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- Volume 17, Issue 1, January 1968
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene - Volume 17, Issue 1, January 1968
Volume 17, Issue 1, January 1968
Duration of Attack Measures in a Malaria-Eradication ProgramPages: 1–12More LessSummary
In most malaria-eradication programs the consolidation phase begins with cessation of spraying, even in the presence of a small reservoir of parasites, which should not be above 0.1 per 1,000 population per year. The writer believes that in highly endemic zones in the tropics, or in areas of great potentiality for transmission subject to continuous importation of cases, such procedure does not end in eradication. He thinks that the slow progress made in so many tropical programs, and the frequent setbacks experienced by most of them is the natural consequence of the method adopted. Several examples in support of this opinion are presented. What has happened in the last 10 years must be looked on as lessons. The amount of money already spent, because of the failures experienced in many programs, is probably much more than that which would have been required to maintain spraying during the 3-year period after the last indigenous case, needed to confirm eradication, as suggested by the writer. During these 3 years active case detection is used only as an evaluation activity and not to eliminate residual cases. This decreases considerably the cost of surveillance.
Serologic Cross-Reactions of Serum Antigens Associated with Acute Plasmodium and Babesia Infections *Pages: 13–18More LessSummary
Antigens present in the serum during the periods of acute parasitemia of Plasmodium lophurae of ducks, Plasmodium berghei of rats, and Babesia rodhaini of rats were detected by means of gelprecipitation tests and a tube bentonite flocculation (TBF) test, with globulins from sera of animals that had recovered from each of these infections.
These antigens, which are associated with globulins, were concentrated by salting with (NH4)2SO4 and ultracentrifugation. Antigens adsorbed to bentonite particles were used in the TBF test to detect and titrate antibody in the sera of animals that had recovered from the respective malarias or babesiosis. In addition to the homologous antigen-antibody reactions it was found that each of the antigens reacted, both in gel-precipitation and in TBF tests, with sera of animals that had recovered from each of the other infections. Sera from normal ducks or rats with a few exceptions did not react with the antigen-bentonite preparations.
With bentonite sensitized with globulin from rats recovered from P. berghei and from rats recovered from B. rodhaini, antigens were detected with both materials in the sera of rats with acute P. berghei and rats with acute B. rodhaini infections. Sera from normal rats did not react.
On the basis of these observations cross-reacting serum antigens and antibodies are being sought in other erythrocytic infections such as those with Eperythrozoon, Haemobartonella, Anaplasma, and in the sera of human volunteers infected with Plasmodium jalciparum. The TBF test is also being evaluated as a possible serodiagnostic test for latent malaria.
Leishmaniasis in the U.S. Military in the Canal ZonePages: 19–24More LessSummary
During 12 months in 1964–65, 21 cases of leishmaniasis were confirmed among the U.S. military in the Canal Zone. These represent an important military medical problem on the basis of duty-time lost and hospitalization costs, due largely to the need to monitor reactions to the antimonial compounds used in therapy. Detailed knowledge of the schedule and movements of the military units during exposure in the endemic area disclosed the exact place and time of infection in many cases and indicated the existence of "microfoci," small hyperendemic areas, where the hazard of infection was many times greater than in the general area. In only one case was there mucocutaneous involvement. However, there was a wide range of clinical variation of the cutaneous lesions although they were acquired within a small geographic area and over a short period of time. A leishmanial ulcer at the site of a Phlebotomus bite incurred while making a biting collection that consisted almost entirely of P. panamensis affords evidence that this species may be of importance as a vector.
Distribution of Paracoccidioidin Sensitivity in Colombia *Pages: 25–37More LessSummary
Skin-testing with paracoccidioidins (mycelial and yeast), histoplasmin, and tuberculin was done in various rural counties where recent cases of paracoccidioidomycosis had been reported. The total percentage of positive reactions to the mycelial paracoccidioidin was 9.6% and to the yeast product, 6.4%. Prevalence rates, however, varied from county to county from 6.0% to 13.0% Age, occupation, and other factors influenced such rates. Positive reactions to histoplasmin were in the range of 21.0%. The frequency distribution of the size of the reactions to the mycelial paracoccidioidin in some of the regions surveyed showed that the population was being tested with the specific antigen. In other regions, the frequency distribution revealed mainly crossreactions, possibly to H. capsulatum. The presence of a certain number of persons who reacted to paracoccidioidin but not to histoplasmin and the frequency distribution of the size of the paracoccidioidin reactions tend to show that a percentage of normal persons had acquired a benign, self-limited infection with P. brasiliensis.
A Quantitative Post-Mortem Study of Schistosomiasis Mansoni in ManPages: 38–64More LessSummary
A technique for the quantitative recovery of S. mansoni from human cadavers was presented. Analysis of the data from 197 autopsies indicated that nearly all worm pairs were recovered. The procedure is moderately time-consuming but not difficult, and can be performed with simple equipment and with little interference in the autopsy routine.
Evidence of heavy infection was most common in cases of Symmers' clay-pipestem fibrosis of the liver. In over half of untreated cases of Symmers' fibrosis there were more than 160 worm pairs, whereas in only half of those without Symmers' fibrosis were there more than 10 worm pairs. It is postulated that a heavy infection is a prerequisite for the development of Symmers' fibrosis.
Schistosomal pulmonary arteritis and cor pulmonale, when present, were associated with Symmers' fibrosis. The only other gross evidence of disease attributable to S. mansoni infection was a single case of ulcerative colitis in a massively infected child (1,608 worm pairs). Cadavers with portal or postnecrotic cirrhosis had light infections. When Symmers' fibrosis was not present, liver and spleen weights were not increased, nor were they related to the intensity of infection.
The number of eggs in the feces reflected the worm burden in the absence of Symmers' fibrosis, although there was great individual variation. In cases of Symmers' fibrosis, and apparently in those of cirrhosis, fewer eggs per worm pair were found in the feces than in other cases. This, together with the mixture of lightly and heavily infected instances of Symmers' fibrosis, would make difficult ante-mortem estimation of the intensity of infection.
The number of eggs per gram of feces per worm pair did not change significantly with age or intensity of infection. Routine ante-mortem fecal examinations had been frequently positive in cadavers harboring fewer than 10 worm pairs.
The number of eggs in the tissues was related to the intensity of infection, but showed changes related to age and worm burden. The number of tissue eggs per worm pair increased in older persons, but decreased with increasing intensity of infection; the latter apparently reflected more rapid destruction of eggs in the tissues in heavy infection.
The distribution of worms did not vary greatly with age or intensity of infection. In cases of Symmers' fibrosis, and in those of cirrhosis, an increased proportion of worms and eggs was found in the small intestine, and there was a striking decrease in the proportion of eggs in the rectosigmoid colon, the most frequent site of oviposition in subjects without Symmers' fibrosis or cirrhosis.
The ratio of male to female worms recovered was slightly greater than one and showed no change with age or intensity of infection.
In rare instances, male worms only were recovered; in these, few worms were found, and a small number of dead eggs was generally found in the tissues, indicating previous bisexual infection.
The post-mortem data suggest that light S. mansoni infections, including those of many years' duration, are of little consequence, although obviously they do not exclude the possibility that they produce significant disease not evident at autopsy.
The Circumoval Precipitin (COP) Test in Schistosomiasis Japonica *Pages: 65–71More LessSummary
The COP test with lyophilized Schistosoma japonicum eggs for the laboratory diagnosis of schistosomiasis japonica has been in use in the Department of Parasitology, Institute of Hygiene, University of the Philippines, since 1961. These eggs are isolated from the liver of experimentally infected rabbits.
The employment of lyophilized eggs makes the test practicable for routine use, solving the problem of availability of antigen on a day-to-day basis and simplifying the preparation of the test. Lyophilized eggs stored for as long as 36 months remain highly reactive. Human sera stored for as much as 4 years at -20°C and thawed and refrozen several times remain positive.
An evaluation of the test was conducted with the use of 203 specimens of serum from persons with confirmed schistosomiasis japonica, and 62 specimens from "normal" persons. In addition, a small number of human and animal sera representing various other types of helminthiasis were tested. Results were recorded on the basis of the strongest reaction seen in any one egg in the entire preparation. Septate precipitates were categorized according to their length in comparison with the length and width of S. japonicum eggs. Bleb precipitates were also classed according to their apparent area in comparison with the area of the egg.
By designating as positive only those sera producing septate precipitate, we found the COP test with lyophilized eggs to have an over-all sensitivity of 95% and high species-specificity. The test is less sensitive in older infected persons, especially females; hence, care must be taken in the interpretation of negative tests in such subjects.
Epidemiologic Role of Skin Hypersensitivity in Hookworm Disease *Pages: 72–78More LessSummary
Skin-testing was done in 206 persons from an endemic area and 380 from a nonendemic area with a larval antigen of Necator americanus. The prevalence of hookworm infection was 100% in the endemic area and only 8.4% in the nonendemic area.
The hookworm load was >2,000 eggs per gram of feces in 45% of the cases in the endemic area; the degree of infection was very low in the nonendemic area, where most of the cases were detected only by the test-tube culture method of Harada.
All subjects were tested with 0.1, 1, and 10 µg N per ml concentrations of the larval antigen. The skin response was expressed as the percentage of sensitivity and specificity, by comparing the number of those with positive skin tests with the number of those with positive stools in the endemic area and the number of those with negative skin tests with the number of those with negative stools in the nonendemic area.
The skin response to the 1 µg N per ml antigen, which is 85% sensitive and 89% specific, appears useful for screening hookworm-infected populations. The skin response is not significantly modified by age and sex.
The degree of infection clearly influences the response to the 0.1 µg N per ml antigen, and by using it together with the 1.0 µg N per ml antigen an idea of both the prevalence and the load might hopefully be obtained.
Reactivity of Human Immunoglobulins in Echinococcosis and TrichinosisPages: 79–85More LessSummary
Immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, and IgM) were separated from the serum of a person infected with Trichinella spiralis (Serum T) and another infected with Echinococcus granulosus (Serum E) by Sephadex G-200 and DEAE cellulose column chromatography and sucrose-density gradient ultracentrifugation. The composition of fractions was assayed by the Ouchterlony technique and by immunoelectrophoresis. Whole serum and serum fractions were tested by serodiagnostic methods and by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in the guinea pig and monkey. The IgG fractions of Serum E were reactive in serologic tests and in the skin of guinea pigs. Reactivity in the skin of monkeys appeared to be associated with the IgA fraction from a Sephadex G-200 column and the IgG fraction from a DEAE cellulose column. The IgM fraction from serum T showed the greatest reactivity in serologic tests. The IgG fraction was reactive in serologic tests and in the skin of guinea pigs. Neither serum T nor fractions derived from it reacted in the PCA test carried out in monkeys.
Intradermal and Serologic Reactions to Antigens from Schistosoma Mansoni in Schistosome DermatitisPages: 86–91More LessSummary
Skin tests with antigens of Schistosoma mansoni were done on 134 residents of an area where schistosome dermatitis ("swimmer's itch") is endemic; histories were taken, and 119 blood samples were serologically tested for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis. Of the 103 with a history of schistosome dermatitis, 24.3% reacted positively to the adult antigen and 28.2% to the cercarial skin-test antigen; 22.1% of the group was positive by the fluorescent-antibody test. The complement-fixation test was negative for all persons tested. The rate of positive reactions observed in those with a recent history of schistosome dermatitis suggests that skin test and FA test results may not be reliable in areas where both the schistosomes of man and of birds infect man.
Salmonella and Shigella Infections in Bats in Selected Areas of Colombia *Pages: 92–95More LessSummary
A total of 2,112 bats from six families and 29 species was collected at 33 different localities in the Departamento del Valle and similar areas in southwestern Colombia, S. A., during July and August 1964, and from August to December 1966. A specimen of feces for culture was taken from the lower portion of the large intestine or from the rectum of each bat. Four were positive for Salmonella, and one was positive for Shigella. Each of the four Salmonella isolates was of a different serotype (S. blockley, S. anatum, S. sandiego, and S. llandoff) and none has been reported previously in bats. The single Shigella isolation was S. boydii-2, which constitutes the first report of isolation of this organism from a bat.
Blastomyces Dermatitidis Infection in the CongoF. Gatti, M. de Broe and L. AjelloPages: 96–101More LessSummary
The second case of blastomycosis, caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was described. The disease occurred in a 15 year-old boy, a life-time resident of the Province of Southern Kasai.
This represents the sixth case from the African continent (Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2; Republic of South Africa, 1; Tanzania, 1; Tunisia, 1; and Uganda, 1). In view of the established occurrence of B. dermatitidis infections in Africa and the existence of possible endemic foci in Latin America, it is suggested that the disease caused by this fungus be referred to simply as blastomycosis rather than as the geographically inaccurate North American blastomycosis.
Histoplasmosis in Colombian BatsPages: 102–106More LessSummary
One thousand and one bats, representing 31 Neotropical species, were collected from four different ecologic zones in Colombia and cultured for the presence of pathogenic fungi. H. capsulatum was recovered from only three animals, suggesting that Chiroptera do not play an important role in the epidemiology of histoplasmosis in Colombia.
Analysis was made of the various surveys of bats done in different geographic regions and of the habits and species of Chiroptera reported naturally infected with H. capsulatum. It was concluded that the habitat in which a bat roosts is a major factor in determining whether the animal will acquire histoplasmosis. Results of the various surveys suggest that rates of H. capsulatum infection in bats and man are unrelated and the Chiroptera do not play an important role in the epidemiology of histoplasmosis.
Chikungunya DiseasePages: 107–111More LessSummary
Evidence is presented that the chikungunya virus is in South Vietnam and is capable of producing a distinct clinical syndrome in Americans. The illness is short-lived and is manifested by an acute onset of fever, chills, headache, arthralgia, and signs of arthritis with or without macular rash. The illness is generally mild and does not appear to be life-threatening. Although the number of cases reported in this series is small, the number of American troops that may come in contact with this virus is large, and the potentiality of this problem is at present unknown.
Isolation of Ilhéus Virus from Man in Colombia *Pages: 112–114More LessSummary
Ilhéus virus was isolated for the first time from an apparently normal person infected in a rain forest area of Colombia. The virus isolation resulted from tests of blood samples from 396 persons living in a penal colony coincident with a suspected outbreak of infectious hepatitis. Serologic tests of 358 sera confirmed the past activity of Ilhéus virus in this population.
Structure of Orieoca, Restan, and Manzanilla ArbovirusesPages: 115–119More LessSummary
The arboviruses Oriboca and Restan of the serologic Group C, and Manzanilla of the Simbu group were grown in BHK-21 cells, purified by ultracentrifugation, and demonstrated by electron microscopy. The particles of all three viruses were spherical and had an envelope. Oriboca had an average diameter of 50 mµ, Restan of 48 mµ, and Manzanilla of 51 mµ. Manzanilla was inactivated in 24 hours at 25°C, whereas Oriboca was more resistant and inactivated only after 48 hours at 40°C. All activities were measured by the plaque method.
Nodamura Virus, an Ether- and Chloroform-Resistant Arbovirus from Japan *Pages: 120–128More LessSummary
Nodamura virus, an ether- and chloroformresistant arbovirus, uniformly passed filters with pore sizes of 100 but not 50 mµ, and 55 to 75 mµ virus-like particles were seen in infected mouse brain and heart. It produced limb paralysis, inflammatory and degenerative lesions in centralnervous-system tissues, skeletal muscle and brown fat, and death of suckling mice 5 to 15 days after intracranial, subcutaneous, or intraperitoneal inoculation. Suspensions of mouse limb muscle contained higher concentrations of infectious virus than brain suspensions. Antibody formation without disease occurred after one sc inoculation of a pig and after three or four ip or intramuscular inoculations of adult mice and rabbits; however, neutralizing antibody did not form in baby chicks after one sc inoculation. No overt illness occurred after inoculation of baby chicks (ic or im), weanling mice and rabbits (ic), weanling guinea pigs and Syrian hamsters (ic, ip, and im), or embryonated chicken eggs (chorioallantoic membrane, amniotic sac, or yolk sac). No cytopathologic effects were seen within 9 to 25 days after inoculation of primary cell cultures of Syrian hamster, porcine, calf, rabbit, suckling Swiss albino mouse and cynomolgus-monkey kidney, whole chicken embryo and human amnion, or of continuous cell cultures from human cervical carcinoma (HeLa), human liver and conjunctiva (Chang), C2H mouse subcutaneous tissue (L), rabbit papilloma, and rabbit skin.
Infection of swine was common on farms near Tokyo during 1956–57, but only one of 54 herons and egrets, none of 29 rural residents, and none of 13 urban residents near Tokyo showed N antibody in plasma collected during 1956–57.
Growth of Phlebotomus (Sand Fly) Fever Viruses in Hamster-Embryo Tissue CulturePages: 129–132More LessSummary
The multiplication of some Phlebotomus-fever viruses in hamster-embryo tissue culture was described. It was found that these cells supported the growth of all strains tested, some of which produced CPE. It was suggested that these cells may be a good choice for the production of tissueculture vaccines against Phlebotomus fever.
The Effect of Temperature and Photoperiod on Blood-Feeding and Ovarian Development in Mosquitoes of the Culex Pipiens Complex *Pages: 133–140More LessSummary
A study was made of the influence of temperature and photoperiod on blood-feeding and related processes in an anautogenous strain of Culex pipiens from West Lafayette, Indiana and a strain of C. quinquefasciatus from Vero Beach, Florida. Pupae and adults were subjected to combinations of four photoperiods (10, 12, 14, and 16 hours) and four temperatures (10°, 15°, 20°, and 25°C). C. pipiens females showed reduced blood-feeding activity in response to a combination of short photoperiod and low temperature when incandescent illumination was used, but under conditions of fluorescent illumination, showed no such response to photoperiod—only a graded blood-feeding response to temperature. The blood-feeding response of C. quinquefasciatus did not vary from one source of illumination to the other. In both cases, there was no response to photoperiod, and a threshold response to temperature.
Gonotrophic dissociation was found to occur sporadically in C. quinquefasciatus under low temperature conditions, irrespective of photoperiod. In C. pipiens, gonotrophic dissociation occurred in response to a combination of low temperature and short photoperiod, but only when post-feeding incubation temperatures were low.
There was no significant difference in the amount of fat developed by blood-fed C. pipiens females showing gonotrophic dissociation and those maintained on a straight sugar diet. The amount of fat developed by blood-fed females showing normal ovarian development, however, was significantly less.
The significance of these findings in regard to the ability of C. pipiens and C. quinquefasciatus to hibernate in nature was discussed, as well as the role of Culex mosquitoes as overwinter carriers of human viruses in the light of the demonstration of gonotrophic dissociation.
Books ReceivedPages: 141–141More Less
Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the Tropics and Developing Countries, edited by J. B. Lawson, M.A., M.B., B.Chir., F.R.C.O.G., Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and D. B. Stewart, M.B.E., B.Sc., M.D., F.R.C.S.(C), F.R.C.O.G., Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of West Indies, Jamaica. 630 pages, illustrated, Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd., London. 1967. £8 net (boards) 84s. net (paper).
The Hazards of Immunization, by Sir Graham S. Wilson, M.D., LL.D., F.R.C.P., D.P.H., Honorary Lecturer in the Department of Bacteriology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. x + 324 pages, illustrated. The Athlone Press, London. 1967. $10.50.
Health Manpower in a Developing Economy: Taiwan, a Case Study in Planning, by Timothy D. Baker and Mark Perlman. xi + 203 pages, illustrated. The Johns Hopkins Press, Baltimore, Maryland. 1967. $6.50.
Quality Control in the Food Industry, Volume 1, Food Science and Technology, edited by S. M. Herschdoerfer, T. Wall & Sons (Ice Cream) Limited, London, England.
First International Conference on Vaccines against Viral and Rickettsial Diseases of ManPages: 141–141More Less
In 1959 and 1960 the Pan American Health Organization sponsored conferences to consider the problems of live poliovirus vaccines. The success stimulated by these no doubt prompted the recent meeting on the broader topic of vaccines against viral and rickettsial diseases. The present volume presents a potpourri of excellent papers and discussions on the ever-increasing production and evaluation of vaccines to control a variety of agents. The sessions reported cover current aspects of control of acute respiratory diseases; enteroviruses; arboviruses and herpesvirus group; exanthems and mumps; smallpox, rabies, and hepatitis; ricksettsiae, Bedsoniae; adjuvants; and vaccination problems. Other approaches to the control of viral diseases are reviewed, such as the newer areas of chemoprophylaxis and the potential use of induced interferons. These topics, while extending beyond the title, are quite properly included as frontier areas, that in time may be appropriate mechanisms of control.
Volumes & issues
Volume 103 (2020)
Volume 102 (2020)
Volume 101 (2019)
Volume 100 (2019)
Volume 99 (2018)
Volume 98 (2018)
Volume 97 (2017)
Volume 96 (2017)
Volume 95 ([2016, 2017])
Volume 94 (2016)
Volume 93 (2015)
Volume 92 (2015)
Volume 91 (2014)
Volume 90 (2014)
Volume 89 (2013)
Volume 88 (2013)
Volume 87 (2012)
Volume 86 (2012)
Volume 85 (2011)
Volume 84 (2011)
Volume 83 (2010)
Volume 82 (2010)
Volume 81 (2009)
Volume 80 (2009)
Volume 79 (2008)
Volume 78 (2008)
Volume 77 (2007)
Volume 76 (2007)
Volume 75 (2006)
Volume 74 (2006)
Volume 73 (2005)
Volume 72 (2005)
Volume 71 (2004)
Volume 70 (2004)
Volume 69 (2003)
Volume 68 (2003)
Volume 67 (2002)
Volume 66 (2002)
Volume 65 (2001)
Volume 64 (2001)
Volume 63 (2000)
Volume 62 (2000)
Volume 61 (1999)
Volume 60 (1999)
Volume 59 (1998)
Volume 58 (1998)
Volume 57 (1997)
Volume 56 (1997)
Volume 55 (1996)
Volume 54 (1996)
Volume 53 (1995)
Volume 52 (1995)
Volume 51 (1994)
Volume 50 (1994)
Volume 49 (1993)
Volume 48 (1993)
Volume 47 (1992)
Volume 46 (1992)
Volume 45 (1991)
Volume 44 (1991)
Volume 43 (1990)
Volume 42 (1990)
Volume 41 (1989)
Volume 40 (1989)
Volume 39 (1988)
Volume 38 (1988)
Volume 37 (1987)
Volume 36 (1987)
Volume 35 (1986)
Volume 34 (1985)
Volume 33 (1984)
Volume 32 (1983)
Volume 31 (1982)
Volume 30 (1981)
Volume 29 (1980)
Volume 28 (1979)
Volume 27 (1978)
Volume 26 (1977)
Volume 25 (1976)
Volume 24 (1975)
Volume 23 (1974)
Volume 22 (1973)
Volume 21 (1972)
Volume 20 (1971)
Volume 19 (1970)
Volume 18 (1969)
Volume 17 (1968)
Volume 16 (1967)
Volume 15 (1966)
Volume 14 (1965)
Volume 13 (1964)
Volume 12 (1963)
Volume 11 (1962)
Volume 10 (1961)
Volume 9 (1960)
Volume 8 (1959)
Volume 7 (1958)
Volume 6 (1957)
Volume 5 (1956)
Volume 4 (1955)
Volume 3 (1954)
Volume 2 (1953)
Volume 1 (1952)
Volume s1-31 (1951)
Volume s1-30 (1950)
Volume s1-29 (1949)
Volume s1-28 (1948)
Volume s1-27 (1947)
Volume s1-26 (1946)
Volume s1-25 (1945)
Volume s1-24 (1944)
Volume s1-23 (1943)
Volume s1-22 (1942)
Volume s1-21 (1941)
Volume s1-20 (1940)
Volume s1-19 (1939)
Volume s1-18 (1938)
Volume s1-17 (1937)
Volume s1-16 (1936)
Volume s1-15 (1935)
Volume s1-14 (1934)
Volume s1-13 (1933)
Volume s1-12 (1932)
Volume s1-11 (1931)
Volume s1-10 (1930)
Volume s1-9 (1929)
Volume s1-8 (1928)
Volume s1-7 (1927)
Volume s1-6 (1926)
Volume s1-5 (1925)
Volume s1-4 (1924)
Volume s1-3 (1923)
Volume s1-2 (1922)
Volume s1-1 (1921)


