text:
True anteroposterior view pedicle screw insertion technique
Authors Bai J, Zhang W, An J, Sun Y, Ding W, Shen Y
Received 28 October 2015
Accepted for publication 16 December 2015
Published 29 June 2016 Volume 2016:12 Pages 1039—1047
Checked for plagiarism Yes
Review by Single anonymous peer review
Peer reviewer comments 2
Editor who approved publication: Professor Deyun Wang
Jia-yue Bai, Wei Zhang, Ji-long An, Ya-peng Sun, Wen-yuan Ding, Yong Shen
Key Biomechanical Laboratory of Orthopedics, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
Background: The wide use of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) surgery in the treatment of degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine in spinal surgery highlights the gradual decrease in the use of traditional pedicle screw insertion technology. This study aims to analyze the accuracy of the true anteroposterior view pedicle screw insertion technique in MIS-TLIF surgery, compare it with conventional pedicle screw insertion technology, and discuss its clinical application value.
Methods: Fifty-two patients undergoing true anteroposterior view (group A) and 87 patients undergoing conventional pedicle screw insertion (group B) were diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation or lumbar spinal stenosis. Time for screw placement, intraoperative irradiation exposure, accuracy rate of pedicle screw insertion, and incidence of neurovascular injury were compared between the two groups.
Results: The time for screw placement and intraoperative irradiation exposure was significantly less in group A. Penetration rates of the paries lateralis of vertebral pedicle, medial wall of vertebral pedicle, and anterior vertebral wall were 1.44%, 0%, and 2.40%, respectively, all of which were significantly lower than that in group B. No additional serious complications caused by the placement of screw were observed during the follow-up period in patients in group A, but two patients with medial penetration underwent revision for unbearable radicular pain.
Conclusion: The application of true anteroposterior view pedicle screw insertion technique in MIS-TLIF surgery shortens time for screw placement and reduces the intraoperative irradiation exposure along with a higher accuracy rate of screw placement, which makes it a safe, accurate, and efficient technique.
Keywords: true AP view, MIS-TLIF, pedicle screw, internal fixation, lumbar disc herniation
Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) is a minimally invasive spine surgical procedure that has been developed by combining with all types of expandable channels. After the introduction of MIS-TLIF by Foley et al,1 the procedure has been widely used in the treatment of lumbar instability and lumbar intervertebral disc disease and has become the most mature of minimally invasive spine surgery.2–4
Advances in minimally invasive surgery techniques for TLIF have reduced the incidence of complications and postoperative morbidity associated with conventional TLIF.5,6 When compared with conventional TLIF, MIS-TLIF appears to achieve similar fusion rates while reducing blood loss, soft tissue and muscle trauma, postoperative pain, and influence on spinal stabilization, increasing the speed of recovery.7–11 However, due to the small surgical incision and limited operating space, this technique, as with all minimally invasive surgical strategies, requires a steep learning curve that is associated with significantly longer X-ray exposure time and neural injury-related complications caused by lack of surgical skills proficiency.12,13 In MIS-TLIF surgery, percutaneous pedicle screw insertion is one of the core technologies for surgeons. Conventional anteroposterior (AP) and lateral X-ray in standing position takes a long time for screw placement and higher time of intraoperative irradiation exposure, along with some errors.14 The phenomenon of pedicle screw misplacement occurs frequently, which can cause spinal cord or nerve injury, great vessels or viscera injury, dural matter tear and cerebrospinal fluid leak, pedicle fractures, or other complications in severely ill patients. Although computer navigation in surgery and other more accurate positioning technologies have been in use for some time in recent years, it brought about inherent high cost, learning curve, and other new problems to be resolved on the basis of solving old problems, seriously restricting the development and promotion of this technique.
This article focuses on the application of percutaneous pedicle screw insertion technique, true AP view pedicle screw insertion technique, to MIS-TLIF surgery, emphasizing the apparent benefits of this emerging technology. The technique can be achieved under the auxiliary of intraoperative AP C-arm fluoroscopic images. The accuracy and safety of this pedicle screw insertion technique were evaluated by observing the postoperative complications and computed tomography scan and comparing it with conventional pedicle screw insertion technique.
Materials and methods
Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria were: 1) patients preoperatively diagnosed with lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion with merger unilateral neurological symptoms and lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis ≤ I°; 2) patients who do not recover after more than 3 months regular conservative treatment; and 3) patients who underwent single-segment MIS-TLIF.
Exclusion criteria were: 1) patients with previous spinal surgery, a history of malignancy, trauma, infection, severe osteoporosis, or congenital malformations; 2) patients preoperatively diagnosed with lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion with merger unilateral neurological symptoms and lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis > I°; 3) patients who did not undergo MIS-TLIF surgery; 4) patients with other serious diseases and metal allergies; and 5) patients whose information is incomplete or who were out of touch during the follow-up period.
Subjects and study design
This study included 150 patients diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation or lumbar spinal stenosis, among which eleven patients were excluded because they were lost to follow-up; the remaining 139 patients underwent MIS-TLIF from February 2012 to December 2013. Seventy-seven males and 62 females (age range, 17–68 years; average age 51.9 years) were included. Appropriate subjects were selected according to the indication for MIS-TLIF surgery. According to the patient’s will and randomized controlled principle, after approval by a votum of the Ethical Committee of The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 52 patients who underwent true AP view and 87 patients who underwent conventional pedicle screw insertion were enrolled in this study. All patients were postoperatively followed-up for 7–29 months and the average follow-up for patients was 15.8 months. Lumbar AP and lateral X-rays films were obtained postoperatively, at 3 months postoperatively and at the time of the latest follow-up. Prior written informed consent was obtained from all of the subjects. This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University.
After routine preoperative preparation, following the induction of general endotracheal anesthesia, the patient was evenly placed in a prone position on a radiolucent operating table so as to maintain the physiologic lumbar lordosis. The MIS-TLIF procedure was performed on the symptomatic side. C-arm guidance was used to determine the disc space and to draw the lateral pedicle line in the fluoroscopic anterior posterior view, and the lateral view was checked for tubular retractor system insertion. An incision was planned by connecting a line between the outer portions of both ends of the pedicles (Figure 1A and B). Then, a skin incision was made on the more symptomatic side or more severe pathologic side according to the images. The paravertebral muscles were split and retracted laterally to the outer edge of the facet joint. The lamina and facet joint were exposed by using monopolar cautery and pituitary forceps. After sequential dilatation, a tubular retractor system (METRx; Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Memphis, TN, USA) was docked on the facet joint.
Unilateral total facetectomy and laminectomy were carried out using a high-speed drill and osteotomes. Adequate decompression was achieved by cutting a portion of lamina and facet as autologous bone graft with an osteotome and rongeur. After a complete facetectomy, the ligamentum flavum was removed en bloc with a curette to expose dural sac and the lateral margin of the ipsilateral nerve root. To achieve decompression of the central canal and the contralateral side, the tubular retractor could be angled medially and the patient tilted laterally to decompress the contralateral side. Extensive decompression was performed, which included adequate decompression of central stenosis and the contralateral side. Then, the vertebral end plates were carefully prepared. Standard discectomy and endplate preparation were performed to construct the interbody fusion, and sufficient autologous bone graft obtained from the resected lamina and facet was packed in the anterior disc space. A single, long, bullet-shaped polyether-etherketone interbody cage (Capstone; Medtronic Sofamor Danek) filled with only autologous local bone was inserted obliquely across the disc space (Figure 1C). We did not perform any additional contralateral facet fusion in all the patients. After the interbody fusion was carried out, the tubular retractor was removed. The same decompression and fusion procedure were done at each segment. Following the decompression and fusion procedure, ipsilateral percutaneous pedicle screw was placed through the same skin incision, and contralateral percutaneous pedicle screw was also inserted through mirror incision under fluoroscopic guidance.
Convention percutaneous pedicle screw insertion
Depending on the depth of the tissue between the skin and pedicle, a 1–2 cm lateral skin incision was made to insert the Jamshidi needle at an appropriate angle into the pedicle, which was identified as a cylinder in adequate fluoroscopic images. Using the Jamshidi needle, docked against the bone at the junction of the base of the transverse process and facet joint, the lateral and AP C-arm fluoroscopic images were obtained to localize the needle tip and then the needle was gently tapped with a mallet to engage the tip in the bone. Fluoroscopy was intermittently used to confirm the direction and the depth to make sure the needle remained lateral to the medial pedicle wall. Under intermittent fluoroscopic guidance, the needle advanced to cross the pedicle center. The cannula was then exchanged for a flexible guidewire, which was inserted through the cannula into the pedicle. The fascia and muscle were dilated to allow screw placement. The pedicle was tapped using cannulated taps, and the percutaneous cannulated pedicle screw-rod system (Sextant; Medtronic Sofamor Danek) was placed. Titanium rod was used for bilateral compression screw fixation.
True AP view pedicle screw insertion
