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• Categorized under Ideology,Political Institutions,Politics | Difference Between Political Parties and Interest Groups
Political parties and interest groups are entities that act as intermediaries between the population and the political sphere. Groups and parties bring together people with similar ideas and visions on specific or broader issues, including economics, migration, taxes, welfare, healthcare, and so on. Although political parties and interest groups are quite different, they are both means through which citizens can deepen their knowledge on political and social issues and can become informed voters. In general terms, political parties aim at winning elections and focus on various issues; conversely, interest groups do not participate in the electoral process but are deeply involved in lobbying and are generally focused on one or two specific issues.
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What are Political Parties?
A political party exists to gain power through elections by supporting one or more candidates. For instance, in the United States, Republicans and Democrats are the two main political parties and, every four years, new (or old) candidates are put forward by the two parties to run for elections. Political parties focus on a variety of issues, including:Social welfare;Equality of rights;Gun control;Taxes;Foreign relations; andHealth care.
A political party can include all citizens that identify with the party itself – even if they are not officially registered. Political parties aim at gaining power by supporting their candidates, they can be flexible about different issues and they are often criticized for prioritizing the interests of politicians rather than the needs of the population.
What are Interest Groups?
Interest groups are groups of people that share similar ideas on specific issues and that come together to influence public opinion. Yet, interest groups do not run for elections and do not necessarily support individual candidates but they do seek the abolition or the approval of specific laws by lobbying and campaigning. Interest groups can include:Corporations;Businesses;Labor unions;Social groups; andStudent unions.
Interest groups focus on specific issues, like gun control, environmental laws or minimum wages. They are usually not flexible and their strength largely depends on their size and on their influence on the broader population as well as on their ability to lobby politicians or influential individuals.
Similarities between Political Parties and Interest Groups
Although they are different in substance, political parties and interest groups share some common features:Both interest groups and political parties are created by individuals with common ideals, visions, and goals;Both aim at achieving some sort of social, political or economic change;Both use lobbying techniques to achieve their goals and to get influent individuals, corporations or politicians to support their cause;Both employ similar techniques to promote their ideas – including campaigning, raising money and raising awareness; andBoth can allow citizens to gain a better understanding on specific issues and to make informed decisions.
Difference between Political Parties and Interest Groups
Political parties and interest groups differ on various levels: they can have different sizes, they can be focused on different issues and they can have different goals. The main difference between the two concerns their primary purpose: political parties aim at achieving power over governmental policy by supporting a candidate and winning elections; conversely, interest groups are created to promote a position or a view on specific issues but do not have members running for office. As such, interest groups often vote for candidates – who are put forward by political parties – who share their point of view. Other differences between the two include:Political parties are more flexible than interest groups as they aim at achieving the support of the majority of their population in order to maximize their chances of winning elections. Conversely, interest groups are not flexible but focus on one issue (i.e. gun control) and promote their ideas trying to unite like-minded people;Not all members of political parties have the same views on every issues. Political parties, in fact, focus on a variety of different aspects (i.e. education, taxes, migration, etc.) and interest groups surrounding one or more of the central issues often arise within political parties. Conversely, interest groups focus on specific issues and all members share the same view (i.e. pro or against abortion, or pro or against gun control, etc.); andThe size of political parties does not necessarily affect their chances of winning elections; conversely, the size of an interest group has a strong influence on the group’s ability to gain influence and to promote its views.
Political Parties vs Interest Groups : Comparison Table
Building on the differences highlighted in the previous section, we can identify few other aspects that can differentiate political parties from interest groups:
|Political Parties||Interest Groups|
|Political participation||Political parties are deeply involved in the electoral process and in the political sphere of the country. They run political campaigns and support one (or more) of their members in the run for office.||Interest groups are involved in the political sphere of the country but they do not directly participate in elections, although they can support one candidate or one political party that shares their point of view.|
|Independence||Political parties are often accused of prioritizing the interests of influent individuals or rich corporations that support their political campaigns with generous donations.||Interest groups try to raise money and awareness to promote their ideas and engage in lobbying activities, but are often more independent than political parties – although they can be employed by corporations or politicians to promote a specific (and manipulated) view.|
See more: Conversion 44 Cm Equals How Many Inches Are 44 Centimeters, Convert 44 Cm To Inch
Summary points on difference between Political Parties and Interest Groups
Political parties and interest groups are groups of people that share similar views and ideas. Political parties focus on a larger variety of issues and aim at achieving power by winning the electoral process; conversely, interest groups have a narrower focus and do not participate in elections. Not all members of a political party have the same ideas, but all members of an interest group are deeply committed to the ideal and the view of the group and engage in fundraising and lobbying activities to promote their point of view.

domain: sociology


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Lavrov calls to coordinate Russian, US military action in SyriaRussian Politics & Diplomacy September 22, 21:05
Lavrov blames Obama administration for souring Russia-US tiesRussian Politics & Diplomacy September 22, 20:41
Waging war on Korean Peninsula inadmissible, says LavrovRussian Politics & Diplomacy September 22, 20:36
Russian Northern Fleet completes drills in ArcticMilitary & Defense September 22, 18:01
OPEC and non-OPEC countries to continue talks on oil production cut dealBusiness & Economy September 22, 17:28
Russian pair figure skaters Kavaguti, Smirnov retire from sportSport September 22, 16:48
Record number of delegations register for St. Petersburg-hosted IPU AssemblyRussian Politics & Diplomacy September 22, 16:47
Astronauts to make quickest trip ever to ISS in DecemberScience & Space September 22, 16:27
Russian frigate Admiral Essen returns to Crimea after mission in MediterraneanMilitary & Defense September 22, 16:24
MOSCOW, November 27 (Itar-Tass) —— Russia will give a firm response to the external support to particular political forces in Russia, Chairman of the State Duma International Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachyov said after the United Russia congress on Sunday.
“In the unanimous opinion of our foreign colleagues, the congress procedures complied with the universal and world best standards of the formation of election programs and the nomination of a party candidate for the top national position,” he said.
Obviously, far from all in the world are happy with that. “Vladimir Putin has said that we are experiencing colossal pressure. It is not about the fostering of democratization and the provision of electoral rights and freedoms of our citizens. It is about support to particular political forces in this country, which is not assistance but interference in internal affairs of Russia. This interference will not be tolerated, and our response will be firm,” he said.
“In the end, the international community will recognize results of the parliamentary election campaign and the presidential election campaign,” he said. The election results are apparent and predictable, although “a big political struggle is ahead,” he noted.
In the opinion of Kosachyov, the results will contribute to global stability. “Russia was, is and will be a reliable and transparent partner for all who pursue the same values as Russia in the provision of international stability and security,” he said.
Putin, who was nominated for president at the United Russia congress on Sunday, warned everyone trying to influence the outcome of the Russian elections that it would be a waste of time and offered to pool efforts in the suppression of modern threats and challenges.

domain: news


Superstar Aamir Khan is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film, Thugs of Hindostan alongside Amitabh Bachchan and Katrina Kaif. Speculations have been rife that he was planning to make a mega-budget film on Mahabharata. He maintained silence whenever asked on the same and this gave rise to many rumours. In fact, it was also being said that the project has been shelved. Now, according to a DNA report, the superstar was aware that film has a risk. Also Read - Mahabharat Mythology: Is Ashwatthama Still Alive Even After so Many Years?
Thus, he reportedly asked his manager Advait Chandan to do the ground work and then after it, he will decide if he wants to do the film. A source revealed to DNA, “Aamir knows the amount of pressure and risks that will come attached with the film. He wants to make it after doing proper research. So he has asked his manager Advait Chandan (director of Secret Superstar) to do the groundwork and only after that is complete, will he check if he has enough material to go ahead with the project.” Also Read - Deepika Padukone Shares Throwback Picture With Aamir Khan Depicting 'Awkward Lunch'
On a related note, he will next be seen in Thugs of Hindostan. The trailer of the film received positive response from cinema lovers. It is all set to hit the screens on November 8. Also Read - Aamir Khan’s Daughter Ira Khan Pens an Emotional Instagram Story For Late Spot Boy Amos


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I've made a new realization about the markets that may not be popular...To be blunt, it's time to leave the markets behind. Stocks can hit record highs or crashing to new lows and you'll still have the chance to trade successfully in either of these conditions. Let me show you a method that bypasses all the noise.
We took a closer look at the cannabis industry's most well established companies - and here's what we actually found. According to our research, the most promising pot stocks on the market are trading for just a couple of bucks each...but they could mint you 10 times your money.
A shocking Social Security event just forced Washington to tap into a secret $1 trillion emergency fund. It's not another bailout for the big banks. In fact, Congress has just green-lit the first payouts to regular Americans just like you. You stand to collect a $185,040 total payout if you enroll today.


