An apocalyptical dust storm, heavy thunderstorms and large hail swept across Iowa, damaging homes and cars.
Mother nature? Not anymore… Methodic energy induced storms with tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings for a large part of northeast Iowa.
This first video by Brett Adair with Live Storms Media shows the dust storm engulfing a car on the road followed by hail.
The storms also downed trees and caused flash flooding in fields. There were reports of 60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail with the storm.
Here an insane video of one of these extreme electrical storm that swept through Iowa on May 15, 2017:
Now a few more pictures of the dust storm, omnious clouds and the hail stones that damaged Iowa yesterday evening:
Mother nature? Not anymore. Methodic energy induced storms…


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Do you know any background info about this track?
Start the wiki
Sir Lord Baltimore
Log in to Last.fm or sign up to leave a shout.
what a great riffing
I love great long metal songs from early times
cracking song. The "What kind of a woman" part is fantastic!
No kidding, what an intro. I love that sound.
Amazing drum intro.
26 more photos
Win Tickets To Poland's Wonderfully Eclectic Tauron Nowa Muzyka Festival
Discovery of the Week
5 Songs You Need to Hear This Week
Citadel Festival 2016 - Live Gallery

domain: entertainment


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Monique Valeris is the founder of Decor Musings, which houses roundups of the most stylish home products out now, highlights of her flea market shopping adventures, interviews with interior design experts, and tons more. Happy decorating!
New York magazine's Home Design issue is out and the NYC apartment of Rita Konig, one of my favorite interior designers to follow, is featured. Who says you can't go with an English flair in an NYC pad? Check out the full piece here.

domain: artistic


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Flash back to the summer of 2011. The U.S. Congress struggled with a decision to raise the debt ceiling. The “PIGS” (i.e., Portugal, Italy, Greece, Spain) had dramatically overspent, endangering the existence of the euro-zone. Stocks cratered. The CBOE S&P 500 Volatility Index (VIX) soared. Meanwhile, the SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) catapulted 26% in a matter of six weeks.
Flash forward to the summer of 2014. Tensions have flared up between Russia and Ukraine, but the conflict has had little direct impact on stock assets. Even fewer seem concerned about the sustainability of country debt in Europe. What’s more, gold bears have hammered the idea that the yellow metal might serve as a safe haven against political turmoil, inflation or electronic money printing.
Do bears have a point? They might. Investors have not rushed into iShares Silver (SLV) or SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) in response to recent events in Crimea or Syria. In addition, increases in quantitative easing (QE) by the U.S. Federal Reserve, the Bank of Japan as well as the Bank of England did not result in rapid price appreciation for precious metals proxies. On the contrary. The long-term downtrend for funds like ETFS Physical Precious Metals Basket (GLTR) remains intact.

domain: finance


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Submit a session for EDAM's 2023 Conferences
The Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize projects and professionals who have gone above and beyond or faced significant challenges in the last year.
With all of the legislative seats up for grabs and elections right around the corner, now is a critical time for EDAM to continue to build on its reputation as a statewide leader in the economic development arena.
Economic Development Specialist - Program Coordinator for the City of Minneapolis
September 13, 2022
Brownfield Funding Application Ask Me Anything Webinar
September 8, 2022
Brownfield Funding for Redevelopment in Minnesota Webinar
Metro Regional Business Development Manager for Minnesota DEED
Small Business Job Board Sponsorship Opportunity
September 7, 2022
Minnesota Brownfields Financial Literacy Forum
The fourth annual Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) conference will take place in-person and online Sept. 8-9 in Red Wing, Minnesota.
2022 News Edition
2021 News Edition
2020 News Edition
An engaging three-day event you won't want to miss.

domain: news


The lodge A recorded the best result of the week with a 6-0 away win at Guisborough Cons.
Craig Wilson (+15) got the Lodge off to a good start, beating Steve Rutter 72-15. Paul Butler (+20) then made it 2-0 with a 78-39 win over Mike King. Ricky Heseltine (+35) secured the two billiards points with a 150-126 win over Mark Stewart (+35).
The two opposite snooker fixtures then took place, with Butler (+30) beating Rutter 74-43 and Wilson (+5) defeating King 55-52.
Redcar Cons B were on their travels last week, at Lune Street, and they came away with a superb 5-1 victory.
Mike Marshall set the visitors on their way, with a 68-31 win over Rob Nesbitt. John Bracchi then doubled the scoreline with an 82-16 frame win over Peter Simpson (+10).
The billiards went to Mark Dawson (+25) for the Cons, just beating Stuart Tait (+35) 150-142.
With the scoreline at 4-0 to Redcar, Rob Nesbitt (+15) managed to pull one back for Lune Street, beating John Bracchi 83-65, before Marshall (+5) sealed the win for Cons, beating Peter Simpson 53-15.
South Bank Albion were another team that recorded a 5-1 away win, this time at Marske WMC.
Phil Carr scraped home for the first frame, beating Dave Farrow (+45) 75-74, and Phil Hartley won the next 79-45 against Neil Holmes (+35).
John Hartley took the billiards points, beating Ian Walton (+100) 210-166. Farrow (+45) recovered a point for Marske by beating Phil Hartley 72-57 in the next, but Phil Carr's break of 52 helped him to defeat Holmes (+35) 96-47.
Redcar Lakes were 5-1 home winners against Ennis Square.
Steve Quain put Lakes ahead, beating Gordon Briggs (+10) 81-34, but Neil Sergeant (+35) levelled with a 81-49 win over Gary Beckett.
Mark Andrews won the billiards for Lakes, making a 41 break in a 185-145 win over Derek Leadbitter (+55). Quain then took the next snooker with a 58-53 win over Sergeant (+15), and Beckett sealed the win with an 82-46 defeat of Briggs (+30).
The week's other game saw Saltburn Cons record a 4-2 win at home to Guisborough TA.
Ray McLeod put Saltburn ahead, beating Gavin Hubbard 45-16, but Alan Bringloe levelled for TA, beating Steve Binns (+10) 57-45.
Richard Beckham won the billiards for Saltburn, defeating Stuart Briggs (+110) 225-185. Binns recovered to win the next 63-15 against Hubbard, before Bringloe defeated McLeod (+10) 81-42.
* ALL teams are informed that The Lodge B have withdrawn from the Summer League with immediate effect.
All points scored against them have been removed from the groups, and the tables are now as follows.
Group A: =1, Redcar Cons A & Saltburn Cons (Pld 4 Won 3 Pts 17); 3,Guisborough TA (4, 1, 13); 4, Redcar Cons B (4,1,9); 5, Lune Street (4, 0, 4).
Group B: 1, Redcar Lakes (5,4,22); 2, South Bank Albion (5,3,22); 3, Ennis Square (5,3,16); 4, The Lodge (5,2,15); 5, Marske WMC (5,0,9); 6, Guis Cons (5, 0, 6).


TARPON SPRINGS – The Jolley Trolley will continue to roll into town.
The City Commission has approved an amendment to a funding agreement with the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority. The deal paves the way for the continuation of the Jolley Trolley coastal route service to the city through Sept. 30, 2022.
According to the terms of the second amendment of the coastal route funding agreement, Tarpon Springs would contribute $41,352 for Fiscal Year 2019, an increase of 10 percent over last year. In addition, Dunedin and Pinellas County will contribute $41,352 each, while $15,951 will come from Clearwater.
The PSTA’s $1,028,563 constitutes 88 percent of the $1,168,569 coastal route service funding.
The agreement also included a proposed clause that would limit partnership escalation to 5 percent in fiscal years 2020 through 2022.
During the first reading of the item in early August, Commissioner Jacob Karr asked for vacant advertising slots on the trolleys to be filled with materials that promote Tarpon Springs and the other supporting communities.
“I think it would benefit the city of Tarpon a lot to add advertisement along with our agreement to con-tinue to fund these trolleys,” Karr told PSTA Chief Development Officer Cassandra Borchers on Aug. 7. “There’s usually always open spots on the side of the trolley when I see them. I think it would behoove the city to put some type of language in the agreement to have some type of requirement for advertising ... tied along with the funding.”
Prior to the second reading, on Aug. 21, Borcher worked with city officials and Jolley Trolley CEO Rosemary Windsor to come up with several suggestions regarding potential advertising opportunities. Those opportunities include the placement of up to seven signs on seven different trolleys for up to two events a year in exchange of an equivalent event sponsorship and during the meeting, Karr said, he appreciated the extra work.
“Thank you for coming back with this information and presenting it to the board,” he said. “It’s good to see that there’s an opportunity to work with the Jolley Trolley for the amount of money the PSTA is giving the Jolley Trolley to operate.”
Karr said he understood the Jolley Trolley is a nonprofit organization that relies on paid advertising, but he said he believed open slots on the outside of the big red vehicles could be better utilized.
“I’m not asking for any favors or anything along those lines,” he said. “I’m just saying let’s recognize the partnership, and if you have open advertisement on the outside, there should be an opportunity to include something for the city of Tarpon … and the other cities involved, as well.”
Mayor Chris Alahouzos said he appreciated the offer from Jolley Trolley and Windsor and asked City Manager Mark LeCouris to “look into how we can take advantage of that.”
After the meeting, Alahouzos said, Karr “had a very good point about filling those open spots with promotions for the city, and I appreciate him making that a priority.”
The PSTA began the Jolley Trolley Coastal Route, connecting Island Estates, downtown Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs, in November 2010, offering weekend service only. In October 2016, the service expanded to seven days a week, and in summer of 2017, Jolley Trolley of Clearwater was selected by the PSTA for a new contract.
In February, the Jolley Trolley opened a transit center in Clearwater Beach and began offering one-seat rides between the Sponge Docks and Clearwater Beach. According to officials, 14 trolleys operate along the fixed coastal route.
For more information on the PSTA’s Jolley Trolley Coastal Route, visit ClearwaterJolleyTrolley.com.


