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A lot of changes happens to a woman’s body throughout pregnancy, and you may be oblivious to these especially if you are a first-time mom. Some of these changes may be normal for pregnant women, while some may indicate a red flag—and when you don’t know how to identify which one’s safe and which one isn’t, this can put your baby’s safety at risk.
With this, it’s always a good idea to discuss with your doctor symptoms that require immediate medical attention and to set together a protocol for emergency cases. Below are some instances that warrant prompt professional help anytime in your pregnancy:
Sudden Swelling in Your Hands, Face, or Feet
This could be a sign of a serious condition known as preeclampsia. Your health-care provider should be able to monitor you for symptoms of this disorder at each prenatal visit, yet the severe swelling can happen suddenly. If you begin to notice this sign, along with severe headache, vision changes, or rapid heartbeat, seek medical care immediately.
When not treated promptly, preeclampsia can progress to eclampsia, which is a more detrimental condition in pregnancy that may lead to seizures and further complications for you and your baby.
Fewer Kicks or Movements from the Baby
Usually, you will start to feel your baby’s movements when you’re about sixteen to twenty-two weeks along in your pregnancy. These movements can start as subtle kicks, progressing into stronger ones as the weeks go by.
Once you start to feel these kicks regularly, your health-care provider will advise that you start keeping track of your baby’s movements through daily fetal kick counts so you’ll know when his or her movements slow down. When they do slow down, this can signal a problem. Contact your doctor right away if your baby seems less active than usual. This can be a sign of fetal distress and can also mean that your baby may be receiving less oxygen.
Vaginal Bleeding or Spotting
It may be unsettling to see blood in your underwear while you’re pregnant, but this is not always a sign that something’s wrong. Some women may experience spotting, usually seen as brown or pink blood, but usually go on to have perfectly normal pregnancies. Still, if some spotting concerns you, don’t hesitate to give your doctor a call.
However, heavy bleeding, with bright red blood, may mean another thing. If it happens during your third trimester, this can mean that you’ve lost your mucus plug, which indicates the onset of labor. In such cases, go to the hospital right away.
Chills or Fever
A fever that’s higher that 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit can be dangerous if you are pregnant. Call your doctor right away if you have a fever to get treated as soon as possible. Especially during the first trimester, having a fever in your pregnancy can increase your baby’s risk of complications, such as heart defects, a cleft palate, or neural tube defects.
Fever and chills that are accompanied by painful or burning urination can also indicate an infection, which also warrants for prompt treatment. In the meantime, you may take acetaminophen to relieve the fever, but only if your doctor gives you the go signal.
Other Worsening Health Problems Such as Asthma
It is important to keep your asthma under control, especially if you are pregnant, to decrease your risk for low birth weight, premature labor, and stillbirth. Although asthma may or may not get worse for pregnant women, your doctor may most likely pay more attention to your condition if your asthma worsened during a previous pregnancy.
In case you get an asthma attack that doesn’t subside even after following your asthma action plan, seek emergency care right away. There, you will be monitored using a Nonin pulse oximeter and given proper treatment to avoid any complications in your pregnancy as much as possible.
A Few More Reminders
When it comes to your baby’s health, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Don’t hesitate to seek professional advice if something feels unsettling at any time in your pregnancy. Doing so will not only give you a sense of relief but may even spare your baby from a possible health risk.


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Defined by many as the finest
preserved of the Gold Rush Towns, Nevada City is set among tall pines and
Victorian houses (see pictures below). There
are many quaint shops & fine restaurants. Nevada City has been
nicknamed the "Carmel of the Sierra Foothills". Real Estate
is varied - from in-town Victorians to homes on pine studded acreage with
snowcapped sierra mountain views.

domain: geography


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Owner reported diseases of working equids in central Ethiopia
Stringer, Andrew P.
Christley, Rob M.
Pinchbeck, Gina L.
MetadataShow full item record
Stringer, A.P., Christley, R.M., Bell, C.E., Gebreab, F., Tefera, G., Reed, K., Trawford, A. and Pinchbeck, G.L. (2017) 'Owner reported diseases of working equids in central Ethiopia', Equine Veterinary Journal, 49(4), pp. 501-506.
Reasons for performing study Working horses, donkeys and mules suffer from numerous diseases and clinical problems. However, there is little information on what owners perceive as important health concerns in their working animals. Objectives To identify and prioritise with owners the diseases and other health concerns in working equids in central Ethiopia using participatory methodologies. Study design Participatory situation analysis (PSA). Methods The study was conducted with carthorse- and donkey-owners in 16 sites in central Ethiopia. Multiple participatory methodologies were utilised, including ranking, matrices and focus group discussions. Owners’ perceptions on frequency, importance, morbidity and mortality of volunteered diseases and the clinical signs that owners attributed to each disease were obtained; information regarding the impact of these diseases and health concerns was also sought. Results A total of 40 separate disease and health problems were volunteered by carthorse- and donkey-owners. Horse-owners volunteered a musculoskeletal syndrome (with the local name ‘bird’, clinical signs suggest possible disease pathologies including equine exertional rhabdomyolysis), colic and epizootic lymphangitis most frequently, whereas donkey-owners volunteered sarcoids, nasal discharge and wounds to occur most frequently. One problem (coughing) was volunteered frequently by both horse- and donkey-owners. Owners demonstrated knowledge of differing manifestations and severity of these problems, which resulted in differing impacts on the working ability of the animal. Conclusions Although many of the diseases and clinical signs had been previously reported, this study also identified some previously unreported priorities such as rabies in donkeys, an unidentified musculoskeletal syndrome in horses and respiratory signs in both horses and donkeys. The information gathered during this participatory study with owners may be used to inform future veterinary and educational programme interventions, as well as identify future research priorities.

