Modernica's Pets on Furniture contest
The animal lovers at Modernica want to see more -- from you.
The store is accepting entries for its Pets on Furniture contest through Jan. 31. Simply upload a photo of your beloved pet on a piece of modern furniture -- think Noguchi or Nelson -- and try to win votes from Modernica's blog readers. Cast your vote too. A winner will be named weekly; a grand prize winner will be announced Feb 14.
Prizes include an Isamu Noguchi coffee table ($695), a Noguchi dining table ($795), a Pierre Paulin easy chair ($1,170) and a George Nelson bubble lamp ($269).
"We're always trying to get people involved," Modernica co-owner Jay Novak says. "It proved to be really popular last year. I got so involved I actually voted last year. Our customers are directors and art directors and cinematographers, so some of the pictures that come in are really fabulous."
Photos must be of a pet on modern furniture -- make sure the furniture is recognizable -- and must be original.
-- Lisa Boone
Photos from Modernica


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Labels are such interesting little buggers. Those simple words, either self-applied or applied by others that seem to form our self-concept and either expand or limit how we see ourselves.
I recently had someone refer to me as a writer. It gave me pause, as I have not thought of myself that way.
Until my husband left, I never wrote anything that wasn’t assigned by a teacher or professor. I suppose I was okay, but I never felt compelled to write and certainly never had a passion for it. As soon as he left, I purchased a spiral notebook and a green pen (the green was very important at the time). And I began to write. The writing was purgative, words never meant to be seen by another. However, I was putting pen to paper under my own volition. Is one a writer by act regardless of purpose or intended audience?
Was I a writer then?
In those early weeks, as I saw the shock and interest in the faces of the police and attorneys, I realized that this story needed to be told. The writing left the spiral notebook and went on a pilgrimage to the computer, where it began to be crafted into a book. Those words were only shared with a select few and were never fully formed into finished chapters. Is one a writer when crafting for an audience, even if imaginary and existing in some ambiguous future?
Was I a writer then?
Almost two years went by without much progress on the book. As I felt driven to write again, I decided to start this blog. Apparently people read it. Did I become a writer when my words were posted in the public domain?
Was I a writer then?
Now, I have been published in the Huffington Post. Let me pause here for a brief interlude. Oh. My. God. I am in the Huff Post. Deep breath. So. Freakin. Surreal. Okay, now I can continue. Does being asked to contribute to a major publication make one a writer?
Am I a writer now?
At some point, I would love to be paid to write. Is receiving remuneration for authorship services required of one who is designated as a writer. In other words, does the IRS need to see me as a writer in order for me to qualify?
Will I be a writer then?
How about when my book is completed and published (hey, now, I’ve got to dream big!!)?
Will I be a writer then?
It is strange how writing has permeated my life these last three years when it has been all but absent for the previous 31 (okay, so I actually couldn’t write for the first few of those…). I spend time every day mentally composing and then crafting posts. I enjoy the process of writing and I love hearing feedback from those who read my words. Writing has become a way to reflect and to share. It is now both purgative and restorative. At this point, it has become part of who I am. I feel like I’ve embodied its spirit to the point where I cannot imagine its exit from my life. I think that is what makes me a writer.
24 thoughts on “When Can I Call Myself a Writer?”
Interesting post. I’ve been reading tomes by the best writers since I was a wee lad of 3, etc.
You’re a writer of the first water mon ami. It is my privilege to read your writing and ever so beneficial.
Old Bill wrote once that when a certain party spoke people applauded but when another person spoke, people took action. Your writing is powerful to move people to action, especially in moving ahead with their lives. Kudos to you. Amazing that your writing span is a few years. Great that you love writing. We are your beneficiaries. 😀 If it were possible, I would stand atop my monitor and fist pump salute you with a smile only matched by the one when Metallica played Enter Sandman to a sea of Russkis. Thank you Lisa. We are enriched with your writing. You are a Writer.
to me, a writer is someone who writes originally, produces a piece, and can show it to people without fear…I think that’s when a person can be named a “writer”…a writer is not simply someone who writes…although i hear that alot…so not true -_-
In that case, I am most certainly not a writer! No fear? No way:)
You hit the ‘publish’ button for others to read. That is a writer. Someone who unabashedly writes!
I like that:)
gasp* uh oh!
you have a wonderful post definitely you are a writer
You most definitely ARE a writer!
This had me Google the definition of a writer if you’re interested:
1-A person who has written a particular text.
2-A person who writes books, stories, or articles as a job or regular occupation.
These were the first two definitions that came up. I don’t think that #1 is specific enough because then pretty much every school assignment, etc. would mean everyone is a writer. But your blog definitely counts as #2, even if it isn’t currently a paid occupation. And “blogger” is just a more specific type of writer (poet, journalist, technical writer, so many different types)-the quality of a blogger can vary just as in any occupation. I think we are aware of the bloggers that never post anything original, whereas yours is very original, and certainly why you have such a following. You obviously spend a lot of time thinking about yours!
I never thought to look it up. Duh! Thanks:)
You are a writer because 1) you put your heart and soul into your thoughts and 2) you affect other people through your words. To me, the dry definitions above cannot describe what it is to be a writer. It is like, for example, scuba diving – which I have done – or parachuting, which I have not. I have felt closer to the universe and a part of something bigger than myself in the water as I have mastered the tools and skills required to get to that place; whereas I am still afraid of jumping from airplanes so would feel inadequate to describe the joys of leaping into the sky and plummeting towards earth. You have worked out how to express yourself through the medium of words and spread your wisdom to others, you are deep in the waters. So you have become a writer in the transcendent sense. As a small child who learns to express inner feelings and wisdom through words can be a writer, the most skilled facilitator of words may fail (in my opinion) if they cannot connect with the deeper truths of mankind.
Wow. What a cool definition of a writer. I never looked at quite that way. Thanks!
Okay here I go…I believe you are a writer when you begin to think about it…I know everyone says you have to have it written out somewhere, but I do most of my writing and editing in my head…by the time it gets to the screen I am 90% done.
The hard part is getting my wife to understand that the last 30 minutes I have spent staring out the window, not moving a muscle, I was actually working…lol.
I always find myself “writing” in the shower:)
I think if people read what you’ve written then you must be a writer….does it have to be a book of the best selling variety for someone to be a writer? Anyway I know that writing is a very good ….no excellent!! therapeutic tool. It just takes all the power out of all those words that were whirling around in my head ….. cos now it’s all down on paper and or floating around in cyber space. Thanks again for a lovely post. Keep up the good work and to heck with all those critics in the Huffington Puffington Post! You know the old saying about walking a mile in another persons shoes……..
It is great therapy…there is no doubt about that one!
You are one as soon as you say you are with pure intentions. xoxo
“A bird does not sing because it has an answer; it sings because it has a song.” Maya Angelou

domain: literature


New Favorite: Steyr A1 Pistol Series
At Ranger Point Precision, we have always maintained a strong focus on our core business—building custom firearms and parts. But when I picked up my first Steyr A1 pistol a few months ago, I knew RPP had to become a retailer.
First off, I couldn’t find a dealer in the Cypress/Houston area carrying the Steyr pistols. I had to borrow one from a range officer just to handle one. But the more important reason for becoming a Steyr dealer is that the company has, for the last several years, been quietly producing one of the best handguns ever built, at a very competitive price. That’s the kind of secret that we had to share with our customers.
Before you dismiss that statement as marketing hyperbole, let me say that all of us at RPP are committed to selling only those products that we believe in strongly and use ourselves. It’s not a corporate tag line, but a personal conviction, a point of pride. We also know our customers are not content with cheaply made junk, so we understand that our long term success is dependent on this philosophy. But if you're still thinking the last thing the world needs is another plastic wonder, just trust me, this is no Glopy gat.
Even so, I realize that “one of the best handguns ever built” is the kind of sweeping statement that will be subject to vehement debate. But before you barricade yourself and hunker down with your favorite 1911, or Glock, or XD, Walther, S&W M&P or H&K, bear in mind that before we discovered the Steyr, we all favored one or another of those makes too. And we all own and shoot them still. But the Steyr A1 series pistols have become the shop favorite. Here’s why:
1. Fast, intuitive target engagement. This must be the ultimate goal of every handgun design. The defensive nature of their mission means they may at some point be deployed under duress, so the more intuitive they are to use, they more effective they will be. This is a very difficult goal to attain, particularly for a wide variety of shooters, but the Steyr A1 accomplishes it through:
Exceptional ergos that guide a wide range of hand sizes into a comfortably intuitive, but optimal grip form. It doesn't come with any interchangeable grip panels, but somehow it doesn't need them.
Incredibly fast sights. The Steyr's unique trapezoidal sights are not a gimmick. They guide the pistol quickly onto the target without taking attention away from the threat.
Passive, but effective safeties. While passive safeties are standard fare on most striker fired handguns these days, it's worth mentioning that the Steyr has 3 passive safeties plus a triggerlock to prevent accidents. All you have to do is concentrate on the shot.
2. Remarkably fast follow up. Arguably, the second most important aspect of handgun design after fast target engagement, is fast follow up. With its extremely low bore axis and slide height, the Steyr A1 offers some of the best recoil management characteristics of any gun we've tried. Muzzle rise is noticeably less than comparable pistols. And with its quick reset trigger, the Steyr makes rapid doubles a snap.
3. Superior trigger. Let's face it, most striker fired pistols have poor to middlin' triggers out of the box. The Steyr's completely unique, double action fire control system offers one of the lightest and least "stacking" triggers we've tried, typically around 5lbs. We've already done a lot of tinkering with it, and yes, it can be made even better.
4. A robust and high quality platform. Every aspect of the A1's construction appears to be well designed, from a robust chassis to an attractive slide finish. The ramped chamber is fully supported. The slide recoils against the reinforced polymer frame. The fire control system is made up of actual hardened steel parts instead of plastic. The pistol field strips easily for maintenance. My personal Steyr L40-A1 has now seen several hundred rounds without a single failure of any kind, and no cleaning to date. All evidence would support the company's tag line,"Count on it."
We at RPP are so enthusiastic about Steyr's A1 pistols that we have committed ourselves to being their biggest supporter in the U.S. And I don't mean rah rah support. I mean aftermarket parts of our own design, maintenance, tuning, and repair. We already have several Steyr specific R&D projects on the docket, so if it's aftermarket goodies you crave, count on us.
In the meantime, if you want to handle a Steyr A1 or buy one, call us or stop by. Steyr Arms, the company's U.S. importer, informs us that the Austrian factory is currently filling a large government contract for the pistols, so supplies are tight here in the States. But both 9mm and .40 S&W models are still available. We have them in stock now.
Checkout the recent L40-A1 review by Denis Prisbey, Personal Defense World
Pistol / Rifle Combo (share ammo!): If you fall in love with the Steyr L40-A1, think about a pistol / rifle combo. Just a reminder that we can also build you a custom Marlin 1894 40 S&W Short Stroke Pistol Caliber Carbine.


