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To many Thursday's County Council election results were a 'game changer,' as the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), seemed to come from virtually nowhere to win 147 councillors a gain of 136 on the same elections in 2009.
These gains were mainly at the expense of the Conservatives who were down 335 seats, although they remain the largest party in County Councils by some margin, having more than twice as many as the Labour Party.
These elections featured another poor performance by the Liberal Democrats, who lost around a quarter of their councillors. The Conservatives also lost about 25%, but they started from a much higher base, and so were always likely to suffer considerable losses.
The coalition partners then for the first time since forming the government in 2010 both suffered substantial losses, but is this just mid-term blues, or a taste of things to come?
Perhaps if the Labour Party had many more gains we could have read more into the results, but despite a gaining a very good 291 councillors, all that has happened is that Labour are back to where they were in 2009.
There were typical to and fros on Friday as both Conservative and Labour spokespeople each claimed the other had done terribly, trading figures back and forth, and really just generating more heat than light.
As a Labour Party supporter, I was pleased with the results on Thursday, especially as we made gains in areas where the party of often has difficulty making headway, such as the Sussex coastal area, the midlands and the west country. In the long run this may turn out to be more significant than whether or not Labour performed as well as they should have.
However, the real story of the 2013 County Council elections was the performance of UKIP, and whether it heralds a sea-change in British politics (or perhaps more accurately English as UKIP's presence elsewhere is muted), or a protest vote against all the main parties, with whom the public have become increasingly disillusioned.
But UKIP have a number of problems to overcome before they could be said to have made a real impact on the political scene. True they have had candidates elected to the European Parliament for some time, but have never made much progress, until now, on the domestic scene, and still have got nowhere near having an MP elected.
In 2009's elections for the European Parliament, UKIP came second in the national vote, and many pundits are expecting that next year, they could well come out on top. But, until they have an MP elected under the UKIP banner, being taken seriously will be a problem for them.
There have been many rumours over the last year or so that a number of Conservative MP's might defect to UKIP, the principle issue being David Cameron's unwillingness to call a referendum on membership of the European Union. For Mr Cameron this is a delicate issue, as he too has problems with the EU, how it is administered and how much it costs. However, he is in the end, as is the Chancellor George Osborne, in favour of continued membership provided he can get the concessions he wants. Unfortunately for him, a substantial proportion of his own membership in including those MP's, want out altogether.
But, although a defection would cause the Prime Minister some embarrassment, losing a minor backbencher or two isn't an issue, until UKIP start to get members of Parliament elected under its own banner, advocating a UKIP manifesto.
On the face of it UKIP do present the greatest threat to the Conservative Party, but they can also affect the other main parties. Although Labour did not actually lose any councillors to UKIP on Thursday, inevitably some Labour supporters, for a number of reasons chose to vote for them, and almost certainly it cost Labour wins.
The UKIP performance also, probably, skews the performance of the Conservative party, as it is its supporters who switched here in the main, and without UKIP, the Tories losses would have been many fewer.
I think it would be dangerous to write off the UKIP performance as a mere protest vote, because politics has changed substantially over the last few years. The expenses scandal and the financial crisis has lowered people's opinion of politicians more than ever, and it's hard for leaders to make an impact. trust has gone, and UKIP leader's, Nigel Farage, bluff, bloke down the pub strategy is currently paying dividends.
As the elections drew closer, UKIP's candidates came under greater scrutiny, although not yet their policies, and demonstrated that they too have been caught out by their success, and have yet to put in place a proper candidate programme. Although as the other parties will vouch, that is no guarantee that the odd embarrassment won't slip through.
The General Election is two years away, and a lot will happen between now and then which could have a significant impact. The performance of the economy will be key, and the answers that each of the parties comes up with to deal with those issues.
Will the coalition hold together as they increasingly diverge in their approach? Will the Labour Party be able to come up with policies and rhetoric that enables the public to trust them again? Will the Conservative reaction to the UKIP threat be to lurch to the right, to allay that? Will the Liberal Democrats look to position themselves where they can benefit whichever of Conservative or Labour is the biggest party in 2015? Will UKIP make the breakthrough into Parliament they desire, and need, and become a new force in politics?
There is one other issue that may yet have an effect, and that's the referendum on Scottish independence due in 2014, only eight months before the General Election. A yes vote would create problems, as independence itself would not become a fact until around March 2016.
Would Scotland still send MP's to the House, only to have them leave once independence became a fact? If they did, and there were enough Labour MP's (Conservatives currently being weaker in Scotland than elsewhere in Great Britain) to either make them the biggest party, or even give them a big majority?
Alternatively, the Conservatives could move from being the biggest party to becoming a majority one, having once again been in coalition with the Liberal Democrats. Would they dump their junior partners, and form a new government on their own?
Anyway, having strayed off the point a bit here, what does the County Council elections of 2013 tell us about the British political scene?
Not much in the end, the main parties both did pretty much as expected, UKIP did better than expected, but now they have entered the mainstream they will come under greater scrutiny. But with two years to go until a General Election, and European Elections and a Scottish independence referendum in between, there are a lot more questions than answers at the moment, so making predictions is a fool's game.


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Pune vs MI 45th IPL T20 Highlights – May 3Watch IPL Highlights of Pune Warriors vs Mumbai Indians, 45th IPL T20 match, played at Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium, Pune. The match between Pune v MI was played on May 3, 2012 at 20:00 IST local time. Get quality video highlights of Pune vs MI from YouTube, daily motion and other sources online free. Watch all highlights of DLF Indian Premier League 2012 (Season 5), daily posted here along with the match of Pune vs MI. Video Highlights of Pune v MI, 45th IPL T20 played at Pune in 2012.
Part 1
IPL 2012 – PW vs MI – Match 45 Click HERE
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

subset: commoncrawl


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Article: Volume 43 Number 4 Page 395 - May 2016
Prev Article P395 Next Read article
Dent Update 2016; 43: 395-395
Clinical Challenges Q&A: Clinical Challenges Q&A 20. Polyp in the Upper Alveolar Mucosa
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Abstract: A 57-year-old woman was referred for evaluation of a soft polypoid lesion in her upper left alveolar mucosa that had been present for 2 months. There was slight tenderness over the left maxillary sinus, a salty taste and occasionally nasal bloody discharge, but no pain, eye problems or regional lymphadenitis. Her medical history was clear. On extra-oral examination there was slight tenderness on palpation over the left maxillary sinus.
Author notes: Crispian Scully, CBE, MD, PhD, MDS, MRCS, BSc, FDS RCS, FDS RCPS, FFD RCSI, FDS RCSE, FRCPath, FMedSci, FHEA, FUCL, DSc, DChD, DMed(HC), Dr HC, Co-Director of WHO Collaborating Centre for Oral Health-General Health: and Emeritus Professor, University College London, UK and Dimitrios Malamos, DDS, MSc, PhD, DipOM, Oral Medicine Clinic, National Organization for the Provision of Health Services (IKA), Athens, Greece.


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With Event Technology, Neural Machine Translation and Remote Simultaneous Interpreting are all vying for publicity, we would be forgiven or thinking that the only choice is between jumping on the high-tech bandwagon and living in a shack on the plains. Many authorities have pleaded for all children to learn to code. The logic is simple, you are either learning how to handle data or you are just part of the data. But might there be a flaw in that logic?
Why Tech Fails
As much as the innovators would never admit it to their angel investors, history is littered with tech that went nowhere. To the well-known flops of laserdiscs and personal jetpacks can be added the expensive failures of nuclear-powered trains and boats and the hundreds of "instant translation" websites that promised to leverage the "power of bilinguals". Just because a tech exists, that doesn't mean it will actually make a meaningful difference, just ask the inventor of the gyrocopter.
While the stories of some technologies are unpredictable, there are others where it was clear that there as too wide a gap between what the engineers could do and what the market actually would accept. Take nuclear powered ships. While nuclear submarines are an important part of many navies, the reticence of many ports to let a ship carrying several kilos of activated uranium dock (never mind refuel or take on supplies) spelled the end of that particular dream.
Other times, technology has flopped due to a simple failure to understand the dimensions of the problem. Take those "instant translation" or "interpreting on the go" websites. Almost always the brainchildren of monolinguals who have a severe case of phrasebook-aversion, they all crash and burn when the founders realise that "bilingual" is a very loose concept and those with actual interpreting expertise are highly unlikely to want to spend their time saying the Hungarian for "where is the toilet?" or the Spanish for "I have a headache and can't take ibuprofen" forty times a day.
The Problem with Machine Translation
To this motley crew, it seems that we have to add more than a few denizens of modern machine translation. With some leading experts busy telling us that translation is just another "sequence to sequence problem" and large software houses claiming that managing to outdo untrained bilinguals is the same as reaching "human parity" (read that article for the truth behind Microsoft's claim), it is becoming plain that the actual nature of translation is eluding them.
The most common measure of machine translation performance, the BLEU score, simply measures the extent to which a given translation looks like a reference text. The fact that these evaluations and those performance by humans on machine translation texts are always done without any reference to any real-life context should make professional translators breathe more easily.
Only someone who slept through translation theory class and has never actually had a paid translation project would be happy with seeing translation as just a sequence to sequence problem. On the most basic, oversimplified level, we could say that translators take a a text in one language and turn it into a text in another. But that misses the point that every translation is produced for an audience, to serve a purpose, under a set of constraints.
The ultimate measure of translation quality is not its resemblance to any other text but the extent to which it achieved its purpose. If we really want to know how good machines are at translation, let's see how they do at producing texts that sell goods, allow correct medical treatment, persuade readers, inform users, and rouse emotion without any human going over their texts afterwards to sort out their mistakes.
Skills to Learn before you Learn to Code
All this shows is that there are key skills that you need to learn before you are set loose on coding apps and building social media websites. Before kids code, let them learn to listen so they can hear what the actual problem is. Before they form algorithms, let them learn how to analyse arguments. Before they can call standard libraries, let them learn to think critically. Let them learn and understand why people skills have to underpin their C skills and why asking questions is more important that creating a system that spoon-feeds you the answer.
I hope that, for our current generation of tech innovators, it isn't too late. We absolutely need technology to improve but we also need there to be more ways for tech innovators to listen to what everyone else is saying. We could do with some disruption in how events are organised and run but the people doing it need to understand the reasons behind what we do now. Interpreting could do with a tech revolution but the tech people have to let interpreters, interpreting users and interpreting buyers sit in the driving seat.
If our time isn't to be wasted with more equivalents of nuclear-powered trains, if we are to avoid Cambridge Analytica redux, we need monster coders and incredible listeners, innovators who are also thinkers, writers and macro ninjas. It may well be that one person cannot be both a tech genius and a social scientist but we need a world in which both are valued and both value each other.
It's a world we can only build together.


