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Download and read online Live Bait in PDF and EPUB Live Bait is the second book in P.J. Tracy's Monkeewrench series. When elderly Morey Gilbert is found, lying dead in the grass by his wife, Lily, it's a tragedy, but it shouldn't have been a shock - old people die. But when she finds a bullet hole in his skull, the blood washed away by heavy rain, sadness turns to fear. It looks like an execution... Soon a whole city is fearful as new victims are found, killed with the same cold precision. All elderly. All apparently blameless. Detectives Gino and Magozzi, race to uncover a connection and their best hope of doing so may be Grace McBride, beautiful, damaged survivor of an earlier killing spree. And the answers, it seems, are buried in a terrible past. Grace MacBride and Detectives Gino and Magozzi are back in P.J. Tracy's Live Bait, the follow-up to debut Want to Play? Fans of Karen Rose should be paying attention. Follow the characters' journeys in the rest of the series: Want to Play?, Dead Run, Snow Blind, Play to Kill and Two Evils. Praise for P.J. Tracy: 'Her second offering doesn't disappoint. Vivid scenes, realistic characters and humorous dialogue' Time Out 'A fast-paced, gripping read with thrills and devilish twists' Guardian P.J. Tracy is the pseudonynm for the mother-and-daughter writing team of P.J. and Traci Lambrecht. They are the authors of the award-winning and best-selling thrillers Live Bait, Dead Run, Snow Blind, Play to Kill, Two Evils and the Richard and Judy Book Club pick Want to Play?. All six books feature detectives Gino and Magozzi and maverick computer hacker Grace MacBride. P.J. and Traci both live near Minneapolis, Minnesota. www.pjtracy.net
Download and read online Live Bait in PDF and EPUB The story of a small Italian town where fishing, biking, and rock 'n' roll make the news, until tragedy turns everything upside down. Muglione. Nothing grows in this Tuscan backwater except the wild imagination of Fiorenzo, a nineteen-year-old metalhead. He lives for his garage band, horror movies, and fishing in the murky irrigation ditches outside of town. But when his path crosses with Mirko, the teenage cycling phenomenon, and Tiziana, the smart but frustrated head of the local youth center turned refuge for the town's hard-drinking seniors, his world will never be the same. From the brink of despair they fight their way back through honesty, resilience, and laughter, their fates interweaving in a story that is at once achingly funny, bitter, and full of poetic fervor. Told with the tenderness of a Fellini film, this contemporary novel continues the great tradition of Italian literature and cinema.
Download and read online Live Bait in PDF and EPUB Gaia Moore is the hottest new recruit at the FBI training camp, and she's already tracking a serial killer. When her partner disappears, it looks like he might be stalking single women. Is Gaia next?
Download and read online Live Bait in PDF and EPUB Told that not writing this book would “leave a gap in history,” by Brig. Gen. Robert L. Scott, Jr. (GOD IS MY CO-PILOT), Clayton Kelly Gross put pen to paper. LIVE BAIT is an engaging and exciting retelling of experiences as an ace fighter pilot in WWII, from crashes during training to shooting down one of the world's first jets. A great read and 24+ pages of fascinating photos.
Download and read online Live Bait Fishing in PDF and EPUB Every kid who ever started fishing probably tried to catch a panfish with a worm. That setup has been the tried-and-true method for generations. There are other kinds of live bait that work just as well; maybe even better in some conditions and for certain fish. In addition to the chapter on Worms & Leeches, this book covers Baitfish, Insects, Salamanders & Frogs, Crustaceans and Other Natural Baits (such as salmon eggs and clams). Complete information on how to catch and keep these baits is followed by sections on how to actually use each live bait type. New on the freshwater-fishing scene in recent years is the use of dough baits and scents. Which one to choose, plus how and when to use each is fully explained. Equipment is discussed in detail: hooks, bobbers, sinkers, rods, and reels. The authors suggest many tips for using different kinds of equipment in various fishing locations and situations. The final chapter matches common freshwater fish species with the best kind of live bait to use, depending on where the fish are and what time of year it is.
Download and read online Live Bait in PDF and EPUB With rich content that capturesÂ children's imaginations and built-in reading and vocabulary instruction, your child will not only be learning, he'll be preparing for success while learning the responsibilities of citizenship at every grade level. Captivate your child with numerous colorful visuals and activities that will engage their interest in social studies. Connect, Experience, Understand Connecting is all about activating prior knowledge and jumpstarting yourÂ child's journey into social studies. Essential Questions help students see the âeoebig ideasâe theyâe(tm)re learning about, and activate prior knowledge. They allow students to engage in an active discussion of what they already know about the topic, but also encourage them to think further. Scott Foresman Social Studies offers a variety of ways for your child to think critically about key concepts so they actively experience the world they live in. Developing true understanding means that students donâe(tm)t simply memorize facts, dates, and places. It means taking what theyâe(tm)ve learned and transferring that knowledge to new content, situations, ideas, and to their own lives. The goal is to help students become successful learners who will remember not only what they have learned, but how to learn more! Â
Download and read online Modesty Blaise in PDF and EPUB "Also featuring 'Samantha and the cherub' and 'Milord.'"
Download and read online Fishing When where and how to Fish Without Live Bait in PDF and EPUB
Download and read online Live Bait in PDF and EPUB Reid Bennett hits the mean streets of Toronto again. Because of his expertise, he (and his German shepherd, Sam, of course) is asked to bring in the vermin that has been bludgeoning nighttime security guards. And he makes the collar as advertised. So the police department asks him to stay on the case and find out who has been ordering these beatings. Reid has got to get down to business and sift through the long list of suspects. But he gets a little too involved . . . the culprits start looking for him, or at least he thinks they are. Reid must get to the bottom of this case quickly, before he becomes the next victim.
Download and read online The Livebait Cookbook in PDF and EPUB With the current variety of fresh seafood available, every restaurant has several options on its menu. The challenge for home cooks is replicating these exciting recipes in their own kitchens. This book shows how, with easy-to-follow tips for successful dishes, plus 175 great recipes. 70 color photos.
Download and read online Live bait and other stories in PDF and EPUB
Download and read online The Art of Fishing With Worms and Other Live Bait in PDF and EPUB A complete guide to the often-underappreciated form of fishing describes old-time tactics and personal experiences as well as modern tackle and techniques
Download and read online Live Bait in PDF and EPUB
Download and read online Live Bait in PDF and EPUB Minneapolis detectives Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth are bored-ever since they solved the Monkeewrench case, the Twin Cities have been in a murder-free dry spell, as people no longer seem interested in killing one another. But when elderly Morey Gilbert is found dead in the plant nursery he runs with his wife, Lily, the crime drought ends-not with a trickle, but with a torrent. Who would kill Morey, a man without an enemy, a man who might as well have been a saint? His tiny, cranky little wife is no help, and may even be a suspect; his estranged son, Jack, an infamous ambulance-chasing lawyer, has his own enemies; and his son-in-law, former cop Marty Pullman, is so depressed over his wife's death a year earlier he's ready to kill himself, but not Morey. The number of victims-all elderly-grows, and the city is fearful once again. Can Grace MacBride's cold case-solving software program somehow find the missing link? Filled with intelligent, well-drawn characters, sparkling, snappy dialogue, and razor-sharp plotting, P. J. Tracy's stylish, high-voltage new nail-biter will have readers on the edge of their seats. From Publishers Weekly The mother-daughter mystery writing team known as P.J. Tracy produces another winner with this follow-up to 2003's lively Monkeewrench. After several homicide-free months in their hometown of St. Paul, wisecracking police detectives Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth are back in action when elderlyâ€"and much belovedâ€"gardener Morey Gilbert is found face up near his greenhouse with a bullet hole in his head. At first, the prime murder suspects are family members: Gilbert's estranged son, Jack, a slick personal injury lawyer, and Gilbert's dry-eyed widow, Lily, who discovered the corpseâ€"and moved it before the police arrived. When three more slayings follow, Magozzi and Rolseth discern disturbing common threads: each of the victims is over 80 andâ€"except for Arlen Fisher, shot in the arm and dragged onto the train tracks to face his doomâ€"Jewish survivors of Nazi concentration camps. Critical clues, including a gun traced to murders around the globe, surface as straitlaced detectives Aaron Langer and Johnny McLaren join the more offbeat Magozzi and Rolseth on the case. Tracy serves up punchy prose and quirky characters, from a sartorially challenged police chief to a plump, shrewd crime tech named Grimm. Romance for bachelor Magozzi arrives in the form of Grace MacBride, a comely computer whiz whose sophisticated software program, FLEE, has helped crack countless cases. The courtship moves slowly despite undeniable sparks; MacBride is still haunted by Monkeewrenchâ€"the deadly case that first brought the two together and continues to hover like a cloud of doom. With her stash of high-tech research tools, including special face recognition software, MacBride delivers revelations about both victims and perpetrator, leading Magozzi and Rolseth toward the case's spine-chilling resolution. With generous doses of humor and suspense, this sharp, satisfying thriller will rivet readers from the start. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From Booklist Forget Florida. Lose L.A. It's Minnesota that's heating up contemporary mysteries. Think William Kent Krueger and John Sandford, both of whom move their novels easily between the Twin Cities and the wild country to the north. Two more Minnesota crime writers, each with their second novels coming out, prove the cold front is no fluke. In Live Bait, the mother-daughter writing team that goes by the name P. J. Tracy concocts a police procedural that can be cherished for its dead-on cop humor and cop banter, as much as for the intricate plot. "Homicide is dead," laments a Minneapolis homicide detective: no bodies on the ground for months, only cold cases to keep the homicide guys busy. And then, a boon for Minneapolis detectives Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth--two possible murders in one spring day. Both of the deceased are in their 80s; both live near each other. The cases are satisfyingly tricky. In the first, there is no crime scene, since the nongrieving widow dragged her husband from the outdoors into a greenhouse. In the second, there is a scene but no body--until one turns up tied to the railroad tracks. If a police procedural can be both disturbing and fun-filled, this is it. Connie Fletcher Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Download and read online Live Bait in PDF and EPUB


