Tesla will build the charging infrastructure when they begin selling in India. In every country they sold their cars, the supercharger network was installed as well. All that govt of India should do is to provide more incentives for people to buy electric vehicles.
No. Which is not surprising since no one else, including all the major manufacturers with R & D budgets orders of magnitude greater than Tesla, are equally unable to do so. Tesla itself is only profitable thanks to the money they take in
Generally, the manufacturer isn't the problem. It's dealers. Dealers make all their money from parts and services and a little from car sales. EVs offer very little to dealers in terms of parts or services. There's no oil to change. Brakes last a WAY longer because of regenerative braking. The only fluid that need to be
Excuse me. Tesla is foremost an automotive company. It was first named Tesla Motors.Apple's been the subject of speculation for a long time. It would be a hoot if GE made an electric car.
Yes they can put updatable firmware in cars and they have for many years.The ECU's have flash memory and the programming can easily be updated with the manufacturer's scan tool. The updates are downloaded from the internet and installed in the vehicles. They are for specific problems with the functioning of the component involved.
The answer is very simple: If you run a new company, you have to decide at one point how you want to sell your product. If you decide to set up a dealers network, you demand something from your dealers. They have to set up a show room, train mechanics, maybe put spare parts on stock and so
The Model X - more info and a video of Elon Musk unveiling the car can be seen here on their website:http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/...It should also be noted that Tesla is taking reservations for the Model X with deliveries planned for early 2014. For a mere $40k you
There is little left to add from all of the other answers, except that certain terms tend to broaden in meaning as technologies evolve.
As others have said, it's amazing. It has exceeded my expectations and I can't imagine going back to a regular car.OverallIt does a shocking number of things very well. It's fast and handles well. Yet it's a big sedan that is a
Successful in the market? Yes. Tesla has sold over 300,000 cars so far. That's an impressive number. If they get on track they could be selling 200,000 cars a year by next year, which is even more impressive. Selling a million cars a year isn't an unreasonable expectation at some point, which would put
The goal of the whole launch was to test the Falcon Heavy rocket and demonstrate to potential customers that SpaceX could successfully launch heavy payloads into space. Musk admited there was a greater than 50% chance that FH would explode at some point, so
Even though there are now over half a million Tesla cars on the road, Tesla is still small for a car company. Look at any established car company and you will see a broad product line covering every market niche. Tesla has just 3 models. Yes there is more coming, but it
Nope. You can't negotiate with a web shop, and that's the only way to buy a new Tesla. The Tesla stores aren't actually stores, they're showrooms where you can get help with ordering in the web shop if you need it.With regards to buying "certified pre owned" or demo cars, Tesla
Here's two answers.The first includes deductive reasoning using publically listed numbers. In 2014, the second full year of production of the Model S, they built 32,000 cars for the entire global market. In 2014, the factory alone employed over 8000 people. They also have a
There is only one way to buy a spanking brand new Model 3 and that is from Tesla itself. Since Quora is an internet service and you posted the question here using the internet then you already possess the ability to initiate a brand new Model 3 purchase.If you
Here's the list from my Model X:Code: X = SC Fixed, Y = SC fixing & Z = something to be lived withWindowsSquealing windows (on opening and closing) (X)Windows rattling in frame on door close (Y)Front window leaving runners at speed and flapping
India has companies like tesla !!India is going through unprecedented transformation as a nation. It's turning into a product economy from a service economy. We are no longer looked upon as an outsourcing destination for availability of inexpensive software talentIf
Chevy Bolt has a 60kwh battery does 0–60 in 6.5 seconds and starts at $37k with a fully loaded model for $41k. Sure this is above the opening price point of $35k for a Model 3 but Tesla won't be shipping entry level cars for a while as their cash flow issue continue. Tesla is
Tesla has no dealerships. That is, honestly, the biggest reason that buying a car from them is so pleasant.They do have showrooms where you can look at a car and arrange a test drive. There are people there to answer your questions. But all sales are made via the web site.
As an investment it does not make much sense. It is unlikely you will sell your car at a higher price in 3–4 years, even if its market price suddenly doubles.Unless maybe if you keep it as an investment only and don't use the car. A used car loses value, and an eletric
No one can answer this accurately, for you. You have to answer that for yourself. You should not base your opinion of value on what anyone else says.Do your own analysis. Always. I don't care if you are buying cutlery or a car. Get educated on the product and make your pros/cons
Try googling different websites and checking for vehicle warranties. You can save plenty that way. Also try reading other people's stories on how they have made it more cost effective. Don't buy a car from a random website do your research and always make sure
An entire Model S? I think you need to model it subsystem by subsystem. Pick one function, like the braking function, and see if you can get all the interactions up and running in Simulink. Don't be surprised if you have to wait overnight for some of the calculations to complete.This is how modern automobile
Out of Google, Tesla, Uber, Lyft, Cruise, which company's self driving car is most likely to be available to consumers if there were no regulatory barriers?
Your question needs a minor adjustment:
At the moment, pre-orders are closing in on 300K.If Tesla manages to build 300K in its first model year (which is unlikely), it will have a chance at breaking into the top ten for US auto sales. In 2015, #10, the Toyota RAV4, moved 315K units. The #1 seller, the Ford F-Series, sold 780K examples.
I don't know anyone who's against them as such.But Tesla in particular is expensive, they generally have a limited range, access to charge stations is equally limited, charging takes longer than refueling, what'll happen to them on the used market is anybody's guess.
As unconventional as this may be, I'd like to propose that you ask a different question?When you buy a Tesla, you get the Tesla AND a network of charging stations that, in the US alone, looks like this.
It has,already proven to be much cheaper to own and drive any electric car. The,savings in fuEl ,oil changes, transmission brakes and exhast all add up.Not having to get smog testing and tune up ate,also important. No having to stop at gas,stations but being able to charge,at home,while
Well, there are duelling definitions out there and some history. In general, it's not quite what people think of as a roadster today, but it's arguably one and it is the next generation Tesla sports car. The first gen was undoubtedly a roadster and was called the Tesla Roadster.
Zero. Tesla's threat is BMW and VW making better and cheaper EVs in much larger numbers. But that is exactly what Elon wants to spur. For him, it is a win-win situation, since his goal is not personal dominance or wealth, but rather to help a more swift change to non-polluting vehicles.
It is impossible to say yet, but I'll play devil's advocate.As described, it does look very appealing, but there is some question as to how exactly (and if) Tesla is going to deliver what they are promising. Merely the combination of 215 mile range and $35k starting price requires them to
Most major manufacturers, in Europe anyway, are committed to introducing electric models, and cars like the Jaguar e-Pace have arguably caught up with Tesla already.
The cost would vary in different states and would also depend on your electricity company and your billing plan.Some states have cheaper power, some are more expensive. Also it depends on other factors, like which kind of billing plan you are under, agro, residential single
I am sure that some dude in Delhi or Gurgaon must be owing one.. North people cannot survive without importing one. Tesla can be charged with a normal plug point with a particular voltage. Not necessary to have charging stations. People in India do have surplus money to buy fancy vehicles, specially Sainik Farm area of Delhi. So I
Tesla cars have less impact in the environmental impact than comparable gasoline cars. Here's the detailed analysis.http://www.ucsusa.org/sites/defa...That study was done in 2015, and since that time the US power grid is greener, and the Tesla Model 3 was introduced-a car that is much more efficient than the Model S.
Tesla makes electric cars.Nikola Tesla was The Lord of the Lightning.Tesla was one of the inventors of the AC induction motor (he invented it independently at the same time as Galileo Ferraris). That's why the company was named after him.
Tesla cars contain a battery pack, which is made of a combination of series and parallel common 18650 cells that you can also find in a laptop battery for example.This does not power the car's electric motor directly, however. An inverter is used to convert the DC output of the battery into the required AC current for the AC
I won't dwell on the ear-flattening acceleration, nor the magic-carpet ride and handling, nor the mesmerizing 17-inch touch screen controls.
No. But they are better equipped for the future than most other cars. My 2014 Model S started out doing a lot less than it does now. But it got many upgrades over time, and due to software upgrades alone,
It's electric. Especially for children, gasoline cars are annoying because of the fumes, which also smell terrible, which is a plus for the Model 3.Also, they save you money. In one of my earlier posts, I showed that the Model 3 saves you about 6,000 USD, considering that you keep your car for 80 months like the average American.
A Tesla caused less pollution than a normal car when its on the road. But do we know how much energy is spent in making a Tesla? When does the environment cost break even? After how many miles?
This is a common question regarding Electric Vehicles. Does the manufacture of a large lithium-ion battery pack negate the environmental benefits of an EV? But to be fair, one must also consider the environmental impact of producing a lifetime of gasoline for an internal combustion car. Both of
For the same reason they don't make the rest of the vehicle out of paper: they want to be able to sell an actual vehicle to actual people in the real world.There are a zillion battery ideas that seem to work great in the lab. That's good for
I have a 2017 Model S, and a 2016 Volvo XC90.I'm 6′1, and


The NASA camera appears to struggle to cope with broadcasting the unknown sphere
Supernatural stargazer Pamela Johnson spotted the shape while watching online footage broadcast from NASA’s Secchi Stereo HI1 satellite, which normally presents a clear view of a ring of plasma and light which surrounds the sun.
Ms Johnson claims the sun is shining light from the left of the picture, making the huge orb in the centre of the image a complete mystery - one which is now baffling the paranormal community.
The satellite shows a standard view of the sun’s aura on November 16 at 6:08pm GMT- but the vast shape suddenly appears just two hours later.
The NASA camera appears to struggle to cope with broadcasting the unknown sphere, sending glitchy pictures down to earth.
Ms Johnson claims the sun is shining light from the left of the picture
But while it takes up the entire frame, it completely disappears at 5:08pm the next day.
Then, just 40 minutes later, the vast orb reappears.
It stays in the beady eye-line of NASA’s imaging technology until 11:08pm the next day- when it vanishes completely.
Ms Johnson said: “Our Sun is casting the light that is coming in from the left side of the frame.
The paranormal community have been in overdrive trying to figure out what it is
“This satellite's archives showed the sun began reacting to this object on November 15th and there are several frames missing on the 15th and 16th.”
The paranormal community have been in overdrive trying to figure out what the suspicious sphere is.
One commenter said: “It could be a lens issue, and be the sun, BUT the surface patterns do not match up to any details of the sun any any spectrum, suggesting it is not the sun.
It does not move through the frames we see, but appears and disappears out of no where.
A normal view from the satellite, just before the orb appeared
“Remember the Law of the Mundane - but it certainly does look exceptional and I'm stumped.”
But others cast doubt on the surprising celestial find.
Another space spotter added: “It’s just the sun the main solar image has bleeded through to the stereo images and then downloaded to earth.
“I have seen this happen before, basically its a data error.”