domain: literature


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Immigration has been an incredibly contentious issue over the last year, as one of Trump’s main platforms was his promise to build a wall separating America from Mexico.
According to the president, Mexican immigration, especially of the illegal variety, is amping up crime rates and taking jobs away from Americans who deserve them. Whether you buy into his nativism or not, he and his administration, as well as the public at large, seem unaware of one very critical fact about Mexican immigration.
According the the Pew Research Center, after peaking in 2007, the number of immigrants living in America has been declining, both as a result of fewer arrivals and more departures. In fact, according to a study conducted by the 2014 Mexican National Survey of Demographic Dynamics (ENADID), more than one million Mexicans and their families have actually left America and returned back to their homes since 2009.
Now, the population of illegal Mexican immigrants in America has actually dropped below the net zero level, meaning there are more illegals leaving the United States than entering.
(N.B.: Of course, there is always an element of uncertainty with these projections, as it nearly impossible to tabulate with accuracy just how many people are illegally entering and leaving the country, but the statistic includes legal and unauthorized migrants, workers of all skill levels, employed or unemployed and dependents.)
In other words, Mexicans are returning to their home country, and it’s mostly because America is becoming an increasingly complicated country to live in.
That difficulty arises in part as a result of the Great Recession, which began in 2007. Now universally acknowledged as the largest economic setback since the Great Depression, the fiscal contractions caused the United States to lose more than 7.5 million jobs, as well as double the unemployment rate. The crash of the housing market also created a loss of trillions of dollars in personal wealth.
“The Great Recession,” a brilliant book tackling the aftermath of the issue, reminds the reader that although the crisis had ended, its effects are still widely felt. One such issue stems from the country’s soft recovery from the collapse. During the Great Depression, World War II pulled the country out from its financial doldrums, providing a clean delineation between Depression and post-Depression. With the turmoil of 2007, no clear recovery occurred. As a result, a lingering fear persists in the minds of many Americans that the economy remains unstable, subject to collapse at any moment.
The Mexican financial outlook, on the other hand, appears to be improving. According to Focus Economics, there has been an estimated 2.2 percent annual increase in GDP, facilitating a 2.3 percent economic expansion in 2016. In short, working in Mexico has its appeal.
Though the two countries are certainly experiencing a diplomatic strain at the moment, the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico has always been complicated. According toMae Ngai’s “Impossible Subjects,” immigration issues between the two governments first arose when the United States established the Border Patrol in 1924. Despite exemption from a quota restriction, the U.S. instituted an increase of visa requirements for Mexicans, making the United States less accessible for immigration.
Then, during the Great Depression, that lack of accessibility intensified. It was then that the first campaigns against Mexican immigration began, which Ngai asserts represented “the beginning of the formal construction of racial discrimination against Mexicans.”
At the time, 40,000 people of Mexican descent were deported, even though half were estimated to be U.S. citizens.
Not long after, Mexico’s immigration quota was restricted to 20,000 by the Hart-Cellar Act, despite the annual influx being around 50,000 up until 1950.
With more Mexicans wishing to enter the U.S. than the quota restriction allowed, the additional visa requirements and the emerging Mexican race problems witnessed in the Southwest, legal immigration neared impossible. Ever since then, the United States’ methods for preventing immigration have been largely tied to the influx of illegal immigrants.
In “Immigration in the United States,” a report conducted by the Migration Policy Institute, the group outlines the Border Patrol’s advancements in security since its establishment in 1924. The number of agents has doubled since 2005, standing now at 21,000. In addition, the 2006 Secure Fence Act called for 651 miles of border fencing, the implementation of more surveillance technology and the placement of drones and nukes.
Okay, just kidding about the nukes, but President Trump has revealed to the American public that militarization might be an option if Mexico doesn’t agree to fund the wall. In an interview with MSNBC’s Bob Woodward, he said that “Mexico has a choice of learning things the easy way or the hard way.” President Trump then went on to reference World War II, in which “we nuked Japan, and they surrendered very shortly after.” This is the answer for “disobedience” in the eyes of President Trump.
With such a turbulent relationship between Mexico and the U.S., and a seemingly uninformed president, it is easy to see why the population of illegal immigrants in America has been dropping.
The ENADID survey mentioned earlier showed that 61 percent of repatriating immigrants specified family reunification as their main reason for returning. Only 14 percent had chosen deportation as their reason for leaving, which means that 86 percent of the one million Mexicans that immigrated back to Mexico since 2009 did so willingly.
If the majority of illegal Mexican immigrants no longer wish to remain in the United States, the question must be asked: Why is President Trump going to spend billions of dollars on a wall that will only keep immigrants, both legal and illegal, in?
As Isaac Asimov once said, “Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won’t come in.”

domain: sociology


text:
West or southwest France (probably Aquitaine) : mid-11th century.
Archive/Manuscript — 1 leaf, 41 x 29 cm, in print box
Contains text of II Samuel 24: 9-25 (end) and beginning of I Kings 1:1-3. Incipit: "Dedit ergo Ioab numerum descriptionis populi regi..." Explicit: "...et calefaciat dominum nostrum regem. Quaesierunt igitur" There are some textual variations, for example "mortui sunt ex populo a Dan usque ad Bersabee sexaginta [instead of the canonical septuaginta] millia virorum" in II Samuel 24:15.
The text begins with calligraphic letters "KL", some textual additions in several different hands, as well as 19th century notes on the text in red ink. Among the feast days for January two obits have been inserted by a contemporary hand. The first states, following the obit symbol, that Nicholas the parish priest ("plebanus") left a legacy of ten solidi under a pledge/pawn. The second indicates that another Nicholas, the treasurer ("sacellarius") and his legal wife made a bequest to the parish priest under pledge/pawn. [from dealer description]
The pages contain the end of the entries P and the opening of the entries Q. Comparison with the 1971 reprint of the Mainz 1460-edition shows that there are a large number of textual disagreements between this manuscript and the printed edition; but other manuscripts also vary considerably from it... [from dealer description]
The words discussed are underlined in red. Among the ones on the recto are propinquus and a number of terms derived from prope, in column 2 we have among others prosaice and various words derived from protos and from pseudo. The verso begins with Psallo and the P entries conclude with ptisanarium. The Q entries begin with Quatuor, and the last entry: quadriiugis. [dealer description]
From a university text book. The manuscript frequently cites Aristotle and "sensus et sensibilis" (the little treatise of Aristotle is sometimes called "De sensu et Sensibili). Besides sensation the fragment mentions motion, form, intellect, and odour. [dealer description]
Portions of chapters 99-100, 107-108, 112-113, 117 and 119. These leaves discuss Saints James the Greater, Christopher, Germanus, Eusebius, Stephen, Dominic, and Lawrence, and the Assumption of the Virgin.

domain: library


The Mayor of Cork, Councillor Gillian Coughlan has issued an appeal to people to keep County Cork clean this summer.
Cork County Council has launched an anti-litter campaign to encourage people to dispose of their rubbish responsibly.
It is the second year of the campaign which sees signs featuring unique 'Corkisms' erected at outdoor amenities including beaches, coastlines, parks, playgrounds and shared recreational areas.
As part of a pilot initiative, four new smart bins have been installed along Cobh Promenade.
These can hold eight times more rubbish than traditional street bins and are equipped with sensors to let the Council know when they are full.
Cork County Council's Beach Lifeguard service will return on weekends in June and full-time during July and August.


