Background: Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare life-threatening anesthetic emergency. With respect to the high fatality rate, difficulty in early recognition, and the lack of disease-specific drug (ie, dantrolene) in China, more effort is needed to strengthen early diagnosis and effective treatment of MH emergencies. Nowadays, mobile health (mHealth) apps are changing the way of medical practice; they can serve as an accessible tool to help anesthesiologists deal with MH crises. However, no related mHealth-based emergency system is available currently.
Objective: The aim of this study is to outline the protocol for the development of a WeChat applet used to design a National Remote Emergency System for Malignant Hyperthermia (MH-NRES) in China, as well as the protocol for the evaluation of the user experience and perception of the system.
Methods: The system adopts the client-server architecture, with a custom user interface operating as clients and the back-end system operating as the server. The client-side software was developed using uni-app technology with Vue.js-based framework, which consists of 6 modules: Quick Diagnosis, Dantrolene Mobilization, Instruction on Dantrolene Use, MH Treatment, Recovery Period Treatment, and DNA Test and Biopsy. The back-end system was developed based on the Spring framework. The system will be evaluated by administrating a modified user version of the Mobile App Rating Scale. Pilot testing will be conducted in Sichuan Province, China, and a subsequent evaluation on a national scale is planned.
Results: The theoretical framework design of this system was completed in August 2021. The development of the system was completed in February 2022, and the refinement is currently ongoing. Pilot testing after the implementation of the system in Sichuan Province is planned to take 2 months, and the subsequent evaluation on a national scale is planned to take 2 months.
Conclusions: We have described a novel approach using the WeChat applet to develop the MH-NRES. Findings from the usability testing process in the current study may lead to refinements and is expected to suggest that this system is both feasible and welcomed by anesthesiologists. Depending on the availability of research funding, this system will be extended nationally across China.
International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/37084
Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a progressive life-threatening pharmacogenetic disorder of skeletal muscle occurring during general anesthesia. MH is usually triggered by exposure to any of the potent inhalational anesthetics or succinylcholine [, ]. It is manifested by sustained skeletal muscle hypermetabolism related to altered calcium homeostasis [ ]. MH is a rare anesthetic emergency. The incidence of MH reactions has been estimated to range from 1 per 10,000 to 1 per 150,000 general anesthetic procedures [ , ]. Nevertheless, MH should not be neglected as it is a fatal medical emergency in the operating room. However, the diagnosis of an acute MH reaction can be difficult because of the nonspecific nature and variable incidence of many of the clinical signs and laboratory findings [ ]. Anesthesiologists need to recognize it in its early stages and begin appropriate management without any delay [ ]. In China, there has been increased recognition and publication of MH cases in recent years [ - ]. Over the past 35 years, a reported total of 136 MH events occurred in mainland China according to data from the nonprofit academic organization China MH Emergency Assistance Group [ ]. However, knowledge about the recognition and management of MH is still lacking among anesthesiologists [ ]. The mortality rate of MH was as high as 55.9% [ ], which was similar to the range reported in the pre-dantrolene era in the United States [ ]. More effort is needed to strengthen early diagnosis and effective treatment of MH cases in the Chinese medical community, especially among anesthesiologists.
Furthermore, the lack of intravenous (IV) dantrolene in most Chinese hospitals is the major limitation in MH treatment . Dantrolene is the only disease-specific drug available for MH. The fatality rate of MH has dropped from 70% in the 1970s to 9.5% after IV dantrolene became commercially available in the United State in 1981, according to a report from the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS) [ ]. Nevertheless, few hospitals in China stored IV dantrolene because the imported IV dantrolene was not on the list of government-approved drugs in China in the past. To address this problem, domestic IV dantrolene was produced by a Chinese pharmaceutical company (Livzon Pharmaceutical Group Co) and approved by the Chinese Food and Drug Administration in 2020. However, it is difficult for IV dantrolene to be stocked in all Chinese hospitals where general anesthesia is performed because of the low incidence and poor awareness of MH and the high cost of dantrolene. A more realistic solution would be that IV dantrolene is stored in a portion of the major hospitals within a reasonable distance and mobilized as soon as possible when an MH emergency occurs.
In recent years, as smartphones have become widely used in China, mobile health (mHealth) apps are changing the way of medical practice. Given the high fatality rate of MH and lack of information among anesthesiologists in China, it is necessary to implement a national remote emergency system for MH. However, no mHealth apps that can help anesthesiologists deal with MH crises were available until now. We planned to develop this system as an applet of the WeChat app. This would have several benefits. First, WeChat is an extremely popular social app in China . By 2016, WeChat was installed in more than 94% of smartphones in China. When needed, anesthesiologists could find this system quickly by searching for this applet in WeChat without taking time to download a new app. Second, the applet in WeChat is easy to operate and can offer multiple functions, such as text and voice messages, free voice and video calls, group chats, and subscription to public accounts. Therefore, this WeChat applet might have the potential to help anesthesiologists improve the management of MH in emergency situations.
The primary aim of this paper is to outline the protocol for the development of a WeChat applet used to design the National Remote Emergency System for Malignant Hyperthermia (MH-NRES), a free mHealth WeChat applet providing a paperless, user-friendly solution for quick diagnosis, the rapid initiation of MH treatment, and dantrolene mobilization. The secondary aim of the paper is to describe the protocol for the evaluation of the user experience and perception of the system.
Software System Development
Basic Applet Conception
We built the MH-NRES as an applet of WeChat. We took into account several important considerations of the design. First, the applet should ensure quick access without the hindrances of registration and authorization (not exceeding >1 minute). Second, the system needs to be user friendly with ease for quick data entry (not exceeding >2 minutes). Third, the accuracy of all MH-related medical knowledge should be ensured. Fourth, there needs to be a back-end server that stores the data for future analysis. Finally, all information related to MH must be presented in a way that is easily read and interpreted.
The system adopts the client-server architecture, with a custom user interface (UI) operating as clients (service requesters) and the back-end system operating as the server (service provider) to securely store the data.
The client-side software was developed using uni-app technology. Uni-app is a Vue.js-based framework for software developers, with good cross-platform compatibility (ability to work on multiple operating systems; eg, it supports Android, iOS, H5, and multiple applet formats). The Vue.js-based framework features application programming interfaces, which only focuses on view layers. It simplifies the integration with third-party databases or existing projects. The interactive UI of the system uses ColorUI (version 2.1.6; Xiaogang Wen). ColorUI is a highly customizable Cascading Style Sheets styles gallery, providing common elements and components that can be integrated into other elements or components.
The back-end system was developed based on the Spring framework. Spring is an open-source app framework on the Java platform that includes containers with the inversion of control characteristics and provides a series of solutions for development. The app server follows the hierarchical structure of SpringBoot—Data Access Object, Service, and Controller. The Controller layer allows the client side to implement logic task by accessing the application programming interfaces. We used a widely used database management system called Oracle database to capture, query, and administer the data collected by the applet. As a general database system, it has complete data management functions.
The theoretical framework design of UI used MindMaster Software (version 9.0.4; Yitu Software). The UI was designed to be user friendly with little-to-no training time. The content is written in Chinese. The UI provides forms with checkboxes, radio buttons, text-input boxes, and numeric sliders to make data input quick and simple. This system permits access to all anesthesiologists (and is not limited to anesthesiologists). When opening the applet, the user is asked to log in with their smartphone number and dynamic certification code and provide the purpose of this log-in (review or an encounter with a suspected MH patient). The back-end server will store this information which would facilitate the data tracking of suspected MH cases and subsequently the establishment of the database. There are 6 major modules visibly placed on the home page including Quick Diagnosis, Dantrolene Mobilization, Instruction on Dantrolene Use, MH Treatment, Recovery Period Treatment, and DNA Test and Biopsy (A).
The Quick Diagnosis forum is the most prominent part on the home page, which can be quickly seen by users. Users can make a quick diagnosis by self-diagnosing according to the Scoring Rule for the MH Clinical Grading Scale [, ] ( B). The Clinical Grading Scale provides the qualitative likelihood of an MH event, which consists of 7 categories: rigidity, muscle breakdown, respiratory acidosis, temperature increase, cardiac involvement, family history, and other indicators. Each category corresponds to several clinical indicators. Users can use the checkboxes to select each present clinical indicator, and all inputs are stored on the server and accessible to the user for re-evaluation. Points are assigned for each present clinical indicator—if more than 1 indicator represents a single category, only the indicator with the highest score is counted; these points are then added to produce a raw score. The raw score was designed to be translated into an MH rank designating the risk of MH occurring, from 1 (almost never) to 6 (almost certain; ). Different MH ranks corresponds to different intervention recommendations (an example of MH rank 5 and the corresponding recommendation is shown in C). For MH ranks 1 and 2, the recommendation is “Re-evaluation” or “Differential Diagnosis”; for MH rank 3, the recommendation is “Re-evaluation” and to observe the patients closely; for MH ranks 4 to 6, a sparkling “SOS” will emerge to alert the anesthesiologists of a highly likely MH crisis, and “MH Treatment,” “Dantrolene Mobilization,” and “Dantrolene Use” are recommended. The texts of “Re-evaluation,” “Differential Diagnosis,” “MH Treatment,” “Dantrolene Mobilization,” and “Dantrolene Use” were designed as tabs hyperlinked to new UIs to give the users detailed information. After self-diagnosing, alternatively, anesthesiologists can ask for help from experts either through the experts’ hotline or by contacting the administrator (LT) to join the China MH Emergency Assistance WeChat Group.
If the likelihood of an MH event is graded at ranks 4-6, then dantrolene administration is the most important intervention. Users could use the function of Dantrolene Mobilization when dantrolene is not available in their hospital. In this forum, dantrolene could be mobilized in 3 steps (D). Step 1 involves calculating the minimum number of dantrolene vials needed according to the formula. The minimum dose corresponds to the initial dose administrated (1 mg/kg for Asian people based on actual bodyweight) [ ]. Step 2 involves finding the appropriate drug suppliers. A list of the nationwide drug suppliers (hospitals or pharmaceutical companies) with available preparations was established. The information of the suppliers’ name and location, the distance away from the user’s hospital, the amount of the drug in stock, and contact telephone number were collected and presented. We established the following rules to order the drug suppliers displayed in the UI: (1) the shortest distance away from the users’ hospital, and (2) the amount of the drug in stock exceeding the minimum initial dosage. According to the geographical location of the users and the quantity of dantrolene needed, the institutions that can provide dantrolene are intelligently selected and displayed in order. Step 3 involves selecting an institution and dialing the contact number to start dantrolene mobilization.
Instruction on Dantrolene Use
This forum provides information on how to use dantrolene. The instruction on dantrolene use is based on the Malignant hyperthermia 2020 Guideline from the Association of Anesthetists  and the drug direction of the domestic dantrolene sodium injection produced by Livzon Pharmaceutical Group Co. The UI consists of 5 parts: Preparation of Dantrolene, Dantrolene for Acute MH Reaction, Dantrolene for MH Recurrence, Treatment Goals, and Side Effects ( E). Each part is hyperlinked to the corresponding text description when clicked by the users [ ] ( ).
According to the principles of treatment, this forum lists the management protocol of an MH emergency (eg, administer dantrolene, notify the surgeon, discontinue triggering agents, optimize oxygenation and ventilation, etc;F). Each intervention is a tab hyperlinked to a new UI to give the users detailed information [ ] ( ).
Recovery Period Treatment
This forum consists of 3 parts: Monitoring, Clinical Signs for Recurrence, and Dantrolene for MH Recurrence. Each part is a tab hyperlinked to a new UI to give the users detailed information  ( ).
DNA Test and Biopsy
This forum provides diagnostic services for suspected MH patients and their family. There are 2 options for the investigation of MH susceptibility . The first option is DNA screening, which is relatively cheap, minimally invasive, and convenient for the patients. The “DNA Test” part provides users with the information of the available centers for DNA testing and instructions for blood sampling. Notably, DNA screening only has approximately 50% sensitivity for detecting MH susceptibility [ ]. A definitive diagnosis of MH susceptibility relies on specialized tests carried out on freshly excised muscle strips taken from open biopsy (the in vitro contracture test) [ ]. Unfortunately, the muscle biopsy test is not conducted in China, so the “Biopsy” part only provides users with some theoretical knowledge about biopsy.
Evaluation of the MH-NRES
Modified User Version of the Mobile App Rating Scale
After the development of a fully functional smartphone-based prototype, usability testing of this system will be conducted with a modified user version of the Mobile App Rating Scale (uMARS) in 2 stages. The app interface designs will be trialed with anesthesiologists. The first stage is a pilot test that will be conducted by informal user reviews from 20 members of the Anesthesiology Committee of Sichuan Medical Association in Sichuan Province. The second stage is a nationwide sample survey. The target participants are 20 anesthesiologists working in the top 10 Chinese university–affiliated hospitals of anesthesiology. The uMARS is derived from the Mobile App Rating Scale and is a validated mobile app evaluation tool that has been used extensively to rate the quality of medical apps . The original version of uMARS comprises the following 3 domains to evaluate an app using a Likert-type rating scale: (1) quality score, which examines engagement, functionality, aesthetics, and content information; (2) subjective quality, which questions the likelihood of recommending the app to others, use in the future, overall rating, etc; and (3) behavior change, which assesses the perceived impacts on knowledge, attitude, awareness, and behavior [ ]. The modified uMARS comprises 25 questions by retaining those questions that are relevant to the current applet. Since the applet was designed to be used as an aid when an adverse anesthetic event (clinical MH) occurs, we excluded the items evaluating entertainment and interest in the engagement domain. As the applet is free and a nonprofit property, we excluded the question “Would you pay for this applet?” Moreover, user perceptions will be collected with 2 open-ended questions: (1) If you decide to use or not use this app, what are the possible reasons for it? and (2) What improvements do you want to see in future versions of the app? ( )
SPSS statistical software (version 23.0; IBM Corp) will be used for all quantitative data analysis including participant demographic data and the subscales and total scores of the uMARS. Descriptive statistics will be used to show continuous variables as mean (SD) and categorical variables as frequency and percentage. The open-ended questions will be reviewed by 2 researchers (HY and LT) independently. Qualitative data will be organized into meaningful groups by combining similar patterns into themes.
Quality control strategies are being implemented. The principal investigator (XD) works closely with research staff in the applet design, development, and evaluation process. Team meetings are conducted every 1 or 2 weeks for progress updates and problem-solving. Discussion and debriefing are conducted promptly if needed. All the knowledge about MH in this system is derived from the Malignant hyperthermia 2020 Guideline from the Association of Anesthetists  in China and the UpToDate website [ ].
The trial was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (as revised in 2013). This trial was approved by the Institutional Review Board of West China Hospital of Sichuan University on November 11, 2021 (Ethical number: 2021-1446). All data will be treated anonymously to protect personal privacy. Private information such as patients’ name and ID number will not be input during any operating steps. If the experts’ hotline is initiated, only the patient’s hospital will be disclosed. Informed consent will be sought from patients before subsequent gene diagnosis, family counseling, and MH database construction.
The theoretical framework design of this system was completed in August 2021. The development of the system was completed in February 2022, and the refinement is currently ongoing. Pilot testing after the implementation of the system in Sichuan Province is planned to take 2 months, and the subsequent survey on a national scale is planned to take 2 months. The project is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (72074162).
Comparison With Prior Work
MH is a rare life-threatening anesthetic emergency, which has been found to occur worldwide including in China. The current status of MH in mainland China is still not optimistic as problems regarding the underestimation of the incidence, poor recognition and diagnosis, and the lack of specific treatment still exist . This study will provide valuable information on the development and evaluation of the MH-NRES, which is aimed at providing a real-time and effective emergency system to help Chinese anesthesiologists deal with MH crises.
In the United States, a nonprofit organization, MHAUS, provides a 24-hour MH hotline to give real-time advice to professionals in handling MH crises. However, this approach may not be suitable for Chinese users. First, the language barrier cannot be ignored. Second, a hotline is not as readily available in the operating room as smartphone apps. Third, it cannot support the dantrolene mobilization that is practical and necessary in China. Nevertheless, Chinese experts have made a lot of efforts to improve the management of MH. A WeChat chat group (China MH Emergency Assistance Group) was established in 2015. This chat group is composed of MH experts from large academic medical centers and anesthesiologists from different levels of hospitals in China. However, it has some limitations. First, this group can only accommodate 500 members from 300 hospitals with many grassroots hospitals excluded. Second, the system highly relies on real-time direction from experts, but the help-seeking message might be obscured by other irrelevant messages. Third, anesthesiologists need to filter the suitable information from a large number of expert suggestions, which may be time-consuming and beyond their ability. Compared to the MHAUS and China MH Emergency Assistance Group, the MH-NRES might be a more effective real-time emergency system for MH in China. The MH-NRES is available for free and can be accessed quickly by all anesthesiologists. The system provides standard and evidence-based knowledge of MH and updated, real-world information of the amount of dantrolene in stock. The use of this system can assist anesthesiologists in China to make rapid diagnosis, implement effective management, initiate dantrolene mobilization in real time when MH cases occur, and provide subsequent gene diagnostic services and family counseling. The results from the user evaluation in this study will improve future versions of the system. The long-term impact of this system is expected to be beneficial, as it could increase anesthesiologists’ ability to deal with MH crises, increase dantrolene use, and consequently improve the prognosis of MH patients.
Strengths and Limitations
The WeChat applet–based MH-NRES is different from other mHealth-based emergency system of MH (ie, the WeChat help groups) in China. First, besides providing direction to the experts’ hotline, this system can guide anesthesiologists to conduct self-diagnosis and manage MH. Second, it displays all service types without requiring specific user identification, and there is no limitation to the number of people online. Third, this study provides a guide to the architecture and framework for developing a national remote emergency system, which can be applied to design similar systems for other clinical emergencies. Fourth, the data collected by the system are helpful to building the first national MH database and obtaining a better estimate of the incidence of MH in China. With respect to the limitations, we expect that the results from the evaluation of user experience and perception could help us improve future versions of the system.
We have described a novel approach using the WeChat applet to develop the MH-NRES. Findings from the usability testing process in this study may lead to refinements and is expected to suggest that this system is both feasible and welcomed by anesthesiologists. Depending on the availability of research funding, this system will be extended nationally across China.
We thank Wenyu Kui and his team for their assistance in the development and promotion of the applet. The project is funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (72074162).
XD is the principal investigator and responsible for the overall management of this study. XD, HY, LT, YT, YZ, and TZ conceived the study and were involved in the initial study design. KX and JY contributed to the development of the WeChat applet. HY completed the first draft of the manuscript. XD and ZX revised the manuscript. All authors contributed to reviewing the protocol and approving the final manuscript.
Conflicts of Interest
Clinical indicators for use in determining the Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) raw score and the corresponding MH rank.DOCX File , 19 KB
Mapping of the Instruction on Dantrolene Use forum.DOCX File , 15 KB
Mapping of the Malignant Hyperthermia Treatment forum.DOCX File , 18 KB
Mapping of the Recovery Period Treatment forum.DOCX File , 15 KB
Modified user version of the Mobile Application Rating Scale (uMARS).DOCX File , 27 KB
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|MH: malignant hyperthermia|
|MH-NRES: National Remote Emergency System for Malignant Hyperthermia|
|MHAUS: Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States|
|mHealth: mobile health|
|UI: user interface|
|uMARS: user version of the Mobile App Rating Scale|
Edited by T Leung; submitted 06.02.22; peer-reviewed by A Mahnke, H Liu; comments to author 09.05.22; revised version received 14.05.22; accepted 17.05.22; published 10.06.22Copyright
©Hong Yu, Lingcan Tan, Yi Teng, Zhao Xu, Kun Xiao, Jin Yin, Yunxia Zuo, Tao Zhu, Xiaoqian Deng. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (https://www.researchprotocols.org), 10.06.2022.
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in JMIR Research Protocols, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic information, a link to the original publication on https://www.researchprotocols.org, as well as this copyright and license information must be included.


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The Surface Solutions Segment generated 23 % and 33 % of its total sales in the general industries and in the tooling market, respectively. The general industries market is served under the Oerlikon Balzers and Oerlikon Metco competence brands. Oerlikon Metco’s thermal spray solutions are applied in industries such as metals processing, heavy machinery, medicine and electronics.
Under the Oerlikon Balzers’ brand, a wide range of coatings for industrial solutions are offered by its BALINIT and BALIQ families. Each solution provides the type of hardness, strength, thickness/ thinness, wear and friction protection, etc., tailored for the exacting specific industrial applications. In 2016, the Segment served over 30 000 customers in automotive and industrial solutions, and won new customers in China and the USA.
In the tooling industry, the Segment’s coating solutions help increase the productivity of tools, resulting in longer lifetimes and reduced maintenance. Despite the weakness of the tooling market, the Segment managed to outperform peers in 2016 and increase its market share in tooling services. To meet increasing demand for reconditioning of tools, it extended the service capacity at its regrinding centers in Argentina, China and India. The Segment also continued to invest in developing new and improved coating equipment such as INNOVENTA MEGA® – coating system for large production capacities, INGENIA S3p® – coating system for precise, small batch sizes and proprietary coatings with S3p (scalable pulsed power plasma) and BALINIT HARD CARBON – coating for machining of non-ferrous metals.
Oerlikon is a market leader with deep expertise in advanced materials, post processing surface solutions and engineering competencies. Combined with its global service network and strong customer relations in the above-mentioned industries, Oerlikon is well positioned to drive the industrialization of AM as an integrated service provider. In 2016, Oerlikon acquired citim to complement its additive production capabilities in Europe and the USA. It is also building a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Michigan, USA, to produce advanced materials also for AM applications. In addition, Oerlikon is conducting an R&D project for a US energy company using AM technology in solar turbine applications, and has launched a new thermal spray system platform that enables automated powder-fed AM and coating processes. Oerlikon joined America Makes and partnered with the Shanghai Additive Manufacturing Association to advance this technology and make it part of mainstream manufacturing.
The construction sector represented 25 % of the Drive Systems Segment’s total sales in 2016. The Segment serves key market players in this industry such as Caterpillar, one of the world’s largest construction machinery companies. Its strengths include long years of experience in developing driveline solutions and its engineering competencies for hydraulic, mechanical and electric drive applications.
In 2016, the Segment partnered with Ashwoods Electric Motors Ltd. to develop a compact, high efficiency electric drive system, which consists of a planetary drive integrated with an electric motor. The current solutions used in off-highway vehicles commonly utilize large, heavy and inefficient brushed DC or induction motors coupled to a planetary gearbox – and present a number of challenges to vehicle designers, such as limited vehicle range, limited space around the motor/drivetrain and motor durability. The new, integrated system uses an Oerlikon Torque Hub® planetary drive and Ashwoods’ first-to-market Interior Permanent Magnet Motor. These products are integrated and incorporate a brake solution to eliminate redundant components.
In 2016, the energy sector contributed 7 % of sales in the Surface Solutions Segment, and 6 % of sales in the Drive Systems Segment.
Oerlikon’s innovative coatings enable turbines, hydroelectric plants and drilling equipment to withstand extreme temperature, pressure and friction. Oerlikon Balzers’ BALINIT coatings and heat treatment solutions help prevent wear in steam and wind turbine blades. Oerlikon Metco’s surface solutions are essential in turbine blades, and for valves, riser systems and blowout preventers used in oil and gas exploration. Oerlikon Metco is working closely with original equipment manufacturers in the power generation sector on tailored materials and advanced equipment technology (cascaded plasma) to achieve efficiency gains. The Drive Systems Segment technologies are mainly adopted in the oil & gas and mining sectors, such as gears and drives for mud and fracking pumps, marine winches, hoists and jack-up rigs.


text:
In 1823, U.S. president James Monroe stated his Monroe Doctrine. It was issued at a time when most of Latin America had just become independent.
Monroe’s foreign policy statement warned that the United States would not tolerate new colonization of the Americas by European powers.
In years to come, it came to mean something more: that the United States had the right to reign supreme over Latin America.
President Theodore Roosevelt made this position explicit with his Roosevelt Corollary of 1904. It inferred from the Monroe Doctrine that the United States had a duty at times to intervene in Latin American affairs:
Chronic wrongdoing, or an impotence which results in a general loosening of ties of civilized society, may force the United States, however, reluctantly, in flagrant cases of such wrongdoing or impotence, to the exercise of an international police power.
Not surprisingly, Latin Americans viewed both the Monroe Doctrine and the Roosevelt Corollary with distaste and alarm. Too often, these principles seemed like thin disguises for a policy of “might makes right.”

domain: history


text:
Why Now Would Be The Best Time To Buy A Car
While dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic one of the last things you are thinking about doing is purchasing a car, but actually it's a good time to consider to make a purchase.
According to Yahoo Finance, Rick Newman said just like any other business right now the auto industry is suffering as sales in April were down forty-six percent to a 50 year low.
Right here in Texas car dealerships are considered an essential business so you know what mean right?
Dealerships are having some amazing offers and are more than willing to go that extra mile to see you drive off their lot with your dream car.
Some dealerships are even accommodating potential customers as some dealerships are closed and the fear of actually going to them deals are now being conducted by phone and online and a face to face meeting is only required when test driving a vehicle, picking one up or having it delivered.
Alex Flores, who is the General Manager of Capitol Chevrolet in Austin also mentioned to Newman that even after the COVID-19 pandemic passes things will not be the same.
I think it’s going to change the car business forever. We’re doing Internet, email, texting, Zoom meetings, bringing cars to people's homes. We always want to make an appointment in person, but now we’re changing our mindset.
Would you consider buying a car during the COVID-19 pandemic?
10 Really Cool (And Kind Of Wacky) Things For Sale On Facebook Marketplace in East Texas

domain: news


text:
Večer Disillusioned with EU Staffing
Maribor, 21 July - The daily Večer writes about the alienation of EU elites from the ordinary people in response to outgoing PM Alanka Bratušek indicating her desire to become Slovenia's new European commissioner.
The rest of this news item is available to subscribers.
The news item consists of 1.105 characters (without spaces) or 225 words words.
Buy the news item. Price: 2 tokens; on account: 0 tokens.


text:
so i finally got around to posting my single track commute to work a week before my shop closes. 5 miles of rad single track with about 500’ of climbing and 1500’ of descents. the opposite on the way home. this trail starts about 6 blocks from my house. don’t mind the first picture. i look ridiculous for some reason, bad expression.
jealous. i would love to commute off road
son of a bitch.
I thought I would have one of the best commutes on the forum - but that one is certainly better than mine. I’ll get pics of mine soon, it contains around two miles of optional singletrack/rail trail sections and a bmx dirt track (used to be two but they bulldozed one of them).
my commute is in a city.
Yeah, my commute looks like this:
I guess what im getting at is fuck you.
k-brigade’s commute looks like rusty
(i know it is rusty poastin but whatevs)

domain: geography


text:
Amoret Lace Up Black Long Sleeve Top - A gorgeous long line top with a gorgeous lace up section at the front. The large eyelet detailing across the front gives this top a great eye-catching look. Super flattering, this long sleeve top fastens at the back with a button. The high neck is comfortable due to the control of the lacing at the front. Great for an interesting day look, but can easily be dressed up for a killer night time outfit.
Fabric Content: 95% Cotton, 5% Elastane.
Approximate sizes are as follows:
|Small||UK Size 10|
|Medium||UK Size 12|
|Large||UK Size 14|
|X-Large||UK Size 16|
|XXLarge||UK Size 18|

domain: design


text:
NETBALL Australia is set to announce a new short-term TV arrangement just nine days out from the start of its international season, having struggled to find a replacement for Network Ten since its four-year contract expired after the ANZ Championships grand final in July.
Fears that there would be no coverage - free-to-air or otherwise - of Sunday week's Test between the world champion Diamonds and arch-rival New Zealand were allayed yesterday by NA chief executive Kate Palmer, who said: ''It will be shown live on television in Australia, but I can't really say much more about it at this stage.''
A crowd of about 10,000 is expected at Hisense Arena for the first of three Tests between the Diamonds and NZ.
A quad series that includes England and South Africa is scheduled for October, and Palmer confirmed that a new three-year deal covering the trans-Tasman league, as well as international matches, was also close to being revealed.
After a one-season cameo from Foxtel, which is rumoured to be the frontrunner again this time, Ten agreed to a rights deal with NA in 2009. Initially, every match was telecast live on either Ten or ONE-HD, but the coverage had been pared back to a four-hour block on Sundays by the time it ended in July.
■Melbourne Vixens goaler Kate Beveridge appears set to return to her home state to join the West Coast Fever next season. Beveridge, 27, won a premiership with the Adelaide Thunderbirds in 2009 before joining the Vixens last year.


text:
The weather, here in Glasgow, was very warm and sunny in the final couple of weeks in the month of June. As such, I was disinclined to sit indoors at the keyboard churning out lengthy and analytical pieces with which to bore you rigid, and instead I came up with a look at some big hit singles which otherwise wouldn’t normally feature. But then, over the weekend, two e-mails dropped in with stuff for guest postings and by good fortune offered the possibility of four pieces, which is why the remainder of this week will be a JC-free zone. The big hit singles mini-series will likely be here this time next week.
Oh, and I’m typing this looking out to a sky that is more January than July. One thing is always certain here in Glasgow and that’s that you can never predict the weather with any certainty.
Here’s my stand-up comedian friend to entertain you:-
Elaine Paige Can Get to France : (A cool AF tribute to Musical Theatre)
ACT ONE of a guest posting by STEVE McLEAN
I love musicals. Musicals are fun. They’re big, loud and pompous, and they’re very accessible for people who don’t usually go to the theatre. There’s one thing that musicals are not and never will be however, and that is cool. Not even the Rocky Horror Show can cut it as cool these days. The RHS is perhaps formerly cool, but the taboo 1970s subject matter has dulled somewhat and while it still maintains a cult status, so does Russ Meyer. Admit it, middle-aged men in ladies underwear is really just a search history that needs clearing.
There’s a naffness that goes hand in hand with show tunes, especially the versions the hit the charts. Artists of the 50s through to the 80s often visited the hit parade belting out something from Cats or Starlight or Spies like Us, The Musical (the last one I made up, but you know, dream it and it will happen). But why should Elaine Paige or Michael Crawford or Philip Schofield have all the drama school fun? You’d forgotten that The Schofe played Joseph and had a top 30 hit with Close Every Door, hadn’t you? I hadn’t. It plagues me to this day.
I’ve assembled a list here of great show tunes being played by acts so cool they’d make Sinatra look like Eugene from Grease….. Elaine Paige can get to France.
Let the Sunshine In – Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger and the Trinity (From the musical Hair)
Gonna start off big. Julie Driscoll, darling of the 1960s R&B Mod set teamed up with Brian Auger and The Trinity to produce one of the most needlessly wordy band names of the decade (no one is buying these records for The Trinity guys, you’re just lying to yourselves) However they also produced a tip-top version of Let The Sunshine In (from Hair). They stripped out all of the pomp to reveal that the song is still a belter without the teeth and tits. It’s a solid keyboard driven jazz psych rocker (I hate myself for that phrase). I’ll speak more about Hair later but for now just lose yourself in this song. It’s all tilted camera zooms, bead necklaces, miniskirts and kinky boots. The keyboard solo kicks backside and Driscoll sings circles around the song too. ‘Sealed with a righteous kiss”
I’ll Never Fall In Love Again – Deacon Blue (from the musical Promises, Promises)
I chose the Deacon Blue version as I feel we don’t hear enough of them these days. Dionne Warwick‘s version is probably my favourite but this works very well slowed down and delivered with the Ricky Ross singing whisper (listen up Stuart Murdoch, it was his first and best..)
A Bacharach & David standard, it was written for the musical Promises, Promises (Neil Simon) which was an adaption of Billy Wilder’s The Apartment. When people complain that ‘everything gets made into a musical these days’ remind them it has always happened but they at least had the decency to change the titles. If this was still in practice then the forthcoming Back to the Future musical might be called Time Traveling, Mum Shagging Teenager from Suburbia. (Dream it and it will happen).
I Got Rhythm – Brian Wilson (from the musical Girl Crazy)
Brian turns this finger clicker into a sweet surfing number and it really suits the song. The best version is probably Fozzie and Rolf from the Muppets but this is up there.
It’s from the Gershwin show Girl Crazy which in these modern times is probably both sexist and a mental health micro aggression but back on the 1930s it was mainly about working on a ranch that employed showgirls… showGIRLS working a ranch? That’s CRAZY! And boom! We have a title.
The musical has been filmed a couple times with notable story changes. The most peculiar seems to be a version featuring Herman’s Hermits, Sam Sham and the Pharaohs and Liberace that was re-titled ‘When Boys Meets Girls’ which seems a lot less exciting.
Send in the Clowns – Grace Jones (from the musical A Little Night Music)
Just admit that you know this tune best from a Simpsons episode, you god damned fucking heathen. Seriously though Krusty the Klown makes a fine mockery of the 1970s US TV special that carried on until the 1990s before people realised it was just orchestra karaoke.
It’s from the show A Little Night Music which I’ve not seen but the best I can work out it’s a creepy story about some kind of Bill Wyman / Mandy Smith relationship.
There’s some side show with a jealous son and horny housekeeper. It sounds like a fucking Benny Hill episode.
This song itself sure is beautiful but let’s be honest, the Judy Collins or Sinatra or Streisand versions are dreary as fuck. Grace Jones kicks the song in the balls and sticks some cracking 80s synths on it. I don’t think Jones ever gets enough credit for how big her voice can be. The song is great showcase for her talents.
You’re The One That I Want – The Beautiful South (from the musical Grease)
Okay, I’m busting my cool remit here. Everyone loved the Housemartins but people had split opinions on the BS. There were those that felt they so-so and those that thought they were just okay.. This, however, is a welcome change from their 1995 One-Eff-Em fodder. It has a real sinister vibe to it. Maybe it’s just the strings but it just feels like one of them has the other in a basement chained to the wall….
The song is from Grease. I’m not going to talk about Grease, we all know it’s fucking awesome. Anyone who doesn’t think Grease is awesome is fucking liar. The whole shebang is cracking from the off. The Barry Gibb penned / Frankie Valli sung opening number, the greasy rockers, the awesome cars, Rizzo being the true star over Sandy and fan theories about it taking place in the afterlife. The ending is a bit creepy though with a terrible message to young girls to start smoking and dress in a catsuit of you want boys to like you.
Grease 2 is also awesome, some would say a far superior film. By some I mean me.
September Song – Lou Reed (from the musical Knickerbocker Holiday)
I can’t tell you much about this show but from wiki it seems like a disaster capitalist’s wet dream. The show makes a comparison of FDR’s New Deal policies to Fascism. Replace the FDR stuff with masks or vaccines or whatever some wankenstain on Twitter is banging on about and it could be right up to date. Seriously, is there anything that whack-jobs don’t equate to fascism….? Apart from actual fascism which they seem to love. This show sounds like the Daily Mail comments section set to music which has given me a great idea for my next Edinburgh Fringe show. I digress….
It’s usually quite a slow number but Lou rocks it up and then talks over it (like he does with pretty much everything he recorded after 1978).
A much more faithful version of the tune was used as the theme tune to the sitcom May to December, which was yet again about a young woman in a relationship with an old man. At some point we have to start asking questions about these songs. One of the questions certainly isn’t ‘How can I get in on this?’ no siree bob.
END OF ACT ONE.
PATRONS ARE ASKED TO RETURN TO THEIR SEATS AFTER THE INTERVAL OF 48 HOURS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SHOW.
5 thoughts on “MAMMA MIA……”
Kind of hoping Sinead O Connors Don’t Cry for Me Argentina pops up tomorrow
Joy Division’s version of Hello Dolly is also very good.
I never knew “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again” was from a musical. Fancy that!
A brilliant read! Look forward to the rest.
I hate musicals, but I enjoyed reading your commentary – hilarious!

domain: hobby


text:
Mother's or Grandmother's treasured passed down recipe....
Hey everyone...just curious to see what your most treasured passed down recipe was.
Mother's (very simple)
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 small onion
1 tbsp mustard
1 tbsp vinegar
3/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup bbq sauce
1 tbsp sugar
Cook meat and onion....drain. Add all other ingredients and let simmer for 20 minutes. Also great as a dip with chips. During the summer my parents ran the ballparks. My mother always served these at the concessions and it was the first to go. Very simple and quick to make. Everyone always ask for the recipe.
Cheese spaghetti (Goes with Roast)
Juice from Roast
Cook spaghetti...drain. Return to pot and low heat. Add cheese, chili powder, garlic, pepper, and roast from juice to taste. The key is the roast juice. Most people put milk in mac and cheese, the juice simply makes it. I never had the privilege of meeting my grandmother as she passed before I was born, however, you could always count on this with every roast made.
HOLY ORANGE COOKIES, BATMAN! My great grandmother made orange cookies when we were kids and we basically stood in the door waiting until they were cool enough to post. A few weeks ago, my 13 year old Lab Daisy passed and I went straight into cooking mode. Dug out the box and made orange cookies! God, what I have missed over the last 10+ years!
Hers was basically flour, sugar, eggs, butter (the recipe reads "SPRY") salt, oj concentrate, sour cream with baking powder mixed in and maybe a hit of baking soda in there. The frosting is butter, "XXX sugar" and more OJ concentrate.
Good God Almighty...a damn fine reason to have been a kid in the 70's.
re: Terri C
Orange Cookies 350 degrees, 10-12 minutes
2 sticks of butter
2 cups of sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup of sour cream mixed with 1 tsp of baking SODA
2 tsp of baking POWDER
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup thawed orange juice concentrate
4 cups of flour
mix the sour cream and baking soda and set aside (it will get bubbly)
cream the butter and sugar til light and fluffy
add in eggs one at a time
add orange juice concentrate
add sour cream mixture
mix flour, salt, powder and add in 1 cup at a time
drop by teaspoon on a greased cookie sheet. The edges should be golden brown and the centers sliightly puffed and a pale color. Ice while warm.
1 stick of butter, melted and cooled
3 cups confectionary sugar
orange juice concentrate to make it a thick frosting
Let me know how they are for you!
These sound similar to my great grandma's carrot cookies, but obviously without the carrots. I love them too! Will have to try out the orange cookies! I'm curious to see how similar MMRuth's are to yours.
There are so many recipes handed down from my mom, my grandma, my great grandma, my great aunts- we're big eaters and cookers in my family, so it's hard to pick just one. Of course my favorite ones never turn out just like grandma made or just like great grandma made! Still working on my family cookbook and I received 5 copies of my great grandma's banana cupcakes, so I'm assuming that was everyone's favorite!
Sounds wonderful. Does it make an incredibly large quantity? Should the icing be of a consistency to drizzle on, or spread w/ a spatula?
Sorry to hear about your Lab, I lost my 15 yr old Golden in '05 and my 7 yr old this summer.
Here's my Mom's favorite pie:
Angel Pecan Pie
3 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 ½ cups chopped pecans
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 cup cream
½ tsp almond extract
1 Tbsp. sugar
Whip egg whites until it makes very soft peaks, add sugar slowly until meringue is glossy and holds stiff peaks. Fold in vanilla, cracker crumbs, and 1 cup pecans. Fill 8 inch pie pan, pushing up the sides of the pan with a spoon to form a crust. Bake 350 for 30 minutes. When crust is cool, fill w/ whipped, sweetened and flavored cream, sprinkle w/ remaining ½ cup pecans.
Note: Since my pie plates are all 9 “ and since I prefer to use less cream, I make 1 ½ recipes, place in a 9 “ pan, and use about ½ the cream.
I'm sorry about Daisy -- I always turn to my mom's and grandfather's recipes when I need to assuage the hurt, too. :) Speaking of comfort foods, is that chicken with croutons you mention on your profile a family recipe? Would you mind posting it??? I'm looking for some cozy and creative chicken inspiration.
re: foxy fairy
sure....its one of those never fail, really hard to screw up recipes!
4 or 6 or 8 boneless skinless breasts
4 or 6 or 8 slices of sharp swiss or greyure or smoked provolone
1 or 2 cans (depending on how many breasts you use) of campbells cream of chicken or cream of mush with roasted garlic soup
1/2 or 1 can of white wine OR milk (depending on how much soup you use)
1 stick of butter (no substitutions)
1 bag of seasoned croutons (I use Rothbury Farms seasoned...I dont like the big chunky salad croutons but the smaller cubes from the old days)
put the breasts in a pyrex and lay the cheese on top. Mix the soup with the wine or milk and pour over. Bake in a 300 degree oven for 45-55 minutes, depending on the thickness of the breast. The top will get dark brown bubbles on top from the cheese melting. While the chicken bakes, melt the butter and mix in the bag of croutons. At the end of the cooking time, cover the top of the chicken with the croutons and crank the oven to 400. Let the croutons get nice and golden brown and super crunchy. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. Never, ever a piece left.
A cranberry bread (with walnuts, and some orange juice as a flavoring). According to my Mother and Grandma, this bread *must* be baked in cans (16 oz veggie cans, washed out). Charming little cylindrical loaves! But: very easy to eat a whole loaf when they're so cute!
Gotta dig that recipe out, as the holidays are coming too fast!
Oh, it was a treasure alright. Such a rare treasure that we leave it buried right were it is. ;) If you missed the aspic craze, you are lucky. The recipe is given to new family members by marriage as part of the welcoming. We are a harsh bunch I tell ya.
Lessee... neither my mom or grandmom could cook. Great grandma had a very northern potato salad recipe (she was from Sheboygan and it seems potato salad is very regional in style).
One hard cooked egg for every potato. Only celery, no onion. Lots of mayo.
my grandma's strudel. It's complicated and made with oil pastry which you do yourself not a flakey one. I will work it all out and post it, it's amazing.
Aunt Hilda's Tassies
6 oz cream cheese
1/2 lb butter
2 C flour
3 eggs beaten
1-1/2 C brn sugar
3T melted butter
1C ground walnuts
Cream first 3 ingredients together. Make 48 walnut size balls. Pat & shape into greased tins (Aunt Hilda used a "shtumph" (wooden stick with rounded end).
Mix Nut filling ingredients.
Fill tassies with nut filling and bake at 350 until goden brown -30-40 minutes
Serve cooled with good coffee - mmmmm mmmm
I'm happy to share them with you- they are so yummy, they won me & my siblings over back when we were kids- not exactly the date's prime audience! I hope you enjoy them as much as we did-
for the filling:
10 oz. dates, chopped
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. chopped pecans
Cook the dates, sugar, and water in a saucepan over medium heat until thick, about 10 min. Add the pecans and set aside to cool.
for the dough:
1 c. sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 c. shortening
2 c. flour, sifted
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
Cream the shortening with the sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Combine the dry ingredients and add to the shortening/sugar mixture; mix well. Divide the dough into 2 parts and roll each one out on a lightly floured board (a long rectangle-ish shape, since it will be rolled jelly-roll style after the next step). Spread each with half the date mixture. Starting from the long edge, roll dough into a log, wrap and chill until firm. Slice dough about 1/4-inch thick and bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

domain: food


Obviously, you didn't buy your EXP unless you understood you would be getting horsepower and value both rolled up into one automobile. Auto enthusiasts know that a brand you can trust is built into each Ford, and understand that only the highest quality replacement EXP parts will suffice when maintenance needs to be done. Your Ford dealership isn't the only place to find the highest quality parts to repair your EXP. It's not a regular occurrence that you find yourself in need of a replacement Door Handle for your vehicle.
Some safety features on your car or truck go completely unnoticed, though they are used every day. The outer door handles on your car or truck give you the ability to enter your vehicle from outside with a simple pull of the handle or push of a button. If you don't repair or replace your broken Ford EXP door handle, then it's likely you will have to enter your Ford EXP through the opened window. Other alternatives would be leaving your window just low enough to reach in and open the door from the inside or to simply enter through another door that has a working outer handle.
When your Ford needs a top quality replacement Door Handle, there's no need to go somewhere besides the authority, Car Parts Discount. Given all the trouble that can be involved with performing maintenance on your car or truck, let www.carpartsdiscount.com be the first place you go to make buying it easy. Procuring new Ford parts from www.carpartsdiscount.com means you are paying the lowest prices for the most superior original and aftermarket replacement EXP parts on the internet. Just choose your year from the list below to find the right Ford EXP Door Handle for your 1985, 1984, 1983 model.


PART 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS
Purpose and objectives.
Acronyms and definitions.
Applicability and relationship to other statutes and regulations.
PART 2: APPROVAL AND PERMITTING PROCESS
Subpart A - New Construction
Site review—Predesign report, soil characterization, and site inspection.
Environmental review—Site risk survey and hydrogeology report.
LOSS 14,500 gpd and below—Operating permit application and approval to construct.
LOSS greater than 14,500 gpd—Operating permit application.
LOSS greater than 14,500 gpd—Public notice.
LOSS greater than 14,500 gpd—Operating permit and approval to construct.
Subpart B - First Department Operating Permit for Existing LOSS
LOSS constructed on or before July 1, 1984.
LOSS with current permit from department of ecology or local health jurisdiction.
LOSS constructed after July 1, 1984, without current operating or discharge permit.
Subpart C - Permitted LOSS
Operating permit renewals.
Operating permit requirements and conditions.
PART 3: SITE AND ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW REQUIREMENTS
Site review—Predesign report.
Subpart B - Environmental Review
Environmental review—Site risk survey.
Environmental review—Hydrogeology report.
Subpart C - Site Standards
Minimum land area.
PART 4: ENGINEERING REQUIREMENTS
Operations and maintenance manual.
Monitoring and reporting plan.
Plans and specifications.
PART 5: CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
Installer qualifications and responsibilities.
Construction oversight and testing.
Water tightness testing of sewage tanks.
Department final inspection.
PART 6: DESIGN AND TECHNICAL STANDARDS
Subpart A - General Requirements
General design requirements.
Design requirements to allow monitoring and maintenance.
Collection, conveyance, and other piping appurtenances.
Subpart B - Specific Technologies
Public domain and proprietary technologies.
Subsurface drip systems.
Sand-lined trenches and beds.
Intermittent sand filters.
Recirculating gravel filters.
Cesspools and seepage pits.
Holding tank sewage systems.
PART 7: LOSS OPERATIONS REQUIREMENTS
Subpart A - Routine Operations
Operations and maintenance requirements.
Reliability and emergency response.
Operator qualifications and responsibilities.
Sewage tank management.
Connection to a sanitary sewer system.
PART 8: WAIVERS, ENFORCEMENT, AND APPEALS
Notice of decision, appeals, and adjudicative proceedings.
Third-party appeals to department permit decisions for LOSS over 14,500 gpd and adjudicative proceedings.


You should post this on Yellowbullet. As dumb as that sounds, you'd be amazed at the results that often come from posting such situations on there. "The power of the bullet," is no joke.
That sucks man. Everyone can see how absurd it is to void a warranty because you raced an engine like this. Obviously we don't build them to this level to look at, but it's sad to say any builder can protect themselves with this copout. Best of luck to you.
OMG... take a look over there and see what happened
---------- Post added at 06:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:05 PM ----------
Yeah, that did NOT go well for him. lol
Whatcho talkin' 'bout, Willis?
It went just fine and have a new screen name...
Jizzphuckstick... kinda has a nice ring, huh?
---------- Post added at 06:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:08 PM ----------
Well I first wouldn't put $4-6k into a POS 2v that made a whopping 321hp. He could've made that much power with a stock bottom end. Secondly, he bought the motor from Livernois and had it installed and tuned elsewhere. Who knows where the issue with the who complete build may have come from. For all we know, the person who installed the motor in the car loosened the crank bolt turning the motor over during installation. Should Livernois be held liable for some other shops mistake if that was the case? Who knows where a problem went with the engine, I don't blame Livernois at all for this. Even if the crank bolt did back out, that dampener wouldn't move cause it's pressed onto the crank. If it did somehow move the timing wheel, there would've a bad miss or other warning that something was wrong.
You build stuff, you race it, you break it, it's a cycle... sorry about the luck, shit happens. You can't just throw blame on the engine builder. This is the main reason that I build my own shit, that way if something goes wrong, I have noone to blame but myself.
Two things wrong here.... first, Griggs Racing has built/installed hundreds of motors and knows better than to negatively effect the torque of this bolt during installation. Second.... Livernois admits freely that the bolt had proper torque when they got the motor back. I understand the "too many hands" thing, but all is trumped by telling me the bolt was tight and they wanted to send out the parts for hardness tests. I have a 6 year relationship with Griggs Racing and never had problems squaring issues over the years of working together.
As mentioned over at YB, there was no advance warning. Ran perfectly fine, until it just stopped running and "rattled" to a stop as I coasted off the freeway. Was going up a very slight incline and would not accelerate. It took all of 5 seconds of wondering what was happening, bad gas or something
. After this 5 seconds, I began pulling over as I am hearing the rattle of valves against pistions. Pushed in the cluch after 6 seconds, but the damage was done.
This goes beyond not honoring a warranty, as it includes 3 months of completely avoiding me or my inquiries as to getting it repaired. Tom Millen went into hiding, in regards to my issue and would not talk to me. Only passed a few messages for my contact to share.
I realize that I have not made any new friends over this issue, actually... maybe one, and possibly even lost some repect of some. Be that as it may, I am a big boy and can take it


Prosecutor speaks at luncheon in York
The York County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees (YCPASR) recently held its annual spring luncheon at Wyndham Garden York. At the event, the 200 plus attendees witnessed the naming of the group's volunteer of the year, Helen Renner, who served over 3,000 volunteer hours. As a group, YCPASR members accumulated 21,859 volunteer hours for the year, which the state organization estimates to be worth $480,898 being put back into the community.
Following the volunteer of the year presentation, the guests heard from David W. Sunday Jr., chief deputy prosecutor at the York County District Attorney's Office. Sunday spoke about fraud prevention and offered 10 tips for seniors to avoid being the victims of fraud. This information was provided by the DA's office along with the office's regular monthly fraud alerts which are distributed by the York County Area Agency on Aging. Sunday urged all attending to familiarize themselves with the "three R's of fraud prevention": recognize, respond, report.
At the end of the meeting, the Social Service Committee announced that $740 had been collected at the luncheon and would be donated to the York County Food Bank. The food bank was the organization's focus charity for the meeting.


