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Global Autonomous Trains Market Trends, Forecast and Competitive Analysis Report 2021-2024: Promising Opportunities in Trams, Suburban, Monorail, Light Rail, and High-speed Rail - ResearchAndMarkets.com
DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 13, 2021--
The “Autonomous Trains Market: Trends, Forecast and Competitive Analysis” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering.
The autonomous train market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 13% from 2019 to 2024.
The future of the autonomous trains market looks promising with opportunities in the tram, suburban, monorail, light rail, and high-speed rail. The major drivers for this market are increasing demand for efficient transportation with a high level of safety, increased budget allocations for the development of railway systems and infrastructure, and continuous research and development in the automation technology.
The study includes the autonomous trains market size and forecast for the autonomous trains market through 2024, segmented by train type, by technology, by grade, by component, by application, and by region
Some of the autonomous trains companies profiled in this report include Thales Group, Alstom, Hitachi, Bombardier Transportation, Ansaldo STS, SIEMENS, Mitsubishi Electric, and CRRC, and others.
Some of the features of ‘Autonomous Trains Market 2019-2024: Trends, Forecast, and Opportunity Analysis’ include:
- Market size estimates: Autonomous trains market size estimation in terms of value ($M) shipment.
- Trend and forecast analysis: Market trend (2013-2018) and forecast (2019-2024) by application, and end use industry.
- Segmentation analysis: Market size by train type, technology, grade, component, application, and region.
- Regional analysis: Autonomous trains market breakdown by North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World.
- Growth opportunities: Analysis on growth opportunities in different applications and regions for autonomous trains in the autonomous trains market.
- Strategic analysis: This includes M&A, new product development, and competitive landscape for autonomous trains in the autonomous trains market.
- Analysis of competitive intensity of the industry based on Porter’s Five Forces model.
This report answers the following 11 key questions:
- Q.1 What are some of the most promising potential, high-growth opportunities for the autonomous trains market by train type (long distance train, suburban, tram, monorail, subway/metro), technology (CBTC, ERTMS, PTC, and ATC), grade (GoA1+GoA2, GoA3, GoA4), component (tachometer, doppler, accelerometer, camera, antenna, and radio set), application (passenger, and freight), and region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World)?
- Q.2 Which segments will grow at a faster pace and why?
- Q.3 Which regions will grow at a faster pace and why?
- Q.4 What are the key factors affecting market dynamics? What are the drivers and challenges of the autonomous trains market?
- Q.5 What are the business risks and threats to the autonomous trains market?
- Q.6 What are emerging trends in this autonomous trains market and the reasons behind them?
- Q.7 What are some changing demands of customers in the autonomous trains market?
- Q.8 What are the new developments in the autonomous trains market? Which companies are leading these developments?
- Q.9 Who are the major players in this autonomous trains market? What strategic initiatives are being implemented by key players for business growth?
- Q.10 What are some of the competitive products and processes in this autonomous trains area and how big of a threat do they pose for loss of market share via material or product substitution?
- Q.11 What M & A activities have taken place in the last 5 years in this, autonomous trains market?
Key Topics Covered:
1. Executive Summary
2. Market Trends and Forecast Analysis from 2013 to 2024
2.1: Introduction, Background, and Classification
2.2: Supply Chain
2.3: Industry Drivers and Challenges
3. Market Trends and Forecast Analysis from 2013 to 2024
3.1: Macroeconomic Trends and Forecast
3.2: Global Autonomous Trains Market: Trends and Forecast
3.3: Global Autonomous Trains Market by Train Type
3.3.1: Long Distance Train
3.4: Global Autonomous Trains Market by Technology
3.5: Global Autonomous Trains Market by Grade
3.5.1: GoA1 + GoA2
3.6: Global Autonomous Trains Market by Component
3.6.6: Radio Set
3.7: Global Autonomous Trains Market by Application
4. Market Trends and Forecast Analysis by Region
4.1: Global Autonomous Trains Market by Region
4.2: North American Autonomous Trains Market
4.3: European Autonomous Trains Market
4.4: APAC Autonomous Trains Market
4.5: ROW Autonomous Trains Market
5. Competitor Analysis
5.1: Product Portfolio Analysis
5.2: Market Share Analysis
5.3: Operational Integration
5.4: Geographical Reach
5.5: Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
6. Growth Opportunities and Strategic Analysis
6.1: Growth Opportunity Analysis
6.1.1: Growth Opportunities for Global Autonomous Trains Market by Train type
6.1.2: Growth Opportunities for Global Autonomous Trains Market by Technology
6.1.3: Growth Opportunities for Global Autonomous Trains Market by Grade
6.1.4: Growth Opportunities for Global Autonomous Trains Market by Component
6.1.5: Growth Opportunities for Global Autonomous Trains Market by Application
6.1.6: Growth Opportunities for Global Autonomous Trains Market by Region
6.2: Emerging Trends in Global Autonomous Trains Market
6.3: Strategic Analysis
6.3.1: New Product Development
6.3.2: Capacity Expansion of Global Autonomous Trains Market
6.3.3: Mergers, Acquisitions and Joint Ventures in the Global Autonomous Trains Market
6.3.4: Certification and Licensing
7. Company Profiles of Leading Players
- Thales Group
- Bombardier Transportation
- Ansaldo STS
- Mitsubishi Electric
For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/bwku9z
View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210113005666/en/
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PUB: 01/13/2021 10:36 AM/DISC: 01/13/2021 10:37 AM