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You'll be seeing a lot in the news about the current state budget – but there's only one place you'll see the whole story: our updated public policy guide "Unlocking the State Budget 1985-2015."
To really understand what North Carolina's state government spends and why, check out "Unlocking the State Budget" for the whole 30-year story of intrigue, deception, corruption, boundless optimism and money. Want high-stakes drama? At $20 billion a year, the stakes don't get much higher.
And looking at what has happened is a real eye-opener, as this policy guide reveals that over three decades:
➤ Spending has increased nearly 400 percent
➤ Tax revenues have increased by roughly 400 percent
➤ Per capita state debt has risen by about 700 percent
These numbers, however, only tell part of the tale. It is the budget process – the politics of how certain priorities and programs get funded over others – that is the full story. With that point in mind, the current guide not only provides a detailed analysis of spending and taxation trends in North Carolina, but also a year-by-year narrative that identifies the people responsible for making these decisions.
Coming soon: updated policy guides on transportation, education and healthcare. Keep an eye on nccivitas.org and other Civitas media for more news about them.

subset: commoncrawl


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Fuel suppliers, airlines partner to provide sustainable jet fuel at SFO
12 December 2018
Shell Aviation and SkyNRG have begun supplying sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to international airlines KLM, SAS and Finnair at San Francisco Airport (SFO). The fuel is produced by World Energy.
The initial phase of the arrangement aims to pave the way for longer term, more resilient supply chains for sustainable aviation fuels and reduce the carbon emissions of flights from SFO and other airports. Following May's agreement, Shell Aviation is the first major fuel supplier to support SFO in its ambition to expand the use of sustainable aviation fuel in its operations.
This initiative responds to the Aviation industry's targets, including the cap on net aviation CO2 emissions from 2020.
The SAF sourced by SkyNRG from World Energy's Paramount refinery in Los Angeles is made from used cooking oil, resulting in a fuel that has significantly lower lifecycle carbon emissions than conventional jet fuel. In general, sustainable aviation fuel has a reduction potential of 60-80%, compared to conventional jet fuel.
The SAF is supplied through the existing SFO refuelling infrastructure and can be used by airlines without requiring technical modification to their current fleets.


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"Happy Birthday to You" is a staple at the birthday parties of both children and adults. But if you want to put a more Christian spin on your next birthday celebration, this traditional song doesn't have to be the only one in your guests' repertoire. You and your party guests can serenade the guest of honor with several Christian birthday songs, too.
'Christian Birthday Song'
One Accord Celebrations, a Christian publisher, is marketing what it hopes will become an official Christian song for birthday celebrations, the aptly named "Christian Birthday Song." The song, written by K. Rouse and published by Lyrically Glorified Publishing, includes such lyrics as "Happy Birthday to you, Jesus Christ saved you. Another year, He's brought you through ..." On its website, One Accord says that too many birthday celebrations focus on the individual and not on God. "The Christian Birthday Song", is an attempt to change that.
'A Happy Birthday To You'
In 1934, Haldor Lillenas copyrighted "A Happy Birthday To You," a Christian birthday song that prominently mentions Jesus. The song's copyright was renewed in 1962 by Lillenas Publishing Company. It includes the lyrics, "May you find Jesus near every day of the year." Haldor Lillenas was an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene, and is thought to have composed more than 4,000 hymns during her lifetime.
'Happy Birthday Jesus'
The Christmas holiday is the perfect time to sing a birthday song for Jesus. The well-known "Happy Birthday Jesus" song, was published in 1996 by Word, Inc., and written by Mildred Hill, Patty Hill and Carol Cymbala. This popular song includes the lyrics: "All the tinsel and lights and the presents are nice, but the real gift is you."
Photo Credits
- birthday cake image by Julianna Olah from Fotolia.com


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They can be your doorway to a renewed appearance, functionality and peace of mind. An implant is a sophisticated titanium screw, which is placed into the jawbone to replace the root of a lost natural tooth. The implant fuses with the jawbone to form a secure foundation for tooth replacement.
These teeth look, feel and function just like natural teeth.
Dental implants can also be used for stabilising dentures.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Dental Implant Procedure Video
Watch an extensive online video about what is involved in our dental implant procedure.
You Have Missing Teeth, Did You Know You Are Losing Bone?
Losing one or more of your teeth can cause a gap in your smile, the loss of chewing function and the inability to eat a complete diet. While these are certainly serious issues, a potentially bigger problem lies hidden beneath the surface: bone loss. Without the tooth to stimulate the jaw, the bone beneath it will begin to shrink (atrophy) in the same manner that muscle underneath a cast gets smaller. Since your facial bone supports the skin and muscles on top of it, losing volume can cause your face to look prematurely aged. The good news is that dental implants offer a solution to stop bone loss.
Candidates For Dental Implants
Dental implants can be placed in most adults who are in good to moderate health. They are not typically placed in adolescents until they have reached their full expected height. Certain uncontrolled medical conditions may decrease the effectiveness of implant treatment, so be sure to discuss your full medical history with your dentist before beginning treatment. Every patient is different and patient results may vary. Only a trained clinician can determine the best treatment plan for you. Please ask your dentist to explain the benefits and risks to see if tooth replacement with implants is right for you.
Pre-Treatment Consultation
After a careful evaluation of your dental and medical health history, we will determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants. Diagnostic aids such as various x-rays, photographs and impressions (models) of your teeth will be taken. Proper planning is essential to success as is providing you with all the information regarding your treatment.
Initial Implant Placement
Implant placement is a relatively painless procedure. It can be done under local anesthetic in our office, or under general anesthetic in local day surgery unit. In some cases the bone needs to be grafted to provide a general foundation for the implant. This would be discussed with you at the consultation prior to your procedure. Occasionally we also need to graft soft tissue into the site prior to placement. Again this would be discussed with you. The final tooth is attached to the implant 3-6 months after the surgical placement of the implant.
Proper Maintenance
Your dentist and hygienist will guide you on the proper care and maintenance of your new implants before, during and after the procedure. By following a regular routine of careful oral hygiene and regular checkups, your implants will look, function and feel great for many years to come.
Single Tooth Replacement
If you are missing a single tooth and currently use a removable partial denture, an implant-supported crown may be a better alternative. Single tooth replacements look and feel so natural, typically only you and your dentist will know the difference.
- Implant-supported crowns are a naturally better solution.
- Looks, feels and performs similar to your natural tooth
- Does not compromise your adjacent teeth to support a bridge
- Preserves surrounding bone (replaces tooth root)
- Prevents bone collapse and jaw line recession
- Oral care same as a natural tooth
- Restores a more secure biting ability than a removable denture
- Restores a natural appearance


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Easy Steps to Get Started with our Augmented Reality Feature of this Book
- Get the Aurasma app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Once installed, open the Aurasma app, and swipe through the tutorial screens. Note: You must 'allow' location services and photos.
- Select the "Join" button and follow instructions on the screen to create an account.
- Press the bottom icon logo (looks like the letter 'A').
- Press the magnifying glass to search. Type in "Laurie Figone". Tap on "Laurie Figone's Public Auras".
- Press the "Follow" button at the top right.
- Tap the middle icon to get started. Now just point your mobile device camera at the large recipe photos to view tips & tricks videos. Make sure sound is on, double-tap on screen after video has started to play; this allows you to move your device away from the photo and continue watching video. Double-tap the screen to exit and scan another video.