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On Wednesday, I was part of a bus tour along with 33 other passengers and passengerettes for what was, in all probability, my last visit to Gimli. Many of you who know me understand the strong emotional tie I have to the little cottage community nestled along the shore of Lake Winnipeg. I was looking forward to going, but I was not looking forward to the return trip.
I arrived early at our pickup point at the Holiday Inn, formerly the Red River Hotel, formerly the Holiday Inn and waited for the bus. While waiting, I was talking with a couple from Mississauga who decided to go on this day trip to Gimli in the midst of their first-ever visit to this part of the world. I was telling them about Gimli and some of the sights they might like to check out and they sounded like lifelong Winnipeggers as they grilled me on how much it cost to get into each of the attractions. I could just hear the flock of birds circling overhead squawking, “cheap, cheap, cheap.”
After the bus came, a couple of health care professionals pulled up nearby.
Following the second pickup, we were on our way north and Al, our driver, took PTH 8 north, the faster of the two major routes. As I learned, Al was short for “All Business.” Most drivers on these trips are very personable and outgoing. Not so with Al. He was, however an outstanding driver. Unlike so many others I’ve had, he kept his eyes on the road and was alert at all times. I would only hope to get him again.
Interlake – Inland Oceans, Infinite Possibilities. This sign appears on all major highways heading into the Interlake region.
The “exits” to Gimli. Seeing this and similar signs elsewhere in the SPRM always make me laugh. I-94 has exits. Pokey two-lane Manitoba highways have turnoffs.
An hour after our departure, we were in Gimli. After a bathroom break at the Lakeview, I set out on my four-hour journey.
A visit to Gimli is not complete without a visit to the Viking Statue, which is due for a refit.
The Icelandic Air Force was patrolling the shoreline.
My first destination was Moonlight Bay, located in South Beach. Given that I was there on a weekday, I had hoped to find it unoccupied, as I often have on past trips, but alas, there was a collection of rowdy teenagers there whooping it up. The fact that dogs are expressly prohibited on the beach didn’t prevent them from bringing theirs. Even though I was far away from Winnipeg, it was yet another reminder that I was still in the SPRM, where the rule of law and common decency are so often flagrantly disregarded.
Moving on, I went west towards PTH 9/Seventh Avenue.
Savage’s Sugar Shack.
South Colonization Road. Not to be confused with North Colonization Road. Or Colonization Road.
The familiar lighthouse near Shelley D’s at the intersection of PTH 9 and South Colonization Road that greets visitors on their way in.
The flags were already up in preparation for the upcoming Islendingadagurinn, the annual Icelandic Festival that I attended last year for the first time.
Welcome to Gimli.
Sounds like a good idea.
Gimli Park Road, which is at the opposite end of town from Gimli Park.
Near the corner of Sixth Avenue and Roddy-S Drive was a Manulife agent offering some terrific rates on a savings account and a GIC. I don’t think any financial institution can beat 245% on a five-year GIC. I’m surprised this agent wasn’t beating off prospective investors with a stick.
“Surley” common sense should include consulting a dictionary.
The old bus stop. The Grey Goose sign is still there, despite the fact that bus service to Gimli has long since been discontinued.
Moving north, I stopped at Gimli High School for a while. As many of you who know me are well aware, this is one of the schools that the late Carli Ward once attended and one of the places she visited during the last months of her life when she was a resident of Grace Hospice.
Before leaving later in the day, I also made sure to go past the office of MLA Peter Bjornson, who was one of Carli’s teachers.
Continuing on, I made my way to Gimli Junction.
I spotted this blue straw in nearby Gimli Park, which is similar to the ones given by P.E.T.R.O.-Canada for their slurpees. Message sent. Message received. You may understand. You may not.
In two weeks time, this tranquil park will become a midway for Islendingadagurinn.
A river of sludge along North Fifth Avenue, not far from the intersection of Fifth Avenue. No, this is not the Love Canal.
Returning south, I decided to take a stroll along the beach. This stroll would prove to be, well, interesting.
For starters, I spotted this guy busily tapping away on his iPad. Why bother coming to the beach if you’re just going to spend the time with your electronic toys?
Care for some “Kool-aide”? How about a “Revele”? Or perhaps some “lemanade”? Top it all off with an ice cream “sandwhich”? Remedial spelling is in order for someone.
As I headed for the boardwalk, I couldn’t help but think of the often grotesque images at PeopleOfWalmart.com as I spotted two examples of beachgoers who should seriously reconsider their decision to put so much of themselves on display.
Cleavage. From the back. Oy.
Is he about to give birth? Twins, maybe?
Mercifully, I made it back to the main dock before taking a tour of the harbor area.
An artistette paints a mural.
Boats in the harbor.
Direct from Artesia.
Since I had a little time to spare, I took a walk down Centre Street for one last time.
Seeds of your future garage sale.
Check out these antique “cateloges.”
With my time in Gimli coming to a rapid conclusion, it was time to re-board the bus. The four hours I had spent on the ground seemed like five minutes. Before leaving, our driver asked for a show of hands if anyone wanted to stop and buy some smoked fish. Three of the 34 passengers raised their hands. He then asked how many people wanted to stop at the Half Moon in Lockport for ice cream. Five people raised their hands.
“Majority rules,” he said. Two vocal people then complained, so he gave in to this NDP-style majority and decided that we’re stopping anyways. Fortunately, we escaped a frivolous stop at the fish place because they had no fresh fish left, but he would take us to the Half Moon against the express wishes of the overwhelming majority of the passengers.
Before leaving Gimli, we were treated to a skateboarding display from some teenager on Centre Street. Of all the streets in town to hone his skills on, this is easily the busiest and the one where he is most likely to get hit. Like so many law- and logic-defying joggers in Winnipeg, however, if he was in a less-travelled location, he wouldn’t be noticed. That’s why he’s out there.
At the Half Moon, I disembarked just to use the washroom and take this picture. The day’s adventure came to an end with our return to Winnipeg shortly thereafter. Gimli is a place I will miss, but I have plenty of fond memories from my many visits over the years to fall back on.


With the release of their new Pilot Sport 4 S tires, Michelin is yet again at the forefront of performance and innovation with a product that allows others to push and innovate as well.
And sometimes that means trying some crazy shit. Like breaking 300 miles an hour in a road car. As branded social content for the tire's launch, we followed a team trying to do that very thing to explore the passion, drive, and ingenuity it takes to even attempt such an ambitious feat.
If you’re under a certain age, you’d have to ask your mom to tell you what Noxzema is. We were tasked with changing that by launching the brand on social.
There, we acknowledged that the modern woman, much like our product, is never just one thing. They defy labels and stereotypes. They’re different things to different people at different times in their lives. For Noxzema, to be labeled is to be limited so we encouraged our audience to live beyond labels.
Every year, the BFGoodrich Tires Outstanding Trails program awards money to local Jeeping clubs who work to preserve four-wheeling trails. They wanted us to drive submissions for the program through social.
Rather than just promote the program, we took the opportunity to pay tribute to off-roaders through a video series. We wanted to highlight a culture and community that’s often overlooked in the realm of social and explore what makes this lifestyle so special to the people who live it.
Hollister introduced their new all-climate jeans that kept you warm in the cold and dry in the heat.
To spread the word on social, we worked with influencers from all over the country and paired them off to show the jeans' versatility. The campaign culminated in a video linking all the influencers together, the common thread being, of course, the jeans.


At this time, it does not appear to be suspicious in nature. Investigators are still on scene gathering evidence to further the investigation.
- City launches training of digital registration system for Emergency Support Services… June 13, 2019
- Property Crime offenders caught… June 13, 2019
- Have you seen Tori SCHRAM?.. June 13, 2019


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Happy Diwali Season!
Sarina Shah Grady posted a great article on MacaroniKid.com that explains this momentous holiday for those of you that are unfamiliar. Here is an excerpt:
For millions of Indians around the world, the transition into the fall season brings the excitement of preparing for Diwali, the most significant holiday in Indian culture.
Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali celebrates the Indian new year and falls in either October or November, depending on the Hindu Lunar Calendar. It traditionally spans over 5 days, but many families will gather on day three as that is when the major festivities take place.
In 2021 the main date of celebrations take place Thursday, Nov. 4.
The name Diwali originates from the Sanskrit word dipavali, meaning row of lights. On Nov. 4, those celebrating will light candles and clay lamps called diyas, placing them all around their homes and in the streets to light up the dark night.
Lighting these candles and diyas is a way to honor new beginnings, light over darkness, and good over evil. This is especially relevant this year as families pray for the eradication of COVID-19 in the new year.
Every region in India has its own customs and traditions to observe Diwali, but some common traditions include gathering with family and friends, sharing an abundance of food and sweets in an extravagant feast, lighting fireworks, and buying new clothes and gifts for loved ones.
Serving others is also an important part of the holiday, and families often make charitable contributions or help those in need.
Homes are also cleaned and decorated, not only with candles and diyas, but also with rangolis, beautiful designs made of colored rice and flowers on the floor of the home.
While one might normally see large gatherings and street festivals all over India, Diwali celebrations might look a little different this year due to the pandemic. However, with a little creativity, the celebrations can still take place! For example, some temples are offering online prayer sessions, friends and family will meet virtually and those able to meet in small gatherings will certainly not miss out on doing so to observe this joyous holiday.
Wishing all lots of prosperity and happiness this Diwali season, the Indian Festival of Lights!