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Routes : North America : United States : Alaska : Anchorage Area Rock & Ice : South Birchwood Roadcut Bouldering : Traverse : The Whole Thing
The Whole Thing - 5.10aAverage Rating : 2.00 out of 5
Route sequence (left to right): 1
Route Summary | Ascent Notes (2)
Premier Sponsor:
Description:Traversing from one end of the climbable section to the other. This can take a half-hour to forty-five minutes, and can get difficult in the areas where grass grows up the wall and sand fills the holds.
Submitted by: coldclimb on 2003-01-26
Views: 390
Route ID: 31427
2 Ascents Recorded
|Safety Rating
|Rock Quality
|Fun Factor
Red Point ascent by: ak_powder_monkey on 2005-05-09 (View Climbing Log)
Ascent Note
Fun thing to do after school, never did the whole thing but its where I started on real rock. I'll do the whole thing this summer.
Added: 2005-05-09
Red Point ascent by: coldclimb on 2002-07-25 (View Climbing Log)
Ascent Note
The climbing here sucks. With nothing better to do, and having already hiked the nearby mountain twice, my friend and I resorted to traversing the roadcut. The rock is crumbly, the holds are filled with sand, and grass climbs the rock better than me, but any climbing is better than none at all. We got a few honks and waves. Somehow, tiny pieces of glass got up in some of the holds, so we have to be a bit careful of sharp things, but we didn't get any serious cuts. Took several tries, because the grass covers several feet of the traverse, and makes it slippery and difficult.
Witnessed by: bigboulderboarderbinerben
Added: 2002-07-25
Added: 2002-07-25


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Hyperconverged Infrastructure
Simplifying server storage using state of the art technology that reduces power, cost and storage complexity.
What is Hyperconverged Infrastructure?
Hyperconverged Infrastructure is the virtualisation of x86 servers giving you the ability to have all your x86 servers including storage, servers, storage networks, WAN Optimisation, SSD Array hosted in one virtual space. It's changed the way IT services are being delivered and can greatly reduce the legacy infrastructure costs to your organisation.
Common uses of Hyperconverged Infrastructure
The Virtunet Hyperconverged Infrastructure Solution can help you simplify IT and data centre challenges. Some common applications to use hyperconverged infrastructure include:
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Introducing VMware vSAN
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Want to make your IT awesome?


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The Outdoor Writers of Ohio, Inc. (OWO) Education Committee and the OWO Spice (spousal organization) are offering scholarships for Ohio college students majoring in conservation-related courses of study, such as fisheries, wildlife, forestry, water quality, outdoor journalism, parks/recreation or other fields related to fishing, hunting and similar pursuits.
- The Dorothy Wodrich Memorial Scholarship – from the OWO Spice (Ms. Jan Gross, Chair)
- The Outdoor Writers of Ohio Scholarship – from the OWO general membership; two or more scholarships may be awarded
- Scholarships will range from $1,000 – $1,500
ELIGIBILITY: Applicants must currently be undergraduates attending an Ohio college, majoring in a field as described above, and have at least sophomore status. Each application will be considered for all scholarships. The recipients will be requested to attend, as our guests, the Outdoor Writers of Ohio annual awards banquet, the evening of 13 May 2016 at Celina, Ohio.
APPLICATION: Applicants should send:
- A short essay, not exceeding 250 words, describing the applicant's career goals, field of study and how this scholarship would help achieve a degree.
- Either a college transcript or a copy of the last two semester's grades (such as copies of online grade postings).
- A brief letter of recommendation (2-3 paragraphs) from a professor or an advisor.
Applications must include full names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of applicants. Judging will be done by education committee members of the OWO Spice and the Outdoor Writers of Ohio.
DEADLINE: Materials must be postmarked no later than 1 April 2016 and sent to:
Outdoor Writers of Ohio, Inc.
Fred L. Snyder, Chair
OWO Scholarship Committee
754 Co. Rd. 126, Fremont, OH 43420


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Peace and goodwill. to every one
may be I'm asking so much but let's see if there would be a spare one to buy for a reasonable price.
I've seen a couple of them in eBay for 75 and 90 pounds each which is too much for my pocket. I understand that with all the new films, the 40 years anniversary... prices are going high. I don't want to buy a repro neither so.
I'm also looking for these other Kenner vintage Weapons by the way:
1 x Dark Grey Pilot Blaster - Cloud Car Pilot
1 x Dark Grey Com Link - Cloud Car Pilot
2 x Black Princess Leia Blaster - Organa (Original) and Bespin
1 x Blue Princess Leia Blaster - Hoth
1 x Solid Black Endor Blaster - Imperial Gunner
1 x Luke Jedi Knight Blue Lightsaber
1 x black Droopy McCool flute
Thanks for your attention.
Regards from Spain


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Thermo Scientific™ GelCode™ Blue Stain Reagent
Achieve nanogram-level detection and results that exceed those of typical coomassie stains, all without a destaining step.
Manufacturer: Thermo Scientific™ PI24590
Thermo Scientific™ GelCode Blue Stain Reagent is a ready-to-use protein stain based on colloidal coomassie dye G-250 that provides nanogram-level detection and results that exceed the clarity obtained with typical coomassie stains.GelCode Blue Stain Reagent uses the colloidal properties of coomassie G-250 dye for polyacrylamide gel protein staining. This unique reagent stains only protein and, unlike traditional coomassie stains based on the R-250 form of the dye, allows bands to be viewed directly on the gel during the staining process. After staining, an optional water-wash step further enhances staining sensitivity and yields a clear background. With GelCode Blue Stain there is no need for multistep destaining procedures typically associated with other gel staining systems.
No methanol-acetic acid destaining required – saves time, reduces reagent costs and minimizes solvent disposal
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More sensitive than standard Coomassie gel stains – some protein bands visible to 8ng; wide linear range for densitometric analysis; allows gel staining after Western transfer; compatible with MALDI-TOF analysis and sequence analysis
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|20 to 25 mini gels (SDS-PAGE)


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each day, a new image by one of the studio members comes up, so check the page regularly :)
you can also follow us on facebook! over here.
in other news, it is almost freakishly warm out here this week, i had a nice long walk today and a coffee in the sun... luckily, in a couple of days i'm flying back to warsaw to get my dose of the proper, cold and dark northern winter. phew!


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Our services
At 21st century Roofing we provide an enormous and wide-ranging choice of roofing services in London
We offer a wide range of services capably carried out by our qualified and experienced tradesmenOUR SERVICESCONTACT US
Whatever your roof needs, from replacing a slipped slate, right though to a complete strip and recover of an ageing and dilapidated roof, we're almost certain to be able to help.READ MORECONTACT US
At 21st century Roofing we provide an enormous and wide-ranging choice of roofing services in London
21st Century Roofing has an excellent history of work completed. We provide free estimates for any of the services. Click the link to view our online gallery.
For further information about our services, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We are always happy to help.
Explore our web site to learn more about our company and the services we have to offer. Customer advice is only a phone call away 07961115777.
Here you will find all you need to know about leaking roofs. We offer complete new roofs, roof repairs, polycarbonate roofs, slate tile replacement, flat roof conversions, flat roof repairs and replacement, uPVC fascias, uPVC guttering, polycarbonate roofing, chimneys re-pointed, lead work, lead flashing, ridge tile pointing. We are also specialists for Storm Damage repairs and provide fast response.
We also install VELUX® Windows and offer complete kitchen extensions. Other services include gutter and gully cleaning and garden fencing.
We also offer a fully comprehensive Roof Ventilation Service from the eaves to the ridges, cowls and vent tiles.