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Men's Designer Heavy Fit 14k White Gold Wedding Band 3.5mm
The modern man doesn’t settle, and neither should you. Make an everlasting impression with our men’s designer heavy fit 14k white gold wedding band on your finger. Made of one of the most popular precious metals, this sleek and sophisticated ring is the perfect complement to your individual sense of style. Each 3.5mm men’s designer heavy-fit 14k white gold wedding band contains approximately 58.3% pure gold by weight and an alloy of palladium, silver, zinc, or nickel for extra durability. With such a versatile accessory, you can look and feel your best every day. Heavy fit rings provide the perfect amount of heft. The contemporary design of this ring is both bold and refined with a comfort fit band that is slightly domed for added coziness and the ease of everyday wear. Being highly malleable, our men’s designer heavy fit 14k white gold wedding band can be removed easily in the event of swelling, injury, or another emergency. Better yet, you can resize your ring as your fingers fluctuate over time. Comfort fit, fits differently due to how the metal is inside the ring, most choose to go a 1/2 size down from thier standard ring size. We recommend having your finger measured for a comfort fit ring at your local jewelry store, so you can better decide if this band is the right style for you. Contact us today with any questions or concerns about our 3.5mm men’s designer heavy fit white gold wedding band. Thank you for including us in your romantic journey.
Takes 5-7 business days to make before shipping. Once shipped, tracking is emailed and signature is required.
Engraving is available and free at time of purchase. If an exchange or return is required there is a fee, see exchange and return policy. No symbols can be engraved, it is on interior of ring.

domain: design


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To mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day on June 6, 2019, the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) Museum will be “landing” a restored Higgins Boat in Dulany Gardens — just outside of the Museum — at the USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. (seefull details of the free exhibit).
Invented by 2019 NIHF Inductee Andrew Higgins, the Higgins Boat, or Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel (LCVP), was used to land American troops on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. This revolutionary craft was also used in North Africa, Italy and across the Pacific, for island hopping through Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and it allowed the U.S. Army to cross the Rhine River into Germany in March 1945.
The exhibit is part of the 2019 National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees exhibit and will be open to the public April 27 through July 27. Visitors are encouraged to climb aboard the iconic boat, take a picture and check in at the location on social media using #HigginsBoat. Visitors can then go inside the NIHF Museum to learn more about Higgins and the rest of the 2019 Class of Inducteesincluding Chieko Asakawa, inventor of the Home Page Reader, and the inventors of Stannous Fluoride Toothpaste, Joseph Muhler and William Nebergall!


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MADISON COUNTY, ALABAMA, Ala. — The love for one teacher at Endeavor Elementary School runs deep. In fact, the person that nominated her said verbatim she has a heart of gold!
Meet this week's Valley's Top Teacher, Tina Mckenzie!
She’s a fifth-grade teacher and has plenty of experience under her belt!
“This is my 23rd year,” said McKenzie.
Teaching is more than a career for her, in fact, “I think this is my calling,” said McKenzie.
McKenzie teaches several subjects including Language Arts, Reading, and Social Studies.
However, before taking on these new lessons, “I’ve taught science for many years and that’s my first love is science,” said McKenzie.
It's the polar opposite of what's she's teaching now. However, McKenzie went above and beyond in the field of STEM. “I was selected by Northrop Grumman to be the first teacher fellow, or teacher intern that in the state of Alabama.”
“I teach in Madison County, and we have so many brilliant engineers and scientists that work here in Huntsville, and I teach in the shadows of Warner Von Braun and those brilliant NASA engineers,” added McKenzie.
McKenzie says it’s up to her and her fellow educators to pass on the torch. “I think that it’s expected that we pick up all of that STEM content and pass it on to our students.”
NOMINATE A TEACHER BELOW
[WEB EXTRA: Tina McKenzie Surprised]


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Illinois Central Railroad Yard-Cherokee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Illinois Central Railroad Yard-Cherokee
|Location||Roughly bounded by S. 4th, 5th, W. Maple, and W. Beech Sts.
|Area||Approximately 19 acres (7.7 ha)|
|Architect||Illinois Central Railroad|
|MPS||Advent & Development of Railroads in Iowa MPS|
|NRHP reference No.||90001308|
|Added to NRHP||September 6, 1990|
The Illinois Central Railroad Yard, also known as Cherokee Illinois Central Station, is a nationally recognized historic district located in Cherokee, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. Cherokee was a hub for the Illinois Central Railroad's (IC) branch lines, and the railroad's westernmost division headquarters in the state. The district was a collection of structures that were associated with the IC's second and third building phases, 1860 to 1870 and 1886 to 1888, and the expansion of the roundhouse in 1915. It represented the last of the pre-Diesel era railroad yards left in Iowa. At the time of its nomination it contained 17 resources, which included seven contributing buildings, one contributing structure and nine non-contributing buildings. Ten of the buildings were of frame construction and seven were brick. Most of the buildings no longer exist, having been replaced by an agricultural cooperative. The former depot and American Express building remain.
The former depot is a 2½-story brick structure on a limestone foundation, and capped with a hipped roof. It was designed by the architects of the Illinois Central Railroad. The interior featured two waiting rooms on the first floor, one for the men and one for women. Office's for the IC's division headquarters occupied the second floor. The exterior of the building was altered in the 1940s. The canopy over the old platform is a reconstruction of the original. The American Express building is a single story brick structure built on a concrete and limestone foundation. It too was capped with a hipped roof. This building was altered in 1922. Both buildings are located next to each other along South Fourth Street.
|Preceding station||Illinois Central Railroad||Following station|
toward Sioux City
|Sioux City – Chicago||Aurelia
Illinois Central Railroad Yard-Cherokee Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.

domain: history


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Organic Green Tea with Lemongrass, 6 x 16 Tea Bags, From Traditional Medicinals
Manufacturer Part #:
In Stock - Usually Ships Within 24 - 48 Hours
We Ship To:
Order Under $100:$6.99
Order over $100:FREE SHIPPING
Fair trade Certified® Herbal Dietary Supplement Fair Trade Tea,
What's it all about?
The purchase of Fair Trade tea assures the farmers in developing countries receive a fair price for their crops, have safe working conditions and that the crops are grown in harmony with nature without the use of harmful chemicals. Organic Golden Green™ is Fair Trade Certified® by Trans Fair USA. This certified organic and fair trade green tea leaf is grown in the ancient tea-producing region of Wuyuan in the southern Chinese Province of Jiangxi. The premium paid for this tea provides additional income for the tea growers of Wuyuan, providing lasting benefits for their families and community.
How does it taste?
It has a mildly tannic taste mellowed by lemony notes.
|Serving Size: 1 cup brewed tea|
|Serving Per Container: 16|
|Amount Per Serving||% Daily Value *|
|Naturally occurring when brewed as directed:|
|Caffeine (from tea leaf)||20 mg||**?|
|All Herbal Ingredients:|
|Proprietary Blend:||1,500 mg|
|Organic green tea leaf (Camellia sinensis)* [PhFr]||**?|
|Organic West Indian lemongrass leaf (Cymbopogon citratus)||?£á?|
|Organic lemon myrtle leaf (Backhousia citriodora)||?£á?|
|*Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.|
?£á? Daily Value not established.
55% Fair Trade Certified ingredients by dry weight.
About Traditional Medicinals
Traditional Medicinals Has Been Making Herbal Teas Since 1974. The Company Is Guided By A Profound Reverence For The Healing Power Of Plants And The Knowledge Contained Within The World's Great Systems Of Traditional Herbal Medicine. Traditional Medicinals Guarantees That Every Cup Of Tea They Make Is Guided By This Reverence.
Contact Traditional Medicinals
4515 Ross Road
Sebastopol, CA 95472
|SHIPPING OPTIONS||CARRIER||ESTIMATED ARRIVAL *||COST|
|USA, includes HI,AK and FPO/APO, Military|
|Order over $100 ( to days)||USPS, UPS, FEDEX||Between||FREE!|
|Ground Shipping ( to days)||USPS, UPS, FEDEX||Between||$6.99|
|Second-Day Air||UPS, FEDEX||Estimated Delivery Date||$12.98 and Up|
|Next-Day Air||UPS, FEDEX||Estimated Delivery Date||$24.98 and Up|
|10 Day CANADA Priority||USPS||Between||$24.99 First Lbs|
|5 Day CANADA Express||UPS, FEDEX||Between||$34.99 First Lbs||INTERNATIONAL|
|14 Days International Priority||USPS||Between||$34.99 First Lbs|
|10 Days International Express||UPS, FEDEX||Between||$38.99 First Lbs|
|* Estimated Delivery Dates - Please add 1 - 2 business day if your order falls around a holiday|