C-arm fluoroscopic images were obtained to localize the true AP when anterior and posterior edges of vertebral end plates overlapped in a line in the AP X-rays film. After the Quadrant system was removed, pedicle entry point was directly touched through the surgeon’s index finger within the incision. The skin incision, typically 2–2.5 cm in length, is centered on the spinal needle entry point, parallel to the midline and ~4–5 cm lateral to it. After local hemostasis for the skin edges, the incision of the subcutaneous fat and lumbar fascia is continued with the 10-blade in a lateral to medial direction, and maintaining the same cranial to caudal angulation as the localizing spinal needle. The paraspinous muscle dissection was performed with the index finger, or with one of the smaller tubular dilators if the finger cannot fit through the skin incision. Lateral fluoroscopy was used to confirm the bony landmark to be identified with either the finger or the dilator, which is the junction between the spinous process and the lamina of the level of interest (eg, the L3 lamina if the L3–4 fusion is to be performed). Then, the paraspinous muscles can be gently detached from the underlying lamina with the tubular dilator. The tubular dilators of increasing size are then used to insert the final tubular retractor of ~18–20 mm (Figure 2A). The correct placement of the tube is the 3 and 9 o’clock positions of bilateral vertebral pedicle, which is confirmed with AP fluoroscopy (Figure 2B and C). After the Jamshidi needle was advanced through the pedicle into the vertebral body under fluoroscopic guidance, a blunt-tipped guidewire was inserted into the screw path. The appropriately sized cannulated pedicle screws were placed along the guidewire into the pedicle under fluoroscopic guidance using the percutaneous cannulated pedicle screw-rod system as mentioned above. Titanium rod was used for bilateral compression screw fixation.
No active bleeding of incision was noted. Drainage tube was placed and then the incision was sutured layer by layer. Three experienced spinal chief physicians from major hospitals participated in the surgical operation.
Clinical, radiological, and follow-up evaluation
Time for pedicle screw insertion
From the beginning of pedicle screw placement after operative decompression to the end pedicle screw placement, time for screw placement of the two percutaneous pedicle screw insertion techniques were counted, respectively. The average time required for placement of each screw and the proportion of time for screw placement to total operative time were recorded and computed.
Intraoperative irradiation exposure
Intraoperative irradiation exposures of the two percutaneous pedicle screw insertion techniques were measured and compared.
The accuracy of pedicle screw insertion
Computed tomography of vertebral pedicle of the operative segment was performed on all patients after surgery. The percentage of pedicle screws that penetrate into the paries lateralis of vertebral pedicle, medial wall of vertebral pedicle, and anterior vertebral wall in the two percutaneous pedicle screw insertion techniques were calculated and compared.
The incidence of neurovascular injury complications
The incidence of neurovascular injury complications related to pedicle screw misplacement in the two percutaneous pedicle screw insertion techniques were analyzed and compared.
Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS Version 13.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). All measurement data were analyzed by normality test and homogeneity test of variances. All data were recorded as mean ± standard deviation. Student’s t-test and Fisher’s exact test were used for intragroup comparison between the preoperative and postoperative state in each group. In all analyses, significance was defined as P<0.05.
A total of 208 pedicle screws were inserted in group A and 348 pedicle screws were placed in group B. Postoperation follow-up X-ray films of all patients revealed that graft fusion was achieved in operative levels of patients at the time of the last follow-up.
Operative data for conventional and true AP view percutaneous pedicle screw insertion surgical procedures are presented in Figure 3. The time for screw placement was 4.7 minutes for conventional and 8.4 minutes for true AP view percutaneous pedicle screw insertion surgical procedures. There was statistically significant difference found in the mean time for screw placement (Figure 3A, P<0.05, Student’s t-test). In addition, the intraoperative irradiation exposure was significantly lower for true AP view percutaneous pedicle screw insertion compared to conventional percutaneous pedicle screw insertion, with an average of 5.6 seconds in group A and 14.9 seconds in group B (Figure 3B, P<0.05).
Moreover, among the 556 pedicle screws interpreted in this series, 500 (89.93%) screws were interpreted as being correctly inserted. Postoperative radiographs showed three (1.44%) screws in group A and 24 (6.90%) screws in group B were overlong and penetrating into the paries lateralis of vertebral pedicle. Among the frank penetrations, ten (2.87%) screws in group B were found to penetrate into the medial wall of vertebral pedicle, whereas there was no screw violation in the medial wall of vertebral pedicle in group A. Besides, fracturing of the anterior vertebral wall caused by five (2.40%) crews in group A and 55 (10.34%) crews in group B was observed. Comparison results of the two groups showed that the penetration rate in group A was significantly lower than that in group B (Table 1, P<0.05). No additional serious complications caused by the placement of screw were observed during the follow-up period in patients in group A. However, two patients with medial penetration underwent revision for unbearable radicular pain. The placement of screw in the patient with unbearable radicular pain was judged to show moderate medial misplacement; the patients recovered completely after repositioning of the screw on the following day (Figure 3C). The complication rate was 0.57%.
The application of pedicle screw fixation in spine surgery has a history of more than 50 years. Posterior transpedicular screw initially was reported by Boucher in 1959, which was used for lumbosacral fusion fixation and gained good results.15 Since then, various pedicle screw fixation systems have been used widely in spine surgery, which have strongly promoted the development of spine surgery.16 Recently, with the popularity of minimally invasive concept, a variety of minimally invasive spine surgery techniques arise at the historic moment. MIS-TLIF was also widely accepted and quickly spread because of its minimal trauma, less complications, and steady curative effect.2–4 Recently, the concept of MIS-TLIF has been widely recognized, and a variety of minimal invasion spine surgery techniques have been rapidly developed. As an alternative technology to traditional open TLIF, percutaneous pedicle screw insertion has the potential benefit of minimized surgical incision and tissue disruption, less paravertebral muscles damage, and reduced blood loss and length of hospitalization.17 Most scholars believe that percutaneous placement of pedicle screws can reduce related complications, which is a safe and effective approach.14,18
MIS-TLIF offers several potential advantages, including postoperative back pain and leg pain, intraoperative blood loss, transfusion, and duration of hospital stay postoperatively in treating two-level lumbar degenerative disease, but other studies reported disadvantages of MIS-TLIF, such as steep learning curve and incomplete decompression.19,20 Literatures reported it required much more radiation exposure.4,21 In addition, as for the accuracy of pedicle screw insertion, previous studies found that though the incidence rate of screw misplacement during percutaneous pedicle screw insertion is lower than traditional open surgery, an incidence rate of 6%–23% still exists.14,22–24 To improve the accuracy of pedicle screw insertion and reduce intraoperative irradiation exposure, researchers have proposed all sorts of means for intraoperative monitoring screw placement, particularly for recent application of computer-aided technology that can significantly reduce the incidence of screw misplacement.25,26 But computer-aided technology required high-tech equipment and expensive titanium alloy implants, which is difficult to be popularized.
True AP view pedicle screw insertion technique in this study is based on anatomic characteristics of vertebral pedicle and develops from conventional pedicle screw insertion. Usually, pedicle length, that is the length from entrance point of pedicle screw placement to vertebral posterior, is ~14.6–19.13 mm.27,28 Thus, accurate pedicle screw insertion process can be divided into initialized position, interposition, and security bit. When in initialized position, puncture needle was at the 3 and 9 o’clock position of vertebral pedicle in AP X-ray view and behind the pedicle in lateral X-ray film (Figure 4A). When in interposition, puncture needle was at the neutral position of vertebral pedicle in AP X-ray film and half into the pedicle in lateral X-ray film (Figure 4B). When in security bit, puncture needle was at the inner margin of vertebral pedicle in AP X-ray film and completely into the pedicle to vertebral posterior in lateral X-ray film (Figure 4C). The development of true AP view percutaneous pedicle screw insertion technique is based on the analysis of corresponding relation of AP and lateral X-ray films in the accurate screw placement process. The key of this technique is to ensure that the C-arm fluoroscopy is located in the true AP position of transpedicular vertebral body, which means that the anterior and posterior edges of vertebral endplates overlap in a line, bilateral pedicle screw presents positional symmetry with closing to the upper end plate, and spinous process is located in the central vertebral body with closing to the lower end plate. It is based on true AP X-ray view and the direction of the needle is kept parallel to upper end plate – keep abduction angle measured in axial view, pinpoint entrance point of pedicle screw placement in initialized position, and then insert needle 18–20 mm into the security bit through interposition. It does not need intraoperative fluoroscopy of lateral X-ray and only needs X-ray confirmation of true AP (Figure 5). If puncture needle enters 18–20 mm through the initialized position and still does not penetrate into the inner edge of vertebral pedicle in true AP X-ray film, the accuracy and security of pedicle screw placement could be guaranteed. On the other hand, if puncture needle penetrates into the inner edge of vertebral pedicle in true AP X-ray film before entering 20 mm, we can speculate that the puncture needle enters into spinal canal.
Figure 4 X-ray films of true AP view percutaneous pedicle screw insertion.
The study is designed to compare patients who underwent true AP view pedicle screw insertion technique and patients who underwent conventional percutaneous pedicle screw insertion technique. Results demonstrated that compared to conventional percutaneous pedicle screw insertion technique, the remarkable advantages of true AP view pedicle screw insertion technique are as follows: 1) it reduces time for screw placement (Figure 3A). The application of true AP view pedicle screw insertion technique only needs the auxiliary of AP X-ray view and does not have to adjust the C-arm to lateral X-ray view. Furthermore, true AP X-ray film of intraoperative transpedicular vertebral body is not affected by vertebral side convex, vertebral rotation, and other abnormal location of vertebral body. It can provide absolute position reference for direction during the screw fixation and thus reduces time for screw placement and improves the efficiency of screw placement. 2) It reduces intraoperative irradiation exposure (Figure 3B). True AP view pedicle screw insertion technique was applied using only AP X-ray view to deduce the depth of puncture needle into vertebral pedicle in lateral view, without the auxiliary of lateral X-ray view, which could remarkably reduce intraoperative irradiation exposure. 3) It improves the accuracy of pedicle screw insertion (Table 1). A total of 208 pedicle screws were inserted in patients undergoing true AP view pedicle screw insertion technique. Postoperative computed tomography of vertebral pedicle showed that there were three screws penetrating into the paries lateralis of vertebral pedicle, five screws penetrating into the anterior vertebral wall, and no screws penetrating into the medial wall of vertebral pedicle. Compared to 348 pedicle screws placed in patients undergoing conventional pedicle screw insertion technique, true AP view pedicle screw insertion technique showed a significantly higher accuracy of screw placement. What is more, since the application of true AP view pedicle screw insertion technique only needs the auxiliary of AP X-ray view and does not have to adjust the C-arm to lateral X-ray view, it may theoretically reduce the risk of perioperative infection. The accuracy of true AP view pedicle screw insertion technique was 96.6% in the current study, which has no obvious advantage when compared to computer navigation surgery,21 but just the auxiliary of C-arm fluoroscopy is needed for true AP view pedicle screw insertion technique, which is obviously superior to computer navigation surgery in terms of required equipment, operation cost, and popularity. If surgeons have a good command of this technique, the accuracy of pedicle screw insertion may be remarkably improved. Besides, the statistical data in the present study were from one-man operated results. Therefore, if the assistants expertly master this technique as well, time for screw placement could be further shortened and the intraoperative irradiation exposure could be further reduced.
