text:
|Publication number||US5628407 A|
|Application number||US 08/349,627|
|Publication date||May 13, 1997|
|Filing date||Dec 5, 1994|
|Priority date||Dec 5, 1994|
|Also published as||WO1996017686A1|
|Publication number||08349627, 349627, US 5628407 A, US 5628407A, US-A-5628407, US5628407 A, US5628407A|
|Inventors||Douglas C. Gilbert, Peter G. Cable|
|Original Assignee||Bolt Beranek And Newman, Inc.|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (18), Referenced by (22), Classifications (25), Legal Events (14)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
The present invention relates to magnetic separation, and more particularly to the magnetic separation of magnetically responsive spheres admixed in a fluid.
A common method for identifying the presence of organic or inorganic substances in fluids involves capturing the substances with specially treated magnetically responsive spheres that are designed to attach themselves to a substance of interest. The nature of the spheres allows for magnetic management of the spheres in that such spheres are highly permeable with low magnetic retentivity. Thus, the spheres are responsive to and can be manipulated by magnetic fields, yet when the magnetic fields are removed the particles retain no magnetic properties.
Such spheres, or magnetically responsive particles, are commercially available, among other sources, from Dynal Inc., 45 North Station Plaza, Great Neck, N.Y., in 2.8 and 4.5 micron diameter sizes (hereinafter referred to as "Dynal beads" or "beads"). Dynal beads have been used as magnetically responsive beads for isolating, collecting and assaying diagnostic ligates as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,871 ("the '871 patent").
As disclosed in the '871 patent, a suitable ligand is bound to a sheath of an organic substance surrounding the metal oxide core of the magnetically responsive beads. The suitable ligand is capable of binding with a ligate or target substance that is sought to be isolated and is diagnostic of a particular disease state. The ligand/beads are admixed with a fluid containing the ligate sought, for a selected time period and in a manner sufficient to effect a strong attachment between the ligate and ligand/beads to form ligate/ligand/bead complexes.
A magnetic gathering or harvesting device is contemplated in the '871 patent, to attract and retain the complexes in a localized magnetic field for removal from the fluid. The '871 patent suggests only application specific, manually manipulated harvesting devices each suitable for a particular application.
Other known procedures for magnetically managing such beads or other magnetically responsive spheres, typically involve insertion of the magnetically responsive spheres into a fluid to be tested after the spheres have been treated with the appropriate bonding agent for the test. The spheres are admixed in the fluid by shaking, stirring, or pumping to allow for the spheres to come into contact with the target substance. After the complexing phase is complete, i.e., the target substance has been sufficiently exposed to the magnetically responsive spheres with associated bonding agent within the fluid to form sphere/bonding agent/target substance complexes, the complexes including the spheres are removed from the fluid by attracting them toward a particular location with a magnet. Typically, bead concentration is much greater than target substance concentration. Thus, a large number of beads remain free of target substance and some portion of the bead population is bound with target substance.
The non-homogeneous population of target substance bound and unbound spheres is drawn in bulk toward and concentrated in the vicinity of a controller magnet. Manual processing for the separation of the spheres can take many hours and is labor intensive. Only after considerable manual processing can spheres be separated from different populations for microscopic slide preparation. The spheres can then be tested to determine the presence of target substances attached to the surfaces of the spheres. To enhance the capture process, large numbers of spheres are often used. In addition, spheres of different sizes, each treated for a different target substance, may be used. In these cases, it is necessary and desirable, yet difficult, time consuming, labor intensive and costly, to separate spheres from different populations into homogeneous populations for further analysis.
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for automated separation of magnetically responsive spheres into different populations by carefully manipulating forces of gravity, buoyancy, fluid friction, and magnetism. According to the invention, distinctly homogeneous sphere populations are separated from a non-homogeneous population comprised of a plurality of intermixed homogeneous sphere populations, without significant manual processing, by: magnetically effecting distancing of an initial non-homogeneous sphere population; facilitating enhanced separation of the non-homogeneous population in accordance with rate of descent of spheres within homogeneous populations; providing magnetic acceleration of the separation process; and effecting magnetic concentration of the separated homogeneous sphere populations.
Features of the process and apparatus according to the invention include benefits obtained in the art of bio-sensing resulting from the automated condensing of homogeneous groups of spheres from a non-homogeneous sphere population. Such benefits include improved detection, classification and quantitation of target substances. Laboratory test times are reduced due to the elimination of the requirement to test all sphere populations. Sampling efficiency is improved due to the ability to test for multiple target substances using spheres of different sizes. The testing process can be more fully automated by counting the separated spheres with magnetic or imaging techniques.
The method and apparatus can be implemented as a laboratory test device, an automated laboratory system, a portable field unit, or an in-line continuous real-time monitor. Further features include: exceptionally high separation efficiency and exceptionally rapid separation to facilitate exceptionally rapid examination. Additionally, unbound beads effectively separated can be recycled/reused.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1A is a diagrammatic representation of an apparatus for containing a fluid with a target substance and magnetically responsive beads for implementing the method of separating the magnetically responsive beads according to the invention;
FIG. 1B is the apparatus of FIG. 1A wherein a disbursed bead cloud is formed;
FIG. 1C is the apparatus of FIG. 1A wherein the magnetically responsive beads are subject to separation in accordance with relative rates of descent; and
FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating calculated relative rates of descent of illustrative bead bound pathogens in an illustrative fluid.
Referring now to FIG. 1A, an illustrative apparatus for performing the method of separating magnetically responsive beads according to the invention generally includes a cylinder or column 10 which contains a fluid 12. The column 10 has a substantially vertical orientation so as to define a top portion 14 and a bottom portion 16 thereof. The top portion 14 includes a control magnet 17 that facilitates control of a non-homogeneous mixture of magnetically responsive beads 18 when it is desirable to retain the beads 18 at the top portion 14 of the column 10. The control magnet can be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, so long as its magnetic properties can be removed as discussed hereinafter. The top portion 14 also includes a duct or port 20 for introducing the beads 18 and/or fluid 12 into the column.
The bottom portion 16 of the column 10 is preferably separable from the top portion 14 to facilitate removal of captured particles. Separability also permits easy access and cleaning of the interior of the column 10. A concentrator magnet 22 is disposed proximate to the bottom portion 16 for expediting descent of beads within the column as discussed hereinafter.
A plurality of turns 24 of an electrically conductive wire coil are wound around the column 10 constituting an electromagnetic field generator that further includes a current source 26. The current source 26 selectively delivers current to the coil turns 24 to provide an initial magnetic pulse and to set up electromagnetic lines of flux in a direction substantially parallel to a direction of descent of beads within the column. In this illustrative embodiment, the electromagnetic coil turns 24 are wound around the top portion 14 of the column 10 so as not to interfere with the separability of the top and bottom portions of the column. However, it will be appreciated that the relative dimensions of the column top and bottom portions may differ from the present illustrative embodiment and the coil turns may extend to part of the bottom portion or be entirely disposed thereon. It should be appreciated as well, that the electromagnetic coil can be implemented in a Helmholtz configuration, having an appropriate gap between coil portions to facilitate visual or other observation, and simplify implementation of the process while providing a constant magnetic field.
A large quantity of the magnetically responsive beads or spheres, having a suitable outer sheath of bonding agent for binding with a target substance, are admixed in a fluid for a sufficient time and in a sufficient manner to allow for the spheres to come into contact with the target substance. It should be appreciated that such admixing can be done in the column 10, or in a container other than the column whereupon the beads or complexes would be collected, transported and injected into the column for the separation process. Once the complexing phase is complete, i.e., the target substance has been sufficiently exposed to the magnetically responsive spheres with associated bonding agent within the fluid to form sphere/bonding agent/target substance complexes, it is desirable to effect control of the magnetically responsive spheres for commencement of the separation process.
In an initial condition, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, the magnetically responsive spheres are disposed within the fluid 12 in the column 10 and retained against a horizontal surface via the control magnet 17 until the separation process begins. As the spheres are all clustered in the vicinity of the magnet, there is a tendency for the spheres to adhere to each other due to non-magnetic forces of compression and surface tension. This is especially true of spheres with diameters of a few microns. Despite the fact that the spheres are "magnetically responsive" and exhibit minimal magnetic retentivity, if any, there is a tendency for the spheres to adhere to one another even after removal of the control magnet. Thus, it is necessary to excite the beads in order to eliminate clustering. The very small nature of the beads and the viscosity of the fluid creates a situation wherein large amounts of turbulence in the column, as would be created by stirring, shaking or the like, prolongs agitation of the beads and slows the separation process. It is preferable to create a localized agitation without creating great amounts of turbulence so that the viscous forces of the fluid in motion are not so dominant as to slow or impede the separation process.
As illustrated in FIG. 1B, by simultaneously removing the control magnet and applying a magnetic field impulse with sufficient flux to drive the magnetically responsive beads into magnetic saturation, the spheres will move to form chains that align with the flux lines of the applied field. The chains will maintain cross-field separation due to the repelling forces of like dipoles. The magnetic field impulse, the magnitude of which is a function of the composition, size and quantity of beads, is applied only long enough to generate motion within the spheres, and then released. The magnitude of the magnetic field impulse is controlled by the diameter and number of turns of the coil, and the current therethrough. The sphere motion and resultant localized fluid motion generated by the field impulse will eliminate the clusters, effecting an initial separation and creating a cloud of beads at the top portion of the column. The initial electromagnetic impulse, in conjunction with removal of the control magnet, excites each of the spheres into separate free-fall descent paths. Note that this concept may be applied to negatively buoyant spheres that fall through a fluid column, or to positively buoyant spheres that rise through a fluid column, or to combinations of positively and negatively buoyant spheres within a fluid column.
Further separation of the spheres is a function of the relative rates of descent (or ascent) of the beads or spheres. Free falling (or free rising) spheres in the fluid reach terminal velocity which can be computed as a function of sphere mass, sphere diameter and roughness, and fluid density and viscosity. With no magnetic forces (other than gravitational forces) acting on the beads, as illustrated in FIG. 1C, the beads begin to fall as a distributed cloud and aggregate into homogeneous populations in accordance with common characteristics and rate of descent or motion within the particular fluid. A free-fall period of time is required to allow for vertical separation of homogeneous groups. Vertical separation is a function of descent rate. The nature of the homogeneous groups is such that spheres within each group will have a common descent rate, while different homogeneous groups have different descent rates. Many target substances may exhibit neutral buoyancy in the fluid in the column and act to slow the rate of descent of the attached bead, thus facilitating separation.
FIG. 2 shows a set of curves that describe the descent rates of bead-bound pathogens in water as a function of sphere mass and roughness and fluid density and viscosity calculations. The microbeads are typically 2.8, 4.5, or 10.0 microns in diameter as discussed hereinbefore, and when a bead comes in contact with the pathogen or target substance the bead attaches to the organism. As the negatively buoyant magnetically responsive beads descend at rates that relate to their particular condition, the populations will separate according to descent rates. As is illustrated in FIG. 2, the descent rates of micro spheres can be very slow (100 to 500 microns per second), so it is desirable to accelerate the process.
The separation process according to the invention is enhanced by magnetic acceleration. Once the sphere populations have achieved separation distances on the order of a few diameters, a vertical and constant magnetic field can be applied to the fluid column. As illustrated in FIG. 1C, the spheres in each of the separated populations will chain up in vertical orientation. A general observation regarding the present illustrative embodiment, is that beads that are not attached to a target substance aggregate as dipole "spears" which tend to descend faster than bead/target substance aggregates 28. In this orientation, the rates of descent will be magnified by the number of spheres in each chain, amplifying the separation process. Application of a permanent magnet at the bottom of the fluid container will further amplify the separation speed because the spheres closest to the magnet will be drawn with the strongest magnetic force.
Once the sphere populations have reached sufficient separation distances in the illustrative embodiment, a second permanent magnet with equal magnetic force relative to the first magnet will be placed at the top of the fluid container. The magnetic force of the bottom magnet will draw the fastest descent spheres to the bottom of the fluid column, and the magnetic force of the top magnet will draw the slowest descent beads to the top of the fluid column. The separation process can be completed in a matter of minutes. A primary determinant of the time required is the length of the column, which is preferably as short as practicable so as to expedite the process. Upon completion of the separation the upper and lower magnets control the separated populations. The fluid can be drawn off from the column and the upper and lower portions of the column separated to provide access to the populations for further preparation and testing.
In order to separate pathogens or target substances that are particularly small, and therefore do not act to buoy or slow the descent of a bead to which they attach, it may be desirable to attach a larger, non-magnetically responsive bead to the bead/target substance combination. Neutrally buoyant, non-magnetically responsive beads are available that can be sheathed to bind to a different binding site on the target substance than the sheath on the magnetically responsive bead. Accordingly, a bead can be selected to combine with the magnetically responsive bead/target substance complex so as to effect a desired rate of descent and assure a high degree of homogeneous grouping in the descending beads. In such a case, the separation, acceleration and concentration aspects of the process according to the invention are not substantially changed.
Although a single coil with a plurality of turns is implemented in the illustrative embodiment shown and described herein to provide both the initial magnetic impulse and the vertically oriented magnetic field, it should be appreciated that different magnetic mechanisms can be implemented to effect both the initial magnetic impulse and the vertically oriented magnetic field. For instance, a vertically or horizontally oriented electromagnet could be used to effect the electromagnetic impulse. Or a combination of vertical and horizontal with alternating electromagnetic impulses could be used for initial separation. Similarly, a separate Helmholtz coil or other magnetic mechanism could be used to effect the vertically oriented magnetic field for separation acceleration.
Furthermore, it should be appreciated that magnetic concentration can be effected at the sides, as opposed to the top of the column, and such concentration may be effected on a plurality of populations using a plurality of concentrator magnets in excess of two.
While the invention is described herein as involving a "fluid" generally, it should be appreciated that respective ones of numerous fluids can be implemented having differing viscosities and fluid properties, with differing affects on the separation process according to the invention. For instance, alternative fluids, such as various forms of impure water may be implemented, or other liquids, or gases, or the like.
Likewise, while the illustrative embodiment described hereinbefore includes the use of very small beads, it should be appreciated that larger beads may be involved, and that bead sizes can be specified according to particular separation applications. Furthermore, although "magnetically responsive", commonly known as "paramagnetic", beads are used in the illustrative embodiment described herein, it should be appreciated that other generically described beads that are susceptible to magnetic manipulation can be implemented such as magnetically soft spheres or the like.
Although the illustrative embodiment described hereinbefore includes a column or vertically oriented cylindrical container 10 containing the fluid 12 and magnetically responsive beads, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that other vessels and orientations may be used in implementing the apparatus and method according to the invention, and that such vessels need not be cylindrical in shape.
While the column 10 as illustrated includes a single port or duct 20 for introducing beads and/or a fluid into the column, it will be appreciated that other means for introducing things into the vessel can be implemented, such as a plurality of ducts or ports, or hoses, spouts, conduits or the like.
Similarly, while the column is separable, it should be appreciated that alternative mechanisms may be implemented for removing the concentrated beads from the column, such as ports or ducts in the bottom or other portion for the purpose of the drawing the concentrated beads out of the column or vessel.
Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to an illustrative embodiment thereof, various other changes, omissions and additions in the form and detail thereof may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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|U.S. Classification||209/214, 209/227, 209/232, 209/223.1, 210/222, 210/695, 436/177, 422/533|
|International Classification||G01N1/18, C12M1/26, G01N35/00, B03C1/01, B03C1/00, B03C1/28|
|Cooperative Classification||Y10T436/25375, B03C1/01, G01N1/18, G01N35/0098, B03C1/00, B03C1/28|
|European Classification||G01N35/00M, B03C1/28, C12M1/26G, B03C1/00, B03C1/01|
|Dec 5, 1994||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: BOLT BERANEK AND NEWMAN INC., MASSACHUSETTS
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:GILBERT, DOUGLAS CHARLES;CABLE, PETER GEORGE;REEL/FRAME:007325/0029
Effective date: 19941202
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Effective date: 20091026

