performance
• 66% of clients said they somewhat agreed (43%) or strongly agreed (23%) that their advisor delivered value relative to fees charged
• 84% of clients said they had a high (31%) or very high (53%) level of trust in their advisor
• 64% of clients described their advisor as a strong leader, jumping to 84% among clients the report categorizes as engaged.
While the results of the study are positive, Advisor Impact CEO Julie Littlechild points out that there is work to be done. She notes that trust in the industry as a whole is low, despite high levels of trust in individual advisors (there is substantial untapped potential). Also, advisors only meet with 10% to 15% of the referrals that are made to them.
The latest report draws on data collected through Advisor Impact's Economics of Loyalty research, launched in 2008 and now being conducted annually in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom.
"Our new Client Engagement Index is a simple but powerful reflection of the health of an advisory business and of the industry," Littlechild (left) said. "As compared to other measures of success, it is the only one that captures the quality of the client experience and actual referral activity in a single number."
The Client Engagement Index is being published in the context of several other metrics, referred to as the "Essential 13", a set of data points that will be tracked on an ongoing basis to assess consumer sentiment, the role of advice, key performance indicators for advisors, and the impact of engagement with respect to value and trust.
"We believe that client engagement is the most critical metric for advisors and for the industry because it reflects both the client experience and the potential for growth. Engaged clients are the most satisfied and loyal, they perceive higher value in the role of advice and they will drive almost all referral growth for advisors," Littlechild said.
According to the current Advisor Impact study, Client Engagement—which is a composite score reflecting individual levels of satisfaction, loyalty and referral activity—has increased four percent since 2010, which is when the last study was completed.
"It is gratifying to see the Client Engagement composite score move from 24% to 28% over the past two years," Littlechild said. "This tells us advisors are working harder to build relationships and shore up the erosion of trust we saw as a result of the market scandals and banking crisis in 2008 and 2009."
Read Financial Planning and Commoditization, Pt.1: Defining Terms by Michael Kitces on AdvisorOne.


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Medusa "Choclet Giddy Up" (2011)
Before the month of March, aka Women's History Month 2011, comes to a close I wanted to shine some light on a sampling of the female hip-hop talents out there today and what they're up to, including both some well known, longtime women artists and some new up-and-coming female artists. For a myriad of reasons, namely the genre's prevalent macho attitude, even all these years later female artists remain a clear minority in the male dominated field of rap music. Hence, those women who continue to make hip-hop music demonstrate a true dedication and passion for their art form.
As with any musical genre, hip-hop goes through different waves and stages. Since its beginnings, trends in the popularity of female artists have periodically come and gone. And right now, following the meteoric rise to fame of Lil Wayne female protege Nicki Minaj and the breakout success of her late 2010 debut album Pink Friday, it looks like we might be set for a new wave of female MCs in the mainstream. If this occurs, as many industry insiders predict, it will not only make it easier for new female artists to get heard but it will also be easier for longtime female artists putting out new releases. One longtime female rapper who will not give credit to Nicki Minaj for the album she is reportedly dropping this year is Lil Kim, who you'll recall had a very public verbal beef with the younger rapper and who, back in November, unleashed the uncomplimentary rap "Black Friday" in response to Pink Friday. This week Nicki fired back with her latest Lil Kim diss track "Tragedy."


text: Jellies and Dinosaurs are invading Baltimore's Inner Harbor in a Waterfront Invasion. Are you prepared? This summer the National Aquarium and Maryland Science Center will have wonderful displays of two very popular prehistoric creatures, each with their own story of invasion... Though prehistoric, Jellies are still thriving and invading oceans across the world. In fact, in 1990, eight years after the comb jellies first invaded the Black Sea, their biomases totaled about 900 million tons in the sea - that's more than 10 times the weight of the total annual fish catch from all the world's oceans. The Leidy's comb jelly is native to the coastal waters of the eastern United States. In the early 1980's, these jellies were accidently introduced into the Black Sea when ships traveling from the western Atlantic released their ballast water. Lacking natural predators and finding abundant planktonic food, this invasive jelly multiplied rapidly and thrived in this new environment. By 1989 the population peaked—some areas reported over one thousand comb jellies per cubic meter of water. This invasive species has spread into the neighboring waters of the Azov, Caspian, and Mediterranean Seas, and is now beginning to invade the Baltic and the North Seas. Tags: black-sea, comb-jelly, jellies, jellyfish, leidys-comb-jelly, maryland-science-center, waterfront-invasion Categories: Animals, News Previous Post Next Post


