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Corporate Responsibility
Comments Off on Corporate ResponsibilityPosted in The Leading EdgeJul 14, 2011
Someone once said that when a butterfly flutters its wings the whole world is affected. I guess that's true, in an academic sort of way. Less academic if a tactical bomber flutters its wings. No man is an island.
I went to a school production a week or two ago, called 90 Years of Broadway. It consisted of extracts from various Broadway musicals, and it covered the range — from the spiritual to the sentimental to the social to the trivial. It was a good night, full of songs I've whistled for years and some I scarcely know at all.
One of the "scarcely know at all" items came from Miss Saigon. I've never seen Miss Saigon, and I'm only vaguely familiar with the story and a couple of the songs. I'm a little more familiar with the setting — I did my national military service at the height of the Viet Nam war, and I lived in anxiety for three or four years until it became clear that the New Zealand government was not about to send its national servicemen over there. Some years later, Forrest Gump gave me a visual picture of what I had been spared, and I was grateful all over again.
40 Years On
Comments Off on 40 Years OnPosted in The Leading EdgeJul 14, 2011
Queen's Birthday weekend must be a special provision for people celebrating jubilees. This year's marked the 50th anniversary of the school where I began my teaching career, Tawa College.
There were the usual events — sports fixtures, photos through the decades, various dinners — and on Sunday morning, a church service in the college hall. I was especially interested in the church service, because the organisers had asked me to run it.
My first act was to enlist the assistance of my old friend and former colleague, Bruce Murray, to preach the sermon. Bruce was the principal of Tawa College for a dozen years or so from 1989, and he would suit the service on a number of counts. Most important, I knew he would preach a thoughtful and challenging, and appropriate, sermon for the occasion.
There were no prizes for guessing where he would start his thinking. The college motto, chosen by the foundation principal, is "Do justly," from Micah 6 verse 8 — "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Alan Mackie, the man who chose the motto, said he had selected it because he wanted something Biblical but not too evangelistic, something well grounded in the highest authority and beyond the sectarian, intrinsically admirable enough so no one could object to it without being churlish. So the school has "Do justly."


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Shared Lives Plus supports our Shared Lives carer and scheme members across the UK to thrive. In Scotland there are currently 16 Shared Lives schemes and approximately 330 Shared Lives carers. Shared Lives schemes cover 50% of local authorities, so there is still a lot of work to do to develop Shared Lives so that people across Scotland can choose Shared Lives for their care and support.
Shared Lives in Scotland is regulated by the Care Inspectorate in accordance with the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010.
In Scotland, Supported Lodging schemes are inspected under the same legislation as Shared Lives and some are also members of Shared Lives Plus.
Shared Lives Plus offers support and guidance to our members in Scotland, we are currently working to raise awareness of Shared Lives at a senior, national level and to secure funding for our ongoing work to support members, raise awareness and develop Shared Lives across the country.
There is a Shared Lives committee in Scotland made up of representatives from Shared Lives Plus members. The Chair of the committee is Robin McLintock, a Shared Lives carer, and Vice Chair is James Hill, a scheme coordinator, both from the Midlothian scheme.
Committee membership includes providers of services (local authorities and independent organisations) and Shared Lives carers.
For futher information on these or any other activities in Scotland, please contact Anna on the details above or the Shared Lives Plus office on 0151 227 3499

subset: commoncrawl


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He's finally finished!, I am pleased to introduce you to Dirk, Dirk the Dragon.
He's the first doll I've made from the Lalylala patterns that I purchased a few weeks ago. I loved the pattern. pretty easy to follow and it was great that there were tons of photos to help me through. (Huge visual learner here).
He even has cute little wings, just adorable. I used Caron Simply Soft yarn in Pagoda (main color), White, and vinyard (his scarf) and crocheted him up using a stainless steel hook size 0.
I can't wait to work up the other patterns I purchased. Stay tuned for more cuteness to come.


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Amy's Dill Pickle and Lettuce Hamburger " Slaw"
Created this for a backyard cookout one night at Mom and Pop's house with the neighbors. I call it "slaw" because it's texture and consistency...
lettuce, mayonnaise, +dill pickle, +onions
Avocado Sandwich
Simple, but oh so amazing...
Peanut Butter, Mayonnaise, and Lettuce Sandwich
"So good, but I admit it sounds disgusting. Everyone I have ever gotten to try this sandwich ends up loving it."
lettuce, mayonnaise, +bread, +peanut butter
allrecipes.com - Similiar recipes
Pear Salad Recipe
This is a salad my Mom served when I was growing up and I served to my family. It is an old salad recipe that brought back memories to everyone when I...
lettuce, mayonnaise, +pear, +cheddar cheese
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Liverwurst Sandwich
lettuce, mayonnaise, +liverwurst, +rye bread
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Lettuce Breakfast Wraps
Looking for low carb breakfast recipes that don't contain bread or wheat products and came across this one which suits the bill and I enjoyed. Cooking...
lettuce, mayonnaise, +bacon, +cheddar cheese, +roma tomato
Apple and Celery Salad
Use a good flavored apple for this old favorite such as Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Jonathan, Cortland, Empire or Winesap. From the Mississippi Valley chapter...
Easy Elegant Cottage Cheese and Pineapple Salad
Individual servings of a very colorful starter or attractive salad on the side which can be made ahead of time. Super easy for a beginner cook and good...
lettuce, mayonnaise, +cottage cheese, +maraschino cherries, +pineapple
Classic BLT Sandwich
This is a sandwich that I crave a lot. I am just posting it because I couldn't find it posted already on the Zaar...I couldn't believe that! My ex-DH...
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July 12, 2013 | by Nicole White
The Islets of Langerhans may sound like an exclusive tropical retreat, but they're closer to home than you might think. These islets are found in the pancreas and hold precious treasures for researchers bent on finding cures for diabetes.
Commonly referred to as islets, they're clusters of cells in the pancreas, containing 1,000 to 3,000 cells each – resembling small islands in the pancreatic tissue. The average healthy, adult pancreas contains about 1 million islets, and they make up about 3 to 4 percent of the organ. As treatments for diabetes advance, these cells are becoming a focus of procedures lauded as potential keys to curing the disease.
The islets are named after Paul Langerhans, a German physician who discovered in them 1869. They include four major types of cells working together to regulate blood sugar, which is why they're an important factor in diabetes.
The most plentiful are the insulin-producing beta cells and the glucagon-producing alpha cells. In diabetes, the immune system attacks the beta cells, destroying them. Diabetic patients cannot produce insulin, the hormone which lowers blood glucose levels.
Type 1 diabetes, or juvenile-onset diabetes, is an autoimmune disease in which the body's own immune system destroys the insulin-producing islet cells. Insulin stimulates glucose uptake by the body's cells, providing fuel for metabolic processes. Patients with type 1 diabetes produce little to no insulin, and must take insulin injections to survive.
One approach that has been investigated at City of Hope by the Division of Division of Molecular Diabetes Researchis islet cell transplantation. Pancreatic islets from donor pancreases are transplanted into patients during a one-hour procedure where a catheter is inserted through a tiny incision in the abdomen, which is numbed, and the cells are infused.
However, one drawback to this approach is that islets are rare – and it often takes at least two donor pancreases to harvest enough islets for treatment.
Donor pancreases are in such short supply only about 1 percent of those patients who would be eligible for islet cell transplantation are able to benefit from it. This is why researchers at City of Hope are working on developing islet cells in the lab that could supplement cells from donated pancreases.
Researchers are also seeking ways to improve existing islet cell transplantation methods, by establishing means to identify through gene signatures the highest quality islets for transplantation, investigating developing islets from stem cells to reduce the number of donor pancreases required for transplant and refining monitoring techniques for islet grafts using advanced technology and cellular imaging.
Another approach researchers are exploring is mixed chimerism: This method would establish a mixed population of donor and recipient cells with in the bone marrow of the type 1 diabetes patient to "teach" the immune system not to reject newly-transplanted islet cells.


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Want to start your fitness routine but not quite sure where to begin? (We know the feeling). We put together a handy guide of workouts to suit your personality and help find your fit!
"Quiet Please"
Loves: Peace and contemplation
Can be found: In a quiet corner with a book and chamomile tea (when you get the chance)
Perfect workout: Yoga
You're a master of the downward-facing dog, Queen of mantras and love finding your "inner sanctum". Get on the mat with a medium-support sports bra – our Multi-way Molded Cup sports bra in space dye is particularly zen – and a pair of Essential Leggings with stretch to keep you moving.
The Perfectionist
Loves: Smashing goals
Can be found: In the office (long after hours…)
Perfect workout: Running
Your personal best is just another number to beat and there's nowhere that's more satisfying than out on the track. To keep you cool and dry, you'll need our Zip Front High-Impact, moisture-wicking sports bra and a light-weight, Color-block Performance Tank – the perforated back enhances ventilation!
"One More Dance"
Loves: LOUD music and crowded dance floors
Can be found: Front row at the concert (or by the DJ booth in the early hours)
Perfect workout: Zumba
You love to move. You're constantly drumming your fingers on your desk and humming along to the radio (whether you get the lyrics right or not…). Shake yourself into shape at a Zumba class. Your gym gear should include a medium impact sports bra – our Molded Cup with a sultry V-neck will get you in the mood to dance – and Essential Skirted Capri Leggings.
I Love Logic
Loves: Numbers.
Can be found: Finishing up a Sudoku book on your lunch break
Perfect workout: Circuit Training
Circuit training will satisfy your love for crunching numbers AND get you into pretty decent shape. This high-intensity workout consists of repeating sets of resistance training circuits. Be prepared with a pair of Jockey Sport Stretch Tech Performance Underwear (available in briefs, boxer briefs and midway briefs) and Core Crew tee.
The Team Player
Loves: Team building exercises (secretly, of course)
Can be found: By the water cooler giving coworkers a pep talk.
Perfect workout: A team sport like football or hockey
You love making others feel good about themselves, building bonds and you can list all of your friends' strengths. Join an amateur team, make new friends and get active. Your gym gear should consist of a cool, Performance V-Neck Tee and a pair of comfortable and stylish zippered pants.
The Adventurer
Loves: Discovering new paths to explore.
Can be found: Asia, Europe, South America – who knows?
Perfect workout: Climbing
Get to know new surroundings, fall in love with nature and see some spectacular skylines from a whole new height – rock climbing is the sport for you. Layer up against the elements with our Windbreaker that's packable and light-weight Knit Shorts with pockets.
Find anything you want to try? No matter what your fitness routine is, make sure you're activewear is comfortable to you! Shop Jockey.com for our new Men's and Women's Activewear collections!