domain: chemistry


text:
Cashell and Joe’s story is not your typical one, he was the big brothers’ best friend- she was the sweet little sister. They both had their own lives, somehow always intertwined- family, friends, similar interests… it was only a matter of time. Years passed, special loved ones were lost, bringing them together in a most intimate way.
As time passed that bond that they shared as friends, became an unending love. They expanded their little family with the sweetest angel pup and my chuffy bestie, Bree- so naturally the next step was to seal the deal! This session was extra special, surrounded by nature and two people truly in love!

domain: artistic


Peace and Disarmament
Soka Gakkai Women's Peace Committee Hosts Culture of Peace Forums
On November 26, the Soka Gakkai Women's Peace Committee sponsored "Culture of Peace" forums in Tokyo, Saitama and Shizuoka. Some 1,500 attended the forum at the Amyu Tachikawa Hall in Tachikawa City, Tokyo. Five women shared their experiences that included a first hand account of war and involvement in a support group for children refusing to go to school. Saitama Soka Gakkai Women's Peace Committee sponsored a forum at the Niiza Culture Center in Niiza City, Saitama Prefecture. Yayoi Nonaka spoke about her efforts to promote Sino-Japan friendship, while Yuriko Isshiki told how she and her daughter fought to overcome her daughter's illness and together challenged to build a harmonious family. At the Numazu Culture Center, four women spoke about their efforts to create peace through cultural exchanges.