In the midst of one of America’s biggest and craziest events of the year, the largest single sex-trafficking event is taking place. Every year the Super Bowl sadly brings along with it a dark side of pleasure for profit. As people are cheering for their team and enjoying the food, shows, music, games and activities, young girls and women are being bought and sold behind the scenes. It is heartbreaking, but here in Indy it is also being fought against. Can you be proud of your city? I don’t know, but I am proud of the way the people of Indy have stepped up to the plate on this one. The city lawmakers knew it was coming, and they have taken measures to prevent it. Other groups, as well, have joined the fight in ending this awful practice that goes on unnoticed by the general population every year.
I read this great article the other day that shares some of the ways that Indianapolis and groups of people are standing together to provide a way out for trapped women. As we enjoy the game and events this weekend, my heart has been burdened to pray for this whole situation to be shut down. Will you join me this weekend in praying for these women and those who are selling them? Pray that the light of Christ would shine forth, that the women and girls will be rescued and helped, that the men in control will be caught and stopped.


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Antibodies directed against the major apoprotein of rabbit lung surfactant, a 29-36-kDa glycoprotein, were used to study changes in the levels of translatable surfactant apoprotein mRNA in rabbit lung tissue during development, as well as the effects of cortisol and cyclic AMP analogues on the levels of surfactant apoprotein and its mRNA in fetal rabbit lung tissue in organ culture. The major surfactant apoprotein and its mRNA were undetectable in lung tissues of 21-day gestational age fetal rabbits. Translatable mRNA specific for the major surfactant apoprotein was first detectable in lung tissues of 26-day fetuses, increased 25-fold on day 28, reached peak levels at day 31, and declined after birth. Incubation of 21-day fetal rabbit lung explants with cortisol in serum-free medium resulted in an increase in the specific content of the 29-36-kDa apoprotein. Cyclic AMP analogues and forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase, also caused a marked increase in the accumulation of surfactant apoprotein. When fetal lung explants were incubated with cortisol and dibutyryl cyclic AMP in combination, the specific content of the surfactant apoprotein was increased to levels greater than that of explants treated with either cortisol or dibutyryl cyclic AMP alone. These effects of dibutyryl cyclic AMP and cortisol on surfactant apoprotein accumulation were associated with comparable changes in the levels of translatable surfactant apoprotein mRNA. Thus, we have shown for the first time that the induction of pulmonary surfactant apoprotein synthesis during differentiation in vitro and in vivo is associated with an increase in the level of translatable mRNA and that cortisol and cyclic AMP increase both the accumulation of the major surfactant apoprotein and the corresponding mRNA in fetal rabbit lung tissue in vitro.
|Original language||English (US)|
|Number of pages||6|
|Journal||Journal of Biological Chemistry|
|State||Published - 1986|
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology


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Anyone in the world can be easily carried away on the wave of creativity of Harland Sanders. The sights, sounds and the smells of the kitchen always inspire me to cook like great chefs. According to me, household kitchens are a treasure trove of raw materials ready to be transformed into a great dish of the world. KFC discloses its world famous recipe only to its customers’ tongues. Yet there are great cooks who can discover the ingredients just by tasting it. Though not the original, something quite close to the original recipe is available. So if you are far from a KFC outlet, then no need to wait. Instead, make it yourself and discover the cook inside you.
Ingredients for KFC gravy recipe
- Half tablespoon of melted shortening
Shortening is the vegetable oil used in baking. Shortening is little more viscous than oil so add extra water to get the perfect gravy.
- 3 tablespoon of breading flour
- 2 tablespoon all purpose flour
- 1 can Campbell’s condensed chicken stock
- 1 can water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon mono sodium glutamate
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 chicken bouillon cubes
- 10 ounce Franco American beef gravy
- 1 pinch ground sage. Sage is one of the most popular herbs in United States to enhance the flavor of both vegetable and non-vegetable dishes. It is an astringent and provides fragrant aroma to the dish. There was a time when sage was used as a medicine. Now it is a part of world’s most famous chicken restaurant that is KFC.
Method to prepare KFC Gravy recipe
Instruction to prepare roux
Step 1: Roux is made to thicken gravies. It is not a rocket science to made roux in home. Just follow the steps
- Pour half tablespoon shortening in a pan and melt it. Add 1/2 tablespoon of breading flour and stir it with wooden stick. Keep stirring it ill the mixture gets too thick and it becomes light brown in color.
- The more you cook roux, more flavor it provides to the gravy. Do not cook it till mahogany color.
Step 2: Remove this mixture from heat and add the remaining flour.
Step 3: Now slowly add the other ingredients including liquid. Keep stir it to avoid lump formation.
Step 4: Boil this mixture and keep stirring it so that no lumps are formed in the mixture.
Step 5: Boil for 2 minutes.
Step 6: Reduce the heat so that the mixture get thicken. It will take around 5-6 minutes to get the desired thickness. Check the thickness of the gravy on a steel spoon. Check for the thick fall of the gravy from the spoon. It should not stick to the steel spoon.
The results are more than simply satisfying. The pepper and sage add an interesting dimension to the replica of KFC’s Gravy recipe.
A small investment of common ingredients, carefully woven thoughts and some labor in the food laboratory that is my kitchen reaped benefits. The above KFC Gravy recipe is the closest ever to KFC’s gravy recipe that I’ve ever tasted.

domain: food


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Jurors have begun deliberating over whether Dylann Roof is sentenced to death or life in prison for his crimes.
Roof told the jury on Tuesday that they have been misled by prosecutors about his alleged deep hatred of African-Americans.
Roof was convicted last month of killing nine African-Americans at a Charleston church in June 2015. Roof is representing himself in the penalty phase of his hate crimes trial, and gave a closing argument that lasted about five minutes. He argued that he has never said he hates African-Americans, but that “I don’t like what black people do.”
“And anyone, including the prosecution, that thinks that I’m filled with hate has no idea what real hate is,” Roof said. “They don’t know anything about hate. They don’t know what real hatred looks like. They think they do. But they don’t, really.”
Roof went on to tell the jury that he has been told he has the right to ask them to give him a life sentence. But he said, “I’m not sure what good that would do.” He reminded the jury that all he needs to get life in prison is for one person to disagree with prosecution’s request that he be sentenced to death.
That case was made by lead prosecuting attorney Jay Richardson during his closing argument, which lasted two hours, before Roof gave his. Richardson went through every horrific detail revealed during the last month of the federal hate crimes trial of Roof, a Columbia-area man.
Richardson noted Roof’s extensive planning, his continued lack of remorse and the damage he caused to the family members of the victims he killed.
“We learned about the defendant’s cold and calculated choices that caused those losses to happen,” Richardson said. “His racist ideology the acquiring of that ideology, that’s part of his preparation that’s part of what led him to walk in that door at Mother Emanuel on June 17 (2015).”
Richardson also noted how Roof spent time on racist websites, but also chose to create his own to continue spreading “his message of hate; his message of revenge; his message of agitation.”
“He spent years acquiring this deep hatred,” Richardson said. “He ‘had to do it.’ Those are the words of an extraordinary racist.”
After highlighting what the loss of every victim meant to their families, Richardson went on to enumerate reasons why Roof’s case qualifies for the death penalty. All the while, Roof, 22, sat motionless as Richardson listed the reasons why Roof should be put to death.
The jury must be unanimous in their decision for Roof to be sentenced to death. If they become deadlocked in his fate, Roof gets life in prison.
Richardson got a second chance to argue why Roof needs to be sentenced to death, during his counter-argument to Roof’s closing statement.
Richardson called Roof “unrepentant” and said that his closing argument highlighted how Roof’s racism is not passionate or angry, but cold and calculated.
“His response is to double down,” said Richardson in response to Roof’s closing argument. “It’s to continue to tell you the same thing. He wants you to believe that you have been misled. That indeed he was justified. That he was justified in committing a modern-day lynching.
“Render the full measure of justice for this defendant,” Richardson added. “Sentence this defendant to death.”
In his closing argument, Roof also said that the jury had heard in his taped confession to the FBI that Roof felt like he “had to do it.” In court on Tuesday, Roof said “that’s obviously not true.”
“I didn’t have to do it,” Roof said. “But what I meant when I said that was that I felt that I had to do it. And I still feel that I had to do it.”

domain: news


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Nom-Rating: ***** (5/5)
I hope you have plans for tonight that involve costumes, candy and pumpkins!
Nom-Rating: **** (4/5)
A couple of summers ago I made a couple of attempts to make healthy, dairy-free ice cream alternatives.
The first attempt combined apple juice, pineapple and bananas and ended up being a pretty sorry excuse for ice cream.
You guys are going to love this recipe.
You start out by mixing one box of white cake mix with one box of angelfood cake mix.
Add three tablespoons of the mix to a mug.
Mix in two tablespoons of water.
And microwave for one minute.
3, 2, 1…Tada! It’s a little shortcake to be enjoyed with whatever fresh fruit, jam, peanut butter or chocolate sauce you have! I went with blackberries and a dollop of vanilla ice cream:)
Try it. You’ll love it.