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The fictional superhero Batman, who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics, has appeared in various films since his inception. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger,[1] the character first starred in two serial films in the 1940s, Batman and Batman and Robin. The character also appeared in the 1966 film Batman, which was a feature film adaptation of the 1960s Batman TV series starring Adam West and Burt Ward, who also starred in the film. Toward the end of the 1980s, the Warner Bros. studio began producing a series of feature films starring Batman, beginning with the 1989 film Batman, directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton. Burton and Keaton returned for the 1992 sequel Batman Returns, and in 1995, Joel Schumacher directed Batman Forever with Val Kilmer as Batman. Schumacher also directed the 1997 sequel Batman & Robin, which starred George Clooney. Batman & Robin was poorly received by both critics and fans, leading to the cancellation of Batman Unchained.[2]
Following the cancellation of two further film proposals, the franchise was rebooted in 2005 with Batman Begins, directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale. Nolan returned to direct two further installments through the release of The Dark Knight in 2008 and The Dark Knight Rises in 2012, with Bale reprising his role in both films. Both sequels earned over $1 billion worldwide, making Batman the second film franchise to have two of its films earn more than $1 billion worldwide.[3] Referred to as The Dark Knight Trilogy, the critical acclaim and commercial success of Nolan's films have been credited with restoring widespread popularity to the superhero, with the second installment considered one of the best superhero movies of all-time.
After Warner Bros. launched their own shared cinematic universe known as the DC Extended Universe in 2013, Ben Affleck was cast to portray Batman in the new expansive franchise, first appearing in 2016 with the Zack Snyder directed film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The film would help begin a sequence of further DC Comics adaptations, including Justice League, a crossover film featuring other DC Comics characters, in 2017, and a stand-alone Batman film starring Affleck and directed by Matt Reeves that is set for release in 2019.
Batman has also appeared in multiple animated films, both as a starring character and as an ensemble character. While most animated films were released direct-to-video, the 1993 animated feature Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, based on the 1990s Batman: The Animated Series, was released theatrically. Having earned a total of U.S. $2,407,708,129 the Batman series is the fifth-highest-grossing film series in North America.[4]
|U.S. release date
|Story by
|July 16, 1943
|Lewis Wilson
|Lambert Hillyer
|Victor McLeod, Leslie Swabacker and Harry L. Fraser
|Rudolph C. Flothow
|Columbia Pictures
|Batman and Robin
|June 26, 1949
|Robert Lowery
|Spencer Gordon Bennet
|George H. Plympton, Joseph F. Poland and Royal K. Cole
|Sam Katzman
|July 30, 1966
|Adam West
|Leslie H. Martinson
|Lorenzo Semple, Jr.
|William Dozier
|20th Century Fox
|June 23, 1989
|Michael Keaton
|Tim Burton
|Sam Hamm
|Sam Hamm and Warren Skaaren
|Peter Guber, Jon Peters, Benjamin Melniker and Michael Uslan
|Warner Bros.
|Batman Returns
|June 19, 1992
|Sam Hamm and Daniel Waters
|Daniel Waters
|Tim Burton and Denise Di Novi
|Batman Forever
|June 16, 1995
|Val Kilmer
|Joel Schumacher
|Lee Batchler and Janet Scott-Batchler
|Lee Batchler, Janet Scott-Batchler and Akiva Goldsman
|Tim Burton and Peter MacGregor-Scott
|Batman & Robin
|June 20, 1997
|George Clooney
|Akiva Goldsman
|Peter MacGregor-Scott
|Batman Begins
|June 25, 2005
|Christian Bale
|Christopher Nolan
|David S. Goyer
|Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer
|Charles Roven, Emma Thomas and Larry Franco
|The Dark Knight
|July 18, 2008
|Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer
|Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan
|Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan
|The Dark Knight Rises
|July 20, 2012
|Batman v Superman:
Dawn of Justice
|March 25, 2016
|Ben Affleck
|Zack Snyder
|Chris Terrio and David S. Goyer
|Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder
|Suicide Squad
|August 5, 2016
|David Ayer
|David Ayer
|Charles Roven and Richard Suckle
|Justice League
|November 17, 2017
|Zack Snyder
|David S. Goyer, Zack Snyder and Chris Terrio
|Chris Terrio
|Charles Roven, Deborah Snyder, Jon Berg and Geoff Johns
|The Batman
|Matt Reeves
|Geoff Johns, Jon Berg and Ben Affleck
Batman was a 15-chapter serial film released in 1943 by Columbia Pictures and was the first appearance of the comic book character on film. The serial starred Lewis Wilson as Batman and Douglas Croft as Robin. Being a World War II era production, the movie serial like many of this period was used as war-time propaganda and had an anti-Japanese bent with J. Carrol Naish playing the Japanese villain, an original character named Dr. Daka. Rounding out the cast were Shirley Patterson as Linda Page (Bruce Wayne's love interest), and William Austin as Alfred. The plot is based on Batman, a US government agent, attempting to defeat the Japanese agent Dr. Daka, at the height of World War II.
The film is notable for being the first filmed appearance of Batman and for providing two core elements of the Batman mythos.[5] The film introduced "The Bat's Cave" and the Grandfather clock entrance.[5] The name was altered to the Batcave for the comic. William Austin, who played Alfred, had a trim physique and sported a thin mustache, while the contemporary comic book version of Alfred was overweight and clean-shaven prior to the serial's release. The comics version of Alfred was altered to match that of Austin's, and has stayed that way.[5]
Batman and Robin was another 15-chapter serial film released in 1949 by Columbia Pictures. Robert Lowery played Batman, while Johnny Duncan played Robin. Supporting players included Jane Adams as Vicki Vale and veteran character actor Lyle Talbot as Commissioner Gordon. The plot dealt with the Dynamic Duo facing off against the Wizard, a hooded villain whose identity remains a mystery throughout the serial until the end.
Batman (also known as Batman: The Movie) is a 1966 film adaptation of the popular Batman television series, and was the first full-length theatrical adaptation of the DC Comics character. The 20th Century Fox release starred Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin, as well as Cesar Romero as the Joker, Burgess Meredith as the Penguin, Lee Meriwether as Catwoman, and Frank Gorshin as the Riddler.
The film was directed by Leslie H. Martinson, who also directed a pair of Batman episodes: "The Penguin Goes Straight" and "Not Yet, He Ain't," both from season one.
In the late 1970s, Batman's popularity was waning.[6] CBS was interested in producing a Batman in Outer Space film. Producers Michael Uslan and Benjamin Melniker purchased the film rights of Batman from DC Comics on October 3, 1979. It was Uslan's wish "to make the definitive, dark, serious version of Batman, the way Bob Kane and Bill Finger had envisioned him in 1939. A creature of the night; stalking criminals in the shadows."[6] Richard Maibaum was approached to write a script with Guy Hamilton to direct, but the two turned down the offer. Uslan was unsuccessful with pitching Batman to various movie studios because they wanted the film to be similar to the campy 1960s TV series. Columbia Pictures and United Artists were among those to turn down the film.[7]
A disappointed Uslan then wrote a script titled Return of the Batman to give the film industry a better idea of his vision for the film. Uslan later compared its dark tone to that of The Dark Knight Returns, which his script pre-dated by six years.[6] In November 1979, producer Jon Peters and Casablanca FilmWorks, headed by Peter Guber, joined the project.[8] The four producers felt it was best to pattern the film's development after that of Superman (1978).[9] Uslan, Melniker and Guber pitched Batman to Universal Pictures, but the studio turned it down.[10] The project was publicly announced with a budget of $15 million in July 1980 at the Comic Art Convention in New York. Casablanca FilmWorks was absorbed into PolyGram Pictures in 1980. Guber and Peters left PolyGram Pictures in 1982 and took the Batman film rights with them, although PolyGram would retain at least 7.5% of the profits of said rights due to a contractual agreement.[8] Guber and Peters immediately set up shop at Warner Bros., which finally decided to accept Batman.[11]
Tom Mankiewicz completed a script titled The Batman in June 1983, focusing on Batman and Dick Grayson's origins, with the Joker and Rupert Thorne as villains, and Silver St. Cloud as the romantic interest.[12] Mankiewicz took inspiration from the limited series Batman: Strange Apparitions (ISBN 1-56389-500-5), written by Steve Englehart.[13] Comic book artist Marshall Rogers, who worked with Englehart on Strange Apparitions, was hired for concept art.[10] The Batman was then announced in late 1983 for a mid-1985 release date on a budget of $20 million. Originally, Mankiewicz had wanted an unknown actor for Batman, William Holden for James Gordon, David Niven as Alfred Pennyworth and Peter O'Toole as the Penguin who Mankiewicz wanted to portray as a mobster with low body temperature.[11] Holden died in 1981 and Niven in 1983, so this would never come to pass. A number of filmmakers were attached to Mankiewicz' script, including Ivan Reitman and Joe Dante. Reitman wanted to cast Bill Murray as Batman. For the role of Robin, Eddie Murphy and Michael J. Fox were candidates.[14] Nine rewrites were performed by nine separate writers. Most of them were based on Strange Apparitions. However, it was Mankiewicz's script that was still being used to guide the project.[15]
Tim Burton took over as director of the first Batman film in 1986. Steve Englehart and Julie Hickson wrote film treatments before Sam Hamm wrote the first screenplay.[14][16] Numerous A-list actors were considered for the role of Batman before Michael Keaton was cast. Keaton was a controversial choice for the role since, by 1988, he had become typecast as a comedic actor and many observers doubted he could portray a serious role.[14] Jack Nicholson accepted the role of the Joker under strict conditions that dictated a high salary, a portion of the box office profits and his shooting schedule. Nicholson's final salary is reported to be as high as $50 million.[11][17][18][19] Principal photography took place at Pinewood Studios from October 1988 to January 1989.[20] The budget escalated from $30 million to $48 million,[17] while the 1988 Writers Guild of America strike forced Hamm to drop out. Rewrites were performed by Warren Skaaren, Charles McKeown[11] and Jonathan Gems.[21] Batman received positive reviews, broke numerous box office records, and won the Academy Award for Best Art Direction. The film grossed over $400 million,[14] and left a legacy over the modern perception of the superhero film genre.[22]
Burton originally did not want to direct a sequel because of his mixed emotions over the previous film.[9] Sam Hamm's first script had the Penguin and Catwoman searching for hidden treasure.[23] Daniel Waters delivered a script that satisfied Burton, which convinced him to direct the film. Wesley Strick did an uncredited rewrite, deleting characterizations of Harvey Dent and Robin and rewriting the climax.[24][25] Various A-list actresses lobbied hard for the role of Catwoman before Michelle Pfeiffer was cast, while Danny DeVito signed on to portray the Penguin.[26] Filming started at Warner Bros. in Burbank, California in June 1991. Batman Returns was released with financial success, but Warner Bros. was disappointed with the film's box office run because it earned less than its predecessor.[27] However, Batman Returns was released to generally positive reviews,[28] although a "parental backlash" criticized the film for containing violence and sexual innuendos that were thought to be unsuitable for children.[27] McDonald's shut down its Happy Meal tie-in for Batman Returns.[29]
Although Batman Returns was a financial success, Warner Bros. felt the film should have made more money. The studio decided to change the direction of the Batman film series to be more mainstream. Joel Schumacher replaced Tim Burton as director, while Burton decided to stay on as producer.[30] However, Michael Keaton did not like the new direction the film series was heading in,[31] and was replaced by Val Kilmer as Batman. Chris O'Donnell was introduced as Robin, Jim Carrey starred as The Riddler, while Tommy Lee Jones starred as Two-Face. Filming started in September 1994,[30] and Schumacher encountered problems communicating with Kilmer and Jones.[32] Batman Forever was released on June 16, 1995 with financial success, earning over $350 million worldwide and three Academy Award nominations, but the film was met with mixed reviews from critics.[33][34]