domain: food


What is a sensor?
A sensor is a device that detects and responds to some type of input from the physical environment. The input can be light, heat, motion, moisture, pressure or any number of other environmental phenomena. The output is generally a signal that is converted to a human-readable display at the sensor location or transmitted electronically over a network for reading or further processing.
Sensors play a pivotal role in the internet of things (IoT). They make it possible to create an ecosystem for collecting and processing data about a specific environment so it can be monitored, managed and controlled more easily and efficiently. IoT sensors are used in homes, out in the field, in automobiles, on airplanes, in industrial settings and in other environments. Sensors bridge the gap between the physical world and logical world, acting as the eyes and ears for a computing infrastructure that analyzes and acts upon the data collected from the sensors.
What are the types of sensors?
Sensors can be categorized in multiple ways. One common approach is to classify them as either active or passive. An active sensor is one that requires an external power source to be able to respond to environmental input and generate output. For example, sensors used in weather satellites often require some source of energy to provide meteorological data about the Earth's atmosphere.
A passive sensor, on the other hand, doesn't require an external power source to detect environmental input. It relies on the environment itself for its power, using sources such as light or thermal energy. A good example is the mercury-based glass thermometer. The mercury expands and contracts in response to fluctuating temperatures, causing the level to be higher or lower in the glass tube. External markings provide a human-readable gauge for viewing the temperature.
Some types of sensors, such as seismic and infrared light sensors, are available in both active and passive forms. The environment in which the sensor is deployed typically determines which type is best suited for the application.
Another way in which sensors can be classified is by whether they're analog or digital, based on the type of output the sensors produce. Analog sensors convert the environmental input into output analog signals, which are continuous and varying. Thermocouples that are used in gas hot water heaters offer a good example of analog sensors. The water heater's pilot light continuously heats the thermocouple. If the pilot light goes out, the thermocouple cools, sending a different analog signal that indicates the gas should be shut off.
In contrast to analog sensors, digital sensors convert the environmental input into discrete digital signals that are transmitted in a binary format (1s and 0s). Digital sensors have become quite common across all industries, replacing analog sensors in many situations. For example, digital sensors are now used to measure humidity, temperature, atmospheric pressure, air quality and many other types of environmental phenomena.
As with active and passive sensors, some types of sensors -- such as thermal or pressure sensors -- are available in both analog and digital forms. In this case, too, the environment in which the sensor will operate typically determines which is the best option.
Sensors are also commonly categorized by the type of environmental factors they monitor. Here are some common examples:
- Accelerometer. This type of sensor detects changes in gravitational acceleration, making it possible to measure tilt, vibration and, of course, acceleration. Accelerometer sensors are used in a wide range of industries, from consumer electronics to professional sports to aerospace and aviation.
- Chemical. Chemical sensors detect a specific chemical substance within a medium (gas, liquid or solid). A chemical sensor can be used to detect soil nutrient levels in a crop field, smoke or carbon monoxide in a room, pH levels in a body of water, the amount of alcohol on someone's breath or in any number of other scenarios. For example, an oxygen sensor in a car's emission control system will monitor the gasoline-to-oxygen ratio, usually through a chemical reaction that generates voltage. A computer in the engine compartment reads the voltage and, if the mixture is not optimal, readjusts the ratio.
- Humidity. These sensors can detect the level of water vapors in the air to determine the relative humidity. Humidity sensors often include temperature readings because relative humidity is dependent on the air temperature. The sensors are used in a wide range of industries and settings, including agriculture, manufacturing, data centers, meteorology, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC).
- Level. A level sensor can determine the level of a physical substance such as water, fuel, coolant, grain, fertilizer or waste. Motorists, for example, rely on their gas level sensors to ensure they don't end up stranded on the side of the road. Level sensors are also used in tsunami warning systems.
- Motion. Motion detectors can sense physical movement in a defined space (the field of detection) and can be used to control lights, cameras, parking gates, water faucets, security systems, automatic door openers and numerous other systems. The sensors typically send out some type of energy -- such as microwaves, ultrasonic waves or light beams -- and can detect when the flow of energy is interrupted by something entering its path.
- Optical. Optical sensors, also called photosensors, can detect light waves at different points in the light spectrum, including ultraviolet light, visible light and infrared light. Optical sensors are used extensively in smartphones, robotics, Blu-ray players, home security systems, medical devices and a wide range of other systems.
- Pressure. These sensors detect the pressure of a liquid or gas, and are used extensively in machinery, automobiles, aircraft, HVAC systems and other environments. They also play an important role in meteorology by measuring the atmospheric pressure. In addition, pressure sensors can be used to monitor the flow of gases or liquids, often so that the flow can be regulated.
- Proximity. Proximity sensors detect the presence of an object or determine the distance between objects. Proximity monitors are used in elevators, assembly lines, parking lots, retail stores, automobiles, robotics and numerous other environments.
- Temperature. These sensors can identify the temperature of a target medium, whether gas, liquid or air. Temperature sensors are used across a wide range of devices and environments, such as appliances, machinery, aircraft, automobiles, computers, greenhouses, farms, thermostats and many other devices.
- Touch. Touch sensing devices detect physical contact on a monitored surface. Touch sensors are used extensively in electronic devices to support trackpad and touchscreen technologies. They're also used in many other systems, such as elevators, robotics and soap dispensers.
The above are only some of the various types of sensors being used across environments and within devices. However, none of these categories are strictly black and white; for example, a level sensor that tracks a material's level might also be considered an optic or pressure sensor. There are also plenty of other types of sensors, such as those that can detect load, strain, color, sound and a variety of other conditions. Sensors have become so commonplace, in fact, that often their use is barely noticed.
See also: smart sensor, sensor data, spatial sensing, proximity sensing, CMOS sensor, sensor analytics, pressure sensor, collision sensor, wireless sensor network, industrial internet of things, sensor hub.


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Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil. (STAFF)
Stephen McNeil is flying to China on Tuesday to boost Nova Scotia business.
The premier hopes to strengthen ties with China, the province’s second-largest trading partner, and to bolster the Halifax airport and port, according to a release from the premier’s office.
Kelliann Dean, deputy minister of intergovernmental affairs, and Albert Walzak, director of international relations, as well as an RCMP security detail, will accompany McNeil.
The premier does not have plans to stop in Beijing or to meet with the China Communication Construction Company, which has been in discussions with Novaporte, the municipally-backed company in Sydney that hopes to build a container terminal.
Various businesses and post-secondary institutions are sending representatives with the premier, but they will pay their own way, confirmed premier’s office spokeswoman Jacqueline Foster.
Other government agencies that are sending representatives include Nova Scotia Business Inc., the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and the Halifax International Airport Authority.
The 11-day mission will take in nine cities in China, including Hong Kong. In the final days of the tour, McNeil will leave China to spend two days in Seoul and Tokyo.
According to the premier’s office, exports from Nova Scotia to China totalled $420 million in 2015, an increase of more than 50 per cent from 2014. China is Nova Scotia’s third largest seafood export market, accounting for $210 million of the province’s $1.7 billion in fish and seafood exports.
Expenses will be posted online once the delegation is back, Foster stated.


I will try and update you on the going ons of the last month – not necessarily in chronological order! The Farmer’s Market in Ayr was in a strange venue – a car park at the back of the shopping centre. Most people still remember it as being down by the wee bridge over the river – which identifies the last time they went to the Ayr Farmer’s Market.
I felt the Kilmarnock Farmer’s Market was a different story. The market had relocated back to its original spot at the Cross. Lots of great stalls and lots of people stopping. Thanks to everyone who stopped to give my flowers compliments and who bought flowers or took leaflets. Someone even emailed me afterwards to say that they had received some of my flowers from a friend and loved them so much they wanted to thank me! That kind of feedback is so nice to hear and I am so grateful to people who go to the effort of doing this.
Here are the Green Flower Boxes I made for the stall.
And a gorgeous gift wrapped medium bouquet – with stiff paper to protect against wind on the stall – one hazard of doing a flower stall I discovered in Ayr.
These photos were taken around midnight! The whole process took so much longer than I had anticipated it really was an investment in time and energy to pick, prepare flowers, set up and stand at a stall for 4-5 hours.


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What a sigh of relief. After a month of planning, a week of driving and hours of anticipation, it’s refreshing to be able to slow down and finally enjoy our new life.
Our first weekend in San Francisco included all of my favorite things: wine, food, shopping and travel. It also involved hiking, which I’ve realized is major pastime for all of the obnoxiously healthy people out here. I tried to pretend I enjoy this activity, but I can think of many other ways I’d rather spend a Sunday morning (cough, sleeping). I must admit, however, that hiking isn’t so bad when you have the Golden Gate Bridge draped across the skyline in front of you.
Because Joe and I are currently living in Marin, which is North of the city, we take a ferry to get into SF. The Ferry Building reminds me of NYC’s Chelsea Market with its artisan food stalls and savory treats- look out for a detailed post on that coming soon! On a nice day, you can also wander down the Pier towards Fisherman’s Wharf.
We wrapped up the day with some shopping and dinner in the Marina District. By chance, we stumbled upon Delarosa, an adorable little Italian restaurant with a fresh, artisanal take on the cuisine. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor communal seating, and they get quite busy on the weekends- but the wait is worth it!