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Wednesday, June 27, 2012
| 4:47:00 PM IST (+05:30 GMT)
747 Comments | By Krishma Solanki
Here is a list of some UNCONVENTIONAL Television couple pairing that ...
The month started on a high note but ended in a dud.
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domain: entertainment


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Semolina or also known as suuji is one of wheat that is used to make dishes, cakes or pasta. Semolina is found in abundance in India. The original texture of this wheat is a bit rough. But the texture after cooking is lovely and very unique. It also has a great flavor. Semolina can also be your night dish because semolina is light. Your stomach will not feel any load during the night, so semolina can be one of the best dishes during the night. In India semolina is very popular for use in pasta, halwa, upma and porride. Semolina has become very popular wheat worldwide because of its taste and benefits.
13 Benefits of Semolina for Health That You Should Know:
For those who still do not know what the benefits are, I already make a list of several benefits so that you know how to use it.
1. Help to Lose Weight:
The first health benefits of semolina are weight loss. A certain cause of weight gain is hunger. By eating instant foods or snacks you cannot give enough energy and nutrients. It will only make you want to eat more. But luckily for you semolina can solve your problem.
“According to research, semolina has the ability to keep you from hunger because semolina releases energy slowly. Semolina is also rich in fiber that can strongly digest your food”.
2. Ideal for Diabetics:
Semolina contains low glycemic index, so eating semolina is highly recommended for diabetics. While giving diabetics enough daily energy, eating semolina can also continue to lower blood sugar.
3. Improves the Functioning of the Kidney:
The potassium compound found in the semolina can improve the functioning of the kidneys.
4. Treat the Fever:
Why do you feel as if you had a fever or had an altered belly, you can change your diet with semolina. The doctor recommended semolina as a great diet for this condition. It is even good to consume for young children.
5. Promote Immunity:
Selenium present in the semolina is known to strengthen the immune system. In addition to selenium, inside it is the vitamin B complex and vitamin E. These vital vitamins are very important to stimulate the immune system and fight disease.
6. Strong Bones:
Semolina can help increase the density of your bones while maintaining your strength and health.
7. Keeps the Nervous System Healthy:
Known as the well-being of nerves, semolina is increasingly popular as a dish. Semolina offers phosphorus, zinc and magnesium that are important for the functioning of the nervous system.
8. Prevents Heart Problems:
Semolina offers chemical selenium that can protect your heart from infections. Semolina can also keep your heart in good shape. It helps you promote your cardiovascular health in addition to keeping you away from heart attacks, heart failure and more.
9. Avoid Anemia:
Your blood needs to be produced if you want to avoid some problems caused by a lower blood condition. Anemia occurs when your red blood is below the amount of blood your body needs. To increase red blood you will need a substance called iron. And this iron is found in semolina. Semolina contains enough iron for your body’s daily needs. If your body has enough iron, not only will anemia be avoided, it will also increase your blood circulation. You can get more fuel for your daily operation.
10. Food Balance:
Because inside the semolina they present low cholesterol and low sodium, which makes semolina as a perfect balance food to nourish your day.
11. Promotes Muscle Health:
Inside the semolina they contain enough calcium and magnesium that can help your muscle stay healthy.
12. Control Anxiety:
Thanks to the durum wheat (hard variety) in the semolina, the stomach may take a while to digest this food. This means that you may not feel hungry for a longer period of time and may graduate from the habit of overeating.
13. Promotes Skin Health:
The latest health benefits of semolina are good for the skin. As a rich source of protein, semolina can nourish your skin. Make it healthier and look good. Some of you may already realize these many benefits. For some countries like India, an abundant source of semolina can be found. Semolina can be a substitute for the rise or any main dish that contains many carbohydrates. It is possible that some of the benefits have already been noticed for generations. But for those who are not familiar with this wheat they can try to change their diet and take the benefits. In this age based on technology, getting on this wheat can be easier. Try to visit a supermarket or online store. There is much product of this wheat.
But There is a Precaution for Those Who are Intolerant to Blood Glucose or Who Have Celiac Disease.
- Those who have this condition should not consume this wheat because semolina has high gluten content.
- It can be harmful to them. Otherwise, it is a highly recommended dish.
- Trying to change your healthy diet can sometimes make you feel excited. And always be sure to add some vegetables so you can have your perfect dish every day.


Weights and measurements are for the Sporter model as illustrated, though the pistol is available with 3.5″, 6″, and 8″ barrels. The basic gun and frame are the same except for barrel length. Only the longer barrels have removable front sights. Introduced after World War II, the model is still in production. A variant of the model 60.


Since then, other companies, such as SiPix , have come out with electrophoretic display technologies. In the last four years, we have also seen companies like HP and Fujitsu bring out flexible displays that use cholesteric LCD technology. (Cholesteric refers to the phase of a liquid crystal in which the molecules are aligned in a specific manner. In Fujitsu’s case, for example, up to 50 percent of incident light in specific wavelengths and colors is reflected). E-paper has to be a cheap, reflective, low power, and preferably bendable, or have rollable display technology, and we are only just seeing the development of the technologies that can deliver this, namely an electrophoretic frontplane bonded to a flexible organic electronic backplane. These are the displays currently on the verge of being launched by Plastic Logic and Polymer Vision .
An article on Wednesday about a warning from leading security technologists that granting American and British governments special access to encrypted communications would put the world’s most confidential data and critical infrastructure in danger described incorrectly a technical flaw in an effort by the Clinton administration to read encrypted communications. The flaw would have allowed anyone with technical expertise to encode the encrypted communications so that even the government could not read it, not allow anyone with technical expertise access to the encrypted communications.


“Revolutionary Pallet Turning Solution: Discover the Benefits of a Pallet Rotator”
Pallet Inverter: The Machine That Flip Pallets
Pallets are an essential part of the logistics industry, used to transport goods easily and efficiently. But what happens when your pallets end up in the wrong orientation? That’s where a pallet inverter comes in.
A pallet inverter is a powerful and versatile machine used to flip or rotate loaded pallets quickly and easily. It allows the user to reverse the orientation of the pallet, so the merchandise moves from the bottom of the pallet to the top, and vice versa, without the need to unload the pallet. With a pallet inverter, you can keep your inventory in the same pallet, maximizing storage space while also saving time and labor costs.
How Does a Pallet Inverter Work?
A pallet inverter consists of a frame with two opposing clamping plates that can rotate or tilt to turn a pallet upside down. One of the plates attaches to a hydraulic cylinder or motor, which provides the force to flip the pallet. The machine clamps the edges of the pallet securely in place, ensuring goods, and boxes remain in place while turning.
The pallet inverter comes with adjustable clamping pressure and adjustable clamping plates that fit most pallet sizes and weights. The machine also includes a safety system that prevents overloading or tipping of pallets, ensuring safety for both the operator and the load.
Why Use a Pallet Inverter?
There are several reasons to use a pallet inverter in your warehouse or manufacturing facility. Here are some of the main benefits:
By using a pallet inverter, you can save considerable time and effort unloading and reloading pallets. In addition, other possibilities include minimizing injuries and reduce indirect labor costs.
Pallet inverters are adjustable, so you can use the same machine for different pallet types or sizes. With its adjustable settings, you can quickly and easily set it up for any size or weight of the pallet.
3. Space Saving
Pallet inverters allow you to store merchandise in fewer pallets and take advantage of vertical space. With the help of a pallet inverter, you can use both the top and bottom space of a pallet, thus increasing the usable storage space in your facility.
4. Increased Efficiency
Flipping or rotating pallets with a pallet inverter is much quicker and more efficient than doing it manually, minimizing the time spent on handling the pallets and increasing your facility’s overall efficiency and productivity.
Where Can You Find Pallet Inverters?
Pallet inverters can be found in most logistics and manufacturing environments and come in various sizes and designs. Most companies that produce or sell pallet inverters offer a variety of models with different load capacities and features like adjustable pressure, adjustable clamping plates, and safety systems.
If you’re looking for a more efficient and cost-effective way to handle your pallets, investing in a pallet inverter could be the solution. With its ability to flip and rotate loaded pallets, pallet inverters come with a variety of benefits, including increased productivity, versatility, space-saving, and cost-effectiveness. So, whether you prefer to call it a pallet inverter, pallet rotator, rotador de paleta, or inversor de paleta, this machine is a must-have for modern warehouses and manufacturing facilities.


text:
The veil of reality is a real phenomenon. Are you living life supporting and perpetuating virtual masks that are created and woven into the fabric of life?
These masks can be expressed in many forms and become filters and potential roadblocks through belief systems, culture, nationalism, political persuasion, and racism.
Your personal perspective/worldview can empower or dis-empower. It all depends on the lens you choose to where at any given moment. How do you choose to show up in this virtual experience?