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Most research on basic mechanisms of epilepsy and the design of new antiepileptic drugs has focused on synaptic transmission or action potential generation. However, a number of laboratory studies have suggested that nonsynaptic mechanisms, such as modulation of electric field interactions via the extracellular space (ECS), might also contribute to neuronal hypersynchrony and epileptogenicity. To date, a role for nonsynaptic modulation of epileptic activity in the human brain has not been investigated. Here we studied the effects of molecules that modulate the volume and water content of the ECS on epileptic activity in patients suffering from neocortical and mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Electrophysiological and optical imaging data were acquired from the exposed cortices of anesthetized patients undergoing surgical treatment for intractable epilepsy. Patients were given a single intravenous injection containing either 20 mg furosemide (a cation-chloride cotransporter antagonist) or 50 g mannitol (an osmolyte). Furosemide and mannitol both significantly suppressed spontaneous epileptic spikes and electrical stimulation-evoked epileptiform discharges in all subjects, completely blocking all epileptic activity in some patients without suppressing normal electroencephalographic activity. Optical imaging suggested that the spread of electrical stimulation-evoked activity over the cortex was significantly reduced by these treatments, but the magnitude of neuronal activation near the stimulating electrode was not diminished. These results suggest that nonsynaptic mechanisms play a critical role in modulating the epileptogenicity of the human brain. Furosemide and other drugs that modulate the ECS might possess clinically useful antiepileptic properties, while avoiding the side effects associated with the suppression of neuronal excitability.
Approximately 1% of the population suffers from epilepsy, and 20–30% of epilepsy patients have seizures that are intractable to control with existing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) (Benbadis et al. 2000; Hauser 1998). Available antiepileptic therapies are considered to be inadequate since they do not provide sufficient seizure-control in a significant proportion of epilepsy patients and are often accompanied by adverse side effects (Loscher 2002). Currently prescribed AEDs are thought to mediate their antiseizure effects by reducing neuronal excitability, either by directly affecting synaptic interactions or by reducing the likelihood of action potential generation(LaRoche and Helmers 2004). Persistent adverse effects, such as sedation and cognitive impairment, are commonly associated with AEDs because neuronal excitability is reduced indiscriminately in both epileptogenic and normal areas in the brain (Aldenkamp et al. 2003; Brodie 2001).
Previous studies on hippocampal slices suggested that antagonism of the cation-chloride cotransport system, with furosemide (Lasix) or reduced extracellular chloride, potently blocked epileptiform activity without suppressing neuronal excitability (Hochman and Schwartzkroin 2000; Hochman et al. 1995, 1999). In those studies, it was proposed that the antiepileptic action of chloride cotransport antagonism was mediated through nonsynaptic mechanisms involving the Na+,K+,2Cl− cotransporter and hence potentially represented a novel approach to seizure control. The furosemide-sensitive Na+,K+,2Cl− cotransporter is thought to mediate activity-evoked cell volume changes in glial cells and to play a significant role in the redistribution of potassium from the extracellular space (ECS) after increases in neuronal activity (Walz 1992, Holthoff and Witte 1996; Walz and Hertz 1984; Walz and Hinks 1985).
It has long been hypothesized that alterations of the ECS could modulate neuronal synchrony by affecting nonsynaptic mechanisms such as the electrical resistance of brain tissue, extracellular ionic concentrations, local ephaptic interactions, and long-range electric field effects among neuronal populations (Dudek et al. 1986; Faber and Korn 1989; Jefferys 1995). Numerous clinical and experimental studies have shown that changes in the osmolarity of the ECS, which presumably modulates the volume fraction of the ECS by directly affecting cell volume, can significantly affect epileptogenicity (Andrew 1991). In vivo studies in rats demonstrated that systemically injected hyperosmotic solutions significantly increase electroshock seizure thresholds (Reed and Woodbury 1964) and prevent the development of kainic acid-induced seizures (Baran et al. 1987). In vitro studies on the role of nonsynaptic mechanisms in epilepsy began with the observation that synchronized discharges could occur in hippocampal slices in which chemical synaptic transmission had been eliminated by the reduction of calcium in the bathing medium (Jefferys and Hass 1982; Taylor and Dudek 1982, 1984a,b). Increasing osmolarity in this preparation with mannitol or sucrose reduced or blocked synchronized discharges, whereas decreasing osmolarity had the opposite effect (Dudek et al. 1990; Roper et al. 1992). A study on hippocampal slices bathed in high-potassium medium suggested that alteration of the size of the ECS is a critical component in the generation of epileptiform activity (Traynelis and Dingledine 1989).
Both furosemide and mannitol are known to affect the size of the ECS but through different mechanisms. Furosemide blocks activity-evoked cell swelling through antagonism of cation-chloride cotransporters, whereas mannitol removes water from intracellular compartments through osmotic forces (Geck et al. 1980; Hochman et al. 1995; Kimelberg and Frangakis 1985; Paczynski 1997; Traynelis and Dingledine 1989). Two considerations of particular clinical interest motivated the studies reported here. First, furosemide more potently blocks epileptiform activity in in vitro studies than many of the commonly prescribed AEDs (Hochman et al. 1995). Second, both furosemide and mannitol have been observed to suppress epileptiform activity in laboratory models of seizure without reducing excitatory synaptic transmission or the ability of neurons to fire action potentials (Dudek et al. 1990; Hochman and Schwartzkroin 2000; Hochman et al. 1995; Traynelis and Dingledine 1989), suggesting that the neurological side effects associated with currently prescribed AEDs might be avoided. Because the role of ECS modulation in human epileptogenicity has not yet been experimentally investigated, we studied the effects of furosemide and mannitol on patients suffering from medically intractable epilepsy.
Intraoperative studies were performed on 27 patients, 11 of whom received no experimental treatments (control) and 16 of whom received either furosemide or mannitol during the recording sessions (experimental group). All patients were suffering from medically intractable epilepsy and had given informed consent; studies adhered to a protocol that was approved by the Duke Human Subject Committee (Institutional Review Board Protocol 2082). The control group, whose ages varied from 14 to 57 yr, consisted of 5 males and 6 females. The ages of the patients in the experimental group varied from 12 to 56 yr, consisting of 4 males and 12 females. All patients were suffering from seizure conditions that could not be adequately controlled with existing AEDs. Patients were classified as having either mesial temporal epilepsy (MTE, control group, n = 7; experimental group, n = 13) or neocortical epilepsy (NE, control group, n = 4; experimental group, n = 3), depending on where the sites of seizure onset had been identified in the mesial structures with video electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring, concordant hypometabolism on PET in the mesial temporal lobe, and hippocampal atrophy on high-resolution MRI or implanted subdural electrode array monitoring for neocortical seizures. Some patients were involved in more than one experiment (i.e., both spontaneous spiking and stimulation-evoked afterdischarge activity were studied on the same patient).
Patients remained on their preoperative AEDs and were anesthetized with the inhalational agent isoflurane (0.2 MAC) and intravenous remifentanil and propofol. Propofol was administered up until 10 min prior to the EEG recording session at which point propofol administration was stopped and not re-administered until the recording session had ended. Additionally, a local field block was administered consisting of 1.0% lidocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine and 0.25% marcaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine mixed 1:1. The lidocaine/marcaine/epinephrine solution (9 ml) was mixed with a NaHCO3 solution (1 ml) for the field block. Vital signs were monitored so that variables, such as blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, and arterial CO2 (paCO2 = 35–39) and PO2 were as close as possible between experiments. No changes in vital signs were observed during experimental treatments; importantly, neither the furosemide nor mannitol treatments caused changes in blood pressure.
The furosemide (Lasix) solution was composed of 4-chloro-N-furfuryl-5- sulfamoylanthranilic acid, sodium chloride for isotonicity and sodium hydroxide to adjust pH. The furosemide injection solution was a sterile, nonpyogenic solution with a concentration of 10 mg/ml and 2 ml were injected as a single bolus (20 mg). Mannitol I.V. (Mannitol injection, USP) was a sterile, nonpyogenic solution of mannitol dissolved in water for injection at a concentration of 20%. A 50-g intravenous bolus of mannitol was administered over 5–10 min.
After the cortex was exposed, electrophysiological recordings were acquired from an array of subdural EEG electrodes placed directly on the cortical surface. The electrode array (Ad-Tech Medical Instrument, WI) was recorded by an analog EEG machine equipped with signal amplifiers and noise filters (Grass, RI), and passed to an A/D converter and recorded as a digital signal on VCR tape cassettes (VR-100-B-8 A/D, Instrutech). Each surface EEG electrode was 5 mm in diameter with the inter-electrode distances of 10 mm. Recordings were acquired from at least seven electrodes in an array covering ∼5 × 5 cm of the cortical surface. An eighth input to the amplifier received impulses from the camera used for optical imaging experiments so that images could be accurately correlated to the electrophysiological activity in time. A silver-ball reference electrode was placed on the contralateral mastoid process. All eight channels were digitized at 14-bit resolution, 11.8 k samples/s per channel. The mean voltage of the EEG recording from the interictal focus was calculated over a 20-min duration just prior to administration of either the furosemide or mannitol treatment. Only those EEG events that were at least ±3 SD from this mean were counted as spikes. This “3-sigma” criterion was chosen because it had been empirically determined to avoid overcounting ambiguous events based on waveform morphology, while still counting enough events for statistical analysis.
Electrical stimulation of cortex
For electrical stimulation during afterdischarge studies, a bipolar stimulating electrode (5 mm interelectrode distance), powered by a constant-current source (Ojemann Cortical Stimulator, Integra LifeSciences), was placed on the neocortex at sites distant from the interictal focus. The minimal stimulation current (4 s at 60 Hz, 1-ms biphasic pulse) required to elicit ≥5 s of afterdischarge activity was determined. A recording electrode was placed between the stimulating electrodes for recording afterdischarge activity (see gray-scale image in Fig. 2, bottom middle, for the electrode configuration). The duration of afterdischarge activity was defined to be the time during which a train of spikes followed the cessation of the 4-s stimulus.
The intraoperative optical imaging technique used in these studies was similar to what has previously been reported, where it was demonstrated that changes in the activity-evoked optical spectroscopic properties of the cortex can be used to provide high-resolution maps of epileptiform activity in humans (Haglund et al. 1992). A 4 × 4-cm glass plate was gently placed on the cortical surface to prevent movement artifacts from respiration and heartbeat. The cortex was illuminated with 535-nm light, which has been shown to provide accurate localization of neuronal activity in human neocortex (Haglund and Hochman 2004). The cortical surface was uniformly illuminated with four fiberoptic lights regulated by a stable DC power supply (SCHOTT Fostec) and filtered with 535 ± 5-nm band-pass optical filters. Images were acquired with a cooled 12-bit digital CCD camera (Roper Scientific, NJ). Sequences of images were integrated over 200-ms intervals and stored on hard disk for off-line analysis. During each stimulation trial, 400–600 images were acquired. To visually demonstrate the spread of stimulation-evoked optical changes over the cortex, “difference images” were generated by subtracting a randomly chosen prestimulation image (i.e., control image), acquired during a 10-s interval prior to stimulation, from all of the images in its associated series. Each difference image thus represented the absolute change in the optical signal from the chosen control image. The difference images were then divided by the control image to provide a map of percentage change. To make small changes more apparent, the images were pseudo-colored with a “spectrum” lookup table, shown in the color bar of Fig. 4. High-frequency noise was removed by applying a Gaussian low-pass filter to the images to improve appearance; such processing was not observed to significantly affect the spatial features of the optical maps as compared with the raw, unprocessed images. Each image was processed in the identical manner.
Estimation of electrical resistance changes
Although the configuration of the stimulation and recording electrodes did not allow for a quantitative estimation of absolute tissue resistivity, it was possible to estimate percentage changes in tissue resistance from baseline conditions (Plonsey and Barr 2000). In several experiments, prior to the administration of furosemide or mannitol, the cortex was stimulated with at least three different current amplitudes within the range of 6–18 mA (4 s of stimulation at each current). For these experiments, the “stimulation artifacts” recorded by each of the surface EEG electrodes (i.e., the voltage responses recorded by each electrode during the time the stimulation current was applied) was re-digitized at a high sampling rate (10 kHz) from the stored data. Because the stimulation-current had a sinusoidal waveform of 60 Hz, the voltage response from the stimulation current could be faithfully dissociated from the underlying physiological EEG signal. A computer program written by Hochman automatically determined the peak amplitudes for each cycle of the voltage-response during the 2-3-s interval from the onset of the stimulation current. The average of these peak voltages was determined for each stimulation trial and was used to represent the voltage response in further calculations. The average values recorded at each electrode in the array during a given stimulation trial were used to calculate the SD of the resistance change for that trial. By Ohm's law, assuming that the tissue resistance was not changed during baseline conditions, the magnitudes of the voltage responses divided by the stimulation currents could be used to give an estimate of the electrical resistance of the tissue. Prior to administration of furosemide or mannitol treatments, this estimate of tissue resistance should remain constant throughout the range of stimulation currents, as was observed to be the case (Fig. 5A, left). Only data from the electrodes that showed a nearly ideal ohmic response were used for these calculations (Fig. 5A), and data from those electrodes that failed to show such a response were excluded from the analysis. Following these criteria, data from at least four of seven surface electrodes were used in the analysis for each experiment. After the administration of furosemide or mannitol, the cortex of each subject was stimulated every 3–7 min for the remainder of the recording session at some fixed current strength. This posttreatment stimulation current strength was identical to one of those used during the pretreatment stimulation trials. In this manner, percentage changes in tissue resistance after any experimental treatments were estimated.
Calculation of power spectra