The application of true AP view pedicle screw insertion technique in MIS-TLIF surgery reduces the time for screw placement and the intraoperative irradiation exposure along with higher accuracy rate of screw placement, which is a safe, accurate, and efficient percutaneous pedicle screw insertion technique.
The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.
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many his Church. And what the total of and has it on his person when he falls at work and of idleness. The North needs the head of the forlorn hope; the self-sacrino such inquiry.
ficing beauty who resigns her lover to a England is charged with being a cruel rival; the faithful college chum who has step-mother to Ireland, but the tendency is cherished a mutual attachment for his now rather to spoiling the child. The sus- friend's hardly-used wife for half a century, pension of the Habeas Corpus is no proof and only mentions it in a whisper on his to the contrary ; it is an exceptional meas- death-bed - all are so many creations by ure for a temporary danger. For the rest, means of which the sort of people who what part of the kingdom is so much coaxed write romances express their passion for the and indulged as Ireland ? Could Scotland, ideal. But perhaps there is no portrait so for example, have got a Galway contract completely suggestive of the impossible and and subsidy ? Can Wales obtain an ex- the intangible as the portrait of that imagiemption from the operation of the Cattle nary uncle wbo never appears except to Plague Act? When Ireland asked for a make other people happy, and who, always prohibition of the import of cattle, was she dies at the right moment. Our imagina.' not insiantly indulged? And is it not out tions are fired at a very early age by the of tenderness that she is spared the inflic- description, and we go through lite sighing tion of the Cattle Extirpation Bill, though and longing for this noble being who never localities as free from disease are subjected is, but always is to be. Ecoriare alqiuis is to it?
our constant but fruitless hope. Where, oh After all, we believe that Ireland has where, is that benevolent individual in gaitmore reason to complain of her own sons ers of whom we have read so much, whose than of Englishmen, many of whom are only anxiety is that we should marry the her true friends. It is an old saying cur- object of our affections as soon as the rent in Ireland, that if an Irishman is spit- license can be procured, who burns to enjoy ted for roasting, another will always be the pleasures of matrimonial happiness by found to turn him. And this Fenian con- proxy only, and whose reward is to be spiracy could never have been discovered allowed in return to kiss his nieces-in-law as completely as it has been unless the con- and their children as often as he pleases spirators had been false to each other to a when they come down to breakfast in the great extent. To hold and pull together morning? All of us have learnt to admire for evil or good is not an Irish habit, at the princely munificence of Mr. Peaboily. least not in the South. The usual thing is But every time the newspapers present us a game of nine-pins, in which the men are with a new instance of his liberality, the sad set up to knock each other down.
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ment of nephews and of nieces. The tide If the rich uncle were only half as com- of human affairs is influenced, as we all mon an institution in real life as he is on know, by the merest accidents. It seems the stage or in a novel, the world would be so hard that what is should have been ira cheerier place than it is, and moralists revocably separated by some little trivial would be compelled to admit that virtue barrier from what might have been. If still was to be found upon the earth, grandfathers and grandmothers had lived perched happily and pleasantly on one or long enongh to have had one more child other of the collateral branches in every before they died, if their supernumerary family tree. In the pictures they draw of oftspring had been wisely despatched at society and its manners, novelists unfor- once to India, had amassed a colossal fortunately are too fond of gratifying, on paper tune in the society of Nabobs and of Beand in fancy, the yearnings of the human gums, and bad finally come home, after a heart after the unattainable. The curate long absence, with a fatal liver complaint, whose sermons are never too long, and and with a rooted desire to live in the bapalways make his hearers think; the officer piness of his relatives, this might have been who carries the kid glove of his old gar- a bright and a beautiful world in spite of rison flame for thirty years next his heart, I everything. We can all conceive how
pleased we should have been to have This is why Club dinners and whist and smoothed our beloved Peabody's pillow, and smoking are so generally admitted, by femto have remembered him in our prayers
. inine moralists, to be bopelessly prejudicial Dis aliter visum. There are few of us to to the character. They are not only in whom Providence has not seen fit to deny theory pernicious, but they are the avowed this harmless gratification; and when we enjoyments of the bachelor. The gallant look at life as it is, and turn from the mel- knight who loves and rides away is in his ancholy spectacle to the three-volume nov. degree a more admirable creature than the els and the dramas of the day, it is indeed unknightly craven who never falls in love almost exasperating to see how authors at all, and who provokingly sits still over and authoresses persist in pouring upon his Club cigar. The moral indignation he their heroes and their heroines such gol- very naturally excites is so considerable den showers of unspeakably precious kins- that the species would have become exmen in weak health.
tinct long ago if it were not for one redeemRegret under such circumstances, with ing feature in their case. When disapprowell-regulated minds, ought never to take bation of the bachelor's habits is on the the lower form of a selfish sentiment, and it very eve of rising to a storm, there is one is wiser and nobler to be able to base it on saving virtue that interposes and rescues a calculation of what the buman race loses him from annihilation. Unmarried blessedby the infrequency of such elevating spec- ness would be outlawed by the verdict of tacles. If rich uncles were not as rare society if it were not for the fact that the birds as black swans, the feminine half of irretrievable bachelor may yet retrieve the world would not be able to go on say- himself by turning into a rich uncle, and ing, with such a terrible show of truth, that becoming a blessing, if not a credit, to a bachelor's life is necessarily selfish. mankind. It is thus — a feminine philosoWomen constantly complain of the gross pher will perhaps conclude — that we are injustice of the reproach that rests on the brought to see how, in the great economy character of an old maid. Old maids are of nature, there is no such thing as utter often very charming people, though afflicted ruin and degradation. Fallen as he seems perhaps, as a rule, with too absorbing an ad- to be at the first glance, the bachelor may miration of popular preachers; and if mar- live to prove that his career has been in no riages are made in Heaven, it is not unnatu- degree wasted or unprofitable. If there ral that Heaven should keep some of the were only more specimens of so creditable best specimens of womanly virtue for itself. a conversion, a bachelor's profession There may, moreover, be rich aunts as well would end by being considered a noble and as rich uncles, and it would be improper disinterested one. In answer to the invidiand imprudent to pass a sweeping condem- ous question why on earth he did not marry, nation on those who have chosen to play the bachelor would only have to reply, “I the part of wallflowers at life's festive ball
. do not marry because it is my ambition to If celibacy in woman is a fault, it is a fault be a rich uncle." which may be redeemed by a devoted de- A rich uncle has this advantage further, sire to mike the younger members of her that he carries into domestic life an examfamily prosperous and wealthy. But, after ple of unselfishness and disinterested soliciall that has been said, it is fair to recollect tude for the welfare of his kind. In return that old maids are not visited with half the for the imputation of selfishness that is so reproaches which feminine critics shower on freely bestowed upon them, bachelors might the head of that much-abused being, the ir- with plausibility retort that married lite is retrievable old bachelor. The irretriev- not, upon the whole, productive of social able bachelor is a sort of social Hercules sympathy and magnanimity. A partnertarget, the bare existence of which is a slur ship is not necessarily less egotistical than upon the
power and precision of feminine a single speculator, and self-interest often artillery. Something must be done to put perambulates the world in couples. Towards a stop to his attitude of offensive iinpenetra- their husbands and their children Englishbility, and his unpopularity may be taken women are almost uniformly unselfish, but as a proof that it is as dangerous in some beyond their husbands, their children, and cases to resist successfully as to be grace- their own social success, they show comfully vanquished. The male heart, to start monly a disposition to be indifferent to the with, is desperately wicked, but its follies outside world ; and the result is, that their and failings are never painted in such influence is weakened, and their powers of gloomy colours as when it has shown an ill- conversation proportionally impaired. If alvised intention to lead a single life. this be true, domesticity has its drawbacks,