After the release of Batman Forever, Warner Bros. started development on Batman & Robin, commissioning it on fast track for an adamant June 1997 release.[35] Val Kilmer did not return, because of scheduling conflicts with The Saint,[36] and was replaced by George Clooney. Arnold Schwarzenegger starred as Mr. Freeze, while Uma Thurman starred as Poison Ivy and Alicia Silverstone starred as Batgirl. Chris O'Donnell reprised his role as Robin. Principal photography began in September 1996[37] and finished in January 1997,[38] two weeks ahead of the shooting schedule.[39] Batman & Robin was released on June 20, 1997, and received primarily negative reviews.[40] Observers criticized the film for its toyetic and campy approach, and for homosexual innuendos added by Schumacher.[36] Still, the film was a financial success,[41] but remains to be the least commercially successful live-action Batman film ever. Batman & Robin received numerous nominations at the Razzie Awards[42] and ranks among the worst rated superhero films of all time.[43][44]
During the filming of Batman & Robin, Warner Bros. was impressed with the dailies, prompting them to immediately hire Joel Schumacher to reprise his directing duties for a third film. Writer Akiva Goldsman, who worked on Batman Forever and Batman & Robin, turned down the chance to write the script.[39] In late 1996, Warner Bros. and Schumacher hired Mark Protosevich to write the script for a fifth Batman film. A projected mid-1999 release date was announced.[45] Titled Batman Unchained but often incorrectly referred to as Batman Triumphant,[2] Protosevich's script had the Scarecrow as the main villain and the Joker would return as a hallucination in Batman's mind caused by the Scarecrow's fear toxin. Harley Quinn appeared as a supporting character, written as the Joker's daughter trying to kill Batman to avenge her father's death.[46] George Clooney, Chris O'Donnell and Alicia Silverstone were set to reprise the roles of Batman, Robin, and Batgirl.[47] Schumacher had also approached Nicolas Cage for the role of Scarecrow.[48] However, when Batman & Robin received negative reviews and failed to outgross any of its predecessors, Warner Bros. was unsure of their plans for Batman Unchained. The studio decided it was best to consider a live-action Batman Beyond film and an adaptation of Frank Miller's Batman: Year One. Warner Bros. would then greenlight whichever idea suited them the most.[49] Schumacher felt he "owe[d] the Batman culture a real Batman movie. I would go back to the basics and make a dark portrayal of the Dark Knight."[50] He approached Warner Bros. to do Batman: Year One in mid-1998.[50]
Despite Warner Bros. and Schumacher's interest with Year One, Lee Shapiro, a comic book fan, and Stephen Wise pitched the studio with a script titled Batman: DarKnight in mid-1998. DarKnight, which was largely inspired by The Dark Knight Returns, had Bruce Wayne giving up his crime fighting career, and Dick Grayson attending Gotham University.[51] Dr. Jonathan Crane uses his position as professor of psychology at Gotham University and as head psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum to conduct his experiments into fear (this element would later appear in Batman Begins). During a vengeful confrontation with a colleague, Dr. Kirk Langstrom, Crane unknowingly initiates Kirk's transformation into the creature known as Man-Bat. Citizens of Gotham believe Man-Bat's nightly activities to be Batman's "bloodthirsty" return. Bruce becomes Batman "to clear his name," and solve the mystery of Man-Bat.[51] Kirk struggles with his "man-vs.-monster" syndrome, as he longs to both reunite with his wife and get revenge on Crane, while Crane exacts revenge on those responsible for his dismissal from both Arkham and the university while encountering truths about his past. Warner Bros. decided not to move forward with the project, and passed on Batman: DarKnight in favor of Year One and Batman Beyond.[51]
Chris O'Donnell revealed in a 2012 interview with Access Hollywood that a Robin spin-off was planned but was scrapped after Batman & Robin.[52]
By September 2000 Warner Bros. was developing a live action screen adaptation of Batman Beyond, written by Paul Dini, Neal Stephenson and Boaz Yakin, with the possibility of Yakin directing, as well as an adaptation of Frank Miller's 1987 comic book story arc Batman: Year One.[53] Despite interest from Schumacher, Darren Aronofsky was hired to direct and co-write with Miller,[50][53] whom he previously collaborated with on an unproduced script for Ronin.[54] Yakin developed one draft of the Batman Beyond screenplay with the writers but soon lost interest,[55] and Warner Bros. abandoned Batman Beyond almost instantly in favor of Batman: Year One.[49] Aronofsky and Miller intended to reboot the Batman franchise, "it's somewhat based on the comic book," Aronofsky said. "Toss out everything you can imagine about Batman! Everything! We're starting completely anew."[56] Regular Aronofsky collaborator, Matthew Libatique, was set as cinematographer,[57] and Christian Bale had been approached for the role of Batman. Coincidentally, Bale would be cast in the role for Batman Begins.[58] At the same time, Warner Bros. was moving forward on a Catwoman spin-off.[59] Around 2001, Warner commissioned the rewriting of the film's script to The Matrix directors The Wachowskis, but The Wachowskis' script didn't convince Warner.[60] Joss Whedon was later hired to rewrite the script, but like happened with The Wachowskis' script, Warner didn't like his script-[60][61] In June 2002, the studio decided to move forward on Batman vs. Superman and abandon Year One.[62]
Warner Bros. abandoned J. J. Abrams' script for Superman: Flyby, which had been greenlighted with McG to direct.[63][64] When McG dropped out in favor of Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle,[65] Warner Bros. approached Wolfgang Petersen to direct Superman: Flyby,[66] however, in August 2001,[67] Andrew Kevin Walker pitched Warner Bros. an idea titled Batman vs Superman, attaching Petersen as director. Superman: Flyby was put on hold,[66] and Akiva Goldsman was hired to rewrite Walker's Batman vs. Superman.[49]
Goldsman's draft, dated June 21, 2002, had Bruce Wayne going through a mental breakdown after his five-year retirement from crime fighting. Dick Grayson, Alfred Pennyworth and Commissioner Gordon are all dead, but Bruce finds some solace in his fiancée, Elizabeth Miller. Meanwhile, Clark Kent is struggling because of a recent divorce from Lois Lane. Clark and Bruce are close friends, and Clark is Bruce's best man. After the Joker kills Elizabeth on their honeymoon, Bruce swears revenge, while Clark tries to hold him back. Bruce blames Clark for her death, and the two go against one another. Ultimately, Lex Luthor is revealed to have masterminded the entire plot to get Batman and Superman to destroy each other. The two decide to team up and stop Luthor.[68] Christian Bale, who would play the character in Christopher Nolan's Batman film trilogy, was simultaneously approached to portray Batman for Darren Aronofsky's Batman: Year One,[69] while Josh Hartnett was offered the role of Superman.[65]
Filming was to start in early 2003, with plans for a five- to six-month shoot. The release date was set for the summer of 2004.[70] However, Warner Bros. canceled development to focus on individual Superman and Batman projects after Abrams submitted another draft for Superman: Flyby.[71] According to Petersen "[Warner Bros.' chief] Alan Horn was so torn, because it's such a fascinating concept to do a Batman versus Superman film."[72] In the opening scene of I Am Legend, a billboard displays the Superman symbol within the Batman symbol in Times Square. It is meant as an in-joke by the film's writer, Akiva Goldsman, who also wrote the script for Batman vs. Superman.[73]
The Batman OnStar commercials were a series of six television commercials featuring Batman, created by ad-agency Campbell-Ewald and aired from 2000 to the beginning of 2002.
The ads were based on the film series and was basically an amalgamation of both directors visuals. For example, The Batmobile was the one used in Batman and Batman Returns, while the Batsuit was a combination of what was worn by Val Kilmer in Batman Forever and George Clooney in Batman & Robin. The commercials also featured the Danny Elfman Batman theme from Tim Burton's two films.
Actor Bruce Thomas portrayed Batman in these ads, while Michael Gough reprised his role of Alfred Pennyworth in one of the ads. Baywatch actress Brooke Burns played Vicki Vale in an ad as well. Actor Brian Stepanek played the Riddler in an ad and Curtis Armstrong played the Joker in another.
Following a rejected Batman origin story reboot Joss Whedon pitched in December 2002,[74][75] Warner Bros. hired Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer to script Batman Begins.[76] The duo aimed for a darker and more realistic tone, with humanity and realism being the basis of the film.[77] The film was primarily shot in the United Kingdom and Chicago,[78][79] and relied on traditional stunts and scale models with minimal use of computer-generated imagery. Christian Bale starred as Batman, Liam Neeson starred as Ra's al Ghul, and Cillian Murphy as The Scarecrow. Katie Holmes also starred in the movie as Bruce's love interest, Rachel Dawes, a role created for the film. Alfred, the ex-British Army SAS member was played by Michael Caine and Jim Gordon was portrayed by Gary Oldman. A new Batmobile (called the Tumbler) and a more mobile Batsuit were both created specifically for the film.[80][81] The film begins with the death of Bruce's parents and then explores his decision to leave Gotham and his training under the League of Assassins with Ra's al Ghul, before he rebels against the League and adopts the guise of Batman, recognising that he cannot condone their use of lethal force. The League attempt to attack Gotham using Jonathan Crane's weaponised fear toxin, but Batman is able to defeat their plan, with Ra's being killed when a train he is in crashes during a fight with Batman.
Batman Begins was both critically and commercially successful. The film opened on June 15, 2005, in the United States and Canada in 3,858 theaters. It grossed $48 million in its opening weekend, eventually grossing over $372 million worldwide. The film received an 85% overall approval rating from Rotten Tomatoes. Critics noted that fear was a common motif throughout the film, and remarked that it had a darker tone compared with previous Batman films. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography and for three BAFTA awards.[82] It was also listed at No. 81 on Empire's "500 Greatest Movies of All Time"[83] and has maintained a standing on IMDb.com's "Top 250".[84]
Christopher Nolan reprised his duties as director, and brought his brother, Jonathan, to co-write the script for the second installment. The Dark Knight featured Christian Bale reprising his role as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Heath Ledger as The Joker, and Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent / Two-Face. Principal photography began in April 2007 in Chicago and concluded in November. Other locations included Pinewood Studios, Ministry of Sound in London and Hong Kong. On January 22, 2008, after he had completed filming The Dark Knight, Ledger died from a bad combination of prescription medication. Warner Bros. had created a viral marketing campaign for The Dark Knight, developing promotional websites and trailers highlighting screen shots of Ledger as the Joker, but after Ledger's death, the studio refocused its promotional campaign.[85][86] The film depicts Gotham attempting to rebuild after Batman's actions have caused so much damage to its organised crime families, aided by the prosecution of charismatic District Attorney Harvey Dent, but the involvement of the anarchic Joker threatens everything, as his actions lead to the death of Rachel Dawes and Harvey being scarred and transformed into Two-Face. Although Batman is able to stop the Joker from forcing two ferries- one loaded with civilians and the other with prisoners- to destroy each other, he is forced to take the blame for the murders committed by Dent to ensure that the city retains its hope for the future.
The film received broad critical acclaim,[87][88][89] and set numerous records during its theatrical run.[90] With just over $1 billion in revenue worldwide, it is the 31st-highest-grossing film of all time, unadjusted for inflation.[91] The film received eight Academy Award nominations; it won the award for Best Sound Editing and Ledger was posthumously awarded Best Supporting Actor.
Nolan wanted the story for the third and final installment to keep him emotionally invested. "On a more superficial level, I have to ask the question," he reasoned, "how many good third movies in a franchise can people name?"[92] He returned out of finding a necessary way to continue the story, but feared midway through filming he would find a sequel redundant.[93] The Dark Knight Rises is intended to complete Nolan's Batman trilogy.[94] By December 2008, Nolan completed a rough story outline, before he committed himself to Inception.[95] In February 2010, work on the screenplay was commencing with David S. Goyer and Jonathan Nolan.[96] When Goyer left to work on the Superman reboot, Jonathan was writing the script based on the story by his brother and Goyer.[97] Tom Hardy was cast as Bane and Anne Hathaway plays Selina Kyle.[98] Joseph Gordon-Levitt was cast as John Blake,[99][100] and Marion Cotillard was cast as Miranda Tate. Filming began in May 2011 and concluded in November.[101] Nolan chose not to film in 3-D but, by focusing on improving image quality and scale using the IMAX format, hoped to push technological boundaries while nevertheless making the style of the film consistent with the previous two.[102] Nolan had several meetings with IMAX Vice-President David Keighley to work on the logistics of projecting films in digital IMAX venues.[103] The Dark Knight Rises featured more scenes shot in IMAX than The Dark Knight.[103] Cinematographer Wally Pfister expressed interest in shooting the film entirely in IMAX.[104][105] During the film, set eight years after Dark Knight, the arrival of new foe Bane forces Bruce to return to his old role as Batman, only to find himself overpowered and captured by Bane as Gotham is cut off from the rest of the world with a stolen Wayne Enterprises fusion generator prototype set to go off in a few months. With the aid of thief Selina Kyle, Bruce is able to return to Gotham and defeat Bane while redeeming his image as Batman. The film concludes with Bruce having 'retired' as Batman after faking his death to live with Selina Kyle, evidence suggesting that he has passed on the Batcave to new ally Detective John Blake (real first name Robin) while Gotham rebuilds in memory of the Dark Knight's heroism.