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Founded in 1983, CMC Ontario Region works province-wide to advance the CMC's mandate: to promote the music of our Associate Composers, to encourage the performance and appreciation of Canadian music, and to make this music widely available and accessible around the world.
CMC Ontario delivers a balanced portfolio of programs, projects, and services to help promote and distribute Canadian music for performance, recording, broadcast, research, and general appreciation.
CMC Ontario provides a series of public services, including:
Furthermore, CMC Ontario works in partnership with numerous arts organizations to develop greater awareness and appreciation of our Associate Composers' music through special projects such as:
CMC-Ontario is conveniently located on the main floor of Chalmers House in downtown Toronto. We are here to inform and to serve you. Our doors, phone lines and email boxes are open for you!
Canadian Music Centre - Ontario Region
20 St. Joseph Street
Toronto, ON
Tel: 416.961.6601 ext. 207
Email: email@example.com
Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.


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Support the 2nd Amendment men's t-shirt
Designer: MORE BIGLY
Fruit of the Loom brand model 3931 unisex t-shirt, printed in the U.S.A.
- Made from 100% preshrunk cotton for a great fit and minimal shrinkage
- 5-ounces of high density fabric
- Shoulder-to-shoulder tape
- Double-needle stitched sleeves and bottom hem
- Double-needle overstitched seamless 1x1 ribbed collar crewneck
*Image shown may not match actual product exactly. Please expect delivery to take 2-3 weeks as we continue ramping up production and new inventory fulfillment. Thank you for your patience!


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Painting Restoration Essex
We are experts in painting and art restoration, cleaning, and repair in Essex and have over 30 years' experience. You can be assured that with the Fine Art Restoration Company, your treasured artwork is in safe hands.
Whether your watercolour painting needs a clean or your oil painting has a tear, we have a variety of highly qualified art restoration specialists within our team, so we can ensure whatever your artwork requires, it's completed by the right person.
We can collect and deliver your artwork to one of our specialist studios, before returning it once the restoration is complete.
We restore paintings from Southend-on-Sea to Colchester and all over the county. You can find out what we can do for you on our about us page.
If you have any restoration or cleaning requirements, then you can request a quote or get in touch for some more information on how we can help you.
In the meantime, you can take a look at our recent projects and what our customers have to say about the Fine Art Restoration Company.
You don't really own old family paintings, you are merely a custodian, so having them restored can be a nerve racking experience. That why I went with an expert team I could trust to restore a painting that is very dear to my heart. The restoration is superb and my family will continue to enjoy the results for generations to come.
My wife and I were really amazed at the end result, and the pictures are now hanging back in place. Our thanks to you and the team for the professional work carried out, and for the very efficient collection and delivery service provided. Highly recommended!
Many thanks for your excellent work on restoration of oil painting, cleaned, revarnished and repaired, bringing the painting back to life again.
What can we restore
- We can restore most types of oil paintings, watercolour paintings and canvas paintings.
- We can restore paintings that are ripped or torn.
- We can clean artwork that is grimy or dirty.
- We can also restore yellowed varnish or paintings that are nicotine stained.
These are all common concerns that we can help you with. Through restoring your artwork, we can give your paintings a new lease of life.
We can also advise and help with any other artwork concerns and damage, just get in touch and we will let you know exactly what can be done.
Reasons to use us:
The restorations of your painting is a serious undertaking. You can't and should'nt entrust this to just anyone.
- National pack and collect service
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- UK's most experienced restorers
- Trusted by major brands and 1000's of private clients
- Prompt professional and friendly service
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Our conservators are some of the most experienced working in the country and alongside our technicians, surveyors and support team provide a level of service unique within the industry.
Meet the team
Our team of art restorers are the best and most experienced in the country. With them your paintings are in safe hands and they'll produce you the best possible results.


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The Most Advanced Medical & Laser Technology
Maragh Dermatology, Surgery and Vein Institute are comprehensive dermatology centers specializing in medical, cosmetic, laser and surgical dermatology. Our centers offer the most advanced medical and laser technology to treat a wide variety of medical and cosmetic conditions. Under the direction of Sherry L. H. Maragh, MD, our team of board certified specialists have been recognized locally and throughout the region for our expertise in the field and the quality of care we give.
The Maragh Dermatology team offers years of combined experience in the most advanced techniques in skin care, including Mohs Micrographic surgery with cosmetic facial reconstruction for the treatment of skin cancer to the latest techniques in minimally invasive face and body rejuvenation including liposuction and cellulite treatment.