For each experiment, the power spectrum of the EEG data recorded from the array of surface electrodes was calculated over two time intervals: a 10-min interval prior to the administration of any experimental treatment and the final 10 min of the recording session after the administration of either furosemide or mannitol; during this final 10-min interval, furosemide or mannitol had been administered ≥20 min prior to the recording. Prior to any analysis, electrical stimulation artifacts were deleted from the data, and data from electrodes that showed significant spurious noise (such as the noise introduced from loose electrode contacts) were excluded. For each of the two time intervals, the separate EEG recordings from each of the remaining electrodes (4–7 electrodes for each experiment) were re-organized into single, continuous data files (1 file for the pretreatment data and 1 file for the posttreatment data), and the power spectrum was calculated for each of these files. In this way, the power spectrum included the total power contributed by each of the recording electrodes in the array. A test calculation from a single data set that was re-digitized at a high rate (10 kHz) showed that >95% of the power was localized at frequencies <50 Hz. Hence to facilitate the ease of computations, subsequent calculations were performed on data that had been re-sampled at a lower frequency of 100 Hz, and the power spectra were only calculated for those frequencies <50 Hz. The total power contributed from each frequency for a given interval was calculated from the raw power spectrum. For visualization purposes (Fig. 6), smoothed, denoised estimates of the power spectra were calculated using a wavelet shrinkage algorithm (Gao 1997). All calculations were performed using S-Plus (Insightful).
After digitization, EEG and optical data were analyzed off-line using a combination of commercial software and custom software written by Hochman. Interspike intervals were calculated from the digitized EEG recordings for each experiment using the three-sigma criterion described in the preceding text. Calculation of means ± SD, t-test, and confidence intervals for the interspike interval data, and the generation of graphs were performed using S-Plus V 6.2 (Insightful). Optical images were processed with MetaMorph (Universal Imaging).
All experiments were performed intraoperatively on patients during their surgical procedure for the treatment of intractable epilepsy. After the cortex was exposed, optical imaging was performed while electrophysiological recordings were acquired from an array of EEG electrodes placed directly on the cortical surface. In accordance with an approved IRB, experiments were limited in duration. Consequently, it was only possible to observe the effects following experimental treatments for ∼40 min. Patients were classified as having either mesial temporal epilepsy (MTE) or neocortical epilepsy (NE), depending on where the sites of seizure onset had been identified prior to these experiments with a subdural electrode array or video EEG monitoring.
Effects of furosemide on spontaneous epileptic spiking
In a first set of studies, the effects of furosemide on spontaneously occurring interictal activity were studied on five patients (4 MTE and 1 NE; data from an individual patient is shown in Fig. 1). These patients were selected on the basis of having interictal EEG activity consisting of spontaneously occurring spikes that could be unambiguously identified and counted. In each experiment, the site of the maximal spontaneous interictal activity was located. This site of maximal activity, referred to as the “interictal focus,” tended to be highly localized in that recordings from electrodes 1–2 cm away showed significantly fewer or no interictal spikes. One subdural electrode was placed as close as possible to the interictal focus, which in the MTE patients was on the parahippocampal gyrus and presumably reflected activity generated by mesial structures (Fig. 1; black traces). Recordings were acquired from ≥6 other electrodes in an array covering approximately 5 cm x 5 cm of the cortical surface. The closest electrode, which showed little or no interictal activity, was used for comparison as ‘background’ EEG activity (Fig. 1; gray traces). The average value of the voltage from the interictal focus recording was calculated for the 20 min duration prior to furosemide administration. Only those EEG events that were ≥3 SD from this average value were counted as spikes (Fig. 1; solid horizontal lines on top left traces).
A single intravenous bolus injection of furosemide (20 mg) was administered to each patient after ≥20 min of recording control (i.e., pretreatment) EEG data; the final dose being 0.18–0.45 mg/kg depending on the weight of the patient. Within 10–30 min after administration of furosemide, the frequency of the interictal spikes was significantly reduced in all five patients (Fig. 1, 2nd trace) with all spontaneous spiking being abolished during the final 10 min of the recording session in three patients (2 MTE; 1 NE). Several minutes prior to the decrease in interictal activity, there was a noticeable change in the morphology of the interictal spikes in that their peak-to-peak amplitudes decreased, with a proportion of spikes losing their biphasic structure and becoming broader (Fig. 1, right). Variability in the time to the reduction in the frequency of spontaneous interictal activity (10–30 min) was observed and is reflected in the larger error bars in the average patient response during the initial period following furosemide treatment (Fig. 1, bottom right graph). There was no correlation between the onset times or magnitudes of effects, and the milligram/kilogram dosage of furosemide. It was noted that although the frequency of the spontaneous epileptic spikes was significantly reduced in all patients, the magnitude of the baseline spontaneous activity recorded by all of the electrodes at sites showing no epileptic activity remained unchanged (data not shown).
To characterize the magnitude of the effect of furosemide on spontaneous interictal activity for individual patients, the average of the interspike intervals was tabulated over two time intervals: the 20-min duration just prior to administration of furosemide and the duration lasting from t = 20 min to t = 40 min after furosemide administration. The average reduction in spiking frequency over these five patients, when comparing the prefurosemide data to the postfurosemide data, was ∼60%. It was found that prior to furosemide administration, the average interspike interval (i.e., the time between occurrences of consecutive spontaneous interictal spikes that were ≥3 SD from the mean voltage) of the data pooled over all five patients was 9.6 ± 0.65 (SE) s with the 99% confidence interval (CI) of [7.9 s, 11.3 s]. After furosemide treatment, the mean interspike interval was increased to 21.9 ± 3.9 s (99% CI = [11.8 s, 31.9s]). A t-test of the means of interspike intervals occurring before and after furosemide treatment rejected the null hypothesis that the treatment had no effect (P < 0.0001). Spontaneous spiking was more dramatically suppressed and appeared to be completely blocked in several patients during the last 5 min of the recording session. The graph in Fig. 1, bottom, shows the normalized average reduction in spiking frequency over time, averaged over all five patients.
Effects of furosemide on electrical stimulation-evoked epileptic discharges
The next set of studies tested the effects of furosemide on electrical stimulation-evoked epileptiform activity, or “afterdischarge activity,” on eight patients (6 MTE, 2 NE; Fig. 2). A bipolar electrode was placed on the cortex and the minimal stimulation current (4 s at 60 Hz; biphasic; 1 ms/phase) required to elicit ≥5 s of afterdischarge activity was determined. A recording electrode was placed between the stimulating electrodes for recording afterdischarge activity (see gray-scale image in Fig. 2, bottom middle, for the electrode configuration). The duration of afterdischarge activity was defined to be the time during which a train of spikes followed the cessation of the electrical stimulus, where spikes were defined as those EEG events that were ≥3 SD from the mean of the voltage of prefurosemide activity. For each patient, the minimal current was selected that consistently evoked afterdischarge activity in three consecutive stimulation trials. The furosemide treatment resulted in either a complete blockade (4 patients: 3 MTE, 1 NE) or in a reduction by >50% (4 patients: 3 MTE, 1 NE) of the duration and amplitude of the afterdischarge activity (Fig. 2A). The average reduction in the duration of stimulation-evoked afterdischarge activity over these eight patients was 85 ± 14.6% (mean ± SD). In comparing the mean duration of the afterdischarge activity before and after furosemide treatment, a Wilcoxon rank-sum test rejected the null hypothesis that the furosemide treatment had no effect (P < 0.01).
To test whether the furosemide suppression of afterdischarge activity resulted from an increase in the afterdischarge threshold (i.e., an increase in the minimal current required to elicit afterdischarge activity), the stimulation current was incrementally increased in two patients that had experienced a complete blockade of afterdischarge activity (Fig. 2B). It was determined that afterdischarge episodes lasting at least as long as those observed during the prefurosemide trials could be elicited with increased stimulation current. This result suggested that furosemide increases the afterdischarge threshold of the cortex.
Effects of mannitol on spontaneous and electrical stimulation-evoked epileptic activity
If furosemide mediates its suppression of epileptic activity through modulation of the size of the ECS, then it would be expected that osmotic agents might also have significant effects on epileptic activity. A comparison of the reported effects of mannitol (an osmotic agent) and furosemide in in vitro studies supports this notion (Hochman et al. 1995; Traynelis and Dingledine 1988). To test this hypothesis, we repeated the preceding studies on four patients who were given a single 50-g intravenous injection of mannitol. First, the effects of mannitol on spontaneous interictal activity were studied (Fig. 3; 3 MTE, 1 NE). As in the previous set of furosemide experiments, data were analyzed over two time intervals: the 20-min duration prior to mannitol treatment, and the final 20 min of the recording session after mannitol treatment. After mannitol administration, the average spontaneous interictal spiking frequencies of the four patients was reduced by ∼60%. Prior to administration of mannitol, the mean interspike interval was 3.5 ± 0.12 s (99% CI = [3.2 s, 4.0 s]). After mannitol treatment, the mean interspike interval was increased to 8.3 ± 0.36 s (99% CI = [6.3 s, 9.2 s]). A t-test rejected the null hypothesis that the mean interspike intervals before and after mannitol administration were the same (P < 0.0001). Immediately prior to the mannitol suppression of interictal activity, the morphology of a proportion of the spikes was changed in a manner similar to what was observed with furosemide (Fig. 3; top right traces). In a following set of studies, the effects of mannitol on the duration of electrical stimulation-evoked neocortical afterdischarge activity were studied on four patients (recordings not shown). The mean reduction of afterdischarge duration after mannitol treatments was 41.8 ± 8.0%. Similar to the furosemide observations, there was significant variability in onset time of suppression of epileptic activity after the mannitol injections.
Changes in the spread of electrical stimulation-evoked activity revealed by optical imaging
To examine the effects of furosemide and mannitol on the spread of activity over the cortex, optical images of the activity-evoked changes in light absorption by the cortical tissue were acquired during the electrical stimulation of the cortex at sub-threshold levels (i.e., the magnitude of the stimulation current was set just below to what was necessary to evoke afterdischarge activity; Fig. 4). Hemodynamic changes underlie the activity-evoked optical changes in vivo and are thought to be a reliable surrogate for neuronal activity in the cortex (Grinvald et al. 1988; Haglund et al. 1992; Ngai et al. 1988). These optical imaging studies were performed on three patients treated with mannitol and two patients with furosemide (all MTE patients). Images acquired at the end of 4 s of subthreshold stimulation were used for comparison. Within 30 min after treatment, both mannitol and furosemide significantly blocked the spread of activity over the cortex elicited by electrical stimulation, reducing the extent of activated cortex by >50% in all cases (Fig. 4). Although the spatial extent of the spread of the optical signal was reduced, the magnitude of the optical change in between the two poles of the bipolar stimulating electrode was not diminished. These results suggest that mannitol and furosemide suppressed the spread of synchronous stimulation-driven activity over the cortex, but they did not suppress neuronal firing in response to direct electrical stimulation.
Changes in the electrical resistance of tissue after furosemide and mannitol treatments
It is possible that the furosemide and mannitol treatments affected the response of the cortex to electrical stimulation by altering the electrical resistance of the tissue. This possibility was studied by analyzing the voltage responses recorded by the surface EEG electrodes during electrical stimulation of the cortex (furosemide, n = 3; mannitol, n = 3). For the duration of the recording session prior to the infusion of furosemide or mannitol, it was observed that the recorded voltage responses varied linearly in proportion to the magnitude of the stimulation current, confirming that Ohm's law could be used to estimate percentage changes in tissue resistance (Fig. 5A). This constant relationship between stimulation current and voltage response was observed to hold with sufficient reliability for the purposes of this study, though this ohmic response appeared to hold more reliably at stimulation currents >8 mA (Fig. 5A, right). In the data sets analyzed, the cortex was stimulated at a fixed current for the duration of the recording session following injection of furosemide or mannitol. There appeared to be a transient decrease in tissue resistance (<2%) within the first 5 min after administration of furosemide; however, there was no significant change in tissue resistance between the time that furosemide was first administered and the end of the recording session when the afterdischarge activity and interictal spiking were maximally diminished (Fig. 5B, left). Mannitol treatment resulted in a greater initial decrease in tissue resistance (maximum observed change of 10%) lasting for a longer duration than the changes elicited by furosemide but also recovered to baseline levels by the end of the recording session at the time when diminution of afterdischarge activity and interictal spiking was maximal.
Changes in EEG voltage activity after furosemide and mannitol treatments
Analyses were also performed on data acquired from all subjects in the Experimental group to examine the effects of furosemide and mannitol on spontaneous “normal” EEG activity recorded from surface electrodes at sites that recorded “normal” EEG activity (i.e., at sites that showed no interictal spiking). Two intervals of EEG recordings were analyzed for each of the experiments: the 10-min interval prior to treatment and the final 10-min interval at the end of the recording session after furosemide or mannitol administration. First, to test for general effects on the magnitude of the EEG activity, the absolute values of the EEG voltage recordings were summed for the pretreatment and posttreatment intervals over all recording sites that did not show interictal spiking. Variation in the responses were observed after furosemide and mannitol treatments with the data from one subject for each treatment showing a slight decrease and all other subjects showing a slight increase in the magnitudes of EEG activity. On average, there was an increase in the absolute values of EEG activity following both furosemide and mannitol treatments; furosemide resulted in an increase of 2.3 ± 4.8% (mean ± SD) and mannitol in an increase of 5.8 ± 3.7%. Next, power spectra were calculated for the pre- and posttreatment data. Again, there was some variation among the individual responses of changes in the total power (summed from 0 to 50 Hz). On average over all subjects, furosemide resulted in a change of −4.1 ± 15.8% and mannitol in a change of 10.2 ± 12.1%. Examination of plots of the power spectra for each individual subject suggested that changes after treatment in the magnitude of the power were localized to a narrow range of frequencies within 3 to 10 Hz (Fig. 6).
Analysis of spontaneous epileptic spike activity in control subjects