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The Bridleridge community consists of around 30 homes on three streets (Carriage Court, Post Road and Bridleridge Court) off of Lawyers Road in Vienna. The neighborhood is adjacent to the parkland off of the W&OD trail which makes it a very desirable location to walk to the town of Vienna. The HOA adjoins the trail-land with open space for the community to enjoy!
Proximity is excellent for access to major roads to Dulles Airport, Reston, Tysons and beyond as well as via Silver Line metro. A bit of “country” with benefits of living near amenities of a major metro region. Tucked away off of Lawyers Rd, the name Bridleridge comes from being adjacent to a horse trail.
The Fairfax County public school system consistently obtains high rank nationally year after year. This neighborhood is conveniently located less than 3 miles to Flint Hill Elementary School and James Madison High School. This school district then feeds into Thoreau Middle School, all of which are excellent public-school education systems.
With such close proximity to our nation's capital, people are constantly moving to the Northern Virginia area. The history of Vienna is that many people rushed to the suburbs which brought a large population to this area. Population increased rapidly, leading to new development, and yet today it continues to have the small town feel regardless of the population size. This property is secluded in the woods and yet is also just minutes from downtown Vienna and close to Tysons Corner’s nightlife. You can spend your days shopping downtown or exploring the many trails included in the HOA, no matter what you like to do, this is the perfect home for you!
In 2020, 2 properties were placed on the market. 9822 Bridleridge Ct, hit the market and went under contract in 1 day. Sold over list price at $820,000, this 5 bedroom, 3 full bath home was snatched up quickly. Currently 9819 Bridleridge Ct is under contract after being on the market for 35 days listed at $787,000. As HBC Group prepares to put 9825 Bridleridge ct on the market, don’t miss out on living in this great neighborhood!
Karen Briscoe, Lizzy Conroy and the team of agents at HBC Group at Keller Williams would be delighted to assist with your real estate needs, whether selling or buying a home. The group of active and experienced Realtors® in the Northern Virginia, suburban Maryland and Washington, DC marketplace consider it their mission to improve and impact lives. Please contact via the means most convenient for you: www.HBCGroupKW.com, 703-734-0192, Homes@HBCGroupKW.com.

domain: geography


text:
|Subject:||Re: Build-a-Soundtracked-Story Part 1 (ETA new paragraph)|
|Author:||Leontine (Authenticated as Leontine 0.1)|
|Date:||May 13, 2012 at 8:29:24 AM|
|Reply to:||Build-a-Soundtracked-Story Part 1 by klundtacular|
It was 10 at night and Joe should have been in bed right now, getting ready for another school day, but he wasn't. He was wandering the streets of his neighbourhood, kicking at the smallest gravel pieces and looking glum. He had had an argument with his mother. It was fair to say that Joe felt guilty, and that was the real reason he was out here worrying her even more, whilst trying to ignore the hot knot in his stomach, but of course he had stormed out and insisted that it was she who was being unreasonable.
Janette Ward hadn't known that Joe was skipping school, so the letter informing her was received badly. Joe had naively thought that the threats teachers made when he did turn up to school about his parents getting in trouble were empty ones. But now he knew better, and mulled the events of the last half year over in his mind as he tramped the cold streets, his bare hands dug deep into his jacket pockets.
He just didn't fit in; and that's one of the hardest things for a kid to deal with. ofcourse, the reason he didn't fit in was NOT his fault, but the others were all to busy feeling smart over it that they didn't think about that, instead they devoted their time to making him feel the deepest, darkest shade of blue. Inky and tinged with frost, like the sky.
(My first attempt at writing in a long while!)
This message was edited by the author on May 18, 2012 at 10:39:27 AM
|Because this message is archived you cannot respond to it.|
|Messages in this thread:|

domain: psychology


text:
Curcumin may have therapeutic value against amyloid diseases. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Effect of curcumin on amyloidogenic property of molten globule-like intermediate state of 2,5-diketo-D-gluconate reductase A.
Biol Chem. 2009 Oct;390(10):1057-61. PMID: 19558331
Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India.
We identified a molten globule-like intermediate of 2,5-diketo-D-gluconate reductase A (DKGR) at pH 2.5, which has a prominent beta-sheet structure. The molten globule state of the protein shows amyloidogenic property>50 microm protein concentration. Interestingly, a 1:1 molar ratio of curcumin prevents amyloid formation as shown by the Thioflavin-T assay and atomic force microscopy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on amyloid formation by an (alpha/beta)(8)-barrel protein. The results presented here indicate that the molten globule state has an important role in amyloid formation and potential application of curcumin in protein biotechnology as well as therapeutics against amyloid diseases.

domain: chemistry


text:
Rooftop dinner party? Talk about summer dreams come true! Styled by Kelsea Olivia of East Oliva Creative and shot by Sarah Gerber of Twenty Twenty Studios, this rooftop dinner party was inspired by the many evenings the pair have dined together. According to Kelsea, “While Sarah and I live on opposite coasts, we are often connecting to one another about our various creative endeavors. Last spring and summer my husband and I were lucky enough to have both Sarah and her husband, David, visit our NYC home several times. In fact they spent more time at our home in Harlem than they did in their own home in Berkeley during this season!”
Assisted by East Olivia collaborator Bridget Murphy, this shoot was inspired by the meals that the two shared with friends (new and old) on Kelsea’s roof in the city. “We wanted to bring to life the beauty of gathering with one’s community, to life, and that is what brought this shoot together.” Below are Kelsey’s top tips for planning a casual summer party.
Always leave room for one more. “While keeping an open door, may, at times make planning a little more stressful (that constant question of do I have enough food and drinks for everyone?) I never regret it. One of the greatest joys of hosting is inviting new friends into our home and community.”
Have fun! “This may sound trite but I find it to be critical to creating an authentic space for others to connect. For me, having fun is creating what some may feel is an “elaborate” or “unnecessarily styled” space even when having just a few friends over for a casual dinner. The truth is though, that for me – arranging flowers, bringing out my celebratory dinnerware and making a pretty cocktail are some of the simple things that bring me joy and are a part of my own creative expression.”
Don’t overthink it! “I am motivated by bringing others together in our home and so to make that possible time and time again, we have to keep things simple. That means making a simple meal that we’ve maybe made before – or at times, even ordering in! For this meal shown here we ordered some of our favorite food from a local restaurant called Street Bird. I love supporting local businesses and making the evening a little less fussy all at the same time.”

domain: artistic


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Hi everyone! I've already used most of my Scraptastic Club Celebrate Life kit. That means I have had to look for more creative ways to use my scraps. I really wanted to use the kit with these photos of Brandon because the colors worked so well together. I searched the internet for inspiration and when I came across Susan Stringfellow's sketch #66, I knew it would be perfect.
I used the little word stickers from the kit to do a tiny bit of journaling. I also used a lot of Stickles to dress up the sticker embellishments from this kit. The cake on the journaling spot has Rock Candy Stickles on it, and the star circle is outlined in Black Diamond Stickles. The little button brad came from my stash.
This is the first time I've ever successfully made a rosette! I've tried before, but they kept popping up. Apparently the secret is in using the right glue. I had to search for a while to find my hot glue gun, but once I did it all came together. I topped the rosette with a sticker and more Stickles.
I finished the layout by adding a simple title and I placed the pinwheel next to it to add interest because it felt a little too plain. I really loved these sparkly Thickers that came in the add on!