domain: geography


Let's talk about one of our favorite things: cars. And more specifically, how the internal combustion engine is on the verge of extinction.
Not only that, but we're also being told that in five years we're going to be riding in self-driving cars.
Volvo announced that starting in 2019 all new models it introduces will be either hybrids or vehicles powered solely by batteries. While the new electric cars will initially be made in China, where air pollution is critically dangerous, a new plant is being built near Charleston, South Carolina, and some will be built in Europe.
Tesla, the posh electric car maker, plans to sell hundreds of thousands of new electric models priced at "only" $35,000, which is substantially less expensive than most of the flashy vehicles it currently sells. The new cars will be serviced at 250 centers that don't charge service fees. If you live too far from a service center, Tesla will send one of its 350 special vans to your home or office to repair your vehicle on site.
Tesla, which makes nowhere near the number of cars that Ford and General Motors produce, earlier this year beat the two auto behemoths in stock market value because investors think the future is in electric vehicles. Part of this is urban congestion and part of it is climate change — carbon dioxide from burning gasoline depletes the ozone layer, playing havoc with climate patterns around the globe.
Ann Arbor, Michigan, where I once lived, is described by The New York Times as the new hub for research into "autonomous vehicles." Reporter Neal Boudette wrote: "Soon students and staff members at the University of Michigan will be able to get around the engineering campus on fully automated, driverless shuttle buses provided by a French company drawn to Ann Arbor by the university's autonomous-car test track, known as MCity."
In Pittsburgh, The National Robotics Engineering Center is working on self-driving vehicles. Sorry, students. Robots preferred.
As usual in this country, these developments are controversial. Despite predictions that most new models produced in five to 10 years will be self-drivers, there are many who scoff at that. A lot of safety issues still have to be resolved. And a lot of us like to drive, although the self-parking part is very neat. (Why do so many men stop and smirk when a woman driver is parallel parking, even if she could be Danica Patrick?)
There are also many who think electric cars are not the wave of the future in the United States. For one thing, hybrid cars (gasoline plus electricity) still constitute only 2 percent of sales. That's partly because we love our big SUVs, and the price of gasoline has been declining. Also, we don't like to wait for lengthy charging times, and public charging stations are scarce. And we are used to driving long distances; electric cars don't go much beyond 200 miles on a single charge.
But every major car maker is investing in these technologies. The federal government has provided incentives to buy a $35,000 battery-operated Chevrolet Bolt, for example. The Obama administration actively encouraged the production of electric vehicles.
In Europe, grim statistics on health damage from diesel engines are sparking electric vehicle sales. One unknown in the U.S. is whether federal fuel mileage standards and pollution goals will be weakened as the current administration seeks to do. If so, this could dampen enthusiasm for cars that meet stricter health and environmental requirements.
But not for long. The future is coming, and it's bringing more power cords and fewer smirks.
Contact Tribune News Service columnist Ann McFeatters at firstname.lastname@example.org.


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Coppi's 1952/3 Track Bike With Campagnolo Road Drop-outs, Revisited
Pic1. Vel d'Hiv, Autumn 1952. Though not a complete image, this appears to be Coppi's track bike with the road drop-outs. That's Louison Bobet's pretty chrome "Stella" blocking the view. Anyone know who built Bobet's bikes? See next pic for a magnified image.
Pic2. Detail view of the previous picture, showing Coppi's 1952 track bike with road drop-outs.
Blue Ball, Ohio

domain: sports


The Cutting-Edge Stratview Insights:
Stratview Research prognosticates the Automotive Fastener Market to grow at a healthy CAGR of 3.2% over the next five years.
The estimates are a result of market analysis over a period of 2013-18, Stratview Research goes to the depth of the issues shaping the market and estimates the most probable future growth rate for the Automotive Fastener Market during the period 2019-24.
Identifying the Factors & Avenues of Growth
Tending to the most frequent questions and problems that consume the psyches of business visionaries and leaders, the new report of "Stratview Research" on the Automotive Fastener Market responds to all the significant inquiries.
Fasteners are used in a wide array of applications out of which the automotive industry is undoubtedly one of the largest segments. The market for fasteners in the automotive industry seems resilient and is likely to witness a healthy CAGR of 3.2% during the forecast period. Increasing automobile production across regions, especially in Asia-Pacific and Eastern Europe and increasing demand for electric and alternative powertrain vehicles are the major driving factors of the fasteners market in the automotive industry.
Apart from the organic growth of automobile production, there are several other factors contributing to the growth of the fasteners market in the automotive industry. One of the key factors is the introduction of stringent regulations, such as CAFÉ Standards and EU’s Carbon Emission Reduction Targets, which are compelling automakers to incorporate lightweight materials in order to enhance the fuel efficiency. Fastener companies could not get escaped from this and started facing enormous pressure for reducing the weight of fasteners. They are unraveling the challenges by developing lightweight plastic and aluminum fasteners for a wide array of auto applications.
Unravelling the Critical Segments
The true picture of the market shall not emerge till the time the market is analyzed from various point of views. Each vantage point gives a better understanding of the market.
It would mean a lot understand with clarity that the market has various parts and insights on them might be critical to many players.
The market of Automotive Fastener has been divided into categories such as by Product Type, Characteristics Type, Fastener Type, Material Type, Coating Type, Vehicle Type, Application Type, End-User Type, By Region. Insights on each segment can be of critical importance to any player.
Each segmented view helps us answer a prominent question, and we bring out the best market intelligence which is of interest to each and every player in the market, no matter where he lies in the value chain.
The answers to the prominent questions which are evinced out of above slicing of the market are:
To get the feel of how our best in class, cutting-edge market research report feels, request a sample
- Which are the best performing segments of the market?
- Which is the most dominant region?
- Which material is the most promising?
- Who are the movers and shakers of the market?
- What are the regional growth hotspots?
- What are the segmental growth forecasts?
ARaymond at the Helm
The top 5 players are ARaymond, Bulten AB, Illinois Tool Works Inc., KAMAX Holding GmbH & Co. KG and LISI Group.
Other important firms are Meidoh Co. Ltd., NIPMAN Automotive Solutions, PIOLAX, INC., Shanghai Prime Machinery Company Limited, Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., The SFS Group AG, The Würth Group.
Increasing Demands of Removable Fastener
Based on the characteristic type, the automotive fasteners market is segmented as removable fastener, permanent fastener, and semi-permanent fastener. Removable fasteners lead the fasteners market in the automotive industry and are expected to maintain its leading position in the foreseen future. Removable fasteners contribute the maximum in the total number of fasteners used in an automobile as they can be conveniently removed by hand or power tools without causing any damage to part or fastener itself.
Passenger Car to Remain the Dominant Segment
Based on the vehicle type, the market is segmented into passenger car, light commercial vehicle, and medium & heavy commercial vehicle. The passenger car segment is expected to remain the largest segment during the forecast period, propelled by a large production of passenger across the world. Increasing disposable income coupled with improving lifestyle, especially in emerging economies, such as China and India, are leading to a greater appetite of customers to buy passenger cars. In passenger car segment, hatchbacks and SUVs are creating a greater demand for fasteners.
Interior Trim to remain the Dominant Application
Based on the application type, the automotive fastener market is segmented as engine, chassis, interior trim, front/rear axle, steering, transmission, and others. Interior trim is expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period. Increasing focus towards the fuel efficiency enhancement has led to a greater adoption of lightweight materials, such as plastics and aluminum. The similar trend is also being observed in the fasteners market for interior trim. All the major automakers are now focusing on plastic and aluminum fasteners, especially in interior trims, to unravel the requirement of CAFÉ Standards and EU carbon emission reduction targets.
Asia-Pacific to be the Largest Market
n terms of regions, Asia-Pacific currently dominates the automotive fasteners market and is expected to maintain its leading position during the forecast period as well. China, Japan, South Korea, and India are the growth engines of the region. Increasing automobile production, especially in China and India, owing to rising population coupled with increasing disposable income, and a gradual shift of automobile manufacturing plants from the developed economies to China and India are the major factors generating a healthy demand for fasteners in the region.
Europe and North America, other major markets, are also likely to generate a healthy demand for fasteners in the coming five years. Germany, France, and the UK are the major markets in Europe, whereas the USA and Mexico are the major markets in North America. Stringent regulations regarding the fuel efficiency enhancements and the carbon emission reductions are also impacting the market dynamics of fasteners as there has been a greater demand for plastic fasteners in order to help automakers to further reduce the overall gross vehicle weight of the vehicle.
Subscribe to the Stratview advantage and Advance Your Business.
The insights delivered in our report helps business take bold decisions and make smarter moves. It is the emerging trends that have to be understood well in advance for the firms to take an informed decision. We can help you by giving you the market scenario and its growth hotspots. The decision still rests with you. Click Here for Other Reports from Stratview Research in the Automotive & Transportation Industry


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Here’s what I did find for National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day:
I would run to the Facebook, Twitter or Instagram account of your local Chick-fil-A and see if they have posted anything about National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. I have seen a sprinkling of deals from various ones. Just know that this is going to be HIGHLY regional! There are literally thousands of Chick-fil-a locations and my searching came up with less than a dozen that have already posted about it.
Cookies By Design
Doubletree by Hilton is famous for handing a warmed-up chocolate chip cookie to each guest that checks into one of its hotels (which is something I’ve only just learned – did you know that?). But on National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, they’re offering them to everyone. Just walk into any DoubleTree in the U.S. and you can grab a free cookie—with or without a reservation.
Great American Cookie Company
I’ve been waiting for an announcement from them. It seems like they’d be the first to jump on this day! I’ll update if I hear anything.
If you need groceries today, let the kids go to the bakery counter at Publix where they can get a FREE cookie! Chocolate chip is always a choice!
Stop & Shop
All Stop & Shop stores will offer their popular 24-ounce chocolate chip cookie bucket for just $2.99 (normally $5).
Target’s bakery counter gives free cookies to kids also!
Given the impending Chocolate Chip Cookie holiday, it would be prudent to point out that there HAS been a chocolate chip cookie RECALL just recently.
Select boxes of Entenmann’s Little Bites Soft Baked Cookies are being recalled in 36 states.
Bimbo Bakeries USA Inc. is recalling Entenmann’s mini chocolate chip cookies sold in a five-pack box “due to the potential presence of visible, blue plastic pieces in the individual packaging pouch,” according to the recall notice on the Food and Drug Administration website.
If you come across any deals I’ve missed, please let me know!