Upon release, The Dark Knight Rises received a positive critical response and was successful at the box office, going on to outgross its predecessor and become the 19th-highest-grossing film of all time grossing over $1.08 billion. However, unlike its predecessors, the film was not nominated for any Oscars during its year of eligibility at the 85th Academy Awards, much to the surprise of film industry insiders.[106]
In February 2007, during pre-production for The Dark Knight, Warner Bros. hired husband and wife screenwriting duo Michelle and Kieran Mulroney to script a Justice League film[107] featuring a younger Batman in a separate franchise.[108] George Miller was hired to direct the following September,[109] with Armie Hammer cast as Batman a month later[110][111] and Teresa Palmer as Talia al Ghul.[112] Filming had nearly commenced at Fox Studios Australia in Sydney, but was pushed back over the Writer's Guild of America strike, and once more when the Australian Film Commission denied Warner Bros. a 45 percent tax rebate over lack of Australian actors in the film.[113] Production offices were moved to Vancouver Film Studios in Canada for an expected July 2008 start and a planned summer 2009 theatrical release date,[114][115] but Warner Bros. ultimately canceled Justice League following the success of The Dark Knight. Hammer's option on his contract lapsed and the studio was more willing to proceed with Christopher Nolan to finish his trilogy separately with The Dark Knight Rises.[116]
On June 13, 2013, a source from Warner Bros. told The Wrap that they were discussing more Man of Steel films, as well as a Superman/Batman film, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman.[117] Warner Bros. announced that Superman and Batman would unite in a new film, a follow-up to Man of Steel (2013), taking its inspiration from the comic The Dark Knight Returns and set for release in 2015.[118][119][120] Goyer stated at the Superman 75th Anniversary Panel at Comic-Con, that Batman and Superman would face off, and titles under consideration were Superman vs Batman or Batman vs Superman.[121]
On August 22, 2013, The Hollywood Reporter announced the casting of Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman.[122][123] On January 17, 2014, it was announced that the film had been delayed from its original July 17, 2015 release date to May 6, 2016, in order to give the filmmakers "time to realize fully their vision, given the complex visual nature of the story".[124] The film's release was moved again to March 25, 2016, "avoiding a high-profile showdown with Captain America: Civil War on May 6, 2016".[125] At some point prior to the events of the film, Wayne Manor was burnt down, with Bruce and Alfred relocating to a smaller glass house above the Batcave. During the film, Bruce is subtly manipulated by Lex Luthor into perceiving Superman as an alien being too removed from humanity to be fully trusted, with Luthor intending to provoke a conflict between the two that will either force Superman to kill or see Batman defeat 'God'. Bruce's dark views are implied to be the result of the Joker killing Robin in some past confrontation, with Batman showing a lack of concern about whether or not he kills his opponents in battle and branding certain criminals with the mark of the Bat. However, when he faces Superman with kryptonite weapons, he realises how far he has fallen when Superman asks him to 'save Martha' (Luthor using Martha Kent as a hostage to provoke Superman into confronting Batman), the reminder of his own mother helping Batman realise what he has become and acknowledge that Superman is fundamentally human despite his powers. After Batman saves Martha Kent from Luthor's minions, he fights alongside Superman and new hero Wonder Woman to contain the Kryptonian deformity Luthor created to kill Superman, a battle that results in Superman's death when he stabs the deformity with the kryptonite spear and is impaled himself. Taking Luthor's metahuman files, Bruce states that he intends to gather the metahumans to prepare for an implied future threat that Luthor made reference to.
In February 2009, Warner Bros. was developing a Suicide Squad film, with Dan Lin producing, and Justin Marks writing the script.[126] In September 2014, David Ayer signed on to direct and write the screenplay for the film.[127][128] Charles Roven is also set to produce the film. In November 2014 and March 2015, it was announced that Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Killer Croc and the Joker will appear in the film portrayed respectively by Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Jared Leto.[129][130][131] Batman appears in brief flashbacks where he is involved in the capture of Deadshot and Harley Quinn, rescuing Harley from a submerged car after it crashed during a chase and she was abandoned by the Joker, and apprehending Deadshot after an anonymous tip led him to the assassin as Deadshot was Christmas-shopping with his daughter. Batman's history with Killer Croc is also briefly referenced. At the film's conclusion, Amanda Waller—who appears to know that Bruce Wayne is Batman—provides Bruce with files on various metahumans in exchange for his protection from future fallout from the Enchantress's recent attack, Bruce informing Waller to shut down Task Force X as his friends will handle future problems.
Although he does not appear physically, Bruce Wayne is heavily referenced in Wonder Woman. After the events of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Bruce successfully retrieves the photo from Lex Luthor's archives which he used to threaten Diana, along with a watch that belonged to the father of Captain Steve Trevor. He transports them through an armored car to Diana, with a letter wishing to know her story someday. Diana recalls the events of the film as a flashback, after which she sends an E-mail to Bruce, thanking him for "Bringing Him back to her".
Shortly after filming had finished for Man of Steel, Warner Bros hired Will Beall to script a new Justice League film in June 2012.[132] With the release of Man of Steel in June 2013, Goyer was hired to write a new Justice League script, with the Beall draft being scrapped.[133] In April 2014, it was announced that Zack Snyder would also be directing Goyer's Justice League script.[134] Warner Bros. was reportedly courting Chris Terrio to rewrite Justice League the following July, after having been impressed with his rewrite of Batman v Superman.[135]
In March 2016, it was revealed that Affleck signed on a three-picture deal that carries him through 2019's sequel, while also having a minor appearance in Suicide Squad.[136]
By July 2015, Ben Affleck was in talks to star in, co-write with Geoff Johns, and possibly direct a standalone Batman film.[137] In March 2016, Johns claimed that the appearance of Robin's suit covered in graffiti from Dawn of Justice would be explored later and the identity of the deceased character was intentionally unspecified.[138] Following the release of Dawn of Justice, William Morris Endeavor's co-CEO Patrick Whitesell confirmed that Affleck had written a screenplay for a standalone Batman film that he hoped would be optioned by Warner Bros as well to direct.[136] Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara confirmed in April 2016 that the studio was moving ahead with Affleck's stand-alone Batman film, which the actor would star in and direct.[139] In May 2016, Jeremy Irons confirmed that he was "tied into The Batman",[140] while Affleck stated that his solo Batman film would borrow from the comics, but mainly be an "original story".[141] In August 2016, Jared Leto expressed his hope that his version of the Joker would appear in Affleck's Batman solo film.[142] Later that month, Deathstroke was teased by Affleck through test footage, later confirmed by Johns that the character would be played by Joe Manganiello.[143] In October 2016, Affleck stated the intended title for the film would be The Batman,[144] but later clarified that the film could end up having a different title.[145] Manganiello and Irons stated that filming would start in spring 2017.[146][147]
In December 2016, Affleck confirmed that the film was on track to begin shooting in spring 2017.[148] Later that month, Warner Bros. executive Greg Silverman stated that the film would be released in 2018.[149] Around the same time, Affleck stated that the film had no script and that he may end up not directing it.[150] Affleck planned to shoot the film in Los Angeles as doubling for Gotham City.[151] He reaffirmed his commitment to direct the film in his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[152] In late January 2017, Affleck decided to step down as director, but would remain involved as producer and actor.[153][154] By this point, writer Chris Terrio, who won an Academy Award for writing Affleck's Argo and also helped script Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, had turned in a rewrite of the script.[155] On February 10, 2017, it was announced that Matt Reeves was in talks to replace Affleck as the director of the film,[156] however on February 17 it was reported that talks had broken down.[157] Two weeks later, Reeves had officially signed on to direct and co-produce the film.[158] Production was delayed until 2018 as Reeves was tied up in post-production on War for the Planet of the Apes until June 2017,[159] and The Batman is being re-written to allow Reeves more creative freedom as a director.[160] Reeves stated in an interview that the film will feature "an almost-noir driven, detective version of Batman" that will emphasize the heart and mind of the character and will take inspiration from Alfred Hitchcock.[161][162]
|Release date
|Box office revenue
|Box office ranking
|North America
|All time
North America
|All time
|June 23, 1989
|$35 million
|Batman Returns
|June 19, 1992
|$80 million
|Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
|December 25, 1993
|Batman Forever
|June 16, 1995
|$100 million
|Batman & Robin
|June 20, 1997
|$125 million
|Batman Begins
|June 15, 2005
|$150 million
|The Dark Knight
|July 18, 2008
|$185 million
|The Dark Knight Rises
|July 20, 2012
|$250 million
|Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
|March 25, 2016
|$250 million
|Batman: The Killing Joke
|July 25, 2016
|$3.5 million
|$1.178 billion
|List indicator(s)
|Rotten Tomatoes
|Batman (1966)
|80% (6.2/10 average rating) (30 reviews)[175]
|Batman (1989)
|72% (6.6/10 average rating) (68 reviews)[176]
|69 (21 reviews)[177]
|Batman Returns
|81% (6.7/10 average rating) (72 reviews)[28]
|68 (23 reviews)[179]
|Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
|82% (6.8/10 average rating) (28 reviews)[180]
|Batman Forever
|40% (5.2/10 average rating) (60 reviews)[34]
|51 (23 reviews)[181]
|Batman & Robin
|10% (3.7/10 average rating) (86 reviews)[40]
|28 (21 reviews)[182]
|Batman Begins
|84% (7.7/10 average rating) (272 reviews)[183]
|70 (41 reviews)[184]
|The Dark Knight
|94% (8.6/10 average rating) (326 reviews)[185]
|82 (39 reviews)[186]
|The Dark Knight Rises
|87% (8/10 average rating) (346 reviews)[187]
|78 (45 reviews)[188]
|Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
|27% (4.9/10 average rating) (375 reviews)[189]
|44 (51 reviews)[190]
|Batman: The Killing Joke
|45% (5.7/10 average rating) (33 reviews)[191]
|The Lego Batman Movie
|91% (7.5/10 average rating) (270 reviews)[192]
|75 (48 reviews)[193]
|Justice League
|40% (5.3/10 average rating) (301 reviews)[194]
|45 (52 reviews)[195]
|List indicator(s)
|Batman: The Motion Picture Anthology
|The Dark Knight Trilogy
|DC Extended Universe
|Batman Returns
|Batman Forever
|Batman & Robin
|Batman Begins
|The Dark Knight
|The Dark Knight Rises
|Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
|Justice League
|Film Editing
|Production Design
|Sound Editing
|Sound Mixing
|Supporting Actor
|Won (Heath Ledger)
|Visual Effects
|Burton/Schumacher series
|The Dark Knight Trilogy
|DC Extended Universe
|Batman Returns
|Batman Forever
|Batman & Robin
|Batman Begins
|The Dark Knight
|The Dark Knight Rises
|Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
|Justice League
|Costume Design
|Film Editing
|Makeup and Hair
|Production Design
|Supporting Actor
|Nominated (Jack Nicholson)
|Won (Heath Ledger)
|Visual Effects
So I got to do the second treatment with just the characters that eventually hit the screen: Bruce Wayne, the Batman, Silver St. Cloud, Boss Thorne, and the Joker.