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Detroit boy robbed by gunman while waiting for bus to school
13-year-old Detroit boy says thief pointed gun, stole his jacket, cellphone, shoes
DETROIT – For many Detroit school children, getting to school is dangerous enough. It's dark at many bus stops and they have to walk past abandoned homes without knowing what kind of trouble may lurk inside.
For one 13-year-old middle-school boy, an attempted bus ride to school became terrifying. An armed thief took his cellphone, Adidas jacket and red and black shoes, which now are replaced by less flashy gray ones.
"To be robbed, I am very upset," his mother said. "I think it's a disgrace that, you know, I think people should just know you have to look out for your children and get these people off the streets. They need to be off the streets."
Her son is upset to see his mother's hard-earned money get stolen.
"She was very upset, and I was upset, too," he said. "Because my mom worked so hard to get those shoes for me and my jacket and phone."
The armed thief flashed his silver revolver for a moment. It's a memory the young boy now carries with him.
"'Cause, when I go to sleep I think about the man who put the gun at me. I just remember looking down at the gun in shock," he said. "He was like, 'Give me everything you got.' So then he told me to take off my hoodie, take off my coat. He basically wanted me to strip off everything really but he seen I didn't have nothing else on."
His mother is frustrated that her son can't even get to school without trouble finding him.
"I just think it's terrible that a teen boy can't go to school to better himself, to be a better man in his own community," she said.
The mother said she would like to move out of Detroit, but it does cost money she doesn't have. Now, she feels frightened and angry.
Copyright 2013 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Turn Your Passion Into a Business
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Create listing in minutes. Kixify includes seller tools that allow to track sales, setup your own shop, and more!
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Kixify brings the online sneaker community to your doorstep. Sell sneakers to both casual buyers and serious collectors.
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Create your store and list your products for free. We only take a small fee (8%) if your item sells.


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Forget awards season. For LA techies, it looks like Caltech's June commencement ceremony might be the hottest ticket in town, now that the Pasadena-based university has announced Elon Musk as the official commencement speaker.
Musk, who co-founded PayPal and is also the founder behind SpaceX and Tesla Motors, will be keynoting the school's graduation ceremony on June 15th. According to SoCalTech, Musk will be discussing the ways "brilliant, big ideas can and will have a positive impact in the world."
Caltech President Jean-Lou Chameau said the university reached out to Musk because of his game-changing work. "Elon Musk is a visionary business leader and innovator who is spearheading revolutionary ideas in three global industries—automobiles, energy, and space exploration. He is a powerful proponent of science and technology, and will share with Caltech graduates his perspective on how their brilliant, big ideas can and will have a positive impact in the world," Chameau said. "Musk has demonstrated how talent, intelligence, and active leadership—notable traits that Caltech graduates also share—are vital to shaping the future of our world."
SoCal Tech also pointed out that Musk is a great fit for Caltech thanks to one of his pursuits in particular — SpaceX. SpaceX develops commercial rockets, and is currently gearing up for its first mission to the International Space Station, to commence in February. Caltech runs the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which helped develop some of America's first rockets.
Angelenos — and the world — can watch Musk talk about SpaceX and much more when he takes the stage on June 15, as Caltech live streams the ceremony on their website. No caps and gowns required.