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SCSDB president touts importance of education at convention
Published: Sunday, August 9, 1998 at 3:15 a.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, August 9, 1998 at 12:00 a.m.
More than 300 people are in Spartanburg this weekend for the 42nd annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina.
Among Saturday's speakers was Dr. Sheila Breitweiser, president of the S.C. School for the Deaf and Blind. She spoke about the challenges facing children today and how partnerships will help them succeed. Partnerships, she said, are needed among public officials, colleges and universities, advocacy groups and educators, among others. Breitweiser, whose talk came after a report by Peggy Elliott, a blind attorney from Iowa, also discussed South Carolina's need to increase its SAT scores. Breitweiser joked with Elliott about Iowa's top scores and South Carolina's near-bottom performance. "You're entrusting us (educators) with your most precious gift, the children," she said. "If we don't teach them, then it is our fault." Breitweiser was optimistic about South Carolina becoming a stronger power in education and discussed the state's need to hurry. "In order to get new families and international businesses to come to our community, we need world-class schools," she said. Breitweiser also spoke with pride about Sonya Bell, the Chester County native who gained national attention for her athletic abilities. Breitweiser wants more blind students to be acknowledged. "The kids in the schools today are the South Carolina leaders of the future," she said. "We want the students at SCSDB to be at that table." The group's keynote luncheon speaker was U.S. Rep. Lindsey Graham, R-3rd District. On Saturday evening, the group gave out its annual awards. Breitweiser received the Distinguished Service Award for outstanding service to the blind. The Educator of the Year Award went to Greenville County teacher Phyllis Prince. The group also gave out $6,500 in college scholarships to 11 people, including Jessica McKinney of Spartanburg and Greenville County teacher Carol Randolph. McKinney, who will be a freshman at Furman University this fall, received $500. Randolph received a $1,000 scholarship. The convention ends today.
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Stroll down Range Avenue and be transported to a simpler time. Denham Springs' Antique District is located directly in downtown Denham and features over 50 shops full of antiques, collectibles, art, books, and crafts. This unique district also prides itself on being the most affordable antique shopping in the Southern U.S. The Antique Village also hosts two festivals per year. During this time, the streets fill up with over 150 vendors selling rare antiques, handmade crafts, and much more. You can also enjoy food from the very best restaurants in the area. This makes the Antique Village the perfect destination for everyone.
Catch Some Beads at t
Get a little wild this Mardi Gras at Denham Springs' annual Mardi Gras Parade. Hosted by the Krewe of Denham Springs, the parade features unique floats, local marching bands, many Mardi Gras traditions One thing is for sure, however: beads will be thrown. The parade takes place the Saturday before Mardi Gras each year, beginning at the Denham Springs High School, making its way through the Antique Village to the center of town. So make sure to find a place along the route early if you want to get in on the fun.
Get a Taste of Louisi
If shopping in Denham Springs' beautiful downtown district has caused you to work up an appetite, then simply hop over to the Taste of Louisiana Cafe. The name of this local family-owned restaurant says it all. They offer the very best in traditional Louisiana cuisine, albeit with their own unique twists. This little local restaurant has become so popular among residents of Denham Springs that it has appeared on nearly every local TV station. So check out the hype and get a taste of the local cuisine at Taste of Louisiana Cafe, offering traditional southern fare with a unique flair.

domain: travel


QuickClear is a compact, single-use system designed to provide an all-in-one aspiration pump and catheter for removing blood clots from the vessels of the peripheral arterial and venous systems. It is now available for sale in the U.S., having garnered FDA 510(k) clearance.
Amsterdam-based Philips’ device can be placed on the table next to the patient for convenience because of its small size. By touching a button, the system is up and running at maximum aspiration power within seconds. Its range of catheters includes a large 10F aspiration catheter and Philips said in a news release that the system offers physicians more control and faster procedure times.
“This novel thrombectomy system is the latest addition to Philips’ market-leading portfolio for the diagnosis and treatment of peripheral vascular diseases,” Philips senior VP & GM of image-guided therapy devices Chris Landon said in the release. “Its intuitive design simplifies the entire thrombectomy procedure workflow.
“By taking away the high initial capital expenditure costs associated with traditional mechanical thrombectomy systems, QuickClear can help bring cost-effective solutions to both the hospital and outpatient care settings.”


BBC news presenters, reporters and production staff often express surprise at criticism of the BBC’s attempts at political impartiality and they appear to not know what the problem is and how to improve.
As a fan of the BBC, I offer a few simple tips that I think might help the news staff to operate within the guidelines that govern BBC news.
Every current affairs think-tank has a political stance that informs its output. This can be left-wing, in the centre or right-wing. It is very easy to determine the political position of a think-tank via a quick perusal of its literature and/or the previous contributions to the media by its members.
For any think-tank, once its position on the political spectrum is known then it is imperative that this information is imparted to the viewers and/or listeners by the presenter, newsreader or interviewer prior to a quote from or a contribution by one of the think-tank’s members. At the end of an extended contribution by a think-tank representative its political position should be re-stated clearly. This simple imparting of information will avoid the scenario where viewers or listeners could believe they may have been misled into thinking that the think-tank provided an independent opinion or expert analysis.
Some right-wing think-tanks are very keen to keep the identity of their major financial donors secret. The BBC should never use secretive think-tanks.
2) Independent news sites
There are many online independent news sites. For the BBC, they can be useful as an initial source of a story. Clearly, any information provided by such a news site should be checked thoroughly for accuracy before the BBC passes it on to its viewers or listeners. If a news site has a clear political bias then that bias should be mentioned as part of the BBC’s discussion or reporting of any story from the news site.
3) “Balanced” debate
Sometimes – not always – it is necessary to have different views expressed in a debate on a particular issue. This breadth of viewpoints is not the same as ensuring that there is always a voice that is diametrically opposed to the view of another guest. Some issues encourage a variety of perspectives than can be engaged together to provide informed debate; however, other issues have only opposing voices that are nonsense. The news staff at the BBC should possess sufficient intelligence to know the difference between an issue that benefits from debate and one where the only opposite voices are idiotic and insulting.
4) Overton Window and accusations of political bias
The BBC should make its own decisions regarding the left and right extents of the Overton Window and where it thinks the centre resides. It should not be persuaded by self-ascribed political positions of others that are intentionally deceptive.
The BBC knows which accusations of political bias against them have some validity and which are deliberately false. It must avoid equating valid criticism with organised pile-ons from paid critics.
5) Government press releases and interviews
The government will try continuously to direct the news output. It tries to direct the content of news and to decide which news stories should dominate.
There must be rigorous scrutiny of any government press release before its content is passed onto the public by the BBC. Every claim should be checked beyond doubt and, if doubt persists, it should not be broadcast. The investigation of the veracity of claims made by the government should not outsourced to a third-party with a political agenda.
Prior to an interview with a representative of or a spokesperson for the government, the interviewer and the production staff should check the facts and acquire accurate statistics related to the topic that will be discussed. The interviewer knows what the topic is because she or he will be asking the questions. Armed with sufficient information the interviewer will be able to respond immediately with a full rebuttal whenever a government spokesperson lies or invents statistics.
The BBC should not allow the government to direct airtime. A statement, press release or speech by a representative of the government has no more right to be the lead news item than any other news. Its merit as an important piece of news should be assessed carefully and the BBC should always be vigilant about government attempts to obscure inconvenient news by deliberately promoting vacuous news to overwhelm it. Equally, if the government attempts to hide negative news (for itself) via issue of press releases outside prime time then the BBC should ensure the news receives full exposure during the next available prime time slot.
The following British think-tanks provide no information about their financial donors and, thus, they should be avoided by the BBC. (Details by Transparify)
- Policy Exchange
- Institute of Economic Affairs
- Centre for Policy Studies
- Adam Smith Institute
- International Institute for Strategic Studies
Far-right news sites Breitbart and Guido Fawkes are notoriously unreliable regarding the accuracy of any information they provide, they indulge in practices that are of interest to criminal investigation and the comment sections/messageboards of the sites are packed full of extreme bigotry, prejudice and racism. It would be inappropriate for the BBC to use these sites as sources and no-one from either site should ever be invited to express an opinion on the BBC.
A few hypothetical examples of what would NOT be “balanced” debate are
- Inviting a highly paid executive in the fossil fuel industry to a debate about climate change
- Inviting a member of the flat earth society to a discussion about the space station orbiting the earth
- Inviting an evangelical who believes the earth is 6000 years old to a discussion about dinosaurs
- Inviting Douglas Murray to a discussion on race relations or colonialism
- Inviting a user of aggressive tax avoidance to a debate about funding of public services
- Inviting a representative of the arms industry, or a recipient of financial donations from said industry, to a discussion about whether military action should be taken by the British government
All the examples above fail the criteria for a balanced debate because the hypothetical invitee is incapable of a useful contribution to each respective debate and has only distraction, lies and purposeful idiocy to offer. Another example of what would not be a balanced debate is using a reading of an old speech by a dim-witted racist rabble-rouser as the preamble to a discussion about whether racism is acceptable.
The Science Media Centre, a biased lobby group with a history of unreliable information, should not be used by the BBC to check claims in government press releases and it should not be used as a source for the acquisition or veracity of information on any topic.