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GPA and LSAT scores of UC Irvine law students have generally held steady over the past four years, even after automatic scholarships for all enrolled students were eliminated in 2012. The maximum possible LSAT score is 180; GPAs are on a 4.0 scale.
|LSAT score of students in 75th percentile||167||168||167||167|
|LSAT score of students in 25th percentile||164||163||163||162|
|GPA of students in 75th percentile||3.75||3.76||3.7||3.68|
|GPA of students in 25th percentile||3.4||3.34||3.25||3.29|
Eight months after graduating, 91 percent of UCI graduates found law-related employment or were enrolled in post-graduate study, UCI reported.
Twenty-six graduates went to work for law firms, one went to clerk for the Alaska Supreme Court, and 16 have been offered prestigious federal court clerkships. Four of the 16 federal clerks were offered a second stint with another judge immediately after the first.
Job placements count for 18 percent of a school's U.S. News rating.
For students still in law school, UCI reported that all third-year students found legal jobs or studied abroad during the summer after their first year, and 99 percent found jobs during their second summer. Also, all second-year students found legal jobs or studied abroad during their first summer.
"We should be very proud that a law school still in its embryonic stages has done great things from the first moments of its inception," said Irvine attorney Wayne R. Gross, president of the Orange County Bar Association.
"Regardless of the ultimate ranking, that school has done everything it possibly can do to make its mark."
Contact the writer: 714-796-7802 or firstname.lastname@example.org or Twitter: @MartindaleScott

domain: law


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Synopsis of Painting Juliana by Martha Louise Hunter
Stop running, stand still and let the funnel cloud suck you up inside.
Juliana Birdsong is your typical eight-year-old with an obsessive- compulsive mother who's too paranoid to leave the house. Making double-lined, black-out drapes to protect their home from the outside world, her mother only looks up from her sewing machine when Perry Mason comes on TV, the type of successful lawyer she says Juliana should marry if she ever wants to get anywhere in life.
But little Juliana has other things to worry about. Night after night she's awakened by the same terrifying dream, where she's chased down a long, tapering highway on the back of her father's motorcycle, heading for an enormous, twisting funnel cloud that waits on the horizon. When Juliana believes she's finally locked the dream away inside her bedside drawer, she can't help wondering if there are parts of the dream she hasn't seen yet.
Following her mother's script in her head, years later Juliana finds dynamic trial lawyer Oliver Morrissey, and she marries him for love. Life is clicking along reasonably well for the privileged socialite, that is until she's faced with losing everything, including their children who her husband's doing his best to turn against her. Forced out of the house, she hugs them close and tells them, this is temporary, and I'll be back.
Juliana steps out of her Lexus, peels off her Chanel sunglasses and glares up at her weathered childhood home that's now smothered in thick layers of ivy. Inside, there's only her distant, estranged CPA father left, who she just knows caused her mother's mysterious death.
Moving in, Juliana discovers a nude portrait of her mother with a curious set of tiny red footprints on the ankle. And, there's another surprise she hadn't counted on: Her father has Alzheimer's disease, and he needs her. Desperate for her children and consumed with his round-the-clock care, Juliana struggles to get her old life back.
Things change when a puzzling shipment of oil paintings arrives, all with her father's signature, but he only stares at them for weeks, hardly uttering a word. Anxious for him to prove that he paints, Juliana puts a brush in his hand, and it sets off a surreal time warp; the canvases paint a far different picture of the parents she thought she knew. When she realizes that their secrets and yearnings mirror her own, her old demons come back to haunt her.
Hit with devastating loss and betrayals, her old life stripped away, the dream is still chasing Juliana, and it's catching up fast. But returning to her old life, what else will she lose? Just when she can't run any faster, the funnel cloud is still waiting on the horizon twisting even faster than before.
Painting Juliana, A Novel is published by Goldminds Publishing of Nashville, Tennessee.
Awesome novel! Hopefully, a screen play is in the future. Whom would they cast as Juliana? —Amazon Reader Review
"Am in the vortex of all the shining images. The drunk scene was frighteningly real. All of those shards." –Barnes & Noble Reader Review
“It's a painful journey but Juliana gets there kicking and screaming with plenty of irreverent humor. You'll laugh and your heart will break." –Goodreads Reader Review

domain: library


text:
Besides training hard, eating right, and the right equipment, you also need to have a good game strategy to play an effective game. You can’t just walk into the court without a plan and think you will nail it.
Even if you have been practicing like a madman when you get into the game thinking you will win just because of that…well, most of the time, you will be very disappointed.
You need to adjust to every opponent; you need to know what to do and when to do it. Since every opponent is different, you need to know how to create a mental memory note for each match. That will help you with your game strategy enormously.
Let’s see a few things you should try to do during a match to create a mental memory note in your head.
Start the match on the safe side, don’t take any risks right away, play what you feel very comfortable with. As the match progresses and using the memory recording you made, you will take more risks and put the element of surprise into the match.
What kind of advance serves to get you the easiest points, which side of the table is the weakest for your opponent, see if you are winning more points in the first three strokes rather than when you get into long rallies or vice versa.
Try to remember how the score is progressing. Are you getting ahead a few points, and then you find yourself trailing back by a few? Is the score always very close? Try to remember the pattern of the sets throughout the match. Were you ahead 8-2 and lost the set? Were you behind 10-6 but won the set?
Try to remember everything to understand the pattern of the match. All this observation throughout the match will help you decide on your game strategy. It will make it easier to decide whether you need to play a short game or play to your opponent’s body all the time, serve to the FH or the BH, etc. It will also make it much easier to apply what you do at practice in your game.
Some more things to keep in mind during a match:
Try to avoid the score being 8-7. When you are at that stage of the set, make whatever you can not to be at 8-7 ever. If the set is going well for you and you have a big lead, you only make sure to clear 8 fast and don’t get stuck there even if you are ahead 8-2. If the game is close, for example, 5-7, you have to aim for 5-9 or 6-8 and then 7-9, etc.
It’s psychological. Try to clear 8 as fast as possible. It applies when you are ahead in the score, of course. But you can use this in reverse when you are behind in the score. If your opponent doesn’t clear 8 fast, then you know that you are still in the game; he is still vulnerable.
-When it’s your turn to serve, and your first serve gets you the point, do the same serve again, always. It only applies when you have two serves in a row. The next time you have the serves, treat it as the new set of serves, so do not start them because your opponent had the issue within the previous set of serves. Hope this is not confusing…
- When you have a problem returning a particular serve, one that you instead your opponent didn’t do…next time he does it, attack it and make sure it clears the net, it doesn’t matter if it goes in or out, just not into the net. Most likely, he will not do it again.
- Never use a serve at the end of a set you haven’t used during the whole set, no matter how good you think it is. The surprise will most likely be on you.
- When you lose a few points in a row, take a time out, use the towel, tie your shoes, walk slowly to pick up the ball. Do whatever you can to interrupt your opponent’s flow.
The area where many beginning table tennis players need practice is in serve returns. If you have a practice partner, take turns serving repeatedly. Have your partner serve balls at different speeds and with different spins all over the table, and try to get comfortable with what it takes to keep the ball in play.
For long serves, learn how to return them with a looping shot, which is the most effective in table tennis. On short serves, perfect your push or flip backspin shots, which are also crucial for any well-rounded ping pong player.
Table Tennis Robots
Table tennis robots are also available for players that don’t always have available partners or teammates. Table tennis robots can serve at varying speeds with varying spins and can place all over the table. If you are serious about ping pong, a table tennis robot that falls in your price range is an excellent investment.
You can put in all the practice hours you want, but none are as valuable as those against skilled players. Play with tougher opponents as often as possible. You may not score many points, but you will be able to identify and work on your weaknesses.
Control the Tempo
Smart players control the tempo of the game not only during play but between points as well. Go with the flow. If things are going well for you, continue at a quick pace. If you happen to be struggling, take your time between serves to catch your breath to restore focus.
You don’t always need a table tennis paddle or even a ping pong table to practice. Incorporate footwork drills into your practice schedule. It will make your feet quicker, which will put you in a position to hit more balanced shots. Better footwork makes a better ping pong player.
The loop shot is the most important in table tennis. Practice it, and then practice it some more. Focus on the three components of the loop shot: backswing, contact, and follow-through. Develop a mental image of the loop shot swing.
Relax your arm, swing forward, and strike the ball as you shift your weight from back to front, turning your shoulders and waist along with your swing. Snap your forearm and wrist as you make contact and follow-through in the direction of your shot. No effective loop shot comes without plenty of practice.
Even the best offensive players need to rely on their defensive skills from time to time. When hitting block shots, be sure to hit them as wide as possible, which will force your opponent to move. Not only that, a well-placed block will prevent a kill attempt.
Watch and Learn
You may not enjoy watching ping pong as much as playing it, but observing the pros has its benefits. Don’t just watch the game; keep your eyes on the players’ feet, their stroke motions, and their footwork. It will help your creativity and give you a good model for your technique.
The Game within the Game
Don’t underestimate the importance of mental toughness. Be sure to test your opponent’s mental mettle by giving them a good stare down before each of your serves and between points. You’ll never know if you can get in your opponent’s head unless you try.
Most importantly, don’t let unforced errors get you down. Catch your breath; it will help you regain your focus. Each serve is an opportunity, a new point to be won.
Table Tennis Tips on Practice Schedule
If you want to improve your overall skill in table tennis, firstly you need to have good stamina to have enough energy in playing long hour match.
Here is a practicing schedule for an hour per session that you can follow with the below-mentioned routine to help you. By following the drafted schedule, you can cover everything in an hour.
Warm up by doing some stretching and light exercises for the whole body.
Forehand to Forehand Counterhit – 2.30 minutes
Backhand to Backhand Counterhit – 2.30 minutes
Forehand Loop to Block – 5.00 minutes
Swap roles 5.00 minutes
Backhand Loop to Block – 5.00 minutes
Swap roles – 5.00 minutes
Falkenberg Drill – minutes
Swap roles – 5.00 minutes
Loop to Loop – 5.00 minutes
Smash to Lob – 2.30 minutes
Swap roles – 2.30 minutes
Push to Push – 5.00 minutes
Serve, Return, Open – 5.00 minutes
The most efficient program will be the one that helps you develop certain aspects of your game. For example, if you want to improve your footwork, then make 50% of your practice to be footwork drills. 3 FH all over the table, BH and FH connection, and the Falkenberg drill.
Counter hits and diagonal topspins are very common, and these kinds of rallies won’t happen in a game cause nobody will place a topspin ball to your FH or BH diagonal. After all, it is too easy for you. So you could follow the program above but without the counter hits and the diagonal topspins unless you are still learning the strokes.
Weekly Program Schedule
It would help if you did thousands of repetitions for every drill and learn it correctly. For me, I make an hour program and a weekly program.
Monday: You do only footwork drills and serve/receive opening points.
Wednesday: Multi-ball looping against backspin from both sides and then some serve to receive as well.
Friday: Short double bounce serve, and the receiver receives with long push -> Open the point with the loop and then play Falkenberg exercise.
Diagonal counter hits and topspins are way too easy and, after a certain point, will not boost your game. You must do drills that are difficult for you and play game point scenarios very often, and focus not on winning the point or the game but on doing your footwork and stroke technique perfectly again and again until you can do it like a robot.
Your technique will be perfect only when you reach a point that you can execute a drill putting 30, 40, 50 balls one after another without any mistakes.