domain: sociology


text:
- Schneider Electric, has expressed its willingness to partner with relevant authorities for the realisation of the country’s power sector reforms.
- The global specialist in energy management, also promised to liaise with key stakeholders to ensure that the country’s full power potential is achieved for the overall benefit of Nigerians.
- Speaking at the special recognition and award event for employees, the country president, Schneider Electric Nigeria, Mr Walid Sheta, stated that the company will forever be indebted to their staff who worked tirelessly, ensuring that the company’s objectives were met and surpassed.
- As part of its focus for 2015 and beyond, Schneider Electric has concluded plans to address emerging markets in Nigeria where the middle class is experiencing exponential growth rat
“With over 170 million inhabitants and 10 cities among the 30 biggest cities in Africa, there is a growing need to address the building and construction gaps. The key word for Schneider Electric is geographical coverage, being available to serve not only big infrastructure projects but also the small and medium scale building sector. We are going to address these diffused markets,” Sheta revealed.


text:
Police Station Construction Work
Construction of a New Police Headquarters.
UK-Middlesbrough: Police station construction work
Section I: Contracting authority
Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Cleveland
PO BOX 70, Ladgate Lane, Cleveland
Contact point(s): Project I
For the attention of: Amanda Wilkinson
TS8 9EH Middlesbrough
Telephone: +44 1642301887
General address of the contracting authority: http://www.cleveland.police.uk
Electronic access to information: http://www.bluelight.gov.uk
Electronic submission of tenders and requests to participate: http://www.bluelight.gov.uk
Further information can be obtained from: The above mentioned contact point(s)
Specifications and additional documents (including documents for competitive dialogue and a dynamic purchasing system) can be obtained from: The above mentioned contact point(s)
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to: The above mentioned contact point(s)
Section II: Object of the contract
Main site or location of works, place of delivery or of performance: Hemlington Grange.
– A Headquarters building to replace the Ladgate Lane facility.
– A building which provides a total of 5000m2 of accommodation.
– Provision for 350 parking spaces including temporary parking for emergency and training.
– Provision for communications mast.
– Office accommodation with expansion provision.
– Flexible open plan office accommodation.
– Dedicated cellular facilities for specific force functions – Media Suite, Gold Command etc.
– Energy efficient and to achieve BREEAM excellent.
– High quality design and specification which enhances the reputation of the Force – delivery of high quality services.
– Enables the organisation in reducing it’s carbon footprint, revenue costs and increase efficiencies from modern flexible working.
Range: between 8 000 000 and 20 000 000 GBP
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
Please refer to the Pre Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) document.
Section IV: Procedure
Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates: A shortlisting process will be conductedfollowing receipt of the PQQ to ascertain which Candidates or Consortia will be invited to progress through tothe Dialogue stage. This will include pass/fail criteria, followed by the application of a qualitative evaluation process, in accordance with the provision of Regulations 23 to 26 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2006, from which a suitable number (maximum 6) of the highest scoring applications may be chosen. Further information regarding this will be contained with the Prospectus.
Section VI: Complementary information
The existing Headquarters is a 1960’s former British Steel research building and is considered unsuitable for current or future operations. The PCC is separately selling the interest in this land to one or more developer(s). The development is likely to take place on a phased basis with the final phase being the release of the building and car park following the decant into the new HQ in Hemlington. Whilst this project is being procured under the Competitive Dialogue process the PCC does not anticipate a long dialogue process. In this regard it is proposed that the PCC will conduct a short and focused stage at the start of the process to enable the PCC to reduce the number of participants down to 2 or 3 of those best placed to meet the requirements. During this initial stage and throughout the process the PCC proposes to only open a small number of items up for discussion including but not limited to the interface issues between the two projects. The process will also enable the PCC to establish whether the transfer of the design team will provide the best VfM or whether better options might include consortia bringing forward their own teams to develop and finalise the design. It is anticipated that the design will be at RIBA stage D or D+ at the point of contract. Further background information is contained in the Prospectus available from the address in I.1. Tenders and all supporting documentation must be priced in Sterling. The PCC reserves the right to approve any and all sub-contracting appointments the successful tenderer may make when providing services under any resultant contract. The PCC does not bind itself to accept any tender and reserves the right to cancel the process at any point. The PCC is not liable for any costs incurred by those expressing an interest and/or tendering for this opportunity. All documentation relating to the requests to participate and tender documents can be found at the following web address:- www.bluelight.gov.uk
All organisations must be registered on Bluelight to be able to participate in this tender procedure.
Please refer to section VI.4.2
VI.5)Date of dispatch of this notice:20.5.2013

