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The El Paso Chihuahuas, a AAA baseball team, took a break from their Saturday night game to host an adorable Wiener Dog Race on the field as they prepared for the next inning. The Dachshund pups stood behind their gates, then tore off as the doors opened. Most bolted for the finish line, but one Dachshund took a look at that wide open field and headed down the third base line.
The pup felt the unbridled joy of the wind in his fur, tongue hanging out of his grinning face as he zipped back and forth across the baseball diamond, leading humans in a great game of chase. He probably figured that since he was on the field with all the other players, he might as well join the team.
But all romps come to an end. Eventually the little pooch tired himself out, then rolled over for some belly rubs from the nearest human. He was raised like a hero to face his adoring fans as he made his grand exit from the stadium. Hopefully he's getting some rest after having a chance to show the world what his stubby legs could do.


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| 7.5°C Belfast
Rory McIlroy three-putted two of his last three holes for a disappointing 70 in the first round of the Irish Open over a Royal Portrush course he knows so well.
Given "phenomenal" support by an all-ticket crowd there to watch the first staging of the event in Northern Ireland since 1953, the world number two stood four under on the 16th tee.
But both there and on the final green he was deceived by the speed - or lack of it - and his first task on his return is now to make sure he does not suffer a fifth missed cut in six starts.
McIlroy, the course record holder with a 61 set when he was only 16, spoke about a "sloppy finish" and added: "I think as the day went on the greens got a bit slower and coming from the greens I've been putting on (in America) it's a big change."
He was glad to have girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki there for support, but would rather she was still at Wimbledon. The former world number one suffered a shock first-round defeat on Tuesday.
Open champion Darren Clarke battled back from two over after eight to hand in a one under 71 and hopes now to make his first cut of what has been a dire season so far.
Not one of Northern Ireland's 'Big Three' broke 70 as Graeme McDowell also had a 71. It included a double bogey seven on the long 17th, but he went over the rough from the rough into bushes.

subset: commoncrawl


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Wil Time Bigtime host Willie Revillame, with lost voice and not feeling well, and mourning for the demise of King of Comedy Dolphy, filed a leave from his show. Willie, however, personally chose an able host in Marvin Agustin to pinch-hit for him.
Marvin, who is a respected actor, entrepreneur-restaurateur, cleared all his previously-set engagements to respond to Willie's request. Marvin started hosting Wil Time Bigtime yesterday (July 11) and will continue doing so until tomorrow(July 13).
"I really enjoyed my first night hosting Wil Time Bigtime," says Marvin. "Kaya naman pala masayang-masaya si Kuya Wil sa show niya dahil nakakapagpaligaya ka na, nakakatulong ka pa kaya I'm looking forward to doing this till tomorrow."


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irobi, Nov 10: World football's governing body FIFA has ordered Kenya to have an 18-team top flight league from 2017 and subsequent season as it attempts to end a two-year feud between the local federation and the company that mages the top-flight competition. Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) have been involved in a tussle over the number of teams in the country's top flight whose 2016 season concludes on November 19 with the former rooting for an expansion to 18 clubs and the latter insisting on keeping the current 16-team format
FKF President Nick Mwendwa confirmed on Wednesday that he has received a response from FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura after writing to seek guidance over the impasse where the world body has directed KPL to adopt an 18-team format.
"We know that the FKF has wanted to increase the number of teams competing in the top-tier league, mely the KPL, from 16 clubs to 18 clubs for the last two years and we are also aware of the failed attempts to settle the situation via a memorandum of understanding (MoU) despite the involvement of Kwesi Nyantakyi," part of Samoura's letter read.
Commenting on the latest development, Mwendwa struck a conciliatory tone saying he would summon the KPL leadership over the weekend to resolve the matter through dialogue. "It's an opportunity to correct the situation with KPL and we have nothing to celebrate. It's just to say guys something is not right so let's fix it. I hope they will accept our recommendations on how we want to fix it," Mwendwa added.
Both FIFA and the federation boss urged KPL to withdraw the case they have lodged against the expansion of the league from the Sports Dispute Tribul (SDT) — the judicial body set up in Kenya to resolve disputes in sport.
On Monday, the SDT adjourned the case to November 22 to allow the KPL to study the replying affidavit from FKF that claimed the league magement company was operating illegally since it had not conformed to the Sports Act of 2013, the country's law that overseas sports administration.
In March 2014, the KPL was suspended for two-weeks when the FKF then led by Sam Nyamweya obtained a court injunction against the top flight league when a bid to expand it to 18 teams was shot down by its governing council.
Nyamweya further took the unprecedented step of promoting 14 second-tier teams to the top flight to join the four he had earlier elevated and remed the competition FKF Premier League.
However, the High Court threw out the injunction as talks mediated by FIFA ruled KPL to remain the top domestic club competition in its 16-team format with the rival FKF Premier League desigted as the second tier. IANS


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READ about Piers Morgan's long career in journalism here.
Roughly two days since a frightening airline crash left two teenagers dead, on Monday evening "Piers Morgan Live" invited Robert Hager to offer his expertise and analysis:
One of the nations foremost experts on aviation accidents, Hager expressed disbelief regarding the relatively slow speed at which the aircraft was traveling:
"The target, the speed that they're supposed to slow down to just before touchdown was 157 miles an hour," he explained. "Already that plane had got that slow a half a minute out from the runway. Why they let it get that slow, they let it slow down then for another 30 seconds after it reached that speed, got down to less than 120 miles an hour. So imagine this great big 777 aircraft, big, heavy aircraft like that, going only 120 miles an hour. It's just inevitable it was going to stall."
Noting that the man flying the plane was still in training for this particular aircraft, Piers Morgan asked his guest if the crash was more likely the result of operator error, or a technical malfunction:
"Sometimes these investigations take some strange turns as they go down the line, but right now, clearly all the focus is on the performance of the crew, and investigators can't say 'pilot error,' but that's in essence what people are looking at," said Hager, a former NBC News correspondent. "There may be some other automatic system that is assisting in this landing. Could be an instrument was off. You never know. They're, by the way, talking to the crew today. That should clear up a lot of things."
Watch the clip for more of Morgan's interview with the man who boasts more than 25 years of service to broadcast news,, and for the next edition of "Piers Morgan Live," watch CNN every night at 9.
» Follow "Piers Morgan Live" on Twitter
» Follow "Piers Morgan Live" on Instagram
What caused the crash? Too much gravity or not enough inertia. I blame Isaac Newton.
I heard once about it but I don't actually know what are the main reasons why it get down. By the way thanks for posting about this.


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Creating an elegant room is actually not too difficult, with the combination of White Cabinets With Black Hardware you can make the room feel more luxurious. At the point when have you at any point seen an arrangement of white cupboards be tasteless and obsolete? I would peril, never. That is on the grounds that white is dependably in style. Regardless of whether you have a smooth current kitchen or a nation bread-noticing space, white cupboards are dependably a sheltered decision. Yet, in the event that you figure they may be excessively flat for your space, think about every one of your alternatives for bureau handles and pulls that will coordinate with white. The choices are relatively boundless! You can pick a handle or force that matches the style you're shooting for in your home and it will appear like you purchased new cupboards rather than simply supplanting the handles. Here are 14 handles and pulls that will flaunt your white cupboards further bolstering their best good fortune.
Black and white is an exemplary blend since the get-go. So decking your cupboards in plain straightforward black handles is an incredible method to refresh them without going insane.
hese exquisite pulls are somewhat rural, somewhat alluring. On white cupboards, they are the ideal choice for a chic lodge kitchen or even an outdoorsy batchelorette cushion.
Brushed metal has been overwhelming our Pinterest encourages. It's the new go to for any metal installations. Include these hexagon brushed metal handles to your cupboards and it will appear as though you got every new bureau introduced.
Perhaps your stylistic theme objective for your house is a vintage heaven. Select these beautiful vintage handles that will bring both shading and wistfulness into your kitchen.
You may surmise that putting wood on wood is repetitive. Yet, putting these beautiful cherrywood handles on your white cupboards will give your kitchen a touch of midcentury present day.
A few homes make everything about the workmanship. That is the point at which you go for something brilliant and possibly somewhat off for your white kitchen cupboard handles. Like these delights.
Black is so chic in any room of the house. Putting these sparkly black jewels on your cupboards will influence you to need to supplant every one of the handles in whatever is left of the house as well.
Indeed, even lone rangers require a comment their bureau entryways with. What about a calfskin handle that oozes strength and polite energy?
It's another brushed metal choice since how might you not? These pulls are so basic in outline that you'll ask why you held up so long to include them. These handles are a dream of workmanship deco grandness. Enough with the goal that you should need to begin gathering all the great styles of the 1930's.
I could compose a tribute to copper. Yet, rather, I'll simply share this delightful copper cupboard handle that will bring some genuine bling into your kitchen. For the admirer of knickknacks and blossoms and shading, here's an arrangement of handles that will flaunt your affection for the diverse. Regardless of whether you pick one plan or two… or four, your white cupboards will turn into the most loved piece of your kitchen.
They make an agate adaptation of essentially everything these days. Also, I support. The brilliant hues and overlaid edge will give your cupboards a planner look without boatloads of money. They're smooth and straightforward and black. Your cutting edge kitchen will request nothing more when you've put these on your cupboards.
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What is on the horizon for feminism? How has a heightened awareness of LGBT2Q+ experiences shifted our understanding about the nature of gender? Does the men's rights movement reflect coherent concerns about masculine identity? What have been the ongoing consequences of movements like #metoo? This is a conversation about the future of gender in Canada. (Recorded live at Curious Public at Central Library on Monday, April 9, 2018.)
The Panelists
Greta Bauer is Professor in the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics at Western University and an Affiliate Member of Women's Studies & Feminist Research.
Michael Kehler is Research Professor in Masculinities' Studies in Education at the University of Calgary, Werklund School of Education.
Nicole Nussbaum is a lawyer based in London, Ontario. She has a particular focus on, and extensive experience with, law and policy issues related to gender identity and gender expression.
AnnaLise Trudell is Manager of Education, Training & Research at Anova (formerly Women's Community House & Sexual Assault Centre London).
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RSS