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An ecumenical delegation of Sudanese religious leaders met with U.N. officials and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday to express concern over what might happen if the critical upcoming referendum in South Sudan is not carried out as planned.
"We told him we came to raise an alarm to the United Nations," said Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul of the Episcopal Church of Sudan during a press conference held at the Church Center for the United Nations.
"Our fear is going to come if the Comprehensive Peace Agreement is not implemented accordingly, and that is going to be disaster in the country," he added, according to the Episcopal News Service. "And the people that are going to die are going to be innocent."
In less than three months, South Sudan is expected to vote for independence from the North as part of the 2005 agreement signed five years ago to end the more than two decades of civil war.
Under the terms of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), a government of national unity was to be formed for a transitional period of six years, during which the South would be autonomous. At the end of the six-year period, a referendum would be held on Jan. 9, 2011, on the issue of a unified Sudan or secession of the South.
Though there is not much time left, observers say preparations for the referendum are well behind schedule. The north-south border hasn't been demarcated and there is little agreement on who is eligible to vote, reported aid group Oxfam. South Sudan, in response, has been contending that northern Sudanese officials are intentionally delaying preparations for the vote.
"The North doesn't want the South to secede," explained Roman Catholic Auxiliary Bishop Daniel Adwok Marko Kur of Khartoum, who took part in Monday's press conference.
And the North, he added, also doesn't want to stop its oppression of the South.
Since its independence in 1956, Sudan has been wracked by civil conflicts and ongoing political and military violence, which only came to an end with the signing of the CPA in 2005. In the 21 years prior to the signing, Sudan witnessed the worst of the violence with some 1.5 million Sudanese killed and more than four million displaced.
Fearing that a return to war is increasingly likely, the ecumenical delegation traveled to the United States to signal to the United Nations, those who signed the CPA, and the countries that supported the CPA that many things have been left undone.
"There are some fears that the referendum will not take place because the North is not happy," said the Rev. Ramadan Chan, general secretary of the Sudan Council of Churches.
Notably, however, South Sudan's president has told members of the U.N. Security Council that if the Khartoum-based North tries to delay the independence referendum, the South will hold the vote on its own.
The proclamation came amid U.N. reports of renewed fighting between the Sudanese army and rebels in the troubled western Darfur region.
"The southerners, you know, are ready to go forward with the referendum because they feel it is a democratic chance and a constitutional chance for them to exercise their rights in determining their political destiny," Chan reported.
"[S]o any delay is not in favor of anybody, especially the South," he added.
According to Deng, U.N. officials and Ban assured the delegation during their meeting that they would have representatives in every county of South Sudan to monitor the referendum and that they are mobilizing U.N. protective forces.
South Sudan has also drawn the support of The Episcopal Church in the United States and the World Evangelical Alliance, among other large organizations.
Presently, the Episcopal Church of Sudan and the Roman Catholic Church in Sudan represent two of the largest non-government organizations in southern Sudan.
Sudan, located just south of Egypt, is divided between the predominately Muslim North and the mostly Christian and animist South, which has fought for decades to become independent.
In 1983, when the violence in Sudan escalated, the Khartoum-based government reportedly sought to impose Islamic law on the South, forcing Christians in the South to take up arms to protect their freedom to worship and to ensure they protect their identity as African Christians.
Adwok, in his remarks Monday, stressed that the South's freedom to vote for self-determination is a human rights issue.
"At this juncture, in the third millennium, I don't think anybody can really be expected to remain in slavery when people all over the world are fighting for independence, self expression and democracy," he said.
Many analysts expect the South to vote to secede in the upcoming referendum, which is the final provision of Sudan's Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
In addition to the referendum, the CPA also calls for equal oil revenue sharing between north and south (oil revenues account for 95 percent of Sudanese export revenues and 65 percent of government revenues, according to the International Monetary Fund); fair demarcation of north-south boundaries; and resolution of citizenship issues.
The CPA was signed between the two warring parties - the Sudan People's Liberation Movement in the South and the Khartoum-based Government of Sudan in the North.

domain: news


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Future Drops ‘Where Ya At’ Featuring Drake, Talks Love for Codeine in ‘Like I Never Left’ Documentary Pt. 4 [VIDEO]
The mythical beast that is Future continues to flood the internet with more content. The rapper delivers the fourth clip of his five-part documentary, Like I Never Left, hours before the release of his third album, DS2.
So far, within the first three parts of the series, we've learned a lot about the normally quiet Future. For one, him and Ciara couldn't get on the same page musically or romantically. Two, he always knew in the back of his mind that "F--- Up Some Commas," was a bona fide smash. Lastly, the reason Future has been flooding the streets with such fire records is because he felt obligated to reassure his fans that he never lost his mojo.
This time around, we learn of Future's love for codeine. While some drink the liquid concoction for leisurely purposes, Hendrix uses it to sharpen his superpowers in the studio. "I'm just in a zone right now, so I just need to record 'cause everything that I feel, I feel like I'm connecting spiritually with everything that's going on so anytime I'm able to connect with it, I'm able to absorb it, I'm able to speak it," said Future.
"Music is feeling, and I got the feeling right now, everything is just happening for me in the best way possible, so I want to take advantage of this moment, and just record as much as possible, because everything that I'm doing, is just coming out and touching people's souls and just possessing."
Future also speaks on his big break with "Racks" and how his prowess as a songwriter is something he can't even grasp.
In addition to the documentary, the hypnotic song "Where Ya At" arrives featuring his touring buddy Drake. While Future ponders on the loyalty of his friends by repetitively asking, "Where ya ass was at," Drake delivers a volley of shots to his adversaries. "Where ya was at when we recorded in the bathroom / Where ya ass was at, I take attendance like a classroom," raps Drake.
The final part of his documentary airs tomorrow, and in less than 24 hours, DS2 will be available. Prepare yourself for the lyrical ride, #FutureHive.
Listen to Future's "Where Ya At" Feat. Drake
See 100 Hip-Hop Facts That Will Blow Your Mind

domain: artistic


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The disciple works from above downward. He extends his awareness into the world of mind, the emotions and form. Very often there will be a period of apparent chaos manifesting in the world of form as a result of his efforts, and the beginner often become discouraged. The mass of humanity is undergoing that chaos which precedes mental polarization.
NOS 58, 59, 105


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Fantastic quality wood people make for fun playtime!
Smooth, unfinished wooden people are ready to use for the perfect game night! High quality and available in many colours. Plus, check out our variety of discs, squares, cubes, rings, tiles, rosettes, eggs, ladybugs, fruits, people, and much more!
dolls2018-12-07 ByAndrea Duque I’ve ordered a few time already usually more than 20 dolls at a time. I love the dolls but in the lot that I would order there’s usually 2-4 pcs that are damaged ( dent, uneven, etc)
I will continue to order for my small business but just wanted you guys to know that.
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D-Ring Wire Hangers (Use #6 Screws) Per 100 Wire Hangers