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I have this activity that for every interest rate resetting, I will encode the new interest rate in TI10.
For swap transaction, the resetting I have is 01/14/2011 when it was originally contracted. However, given the governmentu2019s new thrusts on tourism, holidays were changed/moved in order to have long weekend. So the bank decided that the new interest rate resetting will be on 01/18/2011. Take note that there are already previous adjustments made in the past. When I reset the interest rate, I created a new interest rate, and I used the date 1/18/2011 in the actual fixing date. However, the accrual in SAP still uses the 1/14/2011 and not the 1/18/2011. So how do we solve this?

domain: finance


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Steam link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1530440/
Short Description: In the game you have to balance the ball on the platform, so as not to fall into the abyss. Good luck in the exciting world of Balance Ball.
Release: Feb 10, 2021 (3 weeks, 1 day ago) Early Access
Tags: 3D 3D Platformer Action Adventure Arcade Atmospheric Colorful Early Access Family Friendly Funny Futuristic Indie Linear Physics Platformer Precision Platformer Simulation Singleplayer Strategy Third Person
Genres: Action, Adventure, Early Access, Indie, Simulation, Strategy
Revenue Estimate: ~$18

domain: game


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Welcome to the planet of on the web gambling, where the thrill of putting digital bets and hitting the jackpot awaits! With the increase of engineering, the gambling market has expanded its horizons to the electronic realm, giving an array of fascinating options for players around the world. From the colourful and attractive slot machines to the refined allure of casinos, you will find no scarcity of entertainment when it will come to online gambling. Whether or not you happen to be a seasoned poker participant or a beginner exploring the realm of on-line casinos, this post will just take you on a journey through the charming planet of on the internet gambling, shedding gentle on common online games this kind of as pg slot and offering valuable insights into this flourishing business. So, fasten your seatbelt and get all set to take a gamble like in no way just before!
Dangers and Benefits of On the internet Gambling
On the web gambling can be an exciting and enticing experience, supplying a vast assortment of video games and thrills. Nevertheless, it is crucial to be informed of the dangers concerned. Let’s explore the possible hazards and benefits of on the internet gambling.
A World of Choices: On the internet gambling offers entry to a huge array of video games these kinds of as slots, casinos, and poker. With just a few clicks, you can get pleasure from the pleasure of a real on line casino encounter from the comfort and ease of your very own residence. The usefulness and range of alternatives available on the internet are certainly gratifying and cater to various choices.
Potential Rewards: Successful huge is a single of the most considerable benefits of online gambling. Numerous on the internet platforms provide generous bonuses, promotions, and jackpot prizes, providing an chance to earn sizeable amounts of funds. The thrill of hitting the jackpot can be unmatched, producing online gambling all the far more desirable.
Knowing the Hazards: Like any kind of gambling, online gambling arrives with inherent pitfalls. It’s essential to approach it responsibly and be mindful that losses can take place. The ease of access and 24/seven availability could lead to extreme gambling if not managed wisely. Understanding responsible gambling practices and environment boundaries for oneself are vital to mitigate these hazards.
Nevertheless, as with any gambling exercise, moderation and self-handle are crucial. By enjoying on-line gambling responsibly and getting mindful of the possible pitfalls, you can increase the benefits and make the knowledge both fulfilling and financially sustainable.
Well-liked Online On line casino Games
When it will come to on the web gambling, there are many well-liked casino video games that draw in players from all more than the globe. These games offer you a thrilling and immersive knowledge that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home. Let us just take a closer look at some of the most thrilling choices.
Slots: Online slots are undeniably a single of the most popular alternatives for casino fans. With their vivid graphics, fascinating audio results, and a extensive selection of themes, slots supply endless enjoyment. Whether or not you prefer vintage fruit equipment or present day online video slots with interesting bonus features, there is a slot recreation out there for absolutely everyone.
Blackjack: Blackjack is a classic card match that has been a favourite in land-based mostly casinos for decades. In the on-line world, it stays just as well-liked, if not more so. The objective of the game is straightforward: to obtain a hand complete as close to 21 as feasible without heading over. With various versions obtainable, this kind of as dwell vendor blackjack, gamers can enjoy an immersive and interactive experience.
Poker: Poker is a sport of talent and approach, which tends to make it a favourite among several on-line casino gamers. From Texas Hold’em to Omaha, there are numerous poker variants to decide on from. On-line poker also delivers the chance to participate in tournaments, in which players can contend in opposition to each other for substantial funds prizes and the title of poker winner.
With the increase of on the internet gambling, these well-liked on line casino game titles have turn into much more accessible than at any time just before. Whether or not you are a seasoned player or new to the world of on-line betting, these games offer limitless thrills and the chance to get large. So why not just take a gamble and discover the interesting planet of on-line on line casino gaming right now?
(Notice: The previously mentioned material does not always endorse or advertise on-line gambling. It basically offers information about common online on line casino games.)
Suggestions for Responsible Gambling
- Established a Spending budget
It is critical to build a funds before you begin gambling online. Determine how much money you can comfortably afford to shed and stick to that limit. By setting a spending budget, you can guarantee that you never conclude up investing a lot more than you can find the money for, which is vital for responsible gambling.
- Control Your Time
Time administration is essential when it comes to on the internet gambling. It is simple to drop observe of time although immersed in the enjoyment of the numerous on the web game titles and betting chances. To gamble responsibly, set boundaries on how a lot time you commit gambling every day or 7 days. Additionally, get https://onbolaonline.com/ to guarantee you keep a healthful stability between gambling and other elements of your life.
- Be Aware of Emotional State
Your psychological state can tremendously affect your gambling experience. It really is critical to be conscious of how you are emotion and steer clear of gambling as a indicates to cope with tension, nervousness, or other negative thoughts. When your thoughts are working high, it’s best to get a phase back and engage in pursuits that encourage rest and mental effectively-becoming.
Remember, accountable gambling prioritizes pleasure and entertainment although guaranteeing you preserve control above your funds and thoughts. By applying these suggestions, you can method online gambling with mindfulness and hold it a constructive and participating knowledge.

domain: hobby


Shortly before 11.30am today, Friday 12 July 2019, officers were called to reports that a number of shots had been fired close to the Outline Health & Fitness Centre on Lever Street.
A man, who is believed to be in his late 20s, has been taken to hospital and the extent of his injuries isn't yet known.
A police scene remains in Lever Street as police continue with their enquiries.
Superintendent Rick Jackson, from GMP’s Bolton District, said:
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 5599 quoting reference 1217 of 12/07/19 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.


3 Ways to Take Screenshots on Windows 10 Surface Tablet
This also applies if you want to edit the screenshot. Windows 10 is Microsoft’s latest operating system largely for desktops and laptops. Taking a screenshot is one of the most essential features on any platform and Windows is no different. You can easily take screenshots on Windows 10 via some simple shortcuts. These allow you to take a screenshot and save it to a folder. You can take a screenshot of the entire screen or just one window on screen.
Aside from this, you can capture the screenshot without using this tool by pressing the universal keyboard shortcut for screenshots Windows logo key + Prtscrn.
There are extra steps to some of these shortcuts, so check out the full method above.
In this article, I’m going to show you the Windows 11 version, which adds a few minor features over the older Windows 10 version.
Skype , WhatsApp , and Facebook are free applications that can be accessed from any device. In Skype and WhatsApp, you can send images as attachments with the message. Facebook is a social media site that enables you to send a screenshot as a post. However, these images will be displayed to all your friends on this site. Instead, you can use Messenger to send your snaps to a person.
Take Screenshot on Windows 10 Like a Pro
When you have numbers at your disposal, you can always make quantitative measurements of quality. Our company aims for products which provide greater value than the standard, but with a good balance between funko five nights at freddys 4 figure pack. The great funko five nights at freddys 4 figure pack brands are distinguished from the competition by their unique features. We hope that one of our products meets your requirements, therefore.
There is a tool named snipping tool which you can use to take a screenshot of a specific area download. In some laptops, you have to press “Windows logo key + Ctrl + PrtScn” or “Windows logo key + Fn + PrtScn” keys instead. You should check your laptop’s manual for detail.
Now, more than ever, there’s been an increase in the use of text and images methods to convey a message to people. Visual communication has become the preferred choice of putting a message across in a clear and succinct manner. Trending sort is based off of the default sorting method — by highest score — but it boosts votes that have happened recently, helping to surface more up-to-date answers.
Re: Cant record full screen only games with bandicam
Pressing the Print Screen key will take a picture of the entire screen’s contents.The Print Screen key may be entitled “PrtSc” or something similar. Before you can take a screenshot, make sure that the screen which you want to screenshot is up with no distractions (e.g., open windows or programs). You do have other options like to paste it in Microsoft Word, Photoshop, or any other program that supports images, but for the sake of simplicity, we’ll use Paint. The quickest way to open Paint in all versions of Windows is through the Run dialog box. This article explains how to take screenshots on a Windows PC. Instructions apply to Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. To capture only the active window, press Alt+PrtScn.
Alt + Fn + Space – Grabs the active windows and copies it to the clipboard. Click and hold on your Surface PenThis shortcut will take a screenshot of your current screen and save it in your OneNote notebook. Press the Windows key + G key on your keyboard to open the Game bar. Open an image editing program like Paint or Photoshop.
Apowersoft Screen Capture Pro is an innovative and highly-customizable screenshot-capture and image-editing tool. It’s nice and easy to use, and unlike other options on this list, it’s free without caveats, and maintained as is by a diligent community of open-source developers. Beyond just scrolling, it also functions as an all-in-one screen capture suite, which is pretty impressive given its small file size. If you’re looking to capture scrolling screenshots on Chrome or Edge , you can get an extension that will do the job for you. It’s a great way to quickly capture an entire webpage in a single scrolling screenshot.