domain: sports


text:
Economic importance of Algae
Since from olden days Algae species are intimately connected with human beings as a source food, medicine and other uses. Algae are taking an active role in human beings.
1. Primary Producers:
Algae are the main Oxygen producers in aquatic areas. They are also useful in decreasing water pollution by realizing Oxygen. 10% of photosynthesis is occurred by the algae in total photosynthesis quantity. With these activity algae forms 1.6-15.5 x 10 to the power of 11 tones of carbonic material like food.
2. Algae as food:
Algae species are used as food in several countries in several forms. Algae species have proteins, vitamins (A, B, C and E), lipids, and minerals. Laminaria species is the important edible seaweed in Japan and the food item ‘Kombu’ is prepared from it. ‘Aonori’ from Monostroma; ‘Asakusa Nori’ from Porphyra are prepared in different countries. Porphyra has 35% protein, 45% carbohydrates, Vitamins B and C and Niacin. Nostoc is used as food material in South America.
3. Algae as fodder for cattle:
Rhodymenia palmate is used as food for sheeps in Narvey. Laminaria saccharina, Pelvitia, Ascophyllum, etc. species are used as food for cattles.
4. Algae as fertilizers:
Blue-green algae are treated as bio-fertilizers from olden days. Nostoc, Oscillatoria, Scytonema, Spirulina, etc. are used as fertilizers to rice fields. All these algae are fixed the atmosphere Nitrogen in to ground. Cultivation of Spirulina is gaining importance as feed for fish, poultry and cattle.
5. Algae in Pisi culture:
Sea algae are used as food for fishes. So they play an important role in Pisi culture. Some green-algae, Diatoms, some blue-green algae are used as food material to fishes. These are also making the water clean, by realizing Oxygen.
6. Algae in reclamation of alkaline or Usar soils:
Our country has more number of alkaline soils or sterile soils. Blue-green algae like Nostoc, Oscillatoria, Scytonema, Spirulina are modified the soils in to fertile soils. Because they fixed Nitrogen in to soil. Nearly they fixed 400 K.g. of Nitrogen per year. Soil erosion is also reduced by these algae.
7. Algea in industry:
Iodine industry is mainly depended upon algae. Algae belonging to Phaeophyceae, like Laminaria, Ecklonia, Eisenia, etc. are used in the industry to prepare Iodine in industries. Phyllophora is used to prepare Iodine in Russia.
Alginates are the salts of alginic acid found in the cell wall of phaeophyceae. Alginates are extracted from Fucus, Laminaria, Macrocystis and Ecklonia. Alginates are used in the preparation of flame-proof fibrics, plastics, paints, gauze material in surgical dressing, soups, ice creams etc.
Agar-agar is a jelly like substance of great economic value. It is obtained from certain red algae like Gelidium, Graciliaria, and Gigartina. Agar is used as a culture medium for growing callus in tissue culture.
10. Carragheen or Carragheenin:
It is extracted from cell walls of red algae like Chondrus and Gigartina. It is a polysaccharide esterfied with sulphate. It is used as emulsifier in pharmaceutical industry and also in textile, leather, cosmetics and brewing industries.
Diatoms deposits at marine and fresh water areas. They are rich with silica. It is called as diatomite. It is used in the preparation of Dynamite in olden days. But now it is used in different industries like glass, metal polishing, paints, tooth pasts, soups, etc.
It is a type of glue obtained from a red alga Gloipeltis furcata. It is used as an adhesive as well as sizing agent for paper and cloth. Chemically it is similar to agar-agar except that there is no sulphate ester group.
The brown sea weeds popularly called as kelps yield potash, soda, and iodine. Some sea weeds are rich source of iron, zinc, copper, manganese and boron. Bromine is extracted from red algae such as Polysiphonia and Rhodymenia.
14. Antibiotics and Medicines:
Antibiotic Chlorellin, obtained from Chlorella is effective against a number of pathogenic bacteria. Extracts from Cladophora, Lyngbya can kill pathogenic Pseudomonas and Mycobacterium. Laminaria is used as one of the modern tools for abortion. Seaweeds have beneficial effect on gall bladders, pancreas, kidneys, uterus and thyroid glands.
15. Role of Algae in Sewage Disposal:
Some species like Chlamydomonas, Scenedesmus, Chlorella, Pondorhina, Euridina, etc are living in sewage water. They are mainly useful to clean the water by realizing Oxygen. They also modified the carbonate material in the water into N, P, K fertilizers.
16. Algae as research material:
In biological research algae are useful because of their rapid growth, brief life span and easy mode of cultivation. Chlorella, Scenedesmus and Anacystis are used in investigations in photosynthesis. Blue-green algae are used in studies on nitrogen fixation. Researches in Genetics and Cytology are carried out on Acetabularia.
17. Algae in Space:
Chlorella and Synechococcus are finding application in space ships and nuclear submarines as oxygen regenerating and food and water recycling organisms.
Harmful aspects of Algae
Some algae species like Microcystis, Lyngbya are develop water blooms in water areas. They secrete toxic materials into water. That they polluted the water.
The algae, Cephaleuros virescence causes for red rust tea in tea plant.
Some algae species are caused for some skin diseases.
Dianophlagellate is caused for the death of fishes in water.
By Leshan Wannigama

domain: biology


text:
Get a photo with your whole family this year! That includes your furry friends.
Santa photos with your pets are available on Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 December from 8am - 10am.
Bookings are essential and can be made:
- In person at the Customer Service Desk
- Over the phone 8845 8200
- Via email Carlingford.Reception@vicinity.com.au
The pet Santa set will be located at the main entry opposite Florist with Flowers. No pets are permitted inside the centre.
Please also note that when you book a photo for your pet, you are automatically opting into the below terms and conditions:
- Owner/s must be responsible for their pet at all times.
- Owner/s must bring waste disposal bags for their pet's use if required. Please note that waste is prohibited from being placed in bins inside the centre.
- Pets are not permitted in the centre.
- In the event that any animal exhibits aggressive behaviours, we will ask that they are removed from the centre.
- Pets must be brought to the centre on a lead or in a cage.
- Every endeavour will be made to adhere to your booking time, however in the event that another photography session is being completed, we appreciate your patience while the current pet photography session is finishing up.
Which pets are allowed?
Dogs, cats and rabbits. Approval or requests for other pets must be made in writing and confirmed by Carlingford Court.

domain: pet


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A leaking heater hose will stop your car dead in it’s tracks, but with a basic repair kit you can fix the car hose yourself. Home Automotive By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine You might also like: TBD Don’t mess with the rad.
Space heaters make it simple to heat a small space. Many people use them to heat outdoor spaces as well as rooms within a home that tend to stay cold. Like all heaters, though, space heaters break down. Keep reading to learn how to repair a.


text:
Game fish are plentiful, such
as Muskie, Northern and Walleyed Pike and Small Mouth Bass. There is good Catfish and Sturgeon fishing, too. We are within
a few minutes' drive of several good panfish lakes.
We offer a choice of four different river trips, all on the Chippewa and Flambeau rivers. Fishing
guides are available at reasonable rates. These are very beautiful trips with excellent game fishing and scenic canoeing.
There are ATV Trails right from our resort as well as nearby snowmobile trails, cross country ski trails and local bike and
To add to your family's enjoyment we have a swimming beach, children's playground, canoeing, and
a softball diamond. Other recreational facilities such as bowling and golfing are available in nearby cities
For Boat Rentals and Guided Trips, Contact Joe Flater 715-312-0468 firstname.lastname@example.org
Whether you are a snowmobiler or cross country skier, there are many beautiful
trails, county and private, leading to and from the resort. We are located at the Junction of Trails #27 and #31 and are also
accessible from Lake Holcombe via the Chippewa River. For your snowmobiling convenience, we have gas for your sled,
hamburgers and pizza to fuel your body, and even a soda, beer or coctail to keep you going! Cozy, warm cabins are also
available so you can base your snowmobile vacation right here. Please refer to our Cabin Rental page or call us for