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Election insiders are watching these key races as results roll in
Chance Seales, Media General National Correspondent – WASHINGTON (MEDIA GENERAL) -- Election Day is finally here and the stakes could not be higher, from the top of the ballot to the bottom.
Thousands of candidates are running in races ranging from president to city council.
After 500-plus days of news coverage, hundreds of opinion polls and zillions (a rough approximation) of think pieces on the state of American politics, here are the states and races that political insiders will be watching the closest Tuesday night.
White House: Clinton stands firm
Hillary Clinton's team is confident that Democratic nominee will end the day as president-elect.
The final round of national polls (ABC, CBS, NBC) all leaned in Clinton's favor by a few points, giving the former secretary of state a slight edge over Republican nominee Donald Trump.
Clinton also edged out Trump in the final tallies issued by sites like FiveThirtyEight and NYT's Upshot, which use algorithms and weighted measures to predict the final outcome.
We've come a long way since the days of "Dewey defeats Truman," but polls have been all over the place this cycle, so turnout in battleground states will be key.
Here are the biggies, east to west: Florida, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Colorado, Nevada.
Trump certainly still has an opportunity, narrow as it may be, to change the game by bagging crucial swing states.
He spent his final night on the trail revving up huge crowds in New Hampshire and Michigan, which he sees as ripe for the picking.
If Republicans can poach Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire from the "D" column, the race could be called late into the night as news organizations await specific numbers from western states.
If not, we could have a winner by midnight.
The winner needs 270 electoral votes (of 538) to win.
Senate: A coin flip
A total of 34 Senate races are being waged this year, with Republicans defending 24 of those seats.
Senators win six-year terms, so many of the vulnerable GOPers vying to retain their seats this year are the same ones swept to victory during the anti-establishment Tea Party flood of 2010.
Eleven of the races are considered competitive, reports Vox.
As Senate Republicans have learned, midterms are a different animal than presidential cycles where the top of the ticket can more directly help or hurt their chances of winning.
The Senate is currently comprised of 54 Republicans, 44 Democrats and two Independents who caucus with Democrats.
It looked to be a promising year for Democrats, who need to pick up at least four additional seats to pull even with Republicans.
Some Democrats' relatively good fortunes fizzled over the past few weeks following the FBI Director James Comey's letter -- which turned out to be a false alarm -- regarding the further inspection of emails which passed through Clinton's private email server during her time in President Obama's cabinet.
A handful of the swing races are neck and neck, according to poll averages tabulated by Real Clear Politics, and could go down to the wire.
Republican incumbents in Missouri, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania are all within 2 percent of their opponent.
Florida's Marco Rubio appears more secure in his race, as does Ohio's Rob Portman.
Indiana has no incumbent and could go either way.
Nevada is a toss-up, with Rep. Joe Heck and state Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto fighting to replace outgoing Minority Leader Harry Reid.
Illinois looks primed to move from Republican to Democratic hands.
If either party captures 51 seats, they will claim the majority for the next two years, including control of the Senate legislative calendar and powerful committee chairmanships.
Depending on the outcome of the presidential race, a one-vote majority could become a boost or giant headache for the next president.
Should Democrats pick up four seats and tie the Senate 50-50, the incoming vice president would declare his party the new majority.
A power-sharing deal would be on the table, as was last implemented during an evenly split Senate in 2000, but such a compromise would not be a foregone conclusion in this pitched political atmosphere.
House: Republicans look strong
The U.S. House of Representatives has 435 members.
There are currently 246 Republicans and 186 Democrats serving in the House, plus three vacant seats.
Unlike senators who represent entire states, House members represent districts within states that are often carved up by state legislatures to naturally align with a single party.
Urban districts lean left while rural areas favor the GOP.
Gerrymandering, the practice of dissecting states into politically advantageous parcels, ensures that each party has secure seats that are never in danger.
This eliminates much of the suspense that's associated with presidential and Senate races, since a rural Nebraska district is unlikely to see a surge of Latino voters, motivated by Trump's rhetoric, swing the entire contest.
Likewise, a hidden majority of Republicans don't usually descend on urban polling booths to launch conservative underdogs to victory.
Given the safety of most House members, analysts have projected a modest gain in seats for Democrats in swing districts, but predict the House will remain firmly under Republican control.
The big question mark is whether current Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., will retain his speakership or face a coup by ultra-conservative members who resent his moderate immigration policies and tepid support of Donald Trump.
Follow Chance Seales on Twitter: @ChanceSeales
Copyright by WSLS - All rights reserved


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New development director selected for UH Manoa School of LawUniversity of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Cynthia Quinn, (808) 956-5516
Dale Lee, (808) 956-8636
William S. Richardson School of Law
Dale Lee, (808) 956-8636
William S. Richardson School of Law
Posted: Jun 8, 2007HONOLULU - The William S. Richardson School of Law proudly announces that Jennifer Hee has been appointed as Director of Development for the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation at the William S. Richardson School of Law. Working closely with School of Law Dean Aviam Soifer, Hee provides leadership in developing the college's overall strategy for fund development.
Hee received a BA in English from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and is certified to teach English as a Second Language. She also received an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from Kapiʻolani Community College.
Prior to joining the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation, Hee served as the Annual Giving Officer and Alumni Director at Hawaiʻi Baptist Academy. While there, she created the school's Alumni Program, which grew to generate national support from over 3,000 alumni.
Hee's background in development and fundraising in educational settings, coupled with over eight years experience in sales and customer service and a genuine passion for meeting new people and developing and building relationships, allows her to advocate effectively on behalf of the School of Law and contribute to its progress and growth as an institution of higher learning.
In her spare time, Hee is actively involved in the community through her membership with the Pacific Club, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and Hawaiʻi Kai Baptist Church, where she teaches hula and sign language to women and children on a weekly basis. Recently, she served on the Katrina Disaster Relief team in New Orleans through the North American Mission Board.
For more information, visit: http://www.hawaii.edu/law