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Barbie Fairytale Ballerina Doll Assortment
Dance into a world of imagination with these brilliantly colored ballerina dolls! Whether gracing the stage, charming a prince or pirouetting into adventure, these three dolls (sold separately) are ready for girls to start the show. Choose from Barbie doll, charming in pretty pink; Teresa doll, stopping the show in a gorgeous purple; and Summer doll, looking beautiful in blue. Each wears an attached bodice with delicate detail and a removable tutu in a sheer fabric. Matching removable tiaras and attached toe shoes (with colorful tights) complete the prima ballerina looks. With their sweet ponytails and rounded arms, these dancers won’t miss a beat. Girls will love dancing the night away with these beautiful ballerinas! Collect all three to expand the choreography. Includes doll, removable tutu and tiara. Each sold separately, subject to availability. Dolls cannot stand or dance alone. Ages 3 and older.

domain: hobby


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Tag Archives: Wolverine
I am a huge fan of Ed McGuinness Hulk artwork. In fact, he is one of my all time favorite Hulk artists and his work looks (to my eye) best when inked by Dexter Vines. I found this today from … Continue reading
First shots of the new Hulk vs Wolverine from SideShow are popping up from the San Diego Comic Con! This looks to be awesome – can’t wait to see some bigger pics from SideShow but this will do until then. … Continue reading
Indestructible Hulk #5 Published: March 20, 2013 Writer: Mark Waid Cover Artist: Leinil Francis Yu Hulk versus Attuma!What is the secret of Lost Lemuria?Attuma’s schemes guarantee death for all air-breathers! Really looking forward to the last issue before the … Continue reading
Hulk vs. Wolverine is coming in May! Savage Wolverine issue #5 (written and drawn by Frank Cho) will reprise this classic confrontation of Marvel heavyweights. Frank’s art is very strong and I haven’t read any of his stories yet so … Continue reading


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domain: entertainment


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A dad was Tasered three times after he attacked a policeman after a row in a city centre nightclub.
Ashley Thomas, 24, from Old Trafford , was sentenced to community service with 200 hours unpaid work after admitting lashing out at a Pc.
The court heard jobless Thomas was in Sound Control on New Wakefield Street for a friend’s birthday in March when he began arguing with a female clubber.
He was kicked out by bouncers, police were called, and Thomas remained calm when they took him to their van for questioning. But when asked by Pc Daniel Carter for his phone, Thomas became aggressive, Manchester City Magistrates’ court heard.
Prosecuting, Beverley Bate told the court that Thomas swore and refused to hand over the device. She said: “He became very aggressive and began to kick out at the officer.”
PC Carter tried to defend himself but Thomas continued to kick and punch him before jumping out of the van – where three other officers tackled him to the ground outside the club. “As he was taken to the floor he remained at an aggressive level, at which point an officer felt it was necessary to try and control the defendant by using a Taser,” added Ms Bate.
The officer twice ‘dry Tasered’ Thomas – where the gun is held against the target to cause shock and pain – but it had no effect.
Thomas was then Tasered fully, at which point police were able to take control and put him into the back of the van.
Paramedics arrived and Pc Carter was taken to hospital where he was given, painkillers for minor injuries.
In his victim statement, PC Carter said he felt shocked to be assaulted in an unprovoked manner.
He added: “This showed a complete disrespect for me and the uniform I was wearing.” During his interview, Thomas insisted an officer had struck him first and he had retaliated. Defending, Harry Boodhoo said: “Unfortunately the request for his phone was done in an aggressive manner and he reacted wrongly to that “As a result of his behaviour he was thrown to the floor and Tasered twice. It’s right to say his judgement had been clouded by some drink.”
He said he regretted the way he dealt with the situation. The court heard Thomas has a five-year-old daughter and was still dealing with grief issues after his mum died when he was 14. Thomas was also ordered to pay £100 compensation and £200 costs.


I'm looking for a system that plugs in and charges while I'm listening at home, and is also portable using the battery. Is this system the one?
- Asked by Janet K from New York
- Dec 16, 2009
Bose SoundDock Portable
Product No Longer Available
1 Answer from the Community
Yes! The Bose® SoundDock® Portable allows you to charge both the dock and your iPod (depending on what model of iPod you have) while listening at home. Unplug the AC cable from the dock and it transforms into a full blown portable stereo system. Bose® has been able to keep the sound quality and power the same (highly impressive), whether your running the SoundDock® Portable® from the mains or from the in-built battery. When outside the sound quality is amazing! I've had people come over asking what brand it is because they were impressed that such sound was coming from something so small. Hope this helps.
- Answered by Dan C from Newcastle
- Dec 21, 2009