To address the possibility that the observed effects of furosemide and mannitol treatments were simply a function of time while recording under the experimental conditions, data from patients who received no treatments over similar recording durations were examined. These patients were involved in other studies where spontaneous interictal spiking was recorded intraoperatively for ≥50 min where no pharmacological treatments other than the standard medications were administered. The interspike intervals were tabulated for 11 patients for whom neither furosemide or mannitol treatments were administered. There was never an observed instance of any significant decrease in spiking frequency during the recording session; rather, on average, spiking frequency appeared to gradually increase over time (Fig. 6).
To analyze whether the apparent increase in spiking frequency over time was statistically significant, the data for all 11 patients were pooled over two time intervals: the initial 20 min of the recording session and the final 20 min of the recording session. The mean of the spiking frequency during the first 20 min of the recording session was 10.1 ± 0.45 (SE) spikes/min (95% CI = [9.2, 10.9]) and for the last 20 min was 11.6 ± 0.42 spikes/min (95% CI = [10.8, 12.4]). A t-test rejected the null hypothesis that there was no difference between the pre- and posttreatment means (P = 0.0064). These results suggest there was a significant increase in spiking frequency of ∼15% over the course of the recording sessions in the control group of subjects.
The most important and surprising finding of this study is that furosemide and mannitol suppress epileptic activity in the human brain. These studies were performed on patients who were suffering from medically intractable epilepsy, and who were still taking their antiepileptic medications at the time the experiments were performed (i.e., the epileptic activity being recorded from patients during these experiments was resistant to standard AEDs). Hence furosemide and mannitol suppressed epileptic activity, which could not be suppressed by standard medications. Further, these compounds suppressed spontaneous spiking and stimulation-evoked discharges in every patient tested, regardless of whether they were suffering from neocortical or mesial temporal epilepsy, suggesting that these drugs affect general mechanisms, necessary for the maintenance of epileptiform activity, common to all patients. The magnitude of normal EEG activity recorded by electrodes at nonepileptic sites was not diminished in amplitude by these treatments, suggesting that the suppression of epileptic activity was not mediated through a global suppression of neuronal activity. This observation parallels the results reported in in vitro studies showing that furosemide and mannitol suppress epileptiform activity without suppression of action potential generation or excitatory synaptic transmission. (Dudek et al. 1990; Hochman and Schwartzkroin 2000; Hochman et al. 1995, 1999; Traynelis and Dingledine 1989).
Changes in interictal spike frequency in untreated subjects
To address the possibility that the observed decrease in interictal spiking after furosemide and mannitol treatments was simply a function of recording time, data from 11 subjects who received no treatments were analyzed. It was found that over the course of continuous EEG recording for 50 min, rather than there being a decrease in spike frequency, there was a statistically significant increase in spike frequency of ∼15%. This result suggests that the neuronal excitability increases over time under standard recording conditions in the operating room. A possible explanation for this observation is that the administration of propofol, one of anesthetic components, was stopped 10 min prior to the EEG recording session and was not re-administered until after the recording session was completed. This is a standard clinical practice during intraoperative EEG mapping procedures, with the purpose of allowing the suppressed EEG activity to increase to more active levels. Although propofol is believed to be fast-acting, it may be that there is a prolonged “wearing-off” phase that becomes apparent with quantitative analysis of the EEG activity. Importantly, this observed increase in interictal spiking needs to be considered when interpreting the data acquired in our studies. Specifically, if the increase in interictal activity observed in the control subjects is reflective of a general increase in neuronal excitability over time, it may be that this increase in excitability is the cause of the increases in the amplitudes and power spectra of the EEG recordings. This would suggest that furosemide and mannitol specifically suppress abnormal epileptiform activity without suppressing normal EEG activity.
Whatever the explanation for the observed increase in interictal spiking in the control group of subjects, this result strongly supports our interpretation that furosemide and mannitol suppress interictal activity. The experimental conditions favored an increase in interictal spike frequency over time, yet furosemide and mannitol both significantly suppressed interictal spiking on average by ∼60% and completely abolished all interictal activity in several patients by the end of the recording session.
Suppression of epileptic EEG activity after furosemide and mannitol treatment
Furosemide and mannitol are both known to modulate the size of the extracellular space but through different mechanisms (Geck et al. 1980; Kimelberg and Frangakis 1985; Paczynski 1997; Walz and Hertz 1984). Further, neither compound is thought to suppress action potential generation or excitatory synaptic transmission (Dudek et al. 1980; Hochman and Schwartzkroin 2000; Hochman et al. 1995; Traynelis and Dingledine 1989). Because both compounds similarly suppressed epileptic activity in this study, our results are consistent with the notion that they share a common mechanism of action involving the modulation of size and water content of the ECS. A common mechanism of action is also consistent with the observation that both furosemide and mannitol similarly changed the morphology of the spontaneous spikes immediately prior to the suppression of interictal activity. These changes in spike morphology are similar to what was observed in previous studies on hippocampal slices; chloride cotransport antagonism induced a broadening and diminution in the amplitude of population spikes recorded by CA1 and CA3 field electrodes immediately prior to the blockade of epileptiform activity. Simultaneous intracellular recordings from pairs of pyramidal cells showed that these changes in the population spike morphology were correlated to the desynchronization of action potential firing times (Hochman and Schwartzkroin 2000). Taken together, these observations suggest that furosemide and mannitol may be mediating their antiepileptic effects in the human brain by desynchronizing action potential firing times independent of effects on neuronal excitability.
Furosemide and mannitol completely abolished or significantly reduced the cortical electrographic seizure activity elicited by electrical stimulation in all patients tested. However, by increasing the stimulation currents, afterdischarge episodes could be elicited with durations and amplitudes at least as large as those that could be elicited prior to treatment. This result demonstrates that furosemide and mannitol increase the minimal current required to elicit ictal discharges, suggesting that perhaps these treatments decrease the ability of cortical tissue to maintain and propagate seizure activity.
Do changes in tissue resistance underlie the antiepileptic effects of furosemide and mannitol?
Because furosemide is believed to block activity-evoked cell volume changes through antagonism of chloride cotransport, and mannitol is thought to cause a reduction in cell volume through removal of water from intracellular compartments, both treatments might be expected to cause a global change in the electrical resistance of brain tissue. However, several results reported here indicate that a more complicated explanation may be required for the antiepileptic actions of furosemide and mannitol. First, our estimates of percent-changes in the electrical resistance of tissue after furosemide and mannitol administration (Fig. 5) show that the time courses of changes in the tissue resistance are not correlated to the suppression of interictal spike frequency or the duration of afterdischarge activity. Furosemide and mannitol induced their maximal changes in tissue resistance within 5 min after the one-time intravenous injection, yet this was prior to any significant reduction in interictal spike frequency and afterdischarge suppression. Further, changes in tissue resistance recovered to baseline levels by the end of the recording session when interictal spiking and afterdischarge durations were maximally suppressed. Second, because power (P) is related to resistance (R) and current (I) through Ohm's law as P = R*I2, a global change in tissue resistance would be expected to result in a constant change in the power spectrum at all frequencies, and this was not observed to be the case.
A possible explanation for the lack of correlation between the observed changes in tissue resistance and the suppression of epileptic activity is that perhaps furosemide and mannitol do not mediate their antiepileptic effects simply by altering the baseline electrical resistance of brain tissue but rather through their effects on activity-evoked volume changes. In vitro data are supportive of this notion in the case of furosemide, where quantitative measurements showed the exposure of slices to furosemide did not result in changes in the baseline volume fraction of the ECS (Sykova et al. 2003). Additionally, the size of the antidromic spike in the CA3 region of hippocampal slices was not altered by prolonged exposure to cation-chloride cotransporter antagonists, suggesting that electrical resistance of the tissue was not altered by these treatments (Hochman and Schwartzkroin 2003). However, the in vitro mannitol data are more difficult to interpret with regard to this notion; because mannitol is an osmolyte, as long as it is present in the perfusion medium it will result in a change in the electrical resistance of the tissue that will necessarily be concomitant with any effects on the epileptogenicity of the tissue. It is known that furosemide blocks activity-evoked volume change in brain tissue (Holthoff and Witte 1996; MacVicar and Hochman 1991; Sykova et al. 2003), and mannitol reduces activity-evoked changes in the electrical resistivity of hippocampal slices (Fox et al. 2004).
Interpretation of the optical-imaging data
Our interpretation of the optical-imaging data relies on the following assumption: changes in the in vivo intrinsic optical signal (IOS) are positively correlated to changes in neuronal activity. Even though a complete understanding of the mechanisms underlying the generation of IOS is lacking, this correlation is generally consistent throughout the literature (Grinvald et al. 1988; Haglund et al. 1992; Seth et al. 2003; Ts'o et al. 1990). There are at least three components that contribute to the changes of IOS: changes in blood volume, changes in blood oxygenation, and blood-independent changes involving ion fluxes and cell volume changes (Grinvald et al. 1988; MacVicar and Hochman 1991). It is believed that the intrinsic signal in vivo is dominated by hemodynamic components (Grinvald et al. 1988). In our study, we used 535-nm light for illumination, which has been shown to be highly selective for blood volume changes in vivo (Haglund and Hochman 2004) and minimizes the blood-independent component of the IOS (MacVicar and Hochman 1991). Because blood volume changes are thought to be tightly correlated to neuronal activity (Ngai et al. 1988), we believe the IOS recorded in our studies does indeed represent changes in neuronal activity. Given this interpretation, our data suggest that mannitol and furosemide treatment result in a decrease in the spatial extent of cortex activated by 60-Hz electrical stimulation of the cortical surface. Presumably, this type of stimulation elicits a synchronous discharging of a population of neurons. Hence, the optical-imaging data suggest that furosemide and mannitol reduce the spatial extent through which a synchronous drive can activate neurons in the neocortex. Because the IOS showed no diminution in its amplitude in the area between the two poles of the bipolar stimulating electrode, it is suggested that furosemide and mannitol treatment did not result in a reduction in action potential firing evoked by direct electrical stimulation. These interpretations would be consistent with in vitro studies on hippocampal slices showing that chloride cotransport antagonism desynchronized the timing of synaptically evoked action potentials, but did not affect the ability of neurons to generate action potentials (Hochman and Schwartzkroin 2000).
Because large quantities (50-g boluses) of mannitol were used in these studies to suppress epileptiform activity, this compound would not be a practical chronic antiepileptic treatment. However, relative to laboratory studies that required >40 mg/kg of furosemide to block kainic acid-induced epileptiform activity in rats (Hochman et al. 1995), surprisingly small doses of furosemide (0.18–0.45 mg/kg, depending on the weight of the patient) were highly effective in suppressing epileptic activity in human patients. Because doses of furosemide that are 50- to 200-fold greater than what was used in this study have been given chronically to patients with manageable side effects, this compound is worthy of further investigation as a treatment for epilepsy (Cotter et al. 1997; Ferrara et al. 1997). It may also be important to test other loop diuretics for their anti-epileptic properties in human subjects. In particular, bumetanide has been shown to be at least an order of magnitude more potent than furosemide in blocking kainic acid-induced seizures in rats (Schwartzkroin et al. 1998). Also, torasemide has been shown to have even fewer side effects than furosemide with chronic use in high doses in patients (Ferrara et al. 1997), although its antiepileptic effects have yet to be investigated.
Although it was demonstrated that furosemide suppresses epileptiform activity in patients who are intractable to existing AEDs, significant further study is required before it, or related molecules, can be used as a practical clinical treatment. The limitations of the studies presented here include: the effects of furosemide were monitored for only 40 min after administration, giving no information about the time course over which furosemide suppresses epileptiform activity, and even though spontaneous interictal and stimulation-evoked epileptic activity was suppressed, it still is not known whether furosemide would reduce the number of spontaneously occurring seizures in patients. However, the results presented here strongly suggest that furosemide, a safe and widely used diuretic, has the potential to be a treatment for epilepsy in some patients. The notion that furosemide may have use as an antiepileptic drug is further supported by evidence from an epidemiological study suggesting that past or present use of furosemide was protective for the development of a first unprovoked seizure in older adults (Hesdorffer et al. 2001).
These results support the notion that nonsynaptic mechanisms, involving the water content and volume of the ECS, may play an essential role in modulating the epileptogenicity of the human brain. Molecules that modulate the extracellular space, either directly or through antagonism of the cation-chloride cotransport system, might provide a potent means to control seizure activity while avoiding the side effects associated with current therapies that suppress neuronal excitability. In particular, furosemide and other loop diuretics might have clinical value in treating patients suffering from medically intractable epilepsy.
This work was supported by a Junior Investigator Research Grant from the Epilepsy Foundation of America and National Institute of Neurological Disoders and Stroke Grants R21NS-042341 to D. W. Hochman and K08NS-01828 to M. M. Haglund.
Daryl W. Hochman has an equity interest in Cytoscan Sciences LLC, a private company engaged in the design and commercialization of novel molecules that are structurally related to furosemide for the treatment of CNS disorders.
We thank P. A. Schwartzkroin and J. O. McNamara for valuable comments on this manuscript; M. Bikson for suggestions regarding the analysis of tissue electrical resistance changes; the Duke Epilepsy Center for generous help, particularly the epileptologists R. A. Radtke, K. E. van Landingham, and A. M. Husain; anesthesiologist D. Warner, and EEG Technicians J. Brame, M. Ellis, B. Durrance, and L. McFadden; A. Kvanvig and F. Boschini for technical assistance; and J. Lucas and M. Levine of the Duke University Statistical Consulting Center for advice on statistical analysis.
The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. The article must therefore be hereby marked “advertisement” in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.
- Copyright © 2005 by the American Physiological Society