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Catalie is a striking beauty with a unique look.
Catalie is an American Curl mix with an orange tabby coat. The American Curl in her is what gives her her curled back ears. On top of this already unique look, she also has 27 toes! She has 7 toes on 3 of her feet and 6 on the other.
Aside from her appearance, Catalie is just like any other cat. She is healthy, sweet, and ready to find her forever home!

domain: pet


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The romantic world of cinema often introduces themes that inspire and captivate audiences. One such example is the enchanting tale told in the movie “Love at First Sight.”
Brief overview of the movie Love at First Sight
In the charming film “Love at First Sight,” the viewer is introduced to a captivating story of an instant magnetic connection between two strangers.
The film explores the journey of their accidental meeting, which transforms their lives forever.
It uncovers layers of love and emotions that they experience, sparking conversations about a timeless question, does love at first sight exist?
Explanation of the concept of love at first sight
The profound concept of love at first sight suggests that someone could experience intense romantic feelings for another person upon their first encounter.
This theme in the movie is no fairy tale; instead, the film portrays it as a life-altering event. The protagonists, once strangers, are immediatly drawn to one another, setting a magical tone throughout the film.
Their chemistry is undeniable and they are convinced that they were destined to cross each other’s paths.
In essence, the movie “Love at First Sight” explores the fascinating concept of experiencing deep love unexpectedly and instantly upon meeting someone. It is a must-watch for romantics who believe in the phenomenon of unanticipated, yet profound love.
‘Love at First Sight’ is a captivating movie that explores the serendipitous meeting of two strangers, Hadley and Oliver. Their attraction, instantaneous. A chance meeting, a trans-Atlantic flight, and the twist of fate that sees them separated all make for a gripping narrative.
Description of the main characters, Hadley and Oliver
Hadley Sullivan, an American college student is sharp, witty, and fearlessly optimistic. She’s on her way to father’s second wedding in London. Oliver, a British university student, is charmingly charismatic with a dash of mystery that’s all too compelling. He’s heading back to London after a visit to his parents in the States.
Outline of their chance meeting and attraction on a flight to London
Enroute to London, Hadley and Oliver are seated next to each other. Their connection is magnetic and the spark between them, undeniable. They dive into conversations about life, love, and everything in-between. The journey is filled with laughter, shared stories, and mutual interest that hints at a budding romance. It’s a classic case of love at first sight.
Discussion of the twist of fate that separates them
But fate has a way of keeping things interesting. Under unfathomable circumstances, they are separated upon landing at London Airport. With no exchange of contacts, their promising attraction hangs in the balance. However, as the movie unravels, audiences are kept guessing whether fate will reunite Hadley and Oliver. Today or in the future? That’s the question!
In ‘Love at First Sight’ movie, the prevalent themes discussed enfold an intimate perspective. These themes centre around the unpredictable nature of love, the enticing possibility of love at first sight, and the inevitable influence of time and chance on relationships.
Exploration of the theme of love defying the odds
In this film, the principle of love conquers all odds to get at the heart of viewers. Each scene makes a strong case for the argument that love can bloom in the unlikeliest of places and among the unlikeliest of people, striking a chord with many hopeless romantics.
Analysis of the portrayal of love at first sight in the movie
Love at First Sight, living up to its title, offers a soulful depiction of instant attraction. The movie does a stellar job in weaving a tale that convinces viewers about the potential for true feelings to manifest instantaneously, adding to the overall appeal of the romantic genre.
Discussion of the impact of timing and fate on relationships
The film invariably introduces the concept of timing and fate. It presents the idea that relationships are not just about two people coming together, they also depend majorly on when and how they meet. The narrative underlines the intrinsic role of destiny in the course of love affairs, encouraging profound contemplation on viewer’s end. This singular blend of themes makes ‘Love at First Sight’ a must-watch for those seeking a heart-warming cinematic experience.
Filming Locations and Production
In “Love at First Sight”, an absolute marvel in the rom-com genre, there is a beautiful amalgamation of iconic locations and quality cinema. The selection of locations doesn’t only amplify cinematic charm but also plays a significant part in creating the most delightfully magical moments that stay with the audience forever.
Mention of the filming location for the New York airport scenes
The notable scenes shot in New York’s bustling airport, bring an authentic life and vibrancy to the heart of the movie. These scenes, impressively, are shot in one of the busiest airports in the world, John F. Kennedy International Airport. Jet planes in the backdrop, the beautiful glass architecture, and the constant flurry of commuters gave the “Love at First Sight” airport scenes a level of realism that would be hard to replicate elsewhere.
Brief insight into the production process of the movie
Behind the scenes, the production process of “Love at First Sight” was as noteworthy as the film itself. With meticulous casting decisions, creative sets, and a dedicated crew, the movie managed to capture and convey raw, heartfelt emotions. Notably, animation was cleverly used to facilitate story progression and to illustrate the charming aspects of the relationship between the film’s protagonists.
Moving from storyboard drafts to the final movie sequences required a hefty amount of collaborative efforts, detailed planning, and undying dedication. The success of “Love at First Sight” resonated beautifully with the heart and soul put into its production.
When it comes to cinematic representations of love, few tropes are as time-tested and as beguiling as the idea of “Love at First Sight”. Yet, any film tackling such a tender subject, must bear the scrutiny of critics, pundits, and audiences alike. Let’s delve into analysing the critical reception of our movie in question.
Overview of reviews and opinions from critics
The movie invoked a mixed response from critics. While some revelled in the romanticism and opulence of love portrayed, others felt the plot to be an echo of overused cliches. The performances were largely appreciated, and so was the cinematography, which captured the vibrant nuances of emotional tides.
Analysis of the movie’s originality and clichéd elements
Although the theme of love at first sight is not a fresh perspective, the movie attempted to present it with a unique twist, embedding a sense of originality in the narrative. There were clichéd moments, but they seemed to blend well with the movie’s dynamic, adding a vintage charm to it.
Discussion of the target audience and intended emotional impact
The movie aimed at the younger demographic, especially those who are romantics at heart. The emotional intricacies of love at first sight were beautifully personified, sometimes evoking tears, at other times heart-warming smiles. The film’s aim was to etch those moments into the audience’s heart, and indeed, it was successful in doing so.
Oh boy! Now that I’ve had the pleasure of watching and reflecting on the “Love at First Sight” movie, I am excited to share my thoughts with you all. It swept me off my feet and truly left an impact, especially their portrayal of the love at first sight phenomenon.
Summary of the blog post
I’ve spent the majority of this blog post talking about the movie, dissecting its plot, characters, and thematic elements. The highlight, of course, is the exploration of love at first sight – a concept filled with charm and wonder, albeit a subject of debate.
Personal reflection on the movie and its portrayal of love at first sight
Personally, the film’s take on love at first sight was utterly compelling. It was much more than just a romantic cliché. It delved deeper – exploring the spontaneity, the emotional surge, and most importantly, the authenticity of such an experience.
Final thoughts and recommendation for watching the movie
In conclusion, “Love at First Sight” provided a beautifully thought-provoking viewing experience. Whether you believe in love at first sight or not, this film’s heart-warming narrative and compelling characters will captivate and charm you. It’s a must-watch for all hopeless romantics and fans of compelling storytelling. So, pull out the popcorn, make yourself comfortable, and let “Love at First Sight” take you on a magical journey!
If you enjoyed “Love at First Sight” and are on the lookout for similar, heart-fluttering content, there’s no shortage of movies that tug at the heartstrings and take you on a rollercoaster of emotions.
“Sleepless in Seattle” – a timeless classic that expertly blends romance and comedy. It encapsulates the spellbinding effect of love at first sight charmingly well. Another recommend is “Serendipity”, which playfully explores the delightful surprises of love and destiny.
“Romeo + Juliet” – although tragic, this movie showcases one of the most iconic examples of love at first sight in literature and cinema. For a more modern and upbeat take, “La La Land” is a musical masterpiece that effectively captures the infectiously thrilling feeling of instant attraction.
Link to IMDb page for Love at First Sight with user reviews and ratings
To get a more comprehensive view of “Love at First Sight” from fellow movie buffs, check out the link to its IMDb page. Here, you can explore a vast collection of user reviews, ratings, and comments about the film. Getting insights from others can deepen your appreciation and understanding of this movie’s exploration of the instant, magnetic pull of love.

domain: artistic


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The battles I have one:
1. To be able to think best of the people, to think about not what they have done to me, neither about what they are but what they can become!
2. To still my mind, I have learned to do one thing at a time. If I am reading a book, I am reading a book. If I am taking a walk, I am taking a walk. Nothing more.
3. To work hard as if there were no God and things only depended on me and to pray as If I had done nothing and only God would deliver for me.
4. To not speak just because every one is speaking. I have learned that it is not necessary to say every thing.
5. I can love her every time as if I had met her for the first time.
6. I can focus like a child
7. To ask questions to my own self. Tough, hard questions.
8. To be honest about my emotions and to people whom they are associated, even if it is about asking to make love to.
9. I have overcome procrastination.
10. I can listen. I can really really listen now… to people, to the universe, to you.
11. And finally the greatest battle I have won over the years is to accept decisions of God.