text:
The Book of Delights: Essays (Paperback)
Finding delight in the world right now can be a struggle. The small things that used to spark awe or gratitude have been harder and harder to recognize during the pandemic. But this book helped reawaken my senses and broaden my perception of everyday wonders. Poet Ross Gay does an exercise to try to write down one small thing that delights him each day. What results is a meditation on everything from hummingbirds to social justice to weird vernacular sayings. And he does so with a poets touch, humor, and a kind of verve that heightens the essays and makes them feel like a special gift, at least to me, and maybe anyone else who’s looking to find some joy and sunlight amidst a world full of uncertainty.— Hilary
“Ross Gay’s eye lands upon wonder at every turn, bolstering my belief in the countless small miracles that surround us.” —Tracy K. Smith, Pulitzer Prize winner and U.S. Poet Laureate
The winner of the National Book Critics Award for Poetry offers up a spirited collection of short lyrical essays, written daily over a tumultuous year, reminding us of the purpose and pleasure of praising, extolling, and celebrating ordinary wonders.
In The Book of Delights, one of today’s most original literary voices offers up a genre-defying volume of lyric essays written over one tumultuous year. The first nonfiction book from award-winning poet Ross Gay is a record of the small joys we often overlook in our busy lives. Among Gay’s funny, poetic, philosophical delights: a friend’s unabashed use of air quotes, cradling a tomato seedling aboard an airplane, the silent nod of acknowledgment between the only two black people in a room. But Gay never dismisses the complexities, even the terrors, of living in America as a black man or the ecological and psychic violence of our consumer culture or the loss of those he loves. More than anything else, though, Gay celebrates the beauty of the natural world–his garden, the flowers peeking out of the sidewalk, the hypnotic movements of a praying mantis.
The Book of Delights is about our shared bonds, and the rewards that come from a life closely observed. These remarkable pieces serve as a powerful and necessary reminder that we can, and should, stake out a space in our lives for delight.
As Heard on NPR's This American Life
“The delights he extols here (music, laughter, generosity, poetry, lots of nature) are bulwarks against casual cruelties. As such they feel purposeful and imperative as well as contagious in their joy.”
—The New York Times Book Review
“These charming, digressive ‘essayettes,’ in the manner of Montaigne, surprise and challenge . . . Gay, an award-winning poet, knows the value of formal constraint: his experiences of ‘delight,’ recorded daily for a year, vary widely but yield revealing patterns through insights about everything from nature and the body to race and masculinity. The fruits of this experiment—for which gardens and gardening provide a frequent, apt metaphor—attest to an imagination cultivated in hostile conditions. Gay’s optimism is as easy as it is improbable, his ‘heart cooing like a pigeon nestled on a windowsill where the spikes rusted off.’”
—The New Yorker
"What emerges is not a ledger of delights passively logged but a radiant lens actively searching for and magnifying them, not just with the mind but with the body as an instrument of wonder-stricken presence.”
—Brain Pickings, Favorite Books of 2019
“Ross Gay’s poems are little celebrations of joy, and this book of mini-essays—each centering around a particular 'delight,’ from sleeping in your clothes to planting tomato seedlings to the nod of greeting between the only two black people in a room—is a pure balm for your soul. Savor one at a time every morning, this summer, or wolf them all down en masse on a gorgeous sunny day.”
—Celeste Ng for GoodMorningAmerica.com
"Delightfully snackable . . . Pick it up, read for ten minutes (start anywhere, really), put it down, and you’ll find that the delights of Gay’s world illuminate the delights of yours, that his wonder is contagious and has caused you to deepen your own."
“The shock of Gay’s writing . . . is his seamless shift from breezy, affable observation to sober (and admittedly still affable) profundity . . . I want to say that Gay’s writing is magical because that’s the way it feels when I read it. But . . . calling it magic undercuts Gay’s craft, the effort that goes into producing literature that feels as fluent and familiar as a chat with a close friend. His voice has integrity, in both senses of the word: a completeness or consistency, true to itself; and an honesty and compassion so frankly subjective that it produces an incorruptible vision. Gay’s loose-limbed sentences diagram his delight, partaking in numerous asides—some as paragraph-long parentheticals—and equally numerous asides within asides, as well as nested subordinate clauses that are the purview of intimate conversation, not written prose. They are clauses and asides in which, as Gay writes them, you feel his hand on your arm, you feel him lean in toward you, conspiratorially or simply to emphasize his meaning.”
—The New York Review of Books
“Everyone could use a bit more delight in their days . . . Gay, who is the winner of the NBCC Award for Poetry, is here to provide just that, with essays celebrating everything from air quotes to candy wrappers to pickup basketball games.”
—New York Post
“The Book of Delights is both practice and perfection in an unassuming package . . . These pieces reflect and examine the natural world, masculinity, racism, and other topics with vibrancy. Most essays are a few paragraphs, a page or two at maximum, but it’s not the width or length of the pieces that ultimately grabbed my attention. It was the heart and intelligence found within his daily introspections.”
"A reminder of what the personal essay is best at: finding the profound in the mundane . . . his delight is infectious. It’s hard to read Gay and not to be won over.”
“This collection proves is that delight is infectious and demands to be shared, and, most importantly, ‘our delight grows as we share it.’
—Washington Independent Review of Books
“It's the perfect read to inspire observing your corner of the world with a little more care and delight.”
“Sweet, powerful, funny, honest, moving. Gay has a new book on the way, too; I can’t wait for it.”
—Orange County Register


text:
JoJo was not only a Boston Celtics Legend but a kind, elegant gentleman! For almost 30 years our family had the pleasure of sitting next to JoJo, Deb and the family.
What a way to woo a gal who loved basketball but to bring her to the old Garden and sit her next to a Legend...as she watched Larry Bird play.
As a stylist...need I say more than; the man could dress!!!
God speed JoJo, rest in peace!
🎤We used to tear it down,
but now we just exist.
The things that I did wrong,
I'll bet you've got a list.🎤 Front row at my favorite band, best night of my life. @thekillers #thekillers#bostongarden#everything
Oil Painting of Milan Lucic 24x36. This painting I did of Milan Lucic is part of the New England Sports Museum Collection at TD Garden. Lucic plays for the @edmontonoilers and used to play for the @nhlbruins . I took the finished painting into Boston stood outside of the Garden waiting to catch him leaving the team parking lot. It was a long wait in the freezing cold and snow but worth it.. He was very kind and friendly. I had a white oil paint marker and he used it to autograph the original painting. He liked it because he said it makes him look better hiding the fisticuff scars he has earned over the course of his hockey career!
Concert 1 for 2018: The Killers. Amazing. SO GOOD. If you missed me saying that in the 83 IG stories I posted last night. 😂 Brandon’s gold suit for the encore was theeee best. What a great performer. Fantastic show. Go see it.


The process of design depends on the availability of both a variety of data and many different types of knowledge drawn from specialists. Most of the data is naturally stored in various databases while the knowledge can often be organised in Knowledge-based Systems (KBSs). A design support system is thus required to comprise a number of elements such as databases and knowledge-based systems, as well as conventional analytical modelling systems. In common with many software environments that have been developed over several years these elements tend to form autonomous islands based on perhaps different computers or data servers between which exchange of data is difficult. Even in the more recent expert system field, communication is limited between different advisory programs, or between such programs and the databases which they use for inference. One central issue in designing such a support system is to identify means by which multiple systems can co-operate in an inter-connected environment and share data which is distributed over heterogeneous databases. This paper describes an Interprocess Communication (IPC) based integration framework which is designed to facilitate dynamic and smooth data communication between the cooperating KBSs and databases within a design support system.