text: The Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) for the Conference held its organizational session in New York on 15-16 April 1993. Penelope Wensley, Australia's Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva and Ambassador for the Environment, was elected Chair of the PrepCom. The Committee also elected four Vice-Chairs: Takao Shibata (Japan), Ioan Barac (Romania), John Ashe (Antigua and Barbuda) and Jos Luis Jesus (Cape Verde). Barbados, as host country, was an ex officio member of the Bureau. The PrepCom adopted guidelines suggesting that its consideration of SIDS should include actions at the micro level aimed at environment and development planning, measures for enhancing local skills and expertise, and medium- and long-term sustainable development planning.


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Groundhog Day is such a wonderful movie that it's totally transformed the connotation of the actual holiday from "that day when we believe the magical rat is a weather god" to a symbol of unbearable repetitiveness.
It's not like everyone you know hasn't been making bad jokes on Facebook all day, but whatever. It's one of the very best movies made by one of our very best comedic actors. It's cynical and smart and thoughtful and charming and a bunch of other things that Bill Murray basically embodies.
Check it out tonight or tomorrow or tonight and tomorrow and every night forever on [Crackle].


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A big frame that makes a big splash—as part of our Floatable Collection, the sporty and stylish Vantage is purpose-built for all types of aquatic action. Water and dirt repelling lens coatings limit smears and smudges to keep your view crystal clear. This lightweight frame is also available with our premium Performance Polar lenses.
These glasses FLOAT!
Performance Polar Technology Lenses
Grilamid Frame Material
8 Base Polycarbonate Lens
5 Barrel Stainless Steel Hinges
100% UV Protection
Medium Fit
Frame Colour
Matte Black H2O
Lens Colour
Green Ion P2 Polarized
We use either Royal Mail Tracked Services or DPD or DHL Express Parcel Service for all of our deliveries. We aim to dispatch completed orders received before 4pm on the same day. (Prescription orders are dispatched within 7-14 days)
Our international orders will be sent using Royal Mail International Signed For or DHL Express Service. Delivery times may vary from country to country, depending on the postal service in each country.
We obviously hope that you will be delighted with anything you order from Igero. However should you wish to return anything that you have bought from us, we are happy to issue a full refund provided that the item is returned to us in fully re-saleable condition (Prescription Lenses are made to order and are non-refundable, we will however refund the cost of the frame).
Return requests should be made within 14 days of purchase to firstname.lastname@example.com. We will then email you a Returns Authorisation (RA) code and details of what to do next. We offer a free returns service for all UK orders and our Returns Authorisation email will also include details of how to print your Free Tracked Returns label. All returns must be as new and unworn and include all tags and labels.
For full details of our delivery and returns policy, please see our delivery and returns page.


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Recently a long time friend of mine came to visit.She brought a full pack of Thai's basil for me.The only way I know to use this Thai's basil is to cook 3 cups chicken (San Bei Ji).San Bei Ji is a popular Chinese dish that serve particularly at Taiwanese restaurant.I like my dish spicy,so this time I added dried chili pepper and ginger when braising the whole chicken with rice wine,soy sauce and sesame oil.All these exotic seasoning and herbs absorbs into the chicken meat while braising a low flame for an hour really make the meat taste so smooth and tangible.I guess every cook like to create their own version of 3 cup chicken accordingly to their own taste bud.
This post is going to be my last post before I leave for my summer vacation tomorrow.In the coming weeks you will see more Malaysian or Chinese food make by my beloved mom..My mom dishes is 10 X better than mine and her cooking skill is fast,easy and beautiful,not to said the food taste delicious too!!
1 whole chicken about 5 lbs,clean and chop into small pieces
6-7 sprig Thai's basil,use leaves only
10 dried red chili pepper,washed
3-4 inch old ginger,peeled and slices
1 bulb fresh garlic,peeled and chopped
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup shaoxing wine or Chinese rice wine
1/4 cup sesame oil
4 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp caramel sauce or dark soy sauce*optional*
salt to taste
1:Heat wok at high heat with oil,garlic and ginger.Sauteed for 1 minute or until fragrant. Then add in dried red chili pepper,keep stirring until popping.
2:Add in chicken,rice wine,soy sauce and sesame oil.Lower heat/flame and cover wok with lid.Simmer the chicken for 30 minutes.Use spatula to stir the chicken from time to time.Add in basil and the rest of the seasoning.Keep simmer for another 20 minutes.
3:Check the seasoning.Dish out and serve warm with steamed rice.