Displaying items 85-96 of 138 » View Sun-Sentinel.com items only< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11-12 Next >
Most folks think of Memorial Day as the day that kicks off summer or the day that the great-American-hot dog notches its first outdoor cooking of the year. For those that commemorate the holiday with solemn remembrances of Our war-dead this is mostly...
If you wanted to pitch a novel about World War II battle, the following story line might be considered too dramatic. Six months after the Navy suffers its most catastrophic loss in history, it defies expectations and turns to fight. A Navy captain...
WDBJ7 ReporterThursday and Friday around the New River Valley, you might see a handful of cyclists on the road, with a safety car trailing behind. They're biking across America to raise money to find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis or MS. Yep, they're wearing helmets...
Tags: Multiple Sclerosis
When President Obama designates part of Fort Monroe as a national monument Tuesday, it won't be the first time a prominent piece of Hampton Roads real estate has had its destiny transformed by the stroke of a presidential pen. Using the powers conferred...
$49 for mosquito spray service from Southern Pest Control ($200 value) http://dpsavvysteals.com/hampton-roads/offers/85?ru=email Why do mosquitoes buzz in peoples' ears? Who cares, just get them out of here so I can enjoy my backyard this summer!...
Community news: Level 10 Junior Olympic National Championships start Friday at Hampton Roads Convention CenterIt's almost showtime for the most-prestigious USA Gymnastics junior event to take place in this area. The marquee event — the Women's Level 10 Junior Olympic National Championships — will be held Friday and Saturday at the Hampton Roads...
Learn about native plants and gardening naturally with these programs sponsored by the John Clayton Chapter, Virginia Native Plant Society, or www.claytonvnps.org: Mushroom talk May 17 Guest speaker Tom Teeples, a Virginia Master Naturalist from...
More than 3,100 uninsured low-income patients took advantage of the diverse health services offered by the Lackey Free Clinic in Yorktown last year. Started 17 years ago by Jim and Cooka Shaw, the clinic has grown from a one-night-a-week operation in...
Bria Kelly, a teen tunesmith from Smithfield, is among the finalists for this year's Sea Level Singer-Songwriter Festival Emerging Artist Showcase. Contestants were asked to submit recordings of songs they composed. From among 70 entries, a panel of a...
Le Marche, a French market sponsored by Sister Cities Yorktown, will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 28, at Ken Matthews Garden Center on Route 17 in York County. The event will replicate a typical Saturday French market in Port-Vendres, France,...
Tags: Museum of Modern Art, Arts, Auction Service, France
Roasted marshmallows and zip line courses are still a part of the summer camp experience in Hampton Roads. But now students can add building an iPhone app, publishing a newspaper or re-enacting the Civil War to their list of summer memories. Here are...
John Ranagan, Johns Hopkins Junior, Yorktown, N.Y., midfielder Ranagan's only goal of the day proved to be the most pivotal, lifting the Blue Jays to an 11-10 overtime win at reigning national champion Virginia on Saturday. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound...
May 29, 2012 |Column| WGNO-LTV
Jun 7, 2012 |Story| Hampton Roads Daily Press
Jun 7, 2012 |Story| WDBJ7
Oct 31, 2011 |Story| Hampton Roads Daily Press
May 8, 2012 |Story| Daily Press
May 8, 2012 |Story| Hampton Roads Daily Press
May 14, 2012 |Story| Daily Press
May 18, 2012 |Story| Hampton Roads Daily Press
Apr 3, 2012 |Story| Daily Press
Apr 27, 2012 |Story| Daily Press
Mar 24, 2012 |Story| Hampton Roads Daily Press
Mar 29, 2012 |Story| Baltimore Sun
Original site for Yorktown (York, Virginia) topic gallery.


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Why are they so mean and snotty to the ppl pitching?
ItsmeDee 41-45, F 2 Answers 1 Mar 14, 2012
Hey ddandme :) Hope you read this message! I watched Dragon's Den UK FIRST.. now I'm watching Shark Tank US and thinking omg they are soo nice! haha. I love the shows

domain: hobby


8990 completes its 1st high-rise development in Metro Manila
MASS HOUSING developer 8990 Holdings, Inc. said it has completed its first high-rise development in Metro Manila.
In a disclosure to the stock exchange on Monday, the listed firm said it has finished work on Urban Deca Towers EDSA in Barangay Highway Hills, Mandaluyong. The 42-storey residential building offers 1,143 units, with a sales value of P1.15 billion.
With units priced between P990,000 to P1.25 million, 8990 Holdings was able to sell out the tower 21 months after its launch.
“The fast take-up of the units convinced us to continue development of these types of units along major thoroughfares,” 8990 Holdings President and Chief Executive Officer Willibaldo J. Uy said in a statement.
The company is now in the process of turning over the units, with 445 already occupied by owners since the third quarter of 2017. Amenities in the tower include a food court, convenience store, and self-service laundromat.
Urban Deca Towers EDSA offers units covering 13.06 square meters each, in line with the concept of micro-condos.
“I believe micro-condos will be the norm rather than the exception in the future especially in larger cities such as Metro Manila. Higher home prices have resulted in people moving outside of the Metro and end up traveling more than two hours to where they work,” Mr. Uy said.
With this project, 8990 Holdings aims to provide students and workers a place to stay within the metro during the weekdays, eliminating the need to commute or rent a dormitory.
“What they typically would spend in renting a dorm or commuting is enough to cover their monthly amortization. Urban Deca Towers EDSA not only creates work-life balance but also allows our buyers to own an asset in the heart of the city,” the 8990 Holdings executive added.
8990 Holdings will be spending around P3 billion in capital expenditures this year to support its expansion across the country. It will also be launching P60 billion worth of projects during this period.
Shares in 8990 Holdings picked up 23 centavos or 3.55% to close at P6.71 each at the stock exchange on Monday. — Arra B. Francia


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Bake Code just opened its first Canadian store in our neighbourhood in Toronto. The Taiwanese bakery is right at home in North York, bringing a nice fusion of Asian and European baking styles.
My first visit was pleasant enough, I was just looking to pick up some Mentaiko bread and pork floss bun. Bake Code is a self-serve joint, so, after picking up a tray and a pair of tongs, I got started.
There wasn’t too much in the centre display at the time of my visit. I was thinking that perhaps they were still baking. Unfortunately, there was no Mentaiko bread so I ended up picking up some Pork Floss and Mango Tango buns, as well as some Tiramisu.
The Pork Floss Bun had a subtle sweetness to it, with a hint of onion. What I really liked was the soft Mango Tango bun which had very interesting flavours of wine and mango essence, with bits of mango and raisin. Their Tiramisu was soaked in Espresso, not my most favourite thing, although it might appeal to others.
Bake Code I visited
With everything made fresh in their store, a visit to Bake Code is worth the trip to North York.
For more information and locations, check the Bread Code’s website.
Why hello there, thanks for visiting The Sweet Edge!
I’d love to hear from you! Please feel free to email me for questions, comments and suggestions at [email protected]