|Year : 2021 | Volume
| Issue : 4 | Page : 315-323
Investigation of tube voltage dependence on CT number and its effect on dose calculation algorithms using thorax phantom in Monaco treatment planning system for external beam radiation therapy
Amit Saini1, VP Pandey2, Pankaj Kumar3, Avtar Singh1, Rajesh Pasricha4
1 Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University; Department of Medical Physics, Tata Memorial Center, Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital, Sangrur, Punjab, India
2 Department of Medical Physics, Hind Institute of Medical Sciences, Safedabad, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India
3 Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and Technology; Centre for Liquid Crystal Research, Chitkara University Research and Innovation Network, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
4 Department of Radiotherapy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
|Date of Submission||24-Dec-2020|
|Date of Decision||29-Aug-2021|
|Date of Acceptance||29-Aug-2021|
|Date of Web Publication||31-Dec-2021|
Dr. Pankaj Kumar
Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Punjab; Centre for Liquid Crystal Research, Chitkara University Research and Innovation Network, Chitkara University, Punjab
Dr. V P Pandey
Department of Medical Physics, Hind Institute of Medical Sciences, Safedabad, Barabanki, U.P
Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
| Abstract|| |
Introduction: The accuracy of dose calculation algorithms depends on the electron density and computed tomography (CT) number of medium scanned. Our study aimed to verify the impact of different CT scanning protocols on Hounsfield unit (HU) and effect on dose calculation algorithms. Materials and Methods: CIRS thorax phantom with different density material plugs was scanned at varying tube voltages from CT scanner and HU values were measured in treatment planning system (TPS). Calibration curves of electron density at different tube voltages were plotted and used for dose calculation with different calculation algorithms at varying high energy megavoltage photon energies. Results: Insignificant difference is obtained in electron density curves plotted at different tube voltages. The mean variation in HU values was found at different tube voltages for bone, lung, and water are 896.75 (standard deviation [SD] 122.88), −799.25 (SD 5.74), and −17.5 (SD 0.57), respectively. The estimated P values for change in HU values were 0.089, 0.258, and 0.121 for bone, lung, and water, respectively. Pencil beam (PB) convolution and collapsed cone algorithms show no significant dose difference, i.e., <1% variation and Monte Carlo (MC) shows maximum dose difference up to 1.4%. Conclusion: Third-generation algorithms such as MC shows dependence on varying tube voltages in dose calculation. Calibration curves plotted at different kVp in TPS advised to be chosen wisely to avoid any dosimetric errors in different medium.
Keywords: Collapsed cone convolution, Hounsfield unit, Monte Carlo, pencil beam convolution
|How to cite this article:|
Saini A, Pandey V P, Kumar P, Singh A, Pasricha R. Investigation of tube voltage dependence on CT number and its effect on dose calculation algorithms using thorax phantom in Monaco treatment planning system for external beam radiation therapy. J Med Phys 2021;46:315-23
|How to cite this URL:|
Saini A, Pandey V P, Kumar P, Singh A, Pasricha R. Investigation of tube voltage dependence on CT number and its effect on dose calculation algorithms using thorax phantom in Monaco treatment planning system for external beam radiation therapy. J Med Phys [serial online] 2021 [cited 2022 Sep 29];46:315-23. Available from: https://www.jmp.org.in/text.asp?2021/46/4/315/334385
| Introduction|| |
Radiotherapy treatment process is very complex in nature consisting of various steps and each step is prone to systematic and random errors. Each component of chain influences the radiotherapy outcome and must be handled cautiously. After diagnosis, patients are advised to start the radiotherapy procedure with computed tomography (CT) Simulation. CT is a vital diagnostic imaging modality that can produce images of patient geometry in axial, sagittal, and coronal planes used for radiation treatment planning. It provides high-resolution transverse images and gives information about the Hounsfield Units (HUs) and electron densities (ED) of medium scanned which influences the delineation of target volumes and the surrounding normal tissues. Before using treatment planning system (TPS) for clinical needs, a relation between CT numbers and relative electron density (RED) has to be established in the form of calibration curve as described by Schneider et al. TPS usually equipped with the standard calibration curve provided by the vendors to use in clinical environment but its usage without validation may result into the dosimetric inaccuracy.
Treatment planning workstation is important component in the radiotherapy chain procedure. Many factors are present in TPS which can influence the dosimetric treatment outcome and calibration curve is one such parameter present in the system. In most clinics, only the calibration curve plotted at 120 kVp for all scans ignoring the potential benefit of dose and noise reduction with an applied tube voltage. Constantinou et al. suggested having more than a standard 120kVp calibration curve, for example, an additional 80kVp curve for pediatric patients which may potentially decreases the CT dose and offers a high contrast to noise ratio. Although having many calibration curve increases the amount of workload and degree of error are also increases.
The accuracy of new generation dose calculation algorithms present in radiotherapy primarily depends on the electron density obtained from CT data and calibration of CT-HU to RED. The CT number depends on the linear attenuation coefficient of the material with the formula mentioned in equation (1):
HUtissue = 1000 × ([μtissue-μwater]/μwater) (1)
Where HU is Hounsfield Unit (HU) and μ is the linear attenuation coefficient of the medium.
The change in HU values due to kVp settings and geometric distribution of various tissue substitute materials has also been studied by Nobha et al. and found to be well within 2%. The CT number of medium depends on the spectra of CT scanner and CT-RED curve may lead to determination of material composition of medium. A slight change in CT number may lead to relative change in electron density of the medium and in turn leads to the variation in dose calculation. Accurate calculation of dose distribution in an inhomogeneous medium like human body is a complex phenomenon, especially for tumors located in the lung. Till date, only the Monte Carlo (MC) method is considered to be the most accurate algorithm for dose calculation, but it requires the greatest processing time. Apart from MC method, all other methods make different degrees of approximation and simplification which lead to much faster calculation speed but also result in less accurate dose distribution compared with the MC calculation algorithm. The applied voltage was reported to be most relevant parameter leading to errors in the reconstructed Hounsfield numbers of about 300 units for high density.
In previous studies, dose variation within 1% has been reported when varying the kVp. In addition, the HU measurements of solid water and air had found to differ significantly between scanners from different manufacturers., The highest variation was noted in case of high density materials and CT scan at lowest kVp. Many authors have conducted the evaluation of dose calculation algorithms for external beam radiation therapy. Rana et al. investigated the dose prediction accuracy of Acuros XB algorithm and anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) for different field sizes and air gap thickness. The results from that study revealed that dose prediction errors are up to 3.8% for Acuros XB and up to 10.9% for AAA, respectively. Furthermore, the study by Rana et al. demonstrated the limitation of dose calculation algorithms when treating a smaller size of tumor, especially when large air gaps are created by immobilization devices.
In the current study, the effect of different CT scanning protocols, i.e., varying kVp settings on HU number variation and their dosimetric impact on dose calculation in TPS using different algorithms, for example, MC, collapsed cone convolution and pencil beam (PB) were investigated using CIRS thorax phantom.
| Materials and Methods|| |
CIRS thorax phantom
The CIRS Model 002 LFC (Norfolk, VA) intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) thorax phantom shown in [Figure 1] were used in the present study, which is designed to address the comparison of calculation algorithms TPS and complete system QA from CT imaging to dose verification. The 002 LFC is an elliptical in shape and properly represents an average human torso in proportion, density, and two-dimensional structure. It measures 30 cm long × 30 cm wide ×20 cm thick. The phantom is constructed of proprietary tissue equivalent epoxy materials. Linear attenuations of the simulated tissues are within 1% of actual attenuation for water and bone, and within 3% for lung from 50 keV to 15 MeV. Tissue equivalent interchangeable rod inserts accommodate ionization chambers allowing for point dose measurements in multiple planes within the phantom shown in [Figure 1]. Adapter placement allows verification in the most critical areas of the chest. One half of the phantom is divided into 12 sections, each 1 cm thick, to support radiographic or Gafchromic film. Three kinds of materials are contained in this phantom to emulate different tissues in human body, including soft tissue, lung, and bone. Dose measurements can be performed by placing ionization chamber and Gafchromic film inside grooves provided in phantom.
Validation of kV and mAs in computed tomography scanner
kV and mAs stability was validated before starting the study. Stability of scanner was measured from the last 6 year readings to till now which are given below [Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3].
|Table 2: Coefficient of mA linearity was also found out from last 6 years|
Click here to view
|Table 3: Output constancy was also checked and found the coefficient of variation|
Click here to view
Plotting calibration curves
The relationship between the RED and CT number plotted in TPS is known as calibration curve. In radiotherapy treatment planning simulation, different kVp settings are used depending on the different body sections to be imaged. To calculate the mean HU values, the phantom was scanned using CT scanner (GE optima 580 w, USA) with the different kVp protocols (tube voltage: 80 kVp, 100 kVp, 120 kVp, and 140 kVp with slice thickness of 2.5 mm) to acquire CT images. In order to obtain the calibration curve, a CIRS phantom was used at different tube voltages protocol scanning. The phantom was placed on CT couch, leveling of the phantom was ensured. The HU values obtained from the systems were plotted against RED of the materials. [Figure 2] illustrates CT-RED calibration curves obtained for different tube voltages from the Monaco TPS.
|Figure 2: Computed tomography to relative electron density calibration curve obtained from Monaco treatment planning system|
Click here to view
Treatment planning system dose calculation measurement
TPS was commissioned as per the standard guidelines of TRS 430. Several end-to-end tests were performed in phantom with all photon energies to found out the percentage of variation in between chamber measured and TPS calculated dose are given below. These values are baseline TPS data found during commissioning of TPS.
[Table 4]a shows the dose difference in TPS data and measured data with Farmer type chamber, Fc-65 for different calculation algorithms in a homogeneous medium in central axis measurement. All the percentage values obtained for MC, Collapsed cone (CC), and PB were well within the tolerance limit. At depth 10 cm, the full scattering condition is satisfied and measurement showing the similarity in dose obtained as in planning system. For 6 mega voltage (MV) flattening filter free (FFF) and 10MV FFF CC algorithm is not available into the Monaco TPS, so no variation was found out.
[Table 4]b shows the percentage variation in dose differences calculated in an inhomogeneous medium through ionization chamber and TPS for all energies in central axis measurement. The field sizes were chosen were 10 cm × 10 cm and 15 cm × 15 cm for evaluation in dose difference as field size 10 cm × 10 cm includes mostly water equivalent part of thorax Phantom, whereas 15 cm × 15 cm includes both lungs partially with dose measurement in water equivalent material.
In the present study, three different calculation algorithms of the Monaco TPS (Version 5.11, Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden) were evaluated. These three algorithms were MC, Collapse Cone, and PB dose calculation engine. The acquired CT images of CIRS Phantom were sent to the TPS through digital Imaging and communication in medicine networking system. Circular region of interest of diameter 1.5 cm was defined on the CT images of the phantom and mean CT numbers for different materials were obtained from TPS as shown in [Figure 3], using Monaco TPS Version 5.11, Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden). Lungs, Bone, and water medium were properly contoured, and the point of interest was marked kept same in all three calculations algorithm cases.
|Figure 3: Computed tomography scan of thorax phantom with different densities|
Click here to view
A single anterior beam plan using 6 MV, 10 MV. 15 MV, 6MV FFF and 10 MVFFF at gantry angle 0° with isocenter placed at the center of the phantom for dose of 100 centiGray (cGy) was planned and calculated as shown in [Figure 4]. Dose calculations were performed with PB, CC, and MC algorithm on Monaco TPS version 5.11 with calculation grid size of 3 mm and statistical uncertainty of 0.5%. Dosimetric comparison was performed in between for various CT to RED calibration curves obtained from various tube voltages, i.e., 80 kVp, 100 kVp, 120 kVp, and 140kVp on Monaco TPS.
|Figure 4: Axial plane of dose measurement in Monaco treatment planning system with different density contours of lung, bone and water|
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| Results|| |
Evaluation of variation in Hounsfield unit-relative electron density calibration curves
Here, we have evaluated the variation in HU-RED calibration curves for different tube voltages used in CT scanning protocols.
In [Table 5], the HU numbers of different materials for various kVp values on Monaco TPS were presented. The mean variation in HU values were found at different tube voltages for bone, lung, and water are 896.75 (standard deviation [SD]: 122.88), −799.25 (SD: 5.74), and −17.5 (SD: 0.57), respectively. No significant difference was found between the HU numbers obtained from different tube voltages. The estimated P values were 0.089, 0.258, and 0.121 for bone, lung, and water, respectively.
|Table 5: Mean Hounsfield unit values from Monaco treatment planning system for different tube voltages|
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Maximum CT number difference was observed in bone. However, the measured CT numbers for lung and water were in agreement with one another with in 20 MU.
Impact of different kVp on dose calculation algorithm
Dose calculated with the CT images on Monaco TPS for different algorithms in four different contour of bone, bilateral lungs, and water in cGy for a plan created for 100 cGy dose at the isocenter using 6 MV, 10 MV, 15 MV, 6FFF, and 10FFF from various tube voltages of 80 kVp, 100 kVp, 120 kVp, and 140 kVp. Phantom CT scan with 120 kVp scanning protocol was considered to be reference raw data for comparative analysis of dose in three different density contours created on CT images of the phantom, and100 MU was delivered on different density cavities in thorax phantom using 3 mm grid size and 0.5% statistical uncertainty in dose calculation with 10 cm × 10 cm field size.
For any fixed grid size, G
On rearranging above equation, the error contribution due to tube voltage difference may be obtained as:
In case of MC Calculation Algorithm, for any fixed grid size and maximum uncertainty window of 0.5%, the equation will become,
For FFF beam, CC algorithm calculation is not available in TPS system and Calculation performed only for 6 MV, 10 MV, and 15 MV flattened beam. In flattened and unflattened Beams, dose calculation difference with the PB calculation algorithms in different density medium at varying tube voltages were found insignificant and <1%. Similarly, for flattened beams, CC calculation algorithm shows <1% variation at varying kVp scans in different medium. MC calculation algorithm shows impact in dose calculations in different medium for varying tube voltage scans at different photon energy which is discussed below.
Monte Carlo dose calculation variation in different density medium at varying tube voltages
Using equation no. 5, the actual error due to tube voltage was evaluated making other parameters such as grid size constant and the resultant error obtained is only due to the tube voltage impact in dosimetric spectra. [Table 6] shows the percentage variation evaluated for all beam energies in different density medium using MC calculation engine. The maximum uncertainty introduced in a calculation window was subtracted from the total error obtained to get exactly the contribution of error due to varying tube voltage. The percentage variation in doses was <1% in all cases at different energy and density medium except for 6FF and 6FFF beams whose values were 1.2% and 1.4%, respectively, for high density medium of bone.
|Table 6: Actual error for different energy in density medium using Monte Carlo calculation at varying tube voltage using 0.5% uncertainty window|
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| Discussion|| |
Computed tomography relative electron density calibration curves
At all the points in a medium of contoured circular diameter, different HU values were shown by the TPS. For the purpose of simplicity and plotting, the curve mean values of all circular medium were considered against the RED. The spectral changes in scanning beam ultimately result into the changes in the HU values of medium. The highest variation in CT number was observed in bone material with respect to different CT scanning protocols (tube voltages) than followed by lung equivalent material and least in the water equivalent material. In lung equivalent material, small CT number was observed as the electron density is extremely low, thus, becomes more sensitive to the imaging noise over variation in tube voltages, causing more variation in HU values for air-like materials. The HU-RED curves as shown in [Figure 2] reflected no specific difference in the curves obtained using HU and ED values from different tube voltages scans. A very small deviation of curve is shown near to bone HU values. The reported HU variations may be explained due to nonuniform beam filtration of scanning beam passing different densities inserts. The CT number variation depends on the scanner-specific factors such as spectral energy, filtration of radiation, and reconstruction algorithm used. Many researchers have reported large deviations of HU values in high-density material like Teflon. According to the different guidelines, there are range of RED values for air, soft–tissue, and bone, and different tolerances of HU values are reported for different materials. Every planning system equipped with the standard calibration curves which could be used with some errors for clinical purposes, but it is always recommended to plot the curve of existing CT simulator for regular clinical usage. To reduce any uncertainties during radiotherapy procedure protocol, it is recommended to validate the CT-RED curves of the CT unit whose images would be used for clinical planning and treatment.
Dosimetric comparison of different calculation algorithms versus tube voltage
Monaco TPS showing variation in calculated doses with different dose calculation algorithms with respect to different CT scanning protocols (tube voltages) in [Table 7] and [Table 8]. Out of three algorithms, only MC shows the variation in the calculated doses at different tube voltages scan, whereas PB and CC show very negligible variations. This may be due to the reason that MC calculation algorithm even takes care of small changes in electron density of the medium and includes in dose calculation. The PB and CC algorithms failed to calculate dose variations very accurately and results very small difference of <1% at different scanning protocols. The MC algorithm simulates the transport of millions of particles and photons through matter. It utilizes the law of probability distribution of individual interactions of particles and photons. The CC algorithm is a convolution superposition model-based engine. It consists of a convolution equation that separately considers the transport of primary photons and scattered electrons. A point kernel convolution/superposition model accounts for inhomogeneity correction in patients. In CC algorithm, variations in lateral photon and electron transport are approximately modeled. In PB algorithm, the beam is divided into infinitesimal into narrow PBs and into the field grid PBs is calculated altogether. Finally, the dose at any point is obtained by summation of the dose contribution of all PBs into point of interest. However, in the PB algorithm, variations in photon transport and lateral electrons are not modeled.
|Table 7: Percentage dose variation calculated using beams for pencil beam convolution and collapsed cone convolution algorithms at different tube voltages|
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|Table 8: Dose calculated using beams for Monte Carlo calculation algorithms at different tube voltages|
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A patient's body contains different densities, requiring a correction factor for each beam causing beam attenuation. The PB algorithm is very fast due to its use of a one-dimensional density correction, which does not accurately model the distribution of secondary electrons in heterogeneous media. The CC algorithm was developed to model the physical processes involved instead of semi empirically tabulated measurements in water. The implementation of such a model, however, uses some approximations that make the model perform better under certain irradiation geometries (lung) and worse in others such as with bone heterogeneities.,, This shows that MC simulation algorithm is a powerful tool for quality assurance in radiotherapy as it is only calculation method that can account for all the physical phenomena that take place in the interaction of radiation beams with inhomogeneous media. MC can even describe the dose deposition in the vicinity of high-Z interfaces. [Figure 4] clearly shows the distribution of dose in different density materials by MC calculation algorithm.
[Table 6] clearly shows the maximum dose variation in different density materials with varying photon energies calculated with MC calculation algorithms. This variation depicts the MC while calculating considers the electron density and energy spectrum factors while performing three-dimensional calculations in a medium. At higher energy, the scattering distribution will be maximum in bone medium results in maximum variation in dose calculation with varying electron density obtained at different tube voltages. For lower energy in the low density medium, maximum variation is observed due to consideration of scattering contribution with varying electron density at different tube voltages. According to Chen et al., MC method is considered to be the most accurate algorithm for dose calculation, but it requires the greatest processing time. Apart from MC, all other methods make different degrees of approximation and simplification which lead to much faster calculation speed but also result in less accurate dose distribution comparing with the MC simulation.,,, Variation of 1% was reported in the previous study on CATPHAN phantom for MC calculation algorithm, in contrast our study reveals maximum difference of 1.2%–1.4% when MC calculation algorithm is used which may be due to sufficient density materials availability in CIRS phantom and the contribution of scattered beam and energy spectrum could be sufficiently dissipate in the medium. In CATPHAN phantom, only different density materials of small sizes are present which could provide insufficient scattering contribution effect of different density. CIRS phantom mimics the torso of human body and suitable for the dose distribution study providing sufficient medium for incorporating scattering contribution.
At different scanning protocol, the spectra of tube voltages changes and offers different electron density to the medium. The circle of diameter chosen for study itself shows variation in value of HU at different points in a circular diameter, and for study purpose, the mean values were considered, and curve of HU and RED was plotted, but in reality, every point in a medium was offered different energy spectra by CT and results into different ED in a medium. The circular diameter for different materials shows variation in electron density in a selected grid size for calculation and total dose when calculated for selected diameter's for different algorithm depicts variation.
[Figure 5] and [Figure 6] show the expected behavior of beam energies 6ff and 6fff in different density materials at varying tube voltages and depicts the maximum variation in bone material due to scattering contribution and changes in energy spectra. It is recommended to use the system cautiously when different tube voltage scan is used different from baseline calibration curve, and judiciously, the uncertainty window level needs to be set for optimum result; otherwise, there are chances to obtained wrong doses in clinical environment.
|Figure 5: Maximum percentage variation of dose in different density materials for 6 mega voltage photon energy calculated with 0.5% uncertainty Monte Carlo calculation algorithm|
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|Figure 6: Maximum percentage variation of dose in different density materials for 6 mega voltage flattening filter free photon energy calculated with 0.5% uncertainty Monte Carlo calculation algorithm|
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| Conclusion|| |
We have found that different kVp setting shows no statistically significant variation in the measured HU values. The highest variation was observed in case of high-density bone material at the lowest kVp tube voltage. PB and CC convolution algorithms show <1% variation in dose distribution in all cases of varying tube voltage electron density obtained but MC calculation algorithm shows deviation up to 1.2%–1.4%. The study can be validated through other dosimeters such as Thermoluminescent dosimeters, optically stimulated luminescence, three-dimensional gel dosimeter, and MC Simulation method as in the present study only ionization chamber-based assessment has performed. Institutions using third-generation algorithms like MC shall use it cautiously when for high-end techniques such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy and volumetric-modulated radiation therapy considering tube voltage effect on electron density. Every center shall plot calibration curves of different tube voltages before using for dose calculation and same energy calibration curve shall be used on which simulation was performed. TPS quality assurance needs to be performed with different calibration curves of different tube voltage energy before using for clinical treatment with third-generation calculation algorithms. In future, impact of tube voltage on gamma index needs to be explored for MC calculation algorithm on high-end techniques such as IMRT and volumetric-modulated arc therapy.
Financial support and sponsorship
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
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Cropp RJ, Sesliga P, Tso D, Thakur Y. Scanner & kVp dependence of measured CT numbers in the ACR CT phantom. J Appl Clin Med Phys 2013;14:4417.
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[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4], [Figure 5], [Figure 6]
[Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3], [Table 4], [Table 5], [Table 6], [Table 7], [Table 8]