domain: literature


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12 January 2013
We're thrilled to once again be featured in The Wedding Co. Magazine for 2013! It's always a lot of fun working with the girls from the Wedding Co. ... always a twist on the ordinary!
This time, we were given only a single word and a colour palette as inspiration! From this little glimspse of inspiration, we were to create a bouquet that would be married with both a wedding cake and wedding stationery for a 'group' shot in the studio! We had no idea who the other two creative contributors would be and so we couldn't chat amongst ourselves ahead of time!
We were up for the challenge ... check our 'featured' page below! (The entire feature can be found on pages 36 - 41 here.)
2 April 2012
If you've been following us for a while, you know that we absolutely love colour ... so we were pretty excited to take full advantage of a palette featuring shades of purple, magenta, orchid and blush tones for Ruby + Ty's Niagara-on-the-Lake wedding at Queen's Landing.
We employed very seasonal flowers such as tulips and muscari and combined them with lushious english garden roses, super-stunning Vanda orchids and loads of mokara orchid sprays ... just dripping with beauty!
Ruby was all smiles ... it was contagious! She looked oh-so fabulous ...
The reception centerpieces were half tall full-florals perched a top a glistening glass vase and half short full-florals flanked by twin glass candlesticks.
Ruby + Ty ... we wish you every blessing in your marriage journey ... it was such a pleasure to design the flowers for your wedding day!!!
30 July 2011
This weekend we gathered up the Mimosa Team and headed up the 400 to King City for Chloe + Herbert's wedding ceremony and reception at the lovely King Valley Golf Club.
Confessional moment: We'd never heard of King City before now ... but that's some gorgeous country up there!
We absolutely love colour and so does Chloe ... so we punched it up a notch and took full advantage of a palette featuring intense shades of cobalt blue, magenta, deep pink, deep purple and fucshia tones.
Our chuppah canopy was just dripping with loads of vanda and mokara orchids, the venue was draped in silvery linens and the bridesmaids rocked it in pretty blue patterned dresses with black ruffled boleros!
To accomplish this rich and romantic look, we used plenty of dazzling Yves Paiget garden roses, deep purple vanda orchids, hydrangea blooms in blue and purple as well as purple mokaras ... virtually no foliage anywhere!
Our beautiful bride Chloe was accompanied down the aisle by her dad ... check out that dress! Sigh.
We layered orchid stems to create dripping panicles of blooms on our chuppah/canopy frame ... they almost look like wisteria!
The centrepieces at the reception were a mix of short full florals (flanked with tall glass candlesticks and swirl glass vessels) and tall full florals perched a top a vase with submersed purple vanda orchids!
The coolest idea ever .... hire a caricature artist to hang out with your wedding guests for a couple of hours during cocktails!!!
We wish Chloe + Herbert every blessing in their marriage journey ... it was such a pleasure to design the flowers for your wedding day!!!
25 June 2011
This wedding was featured on Style Me Pretty Canada!
Alyssa + Jay were wed this past weekend and celebrated their Niagara wedding ceremony at the Cave Spring Cellars Vineyard Retreat on the Niagara Escarpment. After the ceremony, Alyssa + Jay hosted an evening dinner reception for their guests in the Windows Room at the nearby Inn on the Twenty on Main Street in quaint Jordan Village.
This wedding was jam packed with luscious and intense colour ... bright and bold tones of deep pink, red and burgundy ... the girls wore stunning peacock blue dresses! A feast for the eyes.
The floral colours borrowed heavily from our ‘Spirit’ palette and featured oodles and oodles of peonies, garden roses, orchids and pink hydrangea ... mmmmm.
Alyssa's bridal bouquet was one of our favourites coming out of the studio this weekend ...
The bridesmaids bouquets looked absolutely delicious against their peacock blue dresses!
The scrambling roses on the Vineyard Retreat were in full bloom ... just perfect!
One of our custom-made wrought iron twiggy trees decked out in mokara orchids and hanging glass lanterns ...
We had so much fun designing these reception centrepieces ... the silver vessels reflected the hues from the linens, the blooms and the twinkling candlelight! Each centrepiece was packed full of heavenly blooms of peonies, garden roses and orchids ... the Windows Room was dazzling!
Wedding Venue: Inn on the Twenty, Jordan, Ontario
Event Planner: Cynthia Martyn Events
Linens: Susan Murray International
Wedding Cake: Cakeaholic
Wedding Stationery: Laura K Design
Wedding Flowers: Mimosa Flower Studio
15 August 2011
This weekend, Lauren + David were married in Niagara on the Lake ... we were excited to work at two of our favourite venues ... Queen's Landing and St. Mark's Anglican Church.
This little town is so full of interest and charm that it naturally enhances any wedding here ... take, for instance, the 19th century fife and drum corps parade we experienced marching down the centre of Queen St. - where else are you going to experience THAT?!?!
Lauren's colour palette was based on our 'Charm
' palette plus white and a touch of darker pink. Very soft, romantic and flow-y. The reception flowers showcased deeper medium pink tones.
We designed primarily with dahlias, pink piano garden roses, pink spray roses and some 'gardeny bits' including delicate fern fronds, astilbe and scented geranium foliage from our studio's organic cutting gardens.
Lauren's bridal bouquet included heavenly-scented gardenias ...
Bride Lauren has a thing for birds ... so we dreamt up a twiggy tree installation for her that featured these cute little birds in nests, white orchids and some of our handmade pottery vessels!
P.S. > We actually rescued these real Robin's nests from our gardens this spring ... you just never know what you'll need a bird's nest for! :) (No robins were harmed ... don't worry!).
Cheers and best wishes to Lauren + David ... it was a pleasure designing the florals for your wedding!