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What to Expect from your Piano Lessons with Patrick Byrne
Beginning piano lessons — at any age — is a real adventure. For one thing, only the piano has as vast a repertoire of songs that you can have fun learning to play.
The piano has been at the center of music making for nearly 300 years and it is hard to think of a style of music that can't be played on the piano. So, whether you want to play Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Country or just about any other musical style, it will all sound great on the piano.
Getting Started
Since playing the piano uses both hands nearly constantly, my teaching method will focus on helping your two hands to become independent of each other.
This is important because in beginning piano music the right hand usually plays the melody and the left hand usually plays the accompaniment or chords. You'll sound better if your two hands can play these two roles independently.
As you progress to harder piano music your hands will often switch roles with the left hand playing the melody or a cool bass line while the right hand plays some chords or accompaniment notes.
Improvising or Playing from a "Fake Book"
One of the key skills that I want to teach you as you advance in playing the piano is to be able to improvise — or make things up — when you play the piano.
Most people who play Pop music — as opposed to Classical music — want to play a song just a little differently each time that they play it. These improvised variations makes playing the song on the piano more enjoyable for the player and a truly unique experience for your audience.
Being able to play your favorite songs from a "Fake Book" is a great skill for every piano player to learn. If you haven't heard the term "fake book" before, don't worry, in music being able to fake a song — play from a fake book — is a very good thing.
According to Wikipedia:
"A fake book is a collection of musical lead sheets intended to help a performer quickly learn new songs. Each song in a fake book contains the melody line, basic chords, and lyrics – the minimal information needed by a musician to make an impromptu arrangement of a song, or "fake it."
The fake book is a central part of the culture of playing music in public, particularly in jazz, where improvisation is particularly valued."
So, being able to play piano from a fake book is one of the goals of every advanced piano player at the Studio of Musical Arts, LLC.
I know that you will love playing the piano and I hope that I will be the teacher who helps you begin your musical journey and reach your full potential as a piano player
To help you get started:
Your first piano lesson is FREE and
20% OFF on your first month's tuition.
Please call me today (262-893-1759) or you can use this convenient contact form.
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More Breaking News!!
Posted by Gary Ashton RE/MAX Advantage on Friday, January 29th, 2010 at 10:55am.
This just in from NPR news alerts.
"U.S. Economy Up 5.7 Percent In 4th Quarter
The gross domestic product grew at its fastest pace in 6 years. This was the second straight quarter of growth."
Source NPR
It seems that the roller coaster recovery signs are still coming in but it also is becoming more apparent that the recovery is underway and that more and more buyers are coming back to the Nashville real estate market. The tax incentive will end April 30 and the influence is being felt strongly in Nashville. It will be interesting to see what happens after the incentive finishes but this is really being seen as the fire that will fuel the growth of the rest of the sales in the national real estate market.
Gary Ashton
The Ashton Real Estate Group of RE/MAX Advantage
The #1 Real Estate Team in Tennessee and #2 RE/MAX team in the World!


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I'm a defector from Vox.
That's what I wrote back in 2007. It's 2010, I'm still alive, I hope my post-Vox neighbors stay around where I can find them! Anyway, thank you all for hanging in with me.
If you're new to One Step Beyond, it's like the ska song…just imagine someone (with Stage 4 cancer) too old for a mod outfit, skanking to the "most rockingest, rock steady beat of Madness! ONE STEP BEYOND…!"
<and now it's time to dance 😉 >
2013 Edit: Hanging in there, 7.5 years out from a Stage IV diagnosis. I'm now a one-lunger, as the left lung collapsed last year, probably due to bi-weekly flights from California to Colorado for treatment. No matter, still kicking, ever-searching for the next horizon. I've stopped counting which line of treatment I'm on. Currently I'm waiting to enroll in an Anti-PD1 immunotherapy trial (Merck 3475). Don't let the talk of death and clinical trial jargon get you. It's just me trying to sort out options and keep from plunging into despair.
Carpe diem!