domain: literature


– The injury that Drew McIntyre had operated on over the weekend is apparently a thumb injury. He appeared on RAW last night with a cast on his wrist and thumb.
– WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz has spoke openly about how he was hazed big time by JBL when he first came to WWE years ago. Miz did media for WWE in Oklahoma City on Monday and mentioned that JBL now shakes his hand when he sees him backstage.
– There were lots of timing issues at last night’s RAW from Oklahoma City. Word is that several segments were nixed and the backstage mood felt rushed. The opening segment with Kane, Daniel Bryan, AJ Lee, CM Punk, Paul Heyman, Vickie Guerrero and Dolph Ziggler apparently went around 7 minutes too long. We noted earlier that a Justin Gabriel match was nixed but a backstage segment with Sheamus and Damien Sandow was also nixed.
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text:
The Saints have won the Super Bowl only once, in their first-ever appearance in 2010. The Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 31-7, at Super Bowl XLIV at Miami.
Super Bowl 44 will be their first time in franchise history.
The New Orleans Saints had 51 rushing yards in Superbowl 44.
They have only won 1 Superbowl
In Super Bowl XLIV, the New Orleans Saints played against the Indianapolis Colts and won 31-17 on February 7, 2010. It was the Saints first Super Bowl appearance.
how many years did it take john elway to get to the super bowl?
saints have been to one super bowl and they won that super bowl.
Super Bowl XLIV was the Saints 1st Super Bowl
Super Bowl 44 will be their first.
The Saints' victory in Super Bowl XLIV took place in their 43rd National Football League season.
The inaugural year for the Saints was 1967, so it took 43 seasons.It took 43 seasons for the Saints to make it to the Super Bowl, but one season to make it to Super Bowl 44.
The Saints have won 1 Super Bowl.
The Saints have only won the Super Bowl once.
The New Orleans Saints have won one Super Bowl. The Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV, February 7, 2010.
The New Orleans Saints only won 1 Super Bowl so far. Which is Super Bowl 44 won in February 7, 2010. And also this was their first appearance in the Super Bowl.
The Saints have one Super Bowl ring. They won Super Bowl XLIV 31-17 against the Indianapolis Colts on February 7, 2009. It was their only Super Bowl appearance.