Мэтт Фосетт (Matt Fawcett)
I AM STOKED TO BE WORKING WITH LANEY, AMAZING BRUTAL GUITAR TONE WHEN IT COUNTS
Matt has been using and abusing Laney amps for many years now, and loves them! He plays guitar for metal band Sinate. SINATE formed in June 2005, by September that same year they had recorded and released their debut album ‘Beyond Human’. Followed up by two New Zealand tours and a tour in Australia. Then it was off to Sweden to record their 2nd album, ‘Violent Ambitions’, with World renowned producer ‘PELLE SAETHER’ in STUDIO UNDERGROUND. Upon their return SINATE kept playing shows throughout the country including the ‘METAL DAY OUT’ which hosted 18 bands, both International and Local. Then SINATE returned to Australia, playing at Brisbane’s popular ‘Hellfest’. Yet another tour of New Zealand followed, this time with Brisbane based band STATE OF INTEGRITY. Along came 2007 and the MAIN STAGE at the BIG DAY OUT, as well as support International acts SLAYER, SUFFOCATION, MOTORHEAD, BEHEMOTH, MASTADON and GOD FORBID. A 23 date tour of New Zealand in support of ‘Violent Ambitions’ was next for SINATE.
Laney IRT STUDIO
ламповый усилитель голова 15 Вт/1 Вт, порт USB
89 984 р.
гитарный ламповый усилитель 120 Вт, лампы 4xECC83...
148 910 р.
Laney IRT60 212
ламповый комбоусилитель 60 Вт, 2х12" драйверы HH


text:
News 16 - 30 of 47
The artwork, which slightly looks similar to Kanye West's '808 and Heartbreak' album cover, features a little cupid aiming a big purple heart.
The main vocalist of the Jonas Brothers shows off his buzzed head in pictures and video on his social networks.
The 'Wanderlust' star will topline the apocalyptic drama based on Tom Perrotta's 2011 novel of the same name.
Sources reveal Jen and Justin's marriage plans, saying they choose the The Islands of Aloha to avoid overexposure.
The Rachel Green of 'Friends' bares her humongous diamond ring to the camera when going out together with her fiance during a warm sunny day in New Mexico.
A friend of Theroux and Jennifer Aniston says it would be no surprise if the newly-engaged couple gets eloped.
Theroux reportedly was dying to propose to Aniston, and when he did it during a quiet dinner at Blue Hill in Greenwich Village, she couldn't hold back her tears.
Rumor has it, Theroux doesn't want to put Aniston on the spot that gives the media an opportunity to link her again to her ex-husband Brad Pitt and his fiancee Angelina Jolie.
The fourth 'Bourne' film dethrones 'The Dark Knight Rises' and defeats fellow newcomers, Will Ferrell's 'The Campaign' and Meryl Streep's 'Hope Springs'.
Aniston gave her boyfriend Theroux the birthday gift of his lifetime by accepting his proposal of marriage on his 41st birthday.
Amanda Fuller replaces Alexandra Krosney as Kristin Beth Baxter, and an actor is currently being sought to portray Ryan, the father of Kristin's son.
The boyfriend of Jennifer Aniston will also pen the script for the upcoming comedy project to be developed at Warner Bros. Pictures.
The couple reportedly is working on a short film that will spoof all tabloid news and rumors surrounding their lives.
The in-love couple reportedly has set up a partnership in which Theroux's scripts would be developed.
The 'Wanderlust' actress makes an appearance on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' a day after Justin Theroux reluctantly showcases his skills, revealing she has tried to warn him beforehand.

domain: news


text:
Still no sign of the Twins.
Not. One. Word.
I imagine my babies out there in the cold, with someone they desperately want to get away from and I start crying. I want my family back and I want it whole again.
The Sheriff has been a walking ghost in the house when he’s here. He can’t go home. I’m honestly starting to suspect he may never go back to that house again if the Twins do not make it home. That’s not a thought that I like to think about.
The boys know something’s up, they just haven’t figured out how to put it into words. Alphie wanders around like a ghost behind the Sheriff, watching him carefully. When I pointed it out to Ben, he nodded and kissed my forehead.
“Don’t worry, He’s watching out for him in his own way.”
I tried to get him to explain, but I figure it’s a dragon thing.
The full moon this month was hard on all of us, this time around. No one wanted to be trapped inside, even for the night. It was a hard, restless night where I actually considered spending it upstairs. There were a few moments that, for the first time, made me re-think the “Dragons are cute!” feeling I’ve had ever since I met Ben and learned what he was.
Yeah, three fire-breathing, upset dragons will do that to a person.
They were just as upset the next morning. Sabine and I didn’t know what to do for them, so I started baking again.
I filled the kitchen with so much pie and bread that I had to call Grandmama Murphy to take it all away. She showed up just as I was pulling the latest cherry pie out of the oven.
“Give that here before you go dropping out of frustration,” she demanded and took the pie out of my hands when I teared up. “None of that now, you’ll work yourself into a tizzy.”
I sniffled, but nodded. Sabine huffed softly at me and flicked her tail. I could see her ears twitch back and forth with worry.
“I’m sorry, Sabine,” I said as I scratched her ears. She huffed at me again.
“Now, there’s a sight I didn’t think I’d see in my lifetime,” she said.
Sabine dipped her head to Grandmama Murphy, then trotted out of the room.
“Well! I hope it wasn’t something I said!”
I smiled. “No, she’s going to go check on the boys now that you’re here.”
“I like that, another babysitter for you. Why aren’t you lying down?”
I shook my head. “Too wound up. I can’t sleep.”
“Looks like you baked enough for an army. Do you have any flour left?” she demanded.
“No. I’m out. That pie was the last of everything,” I said as I sat down on a stool.
I rubbed my back as I watched her make room for the pie on one of the counters.
“I’ll take all of this off your hands for the restaurant. You’ll be paid, of course.”
“That’s not why I called you,” I said.
“I know, you called me because you’re feeling poorly and need support.”
“Well I’m here, but where is that man of yours?”
“Out with the search parties. They’re using a blue hills devil dog.”
Grandmama Murphy sucked in a breath.
“Oh my,” she said as she let it out. “No wonder they want Ben there.”
“Yeah. I can’t really blame him for being outside of this house. With the black magic Sabine and I dragged home, no one’s getting much sleep.”
She eyed me over. “You’re not sleeping at all, are you?”
I shook my head. “I’m too worried about the Twins. I want them home just as much as Eric does.”
Grandmama Murphy put her hands on her hips and stared me down.
“Now you listen here young lady. You calling me was the first smart thing you’ve done since the Twins went missing,” she said. “I’m going to take these pies to the restaurant, then I’m coming back here with one of Annabeth’s potions. You are going to drink it and then you’re going to bed.”
I wanted to protest, I really did. As I sat there and watched her load up the deserts that I had baked into her car, I realized on my own that I was being a twit. I let out a huge sigh and she smiled at me.
“There it is. I knew you’d come to your senses without my help.”
I smiled up at her. “I’m going to go take a shower.”
“Good for you. You’ll feel better. I’ll be back in an hour,” Grandmama Murphy said as she walked out the door.
I stared at the door for a minute before shaking my head and getting up from the stool I’d been sitting on. As I made my way upstairs, I could feel the press of the magic that Sabine and I had brought home. It felt oily and thick while it pressed in on me, making me feel sick. Even the house was agitated and our combined magics didn’t help. Even the house was agitated.
I showered and dressed in night-clothes. I was just crawling in to bed when Grandmama Murphy opened the door to the bedroom and stepped inside.
“Good. I’m glad to see that you’ve sense left in that head.”
I sighed. “Yes Grandmama. I’m doing as instructed.”
“Don’t you take that tone with me. You’ve plenty of family willing to look after the Twins, but you insist on doing it yourself,” she said as she thrust the bottle she was holding into my hands. “You can’t. Not this time. This is too big. Now drink that.”
I studied the purple bottle, turning it in my hands while I watched the potion and its magic dance inside.
“You have to drink it for it to work, Poppet.”
“I know, ” I said as I uncorked the bottle and drank it down. I felt a little woozy and Grandmama Murphy caught my head as I fell over.
“There’s a good girl. You sleep that off. I’ll be here watching the boys.”
“Good night Grandmama. I love you,” I said with a yawn as I slid into darkness.
I never did hear her response.