Sergio Aguero: I want to leave Atletico Madrid Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero has revealed that he wants to leave the club this summer. In a statement posted on his official Twitter page, the 22-year-old explicitly stated his desire not to continue playing for last year’s Europa League winners. "I have expressed to Atleti my desire to leave,” said Aguero. “I've asked to receive, unconditionally, the offers that come from other clubs." This comes just hours after the Spanish media reported that Aguero spent an hour and a half in discussion with his father and his agents at the Vicente Calderon this evening. Atletico’s chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin and their president Enrique Cerezo were allegedly not present at the meeting. The Argentina international further posted a full statement on his official website in which he explained why he wants to play for a different team from next season. “I am about to turn 23 and I have everything before me,” said Aguero. “It is sufficient to say that it is not an economic reason to leave, but strictly a sporting one. "So I want to clearly express my appreciation to the club for the effort they made in keeping me on a salary that befits some of the largest institutions in the world. “I also want to say that this decision has been in progress for some time,” Aguero continued. “The issue was even discussed and agreed with Atleti last year when I renewed my contract. I wanted to sign and renew my contract as a way to give back to the club what they have given me.” He added: “I then had the promise of the club that they would not impede my departure in June 2011.” The former Independiente forward also thanked the Atletico supporters and expressed his “eternal gratitude”, adding that they “are already part of my identity and a way of understanding football.” Aguero’s release clause is reportedly €45 million plus the IVA value-added tax: if this figure is met, then Atletico are contractually bound to allow him to negotiate with the bidding club. His current contract runs until 2014. Several clubs have recently been linked with Aguero. Barcelona were said to be interested, Real Madrid were also following developments despite Aguero's promise never to join Atleti's city rivals, and Manchester City have also allegedly put themselves in the frame. No club has yet admitted a concrete bid for the young forward.