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Day of the Dead Couples Costumes Photo 4 of 5
Rate this costume:
13 votes
|1 comment · add a comment
More views: (click to enlarge)
|Costume type:
|Costumes for Couples
This homemade costume for couples entered our 2012 Halloween Costume Contest.
A word from Michelle, the 'Day of the Dead Couple' costume creator:
Our costumes are homemade. I did my husband's and my own makeup, all I used was a very light foundation and then a setting powder, liquid eyeliner for the outline and some eye shadow I... Read more »


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Not all products are available in all regions.
The Cat 926M Aggregate Handler sets a new standard for productivity, fuel efficiency and comfort.
The Cat 926M Aggregate Handler sets a new standard for productivity, fuel efficiency and comfort. A high torque, low speed C7.1 ACERT engine works in concert with an intelligent hystat power train to deliver fuel efficiency as standard. The optimized Z-bar loader linkage combined with long wear life Performance Series buckets delivers improved payloads and bucket longevity. Extremely low sound levels, large spacious cab and intuitive controls keep you working comfortably all day and even all night! Experience the new industry benchmark.
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Sand and Gravel Buckets are designed for aggregate handling in batch plant loader applications.Learn More
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You will find the strategic WesTrac/EPSA alliance at work throughout WA, NSW and ACT wherever prime or standby power is required.


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Having a one night stand is not common for us, hotel/resort hopping really wasn't our style but we couldn't get that first night in another *cheaper* resort.
I found Queen's Resort online via Agoda. Even in December, rooms ballparked to about P2,000 a night, which is around $50. So imagine that rates will go down on non-peak months, which hardly ever exist in Boracay anyway.
To be perfectly honest, it was pretty uneventful. We spent a total of 8 hours inside our room, which included our sleep. And even ZeYaya has nothing good nor bad to say about our stay. It was a room. Period. Don't you just hate it when it's like that? When your stay at a place just seems to dot your very existence and make no kind of impact at all? Then again, we were just after something "OK" to stay at, which was also a cheap room in Boracay.
She managed to spill half this drink on herself 3 seconds after this photo
- Breakfast Included – And I was pretty satisfied with the selection and offering
- Beach front – Although *that* frontage is actually a tout hot spot. So you can't just run directly outside and spread your blanket on the sand. It's a major hang out for island "hoping" callers and then also a meeting spot for said tours.
- Room Inclusions – Decent air conditioning, WiFi (at the lobby but our room was close enough to the front desk that we could get a signal in our room), little cafe at front, right next to a convenience store. , that tiny little thing that you use for drying clothes
- Pros – Location is right at the beach. I like that it's very close to Angol Point, which is my favorite part of Boracay
- Cons – One of the waiters was shoving this paraw sailing deal to my face and I found that highly unprofessional from staff of the resort and nobody else in the resort seemed to mind that he was doing it. For others, you might see that it's actually a hefty walk from the D'Mall, 15 minutes.
We got 1 double and 1 twin bed. Sounds like a good deal to me.
2nd floor common area, not cafe area. and our room, first one on the right
We liked our room but thank Buddha that we only stayed there for a night. The air conditioning was a good spoil for our stay but we wouldn't have had enough clothesline real estate to satisfy the amount of stuff we got wet. Among us were 3 towels, sets of swimwear, cover-up, sarongs and a bunch of others and the tiny room was just able to keep us in the clear for 1 night.
If you've got no other choices, then go ahead and take a night, it's a 2-Star rating for me. Nothing special but nothing too blah. It all came down to the fact that we didn't have to walk too far from the tricycle drop off. If you want a cheap room in Boracay, there are other cheaper options that are closer to D'Mall or something.
When with the Happy Meal, I can't seem to get a chance to take a photo of our pre-organized chaos room
Air conditioning, TV, dresser and a nice closet
How to Get There
Take a tricycle from the port and say "Queen's Resort." They're going to drop you off at the end of an alley. Round to the right at the corner and after the first convenience store is a tiny little opening that actually opens up to the front desk. We missed it the entrance the first time but the huge red sign helped us to go 5 steps back.
Contact Details


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While sitting in the peaceful surrounds of Denmark on the weekend I made this fabulous Reggae Rasta Beret. This one has been claimed already by my eldest daughter, but I am going to make a few more to stock in store or at the market.
My gorgeous new mannequin arrived in the post today, and I love it. You will be seeing her often modelling my wares.


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If you enjoyed Ania and Charlie, I'd like to introduce you to Barney and Gienka. They are the parents of John Surowiecki, a Connecticut poet. They are also the hero and heroine of the book, Barney and Gienka. I finished the book this past weekend, but I haven't left their neighborhood, mostly post-war Meriden, where what matters is Jell-O, backyard telescopes, and nurses with false teeth. The tenderness, poignancy, and humor are all perfectly pitched. And the language is efficient and expansive and delightful.
Moreover, one of the people you meet has the world's best name: Mr. Szmykleszczwladeczaryniecki.
I know just enough Polish to convince myself that I have successfully pronounced this name. Several times. I think I should get a prize.
Here is my review of the book, which I posted on Goodreads:
What a joy are Barney and Gienka and the people who make up their Polish-American community in Meriden, CT. This book is a neighborhood, viewed with tenderness and honesty by a writer and son who sees the subtle ways in which love succeeds and fails, and how people find consolation in a television movie, a cabbage garden, a bowl of Jell-O. Funny, sad, and beautiful, this book reminds us of what is extraordinary in an ordinary life.
I don't know how much attention this book has received in Connecticut. I think it should get a lot. There and everywhere.
Read one of the poems here.
Read one of the poems here.


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We aim to work closely with our clients to combine our expertise with their ideas and budgets to create a stylish, timeless and comfortable living space.
Whether you are building a home, buying a new property, planning an extension or renovating your existing home we can help enhance plans to make the most of the available space.
There are three levels of service we offer to enable maximum flexibility for clients. Choose your Adventure:
Brief Adventure - this is an introductory level for those who want a professional interior design assessment of their home. We can come to your house and offer advice and ideas, either at an hourly rate or can do a morning or afternoon visit to suit you at a fixed fee.
On Board Adventure - for those who would like more interior design guidance on how best to utilise design, lighting, furniture, flooring, fabrics and wall coverings to maximise the space you have. We will draw up a plan showing the layout of furniture and create mood boards with specific ideas for each room including window treatments. This can be tailored to individual rooms or a grander scheme for a complete refurbishment. We then leave you with the boards for you to take over and source and create your ideal space. The set fee will be structured on amount of rooms and design work involved.
Great Adventure - a full bespoke service from an initial visit to planning a scheme, designing lighting and furniture layouts, commissioning window treatments and wall and floor finishes, instructing decorators, sourcing all items within the scheme, helping with the management of the builders and the project through to the completion of a project. We are happy to work alongside your architect and builders and would ideally be involved at the planning stage so we can highlight any problems and help maximise the potential of your home.


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An intimate tour… in 1080p… of Earth's most impressive landscapes… as captured by astronauts with their digital cameras. Dr. Justin Wilkinson from NASA's astronaut team describes the special places that spacemen focus on whenever they get a moment. More
What an Astronaut's Camera Sees
06 Jun 2011 Leave a comment
in film, Geography Tags: Africa, america, astronaut, astronauts, astronomy, australia, Brody, camera, china, continents, cosmos, Dave, Dave Brody, desert, digital, earth, europe, home, hubble, iss, italy, Lucas, Mexico, movie, namibia, NASA, observer, observing, observings, obsreving, Russia, sahara, science, shuttle, south, space, station, telescope, texas, Thomas, Thomas Lucas, universe, video


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Dr. Angela Jones will give the keynote address of the 2014 Arts & Letters Conference at University of North Georgia. Dr. Jones is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Farmingdale State College, State University of New York. Jones obtained her PhD from the New School for Social Research. Her research interests include: African American history, gender, sexuality, and social movements.
Jones is the author of three books: African American Civil Rights: Early Activism and the Niagara Movement (Praeger, 2011), The Modern African American Political Thought Reader: From David Walker to Barack Obama (Routledge, 2012), and A Critical Inquiry into Queer Utopias (Palgrave, 2013). She is also the author of numerous scholarly articles, which have been published in peer-reviewed journals such as: Interalia: a Journal of Queer Studies, the Journal of African American Studies, the Journal of African American History, and The Journal of Historical Sociology.