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Ottawa has been throwing cold water on the Ring of Fire, a mineral deposit in Northern Ontario that was once thought to be worth more than $60-billion.
Since the federal Liberal Party came to power last year, the government has stonewalled requests to pay for infrastructure, lowered expectations for development and slashed its valuation for the deposit, according to internal Department of Natural Resources documents obtained by The Globe and Mail.
Discover content from The Globe and Mail that you might otherwise not have come across. Here we’ll provide you with fresh suggestions where we will continue to make even better ones as we get to know you better.
You can let us know if a suggestion is not to your liking by hitting the ‘’ close button to the right of the headline.

domain: politics


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MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry for sub-typing of Streptococcus pneumoniae
BMC Microbiology volume 20, Article number: 367 (2020)
Serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae is important for monitoring of vaccine impact. Unfortunately, conventional and molecular serotyping is expensive and technically demanding. This study aimed to determine the ability of matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionisation time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry to discriminate between pneumococcal serotypes and genotypes (defined by global pneumococcal sequence cluster, GPSC). In this study, MALDI-TOF mass spectra were generated for a diverse panel of whole genome sequenced pneumococcal isolates using the bioMerieux VITEK MS in clinical diagnostic (IVD) mode. Discriminatory mass peaks were identified and hierarchical clustering was performed to visually assess discriminatory ability. Random forest and classification and regression tree (CART) algorithms were used to formally determine how well serotypes and genotypes were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrum.
One hundred and ninety-nine pneumococci, comprising 16 serotypes and non-typeable isolates from 46 GPSC, were analysed. In the primary experiment, hierarchical clustering revealed poor congruence between MALDI-TOF mass spectrum and serotype. The correct serotype was identified from MALDI-TOF mass spectrum in just 14.6% (random forest) or 35.4% (CART) of 130 isolates. Restricting the dataset to the nine dominant GPSC (61 isolates / 13 serotypes), discriminatory ability improved slightly: the correct serotype was identified in 21.3% (random forest) and 41.0% (CART). Finally, analysis of 69 isolates of three dominant serotype-genotype pairs (6B-GPSC1, 19F-GPSC23, 23F-GPSC624) resulted in the correct serotype identification in 81.1% (random forest) and 94.2% (CART) of isolates.
This work suggests that MALDI-TOF is not a useful technique for determination of pneumococcal serotype. MALDI-TOF mass spectra appear more associated with isolate genotype, which may still have utility for future pneumococcal surveillance activities.
Streptococcus pneumoniae, a globally important pathogenic bacterium , consists of at least 100 distinct capsular serotypes . Serotype-based surveillance of pneumococcal populations remains important since the polysaccharide capsule is a major antigen and the basis of current pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV). Temporal changes to the serotypes associated with colonisation and disease may necessitate alterations to vaccine composition . Traditional capsular typing by the Quellung reaction is both expensive and time-consuming. Deduction of serotype is possible by molecular techniques, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) , microarray , and whole genome sequencing (WGS) . However, these techniques are often technically demanding and/or not affordable in many settings. Although still largely unaffordable in resource-limited settings, bacterial identification is being done increasingly by matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionisation time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, in both clinical and research laboratories . To improve pneumococcal identification, a combined bile solubility test – MALDI-TOF assay has been developed to separate S. pneumoniae from the closely related S. mitis group of organisms . Although MALDI-TOF mass spectra are derived from peptides / proteins, several studies have assessed the potential of MALDI-TOF for identification of pneumococcal serotypes. Encouragingly, in two of these, MALDI-TOF mass spectra clustering identified common pneumococcal serotypes fairly well [9, 10]. However, the most recently published study yielded considerably less optimistic results .
In view of the conflicting published data, we set out to determine whether MALDI-TOF mass spectra of pneumococci cluster consistently by serotype. A further aim was to explore whether any potential MALDI-TOF mass spectrum – serotype correlations were independent of underlying isolate genotype.
Pneumococcal serotypes and genotypes
A total of 199 S. pneumoniae isolates were included in the study. PCR serotype results were concordant with phenotypic-WGS result in 198/199 to the level determined by PCR specificity (for some, this was to just the serogroup). One isolate was identified as serotype 6C by PCR but was non-typeable (NT) by both WGS and phenotypic methods. In the subsequent analyses, this isolate was referred to as NT.
To determine overall MALDI-TOF mass spectra clustering by serotype (objective 1), 130 of the isolates were examined. This selection included 16 serotypes plus non-typeable isolates (5 – 22 isolates per serotype). After further analysis of WGS data, a finalised genotype (sequence type [ST] / global pneumococcal sequence cluster [GPSC]) could be determined for all but three NT isolates: 46 GPSC were identified (Table 1).
From 785 matched peaks, 16 peaks were found to discriminate between serotypes (false discovery rate [FDR] q < 0.05; Table 2). Hierarchical clustering, on the basis of these peaks, identified four major clusters (Fig. 1). Most serotypes (13/16; 81.3%) appeared in > 1 cluster, with just serotypes 1, 23A, and 34 confined to a single cluster. Serotypes 1 and 34 were the least genotypically diverse, being represented by a single GPSC each. The MALDI-TOF mass spectra from the same 130 isolates was re-analysed following reorganisation of the dataset by genotype (GPSC) rather than serotype. This identified 27 discriminatory peaks and three major clusters. Only 3/46 (6.5%) GPSCs were spread across more than one cluster (Additional File 1). Classification of isolate mass spectrum data by random forest or classification and regression tree (CART) algorithms was sub-optimal. The random forest approach identified the correct serotype just in 14.6%, and GPSC in 17.7%, of isolates; CART correctly identified serotype in 35.4% and GPSC in 27.7% of isolates (Additional File 2). Restricting the dataset to the nine dominant GPSC, those comprising of at least five isolates (total 61 isolates, 13 serotypes; 535 matched peaks), discriminatory ability improved to some degree (Fig. 2 [serotype-organised data; 16 discriminatory peaks] and Additional File 3 [genotype-organised data; 34 discriminatory peaks]). With serotype-organised data, correct serotype was identified in 21.3% (random forest) and 41.0% (CART) instances. Using genotype-organised data, correct GPSC was identified in 45.9% (random forest) and 77.0% (CART) instances (Additional File 4).
For assessment of stability of MALDI-TOF mass spectra within a serotype-genotype (objective 2), the remaining 69 isolates were examined. This selection included 20 isolates from the major ST of serotypes 6B (ST95 [GPSC1]) and 19F (ST236 [GPSC23]). For serotype 23F, 29 isolates from the two dominant ST were included (ST9050 and ST10637 [both GPSC624]). Thirty-two discriminatory peaks were identified from a total of 562 peaks (FDR q < 0.05, Additional File 5). Four clusters were identified (Fig. 3 [serotype-organised data] and Additional File 6 [genotype-organised data]). For serotype-organised data, the correct serotype was identified in 81.1% (random forest) and 94.2% (CART) of isolates. For genotype-organised data, the correct GPSC was classified in 76.8% (random forest) and 97.1% (CART) of isolates (Additional File 7).
This study failed to identify consistent clustering of MALDI-TOF mass spectrum by serotype in a collection of well-characterised pneumococcal isolates with diverse genotypes. Reducing the number of genotypes within the dataset analysed improved classification of serotype by MALDI-TOF mass spectrum. Inclusion of just three serotypes, and one genotype per serotype, resulted in correct serotype classification in > 90% of isolates. Overall, this suggests that MALDI-TOF mass spectrum clustering within S. pneumoniae is driven by underlying genotype.
Our results contrast slightly with two previous studies which both found that, with careful isolate selection and optimisation of peak lists, MALDI-TOF could discriminate between several common serotypes. From a Japanese collection of 407 isolates from 10 major serotypes, a ClinProTools-developed classification algorithm correctly identified serotypes in 84.0% of isolates (9). Although multiple genotypes were included for each serotype, a dominant ST could be identified in several of them. The authors concluded that further work to determine the interaction between pneumococcal genotype and MALDI-TOF mass spectrum would be helpful. Analysis of 416 Brazilian isolates from six serotypes identified 10 major clusters by visualising a neighbour joining tree based on Pearson’s coefficient . Whilst visually serotypes did cluster fairly well, it was notable that all serotypes were identified in > 1 cluster. Importantly, genotyping data were not available in this study.
The major strength of the study is that it included whole genome sequenced isolates where serotype had been verified by both molecular and phenotypic methods. The MALDI-TOF work was performed using the machine in clinical diagnostic / IVD mode, i.e. as the data would be generated in routine clinical microbiology laboratory. The study utilised fully open-source and freely available analytic tools [12, 13], in contrast to previous analyses of pneumococcal MALDI-TOF data [9, 10]. These tools permitted more exploratory analyses and visualisation of the data, rather than being constrained to machine-learning algorithms packaged with the machine software (often Support Vector Machine ). However, there are several limitations to note. The sample size was small, resulting in a small number of isolates for some serotypes. It would have been helpful to have a larger number of isolates of each serotype-genotype pair. To minimise minor variations in mass spectra, inclusion of multiple mass spectra per isolate could have been done. However, this added analytic complexity would not have been reflective of normal diagnostic workflow. To mitigate this limitation, the final dataset included only those isolates where the automated analysis of mass spectrum data had indicated acceptable identification at the species level. In this context, isolates with an initially unacceptable species identification likely represented technical errors in the laboratory (i.e. poor slide preparation). Thus, isolates not meeting this criterion were repeated to obtain acceptable MALDI-TOF mass spectra. It is also encouraging to note that several of the discriminatory masses in Table 1 (e.g. 5062.44 / 10,121.74) display similar peak proportions within a serotype, indirectly demonstrating spectrum reproducibility. Finally, as has been noted previously, it would have been optimal to have included isolates from more than one geographic location and to have performed external validation of the random forest / CART models. This latter point was highlighted as a major roadblock to progress in a recent systematic review . Despite these limitations, our findings and conclusions are similar to those of Ercibengoa et al . This carefully conducted study of 60 isolates of four common pneumococcal serotypes failed to confirm presence of either novel or previously established discriminatory MALDI-TOF peaks. The study team speculate that proteins associated with capsular polysaccharide synthesis are likely to be outside of the MALDI-TOF detection range. They noted also that genotype differences may render cross-site validation and use of external discriminatory peaks challenging.