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Scroll down to see how the different sections work
All images, numbers, graphs, amounts, currencies and any other representations are for illustration purposes only.
Historical data
The historical data graph shows the most recent data changes for the asset you have chosen. The scale is 5 minutes (default), 1 hour or 24 hours. The scale differs from the scale in the trading window, so that you can see detail (5 minutes) or a longer price history – depending on how you plan your investments.
The current price is always in the center of the screen, so that your trading is in a stable space in the trading window.
You can also optimize your view by changing the scale using the slider at the bottom of the historical data graph.
Trading window
Most investors configure their trade by simply grabbing the edges of the orange trading box and sliding the limits up/down or left/right.
Your trade can commence 60 seconds or more after the current time.
You can set your trade to expire anytime during trading hours, but not later.
For a successful trade, the price must enter the cuboid (the orange area) from the left, remain in the cuboid, and then exit the cuboid on the right.
This means that the price must remain below the maximum value, and above the minimum, from the moment the trade commences to the expiry time.
You can see the potential return on your investment expressed as a percentage in the cuboid. For example, if you intend to invest 100 and may receive 153 as your return, then you will see 53% as the potential value increase.
You can also set the commencement time and expiry time by using the sliders at the bottom of the trading window.
Instead of grabbing the orange box edges, you can also grab the grey boxes to change the maximum range value or the minimum value.
Trade configuration window
Select your favorite asset class and asset type from the dropdown lists.
We will add more assets and asset classes as more data feeds become available.
The visible assets will always only be assets that are available for trading immediately.
If the market for an asset is closed, the asset will not be shown.
You can configure your trade numerically instead of graphically if you prefer the detailed control of your trade.
Select your asset class by using the Class dropdown selection feature.
You can choose between Currencies, Indices, Commodities and Sentiments.
All the main currency exchange rates are available for you to trade on.
You can trade on the dominant global indices.
We will add more commodities and have three commodities for you to trade on now.
The derivative feeds are based on market data from leading market data feeds.
Trade configuration window
This is where you trade by selecting Trade Now!
You can configure your trade numerically instead of graphically if you prefer detailed control of your trade.
You choose the delay until your trade starts by using the Start window. Your trade can start anytime from 60 seconds until the market closes. In the example here, your trade will start 1 minute from now. You choose the expiry time in the Time left window. In this example, the time left is 10 minutes from now.
The Expiry window shows you at what time the trade will expire if you Trade Now. Please check the time zone where you are.
For your investment to be successful, the price must be below the Max price you set in the Max window from the Start time to the Expiry. If the price goes over the Max price at any time between the Start and the Expiry, your trade will fail.
For your investment to be successful, the price must be above the Min price you set in the Min window from the Start time to the Expiry. If the price goes under the Min price at any time between the Start and the Expiry, your trade will fail.
The Current window shows you what the current price of the asset is.
You set your investment in the Investment window. You see the amount a successful investment would yield. And select Trade Now!
Open Positions window
You can see your live trades in the Open Positions window. And you can see your previous trades in the Trade History window. If you click on an Open Position or a Historical Trade, you can see the trade details in the Investment Live window.
If you click on an Open Position or a Historical Trade, you can see the trade details in the Investment Live window.
You can also exit trades early in the Investment Live window.Trade Now
Modal anda menghadapi risiko tinggi


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NTH Watches
NTH, pronounced either 'Enth' or 'N-T-H', for 'Nod to History', has a vintage theme in paying homage to classic designs. The brand takes inspiration from legends of the past, but also tries to push at the edges of the envelope, while staying true to the source of inspiration. The NTH Subs are a tribute to some revered icons, tracing their heritage back to military diving watches of the post-war period. Those quintessential tool watches have only gotten better looking with age. NTH wanted to combine their classic, rugged style with modern capabilities. Each Sub model shares the same purpose-oriented, big-crown, no crown-guard case, with a slightly raised, double-domed, anti-reflective sapphire crystal, and no-nonsense case back with minimal decoration. With increased water resistance and a steel bezel with lumed markers, the case is thinner, more streamlined, with chamfered sides and downward-curved lugs for a wrist-hugging shape, and NTH's signature lumed crown. Each NTH Sub has its own personality, designed either to emulate the weathered good looks of a well-traveled vintage piece, or as a modern interpretation of what those vintage pieces might look like if they were still being produced today.
Page & Cooper stock a large variety of watch brands, click here to see our other brands.
Sorry, there are no products matching the selection.