domain: food


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Imagine walking down the street and seeing a dog that instantly captures your heart with its adorable face and playful demeanor. That’s exactly what happened to me I first laid eyes on an English Boston Bulldog. This unique breed combines the charm of the English Bulldog with the spunk of the Boston Terrier, resulting in a lovable and energetic companion. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the appearance, history, temperament, health, exercise, training, grooming, and nutrition of the English Boston Bulldog. So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let’s explore this delightful breed together!
The English Boston Bulldog is a compact and muscular dog with a distinctive appearance that will turn heads wherever you go. They have a broad, square head with a short muzzle and expressive round eyes that seem to communicate their every thought and emotion. Their ears are usually erect, giving them an alert and attentive expression. One of the most adorable features of this breed is their wrinkled face, which adds to their charm and makes them incredibly photogenic. English Boston Bulldogs have a short, smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors, including brindle, white, black, and fawn. With their stocky body, strong legs, and a tail that is often docked, these dogs have a sturdy and athletic build that exudes confidence.
Despite their small size, English Boston Bulldogs have a powerful and athletic build. They stand about 12 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder and typically weigh between 15 to 25 pounds. Their compact size makes them a great choice for apartment dwellers or individuals with limited space. Whether you’re strolling in the park or snuggling on the couch, these dogs are the perfect size to be your loyal and loving companion.
Now that we’ve covered their appearance, let’s dig into the history of the English Boston Bulldog to learn more about how this delightful breed came to be.
The English Boston Bulldog is a relatively new breed that originated from the crossbreeding of English Bulldogs and Boston Terriers. This unique combination was intentionally created to produce a dog that possesses the best traits of both parent breeds. The goal was to develop a dog that had the loyalty and courage of the English Bulldog, combined with the intelligence and agility of the Boston Terrier.
The breeding of English Bulldogs and Boston Terriers began in the late 1800s when dog enthusiasts sought to create a smaller version of the English Bulldog that was more suitable for city living. They wanted a dog that retained the Bulldog’s distinctive appearance and friendly nature but had a more compact size and increased energy levels. Through careful breeding and selection, the English Boston Bulldog was born.
Since then, the breed has gained popularity for its unique combination of traits and has become a beloved companion for families and individuals alike. Their playful and affectionate nature, coupled with their adorable appearance, has made them a favorite choice for dog lovers around the world. Now that we know the history of the English Boston Bulldog, let’s explore their temperament to get a better understanding of their personality.
The English Boston Bulldog has a temperament that is a delightful blend of the English Bulldog and the Boston Terrier. They are known for their friendly and sociable nature, making them excellent family pets. These dogs are incredibly affectionate and love being the center of attention. They thrive on human companionship and will quickly become your shadow, following you from room to room.
Despite their small size, English Boston Bulldogs have a big personality. They are playful and energetic, always up for a game of fetch or a long walk in the park. These dogs love to entertain their owners and will go to great lengths to make you smile. Their clownish antics and humorous expressions are sure to brighten even the gloomiest of days.
While English Boston Bulldogs are generally friendly and good-natured, early socialization and training are essential to ensure they grow up to be well-rounded and well-behaved dogs. Positive reinforcement methods work best with this breed, as they respond well to praise and rewards. With proper training and socialization, English Boston Bulldogs can get along well with other dogs and animals, making them a great addition to multi-pet households.
Like any other breed, English Boston Bulldogs are prone to certain health issues that potential owners should be aware of. One common health concern in this breed is brachycephalic airway syndrome, which is characterized by breathing difficulties due to their short muzzle and compacted airways. This can lead to snoring, snorting, and increased susceptibility to heatstroke. It’s important to keep them cool and avoid strenuous exercise in hot weather to prevent respiratory distress.
Another health issue that English Boston Bulldogs may face is allergies. They can be prone to skin allergies and food sensitivities, so it’s crucial to provide them with a high-quality diet and regular veterinary care to manage any potential allergies or sensitivities. Regular grooming can also help prevent skin irritations and keep their coat healthy and shiny.
Additionally, English Boston Bulldogs are prone to certain genetic conditions such as hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and eye problems. Responsible breeders conduct health screenings on their breeding dogs to minimize the risk of passing on these conditions to future generations. Before bringing home an English Boston Bulldog, it’s important to research reputable breeders who prioritize the health and well-being of their dogs.
Despite their small size, English Boston Bulldogs have moderate exercise needs. They are an active breed that requires daily mental and physical stimulation to thrive. A daily walk or two, combined with interactive play sessions, will help keep them happy and healthy.
English Boston Bulldogs also enjoy participating in canine sports such as agility, obedience, and rally. These activities not only provide them with physical exercise but also stimulate their minds and help build a strong bond with their owners. However, it’s important to avoid activities that put excessive strain on their respiratory system, as their shortened muzzle can make breathing more difficult.
Remember that every dog is an individual, and exercise needs can vary. Some English Boston Bulldogs may have higher energy levels than others, while some may be more laid-back. It’s important to observe your dog’s behavior and adjust their exercise routine accordingly. A tired dog is a happy and well-behaved dog, so make sure to provide them with plenty of opportunities to burn off their energy.
English Boston Bulldogs are intelligent and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train. However, they can also be stubborn at times, so consistency and positive reinforcement are key to successful training. Using rewards such as treats, praise, and playtime will motivate them to learn and obey commands.
Start training your English Boston Bulldog from a young age to establish good habits and prevent any undesirable behaviors from developing. This breed responds well to positive reinforcement methods, so be sure to reward them for their efforts and progress. Keep training sessions short and fun to maintain their interest and prevent boredom.
Socialization is also crucial for English Boston Bulldogs. Expose them to a variety of people, animals, and environments from an early age to ensure they grow up to be confident and well-adjusted dogs. Enrolling them in puppy obedience classes is a great way to provide them with structured socialization and basic training.
English Boston Bulldogs have a short, smooth coat that requires minimal grooming. A weekly brushing with a soft-bristle brush will help remove loose hair and keep their coat looking shiny and healthy. Regular brushing also helps distribute natural oils throughout their coat, keeping their skin moisturized.
Additionally, English Boston Bulldogs are prone to wrinkles on their face, so it’s important to clean and dry these areas regularly to prevent any skin irritations or infections. Using a damp cloth or specialized wipes, gently wipe the wrinkles to remove any dirt or debris. Be sure to dry the area thoroughly to prevent moisture buildup.
It’s also essential to maintain good oral hygiene in English Boston Bulldogs. Their short muzzle and crowded teeth make them more prone to dental issues. Brushing their teeth regularly with a canine toothbrush and toothpaste designed for dogs will help keep their teeth clean and prevent tartar buildup.
Proper nutrition is essential for the overall health and well-being of your English Boston Bulldog. A high-quality, balanced diet that meets their specific needs is crucial to ensure they get the necessary nutrients for optimal growth and development.
Consulting with your veterinarian is the best way to determine the appropriate diet for your English Boston Bulldog. Factors such as age, activity level, and any specific health concerns should be taken into consideration when choosing the right food. Feeding them a diet that is appropriate for their size and age will help prevent obesity and maintain a healthy weight.
Remember to provide fresh water at all times and monitor their calorie intake to prevent overeating. Regular veterinary check-ups will allow you to monitor your dog’s weight and make any necessary adjustments to their diet.
In conclusion, the English Boston Bulldog is a delightful and charming breed that brings joy and laughter to the lives of their owners. With their adorable appearance, friendly nature, and playful personality, they make excellent family pets and loyal companions. From their distinctive appearance to their energetic temperament, English Boston Bulldogs are a breed like no other. However, it’s important to remember that owning any dog is a responsibility that requires time, effort, and dedication. If you’re ready to welcome a furry friend into your life and provide them with love and care, the English Boston Bulldog may be the perfect breed for you. So, what are you waiting for? Start your journey to becoming a proud English Boston Bulldog owner today!
Are English Boston Bulldogs good with children?
Yes, English Boston Bulldogs are generally good with children. They are affectionate, patient, and enjoy being part of a family.
Do English Boston Bulldogs require a lot of exercise?
English Boston Bulldogs have moderate exercise needs. Daily walks and playtime are usually sufficient to keep them happy and healthy.
Are English Boston Bulldogs good for first-time dog owners?
Yes, English Boston Bulldogs can be a good choice for first-time dog owners. They are generally easy to train, low-maintenance, and make loyal companions.

domain: pet


VIBRATION METER 1-117
a. This meter is a small, portable precision instrument which, if used in
conjunction with self-generating or torsional pickups, measures the average
velocity and peak-to-peak displacement of mechanical vibrations.
frequency can be calculated from the velocity and displacement settings.
instrument has four input channels, each of which accommodates any self-generating
pickup with characteristics compatible with the meter.
independently adjust each channel to the type of pickup being used. The output of
the selected channel is normally read on the meter directly, either as displacement
(peak-to-peak distance in miles) or average velocity (inches per second).
examine the meter panel controls and the operation and calibration of the meter.
Vibration Meter Front Panel
b. Panel Controls.
All of the operating controls are placed on the front
panel of the instrument. The scope jack J-7, indicating meter, a pilot light, and
the power switch S-5 are also located on this panel. These controls, switches, and
the indicator can be seen in Figure 3.
(1) Indicating meter M-1 reads average vibrating velocity in inches per
second or tens of degrees per second. It also reads peak-to-peak displacement of
vibratory motion in thousandths of an inch (mils) or hundredths of a degree.
Values are read from the upper or lower scale, depending on the range selector
Either average velocity or peak-to-peak displacement is indicated,
depending on the operation selector (S-4) setting.
(2) A channel selector (S-1 in Figure 3) connects any one of four vibration
pickup channels (and its sensitivity control) to the amplifier


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Rapper Nasty C has signed one of the biggest deal in Africa, signing to Def Jam Recordings, an American record label focused predominantly on hip hop, pop, and urban music, owned by Universal Music Group.
This was announced by DefJam Records Yesterday on their instagram page saying “Welcome to the family, Nasty C ‼“
Nasty C also confirmed the big announcement and new his new single “There They Go” on instagram “ITS OFFICIAL BABY! ALL THE LOVE TO YA! @defjam LETS WORK!!!!“
Congratulations fam, soar higher.

domain: artistic


Firefighters extinguish trash fire near Sulphur
SULPHUR, La. (KPLC) - Firefighters have turned over the investigation of a trash fire near Sulphur to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, according to the Houston River Fire Department.
First responders were called out to the 1600 block of Barney Hoffpauir Road regarding someone burning trash around 7:22 p.m. last night, Sept. 13.
The fire was extinguished and no injuries were reported.
Officials remind residents that the state-wide burn ban is still in effect and that citations will be issued for those who violate the ban.
Copyright 2023 KPLC. All rights reserved.


19th Annual "DANCES WITH FILMS" Festival opens with "WOLF MOTHER"
Dances is an 11-day Film Festival featuring breakthrough unknown filmmakers as well as Fusion films starring Brooke Shields, Ice-T, Sam Trammell, French Stewart, Chris Kattan, Tom Sizemore, Ione Skye, Randall Park, Annette O’Toole, John Glover, Nick Mancuso, Cassidy Freeman, Jay Ellis, among others joining a number of prolific returning alumni.
(LOS ANGELES, CA – May 16, 2016) Dances With Films (DWF), the iconic Los Angeles-based Film Festival today announced its film lineup that includes the opening night film, “Wolf Mother”, making its World Premiere and joining the already announced competition slate. Boasting the most diverse line up for every taste from features, music videos, genre and an unprecedented shorts selection, DWF declares a truly independent spirit of passion, not politics for discerning Los Angeles audiences. DWF is known for their support of Festival alumni beyond their debut, as well as welcoming new voices to their family. Of the festival’s 117 films: documentaries, shorts and music videos, DWF is excited to include a record number of premieres – 60 World, 7 North American, 9 Southern California, and 31 West Coast.
“Wolf Mother” kicks off the festival with its World Premiere. Written and directed by DFW alumni, Erik Peter Carlson, and starring Najarra Townsend, Kevin Pinassi, Nick Frangione, Stephanie Pearson, and Tom Sizemore. In an attempt to rectify their criminal past, a once successful Hollywood and a petty thief set out together to solve a high-profile child abduction case in San Francisco.
“I’m hoping the independent movement happening now, will somehow find its way, the way it did in the 60’s and 70’s. That’s where I belong. Which is why Dances With Films is home after having premiered my first two features there, making my return to open Dances with my latest feature "Wolf Mother" this year all the more sweet. It's simply an honor as they are one of few film festival that truly champion new voices like mine in the indie scene." Erik Peter Carlson, DWF alumni and “Wolf Mother” director.
This year’s captivating slate feature legendary, and soon to be legendary, casts, a number of whom are returning to DWF as alumni: Sam Trammell (“True Blood”), Brooke Shields (“Suddenly Susan”), Ice-T (“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”), Ione Skye (“Say Anything”), Randall Park (“Fresh Off the Boat”), Annette O’Toole (“Superman III”) John Glover (“Smallville”), French Stewart (“3rd Rock From the Sun”), Chris Kattan (“A Night at the Roxbury”), Todd Bridges (“Diff’rent Strokes”), Lee Meriwether (“All My Children”), Nick Mancuso (“Stingray”), Cassidy Freeman (“Smallville”), Jay Ellis (“The Game”), Tom Sizemore (“Saving Private Ryan”), Eric Roberts (“The Dark Knight”), Daphne Zuniga (“Spaceballs”), Patricia Velasquez (“The Mummy”), Erica Dasher (“Jane By Design”), Chris Weihl (“What Boys Like”), Lisa Ann Walter (“Bruce Almighty”), Lucy Russell (“Batman Begins”), Camille Sullivan (“The Butterfly Effect”), Gabrielle Rose (“If I Stay”), among others.
DWF Founder, Michael Trent, states, “While DWF focuses on unknown and unexposed talent, we are happy to include exemplary indie films in our fusion section that represent the building blocks of a successful career.”
The 19th Annual Dances With Films Festival best represents filmmakers who are breaking onto the scene, standing out with their filmmaking skills and remarkable talent in storytelling. The competition films are selected from more than 2,000 film submissions annually and were programmed entirely from blind submissions by the DWF filmmaking community based solely on their unique and powerful cinematic visions.
DWF is 11 days of bliss for those cinephiles who just can’t get enough of the truest of indie filmmaking. The festival starts with the opening night party on Thursday, June 2nd and concludes with the closing awards ceremony & after party on June 12th, all centrally located in the Hollywood & Highland complex. Dances With Films serves as a festival that is unique in its dedication to the independent filmmaker and filmmaking process.
“We are thrilled by the imagination of this year’s slate. The quality of the storytelling, and compelling visuals will thrill audiences once again this year," states Leslee Scallon, Festival Co-Founder.
DWF also facilitates the connection of many filmmakers, allowing for important associations to be made and nurtured even after the festival lowers the curtain on this year's events.
Dances With Films 2016 Film Festival season premieres June 2 - 12, 2016 in Los Angeles, CA at the TCL Chinese Theaters, located at Hollywood & Highland, 6925 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028.