domain: law


US 5495166 A
A threshold voltage generator for a field-effect transistor, being of a type adapted to compensate for variations of the threshold voltage from a nominal value, comprising a first amplifier having a first input connected to a current generator; a second amplifier connected ahead of a second input of the first amplifier and having an input connected to another current generator; and a third amplifier connected after the first amplifier and having an output adapted to produce the value of said threshold voltage.
1. A threshold voltage generator for a field-effect transistor being of a type effective to compensate for variations in the threshold voltage from a nominal value and characterized in that it comprises:
a first amplifier having a first input connected to a first current generator;
a second amplifier having an output connected to a second input of the first amplifier and having an input connected to a second current generator; and
a third amplifier having an input connected to receive an output from the first amplifier and having an output adapted to produce the nominal value of said threshold voltage.
2. A voltage generator according to claim 1, further including a first transistor connected between the first input of the first amplifier and a reference potential and a second transistor connected between the input of the second amplifier and the reference potential.
3. A voltage generator according to claim 2, characterized in that said first and second transistors are field-effect transistors.
4. A voltage generator according to claim 2, characterized in that said transistors are arranged in a diode configuration.
5. A current generator according to claim 1, characterized in that said second amplifier has a gain whose value is given by a predetermined α parameter, and said third amplifier has a gain which is defined by a 1/(α-1) ratio.
6. A voltage generator according to claim 5, wherein the first input of the first amplifier and the input of the second amplifier are connected to a reference potential through respective field effect transistors each having a channel region, said α parameter being related to the dimensions of the channel regions of said field effect transistors in accordance with the relation: (W/L)2 =α2 (W/L)1, where (W/L)2 and (W/L)1 are the ratios of the width and length of the channel regions of the second and first transistors, respectively.
7. A voltage generator according to claim 1, characterized in that said second amplifier comprises a bipolar transistor.
8. A device for supplying a selected threshold voltage comprising:
a first reference input signal generator for producing a first reference input signal;
a second reference input signal generator for producing a second reference input signal, each of the first and second reference input signals being applied to a respective differential input of a differential amplifier;
a threshold voltage output amplifier receiving at its input the output of the differential amplifier and having a gain selected to provide at its output the threshold voltage; and
an initial amplifier stage having a gain of α, receiving at its input the second reference input signal and having its output connected to the input of the differential amplifier so that the second reference input signal is applied to the differential amplifier through the initial amplifier having a gain of α.
9. The device of claim 8 wherein each reference input signal generator comprises:
a transistor connected in a diode configuration, each diode configuration having a reference terminal and an input terminal; and
an input current source having a reference current output, said reference current output being input to the transistor at its input terminal.
10. The device of claim 9 wherein the transistors are field effect transistors.
11. The device according to claim 9 wherein each of the transistors has its source connected to the body of the substrate to prevent a body effect from occurring.
12. The device of claim 8 wherein the first reference signal input generator includes a first transistor and a second reference signal generator includes a second transistors, and wherein the square of the gain of the initial amplifier stage is selected to be substantially equal to the width-to-length ratio of the first transistor divided by the width-to-length ratio of the transistor.
13. The device of claim 8, further including a third amplifier, wherein the output of the differential amplifier is connected to an input of the third amplifier, the third amplifier having a gain selected to produce the threshold voltage at a third amplifier output.
14. The device of claim 13 wherein the third amplifier has a gain of 1/(1-α).
15. A device for generating a threshold voltage comprising:
a first input reference voltage source, including a first reference transistor having a first threshold voltage and a first overdrive voltage, said input reference voltage source generating a first reference voltage equal to the sum of the first threshold voltage and the first overdrive voltage;
a second input reference voltage source generating a second reference voltage equal to the first reference voltage multiplied by a proportionality constant;
a first amplifier having a gain equal to the proportionality constant, the first amplifier receiving the second input reference voltage from the second input reference source at a first amplifier input terminal and producing a first amplifier output signal in response thereto; and
a comparing amplifier having a first input terminal, a second input terminal and a comparing output terminal, said comparing amplifier receiving the first reference voltage from the first input reference voltage source at the first input terminal, said comparing amplifier receiving the first amplifier output signal at the second input terminal, the comparing amplifier producing a compared voltage at the comparing output terminal responsive to the voltages at the first input terminal and the second input terminal.
16. The device of claim 15, further including a compensating output amplifier having a compensating input terminal and a compensating output terminal, the compensating output amplifier receiving the comparing output signal at the compensating input terminal and providing the threshold voltage at the compensating output terminal.
This invention relates to a threshold voltage generator for a field-effect transistor. More particularly, the invention concerns a threshold voltage generator for a MOS transistor, which is effective to compensate for variations in the threshold voltage from a nominal value.
As is well known, threshold voltage Vth is the voltage that must be applied across the gate and source electrodes of a MOS transistor in order to have a current flow through the transistor.
This voltage is, therefore., a parameter of primary importance to the control of the operation of integrated circuits made in accordance either with the CMOS or mixed bipolar-MOS (BiMOS) technologies.
The nominal value of the threshold voltage is set by the technological process, but this value does not remain constant over time due to a number of factors, among which are: variations in some parameters of the manufacturing process; operating temperature; and aging of the integrated circuit. These factors bring about changes which are difficult to foresee, with variations of up to 40% in the value of the threshold voltage Vth with respect to the nominal value.
To obviate this problem, the prior art has proposed a circuit approach described by Y. P. Tsividis and R. W. Ulmer in an article "Threshold voltage generation and supply-independent biasing in CMOS integrated circuits," Electronic Circuits and Systems Vol. 3, No. 1, January 1979.
That approach provides a circuit device capable of generating a voltage with a value which is an integer multiple of the threshold voltage Vth, to thereby provide an independent supply source having a desired value and adapted for use as a reference voltage to attenuate the effects from the threshold voltage variability.
While being in many ways advantageous, this prior approach falls short of solving all the problems involved in making typical integrated circuits.
Specifically, the circuit proposed by the prior art has shown serious accuracy limitations where called upon to generate threshold voltages below 0.4 volts. Further, it has been impossible to detect threshold voltages of n-channel MOS transistors made with processes of the so-called P-well type, i.e., doping processes wherein pockets of the P-well type are formed in the substrate of the semiconductor.
Likewise, the prior art circuit is unable to detect threshold voltages of p-channel MOS devices obtained with processes of the N-well type.
The technical advantages of this invention is to provide a threshold voltage generating circuit, particularly for MOS transistors, which has such structural and performance characteristics as to overcome the drawbacks with which the above prior approach is beset.
This advantage is obtained by using a voltage generator of the type described and claimed herein.
The features and advantages of a threshold voltage generator according to the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of non-limitative example with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a voltage generator according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the generator of FIG. 1 in greater detail; and
FIG. 3 is a further diagram showing a modified embodiment of the generator of FIG. 1.
With reference to FIGS. 1-3, generally and schematically shown at 1 is a generator 1 of threshold voltage Vth, labelled Vout in FIG. 1, embodying this invention and intended for supplying the gate electrode G (not shown) of a transistor M (not shown) of the MOS type.
This generator 1 comprises a first differential amplifier 2 having two inputs A and B and being of the differential cell type, for example. The first input A, also referred to as the inverting input A, is connected electrically to a current generator Id1, and to a drain electrode D1 of a MOS transistor M1. This transistor M1 has its source S1 connected to a reference potential 5, typically device ground, and its gate electrode G1 connected to the drain D1.
Basically, the inverting input A of the amplifier 2 is connected to the reference potential through the transistor M1 into a diode configuration.
The second input B of the amplifier 2, referred to as the non-inverting input B, is connected to an output C2 of a voltage amplifier 3 having a gain value defined by a parameter α.
This second-mentioned amplifier 3 has an input C1 connected both to a second current generator Id2 and to the reference potential 5 via a MOS transistor M2, which is connected in the circuit into a diode configuration and has its gate G2 and drain D2 in common and its source S2 connected to said reference potential 5.
The generator 1 layout is completed by a third amplifier 4 connected downstream from the first-mentioned amplifier 2 and being characterized by a gain expressed by the 1/(α-1) ratio.
Detailed in FIG. 2 is one embodiment of the generator 1 circuit. The corresponding elements of FIG. 1 are shown in boxes outlined in dotted form in FIG. 2, bearing the same reference numbers.
The differential amplifier 2 is structured with a first cell comprising bipolar transistors Q1a, Q1b connected in a common-base link and, via a transistor T1, to a constant reference voltage Vd.
The emitter E1b of transistor Q1b is indicated at A because it would coincide with the inverting input of stage 2. Connected to the input A are the drain electrode D1 of the MOS transistor M1 configured as previously described, and the corresponding current generator Id1.
The differential amplifier 2 also includes transistors Q2a and Q2b which make up, in combination with another transistor T2, a biasing circuit 6 configured as a current mirror each of transistor Q2a and Q2b supplying a current I1 to each of transistors Q1a and Q1b, respectively.
Arranged in parallel with the first-mentioned transistor pair Q1a, Q1b is a bipolar transistor Q5 of the npn type having the emitter connected to the potential 5 via a resistor R and the collector C5 in common with the collector C6 of a transistor Q6 of the pnp type. The transistor Q6 corresponds generally to the second amplifier 3 of the layout shown in FIG. 1 and has its emitter connected to the reference voltage Vd via a resistor having a resistive value of R/α.
A second cell comprises a pair of bipolar transistors Q3a, Q3b connected with their bases in common. A further transistor T3 connects these bases to the reference voltage Yd.
The emitter B, of the transistor Q3a represents the non-inverting input B of stage 2. Connected to this input B are the drain D2 of the MOS transistor M2 and the other generator Id2 equal to Id1. Because the function of amplifier 3 is realized by the configuration of transistor Q6 and biasing resistor R/α connected at the output of the second cell, a separate amplifier as shown by the second amplifier 3 of FIG. 1 is not required between non-inverting input B of amplifier 2 and the interconnected gate/drain D2 of MOS transistor M2 and current-source Id1.
A current-mirror biasing circuit 7 comprises transistors Q4a, Q4b and T4 connected to the pair Q3a, Q3b as in circuit 6. The bases of transistors Q4a, Q4b are connected in common and to the base B6 of transistor Q6. Additionally, the area of transistor Q6 is α times as large as that of transistor Q4a.
The circuit 1 structure is completed by a pair of transistors QD1 and QD2 of the bipolar npn type which are connected serially to each other and in a diode configuration. These serve the function of ensuring an adequate collector-emitter voltage drop across transistor Q5.
The former, QD1, of these transistors has its collector CD1 in common with the collectors C5 and C6 of transistors Q5 and Q6, whilst the emitter ED2 of the latter, QD2, transistor is connected to the reference potential 5 via a resistor Rout.
This emitter ED2 also constitutes the output U for the circuit 1 where the voltage value Vout, corresponding to the desired threshold voltage Vth, becomes available.
In this configuration, a ground-referenced threshold voltage is generated, but nothing forbids said threshold voltage from being referenced to the value of the supply voltage Vd. Reference to supply voltage Vd can be accomplished simply by using pnp transistors for the transistor-diodes QD1, QD2 and by connecting in series the replacement pnp output resistor Rout between the output U and the supply Vd rather than reference potential 5. This alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 3. Note that the locations of transistor/resistor pairs Q5/R and Q6/(R/α) are interchanged.
The operation of the inventive generator 1 will now be described.
Designated Vov, the overdrive voltage, is herebelow the difference between the gate-source voltage drop Vgs across the MOS transistors M1, M2 and the threshold voltage Vth of the respective transistors M1, M2, shown mathematically as
Vov =(Vgs -Vth).
The current flowing through a MOS transistor operated in the saturation range is given by the relation:
Io=[μo Cox /(1+Q Vov)](W/L)Vov 2 (1+K VDS)(1)
where, μo, Cox are terms for certain characteristic parameters known in the art for MOS transistors, W and L are the width and length of the channel region, Q is a parameter accounting for the mobility of the charge carriers, and K accounts for channel length modulation, the two last-mentioned parameters being second-order effects.
The instance of K=Q=0 will be considered first.
Defining αo based on the relation between the ratio (W/L) of each of transistors M1 and M2, namely by:
(W/L)2 =αo 2 (W/L)1 (2)
where (W/L)2 is the width/length ratio of transistor 2 and (W/L)1 is the width/length ratio of transistor 1, and αo is, for example, in the range of 1.5-2.
The currents flowing through transistors M1 and M2 are the same and entirely due to the contribution from each corresponding generator Id1 and Id2. By virtue of the circuit networks composed of transistors Q1a, Q1b; Q2a, Q2b; Q3a, Q3b; Q4a, Q4b; no current will enter the circuit nodes A and B.
Accordingly, the relation between the overdrive voltages Vov1 and Vov2 respectively of the two transistors M1, M2 may be expressed as follows from equations (1) and (2) with Io=Id1=Id2:
Vov1 =αo Vov2 (3)
and, noting that V2 =Vgs2 and V1 =Vgs1 where Vgs1 and Vgs2 are the gate-source voltage of transistors M1, M2 respectively, the input to amplifier 2 of FIG. 1 is,
V2 -V1 =α(Vov2 +Vth)-(Vov1 +Vth) (4)
If α (the gain of amplifier 3) is chosen such that α=αo by selecting the area of transistor Q6 as described hereinbefore, then
V2 -V1 =(α-1)Vth (4A)
allowing an output voltage Vout to be obtained on the output U which is equal to the desired threshold voltage Vth via amplifier 4 with a gain 1/(1-α).
One useful design feature is that both transistors M1 and M2 have the source connected to the reference potential 5, i.e. to ground, which prevents the so-called "body" effect from occurring.
When the second-order effects due to the mobility of the carriers, as brought about by the overdrive effect, and to the channel length modulation brought about by Vds (and parameters), are considered, the error percent in obtaining the threshold voltage Vth can be estimated.
Taking the two currents flowing through transistors M1 and M2 as identical with each other and resolving equation (1), equation (3) for the overdrive voltage may be re-stated as follows:
Vov1 =αVov2 +(1/2)(Q-K)(α-1)Vov2 2(5)
Therefore, equation (4A), considering second-order effects, becomes:
V2 -V1 =(α-1)[Vth+(1/2)(Q-K)Vov2 2 ](6)
The term in square brackets is the error due to mobility and channel length modulation. Accordingly, the error percent E% of the error in determining the threshold voltage is given by:
E%=100(1/2)(Q-K)(Vgs2 -Vth)2 /Vth (7)
which can be made smaller than 0.5%.
Referring to the example of FIG. 2, the network comprising the first cell and transistor M1 carries out the voltage-to-current conversion of the threshold voltage plus the overdrive voltage of the first MOS transistor M1 as described below. Likewise, the second cell and second MOS transistor M2 carry out the voltage-to-current conversion of Vth+Vov2. The provision of the current-mirrors 6 and 7 ensures both high accuracy and high output impedance.
Through the legs of the first cell Q1a,Q1b, a current I1=Vgs1 /R will flow, and a current I2=Vgs2 /R will flow through the legs of the second cell Q3a,Q3b. Transistor Q5 mirrors current I1 exactly, whilst transistor Q6 mirrors a current α I2, due to its dimensions as described hereinbefore.
As a result, the output resistor Rout connected in series with transistors QD1 and QD2 will have a current Iout flowing therethrough which is given by:
Thus, by selecting an output resistance Rout with a value of R/(α-1), Vout can be accurately made equal to Vth. The voltage generator of this invention has shown to be well capable of operating at room temperature with an error below 2% for each value of the voltage supply in excess of 3.5 Volts.
It is a further advantage of this device that it has reduced vulnerability, to the so-called "body" effect over prior art devices.