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Discover why few nations capture the imagination like New Zealand, a land boasting stunning vistas stretching as far as the eye can see and a charismatic cultural heritage like no other.
Enjoy an even more carefree experience with OLife Choice*, which offers you the flexibility to personalize your vacation experience. Easily stay in touch with Internet, plus select one from a choice of generous amenities:
FREE - 8 Shore Excursions,
FREE - Beverage Package or a
FREE - US$800 Shipboard Credit
Amenities are per stateroom
* Conditions apply
Inside Cabin From $8,440 per person twinshare
Contact us for Oceanview, Veranda and Suite Cabins. Single rates on application
*This is a cash or cheque price. Credit cards will incur a 2% fee
*Itinerary and costs subject to change, airline and fuel charges and currency fluctuations prior to final payment
Subject to change and availability. Terms and conditions apply
Note: Pukekohe Travel reserves the right to correct errors and omissions on our website without recourse.
* Itinerary subject to change


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At a recent 4N Networking lunch in Shoreditch London, Kym Wymer from Happy Days Coaching shared her story and spoke to us about empowering your mindset.
'You get what you expect in life, and you get what you tell yourself you deserve.'
She wasn't there to share anything that we didn't already know. Success she explained is only available to those people who are willing to apply the learning's, let go of their stories, and change their habits and beliefs, which is the work that she does with her clients.
Many people are not actually aware of what they are saying to themselves in their head all day long. Things like 'bad things always happen to me' or 'I can't do xyz…because' or 'I am a positive person but…there is always another problem round the corner so I won't get too excited about this opportunity…'
You get the outcome of your thoughts. Bad things happen because you believed that they would so they do, you can't do XYZ, because you told yourself that you couldn't do it anyway! Just like there will always be a problem because you believe that bad always follow good.
Scientists have carried out much research into the implications of negativity. There is only one outcome and it's not a good one.
Only you can stop your mind chatter, have you thought about meditation? Do you know what it is?
For a very long time it wasn't something that I was ever going to do either, chanting and taking time out to 'not think about things' the idea did not fill me with a feeling of peace. In fact quite the opposite…I believed it was all a big waste of 'woo woo' time…until I listened to a guided meditation that is.
"When you change the way you look at things the things you look at change!" Wayne Dyer
I had focused on a word that I didn't really understand, feared feeling something that I had never felt and let my feeling block an experience.
Having written a book about Time Management I am more aware than most of the ticking of time. I am also aware of how easy an activity is to complete when you come from a relaxed mindset. For me meditation (or whatever you want to call it) helps you to start each day in a great headspace.
I was recommended to try an app (free from the app store) called Headspace…It is a great place for someone new to meditation to begin there are also lots of free options available on YouTube. There is no right or wrong, it comes down to personal taste, so find a teacher that works for you.
For more information about the Author of Out of the Shadows, Kim Wymer and the work that she does at Happy Days Coaching as a positive empowerment coach please check out her website and to find out more about me Abigail Barnes Author of Time Management for Entrepreneurs by looking around the website, did you download your FREE 5 Top Tips to immediately get more time TODAY!


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Sberbank First is delighted to present you a new option of personal service of affluent customers and their families.
We offer high level of service and exclusive financial solutions based on the leading-edge banking technologies. You can use the whole range of contemporary banking services in comfortable and pleasant atmosphere. Your account manager will provide a full range of banking products and services selected with regard to your individual preferences, at a qualitatively new level with full confidentiality and safety.
If you wish to obtain detailed information about products and services, please leave your message. We shall be glad to appoint a meeting and answer your questions.
It is our honour to meet you as our customer!
Appoint a meeting with the personal account manager by calling:
(+375) 359-96-00 or send of
Sberbank Online is the automated system of Sberbank First customer service via the Internet that allows you obtaining detailed information about your banking products (deposits, loans, cards), manage your accounts and make payments.
Internet service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (there are also iPhone, iPad and other mobile applications on Android and Windows Phone platforms) and allows performing many operations including:
Learn more about this product from your account manager.
Log into Sberbank Online
Register in Sberbank Online


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AICPA proposes changes in auditor's report
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The American Institute of CPAs' Auditing Standards Board has released three exposure drafts proposing ways to improve the usefulness of the auditor's report, in response to recent standards from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board.
The three exposure drafts are:
• Proposed Statement on Auditing Standards: Omnibus Statement on Auditing Standards—2018 proposes to harmonize Generally Accepted Auditing Standards with two PCAOB standards—Auditing Standard 1301, Communication with Audit Committees, and AS 2410, Related Parties. The two PCAOB standards came out after the AICPA's Auditing Standards Board finished work on its Clarity Project in 2012 for making its auditing standards clearer. The exposure draft proposes to amend various sections of the AICPA's Professional Standards.
• Proposed Statements on Auditing Standards: Auditor Reporting and Proposed Amendments―Addressing Disclosures in the Audit of Financial Statements aims to modify and extend the auditor's report as part of an effort to align the AICPA standards with the guidance of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board. The exposure draft proposes a new auditing standard, Communicating Key Audit Matters in the Independent Auditor's Report, and to supersede and amend various sections of the AICPA's Professional Standards.
• Proposed Statement on Auditing Standards: The Auditor's Responsibilities Relating to Other Information Included in Annual Reports would supersede AU-C section 720, Other Information in Documents Containing Audited Financial Statements (part of the AICPA's Professional Standards), with the goal of providing more consistency and less diversity in practice.
The AICPA is asking for comments on the three exposure drafts by May 15, 2018. The provisional effective date of all three of them wouldn't be earlier than for audits of financial statements for periods ending on or after June 15, 2019.


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[caption id="attachment_150126" align="alignleft" width="220"] Warner Bros.[/caption]
In the upcoming thriller "Argo," which opens in theaters on Oct. 12, Ben Affleck plays a guy whose crazy plan ends up saving the lives of a half dozen people.
Well, to celebrate the release of "Argo," we've come up with our own crazy plan — and while it may not save anybody's life, it's sure going to make a couple fans very, very happy.
Are you ready for Operation: Free "Argo" Loot?
For those who aren't in the know, "Argo" — which was a fan favorite at this year's Toronto International Film Festival and which is already being bandied about as a possible Oscar contender — tells the ridiculous but true story of how a CIA agent (Affleck) managed to sneak several hostages out of Iran in 1979 by pretending they were all working on a fake sci-fi film.
It's a story so nuts, it had to be true. And that's what inspired us to create a giveaway so crazy, it would also have to be true. Which is why two lucky winners will be taking home piles of free loot simply by entering our new "Argo" giveaway. No international espionage necessary!
One Grand Prize Winner will receive:
• Canvas Brief Bag
• Polished Silver Picture Frame Desk Clock with Silver Clocks
• Compact 4.5"x5.5" Genuine Leather Passport Holder
• Black Hat
• Screen Cleaner on Card
• 5"x7" Book Bound Journal
• Unisex Alternative Joey Slub Long Sleeve Crew
One First Prize Winner will receive:
• Black Hat
• Screen Cleaner on Card
• 5"x7" Book Bound Journal
• Unisex Alternative Joey Slub Long Sleeve Crew
To enter, just shoot us an email at email@example.com and include your name, address, birthdate and be sure to copy and paste the following statement:
"By sending this email, I accept and agree to: (1) the Official Rules of the 'Argo' Giveaway and (2) MTV Networks', a division of Viacom International Inc., Nextmovie.com Terms of Use and Privacy Policy."
The contest runs from now until 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday, October 16, 2012. Entrants must be at least 13 years old and reside in the U.S. Click here for complete rules and further details.
As an added bonus, all entrants will be signed up for the fun and useful UpNext newsletter. As an UpNext subscriber, you'll receive weekly updates on the hottest releases, events and merch from the world of movies.
Be sure to check out the official "Argo" movie site and Facebook page for all the movie details and look for "Argo" in theaters on Oct. 12. Also, follow @wbpictures on Twitter to keep up with the latest on your favorite movies, past, present and future.


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Skype 3-Session [BUNDLE]
Get 1-on-1 Personalized Coaching via Skype
Whether you're in Spain, Croatia, Australia, Canada, The USA or anywhere else - we've worked with people just like you!
What You Can Expect In Each Session:
Identify your goals
Identify the root causes that are holding you back
Find the best exercises to get rid of pain or improve performance
Create a custom program for you to follow
Is Skype Coaching Effective?
Absolutely! Your success with the program will depend on the degree in which you stick to your homework and giving us feedback so we can adjust your program as needed.
The Skype clients who see the most success are those who are receptive to making real lifestyle changes and who are ready to work for the long term.
How Many Sessions Does It Take?
Three sessions are usually sufficient to ensure that we have you on the right track. Some clients like doing even more but it is not required.
Train Smarter - Online.