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Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology
Print version ISSN 1516-8913On-line version ISSN 1678-4324
Braz. arch. biol. technol. vol.51 no.2 Curitiba Mar./Apr. 2008
Enhanced response of the fricke solution doped with hematoporphyrin under X-rays irradiation
Carlos AusterlitzI, *; Vivianne Lúcia Bormann de SouzaI; Diana Maria Tavares CamposI; Cristina KurachiII; Vanderley BagnatoII; Cláudio SibataIII
ICentro Regional de Ciências Nucleares, Rua Cônego Barata, 999 Recife, PE, CEP 52110-120, BRAZIL
IIUniversidade de São Paulo, Av. Trabalhador São Carlense, 400, São Carlos, SP, CEP 13566-590, BRAZIL
IIIBrody School of Medicine at ECU, Department of Radiation Oncology, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
The vials filled with Fricke solutions were doped with increasing concentrations of Photogem®, used in photodynamic therapy. These vials were then irradiated with low-energy X-rays with doses ranging from 5 to 20 Gy. The conventional Fricke solution was also irradiated with the same doses. The concentration of ferric ions for the Fricke and doped-Fricke irradiated solutions were measured in a spectrophotometer at 220 to 340 nm. The results showed that there was an enhancement in the response of the doped-Fricke solution, which was proportional to the concentration of the photosensitizer. The use of such procedure for studying the radiosensitizing property of photosensitizers based on the production of free radicals is also discussed.
Key words: Photodynamic therapy, hematoporphyrin, Fricke dosimeter, free radicals
Tubos de ensaio foram preenchidos com a solução Fricke dopada com Fotogem® em concentrações crescentes; essa hemotoporfirina é utilizada na terapia fotodinâmica. Esses tubos foram irradiados com doses de 5 a 20 Gy. A solução Fricke convencional também foi irradiada com as mesmas doses. As concentrações de íons férricos nas soluções Fricke convencional e dopadas irradiadas foram medidas num espectrofotômetro com comprimento de onda entre 220 e 340 nm. Os resultados mostraram que quando comparado o Fricke convencional com o Fricke dopado irradiado, as amostras dopadas demonstraram um aumento na resposta da dose absorvida que é proporcional a concentração do Photogem® na solução Fricke. Concluímos que esse procedimento pode ser utilizado para propósitos de dosimetria na terapia com radiossensibilizadores .
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a relative new treatment used for different types of the tumors (Dougherty, 1993, Sibata et al., 2000), in which a photosensitizing agent is injected into the patient bloodstream or topically applied to the patient skin promoting drug accumulation preferentially in the tumor. After 24 to 72 h, the tumor is exposed to a visible laser light (wavelength around 630 nm). The photosensitizing molecules absorb the light and produces free radicals and singlet oxygen that destroy the cancer cells.
Photosensitizers have a stable electronic configuration corresponding to a singlet state in their ground-state energy level. Following the absorption of a visible light photon, the molecule is promoted to an excited state, which is also a singlet state and is short-lived. The photosensitizer returns to the ground state by emitting a photon or by internal conversion with energy loss as heat. It is also possible that the molecule may convert to the triplet state via an intersystem crossing, which involves a change in the spin of an electron. This alternative is the one relevant to PDT.
There are basically two mechanisms, Type I and Type II reactions, by which the triplet state photosensitizer can react with the biomolecules promoting cellular damage (Oleinick and Evans, 1998). Type I reaction involves the transfer of the electron, or hydrogen atoms producing radical forms of the photosensitizer, or the substrate (Oleinick and Evans, 1998; Fritsch and Ruzicka, 2003). These radicals then react rapidly, usually with oxygen, resulting in the production of highly reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide (O2-) (Oleinick and Evans, 1998), the peroxide anions (O22-) (Oleinick and Evans, 1998; Haylett et al., 2003), hydroxyl radicals (OH-) (Haylett et al., 2003; Schaffer et al., 2005) and hydrogen peroxide H2O2(Haylett et al., 2003). Type II reactions produce the electronically excited and highly reactive state of oxygen known as singlet oxygen (1O2º) (Wilson, 2002). Direct interaction of the excited triplet state photosensitizer with the molecular oxygen (which, unusually, has a triplet ground state) results in the photosensitizer returning to its singlet ground state and the formation of singlet oxygen, which acts as the cytotoxic agent. The relative weight of each type mechanism is still under debate.
Besides being an exciting new technique for the cancer treatment, the PDT has opened up new possibilities to enhance the conventional radiotherapy due to its synergistic ionizing radiation effects when the target tissue is photosensitized with the hematoporphyrin normally employed in the PDT (Schaffer et al, 2002a), The effect on the normal skin of this combined modality of the treatment has been reported as producing significant increase of skin necrosis (Benstead and Moore, 1990). The modification of radiosensitivity by porphyrins derivatives in several in vivo and in vitro experiments have also been studied (Schaffer et al., 2001; Schaffer et al., 2002; Schaffer et al., 2003; Schaffer et al., 2005; Moan and Petersen, 1981; Bellnier and Dougherty 1986; Zhao et al., 1986; Zhang et al., 1996; Kostron et al., 1986; Chen, 1985; Colasanti et al., 2004; Lukien, 2004). The mechanism of this radiosensitizing effect is not completely understood (Schaffer et al., 2005). In vitro data, however, support the hypothesis that the radiosensitizing action involves OH-radicals (Jori, 1996) in addition to a potential impairment of repair mechanisms after sub lethal damage of ionizing radiation (Schaffer et al., 2005).
To our knowledge, little has been published in the enhancement of the radiation effect due to the presence of photosensitizer for in vitro studies using chemical procedures. The Fricke dosimeter (Klassen et al., 1999) is based on the oxidation of the ferrous ions (Fe2+) to ferric ions (Fe3+), caused by the formation of the free radicals (FR) when the solution is irradiated by the ionizing radiation. Because the hematoporphyrin acts as radiosensitizer and produces FR under irradiation with ionizing radiation, this work had the aim to use a Fricke solution doped with Photogem® to test its sensitivity for those free radicals produced by the hematoporphyrin under the X-ray irradiation which yielded Fe3+.
Irradiation Setup
An X-ray beam from a Pantak x-ray tube set at 70 kV with a 1.03-mm aluminium filter was used to irradiate all the samples in the present work. The energy was verified with a Eurisys (Hewlett Packard) Ge spectrometer. The X-ray beam half-value layer was measured to be 3.1 mm of aluminium. The ionization chamber and the Fricke dosimeter (with and without the photosensitizer) were set at a distance of 500 mm, at the central axis of the X-rays beam which was defined as 75 x 75 mm at the calibration distance.
Absorbed Dose determination
The mean value of a set of five measurements made with a PTW type 2232 plane-parallel ionisation chamber inserted in a Plexiglas phantom (110 mm long, 110 mm wide and 80 mm deep) was used to calculate the absorbed dose to water. Another Plexiglas phantom with the same physical dimensions, appropriate to fit the vacutainers, was used to irradiate the vials with the Fricke dosimeter and Photogem® doped Fricke solutions. The doses delivered to the Fricke solution and the Photogem® doped Fricke solutions were based on the readings of a transmission ionisation chambers connected to a Farmer NE type 2670 electrometer.
Standard and the Photogem® doped-Fricke solutions
The Fricke solution was prepared with 0.392 g of (NH4)2Fe(SO4)2.6H2O, 0.060 g of NaCl, 22 ml of H2SO4 and made up to 1,000 ml with Milli-Q water (18.2 MW .cm). The reference Photogem® doped Fricke solution was prepared by adding 0.0015 g of Photogem® to 1,000 ml of Fricke solution. This solution was diluted to prepare solutions with concentrations of 2, 4 and 6 mg/l. A volume of 3 ml of Fricke solution and Photogem® doped Fricke solutions were transferred to a 10 ml sterile vacutainer using a needle coupled to a polypropylene tube. The irradiated solutions were transferred directly from the vacutainer to a 10 mm length curvette and the optical densities were measured in the range of 220 to 340 nm using a Beckman Counter Model DU 640 spectrophotometer.
As a first approximation, the doses obtained with the Fricke solution were calculated according to equations 1, 2 and 3 (Olszanski et al., 2002; IAEA, 1977; Klassen et al., 1999)
Where is the molar extinction coefficient of Fe3+ at 25 ºC (218.7 m2 mol-1) (Attix, 1986), NA is the Avogadros number, d is the optical pathway (10 mm), r is the solution density (1,022.7 kg.m-3) (Olszanski et al., 2002). The factors f1 and f2 were used to correct the OD dependence with the temperatures, Ti (°C), of the solution during the irradiation, and TR (°C) during the measurement oo. The value for the chemical yield, the G(Fe3+) = 8.93 x1017J-1, was taken from ICRU Report 17 for dosimetry of X-Rays Generated at Potentials of 5 to 150 kV (ICRU, 1970).
The change in the irradiated solutions optical density, D OD, relative to the non-irradiated solution at a wavelength of 304 nm (absorption peak of Fe3+), of the Fricke solution was calculated by subtraction of the average optical density of the control (non irradiated Fricke solution). The change in the optical density (304 nm) of the doped-Fricke solution was obtained by subtraction of the average optical density of the non irradiated doped-Fricke solution.
Long and short term consistency and reproducibility
The long and short term consistency and reproducibility of the Photogem® doped Fricke solution was evaluated by irradiating 500 ml solution with approximately 40 Gy. The solution was stored at room temperature (25-29 ºC), and the optical densities measurements were made during a period of 480 h.
General overview
Fig. 1 shows the spectrum of the irradiated Photogem® doped Fricke solution (PDFS). These spectra were obtained from the Fricke solution doped with 2.5 mg/l of Photogem® and irradiated with doses of 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15 Gy. The spectra of the PDFS were quite similar as those observed for the conventional Fricke dosimeter. The maximum optical densities values occured around 224 and 304 nm, indicating that the maximum peaks absorption were due to the presence of ferric ions (Fe3+) in the solution.
Fig. 2 shows the short and long term consistency and reproducibility of a Fricke solution doped with 2.5 mg/l Photogem® irradiated with 40 Gy. Results showed an oxidative process in order of 0.013%/h, which resulted in an increase in the response of the doped Fricke solution of 7%. Comparable with the conventional stability of the Fricke dosimeter, this value was considerably higher, since the long term stability of the Fricke dosimeter, irradiated with the same X-ray beam quality, was in order of ± 1.8% during a period of about 600 h. This meant that the presence of the photosensitizer affected the reproducibility of the Fricke dosimeter.
Fig. 3 shows the net optical density of the Fricke and Photogem® doped Fricke solution as a function of the absorbed dose ranged from 7 to 20 Gy when the Fricke solution (1 liter) was doped with 2, 4 and 6 mg of Photogem®. Higher concentration of the Photogem® in the Fricke solution, showed steeper slope of the curve. However, when the concentration of the Photogem® was 6 mg/l, the solution became darker with some precipitation drifting within the solution, which indicated a possible limitation of this method.
Assuming that the Fricke solution was tissue equivalent, the concentrations of Photogem® in the Fricke solutions used in this work was close to that usually applied in a patient undergoing the PDT therapy (1.5 mg Photogem per kg patient weight (Bagnato et al, 2002). The experiments made with intravenous administration and the distribution of the photosensitizer porfimer sodium, Photofrin®, through the body in clinical studies of cancer patients have shown that the mean serum concentration was of the order of 3.5 mg/l for an injection based on 2.0 mg/kg (Bellnier and Dougherty, 1996). Such concentration was not far from those used in this work so that, by the reasons described above, a concentration of 4 mg/l could be used for the Photogem® doped Fricke solution in the experiments involving ionization radiation.
The linear relationship between the optical densities and these concentrations irradiated with 15 Gy is shown in Fig. 4. The presence of Photogem® in the Fricke solution enhances its response with the absorbed dose.
Chemical reactions in the Fricke dosimeter and biological importance of some free radical species
The Fricke dosimeter is an aqueous solution of ferrous ions in 0.4 MH2SO4. The ionization radiation converts ferrous ions, Fe2+, into ferric ions, Fe3+, with a radiation yield, which is proportional to the absorbed dose (DF). The increase in the concentration of Fe3+ is calculated from the increase of the optical density (DOD) at 304 nm by the means of the Equation 1.
The radiation yield of Fe3+ ions in an irradiated Fricke dosimeter is expressed in terms of the primary products of the radiolysis of the solution according to Equation 4 (Klassen et al., 1999).
The yield of Fe3+ produced on the radiolysis of the aerated acidified Fe2+ solution gives a measure of the total yield of the reactive reducing and oxidizing species escaping the radiation track into the bulk. The kinetics and the yield of Fe2+ are determined by the reactions as below (Harris and Pimblott, 2002),
As can be seen from Equation 4, the radicals H2O2 and OH - have little effect on the yield of Fe3+ observed, as two OH- radicals or one H2O2 molecule gives two Fe3+ ions. However, both H2O2 the OH - radicals play an important role from the biological point of view. The hydroxyl free radical is the primary oxidizing species and can be used to oxidize and break apart the organic molecules. The hydrogen peroxide can also break apart the organic molecules through the Fentons reaction (Satoka, 2001). Equation 8 can be broken down into a hydroxide ion and a hydroxyl free radical. Hydroxyl radical has a predominant role of the in ionizing radiation damage and minor involvement in PDT damage (Henderson and Miller, 1986), as well as in the yield of Fe3+ in the Fricke dosimeter (Eq. 4).
Interaction of light and ionizing radiation with tissue and with Fricke solution doped with Photogem®
As explained in the introduction, when light strikes an oxygenated biological medium doped with Photogem®, there is a production of OH -,H2O2 , O2-, O22- and 1O2.
When ionizing radiation interacts with a medium doped with a photosensitizer, such as, Photofrin®, it has been proposed (Schaffer et al., 2002) that its radiosensitivity is connect with the oligomers that can efficiently interacted (Jori, 1996) with some cytotoxic transient intermediates such as hydroxyl radicals, which are known to be generated as a result of the primary interaction of the X-ray with the water. In this connection, the Photofrin® acts as a radiation amplification factor, by minimizing the possible onset of the repair processes, which often limit the radio-induced cell damage (Schaffer et al., 2002). This mechanism of action has been confirmed in the case of another porphyrin, namely, gadolinium texaphyrin, which is used as a radiosensitizer (Viala et al., 1999; Rowinsky, 1999).
When light impinges in a Fricke solution doped with the Photogem®, there is an enhancement in the response of the dosimeter (Austerlitz et. al., 2006). In this case, such enhancement is assumed to be due to the production of free radicals caused by the Type I reaction. When ionizing radiation strikes the Fricke solution doped with the Photogem®, as proposed by Schaffer (2002), there is a radiation amplification factor (here assumed to be amplification of free radials) associated with the production of the light, including Bharat energies that can excite the electrons (Padmanabha-Rao, 2001), a kind of Type III reaction, which enhances the Fricke dosimeter response.
Tumor growth inhibition and Fricke dosimeter enhancement
The effects of the hematoporphyrin derivative, light, and 60Co irradiation in a rat glioma model, using an in vivo and an in vitro clonogenic assay, have been reported by Kostron (1986). It was fond that 60Co irradiation in the presence of an hematoporphyrin derivative produced a significant tumor growth inhibition (up to about 50%) and this growth inhibition was directly related to the concentration of the hematoporphyrin derivative. This result corroborated with observations in a recent publication by Schaffer et al. (2002b) where Photofrin® II (an hematoporphyrin derivative produced by the AXCAN INC - Canada and equivalent to Photogem®) was used as a specific radiosensitising agent in the patients with the bladder cancer (Sokolov, 1995). They observed that in similar conditions, the patient injected with 1 mg/kg had a noticeable increase on the radiotherapy response. They claimed a 40% reduction of the tumors after the radiotherapy due to the presence of the porphyrin. Also, experimental work using animals have shown that the time for tumor to recover to the original size after a certain dose of the radiation is increased by almost a factor of two when the Photofrin® II is used as an enhancement agent for the radiotherapy (Schaffer et al., 2001).
Henderson (1986) reported the involvement of free radical species in the process of cell killing by comparing the effect on cell survival following photodynamic therapy and gamma irradiation. Apparently 90% of the radiotoxic effects could be due to the indirect effects of radiation (Walicka, 2000). In this work pronounced enhancement of the Photogem® doped Fricke solution response and its direct relationship with the concentration of the hematoporphyrin derivative was found. This suggested that a Fricke solution doped with photosensitizer under X-rays irradiation not only detected the free radicals produced by the water hydrolysis, but also those from the Type I reaction. Therefore, such a dosimeter could be used to evaluate the amount of the free radicals produced by a particular photosensitizer and its correlation with the indirect mechanisms of radiation in phototherapy combined with the radiotherapy.
The Fricke solution could also be used in the determination of the concentration of the Photogem® in conventional PDT application. The combination of the light together with the ionization radiation could eventually reveal the level of the light dose necessary to promote the desired level of the free radical formation that can be used in the development of a PDT dosimeter as well as the possible degradation of a photosensitizer with the ionizing radiation, which can be done by irradiating the solution with light and ionizing radiation and vice versa. This is a subject that still demands a considerable investigation and it is under investigation by our group. No further study was done concerning the overall uncertainty in the determination of absorbed dose. However, the reproducibility of the Fricke dosimeter did not exceed ± 2.5% (Souza and Austerlitz, 2005) and the accuracy in the absorbed dose determination with ionization chambers was in the order of ± 3.5%. The precision in the measurements done with the Photogem® doped Fricke solution measurements was ± 3.5% (1 sd).
From the results, the following conclusions could be drawn:
Under the irradiation with the ionizing radiation, there was an enhancement in the response of the Fricke solution doped with the Photogem® which was proportional to the concentration of the photosensitizer;
as the mechanism behind the Fricke dosimetry was the formation of the free radicals, the enhancement of the response of the Photogem® doped Fricke solution was attributed to the Type I reaction, and
Fricke solution doped with the photosensitizer could also be used to compare the production of some free radicals from different radiosensitizers under the irradiation with ionizing radiation.
Attix, F.H. (1986), " Introduction to Radiological Physics and Radiation Dosimetry" , Wiley-Intersciende Publication, USA. [ Links ]
Austerlitz, C., Mota, H., Souza, V., Campos, D., Bagnato, V., Allison, R. and Sibata, C., (2006), " The use of Fricke solutions to assess light dose in photodynamic therapy (PDT)" , AAPM 48th Annual Meeting, Orange County Convention Center, Orland, Fl, July 30 August 3. [ Links ]
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Colasanti A., Kisslinger A., Quarto M. and Riccio P. (2004), " Combined effects of radiotherapy and photodynamic therapy on an in vitro human prostate model" , Acta Biochimica Polonica, 51, n. 4, 10391046. [ Links ]
Dougherty, T. J. (1993), "Photodynamic therapy." Photochem. Photobiol., 58, n. 6, 895-900. [ Links ]
Fritsch, C. and Ruzicka, T. (2003), " Fluorescence Diagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy of Skin Diseases, Atlas and Handbook" , ISBN 3-211-83827-9, Springer Wien, New York. [ Links ]
Harris R. E. and Pimblott, S. M. (2002), " On 3H b-Particle and 60Co g Irradiation of Aqueous Systems" . Radiat. Res., 158, n. 4, 493504. [ Links ]
Haylett A. K., Ward T. H. and Moore J. V. (2003), " DNA damage and repair in Gorlin syndrome and normal fibroblasts after aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy: a comet assay study" . Photochem. Photobiol., 78, n. 4, 337-341. [ Links ]
Henderson B.W and Miller A.C. (1986), " Effects of scavengers of reactive oxygen and radical species on cell survival following photodynamic treatment in vitro: comparison to ionizing radiation" . Radiat. Res., 108, n. 2, 196-205. [ Links ]
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Jori, G. (1996). "Tumor Photosensitizers: approach to enhance the efficiency and selectivity of photodynamic therapy" , J. Photochem. Photobiol. B, 36, 87-93. [ Links ]
Klassen; N. V., Shortt, K. R.; et al. (1999), "Fricke dosimetry: the difference between G(Fe3+) for 60Co gamma-rays and high-energy x-rays." Phys Med Biol 44, n. 7, 1609-1624. [ Links ]
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Luksiene, Z. (2004), Experimental evidence on possibility to radiosensitize aggressive tumors by porphyrins Medicina Kaunas, 40, n. 9, 868-874. [ Links ]
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Olszanski, A.; Klassen, N. V.; Ross, C. K. and Shortt, K. R., (2002), " The IRS Fricke Dosimetry System" , Institute for National Measurement Standards, National Research Council, PIRS-0815, Ottawa, Ontario. [ Links ]
Padmanabha-Rao, M. A. (2001), " Discovery of light emission from XRF sources" , Paper presented at 50th Annual Denver X-ray Conference, Steamboat Springs, July 30 to August 3, F-01, XRF session, August 1, page 124 in Volume of Abstracts. [ Links ]
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Schaffer, M.; Schaffer, P. M., et al. (2001)., "Photofrin II as an efficient radiosensitizing agent in an experimental tumor." Onkologie, 24, n. 5, 482-485. [ Links ]
Satoka, A.; Makoto, Y.; Takehiro, M. and Kiyotaka, S. (2001), " Clarification of Enhanced Hydroxyl Radical Production in Fenton Reaction with ATP/ADP Based on Luminol Chemiluminescence" , Journal of Chemical Engineering of Japan, 34, n. 7, 956959. [ Links ]
Schaffer, M.; Schaffer, P. M.; et al. (2002). "Photofrin as a specific radiosensitizing agent for tumors: studies in comparison to other porphyrins, in an experimental in vivo model." J. Photochem. Photobiol., 66, n. 3, 157-164. [ Links ]
Schaffer, M.; Schaffer, P. M.; et al. (2002). "Application of Photofrin II as a specific radiosensitising agent in patients with bladder cancer--a report of two cases." Photochem. Photobiol. Sci. 1, n. 9, 686-9. [ Links ]
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Schaffer, M.; Ertl-Wagner, B.; Schaffer, P. M.; Kulka, U.; Jori, G.; Duhmke, E. and Hofstetter A. (2005), " The Application of Photofrin II® as a Sensitizing Agent for Ionizing Radiation-A New Approach in Tumor Therapy?" Current. Medicinal Chemistry, 12, n.10, 1209-1215(7). [ Links ]
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Souza, V. L. B. and Austerlitz, C. (2005), Determinação de NH4Fe(SO4)2 em solução Fricke com o espectrofotômetro beckman DU 640. Paper presented at 1o. Congresso Brasileiro de Proteção Radiológica, Hotel Glória, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. [ Links ]
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Zhao, F. Y.; Zhang, K. H.; Huang, H. N.; Sun, K. H.; Ling, Q. B.; Xu, B. (1986), " Use of haematoporphyrin derivative as a sensitizer for radiotherapy of oral and maxillofacial tumours: a preliminary report" . Lasers Med. Sci., 1, 253-6. [ Links ]
Received: January 06, 2006;
Revised: July 18, 2006;
Accepted: July 06, 2007
* Author for correspondence