as well as its delights. An Englishwoman's Adam could wish, but when they do occur pleasures are simple, but possibly somewhat they are probably less egotistical than their narrow. She is keenly solicitous about her fortunate nephews and nieces. husband's advancement in the world, and The pleasures of benevolence which a measures it carefully by the amount of so- rich uncle may be considered to enjoy are cial consideration bestowed upon herself. indeed compared by a great Greek philosoShe likes her children to be healthy, hand- pher to the pleasures of paternity. ; and it some, and admired, and devotes herself he may be that in exceptional cases they even roically to their best interests. By the time i supply the place of the latter. Human nashe has got to the extreme edge of her family ture is in the habit of boasting of its incircle, her enthusiasm is generally exhaust- stincts, but a large proportion of the feelings ed; and literature or politics she cares for we term instinctive are evidently to be acso far only as they are likely to affect or counted for on a simpler though less flatterinterest those in whose welfare she is con- ing theory. That human nature possesses cerned. A rich bachelor at a domestic any instincts, properly so-called, has been fireside is a perpetual protest against this denied, may be doubted, and certainly nevexclusiveness of view, and is in his way less er can be shown to demonstration. It is of an egotist than the mother whose abso- by no means uncertain that, after allowances lute devotion to her family he so much ad- made for the influence of sentiment, intermires. Kind as he is, and intimate as he is, est, and reason, a father would be naturally his fair proiégée would see him broiled alive drawn towards his son; and the affection of before she would allow a single hair to be human beings for their offspring is possibly barmed of her husband's or her children's made up of a powerful and perfect union heads; and a soft unutterable sense of con- of the three. However this may be, it is tingent benefits sometimes, perhaps, suffuses tolerably clear that the three are nowhere even her real affection for himself. Consid- so completely united as in the case of the ering the nobility of the nature of women, relation between parents and their children; the fact that after mariaage they are im- and the rich uncle whose mission is to bring pregnated with this sort of feeling, for which prosperity to his belongings can at least enselfishness is too hard a name, is possibly a joy parental pleasures in a secondary and discredit rather to their husbands than to imperfect way. It is, in truth, the only their own education. If men sought less fashion left in which a man can enjoy them exclusively to absorb every thought of the without entering into the precarious specuwomen who are under their control, the lation of marriage, or without sinning character of women would be more chival- against social decorum and incurring the sorous after marriage than it is. Romance and cial penalties imposed upon the sinner. The impulsiveness belong chiefly to unmarried skeleton, however, in every benevolent girls. They will enter into and appreciate the man's closet is and must be the reflection not uncommon pride which now and then that it is almost impossible in advanced life, makes a man abandon fame and fortune soon- when the power of exciting romantic ater than stoop to pick them up. It is equally tachments is gone, to bind others to us, certain that, when women marry, this kind except, indeed, by the glittering but fraof enthusiasm sobers down. In the cause gile tie of gratitude. That rich uncle is a of these to whom they are attached they happy and exceptional personage who can remain as generous as ever; but with all bring those about him to identify their ingenerosity which threatens to interfere terests with his own, and to feel bound to with the fortunes of their husbands or their him by the sentiment that unites children chiluren they have but little sympathy. to their parents. To achieve this result, Ilumanity and patriotism, and even charity something more than the benefactions of a fail in their eyes when contrasted with the kind old gentleman are usually necessary, ties of domesticity.. A being who is content unless accompanied by qualities that comwith the private felicity of others, and who mand enthusiasm and regard. Even a millooks for no private felicity of his own, lionaire cannot take affection by storm, or would accordingly be a novel sight at a break through the circle of family reserve, family gathering. He would be entitled to as Jupiter broke through the guards of Darank as an exception to the law of domes- nae, in a shower of gold. Those who wish ticity, the theory of which is that no ties to live in the affections of others had better are permanently strong except the ties of not wait to make the effort till they are old maternity or marriage. Rich uncles are and wealthy, but begin betimes when they not as easily to be met with as the natural are young.
lain of the Queen of Greece, in friendly interThe recent decease of the celebrated Swedish course with the royal family. The King put at novelist, Fredrika Bremer, which has already
her disposal his yacht in which with a party of received a passing notice in our columns, affords chosen friends she visited the principal Grecian
islands. the occasion of recalling the deep and affectionate interest which she cherished in Ameri
Upon the breaking out of the war of the can affairs, especially since her visit to this rebellion her sympathies were deeply enlisted in
he success of the American arms. With the country, about fifteen years ago.
Her admirable works of fiction had won for aid of our leading journals, and a careful stu ly her a host of friends on this side of the ocean: with the progress of the struggle, and never
of the map, she kept herself fully acquainted Their fresh and vivid pictures of Northern life lost her faith in the triumph of freedom and were a novelty in literature; they opened a new world to readers who had become weary
right. In the last edition of hir work on of the stale incidents and common-place plots America, she has added an appendix, describ
Her of much of the popular fiction of the day; ing the character and effects of the war. they produced a deep impression no less by the intelligent and lucid exposition has doub:Jess artlessness of their style, than by the fidelity of had no inconsiderable influence on European their portraitures; and for a long time, her opinion, and contributed to a favourable view
“ The assassination name was the subject of universal encomium. of the nature of the cause.
of Lincoln,” she says, Her purpose of making an American tour
opened the eyes of the was widely announced before her arrival. She people of Europe to the serpent nature of the was expected with grateful and almost tender Rebellion, and in the shock and shudder elecinterest; her coming was welcomed with eager rose under the feet of the victim, raising him
trically felt from this serpent sring, a pedestal delight by many who had known her through and the cause for which he died so that he bethe medium of her writings; and when she landed on our shores, many hospitable firesides came visible to all nations.” grew brighter at her approach, and in the inti- quietly passed in her old family castle, Arsta.
The latter part of Miss Bremer's life was macies of friendship she was never permitted She continued to take a deep interest in public for a moment to feel the loneliness of a stranger. afairs. She felt great joy in the progress of this Her frank and cordial manners, combining a simplicity which sometimes amounted to an al- country toward a high ideal, and watched with most childlike naiveté with a womanly dignity
anxious sympathies the course of moral and
In a recent letter that was never laid aside; her kindliness of dis political reform in her own. position, and her noble unselfishness of pur- mitted to use, she says: “From a f the
to an American friend, which we have been perpose, procured her access to more than one choice family circle, and surrounded her with high windows of this large bigh row your
Swedish friend sees rise on the westexplorizon friends, with whom her cordial relations closed the spire of the parish-church, pointine i pwards, only with her life. On returning to her own country, she pub- the body will in no long time be laid down with
and to her telling of the place of re; ove where lished an interesting record of her experiences in those of her parents, brothers, and sisters." America, showing her appreciation of our She has now passed away in the peaess of a national character, and her attachment to our institutions. Her active temperament did not pure and honoured age, crowned h an abun
n grain, permit her to remain long in the enjoyment of dant harvest of pleasant fruits, and
and healing leaves, while her mem
ill long repose. Five years were devoted to extensive journeys in the Holy Land, Greece, Italy, and be cherished in gracious esteem lig nany who Germany, the fruits of which appeared in six were her debtors for the 'sweet beauty of her volumes of travels, which enhanced her high eharacter and the reviving influence of her
works. reputation both in this country and in England. She passed two years in the family of the chap-!
LITTELL'S LIVING AGE.- NO. 1139.-31 MARCH, 1866.
From the Cotemporary Review. - a task which he had imposed on himself FREDERICK WILLIAM ROBERTSON.
with exceeding dislike, and executed with
great swiftness and brevity. Other volLife and Letters of Frederick W. Robertson, umes followed, more imperfect, less authoriM.A., Incumbent of Trinity Chapel, tative, less likely to represent him at his Brighton, 1847–53. Edited by STOPFORD best, to fulfil his requirements of what a A. BROOKE, M. A., late Chaplain to the sermon ought to be, too closely packed Embassy at Berlin. In Two Volumes, and merely suggestive, if not skeleton-like, with Portraits.
to be popular. Yet their circulation spread Sermons. By the late Rev. FREDERICK with extraordinary rapidity; they ran even
W. ROBERTSON, M.A., Incumbent of with the last novel ; they became a staple Trinity Chapel, Brighton. First Series of the circulating library; Tauchnitz pub(13th Edition), Second Series (11th Edi- lished them, at Leipsic, in his collection of tion), Third Series (11th Edition), British authors ; in America and at home Fourth Series (2nd Edition).
their popularity was unprecedented ; and a Exposiłory Lectures on the Epistles to the thirteenth edition, last autumn, proves that
Corinthians. By the late Rev. FREDE- it is steadily maintained. Mr. Robert on of
the Church could point to. People were so Lectures and Addresses on Literary and So- ready to catch at almost anything he had cial Topics. By the late Rev. FREDE- said, that there was danger of publishing
W. ROBERTSON, M.A. New too much, of letting the world look on his Edition.
most private and crude thoughts, of trustAn Analysis of Mr. Tennyson's “ In Me- ing to the uncertainty of casual reports by
moriam.” By the late Rev. FREDERICK those who had heard him, of being driven W. ROBERTSON, M. A. London: Smith, by his very fame to be ungenerous to it. Elder, & Co.
There was an eager looking for some par
ticulars of his life, as of a man who had THIRTEEN years ago the clergyman of a strangely dropped away unknown, though proprietary chapel at Brighton died, and surely among the best worth knowing of his was buried with unmistakable demonstra- time; and all the while there was a steadly tions of sorrow. A ministry of six years growth and penetration of his influence, had endeared him to his people, and he had preparing men to receive his Lile an! taken sufficient part in public and local Letters” with an interest, curiosity, and questions to be recognised beyond the bounds welcome accorded only to a few. of his congregation. But he had only pub- Some rare and singular power must have lished one sermon, and so many clergymen dwelt in this modest working clergyman, to had lectured at Mechanics' Institutes, and account for the story of a fame so unique spoken on Ecclesiastical Titles Bills and in our pulpit literature; and whatever may early closing of shops, that not much heed be the secret of bis influence, we are not was taken of one clergyman more. As for likely to have further means of judging than any lasting influence, his life seemed to these now before us in his Life and Works. have ended at the grave abruptly, imma
Frederick Robertson was born in London turely, for he died young. As for any mark in 1816, and passed his childhood in Leith to be traced by him in the religious thought Fort, where his earliest recollections were of England, England had never heard of of "my pony, and my cricket, and my rabhim. In a year or two a volume of his ser- bits, and my father's pointers, and the days mons was published, with the drawbacks when I proudly carried his game-big, and inseparable from all po thumous publications. my ride home with the old gamekeeper by Ile had not written them before they were moonlight in the frosty evenings, and the preached, but after they were preached he boom of the cannon, and my father's orderhad condensed them for some absent friends ly, the artilleryman who used to walk with LIVING AGE.