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12 June 2007
Last December, Google launched AdWords Business Pages. Today, Google Australia announced it in Australia. What are AdWords Business Pages (ABPs)? They are a single-page website meant to be a landing page for a business that does not have any website. When you open a new AdWords Starter Edition account (and not Standard Edition), you get the option to create one. If you are an existing advertiser, you are SOL — at this time you can't get one, but then existing advertisers would have a website.
ABPs seem to be hosted on the subdomain biz.googlepages.com. A typical site is here. As you can see, you can upload an image and link to a Google Map.
An Aside
Curiously, a sub-subdomain http://nura.biz.googlepages.com/ seems to be a private site in Russian. In fact, there are numerous, dubious residents of sub-subdomains of biz.googlepages.com as evidenced by a "site:" command. Now, googlepages.com is owned by Google Inc and is used for creating a Google Page. The IP address is 22.214.171.124, which has some interesting tenants such as http://gr8tools.com/ or http://baidupages.com/. You will need a paid account at Domaintools to see all 48 of them. They seem to be domains used some years ago possibly for testing Google Page Creator templates – example. Nothing too exciting there, but those sub-subdomains are either uninvited guests or they are Google's own spam test pages – translated example. Weird.
Back to ABPs
IMHO, AdWords Business Pages are a good idea but are either deliberately crippled from an SEO perspective or were built independently from Google Page Creator, aka Google Pages. Google should have combined the two page creators and offered some paid options (the usual things that SEOs want). The ABP URL is too long to be used for anything but a Destination URL (in an AdWords creative). The Google Pages URLs are great – why was that format not offered to the ABP customer?
You cannot visit a displayed ABP URL such as http://biz.googlepages.com/workfromhome. That link shows an error message that says you must click the AdWords ad to get there. If you want to see where these ads have been displayed (publisher sites), look here.
Incidentally, the sign-up process for AdWords Starter Edition does not match the sequence shown in the demo, namely, you don't get to use the ABP wizard early in the process. If you were a US customer and happened to know this URL, you will see a completely different set of steps. Instead of being forced to compose your first ad cold turkey, you get the option to access a great creative wizard. It asks the following questions with some sample responses that are used to build some sample ads:
You still don't see the ABP wizard before you create the new AdWords account with a Google Account.


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Nordic intercalibration of hard bottom macroalgae monitoring methodologies
The aim of the ALGONOMY project was to harmonise Nordic macroalgae monitoring methodologies and to agree on common metrics that without extensive cost could be implemented in the national monitoring programmes. This report gives a description of the macroalgae monitoring methods used in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway and of the two common metrics "total algal cover" and "lower depth limit of macroalgal species" that was implemented to intercalibrate between the Nordic countries. Total cover estimates were significantly related to water clarity and provides a good ecological indicator for assessing the effects of nutrient management. Lower depth distribution limit is a good metric for classification but is set by more factors than water quality. In general, there is a need for better coordination between macroalgae and water quality monitoring with regard to geographic distance and sampling frequency to reflect processes and relationships.
- Click to access:
Click to download PDF - 1.66MBPDF
Click to Read online and shareREAD
WFD Metric: "Depth limit of macroalgal species"
The metric "Depth limit of macroalgal species" use the depth extension of selected perennial macroalgal species as the biological quality element in response to environmental impacts. The selected species shown in table 1 are all 1) perennial, 2) commonly occurring in the type and 3) easy to determine.
- Click to access:
Click to download PDF - 162.58KBPDF
Click to Read online and shareREAD


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Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Philips, William
PHILIPS, WILLIAM (d. 1734), dramatist, was son of George Philips of Londonderry [q. v.], and at an early age applied himself to writing for the stage. A tragedy, entitled 'The Revengeful Queen' (London, 1698, 8vo), acted at Drury Lane in 1698, is the first ascribed to him. The subject was taken from Machiavelli's 'History of Florence,' and the scene was laid in Verona. The piece has resemblances to D'Avenant's 'Albovine, King of the Lombards,' of which Philips, in the printed edition, says he was ignorant until he had completed his own work (Genest, Hist. Account, ii. 142). Philips's next play was 'St. Stephen's Green, or the Generous Lovers,' a comedy in five acts; it was performed at the Theatre Royal, Dublin, and printed in that city in 1700. In the last act a musical dialogue in verse was introduced; the scene throughout was in Dublin. The author, in a dedication to William O'Brien, earl of Inchiquin, mentioned that the play had been favourably received by the public. Copies of this work are rare. A tragedy, by Philips, entitled 'Hibernia Freed,' was produced with success, on 13 Feb. 1722, at the Theatre Royal, Lincoln's Inn Fields, and published in 8vo, London, 1722. The subject was the liberation of Ireland and its monarch, O'Brien, from the tyranny of 'Turgesius,' a Danish invader. The capture and deaths of the Dane and his associates were represented to have been effected by armed young men, attired as maidens. The part of 'Turgesius' was acted by Quin, who also spoke the prologue, and the epilogue was delivered by Mrs. Bullock (ib. iii. 79–80). Philips dedicated this play to Henry O'Brien, earl of Thomond. On 14 April 1722 another of Philips's tragedies, 'Belisarius' (London, 1724, 8vo), was performed at Lincoln's Inn Fields, and repeated six times. It contains the line, spoken by the hero, 'Who will give an obolus to relieve my wants?' which seems to have become a slang phrase in the form 'Give a penny to Belisarius the general.' Gibbon quotes the expression in his account of Belisarius, and says it is due to an historical misconception (ib. iii. 146–7). Another tragedy, 'Alcamenes and Menelippa,' is ascribed to Philips in William Mears's 'Catalogue of Plays' (1713). He died on 12 Dec. 1734 (Gent. Mag. 1734, p. 703).
[Ware's Writers of Ireland, 1746; Biographia Dramatica, London, 1812; O'Donoghue's Poets of Ireland, p. 204; Plays by Philips.]


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The Lansley gamble: Limit raised on hospitals' private income
There were fears Andrew Lansley had opened the door to NHS privatisation today, after the health secretary raised the cap on hospitals' private income.
Lansley lifted the limit on income hospitals can derive from private patients, drugs sales or intellectual property to 49%.
Lansley will announce the cap will be raised from October 1st, because it "prevents foundation trusts from pursuing the kind of innovations that will benefit patients in the future and put more of our hospitals on the map internationally".
Supporters of the move argue it will significantly raise income revenue to the NHS.
Opinion Former News
Critics say it will inevitably lead to NHS patients being put to the back of the queue while private patients seeking simple operations are prioritised.


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Welcome to the Town of Dove Creek
Dove Creek, Colorado is a lifestyle for someone who enjoys a more relaxed pace of life but also wants the excitement of being part of an evolving community. We are a small statuatory town with a population under 750 located in the beautiful Southwest corner of the State. Dove Creek became incorporated July 10, 1939 and is the county seat for Dolores County.
Our mission statement and vision for the future of the Town capture the attitude of our leaders and residents. Our desire is to inspire and sustain a dynamic, innovative and prosperous community through the combined talent of our citizenry.
- Preserve and sustain the elements of our environment
- Expand and diversify water resources
- Support and encourage activities and events
- Maintain a safe community
- Improve infrastructure
- Maximize citizen involvement in achieving our vision
- Maximize and diversify revenue sources
- Ensure growth for its community
- Increase and diversify our economic base
- Improve regional cooperation
What's New
August 21, 2020
Click the links below to review the following documents
July 14, 2020
2020 Board of Trustee Meeting Dates
June 1, 2020
- News Updates
- School District
- Dolores County
- CDOT Road Conditions
- Census 2020
- COVID-19 Website


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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Liquor \Liq"uor\, verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Liquored} (l[i^]k"[~e]rd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Liquoring}.]
1. To supply with liquor. [R.]
Liquor fishermen's boots. --Shak.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Liquor \Liq"uor\ (l[i^]k"[~e]r), noun [OE. licour, licur, OF. licur, F. liqueur, fr. L. liquor, fr. liquere to be liquid. See {Liquid}, and cf. {Liqueur}.]
1. Any liquid substance, as water, milk, blood, sap, juice, or the like.
2. Specifically, alcoholic or spirituous fluid, either distilled or fermented, as brandy, wine, whisky, beer, etc.
3. (Pharm.) A solution of a medicinal substance in water; -- distinguished from {tincture} and {aqua}.
Note: The U. S. Pharmacopoeia includes, in this class of preparations, all aqueous solutions without sugar, in which the substance acted on is wholly soluble in water, excluding those in which the dissolved matter is gaseous or very volatile, as in the aqu[ae] or waters. --U. S. Disp.
{Labarraque's liquor} (Old Chem.), a solution of an alkaline hypochlorite, as sodium hypochlorite, used in bleaching and as a disinfectant.
{Liquor of flints}, or {Liquor silicum} (Old Chem.), soluble glass; -- so called because formerly made from powdered flints. See {Soluble glass}, under {Glass}.
{Liquor of Libavius}. (Old Chem.) See {Fuming liquor of Libavius}, under {Fuming}.
{Liquor sanguinis} (s[a^]n"gw[i^]n*[i^]s), (Physiol.), the blood plasma.
{Liquor thief}, a tube for taking samples of liquor from a cask through the bung hole.
{To be in liquor}, to be intoxicated.
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
1: an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented [syn: {liquor}, {spirits}, {booze}, {hard drink}, {hard liquor}, {John Barleycorn}, {strong drink}]
2: a liquid substance that is a solution (or emulsion or suspension) used or obtained in an industrial process; "waste liquors"
3: the liquid in which vegetables or meat have be cooked [syn: {liquor}, {pot liquor}, {pot likker}]
Definitions retrieved from the Open Source DICT Webster's English and WordNet 3.0 dictionaries. Click here for database copyright information.
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This used McNeil Roto-Cast RC-1700-110 turret-style rotational molding machine was built by McNeil Akron in 1980.
Photos available upon request.
Three-station turret-style machine: Oven, cooler & service station.
Swing - 100" diameter x 110" (2540 mm diameter x 2794 mm)
Weight capacity on straight arm- 1,700 lbs.(772 kg)
Three straight arms with single-passage inner air
4,000,000 BTU Burner Operates on Natural Gas
Tire drive.
$65,000 - Machine is being sold as is, where is with no warranty. Shipping charges would be buyer's expense.