TOM Watson, facing his farewell appearance in the Open Championship at Hoylake in 12 months’ time, was given five-star treatment during his first visit to Gleneagles in the build-up to next year’s Ryder Cup – until he asked about pin positions for the PGA Centenary Course.
“I was up there [on Monday] going around with a couple of people from the golf course,” he said of a trip to the Perthshire resort in the company of his newly appointed vice-captain, Andy North, to primarily look at logistics in the countdown to the biennial clash.
“I said, ‘you wouldn’t mind getting me the pins for the Johnnie Walker Championship for the last five years, would you?’ They said, ‘yes, we would mind, so you’re not getting them! It was funny’.”
It was also a good try by Watson, who has been tasked with the job of leading the Americans in their bid for a first win on European soil since 1993, when he was also at the helm at the Belfry, and improving on a dismal record of seven losses in the past nine biennial bouts.
Despite that knockback, he admitted the visit en route from Muirfield to Southport had been productive, as was a dinner date with his European counterpart, Paul McGinley, on the eve of last week’s Open Championship.
“The greens are in very good shape, but they’ve been pouring sand into the fairways – 5,000 tonnes and more on the way before the Ryder Cup,” added the five-time Open champion. “There are some very challenging holes on the course, but I feel there are a lot of holes that you can make birdies on.
“Having said that, you’ve got the Ryder Cup pressure to take into account and also the wind and weather that can happen in September there. I also had a good dinner with Paul McGinley last Monday and we are on the same page about the way the matches will be played. The spirit of the matches is obviously going to be competitive, but there will also be a fairness.
“I kidded Paul about his team having an advantage due to the Johnnie Walker Championship being played at Gleneagles for a number of years but he just kind of smiled and said, ‘well, it is a home match, you know’. Paul is a fine man and I like his company. I like the way he handles himself. He knows what the Ryder Cup is all about, like I do. I hope that we have a good match – and I hope the outcome is a little different this time.”
Watson, who has already completed Open-Senior Open doubles at both Muirfield and Turnberry, would be happy this weekend with a repeat win at Royal Birkdale, where he lifted the last of those five Claret Jugs 30 years ago.
“I hit two consecutive shots at the 18th in 1983 that I will always remember,” said the 63-year-old, recalling his one-shot triumph over two fellow Americans, Hale Irwin and Andy Bean. “The first was a solid cut driver followed by the best 2-iron I’ve ever hit. It will live in my memory as one of the shots in my career that I’m most proud of.”


text: In 2004, when Facebook was launched by Mark Zuckerberg and a group of fellow computer science students at Harvard University, it may have been hard to imagine a movie about computers that would draw not only critical raves but also the attention of the decidedly cool crowd. Last night’s screening and after-party for The Social Network were proof that this film did exactly that. The evening, hosted by the Cinema Society at the Gansevoort Park Avenue, drew a guest list that included the film’s stars, Justin Timberlake and Jesse Eisenberg (who plays Zuckerberg), as well as twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss. Aaron Sorkin, who wrote the film and gave an introduction at the screening, mingled among the beautiful people, including Elisa Sednaoui, Petra Nemcova, Olivia Chantecaille, and Byrdie Bell, while Adrien Brody was seen talking with designers Rachel Roy, Donna Karan, and Calvin Klein. Also spotted at the affair, sipping on mini-bottles of champagne: Bridget Moynahan, Michael Pitt, and Baz Luhrmann.

domain: artistic


text:
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua (UNAN)
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua (UNAN) Universidad de Caldas
Type of exchange
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The Universidad en el Campo program in Nicaragua and Colombia creates educational opportunities for students in rural areas, strengthening career opportunities and entrepreneurship outside of the city centers. Through the exchange of master teachers with expertise in rural entrepreneurship issues like agricultural business administration, livestock production, and environmental sanitation, the project aims to strengthen rural economies and combat urbanization. The expert teachers will help to prepare and implement relevant curricula and procure resources for projects that benefit the development of rural communities, in hopes that these could be applied as a transfer model across Latin America.

domain: agronomy


text:
Developing one of the best launch titles for the PS4, Housemarque is back with its latest shooter. Nex Machina is a fast-paced shooter that tasks the player with both saving all the humans and blowing up tons of bad guys. Brighter, more colorful and jam-packed with voxels, Nex Machina is perfect for scratching the itch that Resogun left behind.
My decision to go for the full platinum comes down to a couple of different things for Horizon: Zero Dawn. It’s both an awesome game that I was happy to continue playing and the remainder of trophies weren’t that bad to round up in the end. Don’t get me wrong, this shouldn’t be on your short list for easy platinums, but if you’re going to play it anyway, you may as well go the full distance. Considering it’s a game where you fight giant robot dinosaurs, control a complex and badass female character and the story is engaging and interesting, there are plenty of reasons to play it and grab that platinum by the end.
Teleportation has always been on my short list for super powers I would most like to have at my disposal. Taking the natural progression of this power and casting you as a teleporting thief, Mr. Shifty is the brawler I have been awaiting for quite a while. Combining breakneck overhead action similar to Hotline Miami and Nightcrawler-style teleportation, this game scratches multiple itches I didn’t even know were there for me. Mr. Shifty empowers the player and makes you feel like a complete badass as you punch your way through rooms of gun-toting goons.

domain: hobby


text:
Nursing home abuse is one of the most devastating yet under reported crimes across our country. With a shrinking number of people who are actually qualified to take care of elderly patients in nursing home settings, and corporations increasingly taking over operations of such facilities, it has become harder and harder to verify that safety can be assured. In a bid to maximize profit, staff can be cut back and individuals who lack the necessary skill set are increasingly being hired because they’re willing to accept lower salaries.
It’s a recipe for potential disaster, and that’s why Attorney Jeffrey Lucas of the Lucas Law Firm wants to help those who have been taken advantage of by this system. The firm has assisted those persons who have been injured in a wide variety of accidents. Nursing home abuse is one of the practice areas we can help with, and we want to assist you any way we can.
Nursing home abuse can take many forms, some of them going beyond the most obvious types of grievances. Persons might qualify to file a nursing home abuse lawsuit if they have been the victims of:
In each of these instances, the victim is entitled to receive financial compensation from those who have inflicted harm. Whether it be a staff member who abused their status within the care facility or a relative who used scare tactics or outright lies to take advantage of a Power of Attorney privilege, the victim deserves recompense for what they’ve been put through.
Have you or a loved one suffered because of nursing home abuse? If so, realize that you’re not alone. It’s estimated that 240,000 instances of elder abuse take place every single year in the United States, and many of these take place in those institutions meant to provide care. Those who have been put in such a terrible situation deserve a lawyer they can trust.
To that end, the Lucas law firm offers our services to you on a contingency fee basis. At the Lucas Law Firm, we strive to bring a personal touch to our legal representation. We believe that those who have been afflicted by nursing home abuse deserve someone who will both protect their legal rights and explain in detail what’s going on with their case. And since mobility of victims of this type of incident can often be compromised, we will come to you when the circumstances require a face-to-face meeting. We’re committed to our clients, and we’ll do whatever we can within the means of the law to help you.
Call us today to receive a free consultation. Let the nursing Attorney Jeffrey Lucas of the Lucas Law Firm aid you in your cause. The firms office is in Myrtle Beach, SC to serve you. If you cannot come to us, we will come to you.


text:
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Gov't campaign vs. illicit cigarette trade shows ties between companies
Rigorous government enforcement actions against illicit cigarette trade uncovered interlocking ties among companies that were subject of a series of raids and seizures.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs discovered this in the enforcement operations against GB-BEM Cigarette Company Inc. located at the Pampanga Economic Zone and GB Global Exprez Inc. operating inside the Angeles Industrial Park.
On February 5, 2020, the BIR Strike Team and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) conducted an enforcement operation against the GB-BEM cigarette factory inside the Pampanga Economic Zone.
A statement by the Department of Finance (DOF) on April 6 said the BIR shut down the factory of GB-BEM because it was manufacturing cigarettes without the necessary permit to operate.
As a result, the BIR seized 21 cigarette-making machines, 12 mastercases of Two Moon cigarettes and two warehouses full of Two Moon and D&B, and assorted packaging materials. BIR totaled the seizure to 1,656,880 cigarette packs which were not registered with the revenue agency and not having the proper license to operate.
“The company claims that it has a tolling agreement with a Malaysian-based client and that the cigarettes are 100-percent exported,” said the DOF statement, citing Deputy Internal Revenue Commissioner Arnel S.D. Guballa in a report to Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III.
Following information that GB-BEM and GB Global are affiliated companies with common shareholders and officers and that illegal Two Moon cigarettes were prevalently sold around Central Luzon, the same BIR-NBI Composite Team conducted an inspection of the factory of GB Global on July 29, 2020.
The inspection yielded 4,786 mastercases of non-BIR registered and non-compliant Two Moon and Soho cigarettes. Because of such violations, the BIR ordered the seizure of three cigarette-making lines and two cigarette-packing lines at GB Global.
The seizure, however, did not materialize because of a cease-and-desist order sought by GB Global that was granted by the Court of Tax Appeals.
On October 2, 2020, the BOC conducted an enforcement operation against an illegal printing facility of cigarette packs in Cabanatuan City. And the BOC found the presence of illicit Two Moon packs in the facility.
The BOC said non-documented Chinese nationals were operating the machines when the raid was conducted. It was also reported that several Filipino factory workers were allegedly prevented from going out of the facility.
The BOC discovered that GB Global was ordering its Two Moon labels/blanks from this printing facility as shown by Purchase Orders.
The enforcement team noted that records of the Securities and Exchange Commission, ex-Mighty Corp. General Manager Greg Lim and Benson Chua are the biggest shareholders and both are directors of GB-BEM and GB Global. It will be recalled that Mighty Corp. made a tax settlement of P30B with the government and sold its cigarette business following tax evasion cases.
At the start of the year, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez pushed for an intensified campaign against illegal cigarette trade, saying he expects illicit trade to soar due to higher excise taxes. He said the BIR and BOC must “intensify surveillance and enforcement” against the manufacture and sale of illegal local cigarettes and smuggling of imported counterfeit products that do not pay taxes.
Pasig City reported that active coronavirus disease (Covid-19) active cases in the city went down from 2,248 to 360 in almost seven weeks, according to a report by Philippine News Agency. In his social media accounts, Mayor Vico Sotto on Saturday sh...
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said the push by central banks to develop digital currencies entails both risks and benefits at the global and local levels, according to a report by Philippine News Agency. According to a new report by th...
A referee working inside the PBA bubble in Pampanga tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to a report by GMA News. According to a report on the PBA website, the game official took the mandatory swab test along w...
Do you want to learn more about the challenges and predictions for the gambling industry in the Philippines? Find all answers in this article!