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October Guests of Honor
or, go back to Creepy Classics!
MONSTER BASH, OCTOBER 22-24, 2021
Check back here as the guest page is re-building like the Frankenstein Monster...growing stronger, ready to live again!
We will hold a special tribute to this Guest of Honor at MONSTER BASH! This Republic Studios veteran is one of the most wonderful people we know. We will have a variety of her films shown through the weekend. We know her best for her role in THE BODY SNATCHER (1945) with Boris Karloff, but she is outstanding in MR. BLANDING'S BUILDS HIS DREAM HOUSE, MY PAL WOLF, THE LOCKET, THE FALCON IN SAN FRANCISCO and more.
Her first east coast meet and greet with fans at MONSTER BASH this October. She'll be signing photos for you! Victoria was the key starlet in Hammer's WHEN DINOSAURS RULED THE EARTH (1970). She was in the chiller ROSEMARY'S BABY (1968). She also appeared on TV in BATMAN, THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E., WAGON TRAIN, BONANZA, HOGAN'S HEROES, LAND OF THE GIANTS, DANIEL BOONE, McHALE'S NAVY, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, THE COURTSHIP OF EDDIE'S FATHER with Bill Bixby and more. She was PLAYBOY magazine's 1968 Playmate of the Year. A 1960s and 1970s icon.
Hammer Horror's Veronica Carlson has graced out movie and TV screens in DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE (with Christopher Lee), FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED (with Peter Cushing), THE HORROR OF FRANKENSTEIN (with Ralph Bates), THE GHOUL, CASINO ROYALE, OLD DRACULA and more!
Actress and make-up artist Pamula Pierce makes her first appearance at MONSTER BASH! You've seen her in THE LEGEND OF BOGGY CREEK and BOGGY CREEK II. Her father, Charles B. Pierce, was the director of THE LEGEND OF BOGGY CREEK. Get ready for some serious Bigfoot action at Bash!
She's worked with Lon Chaney Jr., Lou Costello, Boris Karloff, William Shatner, George Reeves, Loretta Young and just about everyone you can think of from classic movies and television. Known for touching performances in movies like Disney's OLD YELLER and stunning performances in movies like SPIDER BABY. One of the nicest women in Hollywood. Bashers love Beverly Washburn.
One of the last key players standing from the original NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968)! John co-wrote and acted as a zombie in the iconic film. He's gone on to write books, produce and direct other films and will never be forgotten as one of the creators of an entire genre within a genre! Meet him at MONSTER BASH and see the amazing historical film materials he has.
Son of director Irving Yeaworth and on the production team for THE 4-D MAN, THE BLOB and DINOSAURUS, it's Kris Yeaworth! Kris will bring props and background information from all the classic films he worked on with his dad.
Artist, animator, sculptor and serious monster fan, just like us. Make sure to swing by Rick's table for some very cool collectibles and talk with him about working on NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968), CREEPSHOW, CREEPSHOW 2, EVIL DEAD 2 and other projects.
Monster Muppeteer Bill Diamond Returns To MONSTER BASH!
Emmy Award winner, former Henson muppeteer and now MONSTER TV producer and amazing prop collector, Bill Diamond is now set to appear at MONSTER BASH this October! He'll have the giant man-eating plant for photo ops and MANY rare movie props as well on display.
One of our favorite contemporary horror guys, the ever fan-friendly Jeremy Ambler. Known for THE WALKING DEAD TV show, THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN, THE DUKES OF HAZZARD and more.
The one man "Titan of Terror Theater," as a friend puts it! If you've never seen Zach perform his one man shows, you must not miss it this Monster Bash! Sometimes he recruits guest actors from our Guests of Honor...but, regardless, this guy has more talent than any human should have. Don't miss Zach's performance.
Son of Ghoul
The horror host that rocks Cleveland through to its bones! Son of Ghoul will be back to put the scare on you. Make sure to visit him at Bash and if you're in Ohio, check your local listings for that SOG listing! Son of Ghoul will host Saturday Morning free cereal and cartoons at Bash.
Who let the wolves out! Why it's TV Horror Host, Mr. Lobo! Meet and greet the master of the macabre and host of his own DVD line. One of the funniest TV Horror Host with a grave-dust dry sense of humor.
The Monster Bash Magazine Writers & Historians:
Frank Dello Stritto
Writer-historian Frank Dello Stritto has some of the best books out on the genre...including the much acclaimed VAMPIRE OVER LONDON on the life of Bela Lugosi when he traveled to England, plus three novels based on horror movies: A WEREWOLF REMEMBERS, CARL DENHAM'S GIANT MONSTERS, and THE PASSION OF THE MUMMY. Frank makes talks fun and interactive. This Bash Frank gets scary...in the land of Oz.
A writer and historian, Tom Weaver is back! He'll run the MONSTER BASH BRAIN TWIST quiz show and you could win prize packs from Creepy lassics. Tom is the author of many, many book on classic horror...including "The Bible"...UNIVERSAL HORRORS. His latest series of books is SCRIPTS FROM THE CRYPT. One of the best interviewers and reserachers for classic film.
Profession(s): Writer, Actor, Teacher. Greg received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount St. Mary’s College, Emmitsburg, MD (1972) and Master of Liberal Arts degree from John Hopkins University, Baltimore MD (1984). His passion for classic films is evident in the fabulous books the's authored. Many on classic horror films and actors that we all love. Don't miss his fantastic talk at this summer's BASH! Check out the latest from Greg on his web site, CLICK HERE. This Bash Greg speaks on WEREWOLF OF LONDON (1935)...Universal's first werewolf film.
Monster artist supreme! You might not know it, but I bet you own something that has a cover painting by Mark Maddox! He's done numeroues DVD and Blu-Ray covers, Monster Bash Magazine, Mad Scientist Magazine, Screem Magazine...and that's just a few! Meet Mark and check out his art prints!
The Mazurczak Monsters
This October's return of MONSTER BASH to the Double Tree Hotel in Mars, PA will feature the Mazurczak.....FULL-SIZE Monsters (some pictured above). These life-size creatures will line the horror hall at the hotel for your photo ops.
They are thanks to the mad scientist team of Mark and Diane Mazurczak! Pictured below are Diane, actress Ann Robinson and Mark:
and now...he's back...
David "The Rock" Nelson
In a glorious return to MONSTER BASH, it's renegade movie maker David "The Rock Nelson." Some say his movies are bad, some say it's no-budget movie-making, some say he just spends too much time eating on screen in his projects, some say they're a laugh riot, some say they are scary in more ways than one....they all may be right. But the point is, he's perseveres...he actually gets projects finished, pipe-dreams made, has fun and is doing what he loves. Can't we all aspire to accomplishments? We love David, he's what keeps life fun and unpredictable.
Go Back to the BASH front page!
...or Back to Creepy Classics!
The Monster Bash Conference
P.O. Box 23/ Ligonier, PA 15658
Member of the Professional Show Managers Association.
Member of the
Professional Show Managers Association
"Monster Bash" is a registered U.S. and international trademark
Design: Ron Adams
Web Master: Ron "Rondo" Adams
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NACOGDOCHES, TX (KTRE) - Thanks to a week of sunshine, truckloads of East Texas produce can be found at farmer's markets across the region. While the excessive moisture was easily dealt with by some growers, it was a hindrance for others.
"Don't they just look great? Look at 'em," said Dr. Jared Barnes, an associate horticulture professor at Stephen F. Austin State University.
Barnes loves showing off the vegetable plants thriving in the Sprout Educational Garden.
"These tomatoes here. You can really see and appreciate how much water we've had recently has really helped them grow and get large," Barnes said.
But Barnes doesn't necessarily want the perfect garden. He pointed out a lot can be learned from problem areas.
"Let's look at those now," Barnes said.
He went to a low spot in the garden.
"We see we've got lower leaf yellowing," Barnes said. "Some of them, they've even started to rot. These plants were just inundated with water and so the roots could not breathe because they were just sitting in water."
A few peppers are struggling too.
"This right here got drowned out and so it ended up dying," Barnes said.
Just feet away in the garden are taller pepper plants which have been producing for two weeks. It's a demonstration of the benefits of proper drainage and raised beds.
"It really helps gardeners out if they're struggling with water issues," Barnes said.
At the Nacogdoches Farmer's Market, you won't find a vendor complaining about the rain because they all went through the drought of 2011, but they will say the rains in May did create some challenges.
George Partin said excessive rainfall stunted growth and lowered quality.
"I plowed half of my watermelons up the first of the week," Partin said.
Other commercial growers said over 15 inches of rain slowed down the harvest.
Without the sun our tomatoes haven't ripened like they usually would," said Teresa Millard, a produce vendor.
"Peas and all that will be late this year due to all the rain," said Lori Crawford, a produce farmer. "But it's still good. I'm not going to complain."
On the bright side, cooler soil temperatures may extend the growing season, allowing gardeners to catch up from the wet spring. The latest Texas crop report from Texas AgriLife says many plants will recover as soils dry out...