The pneumococcal capsule synthesis locus (cps) is remarkably complex, with considerable diversity within the key enzyme classes [15, 16]. The relationship between cps locus gene content and immunologically determined serotype is not always straightforward. In an analysis of the cps loci of 88 serotypes with capsules synthesised by the Wzy-dependent pathway, eight major clusters and 21 sub-clusters were identified . In the majority of cases, members of the same serogroup were co-located in the same cluster, however there were several examples where this relationship broke down. Taken together, all of these findings should perhaps temper enthusiasm for further attempts at MALDI-TOF-based serotyping of S. pneumoniae. However, if genotypic differences in pneumococcal MALDI-TOF mass spectra are found to be consistent between sites and with sequence-based genotype data, then MALDI-TOF could still have a potential role in future pneumococcal surveillance. Indeed, there is precedent for this, as it has been shown already that variations in ribosomal protein mass peaks correlated with clonal complex in Neisseria meningitidis . With the rapid proliferation of pneumococcal sequencing globally, the availability of ribosomal protein sequence data from RiboDB , and the increasing use of MALDI-TOF for primary identification of isolates that are submitted for such sequencing, this should be amenable to exploration at scale.
Identification of pneumococcal serotype by MALDI-TOF is not reliable. MALDI-TOF mass spectra appear more associated with underlying genotype. Further work is warranted to determine the robustness of pneumococcal genotype identification by MALDI-TOF.
Bacterial isolate selection
Pneumococcal isolates that had been characterised during pre- and post-PCV pneumococcal colonisation and disease studies of children attending for care at Angkor Hospital for Children in Cambodia were selected for further study [20, 21]. Isolates were selected for inclusion using the following criteria: (a) submitted for sequencing as part of the on-going Global Pneumococcal Sequencing project , and had passed initial WGS quality control (QC) checks with availability of preliminary in-silico MLST genotype; (b) WGS-derived and phenotypic serotype were congruent, including NT pneumococci as a “serotype”; (c) at least ten isolates per serotype.
To determine how well MALDI-TOF mass spectra clustered by serotype (objective 1), at least one isolate of each distinct ST identified within a serotype was included. If there were less than five different STs for a serotype, multiple isolates of the same serotype-ST were included to a total of five isolates. A total of 130 isolates were included in this work. To explore the stability of MALDI-TOF mass spectra within unique serotype-genotype pairs (objective 2), multiple isolates of the commonest ST, including single-locus variants if less than 20 isolates, were selected for serotypes 6B, 19F, and 23F, the dominant serotypes in the isolate collection. A total of 69 isolates were included in this work.
Re-confirmation of serotype by multiplex PCR
As a further confirmation of serotype, DNA was extracted from re-cultured isolates using the QIAamp DNA Mini Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) and a multiplex real-time PCR was performed to detect 40 pneumococcal serotypes, as previously described . This PCR also includes a primer-probe set for the S. pneumoniae-specific lytA (autolysin) gene, to confirm species identification.
Characterisation by MALDI-TOF
The stored isolates were re-cultured overnight at 35-37 °C in 5% CO2 on 5% sheep blood agar (Oxoid, Basingstoke, UK; prepared in-house). Single colonies were mixed with matrix (alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, CHCA) on disposable metallised slides and analysed using the VITEK MS MALDI-TOF system (bioMerieux, Marcy L’ Etoile, France), following manufacturer instructions. Particular care was taken with the preparation of colony-matrix spots, in order to optimise the generation of high-quality mass spectra. To be compatible with routine diagnostic laboratory workflow, a single mass spectrum was generated per isolate. The machine was run in diagnostic (IVD) mode, with automated measurement of proteins in the specific mass range of 2,000 – 20,000 Da. Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 was used for QC and calibration of each slide. Isolates were considered acceptable for analysis if the slide passed QC and the isolate was identified unambiguously as S. pneumoniae by the automated reporting system (bioMerieux Myla, Knowledge Base V3.2.0).
Pneumococcal genotype assignment
Isolates were selected on the basis of MLST genotype. However, during the conduct of the study, the GPSC system was proposed as the optimal method for clustering of S. pneumoniae using WGS data . GPSC were determined automatically for all isolates submitted to the GPS project and, thus, in the following analyses, GPSC have been used instead of ST to describe isolate genotypes. For clarity, both GPSC and ST are included in Table 1.
MALDI-TOF mass spectra were exported as peak lists (.mzML files) from the VITEK-MS instrument: a single peak list per isolate. These were converted to text (.csv) files using the R statistical software V3.6.3  and package “MALDIquant” . Peak lists were stored in both serotype-isolate and genotype-isolate folder structures. These labelled peak lists were imported into MASS-Up, an open source MALDI-TOF analysis program, using the “load peak” command . Inter-sample peak matching, by serotype or genotype, was performed using default settings (method - “forward”; tolerance type - “ppm”; tolerance - 300 ppm; reference type - “AVG”). Discriminant peaks were identified by using the biomarker discovery function. Discriminant peak lists (DPL) were generated by selecting peaks with a q-value of < 0.05 (Benjamini Hochberg false discovery rate). Hierarchical clustering was performed on these discriminatory peaks using the “hclust” function (method = “average”) in R, following generation of a distance matrix (Hamming distance, using the “hamming.distance” function of the “e1071” package ). Clusters were identified using the “mclust” and “NbClust” packages [27, 28]. For visual assessment of the relationship between MALDI-TOF mass spectra and serotype or genotype, circular dendrograms were visualized and annotated using the “ggtree” package . Formal testing of discriminatory ability was done via the classification analysis functionality in MASS-Up, using all peak data. The “Random Forest” and “Classification and Regression Tree (CART)” algorithms were run using default settings and 10-fold cross validation.
Availability of data and materials
The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Classification and regression tree
Discriminant peak list
False discovery rate
Global pneumococcal sequencing study
Global pneumococcal sequence cluster
Matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionisation time-of-flight
Multi-locus sequence typing
Polymerase chain reaction
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
Whole genome sequence / sequencing
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Turner P, Leab P, Ly S, Sao S, Miliya T, Heffelfinger JD, et al. Impact of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on colonisation and invasive disease in Cambodian children. Clin Infect Dis. 2020;70(8):1580–8.
The Global Pneumococcal Sequencing Project [Accessed 3 Nov 2020]. Available from: https://www.pneumogen.net/gps/.
Messaoudi M, Milenkov M, Albrich WC, van der Linden MP, Benet T, Chou M, et al. The relevance of a novel quantitative assay to detect up to 40 major Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes directly in clinical nasopharyngeal and blood specimens. PLoS One. 2016;11(3):e0151428.
Gladstone RA, Lo SW, Lees JA, Croucher NJ, van Tonder AJ, Corander J, et al. International genomic definition of pneumococcal lineages, to contextualise disease, antibiotic resistance and vaccine impact. EBioMedicine. 2019;43:338–46.
R Core Team. R: a language and environment for statistical computing. Vienna, Austria: R Foundation for statistical Computing; 2020.
Meyer D, Dimitriadou D, Hornik K, Weingessel A, Leisch F. e1071: Misc Functions of the Department of Statistics, Probability Theory Group (Formerly: E1071), TU Wien. R package version 2019;1.7–3.
Scrucca L, Fop M, Murphy TB, Raftery AE. Mclust 5: clustering, classification and density estimation using Gaussian finite mixture models. R Journal. 2016;8(1):289–317.
Charrad M, Ghazzali N, Boiteau V, Niknafs A. NbClust: an R package for determining the relevant number of clusters in a data set. J Stat Software. 2014;61(6):1–36.
Yu G. Using ggtree to visualize data on tree-like structures. Curr Protoc Bioinformatics. 2020;69:e96.
The authors acknowledge the general support of colleagues at the Cambodia Oxford Medical Research Unit, Fondation Merieux, and University of Health Sciences. Ms. Preypor Nasy provided valuable input during the preliminary stages of the project.
The internship of SK and multiplex real-time serotyping PCR work were supported by Fondation Mérieux. The AHC-COMRU microbiology laboratory receives core support from the Wellcome Trust (grant 106698/Z/14/Z). The isolate genotype data was generated by the Global Pneumococcal Sequencing project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Ethics approval and consent to participate
The laboratory work was granted approval by the Cambodia National Ethics Committee for Health Research (235 NECHR). Stored isolates used in the study were collected during studies approved by the NECHR (210 NECHR, 289 NECHR, 150 NECHR, 137 NECHR) and the Oxford Tropical Ethics Committee (1009-13, 559-15).
Consent for publication
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
A cluster dendrogram of genotype-organised MALDI-TOF mass spectrum data for 16 serotypes + non-typeable (NT) isolates.
Characteristics of Random Forest and CART algorithms for serotype- and genotype-associated MALDI-TOF mass spectra from 130 Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from 16 serotypes (plus non-typeable [NT] isolates) and 46 global pneumococcal sequence clusters (GPSC.
A cluster dendrogram of genotype-organised MALDI-TOF mass spectrum data including only genotypes with ≥5 isolates.
Characteristics of Random Forest and CART algorithms for serotype- and genotype-associated MALDI-TOF mass spectra from 61 Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from nine dominant global pneumococcal sequence clusters (GPSC) comprised of 13 serotypes.
Discriminant peak list / matrix derived from 69 pneumococcal isolates, comprising tree dominant serotype-genotype pairs.
Characteristics of Random Forest and CART algorithms for serotype- and genotype-associated MALDI-TOF mass spectra from 69 Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from three serotype - global pneumococcal sequence cluster (GPSC) pairs.
A cluster dendrogram of serotype-organised MALDI-TOF mass spectrum data for the three dominant pneumococcal serotype-genotype pairs.
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Cite this article
Kann, S., Sao, S., Phoeung, C. et al. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry for sub-typing of Streptococcus pneumoniae. BMC Microbiol 20, 367 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-020-02052-7
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Mass spectrometry