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More cast members have been announced for the BBC and Netflix’s Dracula.
Comprising of three 90-minute episodes, the upcoming period drama began filming earlier this month.
Dracula is being written by Sherlock creators Steven Moffat (Doctor Who) and Mark Gatiss (The League of Gentlemen), who first announced their plans way back in June 2017.
The 51-year-old actor is best known for his roles in The Girl in the Spider’s Web, The Affair and Borgen.
It’s now been confirmed that Dracula writer Mark Gatiss will be appearing on screen too, having previously played Mycroft Holmes in Sherlock, which he also co-wrote.
Gatiss commented: “I’m running out of childhood dreams to come true. And what a delight to join this fantastic cast. The children of the night.”
He’ll be joined by Joanna Scanlan (No Offence), Dolly Wells (Can You Ever Forgive Me?), John Heffernan (The Crown), Morfydd Clark (Patrick Melrose) and Lujza Richter (Phantom Thread).
Their exact roles have not yet been revealed.
Co-writer Steven Moffat said: “So exciting to see an amazing new cast start to assemble, I hope Claes doesn’t eat them all.”
Dracula is expected to premiere in late 2019 or early 2020 on BBC One in the UK and on Netflix in the rest of the world.
The series will be set in Transylvania in novel’s original time period of 1897 as the blood-drinking Count draws his plans against Victorian London.
The complete Sherlock DVD box set is available on Amazon.


Vote NDC and NPP out to ensure Ghana remains peaceful – Nduom
Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, the presidential candidate of the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP) has urged the electorate to vote for the PPP to ensure that Ghana progresses in peace and unity.
He said the actions and utterances of the leaders and supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) would negate the peace and tranquility of the country and as such the two parties did not deserve the vote of Ghanaians.
“If these two parties would plunge this country into an unwanted situation, then it behooves on Ghanaians to do the right thing and vote them out…..The PPP is a peaceful party and Ghanaians should give us the mandate to develop this nation in peace”.
Dr Nduom made the appeal at several mini rallies in the Western Region to round up his campaign tour across the country that was centered on job creation for progress and development.
The party is campaigning vigorously in constituencies it has comparative advantage to win parliamentary seats.
Dr Nduom made stops in Jomoro, Ellembele, Ahanta West, Mpohor Fiase East, Kwesimintsim, Takoradi and Shama.
The PPP flagbearer told the electorate to shun the negative propaganda that a vote for the party would be a waste because all the political entities were going into the elections with zero votes.
He appealed to those who liked the message of the PPP to vote massively for the party to address the socio-economic problems of the country.
Dr Nduom received a rousing welcome in all those constituencies and received positive assurances from the people who said they were “tired” of the “divisive” politics of the other political parties.
He urged them to examine both the personal and public lives of all the aspirants vying for the Presidency in the 2012 elections, and vote accordingly.
Dr Nduom said governance was for people who were serious and not for leaders who buy their way to the top.
He said it was unfortunate that some politicians were buying votes from the electorate, asking, “If you have given a good account of yourself why would you want to pay for someone’s vote”
In the Jomoro constituency, the party visited the Sowodazen market where market women abandoned their wares and cheered Dr. Nduom.
Dr Nduom told them to examine their lives and what the 20 years of voting had brought to them and urged them to vote for someone whom they could identify with and who understood their plight.
He introduced the party’s parliamentary candidate for the constituency, Mrs. Margaret Blay Kenya, and asked the people to vote for her.
At the Ellembelle constituency, Dr Nduom called on the people to reject the two-party status quo and vote for the PPP for competent incorruptible leadership that would solve Ghana’s problems.
He told the people that no political party had a single vote going into the election and that they should make an emphatic endorsement of the PPP in the polls to better their lot.


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See more at and Getty Images.
“New York gallerygoers, on-the-cusp artists and fashion notables flooded Chelsea’s Center 548 on Monday for a night of performances—both musical and non—and art auctions to benefit Ballroom Marfa, the highly-esteemed nonprofit space for contemporary art, film and music based in Marfa, Texas. Over 40 artists, including Liz Cohen, Solange Azagury-Partridge and Maryam Amiryani, participated in the silent and live auctions held during cocktails and dinner, respectively—some creating new pieces for the event.
The gallery celebrates 10 years of supporting exceptional artists, filmmakers and musicians, but the benefit (which raised $765,000 this year) extends beyond Texas’ art scene: Fairfax Dorn, Ballroom Marfa’s co-founder and executive director, told DuJour before dinner, “We’re going to continue doing what we’ve been doing, but also expand our Marfa dialog,” the forefront of which is a focus on climate change and environmental issues through programs involving grants and partnerships in New York this fall.”
Read more and peruse the photo gallery at DuJour.
On October 5, 2006, the World Saxophone Quartet, led by legendary baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett, played this intense set at Lovejoy High School in the town in Illinois where Bluiett attended school six decades before.
Kahil El’Zabar and the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, delivering a righteous percussive workout in 2005 at Teatro Fondamenta Nuove in Venice, Italy.
Bluiett performs with El’Zabar at the opening reception of Rashid Johnson’s New Growth, 8 March 2013, at Ballroom Marfa. Hear more music from the two icons this Friday morning at 10:30a, right after Ballroom Executive Director Fairfax Dorn’s conversation with Johnson on KRTS Marfa’s Talk at Ten.
They’ve been through petitions and hearings and seemingly endless waiting periodsChristie known as a big spender on road
How much did the trip to Dallas this past weekend cost for the Christie party and his security detail.
You’ll know it has cooled enough when you see the air vent lock drop.
I assume this is a record that you would hold in perpetuity, since otherwise you’d probably take the record that would be impossible for someone else to break (MLB career wins, for example).
But miles away from everything she knows, is she following her heart.
School leaders recognize the two have much in common and complementary strengths.
Netanyahu’s right wing Likud Party won re election in Israel’s national ballot, although it will take some horse trading to form a government with partners.
The Gary P. Nunn performance was made possible by the generous support provided by Janie and Dick DeGuerin.
Special thanks to David Beebe, The Big Bend Sentinel, Biff Bolen, Primo Carrasco, Ross Cashiola, Daniel Chamberlin, Rob Crowley, Dirk Fowler, Cristina Garces, Marfa Public Radio, Marfa Recording Company, Tom Michael and Gary Oliver.
Beer generously donated by Big Bend Brewing Company.
Lots more photos after the jump!