domain: history


text:
Poland Leads Wave of Communist-Era ReckoningBreaking News
WARSAW — For all that Poland has accomplished since the fall of the Iron Curtain, it has long resisted fully coming to terms with its Communist past — the oppression, the spying, even the massacres. Society preferred to forget, to move on.
So it may come as a surprise that Poland and many of its neighbors in Central and Eastern Europe have decided the time is right to deal with the unfinished business. Suddenly there is a wave of accounting in the form of government actions and cultural explorations, some seeking closure, others payback.
A court in Poland last month found that the Communist leaders behind the imposition of martial law in December 1981 were part of a “criminal group.” Bulgaria’s president is trying to purge ambassadors who served as security agents. The Macedonian government is busy hunting for collaborators, and Hungary’s new Constitution allows legal action against former Communists....
Reconciling with the past is an issue that has hovered over post-Communist Europe for decades. But today that experience has broader global resonance, serving as a point of discussion across the Arab world where popular revolts have cast off long-serving dictators, raising similarly uncomfortable questions about individual complicity in autocratic regimes....
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- Niall Ferguson says it's no surprise Trump's so popular
- Howard Zinn group backs move to "Abolish Columbus Day"
- Ted Widmer appointed director of John W. Kluge Center
- What Historians Are Saying About the First Trump-Clinton Debate
- Princeton professor documents the movement that ended single-sex education at elite schools

domain: news


text:
There is a special kind of love that you see, when one person looks at another and you understand, that person is all they see right then and there. Adoring looks, adoring touches, a special smile or glance.
Sarah and Wyatt's wedding was beautiful on so many levels. The venue of Pioneer Creek Farm in Lomira, WI was almost dreamlike, with rolling hills, ponds, trees, and a beautiful barn. Sarah's flowing dress and flowers in her hair were perfect for the occasion. The men dapper in their suits. The bridesmaid glowing. Stringed instruments, and an outdoor ceremony in sunshine that poured down with nearly as much force as the rain had an hour before. Hayrides, yard games, campfires and s'mores.
The beauty that shone like no other was Sarah and Wyatt's love. They would look at each other and it was clear. He adores her. She sees only him.
Those are the weddings with magic all their own.
Congratulation Sarah and Wyatt! I hope that 50 years from now when you look at each other, you see the same light in each other's eyes as you saw today!

domain: artistic


text:
On Friday the Department of Interior formally released their list of national monuments that are â€œunder review,â€ following President Trumpâ€™s executive order. The list includes many of the monuments that we expected to be there, like the oil- and gas-rich land aroundÂ Grand Staircase-Escalante, as well as many others, including the Carrizo Plain in California, Gold Butte in Nevada, and Ironwood Forest in Arizona. All in all, 267 national monuments are up for review.Â The full list includes:Â
The post The Fate of Our National Monuments Is In Your Hands: DOI Opens Up to Public Comment appeared first on Men’s Journal.
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text:
Candy Lee is an award winning, “golden voiced” singer/songwriter who combines her love for folk, jazz, and indie music to create her own original style. The first thing you’ll notice when you hear Candy Lee is her voice- timeless, entrancing, and ethereal. She pulls you in with her sweet, catchy melodies and moving music, but it is her smart, creative lyrics that deserve a second listen.
PureJoy and Tyler’s will be here, too.
Free for all ages.
Please verify your age

domain: entertainment


NOT THE END, JUST THE BEGINNING
Our program targeting young trans women of color, or "T-LISH" was one of the many programs that ended in September. Funded through a subcontract from AIDS Healthcare Foundation, T-Lish was one of many successful and robust HIV prevention programs targeting youth of color nationally that were not refunded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It's never fun to say goodbye to a program that you love, but somehow T-Lish managed to bring its usual charm and flair to their going away gala. Many of the group members showed up early to help set up. Throughout the day they transformed the Banyan Room into a wonderful ballroom, complete with giant hand-made bows on each chair, a disco ball themed photo area, all topped off with a chocolate fondue fountain.
With over 40 participants, all dressed to impress, the evening played out as more of a celebration of the T-Lish spirit than a going away party. Throughout the night respected members of the transgender community took to the stage to encourage the T-Lish youth to stay close. "This is not the end, this is just the beginning," one of the speakers told the crowd. "If you stick together nothing can stop you."
At the end of the evening each of the T-Lish participants were given a special, custom-made pin to wear. "These are your sisters" they were told, "whenever you see someone wearing this pin you know to look out for each other." Hugs were exchanged as all of the participants who received their pins posed for a photo with all of the T-Lish Staff, both past and present, as well as community members who had spoken that evening. And as the chairs were stacked and the tables put away, the T-Lish girls collectively planned where they were going to go next that evening. After all, this was just the beginning. TRANS:THRIVE will continue serving transgender youth through its many programs and collaborations.


text:
"It really is a terrific move ahead in The hunt for The perfect check, but it really must be evaluated," she stated. And she cautioned the Negative effects -- allergic reactions to the contrast agent -- can be pretty serious.
The test is painless, but you have to lie even now Within the slender cylinder. You may well be asked to hold your breath or preserve very however during selected elements of the take a look at.
Tumors can result in temperature changes which could exhibit up on the thermogram. There are actually no medical trials of thermography to Learn how well it detects breast cancer or if owning the procedure decreases the risk of dying from breast cancer.
For specific Gals at large possibility for breast cancer, a screening MRI is suggested in addition to a annually mammogram. MRI is just not advised to be a screening check by itself since it can miss out on some cancers that a mammogram would locate.
"These are molecules that are not visualized instantly, but rather make modifications in the body that will then be visualized extremely correctly by imaging," Jasanoff says.
Irregular action on whole body scintigraphy may well enable focus on distinct joints for evaluation with concentrated ultrasound or MRI. Price tag and administration of radioisotopes are relative obstacles to common medical use.
Mammography is a selected type of breast imaging that works by using very low-dose x-rays to detect cancer early—ahead of Women of all ages expertise symptoms—when it is most treatable. Mammography performs a central element inside the early detection of breast cancers since it can show alterations in the breast up to two several years before you or your medical doctor can experience them.
Normally, the existence of solitary DTCs or micrometastases will not be investigated plus the absence of macrometastases is interpreted as The shortcoming of cancer cells to disseminate without having investigating which stage with the metastatic cascade wasn't concluded. As a result, a lot of scientific studies simply overlook solitary DTC biology.
On whole-body FDG PET/CT carried out for oncological staging or surveillance of nonthyroid tumors, File-18 FDG uptake is sometimes viewed within the thyroid. Diffuse gland uptake is frequently caused by Continual thyroiditis (Hashimoto sickness) and less often subacute thyroiditis and Graves disorder.
As the MRI scan starts, you'll listen to the equipment generating a muffled thumping sound that may previous for many minutes. Besides the seem, you ought to experience no unusual sensations throughout the scanning.
Now, They are really working on adapting these imaging agents to watch neurotransmitters, check here which include dopamine and serotonin, that are crucial to cognition and processing emotions.
1 in 5 cancers might be missed by mammography. Wrong-negative results occur a lot more typically in young Women of all ages than in more mature women because the breast tissue of more youthful Females is much more dense. The possibility of the Wrong-destructive result's also afflicted by the subsequent: The dimensions on the tumor.
An alternative into a full-body CT scan could be Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. MRI scans are usually more expensive than CT but will not expose the affected person to ionizing radiation and are increasingly being evaluated for their opportunity price in screening.[seven]
Hurry colleagues evaluate Each and every client’s remedy prepare, and clients can transfer seamlessly involving the two amenities. On top of that, ROPH features a group of renowned hematology-oncology physicians — together with breast cancer experts — from Rush that have places of work and an infusion center for chemotherapy next to the hospital.