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Microservices are a type of software architecture where large applications are made up of small, self-contained units working together through APIs that are not dependent on a specific language. Each service has a limited scope, concentrates on a particular task and is highly independent. This setup allows IT managers and developers to build systems in a modular way. This eBook explains how to gain a deep dive on the essentials of microservices, including the characteristics of the technology, its meaning as a business initiative.Download this eBook now to find out more.
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Discover how to juice for health, some great juicing diet recipes and how to lose weight juicing. Learn about various machines available for juicing or blending and read our juice diet articles.
We all know that green, leafy vegetables are good for our body and general health but do we know why?
Well, apart from lots of fiber, greens contain Chlorophyll which, during Photosynthesis, uses sunlight as an energy source and draws carbon dioxide from the air through the pores of the leaves. Before you start ingesting green, chlorophyll rich juice or start a juicing diet to aid weight loss it is advisable to learn a little about how the process can work for you.
Chlorophyll plays a crucial role in producing food for the plant by synthesizing simple sugars (glucose) from sunlight + CO2 (Carbon dioxide) + H20 (Water) in the process of photosynthesis. The by-product of photosynthesis is, of course, Oxygen.
The chemical structure of Chlorophyll is almost identical to that of heamoglobin found in the blood in our bodies – the difference is that haemoglobin uses an iron (Fe) atom to carry oxygen, where as chlorophyll uses Magnesium (Mg) as an oxygen carrier.
Photosynthesis is the opposite of Respiration where we humans and the animals breathe out carbon dioxide. We have used the water and carbon dioxide which has been converted into sugars and Oxygen during Photosynthesis to create the energy necessary to keep our bodies working. As we breathe out carbon dioxide via Respiration, the plants take in that carbon dioxide and the cycle starts over again.
Amazingly the carbon dioxide balance in the air has been relatively stable for millennia, however, in recent times the human race, through burning fuel, coal, gas etc., has pumped more carbon dioxide into the air than the plants on earth can process and hence we have Global Warming.
Greens vegetables and plants have a cleansing effect through our body's elimination systems which, in turn, cleans the blood and lymph fluid and cells. With a clean internal system our body remains efficient and functions correctly developing natural immunity to most common diseases and other medical problems.
Chinese medicine teaches that a lot of health problems stem from some kind of blockage within the body and Western physicians understand this. However, Chinese medicine is more advanced for people who appreciate the power of nature because it focuses on prevention rather than cure and clears the blockages mostly using herbs and plant material.
That said, our bodies are basically suffering because our organs, glands, muscles and systems are clogged up with waste, drugs and chemical residue. Juicing using green vegetable juices is a great option for cleansing your body internally.
Green, chlorophyll rich juices may not taste the best on their own but they can be mixed with fruits following many of the juice recipes available or just using your imagination.
Many people understand the healing and cleansing action of greens and green juices and are using them in their daily diet. If you are suffering any health problems at all consider juicing greens and eating more leafy, Mediterranean style salads every day.
An adequate amount of undiluted green juice to have every day would be approximately 0.5 to 1 fl ounces, however, many people drink four to five ounces of straight green juice per day.
When starting out you should mix the green juice with other fruit juices or vegetables to dilute it's strength and improve the flavor. Overdosing on green juice will not normally do any harm but it can cause your system to detoxify rapidly which may cause some discomfort.
You can also blend the juice with the fiber into a smoothie and consume more per day as it will take longer for your body to digest and therefore you will not detoxify too quickly.
If you do have health problems and want to consume serious amounts of green juice on a daily basis please check with your doctor first.