With growth of the Internet, vast amounts of visual data are being produced. These data are from mobile phones, laptops and digital cameras. Moreover, network cameras are deployed for various purposes such as surveillance, traffic monitoring, and sightseeing. The visual data contains valuable information. However, without processing, the information will be lost. Analyzing large-scale visual data requires significant amounts of computing resources and costs. One of the solutions is cloud computing. However, it may still be expensive when processing the data. Some cloud vendors (such as Amazon) introduce spot instances that use spare instances with dynamic pricing. The spot instances offer the same performance as on-demand instances but spot instances may be terminated at short notice. As a result, processing programs may not finish when using spot instances. This dissertation introduces a large-scale image processing system that utilizes spot instances to reduce computing cost. This system uses a check-pointing method to store progress so that processing can resume later if the spot instances are terminated.
One of the possible applications that utilize deployed network cameras is improving public safety. Although the cameras are not deployed for surveillance purposes, the cameras can be utilized to increase public safety by properly integrating to currunt surveillance systems. Suspicious activities may be monitored in real-time and coverage can be increased along with the closed-circuit televisions (CCTV) deployed by law enforcement. Integrating public cameras into a surveillance system has many challenges such as inaccurate locations, diverse sources, and different methods to access the visual data. This dissertation presents how to discover public cameras from hetrogeneous sources and find the accurate locations and orientations of the cameras.
|Commitee:||Delp, Edward J., Wang, Chih-Chun|
|Department:||Electrical and Computer Engineering|
|School Location:||United States -- Indiana|
|Source:||MAI 57/01M(E), Masters Abstracts International|
|Keywords:||Amazon ec2, Spot instance|
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Most facilities have after-coolers on their compressor along with water and oil removal systems for the main plant air system. These components will remove the bulk of the water, oil and particulate contaminants however in many cases an additional dryer/filter is necessary. This is especially true in your powder coating operation as the highest quality of compressed air is very important to the application process and final results, in addition to higher quality, you can expect dramatically lower maintenance costs for your powder coating system also. High voltage electrostatic equipment is especially sensitive to moisture and oil from compressed air. The un-sprayed powder absorbs moisture much like flour and when the powder application equipment (supply hoppers, hoses, gauges or guns) becomes contaminated with oil or moisture your equipment produces uneven coating, loss of transfer efficiency and many other inconsistencies that will result in all around poor quality. Final air treatment at the “POINT OF USE” is usually necessary since this high level of filtration is not typically required for many other applications throughout the plant.
Here are some preventative measures that must be addressed in every compressed air system to be used in powder coating.
1 – AFTERCOOLER – All atmospheric air contains water vapor which begins to condense as the air is heated up and compressed. As an example by compressing air to 100 PSI we generate almost 10 times the amount of water per cubic foot. Later in the process, as the air is cooled down, it begins to cool down and produce moisture in a liquid form. Aftercoolers are designed to cool the air to within 5 to 20 degrees F of ambient air temperatures.
2 – WATER SEPARATOR – After the aftercooler process, up to 75% of the water vapor condenses to a liquid and can now be removed from the system. A quality separator trap will remove most bulk liquids and solids by centrifugally spinning the air stream allowing the heavier liquids and solids to drop out of the air stream while producing low pressure drops of 1 PSI or less. By removing the bulk liquids and solids at the separator trap, the particulate and coalescing filters downstream can do a better job of providing clean dry air, thus, lowering the pressure drop where it is not as noticeable. With every 2 PSI of pressure drop, you waste 1% of the energy used to compress the air at 100 PSI. A Water Separator Saves Energy and Money!
3 – PARTICULATE CONTAMINANTS – A Particulate Filters is suggested to remove the pipe scale, rust and grit which will gather over time in the pipes of your compressed air system. In addition to particulates in your piping system, the compressor’s intake air can fall victim to particulates also which can be transferred to your powder. A low micron size filter will remove the vast majority of this type of contaminant. We suggest you use a 5 micron filter.
4 – WATER CONTAMINANTS – A Coalescing Filter will provide your equipment with clean dry air up to 99.997% when you use a .03 micron element. The bulk separator, discussed above, definitely plays its part in the compressed air system but it is not designed to remove the finer water droplets or mist from the downstream air system. This is especially true after the air has had a chance to sit in your pipes and condense even further. A good coalescing filter is recommended directly prior to the equipment to be used.
5 – OIL AEROSOLS – Oils from your compressor can infiltrate into your compressed air system. These can come from the crankcase, lubricants or just about anywhere. As a result of the high pressure and temperatures associated with compressing air, these oils are broken down into extremely small droplets or aerosols. Typically finer than tobacco smoke, these aerosols can pass through conventional filters and cause problems with gauges, valves or electrostatic components. Through the use of a hi-efficiency coalescing filter, like the one described above, up to 99.997% of these aerosols can be removed (down to .03 micron). Often times the same coalescing filter can take care of the water contaminants mentioned above as well as the oil aerosols mentioned here.
In most cases of paint or powder systems, a properly sized refrigerant dryer will provide air that is cooled down to a 35 degree dew point. Combined with the proper filters in the proper sequence you can drastically improve your system by providing clean dry air that is free of water, particulates and oil vapor. This should provide a good quality compressed air system at a reasonable cost to you. Clean dry compressed air will pay you back every day through increased quality, higher transfer efficiency rates and lower maintenance costs.
For additional information on sizing your compressed air system, or for ordering information, you can contact Buy Rite Finishing toll free at 888-647-9929 or through firstname.lastname@example.org.


The analytical approach for the simultaneous determination o
The analytical approach for the simultaneous determination of HA and its metabolites is complex. There are commercial kits that allow the determination of HA through ELISA and of its metabolites through radioimmunoassay (RIA) techniques. However, these immunological-based techniques do not allow simultaneous determination of HA and its metabolites, while, in the case of RIA, they also involve complications related to the use of radioactive material . Alternatively, chromatographic methods, mainly based on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with various detection systems, appear to be the most appropriate for the simultaneous separation and quantification of these compounds . Few HPLC methods are available in the literature for the simultaneous determination of HA and MHA, mainly focused on the quantification of both compounds in laboratory animal plasma and other biological specimens, such as brain or intestinal tissues , , , , , . Although UV detection has been widely used, the high sensitivity and specificity necessary to detect these compounds in samples such as blood makes fluorescence (FL) or mass spectrometry (MS) detection systems more suitable for this purpose. More recently, ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) has been proposed for the simultaneous determination of HA and MHA in mice hair and cerebrospinal fluid , , . A fast chromatographic procedure (UHPLC) coupled with FL detection could be an advantageous approach for the routine determination of these analytes in human urine.
In order to have a new approach for the diagnosis of histamine intolerance, the aim of this work was to develop and validate a rapid and reliable method to quantifity HA and MHA in urine. An UHPLC procedure coupled with an on-line o-phthaldehyde (OPA) post-column derivatization and FL detection has been validated in terms of linearity, sensitivity, precision and recovery. Structural analysis of HA and MHA OPA derivatives using UHPLC-ITD-FTMS was carried out to unequivocally identify these compounds in urine samples.
Material and methods
Results and discussion To properly determine total content of HA and MHA in urine, sample preparation consisted in the ursolic acid hydrolysis (0.1M HCl) combined with heat treatment. As reported in previous works, higher levels of these compounds were obtained in hydrolysed urine than in non-hydrolysed samples . In order to set final sample hydrolysis parameters, several time and temperature conditions were assayed. Total conversion of conjugated analytes to free HA and MHA was achieved after submitting the sample at 90°C for 30min. Purification and concentration procedure through MCX SPE cartridges was implemented attending the low concentration of HA and MHA in urine and the need to minimize potential interferences of this matrix. When loading urine sample onto the SPE cartridge, acid pH values achieved by previous acidic hydrolysis facilitated the strong interaction of positively charged amine groups of HA and MHA with the sulfonic anion of MCX sorbent. A proper cleanup step washing with 0.1M HCl allowed the reduction of matrix interferences. Later elution with a basic 5% NH4OH in methanol (v/v) solution ensured cleavage of the electrostatic interactions between ammonium ion of HA and MHA and sulfonic anion of the sorbent. The use of MCX SPE cartridges allowed five-fold pre-concentration of analytes and greater sample concentration was achieved by eluate evaporation to dryness with a centrifugal vacuum concentrator. Overall analytical procedure achieved a final concentration of the analytes of fifty-fold in relation to initial urine content. Due to the low natural fluorescence of the analytes, the use of a derivatizing reagent in order to detect HA and MHA and increase the sensitivity of the method was required. The presence of amino groups in the structures of HA and MHA makes both compounds suitable for the derivatization with a large number of fluorogenic reagents, being OPA, fluorescamina and DBD-F (4-(N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl)-7-fluoro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole) the most commonly used , , . In this method, an online post-column OPA derivatization procedure was used, which ensured a high reproducibility by minimizing sample manipulation prior to the injection. Moreover, OPA reacts rapidly with amines in the presence of a reducing agent, improving detection sensitivity, reducing the polarity of original amino compounds and increasing method selectivity . The current method provides a significant improvement in comparison with some previous methods that mostly used pre-column derivatization techniques, which could face problems related to the low stability of OPA-amine derivatives , .


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June 12, 2015
Hello Hello Hello!
Summer is here and you know what that means! Yup, healthy eating! No more comfort food on those rainy days, well maybe. I can always go for my mom’s chile or her pierogi’s. Yet, on the days when you want to be a little more healthy, start your day off with some of these recipes!
First we have a summer smoothie that I am sure you will love! Here is what you’ll need!
Nutri bullet, magic bullet, blender etc.
organic (or regular) honey
Put frozen berries, mango, and spinach into the blender and add coconut water and blend thoroughly. Depending on how much of the smoothie you are making just guess how much of each ingredient to use. I use different amounts each time. You may need to add more water frequently so it doesn’t get too thick. Once you are happy with the texture, squeeze in your honey and pulse just to blend it in.
This smoothie is so refreshing and has ton of antioxidants and vitamins, while still tasting great! So far I have been having this every other day and it is just as filling as a bowl of cereal!
Next, we have a smoothie bowl (Pictured above)! I
had been seeing this meal all over pinterest and I thought I should try this! As a smoothie lover myself I couldn’t wait to just try so many different versions of this! With the crunchiness of the granola and the cold frozen berries it’s like an adult parfait!
Here’s what you’ll need for the bowl:
frozen (or fresh) strawberries
Step 1: Grab your frozen strawberries (prepare this the night before) or your fresh berries and give them a nice chop. If you are going to be freezing them I suggest cutting them up the night before and freezing, it’ll be a lot easier in the morning. Next, grab your banana and slice it up to your preferred size, I only used half of the banana, but you can use how much you would like. Set these aside.
Step 2: Grab a bowl and pour your smoothie from before into it. Then take your granola and pour it right over the top, the more the better! The granola I used is the natural valley oats and honey granola, full of protein! Line both sides with your fruit and finish it off with a drizzle of honey right over the top!
This breakfast fills me up and gives me so much energy for the day! You can even add chia seeds or protein powder to give you that extra kick! These are also very good with green smoothies!
If you try theses out send me a picture!


text: Thank you to everyone who came and participated in Evening with the Arts 2010!!! I hope to collect many many more photos/videos of the evening from everyone, but I thought I'd start with this one. Yes, I got up and sang karaoke with Mr. Anderson and Mr. Gail Friday night. If you weren't there to see it, it was pretty fun! Mr. Anderson chose "Born to be Wild" and I sang it like I was playing RockBand in my own living room - hey, it's fun - I know I'm not the next American Idol, but I sure had a good time! Hopefully more to come soon!