domain: agronomy


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Getting your child immunised can be a stressful for your baby as well as yourself. In fact as many as 43% of mums believe that the process affects them more than their tot, according to research from AstraZeneca.
With their child’s fear of needles and the discomfort it can cause, it’s little wonder 48% of mums feel anxious when it comes to routine vaccinations. However, it isn’t just the pain it causes to their child that concerns them, but also the risk of illness after the immunisation has been done.
Young mums are particularly susceptible to the worry, with over half admitting to feeling uneasy about it compared to a third of mums aged over 45. Worryingly, 16% of younger mums delay the vital jabs.
Dr Miriam Stoppard, believes that more support is needed to help panicking mums deal with the situation more calmly. “As a mother and grandmother I understand the distress and anxiety mums can experience during the immunisation process. I am concerned younger mums in particular seem to experience more anxiety and I call for more support and information to be made available to mums on ways to help deal with this potentially difficult situation,” she said.
Check out Miriam’s tips on child immunisation in the video clip above.


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Jyri Jaakola, the well-known Finnish human rights activist, has been killed by gunmen in the southern Mexican district of Oaxaca.
Jaakola was part of an activist convoy that was ambushed by armed men close to the Pacific Ocean, in the village of San Juan Copala. Several people remain missing after the attack which left another dead and at least 15 injured.
Mexican officials confirmed reports of the death to the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and to the Finnish Ambassador Ulla Vaisto. Two members of staff from the Mexico City Finnish Embassy were dispatched to the scene to assess the situation.
The convoy was accosted while travelling to meet members of the Triqui people, who have announced their autonomy from Mexico. The State of Oaxaca has refused to recognise the Triqui declaration,which comes after a spate of violent clashes between local indigenous tribes and paramilitary forces. The attack is understood to have been carried out by the Ubisort group, a paramilitary outfit with ties to the PRI, Oaxaca’s leading political party.
The State of Oaxaca has denounced the killings but issued a press statement in which it warned of the dangers of travel in the region. “It was known unofficially that the initiative for the convoy of activists had come from the leaders of the village of San Juan Copala. They did not take into consideration the security situation in the area, which does not suit this kind of activity,” the statement read.
[…] Here is the original post: Finnish human rights worker gunned down in Mexico | IceNews … […]


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My name is Amanda Toliver Cunningham, and I create designer lampwork glass beads for you to use in your jewelry creations.
Using a flame to manipulate glass into a bead is like magic. The solid glass becomes a viscous liquid, which can be manipulated into untold numbers of objects. As an art form, bead making is unique. The results are immediate and the art is wearable and can be used in creating beautiful jewelry or home decor.
My beads are made of high quality Italian, German, and American glass, and my genuine love of working with hot glass. Not to mention all the fancy inclusions, such as .999 pure fine Italian Silver, Copper, Gold, my own handmade millefiori (murrini), and anything else compatible with glass that I think will give it that extra flare. My beads are meticulously made and kiln annealed for a lifetime of enjoyment.
Flame-working (also called Lampworking) is not an “easy” art form. However, the rewards that come from -not days, or weeks, or even months- but years of practice, persistence, practice, research, trial-and-error, studying, and … hmmm… I feel like I’m leaving something out… Oh- yeah— practice, go far beyond any frustration felt during the learning process.
To be a successful lampwork artist, one must not only know how to manipulate the glass in the flame, but must also learn what each type of glass does while in the flame and how it reacts with other glasses, which, of course, each have their own different set of flame characteristics and chemistry.
Here’s a quick little rundown of my process:
Immediately after I form my creation in the flame of my torch, I place it in my kiln, which is soaking at 950-1050°F, to undergo a process called annealing.
Annealing controls the rate at which the glass is cooled. It is during this process that the glass is slowly cooled over a period of 8 hours, which is twofold— It aligns its crystalline structure and relieves molecular stress, ensuring maximum strength, durability, and longevity.
After annealing, I thoroughly clean the release agent from the bead hole and inspect each and every bead for any signs of damage or imperfection, or imbalance.
All of these factors (annealing, cleaning, inspection) along with the artisan’s personal artistic style and technical skill… is what sets Handmade Artisan Lampworked Glass Beads apart from the mass-produced glass beads available from importers and resellers. Artisan Glass Beads unequivocally cannot be mass produced in a factory.
They are unlike any glass beads you would ever find at a big box store, thereby setting you, the designer, apart from everyone else by having the absolutely highest quality components for your own designs and creations.
Thank you for supporting an indie studio artist Ü
Need more info about me? Here is a list of my other sites:

domain: chemistry


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Practically untouched by humans, apart from the select few allowed to operate there, Doubtful encapsulates you the moment you arrive. Travel with us into the heart of Fiordland National Park to discover dramatic landscapes and secluded coves as we cruise the inner fiords of Doubtful Sound. This intimate experience allows you to gain a deeper connection to the heart of Fiordland.
Start with a cruise across Lake Manapouri, followed by a coach trip over the stunning Wilmot Pass through Fiordland’s rainforest and into the Doubtful Sound for your 2.5 hour cruise.
Flick your phone to flight mode & check out the majestic peaks of Fiordland's best kept secret. Experience this unspoiled wilderness area; you might even see some dolphins, seals & penguins.
What You'll Get
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Lake Manapouri, New Zealand
Start with a cruise across the stunning Lake Manapouri. Then meet your bus driver and embark on the journey across Wilmot Pass where you'll see some of NZ's most lush rain-forest.
Stop At: Doubtful Sound, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
Discover the pristine wilderness as we transport you right into the heart of it all. Practically untouched by humans, apart from the select few allowed to operate there, our Tasman explorer cruises the fiord for 2.5 hours.
Duration: 7 hours
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 1 day of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Operates in most weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
- Lunches are available for pre-order, directly with the provider. Orders must be placed 24 hours prior to departure via the contact details on your voucher.
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infants must sit on laps
- Ex. Manapouri option - please check-in at the Visitor Centre, Waiau St, Pearl Harbour, Manapouri 9643 and look for one of the friendly Go Orange staff members
- Ex. Te Anau option - Go Orange Store, 21 town Centre. Alternatively, please contact Go Orange directly to see if there is a Te Anau pick-up closer to your accommodation (at least 24 hours in advanced)
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 45 travelers
- Ferry across Lake Manapouri and back
- Coach across Wilmot Pass and back
- 2.5 hour cruise in Doubtful Sound
- English Commentary
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Coach connection from Te Anau available if option is selected
- Entry/Admission - Doubtful Sound
- Please contact Go Orange directly to pre-order a delicious lunch, or bring your own
Returns to original departure point
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
The tour identified in this promotion is made available through Viator. Groupon is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Go Orange in connection with this deal. Please contact Groupon customer service for all inquiries related to this offer. Inquiries placed to Viator will be directed back to Groupon.
This offer is not eligible for promo codes.
The Fine Print
7-day cancellation rights do not apply; no refunds or exchanges permitted. Voucher valid only for date and time listed; may not be exchanged or redeemed for other dates. Purchaser name and phone number must be provided at checkout; this information will be shared with Viator and the tour operator for purposes of order fulfillment. Groupon promo codes may not be used for this offer. Groupon voucher Terms of Sale do not apply. See the tour operators terms and conditions for this offer here. Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised Goods and services.

domain: travel


Delta Delta Delta Sunshine tee
For more styles and sizes please visit our website:
· Polyester blend
· Unisex sizing
Turn garment inside out, machine wash cold and tumble dry low. Do not iron directly on graphic, do not dry clean.
Designed and printed in our Chicago studio.


Observe the indentation by SEM, measure it with AFSEM®
SEM is widely used to study the surface structure after nanoindentation. The combination of a large field of view with nanometer resolution allows detecting early stages of crack formation, slip steps, and other surface defects indicating the onset of material surface failure. However, quantitative height informa- tion is not available in an SEM.
AFM is an established tool for quantitative analysis of nanoindents, but generally lacks larger screening cap- abilities.
With AFSEM®, SEM and AFM can be combined with nanoindentors for correlative, in situ analysis of nano- indents. Its tip scanner does not interfere with the use of specialized SEM stages, like a nanoindenter.
Consequently, nanoindentation can be used interac- tively with SEM and AFM imaging, performing multip- le indentations with in-between analysis, without the necessity to vent the SEM and take out the sample for each indentation/analysis cycle.
The SEM can be used for guiding both the indenter and the AFM. After nanoindentation from the side, slip step analysis can be carried out with SEM and AFM in situ. The SEM provides information over the progression of the slip step area and the AFM quanti- fication of slip step heights.
In summary, AFSEM® is the solution of choice to ob- tain overview information of even the smallest surface alterations and quantitative data on crack depths, slip step heights, or the pile up or sink in volu- me around an indent in a single instrument.
For analysis of the indentation face, multi-axis flip sta- ges are on the market that rotate the sample after indentation, further extending the possibilities of cor- relative AFM-SEM.
- Correlative in-situ SEM&AFM analysis combined with nanoindenters
- Multiple indentations with in-between analysis
- Quantitative analysis of surface defects