domain: literature


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More of Florida's public-university students are taking out loans to cover the rising cost of tuition, housing and other education expenses, state records show.
And student-debt loads have risen as much as 33 percent, on average, at public universities statewide during the past five years — a troubling trend, considering many college graduates are having difficulty finding jobs.
Florida graduates with bachelor's degrees left with about $20,298 in debt, on average, in 2012-13 — up from a statewide average of $17,843 in 2008-09, according to individual reports the public universities submitted to the state.
Ralph Wilson, who attends Florida State University, is shocked that so many friends and classmates are in debt. Halfway through school, he said, some already owe tens of thousands of dollars and are worried about how they will pay it back.
"College is kind of its own world, and reality is kind of suspended," said Wilson, who co-founded an organization at FSU that wants to raise awareness about the student-debt problem. "Nobody really has any real sense of what it is going to be like when they're done [with school]."
At the University of Central Florida, Florida's largest state university, the average debt load was about $20,789 among bachelor's degree recipients this past school year.
The amount of money UCF students borrowed grew only slightly during the past five years. But of 11 state universities, UCF had the biggest increase in the percentage of students going into debt. In 2012-13, about 56 percent of graduates had debt, compared with 46 percent in 2008-09.
Still, Florida students are better off than those in most other states, according to a report released last week . Florida ranks 39th in the country for the average amount borrowed by students who expected to earn bachelor's degrees in 2012 from either a public university or a private institution.
Nationally, the average student-debt burden was $29,400 for the Class of 2012, according to the report from the Institute for College Access & Success, which has been tracking such data for years. The average for Florida students attending a public or private school was $22,873.
Public-university officials blame reductions in state funding in part for increased student debt. They say they have been forced to ramp up tuition to help cover the cost of providing a college education.
In-state tuition and fees at Florida public universities have swelled almost 60 percent since fall 2008, according to the College Board. The cost of campus housing, student meal plans and books also has risen. Meanwhile, some forms of free financial aid, including the state's popular Bright Futures scholarships, have suffered cuts.
Universities also are receiving less federal money to pay students to work on campus through work-study programs. At the same time, some parents are struggling financially and cannot help their children pay for classes.
"It's leaving students with a situation where they don't have a lot of options other than borrowing," said Rick Wilder, financial-aid director at Florida's unofficial flagship university, the University of Florida in Gainesville.
UF and University of West Florida in Pensacola led the state for the largest increases in the amount of money students borrowed.
At UF, the average debt load was $16,114 in 2008-09. Last school year, that amount had risen about 30 percent to almost $21,000.
At UWF, the average rose 33 percent from $15,015 to about $19,934 during those five years.
Many of those who borrow have trouble paying it back. Data released by the U.S. Department of Education in September show that loan-default rates have risen nationwide.
But student advocates such as Troy Miller, a senior researcher at the Florida College Access Network, stressed that even with debt, a college education is a good investment. Adults with bachelor's degrees earn significantly more than those with only a high-school diploma, according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
"One of the things we want to make sure that the message is clear about … is that college is worth it, and that information like this [debt] shouldn't discourage young people from aspiring to attend college," Miller said.
University officials said they have expanded efforts to educate students earlier about the cost of college and to improve their financial literacy. They also are urging students to borrow only what they need — and not all that they are eligible to receive.
Shana Gore, UWF's associate director of financial aid, said it is important to reach out to high-school students so they can start saving, boosting their grades to qualify for academic scholarships and researching other opportunities for free aid.
"If we can talk to them earlier, so that students are thinking about it when they're entering ninth grade, they might not need to borrow later," she said.
firstname.lastname@example.org or 407-420-5470


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"We have noted that Australia said it welcomes China's development and hope that Australia will turn its words into concrete actions, act in line with the spirit of the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership and contribute to regional peace and stability," Wang said. Enditem
"Cambodia's commitment to liberalization is reflected in its efforts in entering into many regional FTAs, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, ASEAN-China FTA, and others," he said.
Iraq has been suffering fragile health systems due to years of conflicts and violence. Before the Chinese-built lab went into operation, the Central Public Health Laboratory in Baghdad was the only place to conduct PCR testing, facing mounting pressure to test samples across the war-torn country.
The spokesperson reiterated that the Taiwan question is the most important and sensitive issue in China-U.S. relations, and the one-China principle is the political foundation of the bilateral relationship. "The U.S. move is a serious breach of its commitments pledged on the Taiwan question," said Zhao.
Sorasak said during the COVID-19 outbreaks, Cambodia and China had shown solidarity to alleviate the pandemic and to navigate economic recovery.
Noting that China's economic growth turned to positive in the second quarter, Zhao said the Chinese economy has withstood the impact of the epidemic and demonstrated strong resilience and development potential.
BOGOTA, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Washington's latest quarrel with China over the latter's technological advances, and its attempts to meddle with China's domestic affairs have met with wise discretion of Chinese officials, Colombian political observer Lorenzo Maggiorelli has said.
He said the BRI is vital for Cambodia's economy which relies on the inflows of foreign direct investments that are conditional to the capability of sufficient physical infrastructures.
China will continue to pursue development and progress to meet the desire of its people and make new, even greater contributions to mankind, he said.
These actions will by far create trade unpredictability and render the domino effect through the introduction of such policy by other members as retaliations, he added.
In particular, Li said, the Chinese and Sri Lankan governments and people have been looking out for each other and sharing weal and woe in the joint combat against the COVID-19 pandemic, which has consolidated and elevated their friendship.