domain: medical


text:
Hidden staircases walking tour in Venice
- Visit Scala Contarini Del Bovolo with exclusive evening access
- Admire breathtaking views over the roof tops of Venice
- Learn the history and art of Venice from passionate guides
- Enjoy a glass of Prosecco in local bar to end the tour
Escape the summer heat on this exclusive evening walking tour to visit some of the most important sights of Venice. Unknown to many tourists and hidden in the center of Venice is a unique spiraling “snail” staircase that winds up the tower-like facade of this historic palazzo.
Going inside this architectural gem you will see that the stairs have beautiful spiral arcades, 90 feet high, combining elements of Gothic, Renaissance, and Byzantine styles. Access the inner rooms of the building and your guide will entertain you with stories, legends and the history.
Climb to the top of its 80 steps, to admire the beautiful view over the rooftops of the city and later visit the Loggia the room of Tintoretto to see a collection of paintings and sculptures.
After discover the hidden Venice as you pass through the small alleyways and make your way to the Ospedaletto. Closed to the public the complex of the Ospedaletto is opened especialy for you with private access to its church and rooms consisting of: The Church of Santa Maria dei Derelitti, The courtyard, The Sala della Musica and The Sardi’ Staircase
The tour ends outside the Ospedaletto in the area of San Giovani and Paolo where you will vista local of bar for a glass of Prosecco.
- Expert English speaking guide
- Exclusive evening access to all sights including all entrance fees
- Lantern to light your way
- Headsets for groups over 10 people
- Donation of 1 Euro from every booking towards the restoration of the Church
- Optional gratuities
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Infants (aged 0-5) : Free
Campo Manin, 30124 Venezia VE
Look for a Venice Events assistant holding a tour sign and orange umbrella, in front of the statue in Campo Manin.
- This activity is not wheelchair accessible
- Wear comfortable walking shoes
- The tour will take place rain or shine
- Maximum of 25 people per tour
- Fridays at 6.00pm
- Arrive 15 minutes prior to the tour start time
- Tours are not available on 25 May because of the Architecture Biennale
Make your stay in Venice unforgettable with a dinner show evening at the magical and unique Theatre ...
This Venice day tour itinerary features two different tours: original Venice walking tour and Venice...
The glass masters of The Glass Cathedral - Santa Chiara present a spectacular show dedicated to both...
This Museum, dedicated to the thought and works of Leonardo da Vinci, is situated in the heart of Ve...
This private tour of Venice is the perfect one for you if you have limited time to spend in the city...
Impara i segreti ed i trucchi dei più famosi piatti della cucina veneziana e assaggia il frutto del ...


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By Vera L. Zolberg
Sociologists who examine the humanities have fascinated by developing photographs of "the artist" as a social kind and feature, accordingly, been criticized by means of artwork execs for an absence of awareness to the inventive strategy and person creative personalities. during this publication, the writer examines the various theoretical techniques to the research of the humanities and develops a sociological procedure that recognizes the significance of aesthetic imperatives and the person inventive method whereas additionally assessing the institutional, fiscal, and political affects at the production of artwork. the writer specializes in the ways that humans turn into artists, the associations during which their careers spread, the general public they should please, and the institutional and political pressures with which they need to contend. specific topics lined comprise the differing family members of paintings to primitive and industrialized societies; the method through which works are "recreated" at diverse occasions for brand new social reasons; the function of the viewers within the consciousness of inventive reviews; and the explanations for the evolution of creative types. This ebook makes a huge contribution to the advance of a sociology of the humanities at a time whilst the function of the humanities in society has develop into a topic of accelerating drawback to social scientists.
Read Online or Download Constructing a Sociology of the Arts (Contemporary Sociology) PDF
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Extra resources for Constructing a Sociology of the Arts (Contemporary Sociology)
Sociology, no differently from other social sciences, virtually all of which are nineteenth-century constructions, is best considered even today as a discipline and profession in process of formation. Sharing the assessment of many Americans, sociologists judged the arts as being of far less importance than other issues for their professional concerns and consequently allocated them little space in sociology. It is useful to consider how and why the fine arts came to be viewed as a dilettantish pastime for leisured ladies and effete men, particularly foreigners, and thus marginalized.
Clement Greenberg, an expert in visual art, considers the readability of images, their translation into literary language, as no less difficult. "It is easier to write plausible literary criticism than plausible art criticism. " (1984, 8). Beyond these developments, and congruent with a pervasive characteristic of much Western anthropology in the past half century, anthropology has championed a point of view that enables it to encompass many aspects of the arts of both primitive and advanced industrial societies.
Neither Comte nor Marx, despite the breadth of their philosophical and scientific intentions, wrote systematically about the arts (Solomon 1979, 4). 8 Acknowledging that religion and aesthetic creation have operated in tandem, he noted that the logic of aesthetics is such that art tends to become a "cosmos of more and more consciously grasped independent values which exist in their own right" (Gerth and Mills 1946, 340-2). Consequently, art begins to compete directly with religion, especially during eras characterized by high levels of rationalization.

domain: library


“Loop is” is a newly developed anonymity network that can be an alternative to Tor, the popular dark web browser. The mix-based architecture of the new loopix anonymity network was developed by researchers at the University of London. To understand the significance of this invention, it is essential to know about Tor, which was the premier gateway for anonymous browsing until now. Before 2015, the network was unheard of by the majority of the public. But as news about the various criminal activities flourishing in the dark web spread, the popularity, and usage of the browser began to excel.
loopix anonymity network
While the dark web has its advantages, the feature of anonymity that creates those benefits also gives others the freedom to perform nefarious activities such as the illegal sale of weapons and drugs, and even child exploitations distribution. At the same time, the dark web also allows numerous legitimate users such as journalists, activists, whistleblowers, and even law enforcement agencies to exchange information anonymously. Within a year, the browser had grown from having 500,000 daily users from all across the globe to more than two million.
The team that created Tor first came together to research and develop anonymous and secure communication over the internet. It was first developed by the U.S. Navy with official funding from the State Department. To provide anonymity from spying eyes, the network bounces both users and web traffic through several relays making it almost impossible to locate anyone using it. However, because of all those relays, browsing through the network is often provides a slower user experience. Few plugins like Flash and QuickTime are also not supported by it. But these are a small price to pay for the incredible anonymity the network provides its users.
The Story of the New Anonymity Network
The new anonymity network covers traffic and Poisson, blending to help people be unseen while browsing the internet. Like Tor, Loopix is also based on the concept of mix networks. The two popular networks for secure and anonymous online browsing are the “mix network” and “onion routing.”
Onion routing is able to provide security to the user because it makes it difficult for prying eyes to figure out where all the nodes on the web route are. For instance, if a web route is built from a server in China to Australia to Sweden that leads to a webpage in Italy, those who are trying to spy on users might see part of the route but not the whole path itself. However, if they are somehow able to figure out the entire route, then the security that onion routing provides falls apart completely. This makes it a very risky choice. Mix networks, on the other hand, can provide security even if the online adversary can see the whole route.
It is by no means a perfect system, but it’s the most efficient one that’s available now. Though both Loopix and its predecessor are based on the same concept, the major difference between them is that the former utilizes a more traditional message-based architecture mixed with Poisson to create irregular time delays when sending messages. It basically hides the relationship between the sender and the receiver from third-party sources while allowing both to identify each other. According to the University of London research team, the delay between messages is about one whole second which, while providing security, is faster than mix networks.
Interestingly, Loopix actually works very well with Tor due to their similar roots. In the new anonymity network’s architecture, the client sends the message to the provider, which then thrusts traffic into the network. Once the messages reach, they are saved in separate inboxes and are retrieved by the clients when they come online. Hence, it actually allows the storage of offline data.
According to researchers, it can provide up to three times the security provided by traditional anonymity network browsers. They also believe that it can provide far more efficient anonymous browsing than Tor.
This is not to say that Loopix is without flaws, though. It is still very much in its infant stage. Its true merits can only be judged only after its practical application. Once it receives some traction in the online world, we will know once and for all if this new anonymity network is the future of anonymous browsing.


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East of Mt Evelyn are the little villages of the Warburton Highway, a touring route leading to secluded accommodation and eco experiences.
Wandin and Seville are the two main villages, with boutique wineries, fresh local produce and farm gates where you can fill your picnic basket in summer. To stock up on fragrant treats, visit the lavender farms from Wandin to Woori Yallock.
Local wineries and food producers get together on the second weekend each October, when the Shedfest Wine Festival brings together the best of country entertainment, music, wine and food, topped off with panoramic views. And on the shortest weekend every June, the Shortest Lunch festival is hosted by a number of the Yarra Valley’s smaller vineyards. It’s a moving feast of entrée-sized meals, and is a wonderful way to meander around the Valley’s boutique wineries and savour great food, wine and music, without the hustle and bustle.

domain: food


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Clinical IT solutions provider announces support for Microsoft Corp's HDInsight
Ascribe has announced that it is supporting Microsoft Corp’s HDInsight in healthcare. HDInsight is Microsoft’s distribution of Apache Hadoop for the Windows Azure and Windows server platforms.
Through this support, the leading provider of clinical IT solutions will provide health and social care professionals with real-time analysis of large volumes of data, enabling clinicians to make better informed clinical and operational decisions to improve the safety, quality and cost-effectiveness of care.
Microsoft HDInsight is an enterprise-ready Hadoop service, based on the Hortonworks Data Platform, that enables customers to seamlessly store and process data of all types, including structured, unstructured, and real-time data in order to achieve rich insights and drive the operational efficiencies.
The technology can process large volumes of data from disparate data sources, in the different formats in closer to real-time so the information can be used to improve the business and clinical efficiency and quality.
Ascribe has agreed to work with Microsoft on this technology in the health and social care sector.
Paul Henderson, Head of Ascribe’s Business and Clincial Intelligence division said, “Ascribe are delighted to have been selected to participate in the programme.” Mr. Paul also said, “Many healthcare organisations have good business and clinical intelligence based on their clinical systems, however there is still knowledge locked away in case notes and other text, which would be useful if only they could get at it, in an efficient way. If you add the data generated by patients and the public using social media – either about them personally or their environment – then you have huge volumes of insightful data. The challenge is sifting it to find the golden pieces of knowledge that make a difference to the way we work. We believe that the Microsoft platform is uniquely placed to address this problem and are very much looking forward to participating in the programme.”
From trust-wide EPR solutions through to individual departmental clinical systems and services, Ascribe delivers IT solutions that cater to all secondary care clinical requirements.
Jvion launches AI-powered map to tackle mental health crisis
Clinical AI company Jvion has launched an interactive map of the US that highlights areas that are most vulnerable to poor mental health.
The Behavioral Health Vulnerability Map uses Jvion's AI CORE™ software to analyse public data on social determinants of health (SDOH) and determine the vulnerability of every US Census block group.
Vulnerability refers to the likelihood that residents will experience issues like self-harm, suicide attempts or overdoses. The map also identifies the most influential social determinants in each region, to show the social and environmental conditions that contribute to mental illness.
As an example, the map shows that Harrison County in Mississippi has a 50% higher suicide rate than the rest of the state. It also shows a high percentage of individuals in the armed forces at a time when active duty suicides are at a six-year high, along with a high prevalence of coronary artery disease, arthritis, and COPD, all chronic illnesses that are linked to a higher suicide risk.
The map also shows Harrison County has a high percentage of Vietnamese Americans, who studies suggest have high rates of depression and may be less likely to seek help from mental health professionals.
The map was built using the same data and analytics that Jvion used to create the COVID Community Vulnerability Map, which was launched towards the start of the pandemic.
With this new map, Jvion is aiming to tackle the growing mental health crisis in the US. “At a time when so many Americans are struggling with their mental health, we’re proud to offer a tool that can help direct treatment resources to the communities that need it most,” said Dr John Showalter, MD, Jvion’s chief product officer, who led the development of the map.
“For too long, the healthcare industry has struggled to address social determinants of health, particularly in the context of behavioural health. Our hope is that by surfacing the social and environmental vulnerabilities of America’s communities, we can better coordinate our response to the underlying conditions that impact the health and wellbeing of people everywhere.”