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Windham High School presents Dancing with the Stars to benefit Project Graduation, $10, $5 students. Windham High School, Performing Arts Center, 406 Gray Road, Windham. windham.k12.me.us/wpac. 7 p.m. Thursday.
Brazil Dinner Party by Cottage Street Creative Exchange for local and global programs. $20 advance, $25 door. Art Moves Dance, 13 Cottage St., Norway. artmovesdance.com. 6-9 p.m. Saturday.
Bachelorette Auction to benefit Second Chances Foundation, including drinks and dancing. $15. The Carriage House, 119 Lisbon St., Lewiston. aimeescause.org/ai1ec_event/second-chances-bachelorette-auction. 6-11 p.m. Saturday.
Italian dinner and silent auction to benefit The New School, enjoy pastas, salads, breads and desserts and bid on great items. $5. First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Kennebunk, 114 Main St. (Route 1). www.tnsk.org. 5:30- 8 p.m. Saturday.
Otto fundraiser for Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maine, Otto, 225 Congress St., Portland. ottoportland.com. 5-9 p.m. Tuesday.
Scoop-a-Thon for Brunswick Teen Center, nearly 50 scoopers from town government, local schools and Bowdoin College will assist. The Gelato Fiasco, 74 Maine St., Brunswick. www.gelatofiasco.com. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Wednesday.
• BOOKS & AUTHORS
Poet Betsy Sholl, reading and discussion with the author of seven collections of poetry. Free. Maine Women Writers Collection, University of New England, 716 Stevens Ave., Abplanalp Library, Portland. une.edu/mwwc/conferences/authorseries.cfm. Noon Thursday.
Don Kerr will read from his new book, “Silent Strength: Remembering the Men of Genius and Adventure Lost in the World’s Worst Submarine Disaster,” free. Rice Public Library, 8 Wentworth Ave., Kittery. 6 p.m. Thursday.
Local author and ship captain Dominick Jones reads from his most recent book, “All At Sea: Twenty Years at the Helm of Tall Ships,” $5. The Apprenticeshop, 643 Main St., Rockland. www.apprenticeshop.org/. 7-9 p.m. Thursday.
AuthorFest 2014, meet more than 35 authors and illustrators from across New England. Books for pre-kindergarten to adult will be available for signing and purchase. Free. Cape Elizabeth High School, 345 Ocean House Road, Cape Elizabeth. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.
Open Mic Poetry Night, readers have three minutes to read their favorite poem, their own or someone else’s. Refreshments will be served, free. Patten Free Library, 33 Summer St., Bath. www.patten.lib.me.us. 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday.
Susan Q. Stranahan, award-winning journalist and author will speak about the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the subject of her latest book, free. Thomas Memorial Library, 6 Scott Dyer Road, Cape Elizabeth. www.thomasmemoriallibrary.org. 6:30-7:30 p.m. April 17.
Richard J. King will discuss his book “The Devil’s Cormorant,” and the history, ecology and economy of this misunderstood waterfowl. Free. Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 9 Water St., Rockland. 7 p.m. April 17.
Salsa dancing with DJ Baulio, Latin, merengue, salsa, reggaeton, bachata and Latin hits. Dance lessons included. $5, 21-plus. Pearl Lounge, 444 Fore St., Portland. pearloldport.com. 8 p.m. Thursday and April 17.
Greater Portland Community Dance, Avant Dance & Event Center, 865 Spring St. Westbrook. avantmaine.com. $15 for lesson and dance; $10 for dance only. Lessons at 6:30 and 7:15 p.m.; dance at 8 p.m. Friday.
Poets and Fools Costume Party and Dance, lively variety show with poets, storytellers, musicians, performers and a mysterious emcee; followed by a costume contest with celebrity judges, prizes and a raffle. Cash bar, dance music by Merther, refreshments, fun and friends. Costumes optional. Benefit for Waterfall Arts, $8. 256 High St., Belfast. waterfallarts.org. 7 p.m. Friday.
Afro-Carribean Dance Party, $5. Slainte, 24 Preble St., Portland. 10 p.m. Friday.
Contradance, music by Perpetual e-Motion with Maggie Robinson calling. Bring clean shoes and water. Topsham Grange, 47 Pleasant St., Topsham. Family dance at 6 p.m., finger food potluck at 7 p.m., beginner lesson at 7:30 p.m., dance at 8 p.m. Saturday.
Contradance with The Pineland Fiddlers playing and Richard Green calling, all dances taught; beginners are welcome. No partner necessary. $6 adults, $5 students, $15 family. Farmington Grange, Bridge Street, West Farmington. www.starleft.org. 8 p.m. Saturday.
Dance featuring Almost There, classic rock, country and blues; door prize. $5, for tickets call 696-5848 after 4 p.m. or stop at the hall. Madison American Legion, 20 Maple St. 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
• FOOD AND DRINK
Gary’s House Gourmet Gala, local dishes from favorite restaurants and caterers, wine, beer and a cooking competition among Maine law firms. $40. Ocean Gateway Terminal, 14 Ocean Gateway Pier, Portland. mercyhospital.org. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday.
EAT Brunswick! restaurants and culinary businesses will offer breakfast, lunch, dinner as well as treats and snacks with special pricing, $6.14-$30.14. brunswickdowntown.org. Through Sunday.
Family Style Buffet Dinner, sponsored by Rolling Thunder, support local veterans, $5 adults, $2 for kids under 12. Sanford VFW, Hutchinson and School streets. 892-5333. 4:30-6 p.m. Saturday.
Bread Baking Class, learn the art of organic whole-grain sourdough bread baking. $55. Long Branch School, 20 Main St., Bowdoinham. longbranchschool.com. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
Miso Making Workshop, Sheepscot General Store, 98 Townhouse Road, Whitefield. sheepscotgeneral.com/. 2 p.m. Sunday.
Cooking for Crowds, for volunteer cooks, learn up-to-date food safety techniques for buying, storing, preparing, transporting and serving food. Workshop meets the Good Shepherd-Food Bank requirements. $15. University of Maine Cooperative Extension, 75 Clearwater Dr., Suite 104, Falmouth. umaine.edu/food-health/food-safety/cooking-for-crowds. 1-5 p.m. April 17.
• FOR KIDS
Planetarium Show: Two Small Pieces of Glass: The Amazing Telescope, ages 9 and up, $3, UM students free with MaineCard. Maynard F. Jordan Planetarium, University of Maine, 5781 Wingate Hall, Orono. GalaxyMaine.com. 7 p.m. Friday.
Theater on a Hand Children’s Puppet Workshop, create a simple cast of characters, a backdrop and a puppet show all on one hand. Ages 7-11. $15 (includes materials). Mayo Street Arts, 10 Mayo St., Portland. mayostreetarts.org/2014/03/april-12-theater-on-a-hand-puppet-workshop/. 1- 3 p.m. Saturday.
Planetarium Show: Earth, Moon & Sun. $3, UM students free with MaineCard. Maynard F. Jordan Planetarium, University of Maine, 5781 Wingate Hall, Orono. GalaxyMaine.com. 2 p.m. Sunday.
Brass: What a Wonderful World of Music! The PSO brass quintet takes you on a journey to explore the many places we hear music in our daily lives. $4. Kennebunk Elementary School, 177 Alewive Road. www.portlandsymphony.org/content/tickets/browse-performances/kinderkonzerts-2. 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Woodwinds: Five Fables of Aesop, PSO woodwind ensemble retells the Fables of Aesop. $4. Olin Arts Center, Bates College, 75 Russell St., Lewiston. www.portlandsymphony.org/content/tickets/browse-performances/kinderkonzerts-2/. 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Good Night, Nature at Maine Audubon, gentle moonlit hour based around a bedtime story about animals of the night. We will play, sing and create art. Child members $10; non-members $15. Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, 20 Gilsland Farm Road, Falmouth. www.maineaudubon.org/events. 6-7 p.m. Tuesday.
Felting for kids, learn how to turn sheep’s fleece into felted-wool items. $5. Pineland Farms Education Center, 15 Farm View Drive, New Gloucester. www.pinelandfarms.org. 10 a.m. April 17.
Big Material in Small Archives, Alexandra Socarides speaks on use of the regional archive in a study of 19th century women’s poetry, free. Maine Women Writers Collection, University of New England, 716 Stevens Ave., Aplanalp Library, Portland. www.une.edu/mwwc/conferences/authorseries.cfm. 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday.
Illustrated Talk on Historic Sailmaking by Eben Wilson of Wilson Sailmakers. Camden Public Library, 55 Main St. www.librarycamden.org. 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday .
Medical Marijuana, a free public lecture exploring medical marijuana and its history from basic medical condition treatments to cutting edge applications. Portland Public Library, Rines Auditorium, 5 Monument Square. 1 p.m. Tuesday.
Development and Social Importance of Bicycles, talk by Zip Zamarchi, free. Sanford-Springvale Historical Museum, 505 Main St., Springvale. 7 p.m. April 17.
Morning Bird Walks, looking for birds, wildlife and plants. Members $5; non-members $8. Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, 20 Gilsland Farm Road, Falmouth. www.maineaudubon.org/events. 8-10 a.m. Thursday and Saturday.
Adoptable dogs in South Portland, Animal Welfare Society Mobile Adoption Team will visit with some adoptable canines at Petco, 220 Maine Mall Road, South Portland. Free. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday.
Rabbit Care Workshop, free. Coastal Humane Society, 190 Pleasant St., Brunswick. www.coastalhumanesociety.org. 1-3 p.m. Saturday.
• SPECIAL EVENTS
Sierra Club’s monthly pub gathering, bringing together environmentalists in a fun and informal opportunity. Bull Feeney’s , 375 Fore St., Portland. action.sierraclub.org/site/PageNavigator/PortlandGroup3rdMeeting.html. 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Vicki Monroe, psychic, medium and spirit messenger, $35. jonathansrestaurant.com. 8 p.m. Friday.
April Stools Day & Community Cleanup, help clean up Portland parks and beaches. easternpromenade.org/events/. Coffee and goodies at Hill House, 92 Congress St. before and lunchtime snacks donated by Rosemont Market around noon. 9 a.m.-noon Saturday.
Community Electronic Waste Recycling Day, free. Woodbury Campus Center Parking Lot, University of Southern Maine, 45 Bedford St., Portland. usm.maine.edu/sustainability/community-electronic-waste-recycling-day. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday.
The Maine State Button Society 11th annual Button Show and Sale, free admission. St. Louis Alumni Hall, 649 Elm St., Biddeford. www.mainebuttons.com. 9 a.m. Saturday.
Pine Tree State Bodybuilding, Figure & Bikini Championships, Maine State Health and Fitness Expo with special guest Mike O’Hearn. $20, free for kids 12 and under. Westbrook Performing Art Center, 471 Stroudwater St., Westbrook. facebook.com/events/204388999744844. 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
Bath Antiques Show, more than 40 dealers, $4. Bath Middle School, 6 Old Brunswick Road, Bath. bathantiquesshows.com. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday.
Mind Body Spirit Festival, holistic health practitioners, readings from psychics and mediums, crystals, massage. $5 includes most workshops. Ramada, Saco Plaza. 10 a.m. Sunday.
Port Veritas, spoken word series hosts an open mic, double feature by Theresa Davis and Shyla Hardwick, and semifinals poetry slam. $3. Bull Feeney’s , 375 Fore St., Portland. www.portveritas.com/april.html. 7:45 p.m. Tuesday.