domain: library


text:
Journey: Marylebone → Baker Street change train Baker Street → St. Johns Wood → Swiss Cottage → Finchley Road → West Hampstead → Kilburn → Willesden Green → Dollis Hill → Neasden → Wembley Park → Kingsbury
Estimated time: 37 mins Fare zones passed through: 1, 2, 3, 4 (cost for zones 1 to 4)
Note: This journey has been created by a computer program, and may not be the fastest possible route. Station closures, cancellations and delays might affect your journey, and you should allow for some extra time on top.
Car parks: Parking near Marylebone train station
Minicabs: Minicabs / taxis near Marylebone station
Drummerboy’s London blog includes all the attractions, events, shows and hotelsDrummerboy’s London blog

domain: geography


text:
Why should chocolate milk be served in schools?
Kids drink more milk when it’s flavored. In schools, 70 percent of milk kids choose is flavored, low-fat chocolate being the most popular choice. Studies have shown that removing flavored milk from schools results in a dramatic drop in milk consumption, which means these kids miss out on essential nutrients.
Why should chocolate milk should not be served in schools?
Like they say, one small thing can make a big difference. Finally, they should not serve chocolate milk at school because it is dangerous. It is dangerous because it can trigger a sugar overload; it can also contain unwanted ingredients and finally, it can give you major stomach problems.
Should flavored milk be served in schools?
Research has found that school-aged children who consume any type of milk at lunch are more likely to meet recommended levels of calcium intake than children who consume nonmilk beverages, and flavored milk in schools increases milk selection and promotes dietary quality.
Why do schools only serve milk?
They serve milk because many children need the nutrition. It might seem antiquated, it began in the late 1900–1920’s in public schools to provide food for impoverished kids. Many students and parents are engaging the schools to provide better food choices and even teen culinary programs to better the food!
What kind of milk do schools serve?
Currently, schools are permitted to serve low-fat and non-fat unflavored milk, but only non-fat milk could be flavored. The rule includes the Special Milk Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program operators serving children ages 6 and older. The dairy world is all in.
What is so bad about chocolate milk?
Chocolate milk contains added sugars and therefore more calories that can lead to more overweight and obesity. In the United States, 1/3 of children are already overweight and obese and at higher risk for chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Is it OK to drink chocolate milk everyday?
This beverage may offer some benefits to your muscles and bones — but may also promote conditions like heart disease in adults and obesity in children due to its sugar content. Therefore, chocolate milk is best enjoyed in moderation as an occasional treat rather than consumed on a daily basis.
What is the healthiest chocolate milk?
We Tried 5 Chocolate Milk Brands, and This Is the Best OneHow We Graded Them.From Worst… To Best.Nesquik Low-Fat Chocolate Milk.TruMoo 1% Chocolate Milk.Horizon Organic 1% Low-Fat Chocolate Milk.Fairlife 2% Ultra-Filtered Chocolate Milk.Maple Hill Creamery 2% Organic Grass-Fed Chocolate Milk.
Can you lose weight by drinking chocolate milk?
Two words: chocolate milk. Experiments have shown that people who drink chocolate milk after a workout recover better, lose more body fat, and gain more muscle than subjects who have a sports drink.
Why is Ovaltine banned?
Denmark has ordered Vegemite, along with Marmite and Ovaltine, off its shelves because food authorities have never confirmed claims that it is a “rich source of Vitamin B” and folate. The nation has strict food safety laws that restrict foods fortified with vitamins or minerals.
What tastes like chocolate but is not chocolate?
Both the powder and chips are similar to cocoa powder and chocolate chips in color, but their flavor is unique. Carob is less bitter than chocolate and has a roasted, naturally sweet flavor (carob chips aren’t made with added sugar for this reason). Carob also happens to be caffeine-free and high in fiber.
Which chocolate milk is best after workout?
BAM’s natural chocolate milk can be kept at room temperature until opened making it a great option for when you need a speedy refuel. Made with whole milk and naturally sweetened with honey.
Why chocolate milk is good for you after a workout?
A 2012 study published in Acute Topics in Sports Nutrition found that low-fat chocolate milk naturally contains a very desirable 4-to-1 carbohydrate to protein ratio, making it ideal for helping your body rebuild muscle after exercise. It also contains a slightly higher sodium content which helps with hydration.

domain: food


text:
Learn how to use and understand data from our local-level disaster risk reduction surveys in this 35 minute training video.
This resource is designed to be used alongside our Views from the Frontline data dashboard. Views from the Frontline is the largest independent global review of disaster risk conducted entirely at the local level.
The openly accessible data provides the results of interviews with over 100,000 community members, local authorities and civil society organisations in over 700 at-risk communities. The dashboard enables you to disaggregate the data and view responses for different respondents, particular groups of people and locations.
This training video is ideal if you want to use our data for research or reporting purposes, at the local or national level in one of the 49 countries surveyed.
You will be guided through how to extract interesting bits of information from the data, how to prioritise your findings and draw original conclusions.
The video also explains how your own findings and conclusions can be used to design local action plans and advocacy messages for campaigns.
The video is a recording of a live training session that was originally provided to our Views from the Frontline national partner organisations who implemented the project in their country. The results of their data analysis resulted in the publication of national reports, and our global report.
Recorded in 2019, this training video is available in English, French and Spanish.