We demonstrate for the first time an optically pumped gas laser based on population inversion using a hollow core photonic crystal fiber (HC-PCF). The HC-PCF filled with 12C2H2 gas is pumped with ~5 ns pulses at 1.52 μm and lases at 3.12 μm and 3.16 μm in the mid-infrared spectral region. The maximum measured laser pulse energy of ~6 nJ was obtained at a gas pressure of 7 torr with a fiber with 20 dB/m loss near the lasing wavelengths. While the measured slope efficiencies of this prototype did not exceed a few percent due mainly to linear losses of the fiber at the laser wavelengths, 25% slope efficiency and pulse energies of a few mJ are the predicted limits of this laser. Simulations of the laser’s behavior agree qualitatively with experimental observations.
©2011 Optical Society of America
The need for portable, tunable lasers in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) is compelling. This eye-safe spectral region offers high atmospheric transmission essential to applications such as remote sensing and space-based terrestrial imaging and communications. Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) have emerged as promising mid-IR sources and have even been integrated with photonic crystal resonator structures . However, QCLs typically operate from 4 to 10 μm , become multi-mode at high powers, and have thermal management challenges . Optically pumped gas lasers, in which a narrow-band pump laser is resonant with the gas-phase medium, can be pumped in the near-infrared to produce mid-IR emissions [4–7], but remain bulky and cumbersome. In this paper we report on the demonstration of a new class of optically pumped gas laser based on population inversion. The gas is confined to a HC-PCF whose transmission spans several octaves to reach the mid-IR spectral region. The laser produces light near 3 μm when pumped at ~1.5 μm, offering a potentially robust, efficient, and compact means of producing step-tunable eye-safe mid-IR radiation well suited to a multitude of applications.
Compared to solid state laser media, gases have attractive properties including high damage thresholds, the possibility of heat dissipation through gas circulation, relatively large gain cross-sections, and emission frequencies from the near to far-infrared. A variety of optically pumped gas lasers have been demonstrated, from the earliest CH3F , CO2 , and OCS , to alkali vapor , CO [4, 5], HBr , C2H2 and HCN . Some of these mid-IR lasers can be pumped via ro-vibrational overtones at wavelengths in the telecommunication bands where commercial pump sources are well established and readily available. Early work with HBr gas cells pumped at 1.3 μm has demonstrated lasing at ~4 μm with conversion efficiencies of ~25% . More recently cascade lasing in HBr at wavelengths near 4 μm suggests that conversion efficiencies exceeding 50% are possible . The main disadvantage that has limited widespread use of gas lasers and prevented their integration into many practical optical systems is the bulky, fragile packaging necessary to achieve long optical path lengths and extract appreciable laser output due to the dilute nature of gas media.
The problem of weak interaction between light and gas has been solved with the advent of gas-filled HC-PCF, whereby light and the gas phase are confined to areas on the order of 100 μm2 over distances of tens of meters . A variety of nonlinear optical phenomena  have been demonstrated using HC-PCF including the development of a gas-filled fiber Raman laser  and a multi-octave spanning Raman frequency comb . HC-PCF  consists of a hollow, air-filled core surrounded by a periodic array of smaller holes. Two classes of HC-PCF have emerged. The first guides via a photonic bandgap  and has demonstrated narrow-band guidance near 3 μm , but not the octave-spanning guidance  required for this work. The second, represented by kagome HC-PCF , guides via a mechanism akin to Von Neumann and Wigner states  whereby core and cladding modes can coexist essentially without coupling to each other. As a result of this salient feature, kagome HC-PCF permits ultra-broad, multi-octave spanning spectral guidance , with reasonably low loss (< 1 dB/m) across a broad spectrum. These fibers can be spliced to solid-core fibers, creating compact, robust sealed gas cells that can readily be integrated into devices .
2. Experimental gas-filled fiber laser setup
2.1 Fiber specifics
The kagome fiber used here is the first to demonstrate multi-octave spanning guidance that includes the mid-IR; its cross section and guided modes are shown in Fig. 1a-c . The fiber is formed from high purity, low OH content (~ 0.1 ppm) fused silica using a stack and draw technique. Light out to ~ 3.4 μm is reasonably well guided in the fiber, even though fused silica exhibits strong absorption at wavelengths beyond ~ 3 μm, because the light that propagates is mostly confined to the hollow central core. A 3-ring cladding surrounds a single-cell defect core ~ 45 μm in diameter, with excellent guidance at the pump wavelength of 1.52 μm and weak guidance near the laser wavelengths in the mid-IR. Figure 1d shows the measured and calculated fiber loss spectrum and the calculated group velocity. Standard cut-back measurements were performed to measure the wavelength dependent loss of the fiber. A broadband optical source and an optical spectrum analyzer were used at wavelengths below 1.75 μm. The data at 3.16 μm was taken using the output of an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) coupled through the fiber and detected by a PbSe photodetector. The measured fiber loss is less than 0.5 dB/m near 1.5 μm and is 20 dB/m at 3.16 μm. More data points in the region beyond 1.75 μm can be taken but require a more stable OPO output mode and pulse energy while tuning the wavelength than was available. The calculated fiber loss is a result of the confinement loss of the fiber, which arises partially from the fact that the microstructured cladding region is finite in size, and partly from the intrinsic guidance mechanism of the fiber whereby there is a residual coupling between the cladding continuum modes and the guided core modes . This results in a light leakage from core guided modes though the microstructured cladding into the outer bulk silica. In our work the confinement loss was calculated using finite element analysis software from JCMwave which was also used to solve the fiber modes. The measured and calculated fiber losses are in good agreement, allowing fast and accurate numerical customization and optimization of fiber loss profiles in the future.
2.2 Laser configuration
The laser setup is shown in Fig. 2a . The heart of the laser is the hollow PCF waveguide, which contains the gas-phase gain medium and serves as the laser cavity by guiding only emissions that fall within the guided modes of the fiber, effectively providing spectral and spatial feedback leading to coherent laser oscillation. Both ends of the kagome fiber are supported inside vacuum chambers within 1 cm of the windows, as shown in Fig. 2b, allowing light to be coupled through the evacuated fiber. Experiments were performed with 1.65-m and 0.95-m long HC-PCFs. Filling the evacuated fiber with acetylene (12C2H2) gas to equilibrium pressures of up to tens of torr takes only minutes owing to the relatively large fiber core, and implies average flow rates of ~ 1010 molecules/s. Use of a 19-cell defect fiber with core diameters of 50-70 μm would further decrease the filling times and allow even faster flow rates. BK7 glass optics couple in pump light at ~ 1.5 μm, while CaF2 optics couple light out. The laser is pumped with an OPO producing pulses roughly 5 ns in duration with a bandwidth of about 3.5 GHz tuned to resonance with the ν 1 + ν 3 (R7) ro-vibrational transition in 12C2H2, λ = 1521.06 nm. The pump pulse energy incident on the fiber is kept below 100 μJ to avoid damage . Polished germanium wafers filter transmitted pump light from mid-IR laser pulses exiting the fiber. The measured output mode profile is shown in Fig. 2c. A fast InGaAs photodetector measures pump pulse energy while a fast HgCdTe photodetector observes mid-IR pulses.
3. Experimental results and discussion
Pump pulses excite acetylene molecules from the J = 7 rotational state of the vibrational ground state to the J = 8 rotational state of the ν 1 + ν 3 vibrational manifold (Fig. 3 inset). Acetylene molecules can then leave this excited state via radiative transitions to the ν 1 vibrational state with corresponding emission wavelengths in the 3 μm region. Alternatively, molecules initially in the excited state may exchange energy nonradiatively through intermolecular collisions and collisions with the fiber wall, processes that can decrease the overall laser efficiency. The relative contribution of wall collisions is expected to be small at pressures above 2 torr, where the calculated mean free path of gas molecules is < 20 μm. Just as in the free space acetylene laser , two peaks in the laser spectrum are seen at 3.12 μm and 3.16 μm (Fig. 3). These peaks correspond to the dipole allowed transitions (ΔJ = ±1) from the J = 8, ν 1 + ν 3 excited state to the J = 7 and J = 9 rotational states of the ν 1 vibrational state. The absence of any other peaks indicates insufficient time for molecules in the excited state to rotationally mix through intermolecular collisions before the onset of lasing and vibrational relaxation. Measured total removal rates from the upper pump level are ~10−9 cm3s−1 .
Figure 4 shows laser pulse energies measured at various acetylene gas pressures for a fixed pump energy. The maximum laser pulse energy is ~ 6 nJ measured at an acetylene pressure of 7 torr. Delays between the transmitted pump and laser pulses do not exceed 5 ns. Laser pulse durations were observed to be between ~ 3 ns and 5 ns. The lasing threshold occurs at about 200 nJ of coupled pump pulse energy and varies with pressure. The slope efficiency is only ~1% in comparison with about 10% from the free space acetylene laser , but can be improved by reducing the fiber attenuation at the laser wavelength through optimization of the fiber length and pitch. Neglecting relaxation processes, the maximum possible slope efficiency for this laser is 25% and is a result of saturating both the pump and lasing transitions. In the limit of lossless fiber and 25% efficiency the ultimate achievable pulse energies to expect from these lasers should be limited by the fiber damage threshold. Damage fluences for 8-ns pulses at 1064 nm on the order of 100 J/cm2 were observed for the cladding in HC-PCFs , which roughly corresponds to the critical fluence of bulk fused silica. In contrast, a roughly 10 times higher fluence was demonstrated by the guided mode without causing catastrophic damage . If we assume that the damage fluence scales as the square root of the pulse duration and is rather wavelength independent we obtain an estimate for the maximum pump energy that can be coupled into our fiber on the order of 10 mJ, resulting in a maximum laser energy of a few mJ. This energy limit can be increased through the use of larger core fibers, longer pulse durations and more efficient lasing schemes.
4. Modeling results
We use a simple model to qualitatively predict the trends observed in the experiment. The model system is comprised of only three states: a ground state, the pumped excited state, and a terminal excited state with no direct path for population to transfer to or from the ground state during our time scale of interest. The absorption cross-section for the pump transition is estimated as 7.7×10−18 cm2 . Since data for the stimulated emission cross-section for the lasing transition is not available, we assume that it is of the same order of magnitude as that for the ν 3 → ν 0 transition, which is estimated to be ~ 2.2×10−16 cm2 using the known Einstein A coefficient . A Gaussian pump pulse 5 ns long and 2 GHz in bandwidth spectrally centered on resonance with the gas at 1.52 μm enters the fiber, creating a population inversion. The laser pulse develops from spontaneous emission and co-propagates with the pump; linear fiber losses are accounted for. The model predicts an optimum pressure, experimentally observed in Fig. 4, which is a function of the fiber length and pump energy. The optimum pressure essentially occurs when a given pump pulse energy just creates enough gain to balance the fiber loss at the end of the fiber. Any further increase in pressure causes additional pump absorption, resulting in more loss than gain before the fiber end. A smaller pressure dependent effect arises from the linewidth of the pump transition (~ 1 GHz at 7 torr ).
The measured and predicted laser pulse energies as a function of pump pulse energy are shown in Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b respectively. The experimental and calculated data are in good qualitative agreement, showing exponential-like small signal gain followed by the onset of saturation as the pump pulse begins to saturate the gas absorption at the end of the fiber. Only relative comparisons between experiment and calculation can be made because the exact fiber-to-free space coupling efficiencies are not known. Cut-back measurements to determine the actual efficiencies are complicated by time-dependent fluctuations in the spatial mode and center frequency of pump pulses from the OPO. Mid-IR laser output as a function of fiber length as predicted by the model is shown in Fig. 5c. When pumping at 6 μJ (solid curves), the first knee present in the laser energy curve occurs when the saturated gain approximately equals the linear fiber loss for the laser radiation. The plateau in the output power persists while the pump is able to maintain (saturated) gain that equals the linear fiber loss for the laser radiation, ending when the depleted pump cannot maintain sufficient population inversion. Figure 5d-f show the evolution of pump (blue) and laser (green) pulse power calculated at different positions along the length of the fiber for a launched pump (gray) pulse energy of 6 μJ. Initially the laser pulse develops at the leading edge of the undepleted pump pulse (Fig. 5d). As the leading edge of the pump is absorbed and saturates the transition, the positive net gain window shifts towards later times during the pump pulse. As a result the laser pulse broadens and its center moves backwards (Fig. 5e). At long fiber lengths the pump is almost completely absorbed and the laser pulse energy begins to decrease as the pump can no longer sustain the inversion necessary to compensate the fiber loss (Fig. 5f). Additionally, the temporal width of the laser pulse broadens as it propagates along the fiber and never exceeds the 5-ns duration of the launched pump pulse.
Realization of the first gas fiber laser based on population inversion holds great promise for coherence generation applications as well as for engineering high power, portable and robust, all fiber mid-IR sources in the future. One can effectively engineer gas-filled fiber laser sources at numerous wavelengths difficult to obtain with other technologies by carefully selecting the gas and designing the optical fiber. The gas must absorb at wavelengths where inexpensive, high-power pump sources exist, and lase at a wavelength of interest; the fiber should be highly transmissive at both the pump and laser frequencies while suppressing lasing on unwanted transitions. While the performance of solid core fiber lasers at high powers can be limited by the onset of nonlinear processes such as Brillouin and Raman scattering , gas-filled HC-PCF lasers can be expected to surpass these limits and have higher thresholds for damage, because no glass or other host material is present in the high intensity region of the propagating modes. Thus, phase-locking multiple gas-filled fiber lasers together may achieve higher ultimate powers than can be realized with solid-core systems. Sealing the fiber permits an all-fiber device, facilitating easy integration into optical systems. Continuous-wave (CW) operation of the laser is paramount for use in many potential applications. This will require fast repopulation of the ground state, which may favor asymmetric molecules or require buffer gases for tailored energy transfer. The addition of buffer gases may speed rotational mixing of the excited state population, remove population from unwanted vibrational states, and accelerate heat dissipation. Furthermore, extremely efficient molecular CW lasers with very small quantum defects  similar to alkali vapor lasers seem feasible with PCFs.
This work was supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (FA9550-08-1-0344), Army Research Office (W911NF-08-C-0106 and W911NF-08-1-0332), National Science Foundation (PHY-0722622), Joint Technology Office (W911NF-05-1-0507), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/E039162/1), and Precision Photonics Corp. We thank John Zavada for early discussions leading to the initial idea, P.J. Roberts for his assistance with the numerical modeling of the fiber, Neil Campbell for useful discussions, and Josh Perkins for preliminary work.
References and links
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The Amprobe ACD-23SW Swivel Clamp Meter features a patented rotating head clamp design that allows easy viewing of measurements in tight or inconvenient locations. Simply rotate the body of the meter to get an unobstructed view of the LCD display. Rich set of features and CAT III 600V safety reading for use in electrical and HVAC applications.
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Over 1,000 rounds of ammunition and 39 firearms – including semi-automatic handguns and AR-15 assault rifles – stolen on Nov. 29 from a Centralia, Ill., store may have been destined for Ferguson, Mo., United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Dakota R. Moss, 19, of Centralia and a juvenile accomplice are accused of stealing a full-size pickup truck from Centralia High School and using the truck to break through a locked security gate at Buchheit of Centralia. After gaining access to the parking lot, the pair allegedly broke out windows to enter the store.
Surveillance video established that the initial burglary occurred at 2:40 a.m. on Nov. 9, a spokesperson for the United States Attorney’s Office said. Video evidence allegedly shows the pair leaving and returning to the store to burglarize it two more times, the last time at 4 a.m. Evidence filed in the case suggests Moss and his accomplice were armed at the time of the robbery and planned to shoot anyone who interrupted the burglary, including police, the spokesperson said
The complaint filed in Federal Court Wednesday alleges that Moss and his accomplice stole the firearms in order to sell the guns; and that Ferguson was among the planned destinations for the weapons. The charges also state that the two planned to participate in the looting of businesses in the Ferguson, Missouri area, however the plan did not materialize.
Centralia Police and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives identified the suspects soon after the burglary and have so far recovered 35 of the 39 stolen guns, the spokesperson said. Anyone with knowledge of the remaining stolen firearms or the ammunition is encouraged to call law enforcement.
Wiggington said the Centralia Police Department and the ATF interrupted a potentially dangerous crime.
“Firearms trafficking is always a very serious crime. But, it is even worse that these two considered profiteering from the lawlessness in Ferguson by planning to sell arms to rioters and looters,” Wiggington said.
Moss was charged with stealing firearms from a federal firearms licensee, possession of stolen firearms, being a felon in possession of firearms and with carry and use of a firearm during a crime of violence. The first three charges are all punishable by not more than 10 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and not more than five years supervised release. Carry and use of a firearm during a crime of violence carries an additional mandatory consecutive sentence of not less than five years. However, the United States Sentencing Guidelines must be applied to the case and considered by the Court during sentencing. Moss will be arraigned in US District Court on Dec. 10.