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Hatch contest leans toward white winners in majority black Detroit
From the rooftop event space on the Madison Building one night recently, downtown Detroit crackled with energy. The Tigers were playing next door at Comerica Park, iconic music man George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic performed at Campus Martius and people jammed the streets, restaurants and outdoor bars. As darkness fell, the gilded tower of the Fisher Building glowed in the distance.
Excitement also built throughout the evening in the five-story Madison, the tech incubator and collaborative workspace. The building was filled with some of the most networked players in the central city’s new economy of cute shops, $2,000-a-month apartments and locally sourced restaurants. They partied as they waited to see who would win the sixth annual Hatch Detroit competition, the retail development contest that combines a made-in-Detroit attitude with elements of the TV shows “Shark Tank” and “American Idol.”
The prize is a godsend for any new or struggling entrepreneur: A $50,000 grant from Comerica Bank, along with legal, architectural, advertising and other technical assistance with a value that Hatch values at another $200,000.
Vittoria Katanski, Hatch’s executive director, said the city is bursting with entrepreneurial activity. “There’s so much excitement about really building independent retail,” she said. “It’s an opportunity for Detroit to emerge as a very unique place to shop and do business. You can feel the vibe.”
With its $50,000 prize, Hatch Detroit is not the largest program for ambitious startups -- Motor City Match, a one-year-old program administered by the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, gives away $500,000 to multiple businesses four times a year.
Hatch is one among many such competitions, funds, boot camps and tutorials aimed at startups and small businesses over the past decade. But it’s the most talked about, partly because online voting plays a role in determining winners, and partly because Hatch winners and finalists tend to be fashionable lifestyle businesses run by plugged-in young people eager for a niche in the downtown renaissance.
The five previous Hatch winners were Hugh, the stylized housewares shop on Cass Avenue; La Feria, the Spanish tapas restaurant near Hugh; Batch Brewing; Sister Pie bakery and Live Cycle Delight, a spinning studio. Ten runners-up have opened brick-and-mortar outlets, and 16 Hatch alumni operate as pop-ups.
Hatch has another distinction that sets it apart from many other similar programs in Detroit: Its whiteness. It’s a characteristic that is difficult to ignore in a city that is 80 percent African American and where discussions about the lack of black participation in Detroit’s rebirth have been taken up by observers ranging from neighborhood development activists to Nolan Finley, the conservative editor of The Detroit News’ right-leaning editorial page who is white.
In 2014, Finley wrote: “It's like playing with dynamite to have black Detroiters looking out of devastated neighborhoods at a downtown bustling with hope and hopeful young people, and not seeing their own children among that hip crowd.”
No one disputes the idea that the new-found prosperity in some neighborhoods should be shared by all, including white entrepreneurs with a business to promote. But the frustration persists because the city’s recovery remains highly uneven.
As creative storefronts, new housing and intriguing pop-ups appear in Midtown, downtown, the east riverfront, Corktown, Eastern Market and Indian Village, many of the main thoroughfares in the sprawling city remain dilapidated. The schools struggle, crime hits outlying neighborhoods harder than the well-protected central city and large numbers of the best-paying jobs remain in the suburbs, beyond the city’s dysfunctional transit. Detroit is the most impoverished big city in America, with 39 percent of the population living below a poverty line of $24,008 for a family of four. The situation is further complicated by demographics: U.S. Census estimates show the white population is slowly increasing, while blacks continue to flee to the suburbs.
“Detroit’s has very low opportunity for people that live here. Not none, just very minimal,” wrote Eric Thomas, a black Detroiter and brand strategist at a Detroit marketing firm, in a May post on his LinkedIn page. The post was titled “Why I Hate Detroit,” and it went viral.
Few people would deny that the Hatch contest has given a boost to stores that enliven the city, but the issue of participation was on stark display at the Madison. The security guards were black, but the final four Hatch businesses – seven people in all – are white. The crowd was overwhelmingly white. Four of Hatch’s previous five winners were white, the exception being last year’s Live Cycle Delight, owned by an African-American woman. Of 10 runner-up businesses that have opened, two are black-owned.
Katanski, Hatch’s executive director, immediately acknowledged the competition’s diversity was a problem when asked about it. She said Hatch leaders are very aware of the issue and have taken steps to address it.
“We’re constantly discussing that,” she said.
Katanski mentioned the Hatch methodology of allowing any member of the public -- regardless of whether they live in the city -- to vote for finalists as one reason why diversity is an issue. Even so, she noted, this was the first year the four finalists included no person of color. Hatch selects the 10 semifinalists before people cast their ballots, and she said officials do their best to see that those businesses better reflect the community.
Among the Hatch semi-finalists over the years who failed to receive enough votes to advance to the finals, nine had African-American ownership; three were Asian and two were Hispanic.
“Our goal is to make sure that our top 10 (semi-finalists are) as diverse as we can make them. That’s our major push,” Katanski said.
Hatch this year hosted community workshops to help entrepreneurs improve their applications; officials reached out to community groups to publicize Hatch and interest residents in opening their own business. Hatch also has financed streetscape improvements in neighborhoods far from the downtown districts where young people are settling. The organization said it also plans to work with a diversity specialist in the coming months.
“It’s a year-long process, and we will be working this year,” Katanski said.
Hatch started in 2011, a historic period in the rebirth and rebranding of downtown Detroit. That’s the year Quicken Loans founder and uber entrepreneur Dan Gilbert began his Bedrock real estate company and bought the Madison Building, the first of what has become more than 80 downtown properties under Gilbert control. Gilbert’s Opportunity Detroit promotional arm sponsored Friday’s Hatch event.
Hatch founder Nick Gorga, vice chair of the litigation department at the Honigman law firm said he saw the need for stepped-up retail when he returned to Detroit after working in Chicago, where he lived in the bustling and upscale Lincoln Park neighborhood.
“We wanted to create density,” Gorga said. “Part of what we are trying to do is to bring excitement to retail in Detroit. Part of what we are trying to do is shine a spotlight on the amazing ideas that are out there.”
On the Madison roof, more than 150 smartly dressed people drank local craft beer and sampled pork belly sliders, tostada almogrote and velvety Mexican hot chocolate ice cream from Hatch’s previous winners and runners-up in the food business. Members of the final-four teams mingled, nervously.
Hatch received over 150 entries this year. The staff, board members and volunteers -- development experts and Detroit residents -- whittled that down to 10 semifinalists, two of whom were African American. Just as notable, half of the final 10 wanted to open in neighborhoods outside of the thriving central core, including a bakery in Highland Park and a wine bar in northwest Detroit.
The public chose the four finalists and then again for the winner. Voting is conducted online and at community voting booths.
After the public votes, a panel of judges steps in. This year’s final four contestants -- a pottery studio, farm-to-table restaurant, women’s clothier and a massage spa – pitched their concepts to judges Friday evening at the Madison and answered questions.
“It’s really our vibe that sets us apart,” Taylor Bolleber, owner of Bird Bee, http://shopbirdbee.com/ a “boho clothing” boutique, told the judges.
Gwen Meyer and Alison Heeres, of Coriander Kitchen & Farm, drew laughs and applause from the crowd when they burst onto the stage carrying plates of food and served the judges dinner.
Jenaveve Biernat, co-owner of Meta Physica Massage, assured judges she was there “to dispel the notion that self-care in a luxury.” She added: “We must take care of ourselves to take care of each other.”
Then the judges retired to deliberate.
And the winner is…
Hatch declines to release specifics about how many votes contestants received, or the judges’ role in determining the winner. So it’s unclear if judges have ever overruled the popular vote for the winner.
Most years, judges’ discussions last less than 30 minutes. This year, they took an hour and a half. The DJ lowered the techno music and Katanski revealed the winner -- Meta Physica Massage and Sauna, run by Biernat, 38, a massage therapist, and Anahi Hollis, 39, an interior designer. The crowd cheered as the women hoisted an oversized check emblazoned with the figure “$50,000.”
Meta Physica currently provides massages in a small Midtown studio. She and Hollis are engaging businesspeople who combine talk of “price points” with the detoxifying benefits of the massages, saunas, juice bar and herbal apothecary they plan to offer when they move to the second floor of a 90-year-old building at Trumbull and Bagley in Corktown.
The spa’s victory illustrates another Hatch conundrum: Hatch founder Gorga wants retail density, but their business, however unique to Detroit, will further strengthen one of the city’s most thriving neighborhoods while other neighborhoods are dying for stores.
The building on Trumbull, and an adjacent structure built in the 1870s, are owned by Brian Mulloy and wife Stacy Mulloy, who recently moved into an upstairs apartment. The buildings are home -- or soon will be -- to a barber and beauty shop, a restaurant selling sustainable sushi, a local-products grocery and a clothing and home décor boutique. The Mulloys also have plans to build two more buildings on their property.
“The demand is crazy,” Brian Mulloy said. “For every spot that is occupied, I have two or three businesses on the waiting list. It’s ridiculous.”
Biernat and Hollis say they will combine the Hatch grant with a loan and personal savings for a total investment of between $112,000 and $120,000. Work will start soon, and they hope to open in Corktown early next year. They said they plan to hire about 10 employees, all Detroit residents, and massage therapists will earn half the price of a massage, which will run about $60.
Biernat and Hollis have many friends who are running businesses in the city, and their passion for Detroit burns brightly. “We’re trying to activate this whole corner,” Biernat said.
Working for diversity
Hatch says 14 alumni -- winners and runners-up -- have opened storefronts, creating more than 80 jobs and investing $2.5 million in Detroit and Hamtramck.
Katanski insists Hatch wants to improve its metrics on racial diversity, and Aubrey Agee said he believes her.
Katanski reached out to Agee, who works with entrepreneurs at Wayne State University and was part of the panel that winnowed the Hatch contestants to 10 semifinalists, for help in making Hatch contestants better reflect Detroit.
Hatch’s lack of diversity “is a true frustration to” Katanski, Agee said.
Agee, who is African American, said Hatch suffers from an image that it exists only for “folks from the suburbs, or the new gentrifiers – I hate to use that word – people who have moved into the city.”
He said Hatch could do better in finding a broader range of candidates, but he emphasizes the need to spread the word among Detroiters that they can vote for candidates who want to open stores in outlying neighborhoods.
“What we really need to do is activate our communities,” said Agee. “We need to get the local neighborhoods to understand that they need to back their business folks in the competition. They need to support them, both with the votes on line and the votes in person.”
Other Detroit organizations that help entrepreneurs have managed to find a diverse group of clients.
April Jones Boyle, founder and executive director of the four-year-old Build Institute, which helps entrepreneurs turn their ideas into businesses, said: “We’ve had over 700 people take our classes. Seventy percent of our students are women, and we have someone from every zip code in the city.”
Mayor Mike Duggan has encouraged outside entrepreneurs to start businesses in the city, but he also is careful to note Detroit “has a commitment to creating a comeback that includes all Detroiters,” as he told the Democratic National Convention in July. In reporting on grants by the city’s Motor City Match, which uses federal grants to help businesses and landlords, Duggan told reporters nearly 70 percent of applicants were African American, and fifty percent were women of color.
Linda Forte, senior vice president for business affairs at Comerica and a veteran development official in Detroit, was instrumental in getting the bank to fund the Hatch winner for the past five years. Forte, who is also Comerica’s chief diversity officer, said she and bank officials loved Hatch’s focus on building independent retail in Detroit neighborhoods.
“I thought it had a tremendous opportunity for a ripple effect,” she said.
Forte too said the overall diversity of past semi-finalists and finalists is better than this year’s all-white final four would indicate.
One problem she sees goes well beyond Detroit: the deficit black businesses in general have in securing necessary funds. Hatch judges might see a potential problem in getting some black businesses open, she said.
“It’s no surprise that we have businesses that are owned by more diverse individuals that are maybe a little behind in capital development,” Forte said.
In any case, Katanaski said Hatch is serious about diversity, and has plans to do better.
“It’s definitely something that we are active about and are incredibly interested in continuing and moving that forward,” she said.
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domain: sociology


text:
When Juventus perform as they did against Sassuolo, winning 3-1 and playing with such superiority, one can understand why Serie A is not often described as an exciting league.
While Sassuolo never gave up in their attempts to push forward and threaten Juve's back line, the fluidity of the Old Lady's game, coupled with the intellect of their star players, ensured a powerful performance. Juventus simply dominated for half an hour and scored the goals they needed to allow themselves to enjoy the result of the game and the three points achieved.
Juventus have always been described as a cynical and ruthless team that take their opportunities and defend with might.
To read more, click here.


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Q: Do apples lose any nutritional benefits when cooked? A:Diane McKay, PhD, a scientist in Tufts’ HNRCA Antioxidant Nutrition Laboratory, answers: “Like most foods, cooking apples will tend to decrease the vitamin C content, since this nutrient is particularly susceptible to heat.
Does cooking apples destroy nutrients?
Cooking does destroy some heat-sensitive vitamins, such as vitamin C and folate. … And in some cases, cooking fruit and vegetables actually makes it easier for the body to absorb the nutrients they contain. “Cooking doesn’t kill all nutrients, and it actually increases bio-availability of others,” Ms Saxelby said.
Are cooked apples as nutritious as raw?
Are cooked apples as healthy as raw? Both cooked and raw apples are healthy, but stewed apples can be particularly helpful for gut health. … You may even enjoy greater overall health, since a review of studies found that eating apples was associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, asthma and type-2 diabetes.
Is baked fruit still healthy?
Some people like to cook fruit because it concentrates the natural sugar, which makes the fruit taste even sweeter. As long as you don’t add extra sugar during the cooking process, the liquid used to cook fruit is healthy, says HuffPost, just as it is with cooked vegetables.
What happens to apples when you cook them?
In general, apples that are high in acid, such as Granny Smith and Braeburn, hold up best during cooking. Acids enhance our perception of other fl avors, and because heat tends to dissipate aromatic molecules, cooked dishes made with high-acid apples retain more fl avor.
Can I eat 2 apples a day?
Eating 2 apples a day may lower cholesterol, helping ward off heart attacks and strokes. Eating two apples a day may help lower high cholesterol, according to a new study. Researchers believe the high fiber and micronutrient content of apples, including beneficial compounds called polyphenols, are behind the benefits.
What happens if you microwave an apple?
What happens if you microwave a whole apple? When you microwave a whole apple then it will explode as its thick skin can burst when the moisture inside the apple expands after being heated. Therefore, it is not advisable to microwave a whole apple.
Is eating applesauce as good as eating an apple?
Applesauce contains about the same amount of fiber as whole apples. The fiber is soluble, which helps to lower your blood cholesterol levels. Like fresh apples, applesauce also contains polyphenols, which may help to reduce blood pressure.
Are cooked apples easier to digest?
Cooking helps break down the fiber, making it easier to digest. For this reason, applesauce can be easier to digest than an uncooked apple. Applesauce also contains pectin , a soluble fiber that may help treat some types of diarrhea.
Can you eat a cooking apple raw?
A cooking apple or culinary apple is an apple that is used primarily for cooking, as opposed to a dessert apple, which is eaten raw. … Worldwide, dual-purpose varieties (for both cooking and eating raw) are more widely grown. Apples can be cooked down into sauce, apple butter, or fruit preserves.
Are baked apples healthy?
The best way to keep apples’ nutrition intact is to eat them raw since cooking can result in the loss of certain nutrients. Having said that, cooked apples are still a very wholesome food that can contribute to maintaining good overall health.
Are carrots healthier raw or cooked?
Q: Are cooked carrots more nutritious than raw? A: Yes, cooked carrots are more nutritious, but you still get plenty of nutrients from raw carrots. Cooking, especially prolonged boiling, does reduce the vitamin content of vegetables.
Is it better to eat tomatoes raw or cooked?
Tomatoes release a cancer-fighting antioxidant when cooked.
Tomatoes certainly have many health benefits when eaten raw. … According to a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, tomatoes release more lycopene (a cancer-fighting antioxidant) when cooked.
How do humans make apples sweeter?
How have humans made sweeter apples? They put extra sugar in the apples. They planted sugar trees. … They kept selecting flowers with sweeter smells.
Are apples high in acid?
Although apples are generally safe to eat, certain types of apples may trigger symptoms in people with acid reflux. Red apples generally don’t cause an increase in symptoms. Green apples are more acidic, which can have a negative impact for some. Pesticide residue may be present on conventional apple skins.
How long can you keep cooked apples in the refrigerator?
In the refrigerator: 4–6 weeks. Once cut: 3–5 days in the fridge, 8 months in the freezer. Made into applesauce: 7–10 days in the fridge, 2 months in the freezer. Cooked, as in the case of apple pie: 3–5 days in the fridge.