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The Northern Star
The Star sailed on…
…like a giant manatee surfacing for breath, carving its icy path
on a course of 30 degrees, north, north west.
Sharp-nosed, flat-bottomed. 150,000 tons of steel, crude and cargo
in the middle of the Northern Passage, unstoppable
minus forty degrees and two weeks out of the sepulchral city.
Mykola Los stared through the cold darkness
barely making out the rise and fall of the bow light
riding the gentle swell. His thoughts turned to home.
He smiled as he pictured Mei and her pride in him,
born and bred in the Shanghai slums, now raising his own family
in a cement house in the new suburb of Song Jiang.
He'd done well to become the first Master of the Star
The company had sent him to the yard in Korea to help build her.
She was his ship, the largest in the world.
The Star sailed on…
… hardly shuddering as the massive, steel bow pierced its way
through three-foot thick ice shedding ton-weight shards like flotsam.
His cargo, entrusted to him for safe delivery:
Twelve thousand containers, four miles of them laid end to end,
bound for Hamburg, Rotterdam and Felixtowe.
There is no choice, Mykola thought, but to work day and night
You get dizzy and your eyes hurt – but there is no choice.
His country made three quarters of the world's toys and they must be delivered
He wondered about those men and women, children, too
the long hours, low wages and dangerous work places.
Even in these enlightened times those who make trouble go to prison
Rich western buyers blame it on the Chinese factory owners
But, at home, they say increasing competition is the cause.
Who to believe? Anyway, what could he do? The messenger.
The Star sailed on…
… at a steady ten knots, halfway through her first voyage to the North Pole.
The Master checked his navigation equipment and his draft
He knew strange things could happen at the Pole.
Two days less than the old Suez route, he thought. Was it worth it?
Twelve months ago, on an earlier voyage
the Star had been hi-jacked in the Arabian Sea
Somalians had swarmed the ship with rocket-powered grenades.
All he had were fire hoses and pocket-knives
Pointless to resist, he had surrendered to protect his crew.
Still, he'd lost two men that night. Two stupid, brave young men.
There would have been more killing had he not persuaded the company
to parachute a million dollars in cash from a small aircraft,
shrink-wrapped to a brick. But his guilt at those deaths still haunted him.
The Star sailed on…
…crushing the protests of the icy sea.
But for the attack, Mykola wondered, would the company
have bothered with the Northern Sea Route at all?
They had told him the official line was 'global warming'
The Captain knew the destiny of his cargo and its purpose
All the toys and decorations for the whole of Northern Europe
were in those containers. Aboard his ship, the Star.
Last December, he had taken little Ching-Lan to a store in central Shanghai
To be photographed with the gift-bearing, jaunty-coloured Dun Che Lao Ren
Surrounded by his glittery, giggling sisters.
He had even bought a small tree which Mei had strung with coloured lights
Mykola wondered how it had all started, this western celebration
But, like many others, he found it helped fill the lull before the New Year
The Star sailed on…
... soon a change of course, steering south west out of Russian waters
hugging the coast of Norway and then to the North Sea…
Out on the freezing deck below, Jack Strong looked up at the dimly lit bridge
Now the only Englishman amongst the Star's meagre crew of twenty-six.
he longed to finish his last shift at Felixtowe, then take the train home.
Jack had felt lost since the pirates seized the Star and Ricky died
that dreadful night. He could not forgive Mykalos and still felt shame
that the Master had just given in, not even put up a fight
He saw the shifting, shadowy figure through the toughened glass
Two years at sea and Jack still could not decipher that alien mind
Spineless, passionless, inhuman, a company man to the core
For there, at the helm (thought anguished, grieving Jack) was his nemesis -
a man who could never see the point of Ricky's sacrifice.
Goodwill to all men? To hell with it. He would not be re-joining the Star.
Mykola was no stranger to suffering, even on his own ship
You cannot vaccinate against misery as if it were a disease, he reflected
Only do what you can to spread a little happiness as an antidote.
The Star sailed on…
… over the North Pole with its cargo of toys for all the children of Europe.


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text:
'The ultraviolence has to stop' - Warren Spector
Epic Mickey producer says he left Eidos in 2004 because of proliferation of violent titles at publisher, believes industry is "fetishizing violence."
Scenes of serious violence were a staple of the 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo last week. And while Sony said these moments could be beneficial for spurring stronger narratives, Epic Mickey producer Warren Spector has a different take. Speaking to Games Industry International, Spector bluntly said, "The ultraviolence has to stop."
Expanding on his thoughts, Spector said he believes such violence in games could have negative implications.
"We have to stop loving it," he said. "I just don't believe in the effects argument at all, but I do believe that we are fetishizing violence, and now in some cases actually combining it with an adolescent approach to sexuality. I just think it's in bad taste. Ultimately, I think it will cause us trouble."
Spector went on to explain that his decision to leave Eidos (where he was instrumental in the production of the original Deus Ex) in 2004 was spurred by the violence he witnessed from the publisher's lineup, specifically games like Hitman, 25 to Life, and Crash 'n Burn.
"We've gone too far. The slow-motion blood spurts, the impalement by deadly assassins, the knives, shoulders, elbows to the throat," he said. "You know, Deus Ex had its moments of violence, but they were designed--whether they succeeded or not I can't say--but they were designed to make you uncomfortable, and I don't see that happening now. I think we're just appealing to an adolescent mindset and calling it mature. It's time to stop."
Spector and Junction Point are currently working on Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii. A sequel to the 2010 Wii-exclusive Epic Mickey, the game boasts co-op, full-voice acting, and a tilt toward music, according to lead designer Warren Spector. For more on The Power of Two, check out GameSpot's stage show demo from E3 2012.
GameSpot may get a commission from retail offers.
Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email firstname.lastname@example.com


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text:
Filed under: Stop climate change | Tags: Climate Impacts, India, Water
Here's another post from Bangalore-based writer Samir. Read it and learn, and tell us later what fluid thoughts you plan to breed, and whether you know of a better escape clause than the person Samir asks at the end of his piece.
They say water is the source of life, and life was supposed to have started in water – well they cant be wrong. I know quite a few water borne diseases and I do know that water also breeds pests.
There is a town in India called Lakhpat in the state of Gujarat, local folklore has it that the town was so called because it was a very rich town and had many millionaires the verbatim translation in English is a town of millionaires. This was a port town around 300 years back. The town was on the confluence of the river sindh which came in from what is now Pakistan, it was a port town. Slowly the river changed course, today there is no hint that this was once a town of the rich. People have migrated, there are not more than a few families left in the town.
And, water, they say is source of life.
But it is, one of the pointers in the development index is how many people have access to potable water, politicians promise constant water supply if they get elected. There are villages in India that no one wants to marry into because the water there is no longer potable. There is a story that Lord Krishna was cursed by a group of sages because he offered his wife water before he did them.
In India every home serves its guests water, this was also a custom in every restaurant. Before the menu was handed the waiter would pour you a glass of water. But things have changed, the waiter comes and asks "bottled" or "ordinary". What was valued as emotive now has a value – we know how much a litre of water costs – Rs 12/-. There is a soft drink called Limca that goes with the sobriquet 'thirst quencher'. In Rajasthan, the Indian desert state, you may not be able to find drinking water in the villages, but every shop has Coca Cola stocked in its shelves. .
Those who can afford it will buy water and those who cant – well tough luck. I asked a person if the summers were getting hotter here, he replied in the affirmative and also told me that he had a way out – air conditioners in his house and car.
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The new UK Graduate Immigration Route and what we know so far..
Immigration News
September 18, 2019
The government announced the creation of the new Graduate Immigration Route – very similar to the post-study work which was revoked in 2012. The exact guidelines are not published yet so there still some clarity required. I am writing to give our take on the return of this post-study work route.
What we do know so far?
International students in the UK graduating in 2021 will be able to benefit. This means that it will apply to everyone who will have the Tier-4 student visa at the time this route is introduced.
If the student visa expires before this for example in 2020 – they will NOT benefit from this route.
It will apply to everyone who has completed a UG or higher qualification.
This new route will allow graduates to stay and work, or look for work for max 2 years & would be a separate visa with the immigration health surcharge. More details on this are awaited.
This is not extendable and does not count towards the ILR. Post this, one needs to move to the skilled category (Tier-2, Tier-1 etc) for the ILR period to start.
Some of the important points to look at in the future:
Will the graduates get the same benefits/concessions like exemption from RLMT even after two years?
The salary and minimum skill levels required for the new route and then to move on to the skilled visas like Tier-2?
Can the dependents work while the graduate is on this visa route?
Any limitation to private institutions?
& finally the positives:
There is, at last, some breathing period! A lot of students will be motivated to give this a fair chance and apply for jobs.
Fewer barriers for employers – this is good 'try before buy' option before they sponsor the visa and hire on a longer-term basis.
Graduates can apply for more than 1 graduate scheme cycle!
Overall, it's very positive news for all the stakeholders. What will be interesting to see is how the universities and support services like visa advice teams and careers teams plan for this new change. There will be a surge in the advisory services not only for current students but also for the alumni who stays back in the country during this 2-year period.
At Student Circus, we are very optimistic about the opportunities this brings. With the attractiveness of the UK increasing, more enrolments will lead to a bigger pool of talent waiting to be placed.