text: Happy 10th birthday, Mozilla! Ten years ago, Netscape announced it would release to the public the code of its flag ship product, Netscape Communicator 5, making it an open source product. The action came at a time when Netscape was still the dominant web browser: 65 million users and 90% market share in the educational segment according to Netscape's own accounts.


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The Buffer Stop Café
The Buffer Stop Café is the railway's largest eatery and is located within the station building at Clayton West. Serving a variety of fresh, seasonal, locally-sourced produce, the Buffer Stop Café also has a specials board which changes daily. Well-behaved dogs are permitted in the café.
Please note that the cafe stops serving hot food at 3pm.
Shelley Tea Room
Located at the Shelley terminus station, the Shelley Tea Room is a small, cosy café offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
The Tea Room offers a selection of drinks, snacks and light refreshments.
During special event days, the barbecue outside the Tea Room will be open and offering a delicious selection of hot food, sourced from the local area.
Please note the Tea Room will close 10 minutes before the departure of the final train of the day from Shelley.
Picnic Areas
Should you wish to eat al fresco, or bring your own hearty packed lunch with you, picnic areas are available outside both Clayton West and Shelley Stations.
With an abundance of outdoor seating and tables, you can watch the world go by whilst satisfying those rumbling tummies.
Afternoon Tea
Our Afternoon Tea & Steam Experience comprises of a all-day rover ticket plus a delicious selection of fresh finger sandwiches, scones served with butter, fresh cream and fruity jam, sweet treats and cakes, served with your choice of freshly brewed tea or coffee. Prices for 2020:
- Afternoon Tea & train ride for one adult - £17.50
- Afternoon Tea & train ride for two adults - £35
- Afternoon Tea for a family of 4 (2 adults + 2 children) - £60
- Afternoon Tea for a child (add on) - £14
Advance booking is essential (we suggest at least one month's notice) – please call the railway on 01484 865727 to check availability and reserve your slot or reserve online via our Gifts & Experience page! We regret that due to the popularity of our afternoon tea experiences, we may be unable to accommodate you on your preferred date of travel but will endeavour to book you in for a convenient time.
Afternoon Teas are not available during Special Event periods nor on Bank Holidays. Please check with the railway for exclusions.
Train rides will be part of the scheduled service on general operating days.
Afternoon Teas are served at set times.
Our Afternoon Teas are also available to purchase as a gift – please see the Gifts & Experiences page for further details