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On this page, you will find the Download link of Symphony D140 Firmware (flash file), which can be flashed on the device to fix it without the need of any other software.
Symphony D140 Firmware comes as a zip file and is of 3 MB in size. Firstly, You need to extract the zip file on your computer and flash it using the flashtool.
The file version of Symphony D140 Firmware is v1 and it was released on 04/10/2016.
File Info
File Name: Symphony_D140_02192016.zip
Alternate Name: Symphony D140 02192016
File Size: 3 MB
Developer: Symphony.
Released date: 04/10/2016


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Homeowners will soon be put on notice that they must trim branches overhanging city streets as part of a new tree-trimming policy.
The City Council decided last week that branches overhanging swales must be trimmed to 10.5 feet high in residential areas and branches over busier streets must be trimmed to 12.5 feet high.
The trimming is necessary to prevent buses and trucks from running into overhanging branches and to create an attractive canopy along city streets, Public Works Director John Flint said.
Flint had proposed a height of 12.5 feet throughout the city, but agreed to lower that in residential areas at the direction of the council.
Notices will be posted in the city's residential areas and later distributed door-to-door explaining the new policy.
Residents will be given two weeks to trim the trees or city crews will do it for them.
Flint said residents will be given instructions on how to trim the trees, although he speculated that those with older trees probably will not be able to do the work themselves.
The city also has hired an urban forester to help implement the new policy and work on other tree projects in the city.
Also at Tuesday's meeting, Public Safety Director Robert Senk said 141 people have applied for the 11 new firefighter positions.
He said the candidates will be screened in the next few weeks and will be given written and physical tests.
City Manager Chris Farrell told the council that Broward Cablevision will raise its rates for basic service by 40 cents next month.
In other action, the council:
(BU) Approved the appointment of Lori Parrish to the Planning and Zoning Board.
Parrish also is a member of the Broward School Board.
(BU) Approved a final site plan for Timberlake Plaza, a shopping center on Griffin Road near Pine Island Road.
(BU) Agreed to cancel a meeting scheduled for Christmas Eve.


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Kirov ballerina ready for challenge of bringing 'Beauty' to Berkeley
Few ballerinas in recent memory have created quite a stir as the Kirov Ballet's Diana Vishneva. Guesting at American Ballet Theatre during its 2005 season at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, Vishneva drew ecstatic reviews for her "Don Quixote," "Giselle," "Ballet Imperial" and "Swan Lake." Now the prima ballerina -- last seen here in 2003 -- is scheduled to dance the leading role, Princess Aurora, in "The Sleeping Beauty" when Cal Performances presents the Kirov Ballet and Orchestra at Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley from Wednesday through Sunday.
Although the Kirov possesses a newer version, this is the 1952 one, because it fits on the Zellerbach stage. Schedules change, but Vishneva's slated for opening night as well as the Saturday evening show. Vishneva recently spoke to The Chronicle by telephone from St. Petersburg, Russia, where she was night-owling at 1 a.m. after a rehearsal; her manager, Sergei Danilian, translated from New York.
Q: What were your first dance classes like at the Pioneer Palace in Leningrad?
A: It was less ballet lessons, more like folk dancing. In Russia, it's a tradition that the kids have to learn how to do folk dances.
Q: What was your first ballet class like?
A. I applied to the Vaganova Institute when I was 10 years old, and was accepted when I was 11.
Q: Why did they turn you down the first time?
A: (Laughs) They said I was a good-looking girl, nice, but not enough professional skills. I was in shock, because from my childhood, no one had ever said no to me. I asked my mother, "What's going on?" Mom said, "You should do this and that to prepare yourself. I said, "OK, I will work hard." Then I was accepted.
Q: Was your mother a dancer?
A: No, she was a dance dreamer. Both my parents are scientists. I'm very happy that thanks to God I had such a great opportunity.
Q: Although you're just 29, you must have some memories of what it was like to dance under the old political system, before the Soviet Union was disbanded. How does it compare to the life of dancers today?
A: Of course I was young, but I grew up in a family where my parents were living from paycheck to paycheck. I don't know much about the lives of other dancers, but dancers were very well paid because they toured a lot around the world. It's difficult to believe, but sometimes from one tour people were able to purchase a piece of property, a house. For the creative part, it was more complicated under the pressures of social realists and ideology. On the other hand, I know more choreography existed in the Soviet Union than we have today in Russia. Unfortunately, some of those works are already lost -- that's one of the differences. We don't have anything to show the West from Soviet choreographers of that time. Generations are leaving and it's more difficult to save anything.
Q: You'll be Aurora in "Sleeping Beauty" when the Kirov plays Berkeley. What are the challenges of the role? Is the technically demanding Rose Adagio the most challenging part of "Sleeping Beauty," or is there also a dramatic challenge?
A: The Aurora is one of the most complicated parts for a ballerina in the classical repertory. The only two schools that can prepare you for it are in Russia at the Mariinsky and in Paris at the Paris Opera Ballet, because it demands very high professional technique from a ballerina. For me, of course, the first act is most important, as important as it is for Kitri in the first act of "Don Quixote." The whole image of Aurora is created when she's first running onto the stage -- the morning, her emotions. She is so young, so light, so excited. The Rose Adagio is not any harder than any other moment. You can see balance in a circus! It's a really nicely created moment, when you're changing your partner and keeping your balance. It's so beautiful. The most important thing in this ballet is the idea of style. The beauty, the grace, the charm.
Q: What do you do to take care of yourself as a dancer?
A: Of course there was a period of time when I used yoga. Then I found some special exercises to help me stay in good condition. I like to eat fresh, organic food. My mother's able to help me with that. When I have time I like to spend it in nature, on the water. It gives me a lot of energy.
Q: Is there still a distinctive Kirov style in this era of constant touring and guesting all over the world? If so, how do you keep it pure? How do you share it? Would you like to see all companies adopt the Kirov style?
A: We're not going to paint it all black or all white. We have to remember that Russian ballerinas have different lives and traditions from American ballerinas. Russian ballerinas end their professional lives teaching in the same schools that they graduated from, and that helps us to keep pure. For American ballet, dancers are all different. They're from different schools, they have different personalities and backgrounds. I'm not going to say it's good or bad; it's just a mix. For purity of style, you can keep it only when you follow traditions.
The Kirov performs The Sleeping Beauty from Wednesday through Sunday at Zellerbach Hall, Bancroft Way, UC Berkeley. Tickets $48-$110. (510) 642 -9988, www.calperfs.Berkeley.edu .


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Inside Maxim's Sack: December 26th, 2012
Each week, we get sent literally millions (and by "literally millions" we mean "not actually literally at all, but still, you know, a lot") of photos from our legions of gorgeous female readers. And because we like you so much, we're going to share a bunch of them with you every day. Today's sack proves that although Christmas is over, we've still got some gifts to give.
Check out yesterday's sack right here.
To submit your own photos to our sack, go here.
Or, go here to become a "Girl Who Loves Maxim."