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It seems Roseanne Barr isn't doing very well in her quest to be the Green Party nominee for president.
As of last week, Jill Stein, a physician who has previously run for governor of Massachusetts, has 75 percent of delegates thus far in the run-up to the Green Party convention in Baltimore in July.
After the Maine meeting of the Greens, Stein had a total of 96.5 delegates and Barr had 18.5 delegates.
And in another blow to Roseanne's campaign, she unsuccessfully tried to recruit Willie Nelson as her running mate over the weekend.
Nelson tweeted Saturday, "@TheRealRoseanne I would be happy to run with you on the Green Party ticket. After thinking about it awhile it kept sounding better and better. Are you still interested? Love, Willie"
Roseanne later tweeted, "I am waiting to speak with Willie Nelson -sent him my cell phone number & want to speak with him. I told every1 he accepted&I still want him"
But Willie then said via tweets:
I see you are speaking to someone else regarding your vice president running mate. I know whoever your choice is they will be happy to serve with you.
I'm not ready to get into politics. I have stayed away from it this long. I am content to sit on the sidelines and criticize everyone else.
Good luck with your campaign.
Love, Willie
Roseanne has been urging voters to register as Greens, even if they plan to vote for Obama, to send the Democratic Party a message.
She and Stein debated on Saturday. "Where Obama and Romney see a world full of terrorists requiring an ever-heightened state of military positioning with Homeland and National Security, Stein and Barr see further militarization of the police, an empire of military bases in need of dismantling and a need to redefine national priorities and security," reported Fog City Journal.