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Seventeenth century manor house located in the heart of the historical centre, 70 meters from the castle. The house possesses elegant rooms and a garden with cloisters. In a 350 meters radius you can find all the museums of Bragança.
The room has a private WC and a door to the garden.
Accès des voyageurs
The guests have access to the kitchen, living rooms, library, chapel and garden.
Échanges avec les voyageurs
There's always someone available to accommodate the guests.
Breakfast is available everyday. Besides breakfast, other typical portuguese meals can be provided if previously requested.
Breakfast costs 5€.
No pets allowed.
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domain: travel


text:
After "blowing up" in the series Stranger Things, Millie Bobby
Brown will receive an impressive salary to star in Enola Holmes 2.
According to Variety, it is approximately $10 million, making it on
the list of the top twenty contracts in Hollywood this year.
For comparison, Margot Robbie will receive $12.5 million for Barbie.
The site even mentions that Netflix's high fees in recent years have
caused several actors to raise their bids in negotiations with other studios.

domain: economics


text:
Fourteen new titles were added recently to the DVD collection of the Hudson Area Library, thanks to the Friends of the Hudson Area Library. The additions focus on documentaries about art, artists, and the art world. These titles were carefully selected by the Library staff to reflect their patrons’ growing interest in this media and genre.The Friends of the Hudson Area Library is an advocacy and support group dedicated to increasing public awareness, literacy and services for the Library.
The new titles include “Waste Land”, the award-winning documentary by Lucy Walker; “Jack Smith and the Destruction of Atlantis”, a documentary about the revolutionary artist Jack Smith; “The Cats of Mirikitani”, an intimate exploration of New York artist Jimmy Mirikitani; “Never Stand Still: Dancing at Jacob’s Pillow”; “Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present”; the award winning dance documentary “First Position”; “Exit By the Gift Shop”, a film by street artist Bansky; “The Woodmans”, a film about American photographer Francesca Woodman; “Andy Goldsworthy’s Rivers and Tides”, about the British artist who creates intricate and ephemeral sculptures from nature; “Joan Mitchell: Portrait of An Abstract Painter”; “Louise Bourgeois: The Spider, the Mistress, and the Tangerine”, a journey inside the world of a legend of modern art and an icon of feminism; “War Dance”, a superb documentary that reveals the redemptive power of music, even in the most horrific places; “How To Draw A Bunny”, the documentary about artist Ray Johnson and his signature cartoon rabbit; and “Manufactured Landscapes”, a striking documentary on the world and work of renowned photographer Ed Burtynsky.
All titles are available at the Hudson Area Library or can be requested online at http://gigcat.midhudson.org/. Each DVD can be borrowed for up to seven days, completely free of charge with a library card from any library in the Mid-Hudson Library System.


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Does nylon shrink after wash
Like most synthetic fabrics, nylon is pretty resistant to shrinking, especially when it is washed. However, if another fiber has been incorporated into the fabric in addition to nylon, it is more likely that the fabric will shrink.
Can nylon go in the dryer
Nylon clothing should generally be air dried rather than put in the dryer, but if you want to speed up the process, most nylon garments can go in the dryer on a low setting. Use Caution When Drying The drying stage has the most potential to damage your nylon clothing, so its important to take care.
How do you wash nylon so it doesnt shrink
Boiling Water in a Pot, Soaking Nylon in Hot Water Soak nylon in hot water overnight, making sure the water is hot, before washing and rinsing the fabric.
Will nylon stretch
Yes, nylon is a stretchy fabric, as weve already mentioned, but the amount of stretch you get depends on the fabrics make and blend. Pure nylon can be stretched by 15 to 30% of its original size before the fibers begin to break.
Can you shrink a nylon bathing suit
Bathing suits are typically made of synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon, which are resistant to shrinking because they are made to stretch to the wearers body shape without being damaged. A suit made primarily of nylon and/or polyester wont become a size smaller through any special laundry tricks.
Does polyester and nylon shrink
Fibers such as polyester and nylon do not shrink due to some inherent properties such as being thermoplastic, which means that it generally wont wrinkle or shrink, Cormier said. Garments made with these synthetic fibers wont likely shrink very easily.
Does nylon stretch more than polyester
The stretchability of nylon material results from its ability to absorb a small amount of water while polyester does not, making it stronger and more stretchable than polyester.
Does 100% polyester shrink
Yes, 100% polyester shrinks, but only in specific situations because polyester naturally resists shrinkage. However, because polyester is a man-made fabric made of polymer, it can shrink if washed in hot water or ironed at an excessively high temperature.
How do you shrink tights that are too big
Even though most items these days come pre-shrunk, using a combination of heat, water, and friction will allow the fabric to bind back together and shrink your leggings. To wash and rinse your fabric in hot water, select a hot water wash and rinse cycle.
How do you shrink nylon and spandex leggings
However, to lock in the shrinkage from the washing machine, place a pair of spandex leggings in the dryer on high heat for just 10 minutes. If youre really concerned about damage, place the leggings in a pillowcase (tied off at the top) before putting them in the dryer.
Does nylon shrink Reddit
However, nylon also has the advantage of being low maintenance; it dries quickly, never shrinks or stretches in the wash, and retains its shape. To be safe, avoid using high heat whenever you can.
Is nylon material breathable
Clothing made of nylon has a tendency to trap heat and sweat against the skin because it is a fully synthetic material that is designed to repel water and has a low level of absorption.
Can nylon melt
The term “thermoplastic” refers to a materials ability to change state when exposed to heat, and Nylon has a melting point of 220 degrees Celsius, making it a thermoplastic material as opposed to a thermoset.
Will a bathing suit shrink in the dryer
A dryer is a great way to shrink a suit, but because of the tumbling and high heat, it can also weaken the fibers, making it something that shouldnt be used frequently to keep your suit in the best condition.
Is polyester similar to nylon
Both fabrics are lightweight synthetics distinguished by excellent durability and weather resistance; the primary distinction between polyester and nylon is that polyester is more water-resistant and nylon is softer. Polyester is also more versatile and produced in much greater quantities.
How do you shrink rayon and nylon
Start by choosing a warm or hot gentle cycle to shrink nylon and rayon. To prevent shrinking too much at once, use multiple warm cycles. After running your garment through a gentle warm water cycle once, take a look at the item.
Does nylon and rayon stretch
Polyester and rayon do not easily stretch on their own, though external forces such as the application of heat can allow them to stretch in the right circumstances. Nylon, on the other hand, has a tiny bit of absorbency and can stretch more than polyester.
Does wool nylon blend shrink
Even if your fabric blend doesnt shrink in the wash, using a washer or dryer setting with high heat and high agitation can damage a wool blend. It may be tempting to treat a wool/nylon blend the same way you would treat nylon, but the garment will last longer if you treat it like 100% wool.

domain: chemistry


text:
Toot Toot!!! This amazing wooden train whistle sounds like a real train! Features Thomas the Tank art. Measures 8.12" x 1.37" x 1.37" Ages 3 & up.
Our store is stocked full of FUN for kids of all ages.
New inventory is constantly arriving!
We can't possibly display everything on our web site, so if you don't see what you want here, feel free to call us at: 508-896-8185
We can help find the perfect gift.

domain: artistic


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Why the cost of living is so high
- The UK economy has performed reasonably well in recent years after a period of sluggish growth following the great recession. Unemployment is at its lowest point since early 1975. However, wage growth has remained slow, and many households are struggling to cope with the cost of living.
- In response to this, a consensus has emerged among the major political parties that the government should intervene more to help those on modest incomes.
- However, the evidence reveals that far from ameliorating the financial burden placed on households, government policies are currently compounding it.
- The common agriculture policy of the European Union has resulted in food prices being higher for consumers in the UK due to tariffs, subsidies, and overly restrictive regulations.
- Stamp duty and planning regulations mean that buying a home is now unaffordable for many people, while expensive rents are taking up a significant proportion of take-home pay.
- Increases to the minimum wage have led to higher prices for consumers in restaurants and hotels and decreased the employment opportunities of low skilled workers.
- Despite being subsidised by taxpayers, childcare costs in the UK are very high compared to other major economies due to regulations.
- Energy bills are high in the UK due to ‘green’ taxes to pay for renewable energy subsidies.
- Transport is expensive in the UK due to fuel duty and government intervention in the railways.
- The UK has one of the highest rates of air passenger duty making holidays more expensive.
- Pigouvian taxes on tobacco and alcohol consumption increases their price and impacts those on low incomes the most. The revenue raised from taxes on alcohol and tobacco far exceed their externalities.
- Income tax, national insurance contributions, and council tax all take a sizeable amount of money away from households.
- VAT increases the price of goods significantly which results in further pressure being placed on household budgets.
7:10 PM 16, Jun 2018 The TaxPayers' Alliance
4:04 PM 23, May 2018 Matt Gillow
4:20 PM 14, May 2018 James Price
3:34 PM 08, May 2018 Matt Gillow
8:44 AM 13, Apr 2018
2:44 PM 11, Apr 2018

domain: news


Hot Links: Goddard Sues Phoenix Country Club, Mormons Battle Same-Sex Prop, Ex-Canadian Profiled by MCSO, and Racist "Obama Waffles" Cause Gag Reflex.
By Stephen Lemons
Supes ready to rip up Guadalupe contract today. Goddard sues Phoenix Country Club over gender discrimination. U.S. Citizen claims MCSO asked her for green card because of car's Canadian flag. The Phoenix cop who collapsed after that charity boxing match is dead. Sheriff hopeful Dan Saban promises more deputies on patrol and a reduction in response time. (Sounds good to us.) D-Backs take down Giants, again. Housing construction hits new low. Baby discovered alive in garbage can, umbilical cord attached. The Democratic Diva takes on Mormons and gay marriage. And some idiot's selling "Obama Waffles." What is this, Alabama circa 1950?
NBA Preseason Basketball: Phoenix Suns v. San Antonio Spurs
TicketsMon., Oct. 3, 7:00pm
NBA Preseason Basketball: Phoenix Suns v. Utah Jazz
TicketsWed., Oct. 5, 7:00pm
Arizona Coyotes vs. San Jose Sharks
TicketsFri., Oct. 7, 7:00pm
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P Money is one of the best Grime MC’s on the scene right now. He’s been around for a while and is considered a veteran amongst many. 2013 has already been a busy year for him! He’s appeared on Skream & Friction’s latest hit, started his own brand, and is hard at work on his latest album. In the meantime he’s dropped this ten track mixtape that is sure to get a party started. All songs feature P Money spitting over popular beats such as Harlem Shake. It may seem gimmicky but it works, this tape is a blast!
P Money On:


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My name is Anders and I have been a computer geek all my life.. I love everything about computers and new tech stuff. I love to play new retro styled games.
My first game I released was Captain MAYO. It’s a classic platformer with alot of humor and challenging levels. The game has precise movement and is hard even for those who are custom to hard platforming games. It is full of surprises and powers to unlock.
The game engine I use are Game Maker Studio 2.x From YOYO Games.
As an indie developer I have no staff and do everything myself.
more to come

domain: hobby


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The Fourth Dalecarlian rebellion in Sweden. The Dagohoy rebellion in the Philippines that lasted for 85 years. The Jacobite rising in Scotland.
The contribution of French revolution in creating worldwide awareness of democratic ideas, and creating the will to fight oppression, is invaluable.
After the French revolution happened no monarchy in Europe was in a position to take their power for granted. I do not think the Russian revolution could have happened and succeeded without the French Revolution first clearing the way for it.
Remember that "Declaration" is just mere words, not connected to the reality. You should also know that Russian nobility were huge fans of everything French, some were speaking French language better than Russian.
Also, you should know that after the defeating of Napoleone BonapartRussians have seen post-revolutionary France. Marxwhose economical and political works caused so much of impact on Russia, was also a western sciencist. So, basically Russians had tried to go the French way, but "improved" it with Marx ideas, but, as we Russians always do, tried it too hard, too much.
So, it has become an failure. Low culture and huge gap between rich and poor. The elements in the cause were: However similar they were during the revolutions the outcome was totally different. As one can see one is democratic and the other is communist.
The french came up with the Declaration of the rights of man and the Russians came up with lenin. The russians and french both hated their governments and showed hostility to aristocracy.
They both wanted more land, wealth and freedom that the governement was not giving to them. So they had to take it.French and Russian Revolution French and Russian Revolutions study guide by Zoe_Epstein2 includes 56 questions covering vocabulary, terms and more.
Quizlet flashcards, activities and games help you improve your grades. Both the American Revolution and French Revolution were the products of Enlightenment ideals that emphasized the idea of natural rights and equality.
With such an ideological basis, it becomes clear when one sets out to compare the French Revolution and American Revolution that people felt the need to be free from oppressive or tyrannical rule of absolute monarchs and have the ability to live.
The French Revolutionary Wars were a series of sweeping military conflicts lasting from until and resulting from the French torosgazete.com pitted the French Republic against Great Britain, Austria and several other monarchies.
They are divided in two periods: the War of the First Coalition (–97) and the War of the Second Coalition (–). Comparing the French and Russian revolutions, Mayer focuses on how they reflected the struggle between revolutionary ardor and counterrevolutionary resistance, antireligious fervor and religious intransigence/5(6).
There were many similarities between the French and Russian Revolutions. First of all, it was the starvation and the bitter winter that had taken its toll on the people, causing a bread riot on both Revolutions. In the French Revolution, the women marched to Versailles and chased after Marie Antoinette, fixed upon killing her.
The great romance and fear of bloody revolution--strange blend of idealism and terror--have been superseded by blind faith in the bloodless expansion of human rights and global capitalism.


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you will find all manner of Upper Crustiana, listed alphabetically for
This is always updated as I learn more. If you think something's missing or inaccurate, please e-mail me at email@example.com.
- This legendary Boston three-piece counted drummer Jim (Jackie
Kickassis) Janota among its members. The
Trouser Press guide
describes them as "demonstrat[ing] a singular ability to analyze and describe
relationships and emotions with searing but subtle simplicity." They released a
number of singles and several albums, including Rock Starve (Restless,1987),
Night Of The Corn People (Helter-Skelter), and The Bags (a double LP from 1990
on the Stanton Park label). They also
released an album as Swamp Oaf, entitled Swamp Oaf. Visit
page for much more about The Bags.
- The direct precursors to the Upper Crust, this band sported the original Upper Crust
lineup and described themselves as "surf-rock with a nod toward Satanism."
They pretended to be a 1960s surf band, singing
Beach Boys type songs about the
crappy New England beaches, but it quickly descended into a celebration of heavy metal
and satanism. They once re-wrote all there songs and did a Halloween show as the Gravediggers.
Clearly, the Upper Crust was the inevitable next step. The Upper Crust
song "Rock and Roll Butler" has its origins
in a Clamdiggers tune called "The Undersea World of
Jacques Cousteau." See also
- New York City-based action combo. Visit the
Fleshtones Hall Of Fame to discover
which members of the band count the Upper Crust as one of their favorite bands. They
covered the Titanics song "High On Drugs" on
their 1995 release, Laboratory Of Sound. The same track was also recorded by Fleshtones
spinoff band the Full Time Men (three of the Fleshtones plus others), who also recently performed
the Titanics' "You Just Ain't Good Enough" at a gig in New York.
- One of Nat (Lord Bendover) Freedberg's previous bands.
The bass player was Jay Parham, who also played in the Titanics and
Satanics. The Flies have two releases on Homestead: Get Wise, from 1984, includes "All
Hung Up," which was released as a single (and was later re-made by the Titanics); and
Get Burned, a six-song EP released in 1985. They split up sometime around 1987.
- Another legendary Boston band that has included Jackie
Kickassis. The Lyres have been performing in various incarnations since 1979, and
Jim/Jackie has been part of two of these lineups: once in the late '80s and again about
five years later. He can be heard on two albums, A Promise Is a Promise (Ace
of Hearts, 1988) and Those Lyres
(Norton, 1994). Check the
Trouser Press guide for more.
- Both Ted (Lord Rockingham) Widmer and Marc
(the Marquis de Roque) Mazzarelli played in Mente, which
was started by John Murphy (who happened to be
husband). He first imagined the band while in high school; some 10 years later,
John and Kim met Ted and Marc in a bowling league in Cambridge and Mente became a
reality. (Kim wasn't in the band; drummer Gringo Starr completed the group.) They
were simultaneously Pixies' favorite band and considered the worst band in Boston!
Among their songs was a tribute to Bobby Orr
-- "the greatest hockey player in the world, bar none!"
According to Ted, who was known as Edward Van Mente, "We wrote hundreds of
songs, developed a wardrobe based heavily on unitards and old-lady gardening outfits,
and got a pretty big fan base" before losing interest around 1991 or so. Ted
and Marc continued playing together in two side projects, The
Clamdiggers and The Paesanos.
- Mono Puff
- Solo project from John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants. The single from their
debut album was "The Devil Went Down To Newport (Totally Rocking),"which
was an old Clamdiggers song written by Nat
(Lord Bendover) Freedberg and Ted
(Lord Rockingham) Widmer.
- Dave (the Duc d'Istortion) Fredette was a member of this band that was around Boston in the mid-80s. They released an album on Taang! in 1985 called Green Eggs & Ham. The Oysters have a garage-y kind of sound, not unlike their contemporaries the Flies.
Check the Duc's page for Oysters cover art.
- Starting as a side project during the Mente years, The
Paesanos were an Italian-American punk rock group based in Providence, Ted
(Lord Rockingham) Widmer's hometown. It included
Ted (Vinny Testosteroni), Marc (the Marquis de Roque)
Mazzarelli, Big Tony B on vocals and Little Tony B on drums. They only played
about five shows; songs included "You Toucha My Car I Breaka You Face,"
"Rocco," "Mama," "Love is Like Wine," "Paesanos
Theme" and "Hey Joey."
- While it would make more sense to describe the Titanics
before the Satanics, S comes before T in the alphabet. Like the Titanics, the
Satanics included Nat (Lord Bendover) Freedberg and
Dave (the Duc d'Istortion) Fredette; Titanics drummer Fred
Nazzaro and former Flies bassist Jay Parham round out the lineup. On their 1992 CD
(Limited Potential Records) as well as the 1993 single "(Come Come Come to the)
Devil Rockin' Man," Freedberg is billed as "Devlin Carnate."
(I'll admit, this caused me to say "Hey, I thought Nat Freedberg was-- oh, I
get it.") In addition, the songs all have something to do with our pal
Beelzebub - "Devil Music," "I Carry the Curse,""Helena
Handbasket" (say it out loud), etc. A couple of songs are recycled from the
Titanics CD, which itself had some satanic song titles. More intriguingly, echoes
of future Upper Crust tunes can also be heard: combine "Pure Evil" and
"Hell: It Ain't Heat-- It's the Humidity" and you've got about 75% of
"Let Them Eat Rock;" the chorus of "See You In Hell" is similar
to "Tell Mother I'm Home;" and it's a short trip from "Let's Make
The World A Worse Place To Live" to "Opera Glass." In another
foreshadowing of the Crust, the CD's booklet has an Olde Tyme look, including
using the old character that looks like an 'f' instead of 's' whenever
poffible. Co-produced by Tim O'Heir, who also co-produced the Upper Crust CD.
- Seks Bomba
- This band bills itself as "Boston's hottest Surf-Spy-Lounge Rock
band" They're worth mentioning here because -- despite vehement
denials on their
web site -- their singer/guitarist is none
other than the Crust's own Chris(Count Bassie) Cote.
- Both Nat (Lord Bendover) Freedberg and Dave
(the Duc d'Istortion) Fredette played in this band, which
released an album on the White Star label in 1990. (The astute reader will of
course recall that White Star was the name of the shipping line that owned the
ill-fated ship.) This was later released as a CD on Taang! Records in 1991 with
four extra tracks. All the songs were written by Nat with the exception of the
Captain Beefheart song "Out Of The Frying Pan" (which has also been
covered by Swedish garage-punkers The
Nomads, who covered the Lyres song "She Pays The
Rent"). Future Upper Crust producer Paul Q. Kolderie engineered one track
and produced another on the CD, which was recorded in late 1989. Dave's brother
Stephen also played bass in the band for a little while. One can see
the germination of the Satanics in song titles like
"Stayin' On The Right Side Of Satan" and "Family That Prays
Together." The Titanics recently reunited at a benefit
show for Stephen Fredette.
(On a totally unrelated note, one of the passengers killed when
the Titanic sunk was named Evan Davies -- no relation to your Web serf.)