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|2/8/2008...(while in Everett,Washington)
Hello!...I opened this blog to share with my family and friends all the things I love to do. It's my little "creative diary"! This is why my blog is called "JUST ME AND MY HOBBIES"...Because I love: Photography,scrapbooking,card making,cooking,baking,decorating cakes and cookies,paper crafting,scrapbooking,mixed media,art journaling and atc's (used to be a scout leader also,lol). Oh well,guess I will stop for now,and eventually I might even add something else to my list of "hobbies".
Saturday, September 20, 2014
CASCADE MOUNTAINS...North Cascade National Park,Washington (#3)
Posted by Hilma at 9/20/2014 10:50:00 PM
Labels: 2008, NATIONAL PARK, PHOTOGRAPHY, USA, VACATIONS, WASHINGTON
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Why does my statement say "no insurance info"? I have insurance.
If your statement says "no insurance info" but you have insurance, the paperwork we received from your doctor's office was either incomplete or inaccurate. This is easily fixed. All you need to do is contact us with your complete insurance information and once received, we will begin the process of re-filing with your insurance provider. Please contact IMS Experts, at 817-453-9767, ext.1 (billing).
Why did I receive a bill? I already paid my co-insurance/co-pay at the doctor's office.
You may have paid your co-pay at the doctor's office for the doctor's services. However, this statement is referring to a separate benefit under your insurance for the product you received at your doctor's office. Depending on the product, your insurance is telling us that you owe a percentage for co-insurance. The co-pay is the flat rate you pay for the doctor's office visit only. If you have any questions in regards to your patient balance for IMS Experts services and products, please call us at 817-453-9767, ext.1 (billing).
What's the correct way to wear my brace and how often do I wear it?
Examine the brace before putting it on. Do not proceed if you see signs of wear in the padding or exposed metal parts.
Put the brace on according to the manufacturer's instructions. It should provide a snug fit around your midsection and support the lower back. Use the adjustment mechanisms; such as straps to tailor the fit to your body shape. Same applies for ankle and knee braces.
Wear your brace during the day, particularly when you are active. You may remove the brace at night-time if you wish. Wear it under or over your clothing, depending on which you prefer. Do not wear any brace to bed. Replace or repair your existing brace if it slips or requires frequent adjustment while it is on.
Address any additional questions about wearing a medically prescribed back brace to your doctor. Your physician and/or his staff can discuss with you on how often and how long you should wear your brace.
Clean and care for brace per manufacturer's instructions.
What should I bring to my appointment?
On the day of your appointment, we ask that you bring two things:
A valid form of photo ID, such as your driver's license or passport; and
If insured, your health insurance card.
**Minors (individuals under the age of 18) are also required to bring their parent or legal guardian.
What is co-insurance?
Co-insurance is an insurance policy provision under which the insurer and the insured share costs incurred after the deductible is met. It is similar to a co-payment, but instead of being a set amount per visit, the co-insurance is a percentage of the approved charges.
Your insurance company should indicate the amount of co-insurance due on the explanation of benefits ("EOB") when they process a claim.
What is a deductible?
In an insurance policy, the deductible is the amount that must be paid out-of-pocket before an insurer will pay any expenses. The deductible must be "met"; that is, paid by the insured before the benefits of the policy can apply. Therefore, you would have to pay the provider out-of-pocket before reimbursement begins. If you have a question or are disputing the fact that you haven't met your deductible, we recommend calling your insurance company.
What is "Stock & Bill"?
As its name implies, "Stock & Bill" is a program we offer to medical professionals and facilities where we stock and bill their orthopedic products for them. This allows the physicians to deliver better patient care while alleviating the financial and administrative burdens often associated with maintaining an orthopedic bracing inventory.
What does "transfer balance" mean?
If the term "transfer balance" appears on your statement or patient responsibility notice, this means that after your insurance processed the claim, a remaining balance was transferred back to you. This sometimes occurs because you still owe a co-insurance or deductible amount. It could also be a non-covered benefit. The explanation of benefits ("EOB") that you receive from your insurance company should provide additional details regarding any payment amounts that you are responsible for.
What does "exceeded benefit limit" mean?
Some insurance companies limit the dollar amount they will pay per year for certain services, or they limit the quantity of services eligible for coverage per year. If your statement shows that you have a balance due because you exceeded your benefit limit, this is information we received from your insurance company. They are stating that they have paid up to the maximum limit they provide coverage for; and that the patient is responsible for the remaining balance.
My insurance denied coverage for the product I received. Is there anything else I can do?
Insurance companies are more likely to listen to their members than to the provider of the service. While IMS Experts will attempt to appeal denials that have provider appeal rights, there are some denials that can only be appealed by the member. We highly recommend appealing this decision with your insurance company if you disagree with it. For example; if your insurance denies payment for our product because it is "not medically necessary", it is helpful to get a letter of medical necessity from your physician and we can assist in providing the letter of medical necessity to your provider in order to "re-process" the denied claim.. In addition, IMS Experts is open to discuss an individual payment plan that best suits your financial situation. Please call us to make and discuss payment arrangements at 817-453-9767, ext. 1 (billing).
My doctor is in network with my insurance. Why did IMS Experts process my claim as out-of-network?
It is possible that your doctor is in network with your insurance and IMS Experts is not. If your insurance states that we need to charge you a higher co-insurance or deductible because we are out-of-network, we suggest you submit an appeal to your insurance and state that you were not aware we were not in network or that we were a non-participating provider at the time you received the product at the doctor's office.
Are orthopedic devices covered by my insurance?An orthopedic device may be covered in full, partially, or not at all by your insurance. Coverage of your orthopedic device varies according to a multitude of variables including, but not limited to;
Your insurance plan
Whether your insurance plan has a deductible, and whether that deductible has been met
The reason your doctor prescribed the device
Whether there is sufficient documentation to justify the medical necessity of the product.
For any questions or to inquire further about IMS Experts products and services please click on the CONTACT TAB to contact us directly.
Patient Medical Glossary
So often when you or a loved one becomes ill, you begin to hear or read complicated and unfamiliar medical terminology. To help you learn the meaning of various medical terms, we've provided a medical glossary featuring the most common types of medical terms associated with durable medical equipment.
Anterior Cervical Discectomy
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: A procedure that reaches the cervical spine (neck) through a small incision in the front of the neck. The intervertebral disc is removed and replaced with a small plug of bone or other graft substitute, and in time, that will fuse the vertebrae.
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Cervical Brace
A Cervical Brace (also known as cervical collar) is an orthopedic medical device used to support a patient's neck and head. It is also used by emergency personnel for those who have had traumatic head or neck injuries,[1] and can be used to treat chronic medical conditions.
Cervical Radiculopathy
Cervical radiculopathy is the damage or disturbance of nerve function that results if one of the nerve roots near the cervical vertebrae is compressed. Damage to nerve roots in the cervical area can cause pain and the loss of sensation in different parts of the upper extremities, depending on where the damaged roots are located.
Cervical Spine
The cervical spine (neck) is delicate – housing the spinal cord that sends messages from the brain to control all aspects of the body – while also remarkably flexible, allowing movement in all directions, and strong
Cervical Spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis is a general term for age-related wear and tear affecting the spinal disks in your neck. As the disks dehydrate and shrink, bone spurs and other signs of osteoarthritis develop.
Cervical spondylosis is very common and worsens with age. There also appears to be a genetic component involved because some families will have more of these changes over time, while other families will develop less. More than 90 percent of people older than age 65 have evidence of cervical spondylosis and osteoarthritis that can be seen on neck X-rays. Most of these people experience no symptoms from these problems. When symptoms do occur, nonsurgical treatments often are effective.
Cervical Traction
A Cervical traction has been utilized for many years for relief of pain associated with neck muscle spasms or nerve root compression. Traction is a medical techniques in which opposite forces are applied to separate parts of the body to stretch soft tissues, and/or separate bony structures.
Chondromalacia Patella
The cartilage under your kneecap is a natural shock absorber. Overuse, injury or other factors may lead to a condition known as chondromalacia patella (kon-droh-muh-LAY-shuh puh-TEL-uh) — a general term indicating damage to the cartilage under your kneecap. A more accurate term for chondromalacia patella is patellofemoral (puh-tel-o-FEM-uh-rul) pain syndrome.
The most common symptom is knee pain that increases when you walk up or down stairs. Simple treatments — such as rest and ice — often help, but sometimes physical therapy or even surgery is needed to ease patellofemoral pain.
Chronic Knee Pain
Chronic knee pain is long-term pain, swelling, or sensitivity in one or both knees. The cause of your knee pain can determine the exact signs and symptoms you may experience. Chronic knee pain is a broad condition; many conditions can cause it or contribute to it, and many treatments exist for it. Each person's experience with chronic knee pain may be different.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) of the lower extremities is a condition caused by abnormalities of the venous wall and valves, leading to obstruction or reflux of blood flow in the veins. Signs of CVI include hyperpigmentation, stasis dermatitis, chronic edema, and venous ulcers.
Congenital Deformities of the Knee
Congenital deformities about the knee are the result of abnormalities of all the anatomical structures that make up this joint. In some cases the structural changes observed are due to primary disorders of formation and growth of one or more of the anatomical components of the knee. Disorders are known to occur in the integumentary, muscular, ligamentous supporting, and skeletal systems.
Delayed Union
Delayed union, by definition, is present when an adequate period of time has elapsed since the initial injury without achieving bone union. The fact that a bone is delayed in its union does not mean that it will become a nonunion. Nonunion is one end result of a delayed union, and the differentiation between the two is sometimes difficult to make. Classically the stated reasons for delayed union are problems such as inadequate reduction, inadequate immobilization, distraction, loss of blood supply, and infection.
Degenerative Disc Disorder
Degeneration of one or more intervertebral disc(s) of the spine, often called "degenerative disc disease" (DDD) or "degenerative disc disorder," is a condition that can be painful and can greatly affect the quality of one's life.
DiscVertebra of the Neck
The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae, and they are the smallest of the spinal column. Together, the vertebrae support the skull, move the spine, and protect the spinal cord, a bundle of nerves connected to the brain.
Disc Degeneration
Disc degeneration is a disease of aging, and though for most people is not a problem, in certain individuals a degenerated disc can cause severe chronic pain if left untreated.
Herniated Disc
A herniated disk refers to a problem with one of the rubbery cushions (disks) between the individual bones (vertebrae) that stack up to make your spine.
A herniated disk can irritate nearby nerves and result in pain, numbness or weakness in an arm or leg. On the other hand, many people experience no symptoms from a herniated disk. Most people who have a herniated disk don't need surgery to correct the problem.
A spinal disk is a little like a jelly donut, with a softer center encased within a tougher exterior. Sometimes called a slipped disk or a ruptured disk, a herniated disk occurs when some of the softer "jelly" pushes out through a crack in the tougher exterior.
Laminectomy is surgery to remove the lamina — the back part of the vertebra that covers your spinal canal. Also known as decompression surgery, laminectomy enlarges your spinal canal to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. This pressure can be caused by a variety of problems, including bony overgrowths within the spinal canal (spinal stenosis) or by a herniated disk. Laminectomy is most commonly performed on the vertebrae in the lower back and in the neck.
Laminectomy is generally used only when more-conservative treatments — such as medication and physical therapy — have failed to relieve symptoms. Laminectomy also may be recommended if symptoms are severe or worsening dramatically.
Lateral Traction
Lateral traction moves part of your body, such as your leg, slightly to the side to correct a dislocation. A system of weights and tension holds your body part in place as a form of orthopedic treatment, a form of treatment for…
Lower Back Pain
The lower back is an intricate structure of interconnected and overlapping elements:
Tendons and muscles and other soft tissues;
Highly sensitive nerves and nerve roots that travel from the lower back down into the legs and feet;
Small and complex joints;
Spinal discs with their gelatinous inner cores;
An irritation or problem with any of these structures can cause lower back pain and/or pain that radiates or is referred to other parts of the body. Pain from resultant lower back muscle spasms can be severe, and pain from a number of syndromes can become chronic. While lower back pain is extremely common, the symptoms and severity of lower back pain vary greatly. A simple lower back muscle strain might be excruciating enough to necessitate an emergency room visit, while a degenerating disc might cause only mild, intermittent discomfort. Identifying the symptoms, along with an accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause of the pain, is the first step in obtaining effective pain relief.
Lumbago, pain in the lower (lumbar) portion of the back. Lumbago is considered by health professionals to be an antiquated term that designates nothing more than lower back pain caused by any of a number of underlying conditions. The pain may be mild or severe, acute or chronic, confined to the lower back or radiating into the buttocks and upper thighs. It may be caused by a weak or strained back muscle, torn ligaments, a herniated disk, compression of the sciatic nerve (sciatica), degenerative disease of the vertebrae (spondylosis), curvature of the spine (scoliosis), or loss of bone
Lumbar Brace
Lumbar Back braces are designed to support the lower back and are indicated for many common back conditions. From back strains, post-op laminectomy, spinal stenosis and bulging discs.
Lumbar Spine
The lumbar spine refers to the lower back, where the spine curves inward toward the abdomen. It starts about five or six inches below the shoulder blades, and connects with the thoracic spine at the top and extends downward to the sacral spine.
Lumbar Spondylosis
Also known as spinal osteoarthritis, can affect the lumbar, thoracic, and/or the cervical regions of the spine. The intervertebral discs and facet joints are affected with this degenerative disorder. The biochemical changes that occur as an individual ages affects tissue throughout the body and may have a detrimental effect on the structure of the discs.
Lumbar Traction
A lumbar traction uses manually or mechanically created forces to stretch and mobilize the spine. Traction may alleviate back pain by stretching tight spinal muscles that result from spasm and widen intervertebral foramen to relieve nerve root impingement.
Lymphedema is the swelling of subcutaneous tissues due to the accumulation of excessive lymph fluid. The accumulation of lymph fluid results from impairment to the normal clearing function of the lymphatic system and/or from an excessive production of lymph.
Lymphedema is divided into two broad classes according to etiology.
Primary lymphedema is a relatively uncommon, chronic condition which may be due to such causes as Milroy's Disease or congenital anomalies.
Secondary lymphedema, which is much more common, results from the destruction of or damage to formerly functioning lymphatic channels, such as radical surgical procedures with removal of regional groups of lymph nodes (for example, after radical mastectomy), post-radiation fibrosis, and spread of malignant tumors to regional lymph nodes with lymphatic obstruction, among other causes.
Malunion is defined as a healing of the bones in an abnormal position; Malunions can be classified as functional or nonfunctional. Functional malunions are usually those that have small deviations from normal axes that do not incapacitate the patient. Some of these functional malunions may be unacceptable in dogs, especially if the animal is a show specimen. Nonfunctional malunions will be discussed in this section. Malunions can occur with both axial deviations and rotational deformities.
Meniscus Disorder (Knee)
Knee meniscus disorders involve the medial meniscus or lateral meniscus, two semicircular pads of cartilage in the knee between the joint surfaces (femoral and tibial condyles) of the upper leg bone (femur) and lower leg bone (tibia). Menisci serve as shock absorbers. The most common meniscus disorder is a tear. The medial meniscus is more commonly torn than the lateral, because it is more firmly anchored to the joint capsule and surrounding ligaments. Tears are classified according to location, shape, size, and stability.
The major classes of tears include the vertical longitudinal, oblique (often called parrot-beaked, or flap tear), displaced (bucket handle), degenerative, transverse, horizontal, or complex (involving multiple tears). Oblique and vertical longitudinal tears are the most common.
Muscle Atrophy
Muscle atrophy is the wasting or loss of muscle tissue.
There are two types of muscle atrophy:
Disuse atrophy occurs from a lack of physical activity. In most people, muscle atrophy is caused by not using the muscles enough. People with seated jobs, medical conditions that limit their movement, or decreased activity levels can lose muscle tone and develop atrophy. This type of atrophy can be reversed with exercise and better nutrition. Bedridden people can have significant muscle wasting. Astronauts who are away from the Earth's gravity can develop decreased muscle tone after just a few days of weightlessness.
The most severe type of muscle atrophy is neurogenic atrophy. It occurs when there is an injury to, or disease of, a nerve that connects to the muscle. This type of muscle atrophy tends to occur more suddenly than disuse atrophy.
Nonunion is defined as the cessation of all reparative processes of healing without bony union. Since all of the factors discussed under delayed union usually occur to a more severe degree in nonunion, the differentiation between delayed and nonunion is often based on radiographic criteria and time.
Patellar (Kneecap) Fractures
Because your kneecap (patella) acts like a shield for your knee joint, it can easily be broken. Falling directly onto your knee, for example, is a common cause of patellar fractures. These fractures are serious injuries and often require surgery to heal. Over the long term, they may cause arthritis in the knee.
Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMFT),
A PEMFT, also called pulsed magnetic therapy, pulse magnetotherapy, or PEMF, is a reparative technique most commonly used in the field of orthopedics for the treatment of non-union fractures, failed fusions, congenital pseudarthrosis and depression. In the case of bone healing, PEMF uses directed pulsed magnetic fields through injured tissue. This is believed to stimulate cellular repair. The FDA has approved several such stimulation devices. These devices provide a complementary solution that may aid in bone repair.
Sacroiliitis (say-kroe-il-e-I-tis) is an inflammation of one or both of your sacroiliac joints — the places where your lower spine and pelvis connect. Sacroiliitis can cause pain in your buttocks or lower back, and may even extend down one or both legs.
Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve — which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body. Sciatica most commonly occurs when a herniated disk or a bone spur on the spine compresses part of the nerve. This causes inflammation, pain and often some numbness in the affected leg.
Although the pain associated with sciatica can be severe, most cases resolve with just conservative treatments in a few weeks. People who continue to have severe sciatica after six weeks of treatment might be helped by surgery to relieve the pressure on the nerve.
Slipped Disc
Slipped disc is a medical condition in which a tear in the outer, fibrous ring (annulus fibrosus) of an intervertebral disc (discus intervertebralis) allows the soft, central portion (nucleus pulposus) to bulge out beyond the damaged outer rings. This tear in the disc ring may result in the release of inflammatory chemical mediators, which may directly cause severe pain, even in the absence of nerve root compression.
Spinal Column
Your spinal column is made of up 26 bones (vertebrae) that are cushioned by disks. The disks protect the bones by absorbing the shocks from daily activities like walking, lifting, and twisting. Each disk has two parts—a soft, gelatinous inner portion and a tough outer ring. Injury or weakness can cause the inner portion of the disk to protrude through the outer ring.
Spinal Decompression
Spinal decompression: A non-invasive procedure that enlarges the Intra Vertebral Foramen (IVF) by aiding in the rehydration of the spinal discs.
Spinal Discs
Spinal discs are soft, compressible discs that separate the interlocking bones (vertebrae) that make up the spine. The discs act as shock absorbers for the spine, allowing it to flex, bend, and twist. Degenerative disc disease can take place throughout the spine, but it most often occurs in the discs in the lower back (lumbar region) and the neck (cervical region).
Spinal Fusion
Spinal fusion is surgery to permanently connect two or more vertebrae in your spine, eliminating motion between them. Spinal fusion involves techniques designed to mimic the normal healing process of broken bones. During spinal fusion, your surgeon places bone or a bone-like material within the space between two spinal vertebrae. Metal plates, screws and rods may be used to hold the vertebrae together, so they can heal into one solid unit.Because spinal fusion surgery immobilizes parts of your spine, it changes the way your spine can move. This places additional stress and strain on the vertebrae above and below the fused portion, and may increase the rate at which those areas of your spine degenerate.
Spinal Laminectomy
A procedure for treating spinal stenosis by relieving pressure on the spinal cord. A part of the lamina is removed or trimmed to widen the spinal canal and create more space for the spinal nerves.
Spinal Nerve Roots
Spinal nerve roots branch out from each side of the spinal cord and then join to form the spinal nerves, which pass through openings between the spinal bones (vertebrae) and then form branches that extend throughout the body. Each spinal nerve is attached to the spinal cord by two nerve roots.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the open spaces within your spine, which can put pressure on your spinal cord and the nerves that travel through the spine. Spinal stenosis occurs most often in the neck and lower back. While some people have no signs or symptoms, spinal stenosis can cause pain, numbness, muscle weakness, and problems with bladder or bowel function. Spinal stenosis is most commonly caused by wear-and-tear changes in the spine related to aging. In severe cases of spinal stenosis, doctors may recommend surgery to create additional space for the spinal cord or nerves.
Spinal Traction
Spinal traction is a form of decompression therapy that relieves pressure on the spine. It can be performed manually or mechanically. Spinal traction is used to treat herniated discs, sciatica, degenerative disc disease, pinched nerves and many other back conditions.
Stress Fracture of Tibia or Fibula
The tibia, or shinbone, is the most common fractured long bone in your body. The long bones include the femur, humerus, tibia, and fibula. A tibial shaft fracture occurs along the length of the bone, below the knee and above the ankle. Because it typically takes a major force to break a long bone, other injuries often occur with these types of fractures.
A stress fracture of the fibula is a small fracture or hairline crack in the bone. It is not as common as a stress fracture of the tibia because the fibula is not used in load bearing in the same way.
TENS Unit
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is the use of electric current produced by a device to stimulate the nerves for therapeutic purposes. TENS, by definition, covers the complete range of transcutaneously applied currents used for nerve excitation although the term is often used with a more restrictive intent, namely to describe the kind of pulses produced by portable stimulators used to treat pain.[1] The unit is usually connected to the skin using two or more electrodes. A typical battery-operated TENS unit is able to modulate pulse width, frequency and intensity.
Thoracic Spine
The thoracic spine refers to the upper- and middle-back. It joins the cervical spine and extends down about five inches past the bottom of the shoulder blades, where it connects with the lumbar spine. The thoracic spine is made up of twelve vertebrae, labeled T1-T12.
In medical terminology, traction refers to the practice of exerting a slow, gentle pull on a fractured or dislocated body part. The purpose is to guide the part back into place and to hold it steady. Traction may also be used to stretch the neck and prevent painful muscle spasms. Traction is often accomplished using ropes, pulleys, and even the weight of the patient's own body.
The content referenced above belongs solely to WebMD ©2014, WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. IMS Experts, LLC assumes no ownership for any of the information provided. In addition, the information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only.