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McKesson Medical-Surgical is a medical distributor offering medical supplies, healthcare solutions, distribution services and clinical resources. Browse our vast selection of medical products and healthcare resources to help support the health of your business.
PPE & hand sanitizers now in stockSee available products
We now have certain high-demand personal protective equipment and hand sanitizers in stock and available for order, while supplies last.
Delivering for you, so you can deliver a difference
Every day you're making a difference in patients' lives, we want to help make that easier. From our teams packing boxes to the ones bringing them to your door, we're all-in to support the work you do. And, as a leading distributor, we offer reliable delivery options as well as business resources to get you the supplies and tools you need. While you deliver care, we'll deliver for you.
Get the latest COVID-19 recommendations & key info from the CDC, WHO and more.
Tools for Better Business Performance
Featured Services
With more than 900 delivery professionals across the nation and the largest delivery vehicle fleet, we strive to provide unparalleled distribution services to get you the products you need, when you need them.
Clinic setups can require a lot of coordination and planning. Whether it's new construction, remodeling or updating your office with new equipment, you need a supplier that has the experience and expertise to help it all come together.
Our biomedical equipment services include preventative maintenance, ISO-certified medical equipment repairs, full asset management programs and more.


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We are honored that you would take the time to visit us.
Genesis 1:26-28 reveals Almighty God's original intention for mankind. Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
V 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
V28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."
Psalm 8:4-6
V 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him?
V 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels (Elohim), and hast crowned him with glory and honor.
V 6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands, thou hast put all things under his feet.
Through disobedience Adam relinquished the dominion of this earth that was given him by Almighty God. As a result Satan usurped authority and became the god of this age. God restored dominion back into the hands of man through the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Son of Man.
Matthew 28-18-20
V 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
V 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
V 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen
The dominion that redeemed man now operates in is the dominion of the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ. Jesus paid it all with His death, burial and resurrection.
Romans 5:17
For, if by one man's offense death reigned by one: much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.