domain: food


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Weston Spirit, the charity which helped underprivileged youngsters for 20
years, has ceased trading after recording losses of £640,000.
The charity which received millions in donations, including £2m from the
Lottery, was founded by Falklands veteran Welsh Guard Simon Weston.
The charity reportedly has been in financial difficulties since December, and
a rescue plan to save the charity failed, forcing the charity to cease trading,
according to the South Wales Echo.
‘A combination of factors have made fundraising very difficult in recent
years and mounting debt sadly forced what was a very, very difficult decision
for the trustees and the executive,’ Weston said in a website statement.
Does Darwin's theory apply to taxation? Colin ponders...
The EC has been instructed to draft a European Union (EU) directive authorising an EU financial transaction tax, which would apply to ten of the EU’s 28 member states
Accountancy watchdog the FRC has dropped its investigation into the former chief financial officer of Tesco, nearly two years after the supermarket was engulfed in an accounting scandal
Colin imagines how Apple's logo might change in the wake of the EC's ruling over its Irish tax arrangements


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Multistate Tax Update - January 22, 2015
Ohio: Supreme Court hears oral arguments in the first of two jock tax challenges
The Tax Foundation defines a "jock tax" as the state and local tax burden that authorities levy against visiting professional athletes and other traveling business professionals. Some states include visiting musicians, lawyers, and even touring skateboarders in that category. Generally, a jock tax requires the visitor to pay income taxes in every state in which he or she earned income.
Two allocation methods
The current case before the Ohio Supreme Court (the Court) is Hillenmeyer v. City of Cleveland Board of Review. Hillenmeyer, a former linebacker for the Chicago Bears, argues that the City of Cleveland’s method for allocating income to non-resident professional athletes for tax purposes is contrary to statutory and case law and also violates both the Ohio and United States Constitutions.
Hillenmeyer contends Cleveland’s "games played" method results in an unfair apportionment of income. The "games played" method calculates an athlete’s tax liability based on the portion of games that the athlete's team plays in the jurisdiction relative to the total number of games that the team plays during the year.
Instead, Hillenmeyer asserts that Cleveland should follow the "duty days" method, which allocates a visiting athlete’s income based on the portion of the days that the athlete actually performs service in Cleveland relative to the number of days on which the athlete performs service for his employer during the year. In other words, Hillenmeyer says he should be taxed based on the portion of time that he—not his team—spent playing football in Cleveland.
The oral argument
The crux of Hillenmeyer’s legal position is that the "games played" scheme unlawfully taxes income earned for services performed outside the state of Ohio. During oral arguments, one issue that several justices pursued was whether the judiciary has the authority to tell the City of Cleveland how to tax people in the first place. Implicit in Hillenmeyer’s argument is that the judiciary can decide what constitutes a reasonable tax method; Hillenmeyer wants the court to conclude that the current system is unlawful and should be replaced by the "duty days" method.
On the other hand, the City of Cleveland argues that its taxing method is a local matter and the law only requires that it be “reasonably related to the income producing activity in the taxing jurisdiction.” Further, counsel for the city argued that Cleveland applies its method uniformly.
The amount in controversy for Hillenmeyer is de minimis; he only played one game per year in Cleveland for the three years (2004-2006) at issue. If he prevails, he would be entitled to a refund of about $6,000. Even so, as evident in a line of questioning from the Chief Justice, the principal at issue affects professional non-resident athletes in other sports and entertainers as well. Hillenmeyer’s counsel opined that when the entertainer earns wages as an employee over the course of a season, he or she is like an athlete. Under that scenario, the "duty days" method Hillenmeyer advocates should apply.
Though the outcome of the litigation remains uncertain, the fact that all other municipalities which have a local income tax, including Pittsburgh and Columbus, use the "duty days" method may bode well for Hillenmeyer. A decision is expected in several months.
Michigan: Governor signs numerous tax related bills
Gov. Snyder recently signed numerous bills designed to raise revenue for transportation funding and capture revenue lost from consumers’ failure to pay sales and use taxes associated with their online purchases.
A 10-bill package that Gov. Snyder signed last week will boost road and school funding, according to the Detroit Free Press. The package is contingent upon voter approval of a May 5, 2015, ballot initiative that would amend the state constitution to increase the sales and use taxes from six percent to seven percent, and result in an estimated $1.2 billion a year to spend on roads and $300 million a year to spend on K-12 schools.
In addition, the plan directs $100 million more toward transit and local governments, and fully restores the cuts made in 2011 to the state's Earned Income Tax Credit.
Here are some of the key provisions contained in the series of bills:
- Increase the maximum sales tax rate from six percent to seven percent, and exempt the sale of gasoline or diesel fuel from the sales tax, beginning Oct. 1, 2015 (HB 4539);
- Increase the maximum use tax rate from six percent to seven percent, and exempt the sale of gasoline or diesel fuel from the use tax, beginning Oct. 1, 2015 (HB 5492);
- Exempt motor fuel from the sales and use tax, dedicate a greater portion of the sales tax to the School Aid Fund, and increase revenue sharing (HJR UU);
- Increase registration fees for vehicles powered “partially, predominately, or solely” by electricity and establish a sunset on the discount that vehicles of the model year 1984 or later receive on their registration fees (HB 4630);
- Subject local road agencies to bidding requirements similar to those that apply to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT); require the MDOT to condition payment of new or renewed road maintenance contracts on performance outcomes; and subject MDOT and local agencies to annual reporting requirements pertaining to maintenance services and contract processes and performance (HB 5167); and
- Require the MDOT to obtain warranties for either full replacement or appropriate repairs for projects exceeding $1 million and undertaken after the effective date of the bill; allow cities to allocate up to 20 percent of the money received for public transit purposes if more than 10 million passengers used public transportation in that city in the previous fiscal year (HB5460).
The Tax Foundation released estimates of the revenue impact of some of these bills. They estimate that increasing the sales tax would boost revenue by $1.34 billion, while exempting motor fuel from the sales and use tax would decrease revenue by $752 million.
Gov. Snyder also signed 14 Senate bills, which address a variety of matters, including appropriating $40 million of the School Aid Fund to the At Risk program (SB 80), delaying the sunset on the deposit of tobacco settlement revenue into the 21st Century Jobs Trust Fund (SB 269), and exempting property, income, and operations of a street railway from taxation (SB 696 and 697).
Online sales tax collections
Included in the bundle of Senate bills are two pieces of legislation, SB 658 and 659. Collectively known as the Main Street Fairness Bill (Fairness Bill), the bills create a rebuttable presumption of a nexus between online retailers and the state of Michigan for purposes of sales tax collection.
The Fairness Bill is set to take effect on Oct. 1, 2015. It amends the General Sales Tax Act of 1933 by requiring certain online sellers to collect a six percent sales tax on consumer purchases. Retailers that wish to avoid collection of sales tax can rebut the presumption of significant nexus with Michigan by establishing that the sales activity is not “significantly associated with the seller's ability to establish or maintain a market in Michigan.”
As we observed during the holidays, Michigan and other states reminded consumers that their online holiday purchases were subject to taxes. They did so because use tax compliance in most jurisdictions is voluntary, resulting in the loss of millions of tax revenue dollars each year. Thus, lawmakers have an incentive to enact laws like the Fairness Bill, compelling the collection of sales taxes.
The Detroit Free Press reported that the legislation “could generate around $50 million a year from Amazon, Overstock, eBay and other internet retailers with a nexus to Michigan.” Supporters, like the Michigan Retailers Association, applaud the move as “good for Michigan's economy, good for our local communities, good for our consumers and good for our retail businesses,” because it removes the advantage that out of state retailers enjoy, who do not invest, create jobs, pay taxes, or otherwise support local communities in Michigan.
The Detroit Free Press recognized that there is no specific link between the Fairness Bill and the road funding bills described above, but that “talk of boosting funding for transportation and education in the negotiations gave the so-called Amazon bills a boost.”
The American Booksellers Association pointed out that Michigan’s Treasury Department has estimated that $445 million in sales and use tax revenue from remote purchases went uncollected in 2014, nearly two-thirds of it from e-commerce. Beyond Michigan, 28 other states have passed legislation addressing the collection of sales taxes by remote retailers.
The estimated state tax impact of the Keystone XL Pipeline
As depicted in this map from The Washington Post, the TransCanada Keystone Pipeline currently starts at the southern tip of the tar sands in Hardisty, Canada, veers east and enters the United Sates near Winnipeg. It continues straight down the middle of the country, through North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas, terminating in Cushing, Oklahoma.
The proposed TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline (XL), the 875 mile route, adds to the existing pipeline with a direct crude oil transport route from Hardesty to Steele City, Nebraska which sits on the border with Kansas.
Property, sales, and excise taxes
Around this time last year, the State Department issued an impact statement assessing the projected collection of state and local taxes, among many other things. According to the executive summary, the impact statement estimated that during construction, project spending would generate approximately 3,900 direct construction jobs for one to two years in Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas. Once the pipeline is operational, it is expected to require about 50 workers, with 35 being permanent but some of whom may be located in Canada.
During construction, TransCanada would provide temporary housing in the form of construction camps: four in Montana, three in South Dakota, and one in Nebraska. There would also be local accommodations in central and southern Nebraska. The State Department estimated that these eight construction camps would generate the equivalent of one full year of property tax revenue, or about $4 million in total, for the counties in which they would be located.
In addition, the residents of the camps would generate revenue from sales and excise taxes, except in Montana which does not have a sales tax. This includes taxes from construction materials and construction worker spending in the local economy for basic living expenses like food, housing, gas, and entertainment. Because these workers are temporary, the revenue they generate would last only as long as the construction, which is estimated to be one to two years. That said, estimates of ongoing property taxes that county governments, school districts, and others would collect for the proposed pipeline facilities are sizeable, approaching $60 million.
The Tax Foundation estimated the impact of these various taxes during and after construction by state and summarized below:
Property Tax Collections
|Montana: $2.147 million
South Dakota: $1.325 million
Nebraska: $0.49 million
TOTAL: $3.96 million
|Montana: $26 million
South Dakota: $17.9 million
Nebraska: $11.8 million
TOTAL: $55.7 million
Sales and Excise Tax Collections
|Montana: No sales tax
South Dakota: $46.5 million
Nebraska: $16.5 million
Kansas: $3 million
TOTAL: $66 million
Conditions for construction
Two things are required in order for XL to become reality, one of which already occurred. First, the Nebraska Supreme Court (the Court) needed to decide the case Thomson v. Heineman. The dispute in Thomson concerned which entity had the authority to determine a pipeline carrier’s route. On a technicality, the court struck down a Nebraska law that granted this authority to the governor. In so doing, the court upheld the route proposed by TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, LP.
Second, there must be a federal law enacted, approving of the construction project. Such a bill is making its way through Congress now. On Jan. 9, 2015, the House of Representatives completed its work and approved the bill with a 266 to 153 vote in favor of construction. The bill moved on to the Senate, which voted 63-32 to begin debate. Even if the legislation eventually goes to President Obama, The Huffington Post reports that the president promised to veto it, making passage contingent upon the Senate’s ability to override that veto.
For additional information regarding these subjects, or any other multistate tax issues, please contact:
Businesses must be vigilant and careful in managing their state and local tax liabilities and exposures. We understand this can be a daunting task. McDonald Hopkins Multistate Tax Services provides a broad range of state and local tax services including tax controversy, tax evaluation, tax planning, and tax policy. With professionals who have worked both inside and outside government agencies, our multistate tax team leverages its knowledge and experience to help clients control their complex multistate taxes.