text:
Dear Gamer, please watch this ads while your game is loading. Thanks!
Interact/Select Unit/Command Uni
If the game freezes, just click inside it (games can get unresponsive if you click elsewhere on the page).
Squadron Auriga is the most EPIC battle game on the internet! Play 12 levels for world domination. Full Control of buildings and units on the battlefield, Complete upgrade systems, Strong storyline, and much more!

domain: game


The Greenburgh Public Library is proud to offer two Explorer Bags, provided by the Central Westchester Audubon and the Bronx River Sound Shore Audubon.
These Explorer Bags can be used by adults, teens, and children!
All bags come with the following contents:
Two pairs of binoculars.
Tree ID cards and Magnifier.
Bird ID Cards .
Two magnifying bug boxes.
Colored Pencils and Notepad.
Explorer bags can be checked out for three weeks at a time!
Ask at the Information Desk for more details.
The Empire Pass is a membership that admits one vehicle entrance fee to most New York State Parks and Department of Environmental Conversation Facilities. Some examples include Clarence Fahnestock State Park, Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, Rockefeller State Park Preserve, Walkway Over the Hudson, Bear Mountain, Harriman State Park, Jones Beach, and more! DEC facilities include numerous campgrounds across NYS.
The loan period for the Empire Pass is one week.
DEC Facilities: https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9174.html


text:
We are very happy to announce our next upcoming game : Wingsuit Stickman (submitted for review already)
From the app store description:
Did you ever dream of flying down the highest mountains in the world? Now it's your time, join the Wingsuit Stickman experience, pack your wingsuit and glide through beautiful landscapes, cross the Alps, fly down the Rocky Mountains or enter a deadly volcano while performing insane stunts, scaring birds and plane pilots and simply enjoy the wonderful experience of a perfect wingsuit proximity flight.
• For iPhone, iPod and iPad
• Includes more than 20 beautiful designed levels from "Relaxed gliding" to "Jump into a deadly volcano"
• Full animated physic rag doll
• Amazing Retina Graphics
• Complete physics enabled
• Various obstacles like Planes, Birds, Wind wheels, Waters, Volcanos, and even Transylvanian death wasps
• Perform cool stunts to earn extra bonus
• and many more...
Youtube link | Pop Up
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visit our website : http://www.djinnworks.at
More information and screenshots about Wingsuit Stickman available on our website.
We would love to read your comments and impressions. Thank you guys!

domain: hobby


text:
Pollution-Induced Community Tolerance (PICT) of Bacteria: Evaluation in Phenol- and Antibiotic Polluted Soil
Sammanfattning: The effects of organic pollutants on the soil microbial community were studied in this work. The main aim was to evaluate the use of pollution-induced community tolerance (PICT) in studying the effects of pollution. The leucine incorporation technique (indicating bacterial growth) was used to monitor changes in tolerance. The impact of toxic substances on bacterial and fungal growth (acetate-in-ergosterol incorporation) and microbial community structure (PLFA) was also studied. Increased PICT was found at increasing concentrations of both phenols and antibiotics (tylosin and sulfamethoxazole, SMX) in soil. However, at higher concentrations of phenol and tylosin no further increase in PICT was observed. The extent of PICT varied depending on the toxicant. Re-development of PICT was found in tylosin-polluted soil, indicating that PICT can be used to monitor soil remediation. The specificity of PICT was studied by examining co-tolerance to other phenols (2-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol and 2,3,6-trichlorophenol) and metals (Cu and Zn) in phenol-polluted soil. Co-tolerance to other phenols was observed, however, always to a lower extent than to phenol. No co-tolerance to metals was seen. Direct inhibiting effects on bacterial growth were correlated to PICT. In phenol-polluted soil bacterial growth recovered over time and growth rates at high phenol concentrations were higher than in the unpolluted controls. In tylosin-polluted soil bacterial growth rates recovered to those in the unpolluted soil, while in SMX-polluted soil bacterial growth recovered only slightly over time. PICT to phenol and SMX was reflected in structural changes of the soil microbial community. In SMX-polluted soil a decrease in bacterial PLFAs was found, together with a corresponding increase in fungal PLFAs. A dramatic decrease in bacterial growth and increase in fungal growth were also observed after adding different bacterial antibiotics to soil, indicating competition between fungi and bacteria in soil. The leucine incorporation technique was shown to be a fast and sensitive method of estimating PICT and the direct inhibition of soil bacteria exposed to organic pollutants. The PICT concept was found to be a valuable tool in determining the toxic effects of organic pollutants and in distinguishing the toxic effects from other environmental factors. However, co-tolerance between different toxicants can complicate the interpretation of PICT.
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domain: agronomy


text:
As a public employee and IFT member, you understand better than anyone what is at stake for your local schools and community in the April 4 school board elections.
In the midst of a well-funded nationwide movement to ban culturally relevant books in schools and censor the teaching of accurate American history, extremist candidates are running for school boards all across our state. We cannot let them divide our communities and destroy our schools.
First, learn about the candidates! I urge you to:
Check to see if your union is supporting particular candidates. Often your union will vet candidates to determine where they stand on issues important to you, your colleagues, and your community before choosing to recommend or endorse them.
Do your own research. Look at a sample ballot before election day so you know who is running and learn what they stand for.
Find out where their money is coming from. If a candidate is funded by Awake Illinois, the Proud Boys, Moms for Liberty, or other groups with radical agendas, that says it all!
Finally, spread the word! Tell your family, friends, and coworkers why voting in local school board elections is important to students and the entire community.

domain: sociology


text:
Peaks fight off dogged challenge to reach final
Manypeaks will again feature in the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association men’s A-grade grand final after eliminating North Albany with a strong second-half display on Saturday.
Peaks’ run of nine straight grand final appearances was ended last season when Mt Barker and Spencer Park played off in the decider, and at times Redbacks threatened to again end Peaks’ season at the preliminary final stage.
After an enthralling but scoreless first half, Peaks began to dominate possession and locked the ball in their forward half as Redbacks defended desperately on the last line.
It took 16 minutes but finally the deadlock was broken as Peaks star David Pyle cleverly wheeled around an opponent to rocket home a trademark field goal.
Peaks goalkeeper Heath Cremasco had been terrific all day and he came off his line to deny a Redbacks counterattack that looked certain to equalise things soon afterwards.
In the final 90 seconds of the match, youngster Taylor Pocock, who has enjoyed a terrific season at the top level for Peaks, made sure of the result.
Chris Metcalfe made a fast run into the attacking circle and was stopped by fill-in Redbacks goalie Troy Osborne but the ball spilled out the back to Pocock all alone, and he drilled home the 2-0 victory.
Metcalfe and David Pyle were both terrific in the win, while Cremasco finished with a clean sheet in a strong performance and Matt Stevens was also solid in the back half.
Experienced defender Matt Heberle led the way for Redbacks and he was well supported by Ashley Eikelboom in midfield and Travis Douglas. Peaks now progress to face Mt Barker in next Saturday’s grand final.
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