text:
Research Article | Open Access
Arthur T. Kopylov, Ksenia G. Kuznetsova, Olga M. Mikhailova, Andrey G. Moshkin, Vladimir V. Turkin, Andrei A. Alimov, "Development of Mass Spectrometry Selected Reaction Monitoring Method for Quantitation and Pharmacokinetic Study of Stepharine in Rabbit Plasma", Advances in Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, vol. 2014, Article ID 961850, 9 pages, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/961850
Development of Mass Spectrometry Selected Reaction Monitoring Method for Quantitation and Pharmacokinetic Study of Stepharine in Rabbit Plasma
Highly sensitive liquid chromatography mass spectrometry method on triple quadrupole (QQQ) mass spectrometer was successfully applied for pharmacokinetic study of stepharine in rabbit plasma. Specific ion transitions of stepharine protonated precursor ion were selected and recorded in the certain retention time employing dynamic selected reaction monitoring mode. The developed method facilitated quantitative measurements of stepharine in plasma samples in linear range of five orders of magnitude with high accuracy and low standard deviation coefficient and pharmacokinetics parameters were calculated. The apparent volume of stepharine distribution (estimated as ratio of clearance to elimination rate constant, data not shown) allows us to assume that stepharine was extensively distributed throughout the body.
1. Introduction
Stephaglabrine sulfate is a sulfate of isoquinoline proaporphinealkaloid extracted from tuber roots of Stephania glabra (Roxb.) of the family Menispermaceae. Stephaglabrinesulfate has the chemical formula (C18H19NO3)2·1/2H2SO4 (Figure 1) and is a white crystal powder with the melting point in the range of 243-244°C, with the subsequent decomposition, soluble in water and aqueous alcohol [1, 2]. Since stephaglabrine sulfate is the dimeric salt, it dissociates to stepharine base with molecular weight 297.1359, which is possible to detect as protonated ion [3].
It has been shown that intramuscular injection of stephaglabrine sulfate in dose of 0.1 mg/kg to rabbits significantly decreases intensity of trophic disturbances of denervated extremities at traumatic injuries of sciatic nerve. Stephaglabrine assists histological neogenesis and regeneration, electrophysiological and functional recovery of nerves after injury [4, 5]. However pharmacokinetic study of the stephaglabrine sulfate still remains poorly investigated.
The main aim of this study is to establish a valid method for detection of stepharine in rabbit plasma after intramuscular administration of the drug. For this purpose, quantitative assay of stepharine has been developed using selected reaction monitoring (SRM). The procedure consists of extraction of stepharine from rabbit plasma, detection by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and measurements of the concentration of stepharine in plasma samples eliciting on the detection of characteristic fragment ions at certain retention time.
Based on the obtained data pharmacokinetic parameters of stepharine were calculated.
2. Material and Methods
2.1. Materials
Acetonitrile HPLC grade was purchased from Acros (USA), glacial acetic acid was purchased from Merck (Germany), ammonium formate chromatography grade was purchased from Fluka (Germany), ammonia hydroxide was purchased from Acros (USA), chloroform was purchased from Merck (Germany), and deionized water 18.2 mΩ*cm2 was obtained from MilliQ Elix 3 system.
For routine assay calibration, plasma pooled from three rabbits was used. The samples were aliquoted and stored at −80°C. For the matrix effect experiments, plasma pooled from five rabbits was obtained.
2.2. Compound
Stephaglabrine sulfate (powder) as analytical compound was obtained from "BioGene Technologies" (Russian Federation).
2.3. Animals and Administration of Stephaglabrine Sulfate
All experimental procedures with animals were carried out according the Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee and Veterinary Committee of the RSAU-MTAA (Russian State Agrarian University, Moscow, Russia) guidelines. The Approval Certificate verifying animal experimentation issued by the Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee is number E038-6.176RSAU, issued from November 29, 2012; the Veterinary certificate verifying animal keeping issued by Veterinary Committee is number V812-6.255RSAU, issued from November 26, 2012. The study was acquired on outbred, nonpregnant rabbits aged one year (weight range: 4-5 kg). All animals were kept in a standard animal holding room at Animal Center of RSAU-MTAA. Before the experimental procedure the selected animals were under veterinary supervision for seven days. All rabbits were kept at a standard animal holding room at a temperature of °C, a relative humidity %, daylight duration 14–17 hours, and lighting 50–70 luxes. Water and food were ad libitum.
The selected rabbits were administrated intramuscular with stephaglabrine sulfate at doses 0.1 mg/kg as it was established before [4]. Each animal received a single dose.
2.4. Analytical Instruments and Conditions
Stephaglabrine is the dimeric salt; therefore detection of stepharine compound only (dissociated salt) with is available LS-MS approach [3]. LC-MS and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis were performed on Agilent 6520 Q-TOF mass spectrometer (Agilent, USA) equipped with 1200 HPLC system (Agilent Technologies) nanoflow liquid chromatography system and 6490 Triple Quad mass spectrometer interfaced with 1200 HPLC system microflow liquid chromatography. Evaluation of the compound purity, identity, and full fragment ions spectra was performed on Q-TOF mass spectrometry coupled with chromatographic separation on Zorbax C-18 SB 80 column (75 μm × 43 mm, 5 μm particle size, 80 A pore size). One μL of stephrine sulfate solution (0.1 μg/mL) loaded at flow rate of 2 μL/min in the mobile phase A (12 mM ammonia formate with pH adjusted to 4.55 with glacial acetic acid) for 3.5 minutes. The elution of stepharine was carried out at flow rate of 0.3 μL/min with the gradient of solvents A and B (acetonitrile) starting and maintained at 5% of mobile phase B for 2 minutes and increasing to 95% of solvent B at 20 minutes. Analytical column was washed with 100% of mobile phase B for 7 minutes followed by column equilibration at starting gradient conditions of solvent A-solvent B system (20 : 1, v/v) for 10 minutes. The 6520 Q-TOF mass spectrometer was operated in electrospray ionization at positive mode equipped with HPLC-Chip ion source interface at temperature 340°C. The drying gas (nitrogen) flow rate was 4 L/min, capillary voltage −1952 V, scan rate 3.225 scan/sec at 4 GHz mode, and scan range 100–700 .
Quantitative analysis was acquired in SRM (selected reactions monitoring) mode on Agilent 6490 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (Agilent, USA) operated in the positive mode and equipped with Jet Stream ESI ion source. Stepharine was detected in the scheduled selected reaction monitoring (SRM) with unit resolution at both first (Q1) and third (Q3) quadrupoles. The retention time point of stepharine was determined as 9.8 with isolation width of 1 minute for the scheduled SRM method application. The optimal conditions of the analysis were achieved as follows: capillary voltage was −4500 V, nozzle voltage was set at −1200 V, flow rate of drying gas (N2) was 16 L/min, flow rate of sheath gas (N2) was 8 L/min, temperature of drying gas was set at 340°C, temperature of sheath gas was set at 290°C, and nebulizer gas was operated at 20 psi. The transitions for protonated stepharine [M+H]+ 298.4 → 161.2, 192.1, 238.2 were selected for SRM analysis. The isolation window for the fragment ions was set at 0.27 amu, the optimum fragmentor voltage was adjusted to 310 V and collision energy −19 eV. All the samples including calibration points were analyzed in three replications. 30 μL of the samples was injected and loaded on chromatographic column. Calibration was performed on standard samples solution prepared in 20% acetonitrile with concentration of stepharine from 10−4 μg/mL to 100 μg/mL. Chromatographic separation was performed on Thermo Hypersil-Keystone ODS column (Thermo Scientific, USA) 100 × 2.1 mm, 5 μm particle size, at flow rate of 200 μL/min and with the following elution conditions: loading onto the column at maintained 20% of mobile phase B for 3 minutes, increasing the gradient to 50% of B at 5 minutes following increasing the gradient to 100% of mobile phase B at 15 minutes. The column was washed and maintained at 100% mobile phase B from 15 to 22 minutes and the composition was decreased to 20% of solvent B at 23 minute. The column was reequilibrated at starting conditions of solvent A-solvent B system (5 : 1, v/v) for 10 minutes at flow 200 μL/min.
2.5. Preparation of the Standard Samples of the Stepharine and Determination of LOD and LOQ
The stock solution of stephaglabrine sulfate (1 mg/mL) was prepared by dissolving weighted reference compound in appropriate volume of water-acetonitrile 20% solution. Calibration standards in range of 100, 10, 1, 0.1, 0.01, 0.001, and 0.0001 μg/mL were prepared by dilution of the working solution (100 μg/mL) in of 20% acetonitrile to determine limit of detection (LOD), linearity, and limit of quantitation (LOQ). Each standard sample was analyzed in 10 replicates using developed scheduled SRM method. The fragment ion of stepharine with was considered as ion quantifier, while fragment ions with and were considered as ion qualifiers. Calibration curve was plotted in linear regression fashion. Peaks with signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) more than 7.0 (calculated according to root-mean-square algorithm) and relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 15% were allowed to fit the calibration curve.
2.6. Extraction of Stepharine from Rabbit Plasma Samples
0.5 mL of blood samples from each animal was collected from ear vein in the tubes with EDTA before administration and at 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 480, 720, and 1440 minutes after drug ingestion. Blood samples were immediately put on ice and centrifuged at 5000 g for 10 minutes at 4°C within one hour after blood collection. The obtained plasma was placed in sterile tube and kept at −20°C until analysis.
Plasma proteins were precipitated with acetonitrile. For this purpose, two volumes of acetonitrile were added to 100 μL of rabbit plasma into 1.5 mL plastic tube and 30% ammonia hydroxide was added to adjust the pH to 10. After vortex-mixing for 15 minutes at ambient temperature one volume of chloroform was added three times consequently for 2 hours and incubated at 30°C under regular stirring at 900 rpm at each occasion. The first fraction of upper organic layer was collected after 2 hours of incubation, the second and the third fractions of chloroform extract were collected after additional 30 and 60 minutes of incubation, respectively. The collected fractions were combined and transferred to a new tube and dried under vacuum at 30°C. The resulting pellet was resuspended in 100 μL of 20% water-acetonitrile solution and centrifuged at 14000 rpm for 15 minutes immediately before use. The obtained solution was used for LC-MS analysis.
2.7. Selectivity
Selectivity was investigated on serum obtained from 5 different rabbits, which were not administrated with stephaglabrine sulfate (5 blank samples). Rabbit serum samples were treated as described for staphaglabrine sulfate extraction and analyzed in scheduled SRM mode in 10 replicates for possible interfering compounds. Selectivity was evaluated as confident if response level was less than 20% of summarized response of limit of detection and limit of quantitation.
2.8. Assessment of Matrix Effect and Extraction Efficiency
Matrix effect was evaluated as ion suppression or ion enhancement. Matrix effect was investigated in plasma by measuring the peak intensities of stepharine in 5 different samples (100 μL) enriched with 0.03 μg/mL of stepharine by postextraction addition in five technical replicates. Samples of rabbit plasma were treated as described for extraction procedure. The obtained organic solvent fractions were dried and resuspended in 100 μL of 20% acetonitrile-water solution. Stephaglabrine was spiked in matrix extracts to give final concentrations of 30 ng/mL and analyzed using scheduled SRM method. Matrtix effect of 15% was accepted. Peak areas of the compound of interest in matrixes with spiked stephaglabrine were compared with peak areas of stepharine of the same concentrations prepared in 20% acetonitrile. Matrix-influence factor has been calculated as where is the peak area of the compound added in plasma, the peak area of the endogenous compound, and the peak area of the standard compound in water-acetonitrile solution.
The recovery efficiency was evaluated in five different surrogate rabbit plasma samples. Each rabbit plasma was divided in three equal volumes of 100 μL. To one hundred μL of portion of rabbit plasma were added 3, 50, and 100 ng/mL of stepharine to final concentration. Plasma samples were treated with acetonitrile/chloroform solvent system for deproteinization. The resulting extract was dried and resuspended in 100 μL of 20% acetonitrile solution. The recovered amount of stepharine extracted from plasma was measured in 5 replicates. Recovery was estimated by comparison of peak areas of extracted stepharine and peak areas of stepharine measured in standard solutions with the same concentrations. The recovery was calculated according to the formula: where is the measured concentration of stepharine after extraction; is the known initial concentration of stephaglabrine added in rabbit plasma.
2.9. Sample Stability
Freeze-thaw stability of stephaglabrine sulfate solution was evaluated because samples were stored at −20°C. The stability of stephaglabrine pool solutions (in water-acetonitrile 20%) at concentrations of 10 μg/mL, 50 μg/mL, and 100 μg/mL was evaluated after three cycles of overnight freezing following 3 hours of bench thaw at ambient temperature. The loss of stepharine was evaluated by comparison with freshly prepared standard solutions of the same concentrations. Loss of 10% and less was accepted.
2.10. Pharmacokinetics Model Design
Calibration curve and pharmacokinetics parameters such as area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) were estimated using trapeziodal method for the observed data and extrapolated to infinity from the last data point using the elimination constant ; the values reported as the maximum plasma concentration and the time corresponding to maximum plasma concentration are the actual observed ones; the elimination constant was calculated as the negative slope of the logarithmic-linear final portion of the plasma concentration-time curve by using linear regression. Half-time of absorption was determined using elimination constant . All the parameters were calculated in Mass Hunter Quantitative Analysis B03.02 (Agilent), Sigma Plot (version 9.0), and Microsoft Excel software
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Method Development
3.1.1. Mass Spectrometry Determination of Stepharine
Stephaglabrine sulfate is well-known alkaloid compound originated from plants substrates and represented as the dimeric salt of stepharine [3]. Chemical structure and properties of this molecule were mostly investigated by spectroscopy and spectrophotometry methods [2, 6]. Only a small portion of researches were accomplished using mass spectrometry analysis [7, 8] and no one reported considerate quantitative analysis of stepharine.
In this study the commercially available stephaglabrine sulfate was analyzed on a high resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The obtained data of 100 ng of the compound loaded onto the column demonstrates identification of protonated stepharine precursor ion [M+H]+ with high accuracy mass measurements (error 2 ppm) and with (Figure 2). The content of stepharine in sample makes a total of more than 97.5%, while the traced amount of 2.5% was assigned to auxiliary substances in the regions of 12.7, 15.2, and 18.7 minutes with , 284.183, and 279.153. At the certain chromatographic conditions the retention time point for stapharine was determined as 10.6 minutes.
Fragment ions spectra of stepharine were obtained for confident approval of the certain compound. Solvents adducts corresponding to [M+NH4]+ or [M+CH3COO]+ were not observed. Thus, as identity and purity of the obtained commercial compound were determined, we used it further to prepare standard calibration samples and injection form of stepharine for animals. Based on the obtained data of stepharine structure and its fragment ions behavior, the method of quantitative assay on triple quadrupole mass spectrometer was further developed.
3.1.2. Optimization and Validation of Stephaglabrine Extraction
Efficient extraction of stepharine from rabbit plasma needs to be applied for pharmacokinetic study. There is a little information related to isolation of stepharine from plant tissues and organs [3, 6, 9, 10]. Obviously, these protocols poorly fit the isolation procedure from animal tissues and liquids. In this research we have proposed deproteination of rabbit plasma using acetonitrile/chloroform solvents system highly alkalinized with ammonia hydroxide. To evaluate the recovery of stepharine after extraction, amount of stepharine was added to one hundred μL of rabbit plasma sample to give final concentrations of 3, 50, and 100 ng/mL. Prior assessment of the rabbit plasma was performed to find no interferences with the compound of interest. Stepharine was extracted and the recovery of the extract from rabbit plasma stepharine was evaluated on triple quadrupole mass spectrometer by comparison with peak area of spiked standard stepharine solutions (3, 50, and 100 ng/mL) (Figure 3).
Among several organic solvents which were tested (acetonitrile, methanol, hexane, and dichloromethane), acetonitrile has demonstrated the best recovery yielded at the level of % in five replicates () of each tested sample (Table 1).
|The results are averaged on five replicates ().
As a result, the extracted compound was found as stepharine with and charge state . Efficiency of stepharine extraction in methanol solution with pH adjusted to 10 was appreciated at a close level of acetonitrile extraction and yielded %. Treatment with dichloromethane and hexane as extracting solvents was depauperated and made mean recovery of % (data not shown) which is in consequence of low solubility of stepharine sulfate in highly nonpolar solvents. Thus, based on the successful yield we choose the alkalinized acetonitrile/chloroform solvents system for liquid extraction of stepharine from rabbit plasma. Matrix (rabbit plasma with spiked stepharine) was observed to have no significant ion suppressing effect and consisted of matrix-influence factor in range from −0.07 to −0.09 with maximum RSD = 12.17% in three replicates among all matrix samples. Stability of stepharine demonstrates loss of less than 6% during over three freeze-thaw cycles and mean sample stability was estimated 94.6%.
3.1.3. Development of SRM for Stepharine Quantitative Analysis
Since the chromatographic conditions attributed to analysis on triple quadrupole LC-MS system have been changed as described in Section 2.4, the retention time of stepharine is also shifted and defined at minute. Combination of low pH maintained at 4.55 by addition of acetic acid in association with proton-capturing ammonium formate and rapid increasing the gradient to composition of water/acetonitrile with relatively strong hydrophobic properties caused best reproducibility, peak sharpness, and intensity of the stepharine chromatographic peak. Scheduled selected reactions monitoring (SRM) mode was used for stepharine detection on triple quadrupole which is allowed targeted scanning of stepharine compound. The precursor ion of stepharine compound with and its fragment ions produced after collision-induced dissociation were monitored at the certain retention time ( minute) with narrow isolation width (±0.27 amu) in standard samples (solutions of stephaglabrine in acetonitrile) as well as after extraction from rabbit plasma. The collision energy at the level of −19 eV and fragmentor voltage at −310V were adjusted for the transitions (298.341+ → 161.21+, 192.11+, and 238.21+) to attain high sensitivity, reproducibility, and stability of the signal. Three fragment ions (161.21+, 192.11+, 238.21+) obtained from stepharine precursor ion with after collision-induced dissociation were recorded on triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for the quantitative analysis and pharmacokinetic characterization. Selection of the defined fragment ions was based on absence of solvent adducts, and SNR was exceeding 7.0 for all the fragment ions and made 16.7, 12.1, and 13.3 for 161.2, 192.1, and 238.2, respectively (Figure 4).
At the certain conditions, lowest limit of detection was obtained at the level of concentration 10−4 μg/mL. However, at the lowest limit of detection the RSD consisted of more than 27%: therefore we used concentration point of 0.001 μg/mL for quantitative analysis. Thus, a range of five orders of magnitude from 10−3 μg/mL to 100 μg/mL was considered for calibration curve plotting and the lowest limit of quantitation was attributed to 0.001 μg/mL with RSD of 2.39%.
Since no significant intercepts and curvatures were observed within the inspected concentration range, we applied linear model to fit the calibration curve. Heteroscedasticity was evaluated by comparison of covariance of the lowest (0.001 μg/mL) and the highest calibrators (100 μg/mL) and the best fit of linearity was achieved at weighting factor . The achieved linearity of the dependence of peak area of stepharine on concentration in standard samples is demonstrated in Figure 5.
Each calibration point measurement was averaged on five replicates of each standard sample. The Pearson's correlation coefficient within this range was . Reproducibility of precursor peak area (RSD 9.3%, replicates , and concentration 0.001 μg/mL) was achieved while injecting stepharine onto the column equilibrated with 20% of mobile phase B (acetonitrile) and followed by a rapid increase of acetonitrile to 50% which caused early elution of nonpolar compounds coextracting with stepharine from crude rabbit plasma extract. Quantitative assessment was accomplished with fragment ion , which was assigned as ion-quantifier.
The concentration of stepharine in rabbit plasma samples after intramuscular administration was determined using calibration curve plotted in linear regression fashion. Content of stepharine extracted from rabbit plasma was analyzed in five replicates of each sample before and after administration.
3.2. Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Stepharine Sulfate
Stephaglabrine sulfate affects the synaptic transmission and diminishes frequency of miniature endplate potential at low concentration [10]. It also inhibits cholinesterase and pseudocholinesterase in vitro [11] and possesses antihypertensive activity without side effects such as α- or β-adrenergic blockade, sedative or depressant effect. Pharmacokinetic parameters of stephaglabrine after intramuscular administration were determined. Animals were treated with stephaglabrine sulfate in dose of 0.1 mg/kg and 0.5 mL blood samples were collected subsequently before and after administration of drug as described in experimental section. Measurements of the stepharine in plasma were made immediately after extraction and utilized calibration curve extrapolated in the same testing day. The concentrations of stepharine measured in rabbit plasma at the defined time points are given in Table 2.
|Measurements were made up by using calibration curve and averaged on five replicates.
The effect of stephaglabrine injection on the rabbit plasma is demonstrated on the tracking time-concentration curves (Figure 6). The concentration-time curves show that plasma concentration of alkaloid varied more than 10-fold from the baseline. It should be noted that among all the studied animals stepharine varied in narrow concentration ranged from 5.7 to 8.1 ng/mL in first fifteen minutes after administration. The maximum concentration of the drug was observed at 90 minutes in all cases. Registered maximum concentration fluctuated in a few more wide limits: from 13.9 to 33.9 ng/mL that apparently related with the individual particularities of the animals. However, the minimum concentration of the substance was discovered through 12 hours in all analyzed cases.
The observed close values of elimination rate constants () suggested the common mechanism of excretion. After 24 hours of intramuscular administration stepharine was not found in plasma samples. Thus, considering stated generality in maximum concentration reached and declination fashion one can assume that stepharine was rapidly cleared from the body. The pharmacokinetic parameters of stephaglabrine sulfate are shown in Table 3.
Determination of the initial concentration of stepharine in plasma showed that after intramuscular administration of stephaglabrine sulfate the absolute values may vary among the tested rabbits, which is probably caused by the individual particularities of the animals, in part, due to differences in absorption rate . The total body clearance (CL) was calculated as the ratio of injected dose to AUC15→∞ value and ranged from 118 to 226 mL/min in case complete stepharine absorption is assumed.
The estimated terminal phase half-life ranged from 99 to 139 minutes. Half-life estimation is sensitive to the number of data points, as well as to the final point of time in the terminal stages. In part, half-life depends on the type of distribution throughout the body. Although, little is known about the metabolic pathways of stepharine, but an affinity of the drug to serum proteins can be assumed [12]. The apparent volume of stepharine distribution (estimated as ratio of clearance to elimination rate constant, data not shown) allows us to assume that stepharine was extensively distributed throughout the body.
4. Conclusion
In this research we have developed and validated highly sensitive liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for detection and quantitation of stepharine in rabbit plasma after intramuscular administration and designed pharmacokinetic model. The extraction of stepharine from plasma samples was optimized and yielded more than 66% of stepharine. The identity of the parent drug extracted from plasma was confirmed by high resolution Q-TOF (quadrupole time-of-flight) and quantitative analysis was assessed by selected reactions monitoring on QQQ mass spectrometers by three characteristic transitions (298.4 → 161.2, 192.1, 238.2) of stepharine protonated precursor ion. Calibration curve of stepharine peak areas against its concentration was plotted in the range from 0.001 μg/mL to 100 μg/mL with standard deviation ±3%. The obtained pharmacokinetics data suggested that stepharine exhibits extensive distribution and rapidly cleared from the body.
Conflict of Interests
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.
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International Vision
In 2016, in order to meet the requirements of economic construction and social development, the Henan provincial government of central China wanted to develop higher and better international education for the region. It was clear that a high-level university with legal qualifications can be co-built and setup by both the local school and International school as soon as possible, urgency and demand for advanced international knowledge is very high.
Henan Zhuoyue Education Group (Founder of Xinlian College) hopes to collaborate and partner with a world renowned University for the establishment of a joint International campus in Kaifeng, Henan Province, China in order to provide the urgent need of an internationalized education that is of high quality, in-demand, practical, and easy to access for locals as China steps into a new century in the global economy.
"Education should be oriented to modernization, to the world, and to the future."
From new practices to education delivery, the current operations at Xinlian college is a first step towards internationalization. It is within the hopes of Zhuoyue education group and the founders that a more enhanced model of collaboration can be achieved by partnering with the modern top 200 universities of the world. In order to realize this great venture, Zhuoyue education group and Xinlian has acquired 1,170 Chinese mu (around 195 acres) of land in the suburbs of Kaifeng city for the establishment of a Kaifeng International University, it would be one of the first Higher educational institutes to be established that will be recognized both regionally in Henan Province, China, and internationally.
Xinlian College thus far have signed MOU Agreements, and/or LOI with Iowa State University (USA), University of West Los Angeles (USA), Niagara College (CA), Humber College (CA), Algonquin College (CA), Douglas College (CA), City University of Science and Technology (Malaysia) and more. The intention is to bring in advanced global knowledge, training and education to the local region that will enhance educational exchange and benefit both sides. For this purpose, Xinlian has already set up the exchange mechanisms and models for both teachers and students whom will embrace these new ventures.
About Kaifeng City
Kaifeng city is a prefecture-level city with an ancient past, it used to be called Bianliang and was the capital of the Song Dynasty. Located at the east side of Henan Province central China, along the southern bank of the Yellow River bordering Zhengzhou city to the west, the city has four distinctive seasons with an average annual temperature of 14.4°C, average annual rainfall of 640.9 ㎜, annual frost-free period of 220 days, and annual sunshine time of 2,400 hours making it one of the most ideal locations to live at. Due to its geographical central location, the city is also one of the 8 ancient capitals in Chinese history and one of the best tourism cities in China.
Kaifeng is also very close a number of expressways and high-speed railways that crosses through the area. It takes only 30 minutes to reach Zhengzhou Airport, and about 20 minutes to reach the Zhengzhou High-speed Railway Station by car. With convenient transportation and surrounding public facilities, the new international campus will be accessible to a large number of local populace as well of those traveling to and from the city, making commute hassle free.


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text: Events and News Giveaway Uncategorized Win a Signed Copy of Road No Good! By Bridget Isichei March 6, 2017 Win a signed copy of Road No Good on Goodreads Giveaways! Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Related FreegiveawayRoad No Good


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Call for Papers:
An International Conference
August 13-14, 2009
Sponsored by
the International Association for the Study of Popular Romance (IASPR)
Romance Writers of
and others
For decades, romance fiction has been the world's most popular literary genre. Scholars from Australia, Canada, the UK, the European Union, the United States, and India have studied popular romance—its readers, its authors, its publishers, as well as the novels themselves—but they have done so largely in isolation: an approach that is hardly adequate to this rapidly evolving, thoroughly global creative industry.
On August 13-14, 2009, Queensland University of Technology will host the first International Conference on Popular Romance Fiction, to be held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Romance Writers of Australia. Featured speakers will include romance authors and academic scholars of the genre from
The conference website will go live later this summer, with full logistical details and registration information; the URL will be announced on the RomanceScholar listserv and will be linked here on Teach Me Tonight. We can say for now that registration will be approximately $150 Australian (lunch included), and rooms at the conference hotel will run approximately $205 Australian / night (more with breakfast included). If funds to help with travel or expenses become available, we will announce them on the listserv and website.
We are interested in papers on all topics related to popular romance fiction as an international phenomenon: its authors, texts, publishers, and audiences, in the past or the present, anywhere in the world. Topics addressed might include:
- Romance on the World Stage (texts in translation, romance manga, colonial and neo-colonial romance, non-Western writers, readers, texts, and publishers)
- National romance traditions and the impact of global publishing on local authors, readers, publishers, and texts
- Studies of individual authors, genres, or texts
- Theoretical models for, or approaches to, the genre
- The market for and readership of romance fiction, now or in the past
- The romance publishing industry (in print and electronic)
- New directions in Category Romance (recent and forthcoming lines, changing demographics, new markets and shifting audience demographics, etc.)
- Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Romance, and same-sex love within predominantly heterosexual texts
- Genre-Bending and Genre-Crossing authors and texts (erotic romance, SF romance, chick-lit, crossover texts, etc.)
- Elements of the genre: heroes, heroines, plot structures, endings
- Romance communities: authors, readers, websites, blogs
We welcome proposals from independent scholars, and from romance authors, editors, and publishers, as well as from those with academic affiliation. Feel free to copy and circulate this Call for Papers to other websites, listservs, and professional organizations.
Submit a one-page (150-250 word) proposal or abstract no later than January 15, 2009 to the conference organizers; email is preferred. Early proposals are encouraged, especially from the
Proposals and questions should be sent to:
Eric Murphy Selinger
Dept. of English
eselinge [at] depaul.edu
Dr Glen Thomas
Creative Writing and Cultural
Victoria Park Road
Kelvin Grove, Q. 4059.
E: gj.thomas [at] qut.edu.au


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Rail industry leaders have privately told the man shaping the future of franchising after the west coast fiasco that the government's policy of long-term contracts should be jettisoned.
The powerful Rail Delivery Group (RDG), led by Tim O'Toole of FirstGroup – the company which won the contract to run the London-Manchester-Glasgow service this year only to see the decision overturned after a legal challenge by Virgin – has instead lobbied for shorter terms and "horses for courses" franchises that would vary for train operators on commuter or long-distance routes.
Richard Brown, the Eurostar chairman, has been tasked by the government with examining whether the franchising programme is fit for purpose, and will report by the end of December. He has been conducting a series of private meetings with industry leaders and is now said to be "advanced in his thinking" on the solution he will propose.
The transport secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, has asked Brown to find ways to restore the franchising programme as soon as possible. More than half of the network is due to be tendered in the next two years.
O'Toole declared in the Guardian's annual George Bradshaw lecture last month that the industry should "confidently defend the current business model even in the wake of the current fiasco" and "tell government what it must do and the schedule it must keep". But the vision of the RDG now differs markedly from that of coalition government ministers, who had planned 15-year franchise awards that would have seen train operators in place until the end of the next decade. One of the key architects of that policy, the former rail minister Theresa Villiers, was reshuffled to the Northern Ireland Office when McLoughlin came in, and while the new transport minister Stephen Hammond helped draw up the plans in opposition, his brief no longer includes rail.
An insider said: "Basically, the sacred cow of long-term franchises has been slain."
The RDG believes there is scope for short franchises for standard commuter services without demanding significant investment from train operating companies – and wishes to move away from a model that involves precarious and disputed long-term economic forecasting, carrying substantial risk.
The industry has also made clear its belief that there is not sufficient capability in the Department for Transport to handle all the franchises up for renewal. Many are thought to favour an independent body to run franchising, along the lines of Opraf, the scrapped quango which allocated most of the contracts in the early days of privatisation. However, the RDG fears it would take too long to establish and risks delaying the process even further.
Network Rail warned last week that franchise delays would put investment in services at risk.
An official announcement on the terms of Virgin's new west coast deal is expected within the next eight days, when McLoughlin is also due to unveil the findings of Sam Laidlaw's inquiry into what went wrong in the franchising process. Virgin's contract extension is expected to last until February 2014.


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Google to Buy Web Video Provider Brightcove? [RUMOR]
Fresh off the news that Google is buying reCAPTCHA, another major acquisition rumor has emerged. According to a tweet from Mark Glaser, Executive Editor of PBS MediaShift, "Brightcove in talks with Google about buyout in $500m to $700m range."
Brightcove, for those unfamiliar, is essentially the YouTube of b2b video, powering video streaming on massive sites like AOL, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. Such a deal would give Google significantly more reach in online video, where YouTube is already far and away the most popular service. Unlike YouTube, however, Brightcove is already profitable and on pace to do $80 million in sales this year according to BusinessInsider. While there aren't any further details available yet on the negotiations, today's news follows comments made by Google CEO Eric Schmidt earlier this month that his company was "seriously looking at acquisitions again."


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Alpenbad Pfronten
Year-round swimming fun with uninterrupted mountain in Bavaria
Kingsize Water Fun
The Alpenbad Swimming Bath is only 5 driving minutes away from Alpenhotel Krone. Water aficionados can enjoy a huge 25,000 m² water arena with varied attractions, like a giant water slide and the breathtaking panorama of the Alpine scenery.
50-Meter Outdoor Pool
Sport fans and water fleas get together in the 50-meter outdoor swimming pool while sun worshippers can be found on the nearby lawn. Here sports and relaxation go hand in hand.
Summer Refreshment & Winter Warmth
The ultimate Alpenbad swimming center is open not only in fine summer weather but also in autumn and winter as it features a marvelous indoor swimming area as well: large swimming pool, warm water pool at 32° Celsius, heated outdoor pool - The choice is all yours in all weathers, throughout the seasons.
Cooling Down or Heating Up - A Seasonal Question
A 1,300 m² big sauna parlor and fitness area promise even more healthy fun and exercise. Indulge in the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
Königscard Bonus
Your Königscard holiday pass includes admission to the Alpenbad Pfronten - free of charge! Additionally, you can use the sauna parlor and the fitness area for free. One daily entrance either to the sauna or the fitness area is included.
Swimming like a King, refreshing moments in abundance followed by soothing warmth at the Alpenbad in Pfronten.
But also the Alpenhotel Krone has relaxation zones. A relaxation room, a sauna oasis and a fitness room invite you to relax now and then.


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Horses in England, Ireland and Japan have entered quarantine ahead of travelling to Melbourne for the spring carnival.
Three Charlie Appleby-trained Godolphin horses are already undergoing quarantine at Werribee having arrived last Saturday.
Twenty seven horses from various stables are expected in Melbourne on September 29.
Of the 27, there are 22 from England but not all will be staying at Werribee for the duration of the spring carnival with 10 heading to local trainers after completing quarantine.
English stables with horses in quarantine are Godolphin's Saeed bin Suroor with Cox Plate invitee Benbatl and second topweight for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, Best Solution, while Charlie Appleby is sending out another four to join Blair House, Folkswood and Jungle Cat.
Ed Dunlop, who trained Red Cadeaux into second place in three Melbourne Cups, is returning with Red Verdon, while other trainers sending horses are Andrew Balding, Charlie Fellowes and Roger Charlton.
Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien has five horses in quarantine including Cliffs Of Moher who is entered for the Cox Plate as well as the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups along with Cups entry Yucatan while Fleet Review, Spirit Of Valor and Intelligence Cross are being targeted at sprint races.
Japan's Chestnut Coat and Sole Impact round out the 27 horses.
"It's very satisfying to again see horses from some of the world's leading stables targeting our carnival, as well as newcomers such as Charlie Fellowes who is hoping to share in the record prize money on offer in our major races," Racing Victoria's Paul Bloodworth said.