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Added Sep 2, 2010
Ok, so it’s not a sewing project but my colleague taught me how to knit and then showed me this great pattern for a hat that looks like hair. I couldn’t resist giving it a go.
Things I learn’t:
Backward Loop Cast-on,
Decreasing (SSK, K2Tog),
3 Needle Bind off,
Patience is a virtue.
I made a few mistakes and the hat isn’t perfect but not bad for my 2nd ever knitted item!
How to Grade, Draft, Design, and Sew!
Go far afield in wrap dresses, detailed jackets, and comfy separates for fall.
Comment To Win
Share your top fabric care tips for a chance to be in the magazine, and to get the issue for free!
Meg's Magazine Mash Up 2014
Check out Meg's finished Mash Up project of her denim suit and see how you can sew along!
Fashion & Trends
Dress like your favorite heroine from Disney's Frozen.
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text:
Check It Out
Courier Article by Carol Banks
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Thrillers Leave Haunting Chills for Boys And Ghouls
It's that time of the year againa you know a "ghoulies and ghosties and long-legged beasties, and things that go bump in the night." If you would rather read about these creatures than see them, here are a few books guaranteed to give you permanent gooseflesh.
If haunted houses with all manner of creatures skulking about are just your cup of witches' brew, look no further than Mommy? an absolutely inspired collaboration by three literary giants. With Maurice Sendak supplying the art work, Arthur Yorinks the story line, and Matthew Reinhart the paper engineering, this pop-up book is definitely for boys and ghouls of all ages. A Doctor Dentons-clad toddler wanders into a spooky house and asks each monster he meets the same question. "Mommy?" None of the vampires, goblins or werewolves deters our intrepid toddler. Does our wayward little tyke ever find his mummy a er, mommy? Keep turning the pages to find out. The answer will pop right out at you! (Don't forget to peek under all the flaps. More spooky fun for all.)
Speaking of haunted houses, no place could be creepier than "The Old Willis Place." There's something not quite right there. The new caretaker and his daughter know it, the animals know it, and Diana and Georgie know it better than anyone. The Old Willis Place was once stately Oak Hill Manor, the home of Miss Lilian Willis, a mean-spirited woman if there ever was one.
Terrible things happened there ten years ago, secrets better off left behind the boarded up windows and doors. Only Diana and Georgie know the truth, and they're not telling. They can't. Not just yet. As author Mary Dowling Hahn works the narrative to a mind-numbing conclusion, Diana and Georgie must face Miss Lilian once again. Will Diana and Georgie learn their true fate? Or will they be bound to the old Willis place forever? This is one chilling tale.
A word of caution: Don't follow Diana and Georgie into the cellar. You might not come out! (For more stories about spectral children, try Time for Andrew and Wait Till Helen Comes, also by Hahn.)
If you weren't totally creeped-out visiting the old Willis Place, you must try Skeleton Man by Abenaki storyteller and author Joseph Bruchac. An updated version of an old Mohawk Indian legend, this slim volume has, page-for-page, more sheer terror than most books twice its size. Molly's parents have vanished. Gone. No explanation. No clues. Nada. Molly can fend for herself for a while, but finally must turn to her sixth-grade teacher for help.
Unfortunately for Molly, Social Services has located a relative to take care of her -- a great-uncle previously unknown to her. He seems nice enough and, on the surface, everything appears fine at Uncle's house -- modern appliances, cable TV hook-up, a computer. He even fixes food that kids like. But Molly knows that Uncle is not what he purports to be. He's so thin a so pale. a
Molly just knows that Uncle has something to do with her parents' disappearance, but what and how? Like the warrior heroine in the Mohawk legend, Molly knows that only she can discover the truth. Only she can determine the outcome of the mystery. In the nail-biting conclusion, Molly confronts Uncle in his true form. Racing to outsmart The Skeleton Man, Molly feels his bony hand grab her ankle. a Will she escape? Will she find her parents? Or will the Skeleton Man claim yet another victim? Be warned a R. L. Stine said this book gave HIM nightmares!
Those of us who fondly remember those '50s and '60s cheesy horror flicks will want to share Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, by Adam Rex, with their kids and grandkids. In 19 delightful ham-on-wry poems and (very) short stories, Rex shows us a personal side to some of our favorite movie monsters.
The title poem finds "Frank" searching for ingredients to make the perfect sandwich. After a foray into the nearby village, "Frank" returns home with a variety of veggies, thanks to the neighbors' food-throwing attempts to scare away the big guy.
Then there's The Phantom of the Opera. He has writer's block -- he can't come up with new lyrics for anything. Poor Phantom. He has the tune to "It's a Small World" stuck in his head playing over and over and over and. a (Something anyone who's been to Disney World can understand.)
The Creature from the Black Lagoon, on the other hand, ignores his mother's warning about swimming too soon after eating. "Just think of all you had for lunch: A squid! Three eels! Hawaiian Punch! A bag of chips! A crab knish! A peanut-butter jellyfish!"
The end result? Well, let's just say he had a sinking feeling.
Quick-eyed readers will note that Rex employs the art styles of several different illustrators to tell his tales. Look for the styles of Maurice Sendak, Richard Scarry, Edward Gorey, Charles Schulz and even John James Audubon, to name a few.
Carol Banks is supervisor of the READ Center, Central Library's children's Department. Contact her at (812) 428-8222. The opinions expressed in this column are personal and do not reflect policies or official recommendations of the library.


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First Saks, then Bloomingdale’s and now Neiman Marcus. The Twin Cities is losing another high-fashion luxury retailer. Dallas-based Neiman Marcus said Monday, July 23, that it will close its downtown Minneapolis store by next July, saying the store was underperforming. That will leave Nordstrom at the Mall of America as the only high-end department store in the metro area.
Neiman Marcus, famous for its exclusive designer offerings and such exotic Christmas gifts as his-and-hers hot-air balloons, has operated the 118,000-square-foot store in Gaviidae Common on Nicollet Mall since 1991.
Locally, the store was perhaps most known for the $75,000 wardrobe upgrade the Republican National Committee bought there for vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin in 2008 when she made her debut on the national scene at the party’s convention in St. Paul.
But the store may have intimidated some Twin Citians. Less than two years after it opened in Minneapolis, Neiman Marcus said it was bringing its off-price outlet, now known as Last Call, to the fourth floor to boost traffic.
So, about 20 years later, Monday’s store-closing announcement did not exactly take retail expert Jim McComb by surprise.
“Finally,” he said. Neiman Marcus was always a poor performer, he said, but initially had an operating covenant that required it to operate here for 15 years. Then the company extended its lease when it was considering opening a store at Southdale, McComb said, but that never happened.
The retail landscape in downtown Minneapolis has changed dramatically in the past two decades, he said. Dayton’s has been replaced by Macy’s and Target. Saks Fifth Avenue decided to leave in 2004. “Neiman Marcus is sort of all alone downtown” among high-fashion stores, McComb said, so there’s less cross-shopping.
Was the store nicknamed “Needless Markup” just too expensive for the Twin Cities?
No, McComb said. “There is a market for luxury, and Galleria (in Edina) does very well in that area,” along with places like St. Paul’s Highland Park and Grand Avenue. Our median income is well above average in the United States, he said. “It’s more of a lifestyle issue.”
Minnesotans are “tremendously casual,” he said. “You can go almost anywhere in casual clothing or business casual.” Other places have more events where you need to dress up, he said. “Dallas is a party town. We’re not. If you don’t have the events, you don’t need the clothes.”
People here also tend to be more traditional in their dress, McComb said, while designer-focused stores like Neiman can be a bit more “out there.” “Neiman Marcus is selling to a small segment of our community,” he said.
“We’re losing one of the nation’s fashion retailers,” McComb said.
Nordstrom, while beloved by shoppers for its shoe selection and customer service, is not seen as quite as fashion-forward or high-end as Neiman Marcus by retail experts. Carol Spieckerman of newmarketbuilders, a retail strategy firm, said, “Although they have a luxury component, (Nordstrom) does a really good job of ‘riding the fence,’ ” between luxury and accessibility.
“Neiman Marcus is expensive,” Spieckerman said. “Their whole proposition is to carry higher-end goods.”
That segment has been shrinking in the Twin Cities.
Bloomingdale’s, which is owned by Macy’s, announced in January that it would leave the Mall of America because the store was underperforming. Its space is being subdivided into five stores, including Forever 21.
When Saks Fifth Avenue closed its Nicollet Avenue store, it left its lower-priced Off 5th store behind.
But Neiman Marcus is closing both its marquee brand and Last Call. The store employs 107 people, who will be offered transfers to other stores or receive severance packages, the company said in a press release.
“As it is so rare that we close a store, the difficult decision was based on a great deal of thought, and a careful study of the maker as we very much value the relationships we have established in this market,” said Karen Katz, president and chief executive officer of the Neiman Marcus Group.
Overall, Neiman Marcus has been doing well lately. Sales at stores open at least a year at Neiman Marcus, Last Call and the uber-deluxe Bergdorf Goodman have been up 7.9 percent so far this fiscal year, to $3.3 billion, and profits are up 63 percent. Online, sales are up double digits, which may have made the decision to close the Minneapolis store a little easier.
“Neiman Marcus has made big strides in e-commerce,” Spieckerman said. It is a destination for a very particular type of customer, who may well be able to get what he or she needs at the store’s website.
Retailers used to think they needed to have a presence in every major city, Spieckerman said. But now they are learning they don’t have to have a physical store to have a robust business.
It’s unclear what will fill the Neiman’s space. “There are so few mid- to big-box stores,” Spieckerman noted.
Ann Harrington can be reached at 651-228-5556. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/ AnnHarringtonMN.

domain: economics


I am very interested by your post. We recently had a lead inspection on our property and one thing the lead inspector suggested was to get the air ducts cleaned out. We had our ducts cleaned last year after we under went a large renovation project (since we have a toddler in the house). This year we decided to go for lead compliance and had all our lead removed (we moved out for the work). Recently, my son had a false positive lead test, which prompted us to get a lead dust inspection around the house (including having the vents dust-wiped on the inside). The levels inside the ducts weren't crazy high (but more than would be acceptable for a floor). As it turned out my son's lead levels are very low (but not zero). Is it possible however that lead dust from the inside of a vent can come out? Would this be a scenario where you think air duct cleaning would be beneficial?
2. If air quality is so important and duct cleaniliness is so uncertain, why not adopt doubling filtering; that is, in addition to the existing main furnace filter, add a filter at each air outlet. I understand replacing so many filters would be a burden, but air outlets can be designed for easy filter replacement. The builders and home design engineers should bear responsibility to provide good and low maintenance homes, rather than prioritizing on fancy or costly featuers for homes.
Had our ducts cleaned late April, 2016. Sodium Chlorite was sprayed into ducts after cleaning. Ever since, we have been bothered with eye and nasal passage irritation because of a “chemical” and “musty” odor. This odor is present whether or not a/c is on.) We are told the sodium chlorite (“EnviroCon, manufactured by Bio-Cide International) is used in hospital and nursing home settings and is not hazardous to health. The air duct company’s suggestion is that they come out and spray even more sodium chlorite…we absolutely don’t want this done! Have had various other recommendations about what we need to have done to remedy our problem. We will be unable to stay in our home if a resolution cannot be found. We’d be willing to replace the ductwork if necessary. (One professional suggested that the cleaning may have “knocked something loose” inside the ductwork and that is the source of the irritant.) This home was built in 1920…no idea when the present ductwork was installed. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I paid $49 for a groupon. When the guy came today, he did an inspection first and said the ductwork first needed to be treated for mold; $348 for a spray that would last 8 months or $680 for an UV light purifier that would last 2 years. Also, the furnace needed to be cleaned for another $260. When I told him to just clean the ductwork, he said I would owe an additional $305 because the groupon was only good for 1 return and I had 2. I sent him packing with no services performed. Thankfully I am only out of $49! I will complain to groupon.
Since most states and municipalities don’t license air duct cleaners, you need to check their professional credentials instead, such as NADCA membership. EPA recommends all duct cleaners follow NADCA standards. Member companies must keep at least one technician on staff who has passed a NADCA test. “They have to pass rigorous testing to earn the certificate, and our code of ethics is very important,” Vinick says.
I know it has to have a new concentric venting system installed, I believe it needs new plenums ( mine are rusty but both of these require extra work , so someHVAC persons are saying I do not need either!! RED FLAG THERE. Also, it will need a new drain using PVCP ?? Piping run maybe two, depending on where my evep coil drain is conected (here in TN they use to run them in with the septic lines, now they cannot be run through that way), Lastly I am not where or what these things do beides hold water but I was told It needs a filter rack and new filter base safety pan. THATSSS it that is all I know about this stuff aside from the fact that nothing up there is to code thus far LOL. !!
Having evaporator and condenser coils cleaned could cost between $100 and $400. If your coils can be accessed in-place, you'll be looking at a lower service cost. If your technician needs to remove the them first, the cost should be around $400. Having the evaporator and condenser coils cleaned can have a significant impact on the efficiency of your system. If your coils are excessively dirty, they won't be able to do their job and your system will have to work harder. Keeping up with the hygiene of these components can save you money in both the short and long-term. For example, replacing evaporator coils can cost anywhere from $650 to $1200.
Had duct cleaners here coupon for 40.00 for complete home I was not here but my husband was. I told my husband that they will prolly ask for more money and I was right. 85 extra to do duct cleaning which I pled because my dryer vent was full of animal hair extensions then for 600 to clean a/c coils I said no. Just do what the coupon said. Do your homework be 100 steps ahead of these con men rember they con people all day long and know the ans to your objections
I spent a lot of time reading all these posts and frankly I can’t believe the way some people think. 1. If there is dust and dirt of any kind in my HVAC system I want it out, the mentality that it can stay there and it’s fine is fulish as the system turns on and off microscopic particulates will move in and out of your living space and you will definitely breath them in. The air quality of your home or office will only be as clean as the system that produces it. We don’t not clean things simply because we can’t see them, it’s what we can’t see that can do the most harm. Dust will build up in a system fairly quickly and will get damp at times allowing mold to grow and mold releases spores without any movement as part of its defense meconisam so don’t tell me that when your system turns on it won’t blow the spores out into the living spaces of your home. A build up of dust will cause failures to your system over time, equipment that works harder to do its job will run hotter with more strain and this will lead to brake downs and until then the system will run less efficient then it should. The system was engineered to move a certain volume of air through a specific duct size, when that duct size starts to become narowed down with dust build up your system has to work harder to move that air this is why you will end up with a loss of efficiency and eventually breakdowns or failures. I have seen systems develop a significant amount of dust build up in as little as two years, just look at how fast the filter gets clogged up and it isn’t all that hard to believe. As for all the scams that are out there they hurt the industry because people can’t decipher between them and the legitimate companies, BBB is helpful. Recommendations from HVAC contractors will be a good resource and a good company will provide a written estimate with a complete brake down of what they are going to do and why, most of which is comen sence once they explain it to you, then if you spend about 5 minutes watching them once they are set up you can see they are doing what they said they would do and let’s get real would you do a job that should take approx 3 hours per system for $29/$39/59 or something close to that, if you think you are going to get a good job from a comp that has to make money at that price you shouldn’t be mad at anyone but your self for trying to get quality work at a scam price. If it’s done right it will be very beneficial and depending on the size of your system and where you are in the world it’s going to cost you approx $300 to $600 per system large and or older systems may cost even more. Remember a quality job isn’t wasting money but a lousy job is, even if it’s only $29. I’d rather spend $600 on a quality job then $29 on a lousy job!! Good luck..
It’s 11 years plus in the industry I have only had to sanitize two systems both were slab systems that were in concrete and could be cleaned with a different method than normal duct cleaning. We were able to use water to rinse out the disinfectant. Would you use a chemical on anything else you use to eat or drink with and not rinse it off? The ducts in your home should be thought of as your homes heart and lungs and breathe the same air that you do. And just like us we wouldn’t use bad chemicals in our lungs and heart.
A thorough visual inspection is the best way to verify the cleanliness of your heating and cooling system. Some service providers use remote photography to document conditions inside ducts. All portions of the system should be visibly clean; you should not be able to detect any debris with the naked eye. Show the Post-Cleaning Consumer Checklist to the service provider before the work begins. After completing the job, ask the service provider to show you each component of your system to verify that the job was performed satisfactorily.
I recently replaced my 44 year old furnace. Over the years we have had several construction projects inside the home. For many years breathing the heated air from the duct work caused excessive sneezing, sinus issues, and lung irritation. . The heat smelled like dust. To maximize air quality I added a humidifier, MERV-11 filter, and UV light onto the new furnace. To further improve air quality, I had the ducts cleaned and sanitized. I took before and after pictures of the inside of each return and output duct. They were filthy before, and sparkling clean and fresh after the procedure. Now when running the system, clean sanitized air flows through my whole house. A huge difference. It will make sleeping and being indoors during the winter months far more tolerable. I use window air conditioners, and run the system in the summer to keep the house air clean and fresh on hot summer days too. It works! Great decision!
I was with you until you said avoid steaming cleaning or moisture, there is no way you can remove mold or any other type of biological without moisture. The best way to do this is in fact with a steamer using a commercial disinfectant and a non reactive odor remover so your home smells refreshed and not like a hospital . This is directly contradictory to your article.
I had someone out to clean my ducts last weekend. He took a blue bag up in my attic. He came back down in just a few minutes and said I had mold and he even showed me a picture of something saying it was mold but I couldn’t really tell. I refused his service to take care of the mold. He went back up in the attic for a little while and then came down. I never heard any sounds that he was actually up there doing anything. How do I know if he actually cleaned the air ducts?
I have been a plumbing/gas/hvac tech for 19 years, before that I installed ductwork in commercial buildings and office towers. As the article states, unless you have undergone some type of extensive reno, or ducts have become contaminated, paying for cleaning is pointless. Its one thing if you have a 30 year old home that has never had a duct cleaning and you can actually see mounds of dust built up , especially in the return side, then go for it. Keep in mind that most duct cleaning companies will only get 80% of the dust , or less at best. Keep in mind that most of the dust in your home is lint from clothes and linens, and skin cells from you and your pets and is constantly being generated. Dust that builds up in ductwork , generally stays in the ductwork. The power of suggestion, scare tactics, up sell!!!
The most effective way to clean air ducts and ventilation systems is to employ Source Removal methods of cleaning. This requires a contractor to place the system under negative pressure, through the use of a specialized, powerful vacuum. While the vacuum draws air through the system, devices are inserted into the ducts to dislodge any debris that might be stuck to interior surfaces. The debris can then travel down the ducts to the vacuum, which removes it from the system and the home.
And if you have flex duct and/or fiberglass ductboard in your home- the last thing you want is a big brush or anything abrasive running through it. Even high-pressure air can erode ductboard so I wouldn’t clean it with anything. If it becomes contaminated, get rid of it and install real ductwork. If your ductwork is accessible in the basement – the best thing to do is take it down and manually clean it if it’s full of junk. It’s not going to cost a nickel more to do that than to pay $500-1000 for a ‘duct cleaning machine” AKA big blower and vacuum – to do the job.
Equipment used to clean ducts varies widely. The cheaper the equipment used the more you are just wasting money. This is why it's typically not worth doing. In some situations it may be beneficial, but only after determining and investigating the duct system. This should be done by a licensed HVAC contractor and not a duct cleaner that typically do not hold and HVAC license. (Duct cleaners aren't required to be licensed in HVAC in many areas.)
Professional cleaning involves getting the dust and debris outside, so they use outdoor ventilation equipment. It is so important that homeowners make sure the professional contractor is using good equipment then, as they could otherwise spread the spores into the home and further agitate sensitive family members. In the case of mold, a cleaner will only be able to tell you it is there, followed by needing an additional mold professional to come out and test or remove the mold. Air duct cleaning industries do not require state licensing, so make sure to check for a company with references.
I’m really not convinced that duct cleaning is of any value. My roommate wanted the ducts cleaned so he called some company. My scam senses is already tingling. They came in with a big negative pressure fan. Did some blowing and sucking in different vents. Then they tried to upsell a full system cleaning. They wanted to pull the blower and clean the heat transfer box at $700 per heater unit. I have a big house so we have two units. They also tried to sell us some “custom” $250.00 Air Lifetime air filters. At that point I pulled the BS get the hell out bell. After paying $520.00 for just the cleaning, I paid the bill and sent them on their way. I replaced the existing filter with the good old and cheap paper filters at $10.00 each. Duct cleaning… I’m not Impressed.
#3 The ONLY time Duct cleaning is needed is when the home had a fire, Bad roof leak on to FIBERGLASS ductwork or house sat vacant for many years with out the air running. And its better to replace than to do “abrasive” duct cleaning. If the duct cleaning has a rotating brush it will remove part of the glue that is holding the Fiberglass in the ducts together, PERIOD no matter how much the say it don’t because the brush is soft.
Air duct cleaning service providers may tell you that they need to apply chemical biocide to the inside of your ducts as a means to kill bacteria (germs) and fungi (mold) and prevent future biological growth. They may also propose the application of a "sealant" to prevent dust and dirt particles from being released into the air or to seal air leaks. You should fully understand the pros and cons of permitting application of chemical biocides or sealants. While the targeted use of chemical biocides and sealants may be appropriate under specific circumstances, research has not demonstrated their effectiveness in duct cleaning or their potential adverse health effects. No chemical biocides are currently registered by EPA for use in internally-insulated air duct systems (see Should chemical biocides be applied to the inside of air ducts?).


Christy Machine Company
Christy Machine CompanyRequest A QuoteFremont, OH
Established in 1953, the Christy Machine Company designs full-service equipment for the food & beverage industries. We create dispensers, depositors, conveyors, fill systems, crumblers, and complete production lines. Our expertise in food manufacturing equipment helps us create custom solutions to accommodate unique needs.


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WASHINGTON Doesn't matter how bad things look for the St. Louis Cardinals. Trailing by a bunch, down to their last strike, they stay calm and do what it takes to win.
especially after they lose a series opener.
ST. LOUIS Adam Wainwright was a spectator last fall, cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals from the bench as they rose from wild card to World Series champions.
Four people were ejected when benches cleared twice in two innings of Thursday's game between the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals.
The Giants made a comeback Tuesday night, though the Diamondbacks won in 11 innings.
The first winning season in franchise history didn't thrill Nationals manager Davey Johnson when he was reminded of it.
David Freese and Matt Carpenter each drove in three as the Cardinals snapped a four-game skid with a wild 10-9 win over the Nationals.
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The rules of (fake) engagement . . .
Leah Martin has spent her life trying to avoid temptation. But she's sick of low-fat snacks, counting calories, and her hyper-critical mom. Fortunately, her popular new bakery keeps her good and distracted. But there aren't enough éclairs in the world to distract Leah from the hotness that is Sam Cooper - or the fact that he just told her mother that they're engaged . . . which is a big, fat lie.
Sam sometime speaks before he thinks. So what started out as defending Leah's date-ability to her judgmental mother soon turned into having a fiancee! Now the plan is to keep up the fake engagement, stay "just friends," and make Leah's family loathe him enough to just call the whole thing off . But Sam has an insatiable sweet tooth, not only for Leah's decadent desserts but her decadent curves. Her full lips. Her bright green eyes. Yep, things aren't going quite according to plan. Now Sam has to convince Leah that he's for real . . . before their little lie turns into one big, sweet disaster.
I just love when a book turns out to beat my expectations. Reading this book was such a delightful time. I can not remember the last time that I laughed so much or so hard. It was so funny that I had to share some of those moments with my husband. He even could not contain himself from cracking a smile.
Some lines from the book: "I came to fill your hole", "That's about how long it's going to take me to spackle your hole" "Sweetheart, if I was screwing you, you'd know it".
Sam had me in the palm of his hand with all of his sweet comments and positive attitude towards Leah. She dissed herself a lot, yet Sam made her seem like she was the most beautiful woman around. Which who is to say that all women have to be a size 2. As long as a woman is confident in her own skin and has a great guy who loves her for it, then she is a winner. I can't wait to read the next book in this series. I am looking forward to many more laughs. Alison Bliss strikes gold with Size Matters!


text: Humbert a French theologian, was born at Gendrex, near Paris, about the middle of the 13th century. In July 1296, he was elected abbé of Prulli, in the diocese of Sens, and he died there March 14, 1298. He wrote several theological and philosophical works, all of which remain unprinted. His most important work is Sententice super libros Metaphysicae Aristotelis, a commentary on Aristotle's metaphysics. — Hoefer, Nouveau Biog. Géneralé, 25, 485; Hist. Litt. de la France, 21, 86.

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About Our Team
Amy Thomas, RNFA, Practice Manager
Amy Thomas, RNFA joined Dr. Gayoso in 2000. Amy attended The Toledo Hospital School of Nursing from 1982 thru 1985, where she was honored to achieve several awards, including “Highest Academic Achievement Award”, “Clinical Level 1 Award” and the “Leadership Award”, as the President of the Class of 1985. Amy relocated to Florida in 1986 to be a Flight Nurse on Bayflite. She spent 8 years working directly with the trauma surgeons at Bayfront Medical Center. In 2004, she left Trauma Nursing to pursue her interest in plastic surgery. She managed the accredited office based operating room of a veteran local plastic surgeon for 6 years prior to joining Dr. Gayoso. As practice manager, she is responsible for the day to day activities of the practice. With her strong nursing background, Amy spends considerable time educating the patients during their perioperative course. She spent many years assisting Dr. Gayoso in the operating room, allowing her to have hands on knowledge of the surgical procedures performed at Gayoso Plastic Surgery. Amy is dedicated to patient education and feels that educating a patient prior to embarking on any surgical procedure is of utmost importance.
Tammy Madaris, Patient Care Coordinator
Tammy Madaris joined Dr. Gayoso in 2006. She has spent the majority of her career working in the medical field with experience performing various administrative duties along the way. As our Patient Coordinator, her duties include coordinating and scheduling all cosmetic surgeries and working closely with our clinical team to create a positive plastic surgery experience. With her active involvement in all aspects of scheduling your surgery, she can answer just about any question you may have, including financial questions, timing of surgery and assist you with the subtle nuances of before and after care that make for a successful surgery recovery. An avid supporter of helping boost patient self-esteem and morale, Tammy’s love of plastic surgery and the positive impact it can have on a patient’s life drives her day to day interaction with our patients. She enjoys getting to know patients and feels that comprehensive understanding of a patient’s desires and wishes when it comes to plastic surgery will always allow her to guide them through the processes of their procedure. Tammy loves to travel and has a goal to travel the world, one small or big trip a year, never visiting the same place twice. She loves kickboxing and can be found soul searching anytime there is a night of a beautiful sunset. She would say her best asset is her son and her two grandchildren, all of whom come first in her heart.
Becky Hill, Receptionist
Becky Hill joined Gayoso Plastic Surgery in 2014 as our front desk receptionist. She is the sunny smile you see when you walk in our front door and the sweet voice you hear when you call our office. A Michigan native, she has spent many years in the Tampa Bay area working in healthcare related fields, both in dentistry in the Sarasota area and now in plastic surgery. An avid outdoor person, her hobbies include running, kickboxing, spending time on our beautiful beaches, reading and playing with her sweet dog, Bailey. She is the mother of two and the grandmother to 3 wonderful children. She is deeply dedicated to our patients and works tirelessly to accommodate each patient’s scheduling requests.
Gina Pollick, Medical Assistant
Gina Pollick joined Gayoso Plastic Surgery in 2015 as our medical assistant. In January of 2018, she became our Coolsculpting Team Lead and has completed advanced training thru Coolsculpting University. Under her efforts, our practice has grown to be a leading Coolsculpting practice in the Tampa Bay Area. An avid fan of helping people improve themselves, she brings enthusiasm and a love of plastic surgery to our office. Born in New Jersey but a Florida girl from age 11, Gina is married with 2 children and is devoted to her furry family of 3 Yorkies and one Pomeranian, all rescues. Gina takes a personal interest in learning about each of our patients so that she can assist them in being educated about their procedures and what to expect before and after surgery. She works hand in hand with our clinic staff and PA-C in providing comprehensive, individualized care.
Nicole Wallig, LPN
Nicole Wallig, LPN joined Gayoso Plastic Surgery as our clinic LPN in August 2018. Nicole brings more than 3 years of plastic surgery office experience to our practice, having worked previously in a full service plastic surgeon’s office in Iowa. Nicole has experience in many different medical office roles, and finds her nursing duties to be among the most rewarding, utilizing her nurturing and thoughtful side to help walk patients thru the sometimes challenging and scary surgical process. Nicole and her children relocated to the Sunshine State, leaving behind the cold snowy north and trading the snow for our wonderful beaches. She and her children enjoy exploring all that the Tampa Bay area has to offer. As a passionate lover of dogs, Nicole has an adorable dachshund dog, Macaroni Ace, who brightens her day when she returns home from a busy clinic day. Nicole is happy to answer any and all questions that you might have and finds fulfillment in the overall education process that she undergoes with our patients.
Amy Watt, CST
Amy Watt, CST has been a member of Gayoso Plastic Surgery since 2017. She graduated in 2001 from Central Florida Institute with a specialized associates degree in surgical technology. Amy began her career assisting Dr. Gayoso in surgery for many years at a local hospital based outpatient surgery center prior relocating to Nashville with her family. While in Tennesee, she worked for with a local plastic surgeon and Vanderbilt University as a surgical technician. After spending five cold winters up north, she and her husband decided it was time to head back down to the sunshine state and rejoin Dr. Gayoso’s team. With her years of experience in the operating room, Amy provides exceptional surgical assistance to Dr. Gayoso. Amy also works in our clinic and patients find comfort in the continuity of care that she provides. Amy enjoys spending time with her family on the water, either kayaking or relaxing at the beach. She is thrilled to continue her career in the specialty that she has been passionate about for 18 years.
Clare Thomas has been a member of Gayoso Plastic Surgery since 2018. She graduated from Florida State University in 2014 with a BS in athletic training. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, she moved to St. Petersburg shortly after graduating from FSU and began working at a large, multi-physician orthopedic practice, where she spent 3 years working closely with orthopedic surgeons in a busy surgical clinic. Clare continues to work as an outreach athletic trainer at Shorecrest Preparatory School. After deciding to go back to school to pursue a career as a physician assistant, she began shadowing our PA, Jessica McCarry and quickly became interested in aesthetic medicine and surgery. She transitioned from shadowing to working, both as a medical assistant to Jessica McCarry, PA-C and as a Coolsculpting tech with Gina Pollick. True to her athletic training background, she is a diligent cross-fitter, working out every morning before prior to coming to work. She loves FSU football and travelling the world. After recently getting married, she is looking forward to getting a new fur baby to complete her home.

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Although most anesthesiologists do not deal directly with end of life issues, those of us in pain management are often an integral part of these discussions. Anesthesiologists frequently care for patients as they approach the end of their lives and many may have questions regarding current California regulations. Alyssa Burgart MD, MA, has a unique background as a pediatric anesthesiologists and a medical ethicist. She is Medical Director of Clinical Ethics at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, core faculty member in the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, and an Assistant professor of Anesthesiology at Stanford University School of Medicine.
On May 15, 2018 a bombshell news alert popped up on my phone. Terminally ill Californians’ right to legally receive lethal drugs from their physicians was in serious jeopardy. The Riverside County Superior Court ruled that California’s End of Life Option Act may be unconstitutional and placed the law on a temporary five-day hold, pending action from the Attorney General. Two days later, my colleague and expert in medical aid-in-dying Catherine Forest, MD, and I were set to give an educational talk to a group of Stanford physicians about California’s end of life law. The controversial law passed in 2015 during a special legislative session on healthcare and conservative opponents challenged the law’s validity immediately. After being in effect for nearly two years, the challenge finally made its way to a sympathetic judge, and our lecture would take place during a state of legal limbo.
Opponents argued that the law’s passage during a special session on healthcare was problematic, implying that end of life decision making and care doesn’t belong in discussions around health care. As a physician, I disagree and believe we need more open and honest discussion around death and dying, not less. California’s approach to medical aid-in-dying (also called physician assisted death) puts the patient in control – placing a great deal of responsibility on the dying patient to drive the process from start to finish. Detailed regulations set out by the statute attempt to safeguard patients against coercion and protects physicians with a moral objection to decline participation. It’s designed to serve as an option for the dying, rather than to usurp high-quality end of life care such as hospice and palliative care.
Data from the California Department of Public Heath shows that in 2017, 577 Californians obtained prescriptions and 374 died after ingesting the medication, the majority of whom had cancer. Patients who have requested lethal prescriptions cite loss of joy in daily activities, loss of autonomy, and loss of dignity as motivating factors. Of the seven U.S. states to legalize medical aid-in-dying, California is the most populous and ethnically diverse. One in five Americans now lives in a state where terminally ill patients have this option.
During the temporary hold, terminally ill patients and their physicians were forced to hover in a cloud of uncertainty. What did the ruling mean for patients and physicians? What if patients had started the application process but hadn’t finished? What if patients had gotten the prescription, but hadn’t picked it up yet? If the law was overturned, what would happen to Californians with terminal illnesses who hoped to have this option available? The law was still in effect during the hold, but on the fifth day, without further intervention would be invalidated. With such a short window for the Attorney General to act, I wasn’t particularly reassured. We scrambled to understand the consequences of the ruling and were left guessing what might happen when the hold expired.
California’s Attorney General Bercerra immediately fought to keep the law in place, but to our shock, on May 25 the law was officially overturned by the Riverside County Superior Court, making writing lethal prescriptions for the terminally ill patients illegal again in California.
After a tense two weeks, on June 15, the 4th District Court of Appeals issued a stay on the lower court ruling. The law has been temporarily reinstated while this court considers the case. While the recent legal battle has been a source of confusion and frustration for terminally ill Californians and their physicians, the eventual fate of this law remains unresolved. Even if there are no additional attempts to invalidate the law, it will “sunset” in 2026. Without further legislative action medical aid-in-dying will disappear from California yet again.
Legal battles are nothing new for proponents of medical aid-in-dying and conservative groups will continue to file suits fighting such legislation. Opponents remain adamant that despite safeguards, medical aid-in-dying laws put the elderly and the dying at risk for coercion to end their lives. Some groups oppose any artificial shortening of a patient’s life, no matter the reason. Others feel that an early death isn’t the answer to suffering, but that more resources for palliative care and hospice are more practical solutions.
Since Oregon first considered its Death with Dignity legislation in the early 1990s, multiple legal standoffs have taken place in states with medical aid-in-dying laws. Such cases are time consuming, but largely unsuccessful. While most cases have been from right to life groups focused on invalidating aid-in-dying laws, a recent case against UCSF shows that legal challenges will come from multiple fronts. Despite months of expressing interest in lethal medications, Judy Dale died one day shy of meeting the law’s requirements. Her family sued UC San Francisco, arguing that the law’s allowance for physicians to refuse to participate led to their mother’s undue suffering at her death. The courts will continue to be the battleground for both sides of this controversial matter.
What it is like to be a prescribing physician? Please check out two moving stories: one from Dr. Catherine Forest, and another by geriatrician, Marina Martin, MD. For more information and annual reports on the California End of Life Option Act, check out the California Department of Public Health.
California’s law is meant to honor patients’ desires to die with dignity, allowing them to exert a little control at the end of their lives. A recent poll found that Californians overwhelmingly support access to physician aid-in-dying. Each year, more states consider their own right-to-die legislation and it seems unlikely the public opinion will turn against it. Americans have struggled for many decades to address the needs of the dying and this legislation is just one component of a holistic, patient centered approach to this important and personal healthcare matter. Dying patients deserve better than to be taken for a ride by the legal system in their final days and I hope that one day, we will have long term resolution of this law so that Californians who choose to use it may rest in peace.

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