domain: library


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CINCINNATI (AP) - The Reds are laying off less than 25% of their staff and reducing pay for others on June 1 in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The club made the announcement on its website Thursday and had no further comment. Commissioner Rob Manfred cleared the way for teams this month to lay off or reduce the pay of managers, coaches and trainers at both the major league and minor league levels.
Cincinnati was among a group of 16 teams that committed to paying full-time employees through May. Others had different pay arrangements for staff.


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Biodiversity loss and its impact on humanity
It is argued that human actions are dismantling the Earth’s ecosystems, eliminating genes, species and biological traits at an alarming rate, and the question of how such loss of biological diversity will alter the functioning of ecosystems and their ability to provide society with the goods and services needed to prosper is asked.
Impacts of plant diversity on biomass production increase through time because of species complementarity
- B. Cardinale, Justin P. Wright, J. J. Weis
- Environmental Science, BiologyProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
- 13 November 2007
It is shown that although productive species do indeed contribute to diversity effects, these contributions are equaled or exceeded by species complementarity, where biomass is augmented by biological processes that involve multiple species.
Effects of biodiversity on the functioning of trophic groups and ecosystems
A formal meta-analysis of studies that have experimentally manipulated species diversity to examine how it affects the functioning of numerous trophic groups in multiple types of ecosystem suggests that the average effect of decreasing species richness is to decrease the abundance or biomass of the focal Trophic group, leading to less complete depletion of resources used by that group.
Biodiversity inventories, indicator taxa and effects of habitat modification in tropical forest
A gradient from near-primary, through old-growth secondary and plantation forests to complete clearance, for eight animal groups in the Mbalmayo Forest Reserve, south-central Cameroon is examined, indicating the huge scale of the biological effort required to provide inventories of tropical diversity, and to measure the impacts of tropical forest modification and clearance.
Using local–regional richness plots to test for species saturation: pitfalls and potentials
- D. Srivastava
- Environmental Science
1. Plots of local versus regional species richness are an exciting new tool for testing for species saturation in ecological communities. In this method, the local richness of a community is plotted…
Why More Productive Sites Have More Species: An Experimental Test of Theory Using Tree‐Hole Communities
In tree holes, the More Individuals Hypothesis is an insufficient explanation for increases in species richness with productivity because it neither accounts for the different processes of local coloni zation and extinction nor allows body size to correlate with extinction risk.
Biodiversity-Ecosystem Function Research: Is It Relevant to Conservation?
The conservation case is stronger for stability measures of function than stock and flux measures, in part because it is easier to attribute value unambiguously to stability and in partBecause stock and fluid measures of functions are anticipated to be more affected by multitrophic communities.
Extinction and Ecosystem Function in the Marine Benthos
- M. Solan, B. Cardinale, A. Downing, K. Engelhardt, J. Ruesink, D. Srivastava
- Environmental ScienceScience
- 12 November 2004
It is shown that species extinction is generally expected to reduce bioturbation, but the magnitude of reduction depends on how the functional traits of individual species covary with their risk of extinction.
Phylogenetic diversity and the functioning of ecosystems.
- D. Srivastava, M. Cadotte, A. MacDonald, Robin G. Marushia, Nicholas Mirotchnick
- Environmental Science, BiologyEcology letters
- 1 July 2012
It is argued that PD may be useful in predicting ecosystem functions in a range of communities, from single-trophic to complex networks, and advocated for a synthetic approach that incorporates a deeper understanding of how traits and interactions are shaped by evolution.


What's Next for Veteran QBs Brady, Brees, and Rivers?
Philip Rivers is officially ending his run with the Chargers and entering free agency. Fellow veteran QBs Tom Brady and Drew Brees are considering their options. The NFL quarterback market is filled with possibility, as the golden era of pocket passers may be ending - and the era of mobile quarterbacks just beginning. ESPN's Dan Graziano runs down the different destinies the elder statesmen of the NFL might be headed for this offseason.


text: College PublicationsCommittee Opinion No. 709 Summary:Commercial Enterprises in Medical PracticeAuthor Information For a comprehensive overview of these recommendations, the full-text version of this Committee Opinion is available athttp://dx.doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000002233. Committee on Ethics: This Committee Opinion was developed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Committee on Ethics in collaboration with committee member David I. Shalowitz, MD. Copyright August 2017 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, posted on the Internet, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher. Requests for authorization to make photocopies should be directed to Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, (978) 750-8400. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 409 12th Street, SW, PO Box 96920, Washington, DC 20090-6920 Official Citation: Commercial enterprises in medical practice. Committee Opinion No. 709. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Obstet Gynecol 2017;130:e71–3. This information is designed as an educational resource to aid clinicians in providing obstetric and gynecologic care, and use of this information is voluntary. This information should not be considered as inclusive of all proper treatments or methods of care or as a statement of the standard of care. It is not intended to substitute for the independent professional judgment of the treating clinician. Variations in practice may be warranted when, in the reasonable judgment of the treating clinician, such course of action is indicated by the condition of the patient, limitations of available resources, or advances in knowledge or technology. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reviews its publications regularly; however, its publications may not reflect the most recent evidence. Any updates to this document can be found onwww.acog.orgor by calling the ACOG Resource Center. While ACOG makes every effort to present accurate and reliable information, this publication is provided “as is” without any warranty of accuracy, reliability, or otherwise, either express or implied. ACOG does not guarantee, warrant, or endorse the products or services of any firm, organization, or person. Neither ACOG nor its officers, directors, members, employees, or agents will be liable for any loss, damage, or claim with respect to any liabilities, including direct, special, indirect, or consequential damages, incurred in connection with this publication or reliance on the information presented. Obstetrics & Gynecology: August 2017 - Volume 130 - Issue 2 - p 484-485 doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002227 Buy Metrics Abstract Monetary reimbursement of physicians in exchange for medical advice and treatment is well established and accepted in medical practice. However, financial pressures and the pervasiveness of entrepreneurial values have led some physicians to widen the scope of activities for which they seek reimbursement. Some of these commercial activities are ethically problematic in the clinical setting. Obstetrician–gynecologists should strive to ensure that commercial enterprises in medical practice do not compromise the patient-focused mission of clinical care. In this Committee Opinion, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Committee on Ethics differentiates between commercial activities judged to be generally ethically appropriate for obstetrician–gynecologists and those that are not. © 2017 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

domain: medical


Ebron, Martin, Boston, Switzer Named to Sports Illustrated All-American Teams
Tue Dec 17, 2013
The 2013 college football regular season is finished, and the bowl matchups are set. Now, to recognize the players who made this year great, it's time to unveil SI.com's All-America Team. Four Tar Heels made the list. Second team: UNC tight end Eric Ebron; Honorable Mention: UNC defensive end Kareem Martin, UNC safety Tre Boston, UNC punt returner Ryan Switzer.
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| Kareem Martin | Tre Boston | Eric Ebron | Ryan Switzer
Recent Football News:UNC's defensive improvements: fluke or for real?Saturday August 27, 2016Georgia football reportedly practicing in Georgia Dome ahead of UNC matchupSaturday August 27, 2016Video: Charlton Warren InterviewSaturday August 27, 2016Henderson transfer raises questions for UNC’s future at QBSaturday August 27, 2016Georgia RB Sony Michel could be game-time decision versus UNCSaturday August 27, 2016


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Sorry, the video is currently unavailable.
Drs. Ron Waksman and Renato Lopes discuss the results of the BRACE CORONA study, which was presented as a late-breaking trial at the European Society of Cardiology virtual congress. The study examined the difference between continuing or suspending ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers in COVID-19 patients. Dr. Lopes provides insights into the top-line findings, which is that there were no significant differences between the two treatment regimens.