domain: biology


A rendering of the new ferry, which will be the first of its kind in the world
DFDS, ABB Marine & Ports, Ballard Power Systems Europe, Hexagon Purus, Lloyd’s Register, Knud E. Hansen, Ørsted and Danish Ship Finance have joined forces to develop a 100 per cent hydrogen-powered ferry.
Together, the companies have applied for support from the European Union Innovation Fund to develop the first-of-its-kind ferry, which has been given the working name Europa Seaways and is designed to accommodate 1,800 passengers and 120 lorries or 380 cars. Once operational, the ferry will operate on DFDS’s route between Oslo, Norway and Danish ports Frederikshavn and Copenhagen.
The ferry will be powered by electricity from a hydrogen fuel cell system that can produce up to 23 megawatts (MW) of power and only emits water. The hydrogen will be produced locally in Greater Copenhagen via offshore wind, and the project will investigate how to optimally integrate with the local energy system.
“The largest fuel cell systems today produce only 1-5 MW, and the development of such large-scale fuel cell installations for an electric ferry is a monumental task,” said Torben Carlsen, CEO of DFDS. “We can only succeed in partnerships with companies that together can muster some of the globe’s finest expertise in design, approval, building, financing and operation of innovative vessels. Together, we expect to learn how to make these fuel types and technologies commercially viable, which is key to a transition of the industry to climate neutrality, which is also the ultimate goal of DFDS’s climate plan.”
It is expected that using hydrogen fuel cells will cut carbon dioxide emissions by 64,000 tons per year, compared to conventionally powered vessels of a similar size.
“With the increasing demand for solutions that enable sustainable, responsible shipping, we are confident that fuel cells will play an important role in helping the marine industry meet carbon dioxide reduction targets,” said Jostein Bogen, global product manager of ABB Marine & Ports. “Collaborating on this project with partners across the value chain is an important step on the marine industry’s journey towards enabling zero-emission operation for ro-pax vessels.”
If the project develops as projected, the partners expect the ferry could be in full operation on the route as early as 2027.
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“Serbia’s Prime Minister Ana Brnabic addressed the gathering in the US Congress on Wednesday marking the centennial of Serbia’s flag flying above the White House, saying that ‘this memorable event from July 28th of 1918 honoured Serbia’s ultimate sacrifice in The Great War.’
‘Today, we remember a unique event, when a hundred years ago Serbian flag flew above the White House – the privilege given only twice in the history of the United States – to Serbia, and France, “ Brnabic told the gathering.
She added that “today’s world is not the same as the world one hundred years ago, but we still face profound challenges – challenges that I think we should address together, hand in hand, as we did before.”
‘I stand here today, to thank you on behalf of Serbia, deeply grateful for that support, and empathy of your brave leaders, a hundred years ago,’ Prime Minister said.
She added that, as so many times in the past, Serbia then defended freedom and liberty so deeply loved, cherished and protected by both Serbia’s and America’s nations.
Brnabic said that ‘in the Great War, from 1914 to 1918, Serbia lost more than a quarter of its population. Our entire army, government and a significant part of the population had to withdraw from our homeland in 1915, and go to Corfu.’
She reminded the gathering of Milenko Vesnic, “a Serbian diplomat and statesman, who had an opportunity to address both Senate and the House of Representatives here in Washington in 1918, on the same day when President Wilson proclaimed his Programme for the world’s peace.”
‘We (Serbia) believe in peace, but we equally believe in justice and freedom,’ Brnabic quoted Vesnic as saying back then.” (translated from N1)


text: Commonly referred to as “frozen shoulder,” Bursitis of the shoulder generally appears in patients who have injured themselves in an activity such as tennis, volleyball or football. Sports that require the overhead rotation of the shoulder, when throwing or serving a ball for example, can lead to shoulder impingement syndrome, the precursor to Bursitis. Bursitis occurs when the Bursa (above the rotator cuff in the shoulder) has become inflamed. Symptoms of Bursitis generally include pain when moving the shoulder overhead, but may also appear as radiating pain in the arm and shoulder. Bursitis is often accompanied by a Rotator Cuff tear, resulting in the need for shoulder arthroscopy to repair the Rotator Cuff tendon, thereby alleviating the pressure on the Bursa.

domain: medical


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Supreme Court Upholds Part of Affordable Care Act, Strikes Down Medicaid Portion
June 28, 2012 - Today, the United States Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of a portion of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA), in part, while also reversing a portion of ACA. The Court held that the individual mandate is constitutional; however, as Chief Justice John Roberts noted, it “is not a valid exercise of the Commerce Clause.” Instead, the Court indicated the individual mandate is constitutional pursuant to Congress’ power to “lay and collect taxes” under the Constitution. This distinction, important to legal scholars and so-called “ObamaCare” naysayers, should also be important to all Americans, who may face additional taxation in a few years for failure to have health insurance.
The Court ruled with a narrow five to four majority, with Chief Justice John Roberts, along with Justices Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan, and Sonia Sotomayor, finding ACA constitutional. The dissenting opinions came from Justices Samuel Alito, Anthony Kennedy, Antonin Scalia, and Clarence Thomas, who commented that “the federal government does not have the power to order people to buy health insurance.”
This decision means that Americans must have health insurance or pay a “[s]hared responsibility payment” (otherwise known as a tax/penalty), which will become effective in 2014. ACA provisions in effect today will remain in effect and additional provisions will become effective on the future dates stated within the law. Unless legislation is enacted prior to 2014, or unless the upcoming election results in the rewriting of ACA, employers must begin strategizing compliance with these requirements.
Although the individual mandate was upheld, Medicaid expansion was restricted by the Supreme Court’s decision. The Court ruled that the federal government may not place conditions governing the use of funds when “such conditions take the form of threats to terminate other significant independent grants” or use conditions “as a means of pressuring the States to accept policy changes.” The Court held that Congress may “offer… funds under the Affordable Care Act to expand the availability of health care,” and “require that States accept[ing] such funds comply with the conditions on their use,” but stated that Congress may not “penalize States that choose not to participate in that new program by taking away their existing Medicaid funding.”
We expect this issue will take many twists and turns prior to the ultimate 2014 individual mandate effective date, especially during the upcoming election season.
Stay tuned to Physicians Independent Management Services, Inc. (PIMS) and our website for updates and further in-depth analysis as it becomes available.
Jessica S. Cohen, Esquire, is In-House Counsel of Physicians Independent Management Services, Inc., specializing in health law. She can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.org.


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A MAN has admitted sexually assaulting a woman on a flight from Scotland.
Andrew Tosh, 34, from Dundee, was detained when the flight from Glasgow to Dalaman in Turkey, was forced to land at Gatwick after reports of a ‘disturbance’ on board.
The Thomas Cook flight diverted to the London airport after reports of at least two passengers ‘involved in trouble’ on board the aircraft.
But it has emerged that the decision was taken to land the flight at Gatwick after the pilot and cabin crew became concerned at Tosh’s behaviour.
Cabin crew reportedly asked passengers to help restrain Tosh, who admitted being drunk on board an aircraft during a court appearance.
Tosh also admitted sexual assault, threatening behaviour and assault, and was released on conditional bail and ordered to attend Lewes Crown Court on June 11.
Fellow passenger Jimmy Costello told the Evening Telegraph that he had helped restrain Tosh as the plane began its descent to Gatwick.
He added: “The cabin crew started moving the people who were seating behind him and they spoke to him, trying to keep him calm.
“People were saying that he was a bad flyer and that he got really nervous. It was arranged to divert the plane. As we were coming down he was shouting that we were going to crash.
“It was an all female cabin crew and they had asked if I would help them to restrain the passenger if things got out of hand.
“I held his wrists against his chest and I held him down until the plane landed.”
Meanwhile, a man has been fined £1,000 after he admitted endangering an aircraft after got drunk and took over the tannoy system on a flight from Manchester to Aberdeen to sing karaoke.
Graham Leonard was returning on a charter flight after attending a Manchester United match at Old Trafford when he hijacked the flight’s intercom.
He later caused part of Aberdeen International Airport to be evacuated after he set off a fire alarm.