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Sharp new series introduces seven new qualities and four new colorways
Dallas, TX /PRNewswire/ - Perennials Fabrics®, a leader in the international design industry and the preeminent provider of luxury performance textiles and accessories, has announced the debut of Suit Yourself, a new collection of sophisticated fabrics inspired by the clean-cut, masculine look of a well-tailored suit. Suit Yourself introduces seven new qualities ranging from rugged chenille to sleek velvet. The collection, which is comprised of interior-driven colors such as soft neutrals and subtle nuances of blues and grays, also debuts four new colorways: Shale, Bluestone, Flintstone and Seal.
Suit Yourself boasts a striking mix of clean lines, slick patterns and rich, textural designs. Dashing Dapper features a handsome geometric pattern, perfect for layering texture on texture as upholstery, drapery or pillows. It is available in seven colorways, including the lustrous favorite, Nickel. Dot, Dot, Dot… draws inspiration from architectural motifs. This upholstery weight textile features an enchanting micro dot pattern and is available in six colorways.
Designed to give a subtle edge to any project, Check Mate combines coolly conventional and modern elements with this tone-on-tone menswear plaid. Reminiscent of a glen plaid, Check Mate is a sharp, sophisticated nod to this classic styling in five colorways, such as the lovely Vintage Blue and popular White Sands.
Big Softy and Hurly-Burly add sartorial elements to the collection. Big Softy takes a walk on the plush side with an incredibly soft-to-the-touch velvet. This beautifully rich fabric has a luxurious hand with a luscious drape, and is available in five eye-catching colorways, including the cool new Bluestone and sleek Seal. Hurly-Burly, a rugged chenille ottoman, displays a full-bodied, masculine texture and is available in six colorways.
The light and airy Bubbly is a confident, almost-effervescent take on an animal print. Available in four colorways, including the new subtle Shale, this extraordinary fabric is ideal for stunning upholstery in any setting. Inspired by a block-printed motif, Back on Track is woven to achieve a vintage, aged effect and is available in seven colorways.
"We are thrilled to debut our Suit Yourself collection of fabrics," says Ann Sutherland, president of Perennials and Sutherland, LLC. "The menswear-inspired look is becoming increasingly prevalent in home décor and is widely being used in modern living spaces. The strong presence and bold simplicity of this classic style are showcased elegantly in our new collection. This confident grouping of fabrics is reminiscent of a custom-tailored suit with sharp, clean lines, classic patterns and neutral colors – masculine appeal with an air of tradition."
Perennials has also updated several favorite rug patterns with new colorways designed to complement the Suit Yourself collection. The Straight & Narrow flatwoven is now offered in the classic Grey Matter, with a crisp, high-contrast pinstripe motif. The Line Dance flatwoven in Vintage Blue features clean lines and a distinct, contemporary look, and the Outer Limits flatwoven is presented in the elegant Shale. The modern herringbone pattern of the Dazed and Diffused Tibetan knot takes on a quiet tone in the new Shale colorway.
Woven from fine 100% solution-dyed acrylic yarn, these fade-, mildew- and UV-resistant fabrics and rugs are able to brilliantly stand up to life's everyday adventures without sacrificing great design, making them uniquely suited to fit beautifully with any indoor or outdoor aesthetic. All Perennials fabrics are independently tested and certified in accordance with industry standards, including resistance to soil, water, UV radiation, tearing and abrasion. They are also bleach cleanable and easily maintained. With the exception of Big Softy, which still boasts a protective soil-resistant finish, the fabrics in this collection feature Perennials' Nano Seal™ finish for extra protection against the elements. More than just a coating, Perennials Nano Seal™ is molecularly bonded with the fibers providing long-lasting protection even after repeated washings.
Perennials® Suit Yourself collection is available to interior designers and architects through fine showrooms worldwide. To view the full collection, visit www.perennialsfabrics.com. High-res images are available upon request.
About Perennials and Sutherland, LLC
The Perennials and Sutherland, LLC companies are icons and acknowledged leaders in the international design industry. CEO David Sutherland and President Ann Sutherland share an ingenious talent for curating the finest interior and exterior collections of luxury furniture, fabrics, rugs and accessories. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company is comprised of Sutherland Furniture®, Perennials Luxury Performance Fabrics® and David Sutherland Showrooms.
Perennials Fabrics® is recognized by interior designers and high-end retail customers as the leader in luxury performance fabrics. Perennials Fabrics® and Perennials Luxury Performance Rugs combine the look and feel of high-quality, natural materials with the superior performance properties of their genuine 100% solution-dyed acrylic fiber technology. View the full collections at perennialsfabrics.com.
Sutherland Furniture® is a world leader in luxury outdoor furniture for modern lifestyles. The company has created the preeminent furniture brand through partnerships with the world's leading designers, along with utilizing the highest quality materials. View the full collections at sutherlandfurniture.com.
David Sutherland Showrooms are full-service, multi-line showrooms which serve the professional design market in showrooms and studios across the United States. For more information and locations, visit davidsutherlandshowroom.com.
SOURCE: Perennials Fabrics®Copyright 2017 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved


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Allegro held an Open Night for our 2015 production of Loserville last night, and we were delighted that so many people came along to find out about the show. We're especially pleased that so many new, and talented, people were interested in joining us!
Linsey Ferguson (President) welcomed the group and explained what Allegro is all about (quality productions with plenty of social events to paraphrase!), then Andy Johnson (Director), Thomas McFarlane (MD) and Janice Bruce (Choreographer) went through the show and discussed plot, characters and principal audition requirements. New member auditions followed and we're delighted to welcome many new members to the company.
Our first rehearsal is planned for next Monday (1st June, 7.30pm at the Bruntsfield Evangelical Church) where we will have a dance/sing workshop – we're also having a competition for 'Beauty and the Geek' on the night with prizes for the best male and female costume! (Please note – we recommend to mix the 'geek' with practical dancewear!!)
If you're still interested in joining Allegro it's not too late – please email us at firstname.lastname@example.com and we'll let you know what's required.


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Search and Seizure
In Kentucky v. King, S. Ct. 1849 (2011), King conditionally pled guilty to numerous drug offenses after losing a motion to suppress evidence from a warrant less search. The Kentucky Court of Appeals affirmed, but the Supreme Court of Kentucky reversed.
In a controlled buy, police officers followed the suspect into a breezeway. One officer radioed to the pursuing officers that the suspect went into- the door on the right, however they did not hear the transmission. The officers heard a door shut just before they reached the breezeway and smelled burning marijuana coming from the door on the left. The officers hit the door as loud as they could and announced "this is the police," or "police, police, police." Immediately on announcing their presence, the police "could hear people inside moving things inside the apartment.
The officers testified they thought drug related evidence was going to be destroyed, so they announced they "were going to make entry inside the apartment." Inside the apartment, police located many drugs, cash, and drug paraphernalia. King applied to suppress as the police created the exigency. The Supreme Court of Kentucky accepted and reversed the conviction announcing a two- part test for situations where police impermissibly create the exigency. First, law enforcement cannot "deliberately create the exigent circumstances with the bad faith intent to avoid the warrant requirement." Next, even when there is no bad faith, the exigency exception does not apply where "it was reasonably foreseeable that the investigative tactics employed by the police would create
the exigent circumstances." Kentucky v. King, 302 S.W.3d 649, 656 (2010) (assuming, but not deciding, that there was an actual exigency in the case). The Supreme Court of Kentucky reversed under step two.
The issue before the Supreme Court was does the exigent circumstances exception apply in this case when police, by knocking on the door of the residence and announcing their presence, made the occupants to attempt to destroy evidence?
The Court held the police conduct was legal and the exigent circumstances exception applied. The Supreme Court of Kentucky was reversed (8-1 vote).
The Supreme Court began by explaining how exigent circumstances can be an exception to the warrant requirement under the Fourth Amendment. There are three kinds of exigencies; the third type is applicable in this case - the emergency aid exception, hot pursuit, and preventing the imminent destruction of evidence. The Court said that "'warrant1ess searches are allowed when the circumstances make it reasonable," so an exigency search is lawful if the police conduct preceding the exigency is reasonable. The Court assumed that an exigency actually existed, just like the Kentucky court. The question they analyzed was "under what circumstances do police impermissibly create an exigency?" In this case, "the police did not create the exigency by engaging in or threatening to engage in conduct that violates the Fourth Amendment, so their warrant less entry to prevent the destruction of evidence is reasonable and allowed." King at 1858.
The Court noted three things in the record that supported their holding. First, the police did not violate or threaten to violate the Fourth Amendment, such as saying "they would break down the door if the occupants did not open the door voluntarily." Second, the police did not "demand" entry into the apartment. Lastly, the police explained they were going to make entry after the exigency arose, so their comments could not have created the exigency. Id. at 1.863.
The Court's ruling specifically rejected an earlier circuit split concerning the "police-created exigency" doctrine. The doctrine holds the exigency exception inapplicable if the police "created" or "manufactured" the exigency. The Court explained the different tests in the circuit courts for the police-created exigency exception and specifically rejected all of them when it held the real test was one of reasonableness. The court rejected these: bad faith; reasonable foreseeability; probable cause and time to secure a warrant; adherence to' standard or good investigative tactics; and King' s proposed test that would find the exigency improper where the police "engage in conduct that would cause a reasonable person to believe that entry is imminent an inevitable." Id. at 1858-6l.


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News and Highlights
May 2014
Department Faculty and Students Honored for Excellence
Dr. Erika Abramson Receives Excellence in Teaching Award
Erika Abramson, MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Healthcare Policy and Research, received an Excellence in Teaching award for her role in teaching Medicine, Patients and Society I.
Drs. Ziyad Mahfoud and Laith Abu-Raddad Receive Excellence in Teaching Awards in Qatar
Ziyad Mahfoud, PhD, Associate Professor of Biostatistics and Director of Health Quantitative Sciences at the Department of Global and Public Health at Weill Cornell Medical College/Qatar and WCMC-Q Associate Director of the Biostatistics Research Core, received an Excellence in Teaching award for his role in teaching Medicine, Patients and Society I.
Laith Abu-Raddad, PhD, Associate Professor of Healthcare Policy and Research/Qatar and Director of the Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Biomathematics Research Core, received an Excellence in Teaching award for his role in the fourth-year courses and Clinical Clerkships.
The presentation ceremony was held at WCMC/Q.
Weill Cornell Medical Students Receive Public Health Prizes
The Elise Strang L'Esperance Prize in Public Health is awarded to the female student in the graduating class who best reflects the attributes and values of Dr. Elise Strang L'Esperance, who graduated from the Women's Medical College of The New York Infirmary for Women and Children in 1901. Dr. L'Esperance served on the faculty of Cornell University Medical College for over forty years. She and her sister, May Strang, founded the Strang Cancer Prevention Clinics at Memorial Hospital and The New York Infirmary in memory of their mother. Jessica Beth Rubin received this year's Elise Strang L'Esperance Prize in Public Health.
The George G. Reader Prize in Public Health was endowed in 1992 by friends and colleagues of Dr. George Reader '43, who served as Chairman of the Department of Public Health from 1972 to 1992. A cash prize is given to the graduating student(s) who, in the judgment of the Department's faculty, shows the most promise in the field of public health. This year's George G. Reader Prize in Public Health was awarded to Eleanor Hope Emery and Miheer Sane.
The students received the awards at the Weill Cornell Medical Convocation.
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"No Parking" orange traffic warning cone sign alerts drivers to your parking restrictions
This "No Parking" orange traffic cone sign is an ideal way to alert drivers to your parking restrictions. This sign is perfect for use on roads, parking lots – anywhere parking control is needed. This 10 1/2"H x 12 3/4"W orange traffic cone sign fits all traffic cones and standard delineator posts. (Cones and posts sold separately). No tools necessary. Made of UV-treated, weather-resistant, 1/8" ABS plastic for long life.
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|Mendo's commuter. She's car-free! Courtesy: mendocino04
I chose my bike when I was bike commuting. So, for practicality it has full fenders, lights, a rack, seat bag filled with tools and spares and a patch kit, a bell, AND a kickstand. It's my only transportation; I've been car-free for over five years. I was laid off, but to stay in bike commuting shape I now ride the trails in my city - 15 miles a day. I've long since replaced the original tires with skinnier ones, replaced the back wheel after an accident, and I've learned how to do basic maintenance and to keep my drivetrain beautifully clean. I love my bike. I ride it year-round without complaint. I haul groceries with it. I run errands with it. It gets me where I need to go.
I bought it when I was bike-commuting in 2010 and added all the commuting necessities - rack, lights, etc. When I wore out the 700x40 tires that came on the bike I went smaller - 700x35, and now I'm faster. Other than the replaced wheel (from an accident) and the tires it's still got all its original equipment although some of it is getting pretty worn: handlebar grips, seat, etc. I also bought it because it's got an aluminum frame and even weighed down by accessories I can easily carry it upstairs to my apartment every day. I needed to consider carrying it when I considered frame geometry, etc.
Car-free isn't difficult when you get used to it. You tend to get creative with carrying loads, like two 12-packs of diet soda plus two full grocery bags! Good rain gear, good lights, and good accessories make it pretty easy. In case you're interested, I wrote about living car-free on my blog:
happybikechain (@mendocino04)


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Saturday was all about femininity, chicness and color! Since it was a warm sunny day, my spirit lift up and wanted to wear something nice to make me feel even more lively - oh, I've had the most strange days this past week; you know that feeling when you wish to shut down completely and go somewhere far away to gather yourself? Sometimes it's like that and sometimes it's alright. But "alright" isn't enough, is it?
By the time you read this I am probably somewhere outside the city relaxing at a barbecue, hopefully the weather is with us!
Happy Sunday guys!
Wearing: MiniPrix.ro dress, no name shoes and earrings, gifted bracelet, vintage belt.


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Data analytics is all about converting the data that you have useful information. In the internet age, it is possible to get data everywhere. Business collect data every day but unfortunately, they do not know the importance of analyzing the data. There are a lot of sources of data like social media, CCTV cameras and also customer information.
The data you collect in your business can be a source of great information, and it can move your business to the next level. The big data analysis as a platform helps businesses to analyse data. Here are signs that you need data analytics:
You have Raw Data
Data is very different from information. Data is just useless information in the form of letters and figures. To be able to use the data and turn it into something useful, you need to obtain information from it. The only way to obtain information from the data is by analyzing it.
During analysis, everything will be put into perspective, and the data will be turned into information that can be used in decision making. If you have a lot of raw data, then it is time to consider analytics:
You Need to Grow
In case you need to grow your business, data analytics will help you with the growth. Building your business is not something that happens overnight. For successful business growth, everything needs to be done strategically.
The first step of business growth is to check customer feedback and determine whether the growth is worth it. You will need to rely on data analytics for information so that you can make decisions about growth.
No Time for Research
You can use data analytics if you feel that you do not have time research. Research takes a lot of time, and other external forces influence it.
If you feel that you do not have time for research, then it is time to consider data analytics. Data analytics will make use of the data that you already have with you. Instead of going to the field, you will use what you already have and come up with results.
Others are Doing It
One of the reasons why many people consider data analytics is simply because other people are doing it. If your competitors have already started implementing data analytics into your business, then it is time to do it. You don't want to be left behind by your competitors as far as technology is concerned.