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Jessica Alba and celeb makeup artist Jen Atkin talk all things winged eyeliner, everyday red lips and Sade. And, of course, why we all need to move to Utah stat.
Watching Jessica and Jen Atkin, founder of Mane Addicts, chat about makeup is like being invited to sit with the It girls. Spoiler alert: There’s a lot of laughter.
Check out the video below and see why we want to be in on their next play date.

domain: entertainment


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While a younger sugar daddy might not care in cases where his sugardaddy age difference is 6 months, for those searching for older sugars babies they undoubtedly are a turn off. There are many men to choose from who will not really date a woman if they will are only a few many months older than her. The younger the person, http://pengrajinplakatdariresin.blogspot.com/ the hotter and more desired he is for the women.
In today’s contemporary society there is a growing number of older women looking for sugar babies. The condition comes if the man is actually older than the sugar baby. This usually occurs as the older guy is already married. When this happens the sugar daddy has to be happy to re-approach the sugar https://sugardaddyservices.com baby along with the younger guy. These mature sugar daddies have enough encounter using the internet dating system to cover any conceivable issues. They generally won’t health care what the sugar daddy age big difference is as extended as they will get their sugars babies.
As the sugar daddy gets older his family members becomes more important to him. He needs to have the ability to juggle multiple relationships at the same time because the younger sugardaddy might have multiple relationships already. He might feel that this individual has already located the love of his your life and he does not want to lose that woman. Just the opportunity to date other girls might turned off the more aged sugar daddy age big difference.
The sugar daddy period difference also can occur for the reason that sugar baby is simply little a lesser amount of experienced compared to the sugardaddy. Being younger really does certainly not mean that he could be incompetent. There are plenty of examples where newer men are really successful with the females. It just takes slightly longer for the men to mature enough to realize that they do not need to decide. Sometimes his or her lack the confidence that is included with experience.
Other times the sugar newborns might actually have got a little more confidence. Young men who no experience with crackers can often be a little weighed down. Some teenagers who are older abhor thinking about settling. They will see it while giving up. This can be a problem for the sugar daddy time difference.
You should always ensure that that the sugar daddy has its own confidence prior to starting dating him. He should be by least a small amount self-assured. Everyone these days if you want to avoid any problems. Remember, the sugar babies age difference could be a real problem.


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Joba Chamberlain was coming and going last night as the Yankees beat the Orioles. Andy Pettitte did the real heavy lifting, however.
Ian Kennedy’s time on the disabled list could be fairly brief. This notebook also has updates on the Big G with some big homers, some unusual stats from Tuesday and a Jorge Posada update.
Camden Yards to Westchester in four hours. Love that Red Bull.


I mentioned yesterday that a pilot program for exporting furniture from Gaza is planned to start next month in an agreement hammered out between Israel, the EU and Gaza exporters.
Israel insists that all goods exported from Gaza, whether agricultural or manufactured, adhere to international quality standards. Very few furniture factories in Gaza meet those standards.
One of those is named "Biseiso" after its owner, who worked hard to meet those standards. He was excited to have the opportunity to export his furniture to the EU and his workers had been working hard to set everything up.
This morning at 5:30, Biseiso's factory was destroyed in a massive fire. Multiple fire companies were needed to control the flames.
Beseiso does not think this fire is a coincidence.
According to him the other factory owners in Gaza are fearful as well that the same fate awaits them.
Whether it is from jealous competitors or from people who believe that Gazans should not profit from "collaborating" with Israel, there are some big problems in Gaza that do not get any attention because so many want to keep the focus relentlessly on alleged Israeli crimes.
And people like Mr. Beseiso are the victims.


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The class has been tasked with picking some famous games, or something you’re familiar with and talking about it from a game design perspective. There is so much scope here so I’m going to keep it to things that have meant a lot to me over the years, hopefully this will keep things interesting for you and me. I may even learn something new! Here are the topics that need to be covered:
How available hardware impacted design.
● Intended audiences for the game.
● Critique the game. Talk about game
design, visuals, mechanics & performance.
So onto the first game!
Sonic the Hedgehog
Available Hardware at the Time
While Sega had some limited success in the 80s with their Sega Master System, it was never able to compete with Nintendo’s NES/Famicom and their almost indomitable market share. In order to compete they pushed the development of their next console and the first entry into the 16-bit console war, the Sega Mega Drive. The MD was built around a Motorola 68000 CPU, which had seen success throughout the 80’s in mass market computers such as early Macintosh machines, Amigas and the Atari ST. The console market was about to meet the power of a PC for the first time. Sega even added a secondary CPU to the system to deal exclusively with audio, leaving less workload for the main Motorola chip.
Even with this new hardware in hand it wasn’t enough to topple Nintendo and Sega realised they were missing one major ingredient in the plan. A mascot to rival Mario himself. A team was assembled to develop a Mario killer game using all of the new found hardware at their fingertips. This was how Sonic the Hedgehog came to be. The game was defined by what functionality they could pull out of the new hardware. Programmer and Project Manager Yuji Naka had always been obsessed with fast cars and speed and wanted to bring this love into the game. So much so, the game speed was eventually dialed back during development as the prototype moved so fast it was giving testers motion sickness. It seems like the new hardware was delivering exactly what they wanted in spades.
There was much heated debate between Sega of Japan and Sega US over this very matter, clashing heads over how to appeal to two very different audiences for maximum appeal and profit. Japan originally styled the character in your typical Japanese style of cute features and large expressive eyes but already knew the product had to succeed in Western territories to help sell Mega Drive units. In light of this Sonic was also styled after such classic animation icons as Felix the Cat and Mickey Mouse.
However the initial submission to Sega US caused quite the stir with the then CEO Michael Katz who immediately wrote a list of ten reasons why the IP would never succeed in the west and had it forwarded to Sega Japan. One of these reasons was that nobody in the US even knew what a hedgehog was, turns out they aren’t native to any of the Americas, I learnt something new today.
Sega US went to work redesigning the character to suit a Western audience which in turn infuriated the original Sonic Team in Japan and this continued for some time. Eventually SOA’s design would be the final design based on the facts that the Master System and Mega Drive up until now had better sales than the West than in Japan, where Nintendo still had the major foot hold. Nearly all of the initial Sonic lore was created by Sega of America.
The other aspect to target audience was a split between Japan’s casual gamer market and the Wests more competitive gamer market. Yuji Naka managed to nail down the appeal to both markets by introducing the speed aspect of the game as a skill based test, hoping gamers would return again and again in an attempt to beat the stages as fast as possible with the worlds speediest hedgehog. Meanwhile casual gamers could take a slower approach as the game had no time limit, merely a time counter.
Meanwhile I find it funny that no thought seems to have gone into the age or gender demographic, or at least I can’t seem to find any information about it. I could say that Sega were lucky that the end product was popular with all ages but I’m sure it was considered somewhere during the development process and simply isn’t documented online.
Game Design & Mechanics
All of the staff working on the original game admit that its core influence for gameplay still originated from Mario, but with that added desire of speed I’ve already mentioned. You could boil Sonic’s mechanics to that or Mario in its simplest form, get from point A to point B in a side scrolling platformer. As for the rest of the mechanics I’ll have to quickly jump back to the character design process.
The original character submission long before the blue hedgehog was a rabbit, who would pick things up with his ears and throw them at enemies. This rabbit created by Naoto Oshima didn’t fit Yuji Naka’s vision and said the item pickup process broke the rhythm of the action, along with his goal to make the game playable with only one button. So the team went back to the drawing board to look for animals that could roll into a ball, their idea for an attack. What would Sonic be if they had never nailed down that core rolling attack at this stage, it wouldn’t be the game we know now.
To now elaborate, the core mechanic is get from point A to point B, while avoiding or destroying enemies using a balled up jump or roll attack, but wait theres more. I previously mentioned the desire to appeal to the Western audiences competitive streak, by encouraging what we’d know now as speed running levels. He had always wondered when playing Mario why the levels could not be cleared more quickly, and this was his foundation for that aspect of Sonic. So for the last time get from point A to B as quickly as possible, while avoiding or destroying enemies using the ball up mechanic. For the most part I think that sums up Sonic pretty well.
“I like fast things and I thought that it would be nice to create a game where the more skilled you become, the faster you can complete a stage. Games back then had no backup or saving system, which meant that you had to play right form the beginning every time…As a result, the very first stage would be played time and time again, making the player very skilled at it. So we thought it would be nice if this would enable the player to complete those stages faster and that’s the basis of Sonic’s speed. We also thought this feature would help differentiate Sonic from Mario.”
—Yuji Naka, Programmer and Project Manager of Sonic the Hedgehog.
From a personal perspective all I can say is it worked. I lovingly played Sonic until the days of the PS1 when the Mega Drive took a back shelf, constantly beating my own times and finding new paths to the end of the level. I still have my MD and occasionally run through all of Sonic for the nostalgia, emulation just isn’t the same.
I’ve already talked at some length about the creation of Sonic himself and where the style came from, so I’ll take this opportunity to briefly discuss the levels themselves.
Level designer Hirokazu Yasuhara worked on all the levels single handedly and was responsible for the theme of each. The games colour scheme was influenced by pop artist Eizin Suzuki and the first level Green Hill Zone was designed to bare some resemblance to California in hopes of appealing to the Western market.
There isn’t much official information outside of this, so from here on in this is purely observation and opinion. Each level has its own style and theme, often being worlds apart from each other but each lavishly detailed to the point its insane to comprehend it all being the work of one man.
The high contrast and vivid colours wash out as the game progresses and the zones get more industrial, until your final conflict with the main antagonist Dr.Robotnik, responsible for all the robots in the other zones. Visually its a nice touch and gives a sense of progression as your surrounding visuals get less natural and more grim. Even though ask any player and we all hate level 4 ‘Labyrinth’ more than any later stage, Sonic constantly drowning was the frustration of gamers for a generation.
Sonic had some performance issues during development but the final game ran absolutely flawless. The initial speed Naka wanted out of the game took some clever programming, early tests resulted in flickering, slow frame rates and glitchy sprite animations. This was solved early in development by Naka writing an algorithm to solve these issues, this was also responsible for smoothly allowing the games loop-de-loops and momentum based physics to work. I take my hat off to one programmer making all of this possible in 1989.
That about wraps up talking about Sonic, however I’m not done with Sega by a long shot. More on that shortly!

domain: game