domain: law


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Elevate Your Bloody Mary Experience: Unveiling Our Gourmet Spice Blends
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MILAN, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Banca Popolare di Vicenza is readying a proposal to partially reimburse shareholders who lost part of their investment after the European Central Bank said it found problems with its balance sheet, the Italian regional lender said on Tuesday.
“The sum earmarked for the reimbursement will, however, be capped to respect capital requirements dictated by the ECB,” the bank said in a statement.
Italy’s eighth-largest bank was taken over by state-sponsored fund Atlante in May after it failed to attract demand for a 1.5-billion-euro ($1.68 billion) initial share offering needed to avoid being wound down by the ECB.
The value of its shares fell dramatically after the ECB found holes in its balance sheet. The lender added it would hold a shareholders meeting to vote on a legal action against previous management. ($1 = 0.8928 euros) (Reporting by Francesca Landini, editing by Steve Scherer)
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Pink Floyd’s surprise return after 20 years seems to have an extra local twist to it.
After announcing the release date of the comeback album to be November, the band shared the album artwork…which was designed by an 18-year old Egyptian independent designer! And that was not an artwork contest like Coldplay’s. Pink Floyd’s agency personally contacted Ahmed Emad El Din after being impressed by his online gallery.
The historic band’s original designer- known for his triangular prism design of the legendary Dark Side of the Moon – passed away last year. This gave way to Emad El Din, who did quite a great job at creating the image for the album. His interpretation depicts a man rowing his way into the horizon- something that was possibly fitting to the nature of this release. Pink Floyd averred that this album was a tribute to their late friend and keyboardist, Richard Wright, so the picture must have did it for them in that poetic sense.

The Endless River, the new Pink Floyd album, will be released on November 10. http://t.co/EpY2YBIgME #TheEndlessRiver pic.twitter.com/IeCnIHU6tC
— Pink Floyd (@pinkfloyd) September 22, 2014

The artwork also impressed a former colleague of the band’s late designer, Storm Thorgerson, who described the image as “enigmatic,” “open to interpretation,” and having a “Floydian resonance.”


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