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Maryland Natural Resources Police have identified two men who died after a boat capsized in St. Mary’s County.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is trying to understand why three of the four people who got organs from a rabies-infected donor in 2011 didn’t develop the disease, the agency’s top rabies expert said Wednesday.
Mistrial On First-Degree Murder In Case Of Man Accused Of Killing 3 Young Relatives; Guilty Of Conspiracy
A split verdict in the trial for a man accused of slashing his young relatives’ throats. Convicted of conspiracy but cleared of murder charges, Policarpio Espinoza Perez could still spend his life behind bars.
A mystery in Maryland horse racing. There’s a surging number of deaths after injuries on the track, and state regulators, as well as the Maryland Jockey Club, are taking action to get to the bottom of it.
Two Navy divers are killed during a diving operation in Harford County. This is the second deadly incident at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in the past month.
Traffic fatalities may no longer be on the decline.
U.S. deaths from flu range from about 3,000 to about 50,000 per year.
More than a half a million people are predicted to die this year in America from all forms of cancer. Though the overall number is staggering, the predicted deaths are showing a decrease from a high reached in 1991.
Baltimore police say they are investigating four deaths in a span of six hours.
Cancer death rates decreased by 1.6 percent from 2000 to 2009.
In 2011, fewer people died on U.S. roads than at any time since 1949.
Maryland transportation officials are setting less ambitious goals after failing to significantly reduce pedestrian deaths in the state.


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Choosing an agronomist should be difficult.
If it isn’t, then perhaps producers aren’t asking the questions they should.
Ross McKenzie of Alberta Agriculture says the need for good advice has been an issue for generations of farmers, but the information supply has never been as tight.
He said over the past decade provincial governments have been reducing the number of frontline agronomists that are available to work with producers.
That shortage, combined with recent advancements in technology and a return to profitability in grain production, has resulted in a rise in farmers seeking advice on how to invest in their fields.
Ken Coles of the Southern Alberta Research Association in Lethbridge said producer demands for more agronomic information and his group’s ability to deliver it has resulted in some of SARA’s success.
He said producers are looking at their crop inputs as investments that pay dividends with increased yields.
“Good advice can be valuable, but it needs to be the right advice,” he told producers attending the Southern Alberta Conservation Association meeting in Medicine Hat in early December.
Brent Vankoughnet, who farms near Carman, Man., and advises producers on business operations, said farmers need to think about where their agronomy information comes from.
“The coffee shop? The retailer? We need information from reliable sources. Agronomists, better farm publications, other producers who have tried something in my area. How about several sources?” he said.
“Some people don’t want to know if the agronomist was right about the yield from that 110 pounds of N (nitrogen) he recommended for the canola crop and they didn’t put down. If that is what the neighbours are doing to get those big crops, well, they don’t want to know that either.
“If you had to report to a board of directors or partners about your decisions on the farm, if we were accountable to someone other than ourselves, we would be getting the best information we could and making use of it.”
McKenzie said the quality of the information that producers use is critical to the outcome.
“You want evidence and science based knowledge that you can use on your farm. It needs to be proven.”
He cited as an example the modified Kelowna system that is used to accurately analyze soil tests and make recommendations for Alberta soil and environmental conditions is based on research from more than 400 Alberta sites.
Seven soil testing methods were used until the system was proven most accurate for Alberta.
“That is what we call sound science, the best quality of information,” he said. “To get good information, it needs to be unbiased, so always consider the source of the research. Why do they do it and what do they have to gain?”
McKenzie said conjecture-based information is a second type of information to consider when making agronomy decisions.
“Inter-row seeding falls into this area,” he said. “We really don’t have enough research yet to say, ‘yes, this works.’ At this point it only makes sense that it would. You might not want to go out and spend $25,000 on a new Deere RTK just to try it. Or some of you might.”
McKenzie said controlled traffic farming strategies that keep all field traffic on repeatable tracks is another example of conjecture based information.
“It works in Australia where they have much older soils and very different conditions. It might work, but without any research to back it up here, it might be an expensive experiment for farmers,” he said.
“There are better ways to invest that money on most farms, on science proven inputs and (strategies).”
Variable rate inputs for prairie farms is an area that McKenzie said still falls into the conjecture zone of agronomic science. Research is ongoing and not yet complete, but the idea might have merit.
“Always ask yourself, was it tested in my region, in my dirt, in my environment? If not, why not?” he said.
McKenzie said pseudo science is the last place producers should go when looking for information that they can apply to their operations.
He said these are claims that haven’t been proven to work by researchers at major western Canadian universities or government agriculture departments, such as seed treatments that apply tiny amounts of micronutrients, the creation of special soil environments or the recycling of tractor exhaust.
He said information about these products often contains references to studies performed at foreign institutions or by contracted testing firms.
“Always consider the source of the information and whether you can identify on your farm the problem they are offering to solve.”
He said if the information makes claims that are backed up by farmer testimonials and little science, producers should get local, expert opinions and call the farmers providing the endorsement before buying into the concept.
McKenzie said choosing an agronomist should be based on a desire to have high quality, science-based information on which to base decisions and solve known problems on the farm.
“Ask yourself, am I satisfied with my yields … have I done what I know I should be doing for my crops?”
He said farmers who answer no to those types of questions should consider the services of an agrologist.
“It should be a serious consideration, like buying a new air seeder or sprayer. You are making an investment in them and you should be able to expect it to pay your dividends, not just their fees.”
Hiring an agronomist can be a time management issue for producers who are unable to pay detailed attention to all the land they have, or where farmers choose to reduce their workloads.
McKenzie said that once the decision to hire an adviser is made, compile a list of up to four local agrologists.
Each should have regional experience, training or years of practice in Western Canada. Preferably their academic experience was accumulated at a prairie college or university and the candidate has a specialization in soils, plant science or agronomy.
A professional designation such as P. Ag. or CCA, while not a guarantee of quality, is an indication of professional qualifications and experience.
The candidates should be referred by other farmers, industry representative local retailers and researchers.
Interviews should be held with each candidate to decide who will be the best fit on the producer’s farm.
“If they don’t have time for an interview, you don’t have time to hire them, no matter how well recommended they are,” said McKenzie.
Questions for the candidates should deal with the crops grown on the farm, the type of machinery used, the services that are required, such as soil sampling or crop scouting, and known technical issues that could indicate their depth of local farming knowledge.
Discussions should all lead to a point where fees and services are spelled out in a contract so that both parties are clear on who pays for what, when and how much it will cost and if additional services and time are available and at what price.
McKenzie said good information will come at a cost and that price should be reflected in increased margins and time savings.
“It’s about genuine science, local information and experience.”
AGRONOMY SERVICES THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED:

domain: agronomy


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Sewing for Men month round up07:00
Wow, June whizzed by!
I thought I'd take a moment to pop into one blog post all of the Sewing for Men posts we've had during July.
First we started with an introduction to the month.
Then Sara from Sew Sweetness showed us how to sew with Cork Fabric.
Tips & Ideas for sewing for men.
Gentleman's Wallets that you have made.
Kraft-Tex when sewing for men.
choosing fabrics for men!
part 1 and part 2.
choosing the right gift to sew for Dad next.
Waxed canvas, and how to sew with it.
"keep it cool" steering wheel cover. Go Seahawks! (I don't know who the Seahawks are...)
top 5 sewing blogs written by men.
Phew! No wonder we need a rest!
Don't get too relaxed, we'll be spending July with the Hobo bag, with a sew along and inspiration!


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