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See my full disclosure policy here.
The peg doll family I made is still a favorite toy around here. I also made a princess collection. That princess collection was the inspiration behind this mermaid version. The one on the end may look familiar, but the rest of them aren't based on any specific mermaid. Basically, I was just going for as many colors as I could.
I have some Martha Stewart pearlized and metalic paints, so the little dolls got some accessories too. This one has a cute little silver headband.
And this one has a little starfish in her hair.
I'm afraid I will completely mess up faces if I try to do those, so they just get little black dots for eyes.
And I also made a little zipper pouch to store them in so they don't get lost. Check back tomorrow for the tutorial for that.
Liked this post? See more! Connect with me on facebook, instagram, and pinterest!


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Beijing Beats
Rock 'n' roll lives on in the Chinese capital. MANUELA ZONINSEIN scopes out three top clubs around town, where you can get a taste of the city's thriving underground scene
Published on Oct 6, 2010
University neighborhoods tend to provide a steady supply of rock fans, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that the area around Tsinghua University is home to some of the city's best clubs. Known for serving up the choicest sounds in town, this three-year-old, 200-capacity spot fills up quickly (dancing takes a bit of maneuvering). Still, D-22 is your best bet in catching Beijing's top acts, like Carsick Cars, who toured Europe with Sonic Youth. And it gives back, too: musicians get a big cut of the door fees. "The goal is to be an incubator of talent," explains manager Nevin Domer.
242 Chengfu Lu, Haidian District, Beijing, China; +86 10 6265 3177; d22beijing.com.cn; entrance after 9 P.M. RMB40
At any time of the day, you'll see musicians resplendent with Mohawks duck into Mao, a converted cinema that's become the Beijing indie music scene's unofficial hangout. Watch out for local heavyweights, like Queen Sea Big Shark, who opened for the Yeah Yeah Yeah's in Beijing, and brace yourself for some serious jostling for space. And the name? The chairman, says owner Li Chi, "was the biggest rock 'n' roller of all."
111 Gulou Dongdajie, Beijing, China; +86 10 6402 5080; maolive.com; entrance RMB40
Before D-22, there was "2K," as the owners call it: an important (if a bit far-flung) stop on the city's rock circuit. Located in a drive-in movie theater, this cheerful dive hosts raucous summer parties and barbecues on the ample outdoor lawn; inside, underground bands and gold standards, like Hedgehog, get down to the business of rocking out. Weekends see the venue packed, especially on Saturdays when infectiously good electronica is played, though Tuesday reggae nights are a good way to groove mid-week.
21 Liangmaqiao Lu, Sanyuanqiao, Beijing, China; +86 135 5227 6845; 2kolegas.com; entrance after 9 P.M. RMB40
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My husband and I hung it up in our dining room (no easy feat because it is SO heavy). You should've seen us. It was a sight for sore eyes. It has yet to crash to the ground or burn our house down, so I guess we did it right?!?!
The walls in our dining room have yet to be painted (please ignore the color) and the dining table and chairs have yet to be purchased. See……I'm trying to take it slow and only buy the items I know I want in my house forever. But, as you can see below we hung the lantern.
I plan on keeping the bookcase in the background. I picked those peonies from my garden. They just bloomed.
In our dining room, we have a tre ceiling and I am not a fan. Why can't they just make the whole ceiling the same height?? But, regardless, the square of the lantern fixture works really well with the tre ceiling. Something about square on square. It is easy on the eye and symmetrical. I couldn't get a good enough shot to show you, but you just have to trust me.
Next up, I picked up my daughter's window treatment. It's a beauty. A london shade done in a buffalo check. I LOVE it.
I know this picture doesn't do it justice, but until I have it hung on the wall, I won't be able to get a good picture. Can I just say I might add buffalo check in every room of our house? I love it that much.
Next, I've been playing around in our guest room with the new duvet and pillow covers I bought from Ikea. I've yet to decide on color of bed skirt, shams (scalloped or flanged), coverlet, etc. But, here is a a picture prior to having all those decisions made.
Lastly, my handy husband and I have been working on a little project. I am really excited about this one because it'll save me the frustration of a continually messy entry. I'm not going to say too much right now, but it'll add much needed functionality to our home.
I HOPE to post before and after pictures of this little project after Memorial Day.
So, that is what I've been up to these days. It probably doesn't seem like a lot, but I am really happy how things are progressing!


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July 2011September 1st 2011 by Jen in Family
July was crazy busy for us! Dan's great-grandmother passed away at the end of June, so we spent the first Saturday with his family remembering her at the funeral. Then we had tons of fun with some of his family on the 4th. Then Dan and I had our first kid-free vacation since Dinah was born. Then we had a first birthday for Sophie (her birthday post and pictures to follow)! In case you are wondering, that's not a plain-clothes Secret Service agent guarding Dinah, that's just Dan.


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Playing a gig in an interesting old building with lots of history (keeping the river free of pollution from the late 1890s to 1968), you can help support the museum that was saved from demolition after it closed in 1968 and has been run mainly by volunteers, on a low budget, ever since. The day runs from 11 to 5 – Karmadillo will be on in the afternoon 2-4pm, and I'm trying to write something to fit in with the building as well!
Category Archives: gigs
Cambridge Oxjam 2011
a one-day multi venue music festival all in aid of Oxfam….will feature a Karmadillo appearance at The Emperor on Saturday lunchtime. The Emporer will feature the comedy music venue – Karmadillo will be sure to provide both! Full details are here!
Professor Karmadillo – first PUBlic appearance
So the first Professor Karmadillo gig will happen on October 3rd at The Portland Arms, Cambridge.
It will be as opening support – and ironically this first gig is on a night featuring another bands last. After 4 albums and however many years The Vichy Government are stopping. The night will have films, a fez on the door for donations, free junk and fully licenced bar. Well, thats according to the Facebook page where you can say if you are coming or not. The other act on is Quimper.
Here's the guys from Vichy Government doing their take on a Nirvana song….
The Shed, Leicester
Parklife – Milton Country Park, Sunday 24th July
Karmadillo will be playing at PARKLIFE at 12.15pm – in the Arts Area is up near the War Memorial/ Remembrance Meadow at Milton Country Park. If you don't know where this this there will be some at the entrance/ information point able to direct you.
Arts Arena Programme:
11.00 – 11.25am Gamlingay Records
11.25 – 11.50am Tom Conway
11.50am – 12.15 Street Screamers
12.15 – 12.40pm Karmadillo
12.40 – 1.05pm Split Whiskers
1.05 – 1.35pm Sports displays
1.35 – 2.00pm Cambridge Harmony
2.00 – 2.30pm Split Whiskers
2.30 – 3.30pm Collision Carnival relay
3.30 – 4.00pm Closing Parade
Parking at Milton Country Park is £4 but its an easy cycle ride. See here for full info!
Boat House – July 21st
The Haymakers, Cambridge June 12th
A Spoonful of Poison – London gig
Library, Islington London April 27th
The original venue I was planning to appear at has lost its music licence so is not going ahead as it….boooo……but there is an alternative event on the same night that Karmadillo is now appearing at…hooray!!!! The Library Bar (235 Upper St, Islington, London N1 1RU) . On stage 8.20pm


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As my eyes ran over the movies some familiar name caught my eye. Fish Tank. I was like 'wait a minute, Fish Tank, who's in it?' and then I remembered 'Michael Fassbender!' and I immediately picked it up. It has great reviews so I thought; why not make it my Thursday movie.
I basically went from a novel that left me feeling sad to a movie that left me feeling sad.
Fish Tank is about a girl who has more enemies than friends. Her mother is a real bitch to her, her little sister is equally ill behaved as she is. Mia is a 15 year old girl who loves to dance, she lives in "the hood" as I'd call it and doesn't have much in way of love, money or comfort in her life.
One day when she's in the kitchen her mother's new boyfriend comes down half naked (that made me drool quite a bit) and compliments her on her dancing. She seems kind of wierded out about this guy at first, who is all nice, sweet, caring and fun but she soon starts to be intrigued with him (and with his natural charm, who could blame her).
nice arse there Fassy ^_~..eerrr I mean Connor
dear lord...
This guy is about the only one in her life that treats her nice and doesn't want anything from her. At first she is a bit suspicious, and also a bit jealous (especially that scene when he's having sex with her mother) but in her own way she starts to trust him and probably imagines herself in love with him.
He takes her family out for a "fishing trip"
Carries her when she's injured her foot.
And plays around with her..
..asking if his perfume smells good
She makes friends with a boy whose horse she tried to "set free" and brings him over to Connors workplace, probably to try and make him jealous (which later on turns out to actually have worked.)
When her mother is passed out drunk one day and Connor is drinking on the sofa he asks her if she'll show him the dance to an audition she's signed up for. She dances, then sits on the couch beside him, and the sexual tension is by then so thick you could cut it with a knife. He then seduces her.
Right after having had sex with Mia, Connor realizes that that was probably pretty stupid of him. He says that they'll talk about about it the next day, but when Mia wakes up he's taken his things and left. Mia chases after him and somehow finds out where he lives.
It comes to such a shock to Mia when she finds out that he's actually married and has a little daughter that she has a sort of panic attack and kidnaps his daughter when no one is looking.
After almost causing the child to drown, she returns the child to her home and walks back home.
In THAT scene, when he sees her walking on the road and chases her down and strikes her, I am SO fucking angry at him and at her for not saying what I would have said:
"You fucking bastard! You LIAR, how DARE you come in to my life and my mother's life under the pretences of being all good and nice and seduce both me and my mum! You took my virginity you fucking asshole! I LOVED you! I TRUSTED you! You were the only person who ever treated me good in my entire life, you shit head! How DARE you? How could you do this to me? To US? How can you live with yourself?"
But she didn't say that. She didn't say anything. But later on when she went over to the horse-boy and found out the horse was dead, she finally cried. I kept wondering throughout at how she could go through all of that and not cry, even once. But then she did. The horse being dead was the final straw.
In the end I guess she just had to get over it somehow. She's moving to Wales with the horse-boy and we see that at least her relationship with her sister, (whom she is hugging good-bye in the picture) and her mum improves. I love the scene when they dance together to Nas' "Life Is A Bitch" (and then you die).
That being said, it WAS a great movie. It was beautifully filmed, the actors were amazing and you get really caught up in this girl's life and sucked in by the chemistry between Katie Jarvis and Michael Fassbender.