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Emerald Cut Engagement Rings with Sapphire Accents
Engagement rings with sapphire accents become favorite choice which is chosen by many women who need an engagement ring. It is obvious that there are many choices of rings that you can choose if you are ready to get married. You can also choose the stone of the ring that will be put on the ring. You can choose one of many kinds of stone that can be put on your ring such as diamond, emerald, or sapphire. You can also choose combination of two kinds of stone if you want glamour ring.
Combined Engagement Rings with Sapphire Accents
If you want to have a ring with combination of two stones, it is sure that the best stone that could choose is emerald and sapphire. These two stones are perfect combination that can be made to be an engagement ring. Combining these two stones will make your ring beautiful since the green color of the emerald and the blue color of sapphire will match perfectly.
Undoubtedly, your engagement day will be very memorable since you have the best combination of stones ever in your finger. Overall, you will find that your ring is very glamorous so it will make other women feel envy to your ring.do not forget to click the box below or above the image to win iPhone x, good luck.


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A procurement process that takes place via the tenders committee through publishing a tender in the local press. .
The terms relevant to the bidder receiving a local or special tender invitation are as follows:
Supporting documents for tender invitations:
For inquiries regarding any purchasing tender, kindly contact the Committees Secretary


text: Mark Zuckerberg Comic Optioned Into Short Film 10:36 PM PST 11/18/2010 by THR staff FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL ME Kim White/Getty Images Hayden 5 and Bluewater Prods. will tape "Mark Zuckerberg and the Found" in the same technique used in Richard Linklater's "A Scanner Darkly." Hayden 5 Media and comic-book publisher Bluewater Prods. are teaming up to create an animated short based off the comic Mark Zuckerberg: Creator of Facebook. The short will "shed new light on the controversial story of the creators life and bring a completely new look and feel than that" of David Fincher's feature film The Social Network, according to the companies. Mark Zuckerberg and the Found will be shot with the same technique used in Richard Linklater's A Scanner Darkly. Production will begin with live-action filmmaking in a digital medium, followed by the use of interpolated rotoscope. "The result will be a cross between real characters and animated surroundings seamlessly integrated for a unique, comic book aesthetic," the press release said. The comic book, which written by Jerome Maida and drawn by Fritz Saalfeld, hits stores in late December. FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL ME THR staff email@example.com @thr


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Strolling down Robson Street, you can't miss Hotel Blu at the corner of Cambie Street and Robson Street; when you see the blue lighting and details, you'll know you're at the right spot.
Since opening in 2014, Hotel Blu has become a popular place to stay in Vancouver, due to its service, amenities, location and affordable pricing. With a heavy emphasis on sustainability, luxury and technology, Hotel Blu ticks off all of the check marks.
Hotel Blu Vancouver's lobby — Photo courtesy of Hotel Blu Vancouver
Right outside Hotel Blu's doorstep is Robson Street, one of Vancouver's most well-known streets for its shopping, cafes and restaurants. BC Place, The Vancouver Public Library and a SkyTrain station are all just a stone's throw from the hotel.
Getting around the city from here by foot is a breeze, but Hotel Blu has made it even easier by offering a downtown shuttle and bicycles, both which are free for guests to use.
The Seawall is a short cycle from the hotel, and it's truly one of the best ways to explore the city. The shared shuttle service runs from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., taking guests to their destination in the downtown core.
The hotel offers 24-hour reception, so there's always someone around if need be. Driving to the hotel? They provide guests with free parking and charging stations for electric vehicles, too.
After a workout in the fitness center, relax and unwind in the indoor swimming pool, hot tub and sauna.
After a day of exploring, a good bed is so important to a good night's sleep. and Hotel Blu has you covered. Each room is equipped with luxurious pillow top mattresses, cozy slippers and bathrobes to help make your stay extra comfortable.
Rooms are complete with a flat-screen television, a desk, seating area, hairdryer, microwave, fridge, Nespresso coffeemaker and a rain shower in the bathroom. Televisions are equipped with Samsung Smart HDTV, so you can surf the Internet or explore widgets. Plus, each room also has a Samsung Galaxy tablet for you to use.
While dry cleaning is available, guests may use a launderette free of charge. Another free perk that the hotel offers is free WiFi throughout the property. That in itself can save you a decent chunk of change.
This sustainable hotel has five green roofs that help insulate the hotel, and also a high-efficiency irrigation system that reacts to the weather and uses the collected rain water to irrigate onto the hotel's plants and shrubs, with little over-spray or under-spray. Pretty neat!
Hotel Blu is a comfortable and convenient hotel that's ideal for those traveling on business or as a family in Vancouver.