domain: law


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The expression of LAFL genes is suppressed by the promotion of H3K27me3 alterations. Histone acetylation is regulated by histone acetyltransferases and histone deacetylases. The expression of genes associated to embryogenesis, including LEC1, FUS3 andABI3 are upregulated by the HDAC inhibitor Trichostatin A.
Staffing capacity and house will at all times have an effect on the program. Staff time, specialized expertise, and larger infrastructure are needed for distinctive species. They are simple to handle and useful as models of supply since they can be sown instantly within the soil.
It is broadly used to incorporate a quantity of variations, such as meristem tradition for propagation of virus free plants, Protoplast culture, cell suspension tradition, tissue and organ culture and anther or pollen culture for producing haploid vegetation. Technical elements of plant tissue tradition are covered on this chapter. A appropriate explant is chosen and prepared for culture after which put into a medium for development and differentiation.
Application Of Plant Tissue Tradition
It’s important that a speedy method is used within the selection. A high yielding cell line. They reported that a process was used.
The Pocket K No 14 Is About Tissue Tradition Technology
If the plant supply material is an overexploited, slow growing or low yielding plant, the use of in vitro tissue tradition stays a possible technique for the manufacturing of high worth natural merchandise. It is sensible to do a cost–benefit evaluation earlier than implementing the approach as a outcome of higher costs. Novel technologies such as gene editing and environmental factor manipulation ought to assist tissue tradition attain its full potential in the subsequent decade. De novo shoot organogenesis may be regulated by the adverse feedback loop between STM and CUC. The shoot promeristem depends on the CUC proteins. CUCs are regulated by the PLTs to accomplish regeneration.
There Are Mechanisms Of Root Organogenesis
The lack of specific enzymes is crucial. The incapability of plant cell cultures to produce secondary metabolites brought on the response. To enhance the productiveness of secondary metabolite. Cell density cultures have been studied. A new fermentor is being used. Coptis cells had been culture medium.
There is a comparability of the activities of the enzymes. There is a strain of cinnamoyl putrescines that’s resistant. It was pressure, TX4. There are actions within the p fluorophenyl resistantalanine strain.
Scientists had been capable of cross these two species because of advances in agricultural analysis. Once the fertility of the progeny was improved, anther culture was used to double the genes of the male intercourse cells and produce true breeding vegetation. The plant materials can be utilized to resolve some of these problems. The WUS homeobox contains a transcription issue that is concerned in regulating the fate of cells. There is overexpression of WUS that promotes embryo production without the necessity for hormones. The WOX genes are associated to the WUS homeodomain and a selected WUS field downstream of the homeodomain.
Inbred strains in maize have decrease tissue culture capacities than hybrid traces. Improving plant regeneration rates and genetic transformation effectivity may be achieved by clarifying the regulatory network and controlling the plant regeneration capacity in tissue tradition. Plant tissue culture is a broad time period used to outline different types of plant tradition.
The development of the whole plant is pushed by the creation of the somatic embryo from explants. In the oblique pathway, an immature embryo is stimulated to initiate the embryonic callus, which in flip leads to the event of shoots and roots. Shoots and roots are created on the stem with pre current meristems. In the oblique pathway, pluripotent callus is produced across the wound in a leaf explant with the formation of shoots and roots. The manufacturing of numerous secondary plant products has been the main focus of the previous many years of plant cell biology.
It relies on rules of collaboration and scientific progression. As PhD college students, we discovered it difficult to entry the research we wanted, so we decided wholesale tissue culture plants to create a new Open Access writer that ranges the enjoying area for scientists internationally. Making research simple to entry puts the educational needs of the researchers before the enterprise interests of publishers. Be the first to search out. Get exclusive presents about new merchandise.

domain: agronomy


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Preheat oven to 180° C. Grease a cake tin. Cream together butter and sugar in a bowl. Add eggs and vanilla essence and continue to whisk.
Add yogurt, a little at a time, and whisk till smooth.Mix together suji, baking powder and baking soda, add to the yogurt mixture and mix well.Pour the mixture into the greased cake tin and bake for 25 minutes.
Remove from mould, cut into wedges and serve.
तैयारी का समय : ११-१५ मिनट
खाना पकाने के समय : १६-२० मिनट
सर्विंग्स : ४
खाना पकाने का स्तर : मध्यम
स्वाद : मीठा
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor is the most celebrated face of Indian cuisine. He is Chef extraordinaire, runs a successful TV Channel FoodFood, hosted Khana Khazana cookery show on television for more than 17 years, author of 150+ best selling cookbooks, restaurateur and winner of several culinary awards. He is living his dream of making Indian cuisine the number one in the world and empowering women through power of cooking to become self sufficient. His recipe portal www.sanjeevkapoor.com is a complete cookery manual with a compendium of more than 10,000 tried & tested recipes, videos, articles, tips & trivia and a wealth of information on the art and craft of cooking in both English and Hindi.


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The frenzy of FNO is mere days away, and we bet you're still scrambling to secure some solid plans. While we'll be partying with the crew at 3.1 Phillip Lim (you should join us!), there are tons of can't-miss events happening all around town.
Whether you're looking to score some steep discounts (we totes are!), or just searching for an end-of-summer cocktail (count us in!), the retail world is your oyster come Thursday night. Each boutique has its own itinerary for the evening, but most soirées commence around 6 and last until 10 p.m.
So, put on your most head-turning ensemble and hit up any one of these sure-to-stylish shindigs. Not only will you be supporting local businesses, you'll have a blast while doing so!
Photos: Courtesy of Fashion's Night Out; 3.1 Phillip Lim; Planet Blue; Cheap Monday
When you're sick, there's nothing more you want to do than sit on your couch, Popsicle in hand, watching episode after episode of Friends on Netflix and pondering why anyone thought '90s brows looked good. In short, you don't want to do a damn thing. And, that's okay — we're firm believers in the "if you feel sick, read
If you're going to have to share your birthday with someone, it might as well be with someone awesome. Justin Timberlake and Kerry Washington each scored on that count. The singer and the Scandal star were both born on January 31, which means they are both now a year older, a year wiser, and a year sexier. Before we read

domain: entertainment


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Details about The Pruning of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers:
How, when, and where to prune? The questions that beset every gardener never change, but the solutions do.
The Pruning of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers recommends the best pruning techniques and practices. This unique encyclopedic treatment details the best pruning methods for more than 450 genera of trees, shrubs, conifers, and woody climbers. The A-Z format covers several thousand species, yet remains a manageable and practical reference. Kirkham clearly explains the reasons behind pruning techniques as well as how to apply them.
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Rent The Pruning of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers 2nd edition today, or search our site for other textbooks by George E. Brown. Every textbook comes with a 21-day "Any Reason" guarantee. Published by Timber Press, Incorporated.
Need help ASAP? We have you covered with 24/7 instant online tutoring. Connect with one of our tutors now.