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Returning to Watchstation Hestus, the team just finishes debriefing when an alert sounds, indicating that a space hulk has appeared on an intercept course. As the only marines on hand, the team is immediately sent to determine if the hulk represents a danger to the Watchstation, and to neutralize it if needed.
Entering the vessel, the team finds that it has been infested by Orks. Fighting their way into the Ork leaders "Thrownchamba", the team kills the Big Mek and throws the Ork community into disarray.
Continuing their search, the team enters a part of the hulk that was obviously of xenos origin. Within, they found a centaur-like race emerging from stasis sleep. After attempting to fight their way to the xenos ship's control center, the team is thwarted by the steadily growing resistance of the aliens. They choose to take the easier solution, returning to the Ork infested area to activate a "trip drive" with coordinates that will put the space hulk in the heart of a nearby star.
As the team heads for the exit, they stumble into an intact Imperial chapel where they recover the long-lost remains of a Crimson Fist sergeant and two dozen apothecary gene seed stasis capsules, ultimately learning the truth of the expeditions into the Lord Vincaine's Regret.
Returning to Erioch again, the team finds the environment unfriendly, and they are largely ignored for some time. Eventually, they are approached by Inquisitor Gens, who asks them to help locate another of his colleagues, the Inquisitor Malachy, believed to be on Spite.
Since the three Watchcaptains that stand as accusers against him are all absent, Watchcommander Mordigael decides to allow the team to take Galdroon with them, under their supervision.
The team proceeds to Spite, where they discover that the world is slowly spiraling out of control under the iron fist of Lord Commander Ebongrave. Numerous murders and disappearances of his high ranking command staff have occurred over recent months, and a large contingent of Imperial Guard stand accused of mutiny and desertion.
Investigating the murders, the team discovers the presence of a Kindred of Kroot on Spite, apparently tracking down Imperial officers with information about the long-forgotten "Operation Untruth". They eventually track down the Kroot's hiding place and exterminate their leader.
During the course of the operation, a revolt in the Four Pillars Sedition camp erupts. The team elects to aid the rebels against Lord Commander Ebongrave, tipping the balance of the fight in their favor. Ebongrave hides in his fortified bunker, and his second in command, Lord General Reila Vann, assumes command of the Salient until Warmaster Tetrarchus can be reached and a decision made as to the fate of Colonel Strain and his deserters.
In order to clear Galdroon of the the charges against him, the team decides to investigate his last mission, which was to the planet Phonos. After a tense mission briefing delivered by three Watchcaptains (Scarion, Durg, and Nhemas), the team is given a special crystal rod that would give them access to the facility.
Before departing, members of the team are approached by various individuals asking them to help with certain side missions. One of them was the Inquisitor Toalis Veer, warning the team against approaching the Phonos facility, which he believed was related to ruins he found on Nunc. The team decides to go to Nunc to investigate.
The team finds that Nunc has been claimed by the Explorator flotilla of Explorator-Magos Halvor. The team is forced to negotiate for permission to go down to the surface.
On the surface, the team is able to locate Veer's ruins, which is revealed to be the long-buried tomb of a race of mechanical beings. After fighting off some of the tomb guardians, the team returns to the Silent Vigil to bombard the site.
Finally, the team arrives on Phonos and locates the hidden facility. Outside the facility, they encounter the Ultramarine Aviel Didos, another member of Galrdoon's old team. Didos had sworn to prevent anyone from entering the facility, but once beaten fairly and honorable, felt that he had no choice but to allow the team passage. He also gave them an entry crystal identical to the one they received at Erioch.
Entering the facility, the team finds a strange hodge-podge of xenos, pre-Imperial human (a group calling themselves the "Co-Dominion), and more recent Adeptus Mechanicus habitation. They also come under psychic attack from something in the facility, and shockingly discover a phalanx of the infamous "Men of Iron", apparently awaiting the command to activate.
Eventually, the team discovers a device at the heart of the facility that apparently has the ability to observe distant places and times.
Determining that the site is extremely dangerous, the team exits the facility and returns to Erioch.
Returning to Erioch, the team learns that Galdroon is a deserter, who is being charged for his cowardice. They also learn that another chamber of the Omega Vault has opened, revealing part of a Warp Route chart showing a stable passageway between Arkhas and Atonement. The team is sent to explore the conduit, then recover the Magos Vyakai before returning to Erioch.
At Arkhas, the team must take control of an Imperial voidship that is currently in mutiny, once again using the help of Commissar Falco. They recruit the navigator of this ship to plot their course through the Warp Conduit. Along the way, the discover a previously unknown system that is inhabited by a race of xenos with access to extremely advanced technology. Despite the loss of their Dark Hunter, the team is able to make their escape from the system and finish the journey to Atonement.
On Atonement, they meet Magos Erlan Klute, who convinces them to undertake an operation to destroy a cluster of spore chimneys that would set back the tyrannid invasion of that world, while testing some special gear he has developed to use against the xenos. They succeed in destroying the clutch through the use of a modified cyclonic torpedo. When they return to the base, however, they learn that it was attacked by the Harbinger, apparently using some kind of hybrid Tau/Eldar device to control a group of Genestealers. The purpose of his raid was to steal the rest of the cyclonic torpedo cache kept at Atonement.
During the mission to Eleusis, the team discovers that an unidentified Inquisitor has been destroying evidence. Their investigation suggests that they could learn much more from another Inquisitor, Tellemain, located on Alphos. But, when they arrive at that world, they learn from her Interrogator, Darius, that she has gone missing, just before Darius is assassinated.
Further search reveals that Tellemain was apparently taken by Black Templar marines to the oceanside community of Imperiopolis. The team proceeds to the port, learning that a group known as the Brotherhood of the Perfected Truth has been operating in the area from a hidden base. Determining that they were somehow involved in Tellemain's kidnapping, they locate and assault the base. Inside, they find Tellemain, held prisoner by the same Emperor's Children marine captain they fought on Cressid. They defeat the Alpha Legion marines that he was using to kidnap her before he again escapes through a Warp Portal opened by a Chaos Marine Sorcerer with him.
To learn more about Druj, the team travels to the Shrine World of Eleusis to speak to the Deathwatch Kill-Marine Septimus. When they arrive, the various leaders of the Ecclesiarchy here immediately try to draw them into their internal struggles, which the team tries very hard to resist. During their time on Eleusis, the team learns of a series of brutal murders, apparently targeting knowledgable members of the Adepta Sororitas. They ultimately decide to use Canoness Galatia of the Whispering Cloister as bait for what turns out to be a Tyranid Lictor, which they kill thanks to the help of a squad of Flesh Tearers on world to train the local Frateris Militia.
Septimus provides the team with all of his information about Druj, who appears to have vanished some time ago.
Based on information from the Eldar prisoner, the team is dispatched to locate the Eldar Maiden World of Engurru, believed to be the headquarters of the Redemption group. To reach the world, they must travel onboard the Errant Sun through the Slinnar Drift, but no navigator with experience in that becalmed region is available. Instead, the team must hire an independent known as "Slinnar Cy", located on the world of Sedu. The team again travels aboard the Errant Sun.
Infiltrating the renegade spaceport on Sedu, the team is identified by anti-Imperial elements, but is shown an escape route by a group of Consecrators marines, led by Brother Naaman. They explain that they came to Sedu to extract justice from a local crime lord by the name of Styphus, whom they hold responsible for the destruction of their vessel. The team agrees to help them.
During the operation, the team learns that Styphus is in league with the same mysterious stranger in the bio power armor. They also learn that Styphus was transferring samples of the Genestealer genus to the stranger. The team attempts to stop the transfer, but the stranger manages to escape with one of the xenos.
Completing their favor for the Consecrators, the team locates Slinnar Cy and he agrees to lead them through the Slinnar Drift in exchange for a "future favor" from the Ultramarine, Scaeva. He begins plotting an erratic course with many changes and corrections and doubling back through the becalmed region.
Finally, the Errant Sun arrives at Engurru, and is immediately engaged by voidships crewed by Dark Eldar raiders. After fighting off the raiders, the team lands on the surface, choosing to search the wreckage of a long-lost Imperial void ship for repair materials needed by the Errant Sun. They find that the vessel was once operated by the Frateris Templar, and appears to have been downed by a Deatwatch team led by a Black Consuls dreadnought, which they recover.
The team then goes to assist the Redemption Dire Avengers against the Dark Eldar raiders, meeting once again the lone Harlequin from Oertha and earning the right to speak with Asha in the Webway fortress of Esagila. They give him the broken spear as a gift, and in return he gives them a broken Force Sword that once belonged to a Librarian of the Emperor's Children named Lucien, who remained loyal to the Emperor when the rest of his legion turned to Chaos. He also explains that he knows of the mysterious stranger, whom the Eldar call "the Harbinger", but that if they really want to learn about him they must find the "Lost Maiden", whose location is known only by the Eldar renegade known as Druj.
Returning Inquisitor Bellin to Gens, the team finally gets permission to speak with the Eldar prisoner, who provides them with only a few details they did not already know. He does mention a book of lore that the Deathwatch holds in the Catacombs, known as Otham's Tome. The team gets permission from Watchcaptain Servais to search the Catacombs for the book.
Entering the Catacombs, the team meets the ancient archivist Aurelius, who tells them where to locate the book. But, as they go deeper into the Catacombs, the team is split by a suddenly closing door while investigating voices. Half of the group is then attacked by a brass automaton.
Later, the team comes across a veteran of the Dark Angels who identifies himself as Zahariel, a name that the team later learns is no longer in use by that Chapter. Letting the marine go, they proceed to the chamber where Otham's Tome is kept. They later grow suspicious of him when they learn that he used a secret exit to leave the Catacombs. But, they cannot find any marines by that name on the rolls, though Watchcommander Mordigael identifies the armor as belonging to Brother Elyas, who serves under a rival of Watchcaptain Servais by the name of Prascus.
Back on board the Tempestuous, the team experiences powerful dreams of the xenos facility they left behind. Two weeks into the journey, the crew is alerted to dangerous fluctuations of the Gellar Field, just before an enormous group of hullghasts erupts from the lower decks, capturing or killing the Chapter serfs and making off with Inquisitor Bellin (who is being held in a chemically-induced coma by Galdroon).
The team tracks the hullghasts back to a make-shift shrine, centered around a sort of throne built from scrap and equipped with sophisticated life support machinery. They were in the process of installing Bellin into the throne device when the team arrives. They kill off the mutants and their blasphemous cardinal and rescue the Inquisitor.
The team then learns that the hullghasts had damaged two of the ship's Gellar Field generators, which had to be repaired before the ship was exposed to Warpspace.


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|GiGi & Paddy eating, Flurry rushing, Aero being jealous!
|Three happy horses...
|Four happy horses!
She put a tiny screw onto each side of the hoof at the back...
He looked much better at walk in the arena, but was still quite stiff in trot. We'll probably get his back checked out just to be on the safe side, but when I turned him out afterwards he was in great form! Unfortunately, I missed all but one short clip, but this is getting more like normal "bouncy" Aero.
I'l have to accept that although he's the best of the three, he won't be up to "full" work for a while.
GiGi has been stuck in a slightly stiff, slightly sore place. Some days she seems good, then the next day she'll be quite stiff and shuffly again. She had one day of "chestnut mare" attitude, where she didn't want to go forward at all, then when Anne insisted, she exploded!
Anne: I was more worried about her today, there were no tantrums like yesterday when I took her for her daily stroll, but when I was leading her back to the yard, across the uneven ground, she stumbled quite badly in front. Then when I led her out for Anja to look at her she was very stiff, and stumbled again when I put her out. I will just have to wait and see how she is tomorrow, I could feel no tenderness along her spine, but then I'm no expert!
Aine the chiropracter will see her again before we go, and sooner if she gets any worse. Lorraine O'Brien is calling on Thursday to check her saddle fit, so for the time being I can do no more.
We started all three horses on a new kelp supplement this week. It's made from organic kelp grown off the West coast of Ireland, which is full of all sorts of good stuff - lots of minerals, plus Vitamins C, B2, B6, B12 and K. It's called Seahorse Atlantic and is made locally in West Cork. The manufacturer assures us we'll see a difference in their coats within 6 weeks, and ultimately we should see an improvement in the quality of hoof growth as well.


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Looking rather like a 10-meter (33 ft) tall sunflower, IBM's High Concentration PhotoVoltaic Thermal (HCPVT) system concentrates the sun's radiation over 2,000 times on a single point and then transforms 80 percent of that into usable energy. Using a number of liquid-cooled microchannel receivers, each equipped with an array of multi-junction photovoltaic chips, each HCPVT can produce enough power, water, and cooling to supply several homes.
Swiss-based supplier of solar power technology, Airlight Energy, has partnered with IBM Research to utilize IBM's direct wam-water cooling design (adapted from use in IBM's SuperMUC supercomputer), water adsorption technologies, and leverage IBM's past work with multi-chip solar receivers developed in a collaboration between IBM and the Egypt Nanotechnology Research Center, to develop and produce the system.
Using a 40-sq-m (430.5-sq-ft) parabolic dish coated with 36 plastic foil elliptic mirrors just 0.2 mm thick, the HCPVT system prototype concentrates the sun's radiation onto a number of liquid-cooled receivers, each of which contains an array of 1-cm2 (0.39 in2) chips that each generate "up to 57 watts of electrical power when operating during a typical sunny day," combining to produce 12 kW of electrical power and 20 kW of heat.
Micro-structured conduits pump treated water around these receivers to carry away excess heat at a rate that is claimed to be 10 times more effective than passive air cooling. Although the water is still subsequently heated to around 85-90° C (183-194° F), the removal of heat from the chips keeps them at a relatively cool safe operating temperature of around 105° C (221° F). Without this cooling, the concentrated energy of the sun would see the chips reach temperatures of over 1,500° C (2,732° F).
"The direct cooling technology with very small pumping power used to cool the photovoltaic chips with water is inspired by the hierarchical branched blood supply system of the human body," said Dr. Bruno Michel, manager, advanced thermal packaging at IBM Research.
The HCPVT system can also be adapted to use the cooling system to provide drinkable water and air conditioning from the hot water output produced. Salt water is passed through the heating conduits before being run through a permeable membrane distillation system, where it is then evaporated and desalinated. To produce cool air for the home, the waste heat can be run through an adsorption chiller, which is an evaporator/condenser heat exchanger that uses water, rather than other chemicals, as the refrigerant medium.
The creators claim that this system adaptation could provide up to 40 liters (10 gallons) of drinkable water per square meter of receiver area per day, with a large, multi-dish installation theoretically able to provide enough water for an entire small town.
All of these factors, – waste energy used for distillation and air-conditioning combined with a 25 percent yield on solar power – along with the setup's sun tracking system that continuously positions the dish at the best angle throughout the day, combine to produce the claimed 80 percent energy efficiency.
Other sunflower-type heliostats exist, such as those that redirect sunlight in a residential situation or – at the other end of the scale – in industrial applications that produce many megawatts of power. The HCPVT system, however, could be considered more of a super-efficient, multi-house power plant where the claimed efficacy of the sunflower design shows its worth as a medium-scale solution to off-grid sustainable power needs.
Estimations on the operating lifetime for the HCPVT system are around 60 years with adequate maintenance, including replacing the shielding foil and the elliptic mirrors every 10 to 15 years (contingent on environmental conditions) and the PV cells, which will require replacement at the end of their operational life of approximately 25 years.
Preliminary versions of the HCPVT system will be offered with "non-optimized predecessor" (i.e. "basic") distillation and adsorption cooling systems, with optimized desalination and adsorption cooling requiring an extra two to three years to develop and bring to market.
As a gesture to bring such technology to markets unable to afford to buy their own system, Airlight and IBM will also donate a HCPVT system to two communities via competitive application. Each of the successful communities will be awarded a prototype HCPVT system from Airlight Energy and be eligible for no-cost set up and adaptation support from IBM Corporate Service Corps.
Applications from communities will be open sometime in 2015 and the winners will be announced in December 2015, with installations beginning in 2016. A fully commercial HCPVT system is expected to be launched to market sometime in 2017.
The video below shows the prototype system in action.
Source: http://www.gizmag.com/ibm-sunflower-hcpvt-pv-thermal-solar-concentrator/33989/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=8908a96810-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67362bd-8908a96810-91428489


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Somewhere in the scary land called "garage" there is a dark Cabbage Patch Kids doll wearing a sea foam green outfit.
I called it my "brown baby" when I was a toddler. I loved "brown babies" when I was little. When I was a little older I wondered why I just didn't have a 'heart for Africa'. If I loved brown babies so much had I really outgrown it?
Nope. They're just in the Caribbean. Because Hispaniola holds the brown babies I hold dear.