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June 29, 2013
By Matt Winkeljohn
Sting Daily
Before Robert Sampson transferred from East Carolina University to Georgia Tech for basketball and bookwork reasons, he talked about the idea with his mother at father.
Mom, Aleize, lives in north metro Atlanta, where Robert attended Northview High as a freshman and a sophomore. Naturally, she was involved. For basketball reasons, his father is quite the sounding board. Ralph Sampson was one of just two players to be named the Naismith college player of the year three times (Bill Walton was the other).
Ralph, now an assistant with the NBA's Suns, was one of the most dominant centers the college game has ever seen. At 7-feet-4, he was tremendous around the basket while at Virginia from 1979-'83, yet he was truly special because of his other abilities. Ralph could put the ball on the floor, pass and shoot at a far greater level than other bigs.
"I have a lot of contact with my dad," Robert said. "He calls to check up on me."
In three seasons playing for the Pirates, Sampson became quite the power forward. As a junior, he averaged 9.1 points and 9.2 rebounds with 60 blocks to rank fifth in ECU history with 97 career blocks.
At 6-8, however, he's not likely to ever match his father's height yet he'd like to more approximate the versatility in his father's game.
Robert's pro prospects as a power forward would be considered slim as he's undersized. If he stayed at ECU, that's the position he was likely to play the most.
Body-wise, Sampson looks more like a small forward. Yet he hasn't spent as enough time facing the basket to develop that skill set for professional play. He'll have more than a year to work on those skills, as he must sit out a season per NCAA rules before he can play for the Yellow Jackets in the 2014-'15 season.
Tech's Daniel Miller and Kam Holsey will have left the program by then, and Sampson probably will work in the post some, but his goal is to develop as a face-the-basket player.
"Yeah, it is," he said. "Toward the end of the season I talked it over with my family, and they said if I wanted to transfer they were 100 percent behind me. The ultimate goal was I guess I wanted to progress a little more."
When word got out that Sampson was looking to transfer, Tech coach Brian Gregory was soon interested.
"He contacted me," Robert said. "He talked to my mom and dad and told them he was very interested in recruiting me."
After considering several schools, Robert narrowed his choices to Tech and Southern California. In the end, choosing Tech became easy. His mother and a younger sister live in John's Creek. Older brother Ralph III – who played at Minnesota and is coming off a season in the NBA's D-League – lives in Atlanta in his offseason.
"This felt like more of a fit for me," Robert said. "I like it here, and it's my hometown. I'm a slasher type, a rebounder. I like to shoot 3's. I'm trying to work on handling the ball a little more. Hopefully, I'll get there in the next year."
Sampson, who split his junior season between Northview High and the Henderson International School in Las Vegas before attending the Bullis School in Potomac, Md., has taken an unconventional path. Not often do student-athletes transfer to play just one season at a school, although it wasn't long ago that guard Matt Causey did it for Tech when he moved from North Georgia to play for the Jackets in '-07-'08.
Sitting out for an entire season might not qualify as fun, but Sampson is not complaining about it. That's more time to spend not only working on the transition from one school to another (he's a business marketing major), but transitioning skill sets.
"I think it is a blessing," Robert said. "God always has something in store for you, even if it takes longer to get somewhere."


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Under the deal, IBM will install a 12-strong cluster of 32-processor eServer p690 servers that Applera will use to run all of its operations, and EMC will erect a 150-terabyte storage system. In addition to equipment, both computer companies will provide professional services.
IBM is also forming an alliance with Applied Biosystems, a division of Applera that sells software and laboratory equipment to biotech companies, to create and co-market future systems targeted at such companies.
Applera consists of two companies: Celera Genomics, the company that mapped the human genome and now specializes in pharmaceutical design, and Applied Biosystems.
The life-sciences company is one of the principal players in the biotech market and a lost opportunity for the new Hewlett-Packard, said Michael Swenson, a senior research analyst in the life-sciences practice at research firm IDC.
Applera standardized on Compaq Alpha servers and storage systems three years ago, as part of a relationship Compaq publicized in an effort to increase its prominence in the growing field. The bioscience industry accounted for $850 million in high-performance computing sales in 2001 and is one of the fastest-growing segments of the market for high-performance computing.
"Celera was a major reference account for Compaq over the years," Swenson said. "Clearly, they lost the server piece to IBM and the disk-storage piece to EMC."
Although Applera declined to comment, the total value of the contracts should be in the millions of dollars. Each p690 server sells for a list price of $2.1 million, according to IBM. Factoring in discounts, Big Blue's part of the contract probably comes close to $15 million to $20 million, Swenson estimated.
An Applera representative said the switch came about purely out of a need to update the company's internal systems. Compaq's equipment represented the state-of-the-art when the first contract was signed, but the company chose to go with new suppliers this time around.
"We're disappointed that Celera is moving to another vendor and we wish them well as they pursue new scientific endeavors," an HP representative wrote to CNET News.com in an e-mail. "It should be remembered that Celera is only one of many Life Science discovery customers that HP has and that we are still the number one supplier of computing systems and infrastructure to the Life Science community world-wide."
Cool, but not popular
HP's Alpha chip and the servers based around it are like the art film of the processor world. Academics, analysts and benchmark testers have consistently praised the chip, originally devised by Digital. The National Science Foundation, among others, has installed Alpha supercomputers.
But the broad market has largely ignored it. Alpha servers have typically held less than 5 percent of the market. In the past, HP has said it will continue to support Alpha but steer customers toward computers containing the Itanium chip over the next few years.
Applera will use the IBM cluster to conduct research as well as run its business functions, an unusual configuration that is nonetheless growing in popularity.
"Typically, it is more segregated...but we see it happening more and more" said Peter Ungaro, vice president of high-performance computing at IBM. By using the same system for both, companies can maximize their hardware purchases, analysts have said.


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Parkland school shooting suspect's brother arrested for allegedly trespassing at Stoneman Douglas
Broward County Sheriff's Office (PARKLAND, Fla.) — The brother of Parkland school shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz has been arrested for allegedly trespassing on the school grounds of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Zachary Cruz, 18, who was arrested at 4:30 p.m. Monday afternoon, allegedly rode his skateboard through school grounds, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office. According to the arrest report, he told deputies he wanted to "reflect on the school shooting and soak it in."
His brother, Nikolas Cruz, 19, is accused of killing 17 people in the Valentine's Day massacre at the high school.
Nikolas Cruz was formally arraigned last Wednesday on a 34-count indictment related to last month's mass shooting at a South Florida high school, for which the 19-year-old is now facing the death penalty. A plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf, though defense attorney Melisa McNeill emphasized that Nikolas Cruz is willing "at any time" to plead guilty "in exchange for a waiver of the death sentence" and instead spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Deputies said Zachary Cruz had been warned to stay away from the school campus previously, according to the arrest report. The alleged trespassing was captured on CCTV, the report states.
Zachary Cruz was booked into the Broward Sheriff's Office jail and his bond was set at $25.
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AudioControl LC8 Eight Channel OEM Interface
The LC8 from AudioControl is the latest addition to our line of OEM interface products that connect aftermarket amplifiers with factory installed systems. The high impedance inputs of the LC8 will accept two, four, six or eight amplified speaker level channels (up to 400 watts!) and convert them to a high quality pre-amp signal. The pre-amp signal can then be used to drive a superior after-market audio system, utilizing an OEM source unit.
In addition the LC8 has an internal summing circuit that allows the user to combine together selected channels making the LC8 ideal for newer vehicles that have factory-installed amplifiers with built-in electronic crossovers.
Other installation friendly features include a unique signal sensing turn-on circuit and a 12-volt output for turning on aftermarket amplifiers. Most factory-installed systems do not have a separate 12-volt trigger to turn-on external processors and amplifiers. The LC8 actually monitors the signal at its speaker level inputs and when it senses an audio signal, it automatically powers up the LC8. Once powered up, the LC8 in-turn provides a 12-volt output that can be used to turn on after market amplifiers and processors.
The LC8 is also equipped with a connection jack for an optional subwoofer level control. This subwoofer dash control allows the user to increase or decrease the sub signal level. The LC8 can be installed behind the dashboard or in some other inconspicuous location, while the optional dash control can be placed where the customer can easily access it.
- » Eight Input and Output Channels
- » Speaker Level Inputs - Can Accept 400 Watt Signals!
- » Channel Summing
- » GTOTM - Signal Sensing Inputs
- » Level Matching Controls
- » 12 Volt Trigger Output
- » Input for Optional Subwoofer Level Control
- » » Warranty: 3 year national cover
AudioControl LC8 Eight Channel OEM Interface
- Brands Audio Control | Making good sound great.
- Product Code: LC8
- Availability: Available


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Network marketing can definitely be a smart business move. It does take a lot of effort to work. You will then wonder where to start in increasing you profits.
One thing you should be sure of when you begin your network marketing campaign is the compensation package. It is important you understand what might be available to you, your team members and your partners. This will help you determine if the campaign will be worth putting your time into, or if you should look for another option.
Some may believe that quantity is what matters in network marketing, but the truth is that quality will beat quantity every time. You want good quality people who will put the time and effort into what they are doing so that you both make money.
Instead of accepting failure, learn from your mistakes because it will allow you to keep inching forward. Know where you are lacking and work on understanding it. When you can study how you failed, you will be able to see what methods do and do not work for you.
Building a website is a great idea for network marketing, but even using social networking sites is a start. A dynamic, well-written blog can also fill the bill. Maintaining a social networking presence, as well as your own website, would be very strategic options. Think of the internet as a community you have to establish a presence in. Just remember that a well thought out and read blog will help big time too.
In summary, network marketing will need time, effort and dedication before the profits start to roll in. Furthermore, you do need to be persistent in order for the results to show through. If you use the marketing guidelines from this article, you will be one step closer to becoming truly successful.Copyright 2014 , All rights Reserved.