domain: library


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Illinois is home to some of the most thrilling ATV trails in the Midwest. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced rider, the state offers a wide variety of terrains and landscapes that are perfect for an off-road adventure.
1. Fox Valley Off Road
Nestled in Ottawa, Fox Valley Off Road is a premier ATV destination in Illinois. With over 30 miles of trails, riders can explore wooded paths, rocky terrain, and muddy pits. The park caters to all skill levels, making it a great spot for riders of all ages and experience levels.
2. Little Egypt Off Road
If you're looking for a challenging ATV experience, head to Little Egypt Off Road in Marion. This park offers over 900 acres of diverse trails, including winding forest paths, steep hills, and creek crossings. The park also hosts various events throughout the year, adding excitement and camaraderie to your off-road adventure.
3. The Cliffs Insane Terrain
Located in Marseilles, The Cliffs Insane Terrain is a must-visit ATV park in Illinois. With over 300 acres of trails, riders can tackle steep climbs, deep mud pits, and thrilling jumps. The park also offers camping facilities, making it a perfect weekend getaway for ATV enthusiasts.
4. Lincoln Trail Motorsports
Situated in Casey, Lincoln Trail Motorsports is a popular ATV park that offers a variety of trails for riders of all levels. From beginner-friendly tracks to challenging hill climbs, the park has something to offer for everyone. The well-maintained trails and beautiful scenery make it a favorite among ATV riders.
5. Rocky Glen OHV Park
Rocky Glen OHV Park, located in Rockford, is a hidden gem for ATV enthusiasts. The park features over 120 acres of trails with varying difficulty levels. Riders can enjoy scenic views, challenging obstacles, and even a motocross track. The park also offers picnic areas and camping facilities, making it an ideal spot for a day trip or a weekend getaway.
Illinois is a paradise for ATV riders, with a wide range of trails that cater to all skill levels. From the adrenaline-pumping challenges of The Cliffs Insane Terrain to the scenic beauty of Rocky Glen OHV Park, there's something for every ATV enthusiast in the state. So, gear up and get ready to explore the top ATV trails in Illinois!

domain: geography


text:
Organochlorine Contaminants in
Eggs of Double-Crested Cormorants
This investigation was designed to determine the concentrations of organochlorine contaminants in eggs of double-crested cormorants nesting on East Sand and Rice Islands in the lower Columbia River. This study compared concentrations between the islands and to a reference area (Hunters Island, located just off the southern Oregon Coast). It evaluated the toxicological significance of the compounds and examined the accumulation pattern of contaminants in the eggs. East Sand and Rice Islands are exposed to numerous environmental contaminants from the Columbia River. The river drains an area encompassing 260,000 square miles, and receives contaminants through permitted municipal and industrial discharges, urban and industrial non point pollution, agricultural runoff, accidental spills of oil and hazardous materials, and atmospheric deposition. Exposure to contaminants carried by the river threatens the viability of fish and wildlife in the lower Columbia River and on the Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Previous studies have documented a variety of environmental contaminant problems affecting fish and wildlife resources. In these studies contaminants including dioxins, furans, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides,and their metabolites have been found in fish and wildlife from areas on or near the Lewis and Clark NWR at potentially hazardous concentrations.
Methods: The double crested cormorants are useful indicators of contaminant conditions in upper food-chain level species so the information gathered in this study can be used to assess possible effects to other fish-eating birds such as bald eagles. Eggs were collected during incubation from Rice Island in 1990 and from both Rice and East Sand Islands in 1991, 1993, 1994, and 1995. In 1993, eggs were also collected from the reference colony at Hunters Island. The eggs were measured for length, width, whole egg mass, and volume. Eggshell thickness was measured on 68 eggs which had been rinsed with water and air dried for a minimum of 30 days. Eggshell thinning was determined as the percent difference in thickness between each eggshell and the mean eggshell thickness determined for museum specimens collected in the Northwest prior to 1947. Between 10 and 22 eggs each year were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides, TCDD, TCDF, total PCBs, a variety of PCDDs and PCDFs at a variety of laboratories.Results: Total PCBs and p,p'-DDE were the most elevated contaminants in eggs from the Columbia River Islands during all years of the study. Concentrations of p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, dieldrin, HCB, heptachlor epoxide, and cis-nonachlor were also consistently above detection limits. Eggs from Rice Island exhibited higher total PCB concentrations than eggs from East Sand Island in 1995, 1994, and 1991. Eggs from Rice Island also had higher concentrations of p,p'DDE, p,p'-DDT, cis-chlordate/octa-chlordane, alpha-BHC, HCM, and mirex in 1995. Overall the mean concentrations appeared to decline for most organochlorine pesticides from 1990 to 1995. Concentrations well above detection limits were noted for TCDD, pnCDD, HxCDD, HpCDD, OCDD in the eggs. Only one furan (PnCDF) was well above detection limits. Maximum concentrations of TCDD were found in eggs from both Rice and East Sand Islands in 1993 while Rice Island eggs exhibited higher concentrations of TCDD, OCDD, and TCDF in 1995. Neither egg length nor shell thickness were different between the two islands. However, the shells from both islands exhibited mean thickness below the pre-1947 mean. Eggshells were up to 14.5 percent and 31.3 percent thinner in eggs from East Sand and Rice Island compared to pre-1947 eggs. It was also observed that shell thickness and p,p'DDE concentrations in individual eggs were correlated.
Discussion and Conclusions: Concentrations of p,p'DDE, total PCBs, mercury and some dioxin-like compounds (TEQs) accumulated in eggs of double-crested cormorants from Rice and East Sand Islands; whereas 1993 samples from the reference colony were significantly lower or below detection limits. Nearly all contaminant concentrations in Rice Island eggs either appeared higher, or were significantly higher, than values in eggs from East Sand Island. One explanation for the observed difference in the amount of contaminants between the two islands is due to their location. Rice Island is located 22 miles above the mouth of the estuary and contaminants entering the estuary could be deposited within the feeding area of cormorants nesting on this island. East Sand Island is 6 miles up the river and the cormorants nesting there may feed more in the open ocean and contact less contaminated prey. The primary exposure for the cormorants is the bioaccumulations of contaminates through ingestion of contaminated prey. Eggs collected in 1991 from both islands exhibited mercury concentrations within a range associated with reproductive impacts for some avian species. Maximum concentrations of TCDD or TEQs in eggs from Rice Island also exceeded concentrations associated with reproductive impacts in birds from the Great Lakes and concentrations affecting brain asymmetry measurements. Results indicate that lower Columbia River cormorants, especially birds nesting on Rice Island, are exposed to concentrations of contaminants that decrease shell thickness, adversely impact developing embryos, or elicit egg mortality some individuals. However, contaminant concentrations since 1994 appear to be well below concentrations impacting double-crested cormorants at the population level as compared to other field studies from the Great Lakes Region. Results of this study indicate contaminants are near effect-threshold concentrations and a relatively small increase in mean egg burdens could impact the cormorant population. Contaminants released during large dredging projects could result in increased egg burdens and further impact reproduction.
Learn More by reading the
following full report:
Return to the Portland Field Office Reports
Visit the: Pacific Region - Environmental Contaminants-Investigating and Monitoring

domain: chemistry


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A new study has shown the photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor on Garmin watches can be used for identifying the most prevalent heart arrhythmia – atrial fibrillation (Afib). The condition effects about 8 million people in the US and more than 30 million people across the globe.
Fitbit is ahead of the curve when it comes to this sort of thing. It recently made available its Afib detection feature in Europe having secured the necessary regulatory approval. Passive Afib monitoring on its devices has been available since early this Spring in the US as the company had secured FDA approval earlier. Fitbit conducted a massive study with 450,000 individuals in 2021 to confirm the efficacy of its sensor and algorithm for detecting signs of Afib.
This is many times more useful than the functionality that can be found on the Apple Watch. This device can also detect Afib, but only by using an ECG sensor. Which means the measurements are on-demand rather than continuous.
Don’t be surprised if the Garmin on your wrist is soon able to detect Afib, passively in the background. A new study using the Forerunner 945 watch shows the company’s heart rate sensor can be used for this sort of thing.
PPG sensor and Afib – the study
Published in the American Heart Journal recently, the study goes under a catchy title: “Atrial fibrillation detection using ambulatory smartwatch photoplethysmography and validation with simultaneous holter recording.”
A total of 201 participants who participated in the research between March 2019 and Dec 2019 were fitted with a Garmin Forerunner 945 watch for a 24 hour period. To remind, this device has version 3.0 of the company’s ELEVATE heart rate sensor. Newer watches have the more accurate version 4.0. Study participants underwent simultaneous Holter ECG monitoring which is considered to be the Gold standard for detecting heart abnormalities.
The heart rate sensor data from the watch was run through an algorithm that excludes PPG traces of poor quality and distinguishes premature beats from sinus beats for each 5-minute segment. PPG signals that were obtained with significant wrist motion were excluded. This data was then compared to the Holter ECG as the Afib diagnostic standard.
What do the results show?
It is worth noting that the study participants were individuals who had Afib or were suspected of having the condition based on previous medical examinations. Their mean age was 66.1. A total of 56% of them were identified by the Holder as having Afib during the 24 hour observation period. Most participants in this group (a total of 96.4%) had a pre-Holter diagnosis of the condition.
When this data was compared against the Garmin, the results were impressive. It turns out of the 112 participants who had Afib, 109 participants had detectable Afib episodes in the PPG records of the Forerunner 945.
The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predicted value of Afib detection in participants was pretty high – 97.3%, 88.6%, and 91.6%. That’s right up there with the Fitbit study results. The 5-minute-segment analyses also exhibited good correlation, with a sensitivity of 97.1%, and a specificity of 86.8%.
The most frequent cause of false negatives was Afib with rapid ventricular rate. For false positives it was premature beats.
This is not the first study that demonstrates the feasibility of using the PPG sensor that can commonly be found in fitness trackers and smartwatches for detecting Afib. But to our knowledge, it is the first such research that utilised a Garmin-made watch.
The company’s devices take measurements multiple times per second, around the clock. Their sampling frequency is higher as compared to most other brands. So it is logical that they can be used to detect the condition.
The implications of using the PPG sensor are multiple. The technology:
- allows for continuous Afib monitoring by tracking the blood flow in a user’s wrist – prolonged monitoring using a Holter monitor is not practical
- is available to all – at a low cost
- is many times more convenient that going to a hospital setting to take measurements
- can be used in combination with an ECG sensor. So a user can be notified to check with the single-lead ECG if the PPG sensor suspects Afib.
This was an independent third-party study that was funded by Garmin. Which makes it clear the company has ambitions in this area. The study used an older Garmin watch so it is quite possible all of the company’s devices with ELEVATE heart rate sensors 3.0 (and above) might acquire the feature. Pretty soon the Garmin on your wrist might be able to look out for Afib as you go about your day.
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domain: medical