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HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - Two people were taken to the hospital Wednesday after an accident involving a day care van in north Harris County.
The wreck happened at around 2:08 p.m. Wednesday on Parramatta Lane at the North Freeway.
According to Harris County sheriff's deputies, the driver of a small sedan crashed into a van carrying four children who attended All Stars Day care and Preschool.
Two adults on the van were transported to Houston Northwest Medical Center for treatment. Their conditions were not known.
Three children who were on the van were transferred to another van and taken back to the daycare. A parent picked up the fourth child at the scene.
The driver of the car said he lost control going around a curve and clipped the front bumper of the van.
Copyright 2014 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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11 Pesto Varieties to Try This Summer
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
What better accompaniment to summer’s fresh tomatoes, zucchini, and peas than pesto! And not just the classic basil and pine nut variety, either. How about sun dried tomato and Aleppo pepper or pistachio and lemon? Read on for more great pesto inspiration!
Saveur put together a delicious list of pesto variations we can’t wait to try. Check out the link below – and we have our own collection of exciting pesto varieties, too:
Read More: 11 Pesto Varieties at Saveur
Related: How to Make Better Pesto
(Images: Megan Gordon)


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Karen Pence makes up new excuse for her husband's refusal to wear face mask
Karen Pence claims her husband ‘actually’ did not know about the policy of wearing masks, despite evidence to the contrary.
Karen Pence has concocted a new excuse to defend her husband ignoring guidelines at the Mayo Clinic requiring everyone to wear a face mask: She says he just didn’t know he was supposed to.
“It was actually after he left Mayo Clinic that he found out that they had a policy of asking everyone to wear a mask,” Karen Pence said Wednesday morning on Fox News when asked why her husband refused to wear a mask when he visited Minnesota’s Mayo Clinic on Tuesday to greet health care workers and patients recovering from COVID-19. He was the only person on the tour who refused to wear a mask.
“Someone who’s worked on this whole task force for over two months is not someone who would have done anything to offend anyone or hurt anyone or scare anyone,” she added.
Mike Pence is leading Donald Trump’s coronavirus task force.
When Pence was asked on Tuesday why he refused to follow the Mayo Clinic’s policy, he said he did not want to wear a mask so he would be “able to speak to these researchers, these incredible health care personnel, and look them in the eye and say thank you.”
Face masks do not cover the eyes.
After Pence’s visit, the Mayo Clinic tweeted, “Mayo Clinic had informed @VP [Pence] of the masking policy prior to his arrival today,” and then deleted the tweet with no explanation.
Steve Herman, White House bureau chief for Voice of America News, further undermined Karen Pence’s excuse, tweeting that members of the press traveling with Mike Pence “were notified by the office of @VP the day before the trip that wearing of masks was required” and to “prepare accordingly.”
Pence’s decision not to wear a mask was criticized by medical experts.
“The vast majority of individuals that we think are likely transmitters of the disease have no symptoms,” Dr. Vin Gupta, a pulmonologist and NBC contributor, told NBC News. “You basically have a bunch of people feeling great who think they don’t need to follow the rules.”
Refusing to wear a mask “highlights a lack of understanding or respect of even the most basic principles of public health,” Dr. Craig Spencer, an ER doctor and director of Global Health in Emergency Medicine at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center, tweeted on Tuesday. He also called Pence’s decision “dangerous & disrespectful.”
Donald Trump has also refused to wear a face mask in public, despite guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention saying to do so.
“So much of public health and leadership is about optics,” Gupta told NBC. All Pence did was “weaken the messaging and the strength behind” the advice to wear masks.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.
Florida Sen. Rick Scott backs Donald Trump in revived push to repeal Obamacare
More than 3 million Floridians will lose their health insurance if Scott and Trump succeed.By Jesse Valentine - November 30, 2023
Biden campaign pivots to focus on healthcare
President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign is launching a new ad today with a focus on health care costs, part of a larger push by the campaign to persuade Americans that former President Trump would revisit his attempts to do away with the Affordable Care Act if (ACA) elected to a second term.By Kim Lyons - November 30, 2023
Pumping the brakes: Ohio House Speaker dismisses effort to limit court jurisdiction on Issue 1
Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens threw cold water on a bid to thwart the recent abortion rights amendment Issue 1. Instead of attempting to deny the courts’ jurisdiction or rushing to the ballot with a repeal effort, Stephens argued lawmakers should focus on maternal and early childhood care.By Nick Evans - November 15, 2023


That’s the basis for a new project developed by Carnegie Mellon’s ever-interesting Future Interfaces Group (FIG). They’ve created a nifty interface concept that allows your regular work desk to transform into one giant touchscreen — and even compensates for your desk being cluttered. If you thought the iPad Pro was big, you ain’t seen nothing yet!
“We believe the time has come to re-imagine the light bulb as a 21st century computational appliance, illuminating our days not just with light, but information,” Professor Chris Harrison, head of FIG, told Digital Trends. “Instead of simply emitting light when a switch is flipped, why can we not emit structured light, more akin to a digital projector? Further, wherever the light may fall could become an interactive surface, infused with rich communication, creation and information retrieval capabilities. This is a low-cost, self-contained device that fits existing light fixtures: simply screw in your new ‘info-bulb’ and now your office desk or kitchen counter is an expansive multi-touch surface, able to respond to and augment your daily activities.”
The work debuted this week at the Symposium on Engineering Interactive Computing Systems. There are a few neat elements which make it particularly cool. For one, the projected augmented reality “info-bulb” manages to pull off touch sensing — while also retrofitting into standard flood bulb (BR30 LED) fittings, so it can be installed in most houses. In addition, the surfaces you can use it on don’t have to be flat, although Harrison notes that these are the most comfortable to use for prolonged periods. Finally, it includes some smart accessions to the fact that most desks aren’t simply large empty spaces by rearranging projected interface elements to avoid overlapping with your coffee mug, or even letting them “snap” to objects.
As can be seen by the video demonstration, there’s still work to be done to areas like touch tracking to make it lower latency and improve accuracy, but this is definitely one heck of an impressive demo.
“We next plan to add a regular, visible light camera to our bulb so that we can better see information in the scene, things like written text, newspaper articles, and objects,” Harrison said. “This will let us digitize information and augment it — like Google searching right on a magazine article, digitizing hand-written shopping list, or popping up photos from your phone.”
A paper describing the work can be read here.