domain: health


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When refinancing or buying a new home, it’s always good to have someone to give you expert advice on how this works. You can’t utilize everything a broker has in its arsenal, from lending connections to a list of financial information needed, such as interests, lending statistics, etc. Those data are indispensable when trying to buy a property or finding the right lender. As a simple civilian with no financial background, you’d be leaning for support from them a lot.
However, don’t be shocked when you learn there is no shame in that fact. In a data report (read more), back in 2019, more than a quarter of the overall homebuyers were new or first-time customers. That’s what mortgage brokers or even real estate agents are for. They’re there to be financial advisors, even for seasoned homebuyers and homeowners. The reason you might even be here, reading this, is to find more wisdom in how vital this profession is.
What Is A Mortgage Broker?
To put it simply, a mortgage broker is a middle man between a homebuyer and a loaner. However, they don’t use their own money to establish the connection, and often, they are well-acquainted with the mortgage loaners they created a relationship with before. These licensed individuals gather information from you, such as your credit card history, income, and employment, verify them and use it to help you apply and be approved for loans.
Getting a mortgage broker can save you a lot of time, money, and effort. Instead of blindly entering the industry, they can guide you with their information about lenders, such as administrative, repayment, and other fees that they may disguise in their contract. A great broker would always act on behalf of their client’s best interest.
What Does A Mortgage Broker Do?
Other than the mentioned above, mortgage brokers also determine your loan amount, the loan to value ratio, or LTVR. To learn more about this, follow this link: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/loantovalue.asp to know how this affects your mortgage experience and in loans. They also determine the loan type and other necessary information, then send these data off to the lender to be approved. Throughout the transaction, both the borrower and the lender will be in constant communication through the broker.
After the agreement is signed, the funds are given in the lender’s name. The broker will collect a commission from the lender coined as the origination fee for their services. It can also cover either half or the full cost when the statement is issued. Only then will the broker be paid for its services.
Why Get A Mortgage Broker?
1. Save You From Doing All The Work
It is well-known that seasoned mortgage brokers have a plethora of lenders in their list to communicate, most of whom you didn’t even know existed. This means they will save you time from researching, digging up information, and inquiries across thousands of lenders in the country. With their extensive list, they can easily pick out a reputable lender that fits your data and communicate with them to form a transaction.
They can also help you avoid lenders with questionable policies and payment terms that can potentially be your pitfall. Sometimes, it takes a unique eye of an expert to uncover these onerous payment policies that regular, unsuspecting civilians can’t identify independently.
However, a loophole is discovered because of this advantage. To get all of these benefits, you need first to find an excellent broker to be on your side. Professionals like a Fidget Melbourne mortgage broker know the ways of lending and interests because they’ve been in the industry for years. If you do your research on them and inquire them at their customer service, you’ll find they fit any of your preferences because that’s how volatile they are.
2. Trim Down The List For You
Do you still recall the thing we mentioned earlier about brokers having a list of hand-picked lenders? If you’re working on your own with all the lending responsibility, chances are you’ll be listing a lot of lenders and painstakingly try to identify which is the best fit for you. With a hired broker, you don’t need to mind even the search for a lender. They’ll do it on your behalf. And as an advocate for you, they’ll choose someone who will better suit your preferences.
On top of that, some brokers have special fees with lenders due to the sheer number of customers they bring. That means, compared to what you can do by yourself, you can get discounts and even a bigger loan.
3. Manage Fees And Documents
They can serve you in other ways than just a middle-man for transactions. Brokers can also handle your documents, so you don’t have to and fees that entail each transaction. Naturally, some of these will confuse you, which is why you’ll need an expert to manage and take care of these fees, even explain what you won’t understand.
In exceptional cases, some lenders can waive these fees all due to their relationship with the broker. Going to them as a walk-in won’t warrant you any of these benefits, so it’s better to hire a local one for your mortgage situations.
4. Mortgage Brokers Are Usually Free
You might be wondering how you’ll pay the mortgage broker you’ll be asking help for, but most of them get payment from the lender for a successful transaction. Most of the time, satisfied borrowers pay their brokers out of their pocket because of their excellent service. Still, some require a fee for their services for the borrowers, so before choosing a broker, do your research and ask the right questions.
5. Fast Closing Time
Because of their close relationship with the chosen lender, it will take them a shorter time to close a deal than what you or a bank can do. They understand that having found a home you love sparks an urgency to buy it at once, which is why most brokers don’t face any issue in client papers, not in contract signing and the lending process.

domain: economics


Does Fuel Stabilizer Prevent Ethanol Damage?
Russ Chastain 06.29.20
Outdoors folks typically run a lot of engines, mostly gasoline. Generators, ATVs, UTVs, boats, tractors, chainsaws, pole saws, cars, trucks, and many other pieces of vital outdoor equipment burn gasoline. The problem is that most gasoline sold these days is polluted with ethanol, which causes fuel components to degrade and corrode, especially in small engines.
I started buying ethanol-free gasoline for all of my small engines years ago, and have had much better luck with them ever since, especially when the equipment has to sit unused for a while. Some folks swear that adding stabilizer to ethanol gas will provide the same results, but is that true?
Project Farm took on that topic, testing fuel with 15% ethanol, 10% ethanol, and no ethanol with and without stabilizer.
The results show us a few things, but my summary is as follows:
- Ethanol will cause damage to small engine components, with or without stabilizer.
- 10% ethanol will cause noticeably less damage than 15% ethanol — but it will still cause damage.
- Stabilizer doesn’t significantly add to the life span of gasoline, with or without ethanol.
- Ethanol-free gasoline does not need stabilizer to prevent corrosion nor to increase its life span.
Bottom line: It is most certainly worth the expense and trouble to get ethanol-free fuel for your small engines, and stabilizer is probably a waste of money. Do you agree?
Enjoy the video.


Maury Brown, who keeps good track of this stuff, notes that while attendance remains flat overall compared to last year, this past weekend several marks were set.
- The Saturday game between the Phillies and Nationals drew 44,685, which was the largest crowd at Nationals Park history;
- The Cardinals Cubs game on Saturday drew 42,374 which was the largest crowd in Wrigley Field since 1978; and
- The three-game series between the Indians and the Tigers drew 132,239, which was the biggest three-game series in Comerica Park history. No doubt boosted by that Willie Hernandez tribute before Saturday’s game, right?
It’ll be interesting to see what happens to attendance in September as everyone comes to grips with the fact that hardly any of the games are going to matter for playoff purposes. But as this past weekend shows, people don’t really have any problem going to the ballpark on a nice day just for the hell of it.


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For 25 years the general Prosecutor Office looks for the perpetrators of January 20
Prosecutor General's Office continues the investigation of the criminal case in connection with the events of January 1990. Thus, the head of the press service of the Prosecutor General Office, Eldar Sultanov, in response to a request of Turan, said that the initial investigation was conducted by the Prosecutor General of the USSR. Then the investigation concluded that there was not a crime in the actions of the military, and the case was dismissed on 20 December 1990. In turn, the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan filed a lawsuit on February 14, 1992 under several Articles of the Criminal Code: 94 paragraphs 4 and 6 (premeditated murder with aggravating), 149 (intentional destruction of or damage to property), 168 (abuse of power and authority), 255 (abuse and abuse of authority.) The investigation revealed that during the occupation of Baku 132 people were killed, 612 were injured, and 841 were illegally arrested, hundreds of buildings were damaged, and citizens were harmed. In 1994 it was decided to bring to justice the then first secretary of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan Abdurahman Vezirov and others. They escaped, and currently are wanted.
A lawsuit against the President of the Supreme Council Elmira Kafarova and second secretary of the Communist Party of Victor Polyanichko were discontinued because of their death. All 68 volumes of the lawsuit, initiated by the Attorney General of the USSR, were sent to Moscow. To return materials inquiries were sent to Azerbaijan, to law enforcement agencies of Russia, were sent documents to capture and transfer the accused persons to the investigation. However, so far there was not positive respond to these requests, reads the response of the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan. The response does not publish the names of persons whom the Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan is looking for 25 years, and it is not clear what they are accused of.
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