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Animal Matching Game
Animal Matching Game 1.0
Download (409.1 KB)
This is a very simple kids game, in which player selects an animal and tries to match it with the appropriate characteristics. It is a very basic level code
This is a very simple kids game, in which player selects an animal and tries to match it with the appropriate characteristics. It is a very basic level code. Coded in java.
If you have problem downloading Animal Matching Game, stop using your download manager and download directly from browser. Check also your firewall, proxy settings, because some download mirrors may require that you do not block the HTTP referers.
Easy Freeware is not responsible for program you are downloading nor for information provided about the software products listed on our freeware site as the publisher/developer can modify these software information without notifying us. Even if we try to check the files for viruses ourselves, we cannot guarantee 100% that they are clean. So, for your complete protection always check downloaded files for viruses, spyware and malware.
Puzzles & Logic Popular Downloads
My Free Mahjong 3.2 My Free Mahjong is a traditional Chinese game for centuries, Mahjong combines elements of skill, strategy, memory, and intuition into a challenging game of patience. My Free Mahjong breaks into reality - it becomes truly 3D!
Tetris Puzzle Game 0.1 In June 1985, Alexey Pajitnov designed the game and gave the name using Greek numerical prefix "tetra". Tetris "English name" is a Puzzle game. This is world wide known game.
Farkle 126.96.36.199 Exciting and fast dice game where you take risks trying to get a high score. On your turn, you can roll the dice as long as you roll scoring dice. But better end your turn before you don't roll any scoring dice or you will lose the points that turn.
Sokoban 1.1 Sokoban GP2X is a remake of the classic Sokoban game.You as the player need to push boxes to specific locationsin the level. Once all boxes are pushed to the correct spotsthe level is finished.
Mahjongg 1.1.0 Match tiles to remove them in this classic game. Can you find a match within the large board?
Blockdude 1.3 Blockdude is a puzzle game where you need to be able to reach the exit by moving boxes, it's as simple as that. It is a remake of the Blockman Game from Soleau Software and the TI 83 Blockdude game by brandon sterner.
3D Virtual Cube 1.0 Play the virtual version of Rubik's, Arxon, OddzOn and Bicolor cube game in 3D environment. You can play with scrambled and your own painted cubes. You have the opportunity to undo and redo your moves.
Amusive Chess 2.0 Chess is an intellectual game of all times. Now it you can insert it into your PC so that you can play the game whenever you like, with no need of a counterpart player.
Jigs@w Puzzle Promo Creator 2.10 Jigs@w Puzzle Promo Creator is a wizard which will help you simply and quickly create your own custom jigsaw puzzles. These small jigsaw puzzle games can contain your logo, banner, picture, corporate colors and a link to your web site. Freeware!
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text:
The Crew's season might look very different three weeks from now.
The Crew's season might look very different three weeks from now.
All summer, Columbus has lagged behind most other MLS teams in number of games played. Thus, although they're still on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff race, they have several games in hand on most of the Eastern Conference leaders.
In fact, before Wednesday's game against Los Angeles, the seventh-place Crew had logged only 20 matches, a whopping six fewer than sixth-place Montreal. All five Eastern teams in playoff position have played between 22-24 games.
That's about to change. Wednesday's match marked the beginning of seven games in 21 days, a grueling stretch during which the Crew could gain some pretty serious ground on their conference competition. Or they could cement their position near the bottom of the table.
Yes, the Crew is about to run the gauntlet (actually the gantlet, as my AP style-obsessive professor Deborah Gump often reminded us at OU). How will they fare in this make-or-break marathon?
On the down side, the organization is still coping with the death of rookie midfielder Kirk Urso, which could potentially take their heads out of the game. Furthermore, playing on two or three days' rest is never easy, especially when your roster is decimated by injuries.
On the other hand, playing in memoriam of Urso might be the rallying point this team needs, and after Sunday's match at Houston the competition gets relatively fluffy with relative weaklings Toronto, Montreal, Philadelphia and New England.
Also, Columbus might be on the verge of a goal-scoring revolution if Jairo Arrieta can maintain the sterling form of his first four matches. And additional firepower is coming soon in the form of Designated Player Federico Higuain, who is likely to travel to Houston with the Crew this weekend.
Higuain is the brother of Real Madrid star Gonzalo Higuain, and they're the sons of professional soccer player Jorge Higuain. So if you're following the parallels to the Manning family: Jorge is Archie in this situation, and Gonzalo is Peyton. Crew fans can only hope the less-heralded Federico turns out to be more like Eli (who has arguably a better career than Peyton) than that other Manning brother who played wide receiver at Ole Miss and was never heard from again.


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Sunday 12/16/2007
Heinz Field - Pittsburgh PA.
This is a crucial game for both teams, as the Jags and Steelers look to continue their march to the playoffs. With so much at stake in this game we can expect to see both teams giving it everything they've got to take the next step in solidifying their spots in the post season.
For the Steelers, it's a chance to redeem themselves after blowing a golden opportunity last weekend against the Pats to really solidify the AFCN crown. The team is getting healthier with each passing week now and key players like Marvel Smith, Santonio Holmes, Ben Roethlisberger, should play this weekend to help aid the cause. A big time loss is Aaron Smith who is gone for the season after tearing his triceps muscle last weekend so the Defensive Line depth will be tested for the remainder of the season. The Steelers must win this game to stay ahead in the AFC North race and get that all important home game in the post season.
For the Jaguars they are coming into Pittsburgh to take their next step in trying to secure a wildcard berth into the post season. Jacksonville is a mirror image of the Steelers so they are more than a formidable foe to say the least. The Jags hold the 5th seed currently but with only a 1 game lead on Cleveland they need to win this game to ensure themselves of not losing any ground plus it's always a statement game for them to play us so regardless of the records they will bring their best shot.
Join us sunday afternoon as we talk about the game and cheer on the Steelers to a victory !!