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2003 Poinsettia Trials Coming In Early December
It’s time again for The National Poinsettia Trials, sponsored by the poinsettia breeders (Ecke Ranch, Oglevee Ltd., Fischer USA, Selecta First Class and Dummen USA). The trial dates are December 2, 2003, at Purdue University; December 4, 2003, at North Carolina State University; and December 9, 2003, at the University of Florida-Gainesville. Along with the university sites, Joe Stoffregen also conducts trials at Homewood Nursery in Raleigh, N.C.
The trials were established to provide an independent evaluation of the newest poinsettia cultivars being introduced. This makes it easier for growers because there are too many new cultivars out there for growers to adequately evaluate them all. Individual poinsettia varieties require different production procedures, so these trials are able to accommodate those differences instead of having the growers work around all of their different crops to identify the ones that work best for them. Additionally, adequately judging a cultivar takes up to 2-3 years, and uses much of the bench space that could be used for crops.
That is where the poinsettia trials come in. The trial sites can have the cultivars on the bench and ready for the growers to judge. It is a great way to pick what will work best in the greenhouse for outstanding sales during the Christmas season.
According to the trial coordinators (Jim Barrett, University of Florida-Gainesville; Allen Hammer, Purdue University; and John Dole, North Carolina State University), “We hope these trials help growers focus on which cultivars might have the best fit in their operation based on their markets and production styles.”
Look for the trial findings on the Poinsettia Zone on the GPN Web site, www.gpnmag.com, in January 2004, as well as complete trial coverage in the February 2004 issue of GPN. For more information on the trials, go to www.poinsettiatrial.org, where you can find locations, past trial data bases and much more.

domain: agronomy


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When to Plant Lily of the Valley: A Guide for Perfume and Fragrance Enthusiasts
Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) is a fragrant and delicate perennial that has been prized for centuries for its enchanting scent and beauty. If you are a perfume and fragrance enthusiast, growing your own Lily of the Valley can provide you with a sustainable source of this captivating scent. However, the key to successful cultivation is planting the bulbs at the right time. In this article, we will explore the optimal time to plant Lily of the Valley, taking into account the needs of both the plant and the fragrance connoisseur.
Understanding Lily of the Valley
Before exploring the ideal planting time, it is important to understand the botanical characteristics of Lily of the Valley. Lily of the Valley is a shade-loving perennial that thrives in well-drained, moist soil. It has arching stems with lance-shaped leaves, and its dainty bell-shaped flowers bloom in late spring or early summer. The flowers have a sweet and intoxicating fragrance that has made it a popular choice in perfumery.
Planting Lily of the Valley in Spring
Spring is generally considered the best time to plant Lily of the Valley. Ideally, you should plant the bulbs in early spring, as soon as the soil is workable and free of frost. This timing will allow the plant to establish its root system before the hot summer months arrive. Choose a location that receives partial to full shade, as direct sunlight can scorch the delicate foliage.
To plant Lily of the Valley, prepare the soil by removing any weeds and loosening it with a garden fork or trowel. Dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the bulb and its roots, usually about 4 to 6 inches deep. Place the bulb in the hole, making sure the roots are spread out and the tip of the bulb is level with the surface of the soil. Gently fill the hole with soil and tap to remove any air pockets.
Planting Lily of the Valley in Fall
While spring is the preferred time to plant Lily of the Valley, it is also possible to plant the bulbs in the fall, typically in September or October. Fall planting allows the bulbs to establish their root systems during the cooler months before spring arrives. This timing can be advantageous in regions with hot summers, as it gives the plants a head start.
To plant Lily of the Valley in the fall, follow the same steps as for spring planting. Prepare the soil, dig the hole, and place the bulbs with the roots spread out. Make sure the soil is well-drained to prevent waterlogging during the winter months. Mulching the area with a layer of organic matter can help protect the bulbs from extreme temperatures and maintain soil moisture.
Caring for Lily of the Valley
After planting Lily of the Valley, proper care is essential to ensure healthy growth and abundant fragrance. Regular watering is essential, especially during dry periods, as the plant prefers moist soil. However, it is important to avoid overwatering as excessive moisture can lead to root rot. Applying a layer of organic mulch around the plants can help conserve moisture and suppress weed growth.
Lily of the Valley is a relatively low-maintenance plant, but it benefits from occasional fertilization. Apply a well-balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring or late fall to provide essential nutrients for plant growth. In addition, remove spent flowers and yellowing foliage to maintain the plant’s overall appearance and prevent the spread of disease.
Enjoy the fragrance of Lily of the Valley
Once your Lily of the Valley plants are established and mature, you can enjoy the delightful fragrance they give off. The enchanting scent of Lily of the Valley is often described as a combination of sweet and fresh, with hints of citrus and green notes. To fully enjoy the fragrance, consider planting the bulbs near outdoor seating areas, open windows, or entryways where the scent can waft through the air.
Harvest the flowers in the morning, when their fragrance is most intense, to create your own natural perfume or potpourri. Arrange the freshly picked flowers in a vase to fill your home with their captivating scent. Remember to leave some flowers on the plants so they will continue to bloom and provide fragrance throughout the season.
In conclusion, planting Lily of the Valley can be a rewarding endeavor for perfume and fragrance enthusiasts. By understanding the optimal planting time and providing proper care, you can cultivate a fragrant garden that will delight your senses for years to come. Whether you choose to plant in spring or fall, the intoxicating scent of Lily of the Valley will undoubtedly add a touch of natural elegance to your olfactory experiences.
When should you plant lily of the valley?
Lily of the valley should be planted in the early spring or late fall. These are the best times to plant the bulbs or rhizomes of lily of the valley.
What is the ideal location for planting lily of the valley?
Lily of the valley thrives in a shady or partially shaded location. It prefers moist, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH level. It can be planted under trees, along borders, or in woodland gardens.
How should lily of the valley be planted?
To plant lily of the valley, dig a hole that is deep enough to accommodate the roots or rhizomes. Place the plant in the hole, with the roots or rhizomes spread out, and cover them with soil. Water the plant thoroughly after planting.
Can lily of the valley be grown from seeds?
While lily of the valley does produce seeds, they can be difficult to germinate and may take a long time to grow into mature plants. It is more commonly propagated through division of rhizomes or planting established potted plants.
How often should lily of the valley be watered?
Lily of the valley prefers consistently moist soil. It should be watered regularly, especially during dry periods. However, it is important to avoid overwatering, as soggy soil can lead to root rot.
Does lily of the valley require any special care?
Lily of the valley is a relatively low-maintenance plant. It benefits from a layer of organic mulch to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. It should be divided every few years to prevent overcrowding. Additionally, it is important to keep an eye out for any signs of pests or diseases and take appropriate action if necessary.


The NBA has announced that at the NBA All-Star Game will see three Nigerian superstars – Burna Boy, Tems, and Rema – perform at the halftime show of the 72nd , which will take place at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City. The NBA will also honor LeBron James for becoming the all-time scoring leader.
BeIN Sports, Canal+, and ESPN will broadcast the All-Star Game, which is scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m. ET. Global superstar Post Malone will perform a medley of hits after the in-arena NBA All-Star Draft, and Vin Diesel will welcome fans to the event.
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Grammy Award-nominated artist Jewel will sing the US national anthem, while Juno Award-winning and platinum-selling artist Jully Black will sing the Canadian national anthem.
A Utah singing group called The Bonner Family will perform the US national anthem before the 2023 Jordan Rising Stars game, scheduled to take place on Friday, February 17.
The NBA’s decision to feature these Nigerian artists during the halftime show emphasizes the growing popularity of Afrobeats music globally. Burna Boy, Tems, and Rema, celebrated artists in Nigeria and beyond, have made significant contributions to the Afrobeats genre.
The NBA All-Star Game is one of the most significant events on the basketball calendar and attracts millions of viewers worldwide. The halftime show is a major highlight of the game, and the performance by these Nigerian superstars will undoubtedly captivate viewers and bring further attention to the vibrant Afrobeats music scene.
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Robotics, Cormell University
Jacky Liang, Sherdil Niyaz, Michael Laskey, Richard Doan, Xinyu Liu, Juan Aparicio Ojea, Ken Goldberg
To reduce data collection time for deep learning of robust robotic grasp plans, we explore training from a synthetic dataset of 6.7 million point clouds, grasps, and analytic grasp metrics generated from thousands of 3D models from Dex-Net 1.0 in randomized poses on a table. We use the resulting dataset, Dex-Net 2.0, to train a Grasp Quality Convolutional Neural Network (GQ-CNN) model that rapidly predicts the probability of success of grasps from depth images, where grasps are specified as the planar position, angle, and depth of a gripper relative to an RGB-D sensor. Experiments with over 1,000 trials on an ABB YuMi comparing grasp planning methods on singulated objects suggest that a GQ-CNN trained with only synthetic data from Dex-Net 2.0 can be used to plan grasps in 0.8sec with a success rate of 93% on eight known objects with adversarial geometry and is 3x faster than registering point clouds to a precomputed dataset of objects and indexing grasps. The Dex-Net 2.0 grasp planner also has the highest success rate on a dataset of 10 novel rigid objects and achieves 99% precision (one false positive out of 69 grasps classified as robust) on a dataset of 40 novel household objects, some of which are articulated or deformable. Code, datasets, videos, and supplementary material are available at this http URL .