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CFO Services
Contents and business processes that are nowadays managed by the CFO office have grown in quantity and complexity over time. The Company's financial health is only one of the goals of the modern CFO.
They are in fact increasingly involved in setting operational, commercial and IT strategy, driving their companies safely through tighter credit markets, more complex regulation and unstable trading conditions.
For this reason, Corporate Performance Management (CPM) projects are extremely high on the CFO's initiatives list. The most crucial priorities in this area are fully addressed by CPM suites, including performance scorecard; budgeting and rolling forecast; Financial planning and Analysis; financial consolidation; and profitability.
The CFO core activity includes therefore a whole set of models, techniques and processes that are extremely interconnected and most of the time technology driven. SDG is able to meet all these needs through a dedicated and unique competence center: the CFO Services.
SDG's best practice in this area include:
- Consolidation & Financial Reporting
- Integrated Planning
- Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
- Finance & Risk Management
- Cost Accounting
- Enterprise value & cash-flow forecasting
- Corporate Process Compliance
Comprehensive dashboarding and dynamic management reporting are the first and most evident benefits coming from a Corporate Performance Management environment. In the quest for competitive advantage, CPM allows also to monitor and manage the business performance, improving effectiveness and focusing on how organizations develop, implement and monitor strategic plans.
Consolidation & closing
Optimizing a rapid close and an effective financial consolidation system let your organization to access information quickly, saving time for extra analysis, improve quality and offer a faster check&report cycle.
The need of increasing the accuracy of financial reporting can be satisfied by monitoring and reacting timely during the close cycle.
Integrated planning
Integrated Planning is key to reaching operational excellence and more pragmatic deployment strategies. The process of identifying a prioritized critical path defining the drivers of growth provides the opportunity to better integrate, at operational level, sales targets and business control.


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Tuesday, February 07, 2017
The Thing in the Cave
3 comments:
- Justin said...
That was a fun read; I expected nothing less, of course.
In my time as a pro-wrestler and stuntman, I've been able to play with the Thing a little in a variety of situations, while still needing to maintain a semblance of control. Adrenaline, that is.
A guy kicks me in the balls on accident during a take? I have to maintain focus and if not block out the pain, utilize it in a productive way.
A guy picked me up and dropped me back-first through a metal chair once, collapsing the chair and causing me pain. And anger, as it wasn't something we discussed before the match. But the Thing kept me from feeling it. And when my opponent ascended the top rope to jump down on me, I let the Thing aim a roundhouse at his nose during descent, then fingerpainted my initials on my chest in his blood. That Thing is sure crazy!
- Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at 5:44:00 AM PST
- Mike Byers said...
Nice piece of writing: I enjoyed it, and it got into an area that I had some experience with many years ago. You got it just right, I think. Running away (or better, sneaking away if you have cover) is always an excellent option. Particularly when one no longer carries a knife, a Browning Hi-power, a combat 12 and an AK-47. And at 73, I've found that knowing what situations and places to avoid is a most useful skill, too. "Situational awareness" we called it back in the day.
- Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at 6:37:00 AM PST
- chuck said...
- Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 9:43:00 AM PDT


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FRANKLIN, TN. Three companies are joining forces to create a product that will allow for internal vehicle data to be wirelessly written to or read from RFID tags while a vehicle is at a fuel dispenser.
QuikQ, a provider of cardless direct fuel connection systems, LHP Software, and Impinj,a provider of UHF RFID solutions, will work to produce the product. The announcement was made at the Truckload Carriers Assn. Annual Convention and Exhibition.
"RFID standards change and improve with time," said Ernie Betancourt, president of QuikQ. "Until recently, RFID technology was 'known' not to allow physical connections to read/write data to the tag. With the latest enhancements, RFID technology can be used to wirelessly read/write bus data and we believe it can be done for a total cost of under $100 installed."
By using the SmartQ system (formerly known as Fuel Island Manager), equipped vehicles will automatically transmit not only fuel dispensing information, but also data from the data bus, reducing the amount of data entry needed by drivers, QuikQ said.
The SmartQ system is a cardless fueling system and distributed by Comdata Corp. To use the system, vehicles must be equipped with low-cost RFID tags. Once a vehicle enters a SmartQ-equipped fueling station the tag will activate fuel dispensers according to each trucking company's specifications for that vehicle and location.
"By adding this new capability fleets can now incorporate bus data information into the fuel transaction," said Betancourt. "In other words, while the vehicle is being fueled bus data can be used to eliminate the need for driver data entry and provide the carrier with additional information related to fuel control. For carriers that do not have in-cab mobile communication, additional operational information can be made available through QuikQ systems."
The new product will use international standards technology and be totally hardware compatible with the QuikQ systems currently being installed by Love's Travel Centersand TravelCenters of Americalocations.


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Main Event Package Tournament Schedule
Here are the exact dates for the WSOP® Main Event Package tournaments on Americas Cardroom.
Each package is worth $12,500 and there will be 50 packages awarded, that's $625K in seats and travel/vacation expenses.
Each package satellite has a $50+5 buy-in and can be bought in directly or via satellite.
From the ACR Web site:
It's not just the tournament entry you'll win, but the paid vacation experience to Las Vegas as well. Each package is worth $12,500 with $2,500 marked for travel expenses and accommodations. With one win you can have it all for the low buy-in of just $50+$5!
Package Tournament Schedule
If the $55 buy-in is a little too much for your bankroll, then here is the daily schedule to win a chance to play for a Main Event® Seat package for $7.70 or $11.
Satellite to a Package tournament schedule


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We strongly encourage our customers to give feedback and share their experience of parking at Glasgow. If you have used Glasgow Stress Free Meet and Greet and would like to tell others about it, please submit your review. Thank you!
"We have used this service before at other airports and been really impressed; this however was very poor in comparison. The Glasgow Airport holiday Inn Car Park is wholly inappropriate for this service - poorly lit, little space, hugely over-cramped and verging on the dangerous. The FHR staff (courteous and helpful as they always are) had not been told of our imminent arrival, rung in as requested or of a vehicle change rung in 2 days before; therefore they were not there looking for us as we passed through the car park, unable to stop due to volume of traffic and lack of space. After several extra circuits of the airport road system we did manage to drop the car, but as mentioned above, the car park just is not a sensible place to do this. Our return was less stressful (probably due to it being in the small hours) but access to the vehicle was again massively hampered by lack of space and very poor lighting."
"great service a lot better than waiting on a bus to car park"
"1st class service,meet and greet is the only way to do your airport parking more so if you have a family,staff at the meet and greet area are great,this service is what i will be using all the time its a 100% from me "
"The system work well. The car was collected by the Company with in a short walk of the terminal and was available to collect in the same place when we returned from our journey."


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This is sobering. Our friend, Will Galkin, recently posted the above graphic. A few observations:
- church attendance ≠ born-again individuals
- morality is not a sign of Gospel faithfulness (i.e. just because the South votes conservatively does not mean that God is glorified)
- we need church-planters (and mother churches) to boldly enter unclaimed cities for the Gospel
- resources need to be allocated for church-planting
- churches need to reassess whether programs in place are meant to "entertain" the churched or seed the community with the Gospel
Statistics like these demonstrate that Gospel-preaching churches need to seriously reexamine our mission. The American church has a unique opportunity to answer our Lord's call to the Great Commission or sit idly by hoping that some type of change happens.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: church planting | Leave a comment »


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I really hate to say it, but there's a good chance that Bachelor Sean Lowe's journey on Dancing With the Stars will come to an end on tonight's results show. It's not that he hasn't tried hard enough or doesn't have enough fans supporting him -- he's simply just not as good as some of the other remaining dancers.
But if Sean did take his last spin around the ballroom on last night's show -- he certainly went out with a bang. Especially considering he and Peta Murgatroyd milked his status as The Bachelor for all it's worth by dressing up in wedding garb for their tango.
Yep -- he donned a tux and she wore a white wedding dress (even though half of it was, well, missing).
Check it out in this clip of their performance.
Uhhhh -- did you happen to catch the expression on Catherine Giudici's face when the camera panned to her? Yeah, she didn't exactly look amused. And can you blame her?
For weeks now, she's been sitting at home alone pining for her man while he spends multiple hours a day up close and personal with another woman. Then at the end of the day he comes home -- and still leaves her thirsty for more attention, if you catch my drift.
On top of being lonely, now she has to contend with her hubby-to-be dressing up as a groom -- only she's not the one in the wedding gown next to him? Huh. Something about that just seems a little unfair. Shouldn't she be the first one to have a fake wedding with Sean, not Peta? (Wait, what? I mean a real wedding, errrr something.)
The dude's already been pretty vocal about saving himself for marriage, so why not save the wedding attire for the big day too?
Oh well. At least it wasn't the other way around -- and Catherine isn't the one wearing a wedding dress and competing on DWTS. It's only bad luck if the groom sees what the bride looks like before the big day, right?
What did you think of Sean's performances last night? Do you think he'll go home this week?
Image via TheVocalVault/YouTube