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There isn’t an honest moment in all 96 minutes of Traffik.
Eyes, frames, lenses, doorways, windows, photographs, mirrors, smoke, hands, flesh, water, power...
There are movies I count among my best friends, with whom I have loved, learned, and grown. This is one I treasure most. (Only for those who know their way around "Chinatown.")
[notes to come]
a labor of deepest love, for Mrs. Mulwray and Gina Namkung (1937, 1974, and counting...)
... and, of course, for Matt Zoller Seitz, Kevin B. Lee, Steven Boone...
A tribute to the late Oscar-winning filmmaker, Milos Forman.
A new video essay explores the uncanny durability of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers"
This message came to me from a reader named Peter Svensland. He and a fr...


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Brie Larson Set To Star in Charlie Kaufman's Netflix Film I'M THINKING OF ENDING THINGS
Captain Marvel star Brie Larson is set to star in the new Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) Netflix film I’m Thinking of Ending Things.
The film is based on Iain Reid’s 2016 novel, and the plot centers on Jake, “who is on a road trip to meet his parents on their secluded farm with his girlfriend (Larson), who is thinking of ending things. When Jake makes an unexpected detour leaving her stranded, a twisted mix of palpable tension, psychological frailty and sheer terror ensues.”
That sounds like it will make for an interesting film that is right up Kaufman’s ally. It will be interesting to see how he implements his quirky style and humor into the film.
Here’s a more detailed description of the story from the book:
I’m thinking of ending things. Once this thought arrives, it stays. It sticks. It lingers. It’s always there. Always.
Jake once said, “Sometimes a thought is closer to truth, to reality, than an action. You can say anything, you can do anything, but you can’t fake a thought.”
And here’s what I’m thinking: I don’t want to be here.
In this deeply suspenseful and irresistibly unnerving debut novel, a man and his girlfriend are on their way to a secluded farm. When the two take an unexpected detour, she is left stranded in a deserted high school, wondering if there is any escape at all. What follows is a twisted unraveling that will haunt you long after the last page is turned.
In this smart, suspenseful, and intense literary thriller, debut novelist Iain Reid explores the depths of the human psyche, questioning consciousness, free will, the value of relationships, fear, and the limitations of solitude. Reminiscent of Jose Saramago’s early work, Michel Faber’s cult classic Under the Skin, and Lionel Shriver’s We Need to Talk about Kevin, I’m Thinking of Ending Things is an edgy, haunting debut. Tense, gripping, and atmospheric, this novel pulls you in from the very first page…and never lets you go.
Does this sound like it could be a film that you’d be interested in watching?

domain: literature


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If you ever wanted to collect additional data from the field on your QGIS project, the solution is here and it can be achieved with GIS Cloud apps.
With GIS Cloud’s Publisher for QGIS, you can upload the data and transfer your project from QGIS to GIS Cloud. When everything is uploaded, use Map Editor to prepare the data for data collection and, lastly, collect new or edit existing data with Mobile Data Collection app.
GIS Cloud Publisher for QGIS allows you to publish your maps and data from QGIS to GIS Cloud with one click, preserving your symbology and integrating your desktop solution with the cloud. With Map Editor app, you can create a form for data collection and manage uploaded data, while Mobile Data Collection app can be used for collecting new or updating existing data.
The procedure is simple and it has a few steps that need to be followed.
- Open your project in QGIS and install GIS Cloud Publisher for QGIS plugin on your QGIS.
- Publish your project to GIS Cloud using GIS Cloud Publisher for QGIS. For more detailed instructions on how to use QGIS Publisher, click here.
- Once the data is uploaded to your account on GIS Cloud, then it is necessary to import the layer for data collection to the database. Find more info about importing layers to the database.
- The next step is to change the source of the layer from the map to the layer you just imported to the database. Take a look at our guide about changing the source of the layer.
- Create a new form for data collection in Map Editor and connect it to the layer. Find more info here.
Note: You can create a new form based on the layer or create a completely new one. In both cases, the form needs to be connected with the layer from the database.
- The last step is to share a map you created with field collectors. More information available here.
Once those steps are completed, everything is ready for data collection! All you need to do is to open MDC app, choose a map from “Maps and Layers” list and start collecting. Take a look at our more detailed guide about data collection with MDC app.


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Dress Up & Decoration
Pathians is an addictive new take on solitaire and chain-making card puzzles.The rules are simple but solving the puzzle may be challenging.
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Texas Holdem Poker
Classic Texas Hold'em Poker.The aim is to beat the five other computer players by taking all their chips...
Ace Blackjack is a great card game also known as twenty-one or Pontoon, is one of the most popular card game. Beat the dealer by having the higher hand that does not go over 21...
Sofia the First Solitaire
Stack the cards together in descending order whilst alternating red and black colors, don't forget to place the aces on the row located at the upper right side of the game...
Kamala's Blackjack is famous card game vs Kamala! this game also known as twenty-one and pontoon in British English. Choose your bet, deal, and see if you need to hit or stand to w..
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Sheriff Tripeaks is a classic solitaire variation where you stack cards on a pile that are 1 away from the card pile. You need to find the card with one number above or one number ..
Blackjack Gold is one of the most popular casino card game. Choose your bet, deal, and see if you need to hit or stand to win...
Kombat Fighters is RPG type game with magic cards! you will love this version with the characters from mortal kombat, you have different playing modes to prove your skill choosing ..
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You don’t think about it until you hear a song, but sometimes when you hear a song it makes you think of someone or something you did. Some people in our lives make us think of special song.
Today’s blog will require headphones if you are sneaking and reading at work (not that any of my readers would do that) – I apologize for the inconvenience.
I have found that music is more therapeutic than I realized and over time it has blessed me with many moments. Some of them are sad, some of them are happy, but all of them are special.
This is a list of songs that remind me of other people… and why.
Our wedding was amazing and I am still moved, but this is the song after we were announced husband and wife.
A few weeks before my friend Sally died we discussed how we love John Prine- especially Angel From Montgomery and his version of the song is the best. She was very special to me in college and was tragically killed by a drunk driver. A blog for her will be in the future, but I’m just not ready yet.
My aunt Peggy who was taken from us far too soon was more like a cousin because she was so much younger than her siblings. She spent a lot of time with the cousins instead of her siblings and because of that we have some special memories of her. In my young preteen to teen years.. of early to late 90s, Peggy would visit and she was that cool older kid that could drive you places. So in the summer we would roll down the windows and crank up the Metallica. Most people remember her as being a Grateful Dead fan, but my memory will always be filled with her when Metallica comes on.
My mom went to Liberty University and sang in their chorus. She still loves to sing and all kinds of songs that make me think of her. The Carpenters, Toni Braxton, Shania Twain, numerous hymns… the list goes on…
The entire Sound of Music movie! Ha – here is one for my Mom. This reminds me of rainy days and car trips…
For my friend Jenna- Poppin’ Tags!
This one reminds me of John’s mom. Whenever she starts talking about the good ole days she starts singing this song.
and this one too
Granny Bryant’s favorite song- She always asked John to play it when we visited. So he’d bring his acoustic guitar and strum away for her singing and playing this several times every visit. It never got old to see someone so pleased by her grandson playing her favorite tune.
My Dad- We went to see Rush with my Dad. It was one of the best concerts we’ve ever been to, but my dad loves music too. You could include Metallica, Queen, Marc Cohn, again the list goes on…. he loves music.
For my friend April- There are so many songs that remind me of her, but this reminds me of our friendship.
For my friend Ingrid- This was like the anthem of our senior year of high school. Ingrid and I spent lots of time together that year. When I hear it I think of her. Miss you muah!
John’s Dad. Now this isn’t his favorite song, but at our wedding we didn’t have our car and John’s dad had his. My mom forgot the music for our wedding. We only had the songs for during the ceremony and John’s dad only had the Best of James Taylor in the car…. so we had a lot of James Taylor playing at our wedding. This is my favorite James Taylor song. Because of this every time we hear James Taylor it reminds us of our wedding. Best mess up ever 🙂
This could very well be my father in laws song… all the Hokies understand.
For my friend Tonya- Sorry to out you like this but I can’t help but remember you wearing pajama pants in college with a hairbrush as a microphone… good times singing Britney Spears.
This is just a “short” list and one that I’ve always wanted to write down so I didn’t forget them. I love music and this doesn’t even touch on my own personal favorites. I hope you enjoyed it especially those included in it. In the comment section or on fb list any songs that when you hear them make you think of me and return the favor. 🙂


An ultrasound transducer with low synthetic quality factor, for in‐air applications, is presented. It is realized by curving a thin sheet of polyvinylidenefluoride and by assembling the so shaped piezo‐polymer film onto a mobile support. The resonance frequency, which is inversely proportional to the bending radius, can be easily varied on a range of some tens of kHz, 30–65 kHz, by mechanically controlling the opening arc angle of the curved film. An ultrasound transducer with both controlled resonance and controlled axial resolution is obtained. The combination of the different resonance frequencies, related to different opening angles, leads to a synthetic broad‐band transducer with unity quality factor Q. © 1996 American Institute of Physics.


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Last updated on August 6, 2016
I stand behind my products and your satisfaction. All of my items are produced with the highest quality products. Great care and creativity is taken with each piece that I design and create. Since I've been involved in the creative world for most of my life, quality is of the utmost importance to my products.
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Tonight – May 21 – Mike Gordon will host a special demo of his banjo-bass, designed by beloved Phish guitarmaker Paul Languedoc.
“Have you ever seen a banjo-bass ? Didn’t think so,” the bassist wrote to promote the event.
“It’s going to be a talk about the challenges with coming up with an invention and working with it, and now conceiving version two,” he added in an announcement video while strumming the contraption.
Fans can tune in to Gordon’s demonstration at 8 p.m. ET on Gordon’s official Instagram.
Watch his announcement below: