ProfilometerFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia • Ten things you may not know about Wikipedia •Jump to: navigation, searchA profilometer is a measuring instrument used to measure a features length or depth,usually in the micrometre or nanometre level.While the historical notion of a profilometer was a device similar to a phonograph thatmeasures a surface as the surface is moved relative to the contact profilometers stylus,this notion is changing along with the emergence of numerous non-contact profilometerytechniques. Contact profilometers:A diamond stylus is moved vertically in contact with a sample and then moved laterallyacross the sample for a specified distance and specified contact force. A profilometer canmeasure small surface variations in vertical stylus displacement as a function of position.A typical profilometer can measure small vertical features ranging in height from 10 to65,000 nanometres. The height position of the diamond stylus generates an analog signalwhich is converted into a digital signal stored, analyzed and displayed. The radius ofdiamond stylus ranges from 5 μm to about 25 μm, and the horizontal resolution iscontrolled by the scan speed and scan length. There is a horizontal broadening factorwhich is a function of stylus radius and of step height. This broadening factor is added tothe horizontal dimensions of the steps. The stylus tracking force is factory-set to anequivalent of 50 milligrams (~500 mN).Advantages of contact profilometers: • Acceptance: Most of the worlds surface finish standards are written for contact profilometers. To follow the prescribed methodology, this type of profilometer is often required. • Surface Independence: Due to the fact that the stylus is in contact with the surface, this method is not sensitive to surface reflectance or color. Also, contacting the surface is often an advantage in dirty environments where non- contact methods can end up measuring surface contaminants instead of the surface itself. Non-contact profilometers:An optical profilometer is a non-contact method for providing much of the sameinformation as a stylus based profilometer. There are many different techniques whichare currently being employed, such as laser triangulation (triangulation sensor), confocal
microscopy and digital holography.Advantages of optical profilometers: • Speed: Because the non-contact profilometer does not touch the surface the scan speeds are dictated by the light reflected from the surface and the speed of the acquisition electronics. • Reliability: Optical profilometers do not touch the surface and therefore cannot be damaged by surface wear or careless operators. Many non-contact profilometers are solid-state which tends to reduce the required maintenance significantly. • Spot size: The spot size, or lateral resolution, of optical methods ranges from a few micrometres down to sub micrometre. On the small end, this is roughly an order of magnitude smaller than typical stylus tips.One special application is road pavement profilometers. These are of non-contact type,most of them use laser triangulation in combination with an inertial unit that establishes alarge reference plane to which the laser readings are related. The inertial compensationmakes the profile data more or less independant of what speed the profilometer vehiclehad during the measurements.
Method of thin film process control and calibration standard for opticalprofilometry step height measurementDocument Type and Number:United States Patent 6490033Link to this page:http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6490033.htmlAbstract:A method of calibrating an interferometer system and a multilayer thin film used forcalibrating the interferometer system. The method including measuring the step height ofa gold step with the interferometer system, the multilayer thin film comprising a goldlayer that defines the gold step. The multilayer thin film having an optical flat, a firstlayer on the surface of the optical flat, a second layer on the first layer, a test layer on apart of the second layer, and a gold layer on the test layer and on a part of the secondlayer uncovered by the test layer. The test layer having a test layer step, and the goldlayer having a gold step over the test layer step. Also, a reference standard and a methodof making the reference standard for a thin film sample with one or more componentthin film layers, the reference standard having a gold layer over the surface of the thinfilm sample.1. A method of calibrating an interferometer system comprising: measuring the height ofa gold step with the interferometer system, the gold step being in a gold layer of amultilayer thin film for use as a calibration standard, the multilayer thin filmcomprising:an optical flat;a first layer on the surface of the optical flat;a second layer on the first layer, the second layer having a first part and a second part;a test layer on the first part of the second layer, the test layer having a test layer step; and,a gold layer on the test layer and on the second part of the second layer, such that the goldlayer has said gold step over said test layer step.2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first layer has a thickness of 50 nm or less, thesecond layer has a thickness of 50 nm or less, and the gold layer has a thickness between15nm and 65 nm.3. The method of claim 2 wherein the first layer has a thickness of about 30 nm or less,the second layer has a thickness of about 30 nm or less, and the gold layer has a thicknessbetween about 30 nm and about 50 nm.4. The method of claim 3 wherein the optical flat has a .lambda./20 smooth surface ofamorphous material.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first layer is titanium with a thickness of about 20nm, the second layer is platinum with a thickness of about 20 nm, the test layer isplatinum with a thickness of about 6 nm, and the gold layer has a thickness of about 50nm.6. The method of claim 5 wherein the optical flat has a .lambda./20 smooth surface ofamorphous material.7. The method of claim 1 wherein two or more measurements of the step height of thecalibration standard are taken with the interferometer system for calibrating theinterferometer system.8. A multilayer thin film for use in calibrating an interferometer system comprising:a. a first layer on the surface of an optical flat;b. a second layer on the first layer, the second layer having a first part and a second part;c. a test layer on the first part of the second layer, the test layer having a step; and,d. a layer of gold on the test layer and on the second part of the second layer, so that thelayer of gold has a step over the step in the test layer.9. The multilayer thin film of claim 8 wherein the first layer has a thickness of 50 nm orless, the second layer has a thickness of 50 nm or less, and the gold layer has a thicknessbetween 15 nm and 65 nm.10. The multilayer thin film of claim 9 wherein the first layer has a thickness of about 30nm or less, the second layer has a thickness of about 30 nm or less, and the gold layer hasa thickness between about 30 nm and about 50 nm.11. The multilayer thin film of claim 10 wherein the optical flat has a .lambda./20smooth surface of amorphous material.12. The multilayer thin film of claim 8 wherein the first layer is titanium with a thicknessof about 20 nm, the second layer is platinum with a thickness of about 20 nm, the testlayer is platinum with a thickness of about 6 nm, and the gold layer has a thickness ofabout 50 nm.13. The multilayer thin film of claim 12 wherein the optical flat has a .lambda./20smooth surface of amorphous material.14. A method of making a multilayer thin film for use in calibrating an interferometersystem comprising:
a. depositing a first layer on the surface of an optical flat;b. depositing a second layer on the first layer, the second layer having a first part and asecond part;c. depositing a test layer on the first part of the second layer, the second layer having astep; and,d. depositing a layer of gold on the test layer and on the second part of the second layer,so that the layer of gold has a step over the step in the test layer.15. The method of claim 14 wherein the first layer has a thickness of 50 nm or less, thesecond layer has a thickness of 50 nm or less, and the gold layer has a thickness between15 nm and 65 nm.16. The method of claim 15 wherein the first layer has a thickness of about 30 nm or less,the second layer has a thickness of about 30 nm or less, and the gold layer has a thicknessbetween about 30 nm and about 50 nm.17. The method of claim 16 wherein the optical flat has a .lambda./20 smooth surface ofamorphous material.18. The method of claim 14 wherein the first layer is titanium with a thickness of about20 nm, the second layer is platinum with a thickness of about 20 nm, the test layer isplatinum with a thickness of about 6 nm, and the gold layer has a thickness of about 50nm.19. The method of claim 18 wherein the optical flat has a .lambda./20 smooth surface ofamorphous material.20. A method of making a reference standard for a thin film sample with one or morecomponent thin film layers, the thin film sample having a surface, the surface defining astep with a step height, the method comprising depositing a layer of gold on the surfaceof the thin film sample.21. The method of claim 20 wherein the gold layer has a thickness between about 30 nmand about 50 nm.22. The method of claim 20 wherein two or more measurements are taken with theinterferometer system for obtaining a mean value of the height of the step.23. A reference standard for use in thin film process control, the standard comprising alayer of gold deposited on the surface of a thin film sample in manufacture formeasurement by an interferometer system.24. The reference standard of claim 23 wherein the gold has a thickness between about 30
nm and about 50 nm.Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates generally to thin films and the interference microscope andspecifically to techniques for calibrating an optical profilometer and for measuring athin film surface profile.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONOptical profilometry is a non-contact method of measuring the surface characteristics of athin film sample in three dimensions. Optical profilometry is often preferred to contactmethods, such as atomic force microscopy and surface contact profilometry, because thelatter are intrinsically less accurate and can destroy features of the sample duringmeasurement.An optical profilometer is one type of interference microscope (interferometer). Aninterference microscope generally is used either to measure or to visualize the phasedifferences between two or more beams of electromagnetic radiation, when directed to athin film it measures the surface features of the thin film sample under investigation.When the microscope measures the phase differences, it generates an interference patternwhich a computer can analyze to derive a surface profile of the sample. The microscopeand computer together comprise an interferometer system.Several beams of the radiation used to measure surface features of a thin film maypenetrate slightly beneath the surface of the thin film before they are scattered. Thispenetration depth changes the distance traveled by a beam and may affect the phasedifference between the beam and another beam with which it interferes, creating noise inthe interference pattern and decreasing the accuracy of the measurement. The noisebecomes more significant when the profilometer is used to measure thin film stepheights that fall below 10 nanometers, because at this height the penetration depth is onthe same order of magnitude as the step height. If radiation with a smaller wavelengthand higher energy is used, the noise becomes even greater because this radiationpenetrates even deeper into the thin film. Moreover, the smaller the wavelength, themore dramatically a slight difference in the path traveled by the radiation affects theresulting phase difference as well as the interference pattern.The penetration depth of the beam introduces additional inaccuracies into the process ofcalibrating the optical profilometer, especially when the profilometer must be calibratedfor taking measurements of thin film step heights in the sub-10 nanometer range.Previously the best technique of calibration for these step heights was to calibrate to amuch higher step and then extrapolate blindly to a step that is an order of magnitudelower. Alternately, a contacting measuring method might have been used instead of non-contact optical profilometry.Unfortunately, the technique of calibrating to a higher step may yield imprecise
measurements. Alternately, contacting measuring methods may damage the surfacefeatures of a thin film sample. Further, these methods are generally less accurate andmay be more costly.Another drawback of measuring a step height with an optical profilometer arises whenthe step does not have an identical composition in its upper and next lower levels. Inparticular, if the upper level of the step comprises one metal with one penetration depthwhile the next lower level comprises a different metal with a different penetration depth,the step might create even more noise in the interference pattern.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, an object of one embodiment of the invention is to provide a technique forcalibrating an optical profilometer to measure very small step heights. Another object ofan embodiment of the invention is to provide a calibration standard for opticalprofilometry step height measurements. Another object of an embodiment of theinvention is to provide a technique for measuring very small step heights. Another objectof an embodiment of the invention is to provide a reference standard for thin filmprocess control.Briefly described, and in accordance with one embodiment thereof, the inventionprovides a method of calibrating an interferometer system including measuring the stepheight of a gold step with the interferometer system. The gold step is in a gold layer of amultilayer thin film which acts as a calibration standard. The multilayer thin film(calibration standard) has an optical flat, a first layer on the surface of the optical flat, asecond layer on the first layer, a test layer on a part of the second layer, and a gold layeron the test layer and on a part of the second layer uncovered by the test layer. The testlayer has a test layer step, and the gold layer has the gold step over the test layer step. Thegold step is equivalent in height to the test layer step and exhibits a lower penetrationdepth than the test layer step beneath it. The gold step also has a uniform (gold)composition in its upper level and next lower level.In accordance with another embodiment thereof, the invention provides a calibrationstandard for optical profilometry step height measurements. The calibration standard hasa multilayer structure comprising an optical flat, a first layer on the surface of the opticalflat, a second layer on the first layer, a test layer on a part of the second layer, and a goldlayer on the test layer and on a part of the second layer uncovered by the test layer. Thetest layer has a test layer step, and the gold layer has a gold step over the test layer step.In accordance with another embodiment thereof, the invention provides a method ofmaking a reference standard for a thin film sample with one or more component thinfilm layers. The method includes depositing a layer of gold over the surface of the thinfilm sample.In accordance with another embodiment thereof, the invention provides a referencestandard for a thin film sample with one or more component thin film layers. The
reference standard has a layer of gold that is measured by the profilometer, but isotherwise essentially the same as the thin film sample.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe foregoing and other features of the invention will be described in more detail in thefollowing Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings wherein:FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the multilayer structure of the first embodimentof the invention;FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the multilayer structure of another embodimentof the invention;FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating the process of preparing the multilayer thin film of theinvention; andFIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the reference standard of anotherembodiment of the invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSFIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention. A multilayer thin film 10, used tocalibrate an interferometer system, has an optical flat 12 preferably with a .lambda./20smooth surface 14 of amorphous material. On the optical flat 12 is a first layer 16 whichadheres strongly to the surface 14 of the optical flat 12. On the first layer 16 there is asecond layer 20 which adheres strongly to the first layer 16. The second layer 20 has afirst part 22 and a second part 24 that are generally coplanar with each other and adjacentto each other. On the first part 22 of the second layer 20 there is a test layer 30 whichadheres strongly to the first part 22 of the second layer 20. A gold layer 40 is located bothon the second part 24 of the second layer 20, and on the test layer 30.The test layer 30 defines a test layer step 32, with a height of a generally known value, atthe boundary 34 of the test layer 30. The gold layer 40 defines a gold step 42 over the testlayer step 32. The gold step 42 is equivalent in height to the test layer step 32. Theinterferometer system is calibrated by measuring the height of the gold step 42 severaltimes with the interferometer system, and then calculating the mean value, median value,and standard deviation of the measurements.FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the invention. A multilayer thin film 50, which islocated on optical flat 12, comprises a first layer 60 with a thickness of about 30 nm orless, a second layer 70 with a thickness of about 30 nm or less, a test layer 80, and a goldlayer 90 with a thickness of about 50 nm or less. The test layer 80 creates a step 82 whichis reflected in the gold layer 90 as step 92. A particular example of the multilayer thinfilm 50 has a first layer 60 of titanium with a thickness of 20 nm, a second layer 70 of
platinum with a thickness of 20 nm, a test layer 80 of platinum with a thickness of 6 nm,and a gold layer 90 with a thickness of 50 nm. A multilayer thin film with thisconstruction can act as a calibration standard for calibrating an interferometer system.A multilayer thin film sample with the foregoing construction is formed first bydepositing a titanium and platinum bilayer on the optical flat 12. The sample is thenremoved from a thin film depositing system. As shown in FIG. 3, half 110 of the sample100 is then masked with aluminum foil 120 before the sample 100 is reloaded into thedepositing system for depositing a test layer of platinum thereon. The sample 100 is thenonce again removed from the depositing system, the aluminum foil 120 is removed fromthe sample, and the sample 100 is reloaded into the depositing system for depositing agold layer thereon.FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the invention, a reference standard 140 for a thinfilm sample with one or more component thin film layers. The thin film sample has asurface 150 upon which is deposited a test layer 160 that defines a step 162. Thereference standard 140 comprises a gold layer 170 on the surface 150 of the thin filmsample, which as a result of step 162 creates a step 172. Because gold has a small knownbeam penetration, and the top and bottom of the steps 42 (FIG. 1), 92 (FIG. 2) and 172(FIG. 4) are of gold, these structures can be used as accurate calibration standards for aninterferometer (profilometer) system. These structures provide accuracy for steps whichare at least 10 nanometers or less. The gold layer 170 may have a thickness no greaterthan 50 nm.While the foregoing embodiments of the present invention have been set forth inconsiderable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, itshould be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in suchdetail without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.
Profilometer stylus assembly insensitive to vibrationDocument Type and Number:United States Patent 5309755Link to this page:http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5309755.htmlAbstract:A stylus profilometer having a counterbalanced stylus with a motion transducer using avane moving between parallel, spaced-apart, conductive plates which damp the motion ofthe vane by means of trapped air. The vane forms an electrode with the plates so that thecombination is a pair of capacitors in a balanced bridge arrangement. Motion of thestylus causes an unbalance of the bridge indicative of the extent of stylus motion. A leverarm associated with the stylus has a tip influenced by a magnetic field which biases thestylus or controls force on a surface to be measured. The entire assembly has a very lowmoment of inertia to reduce the effects of vibration on the stylus and thereby increaseresolution of the device and reduce damage to the substrate.A profilometer assembly comprising,an elongated stylus arm and counterbalance having a first end with a hard stylus mountedfor contact with a substrate disposed below the arm and a second end, opposite the firstend having a vane for motion between two parallel plates, the stylus arm having a pivotbetween the first and second ends, said parallel plates forming a stylus displacementmeasurement transducer with said vane, anda variable force member associated with the first end of the stylus arm for urging the firstend into contact with said substrate.2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said variable force member comprises a coil having aferromagnetic core located a spaced distance from a lever connected to the first end of thestylus arm and having a ferromagnetic tip which can be magnetically actuated from adistance by said core.3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pivot is seated in a pivot member having a pairof opposed ends, one end supporting the stylus arm and the opposite end supporting saidvane.4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said parallel plates are disposed in air and have anareawise extent shielding the vane from outside air.5. A profilometer assembly comprising,a measurement stylus mounted at the end of an arm for contact with a substrate,a pivot member having opposed forward and rearward sides and a central regiontherebetween mounted for turning on an axis defined from a relatively massive member,the pivot member supporting said arm on the forward side and a counterweight memberon the rearward side, the counterweight including a force transducer having means for
signaling motion of the pivot member, andmeans for adjustably biasing the forward side of the pivot member, thereby urging saidstylus into contact with the substrate, having a coil spaced from said pivot member, aferromagnetic core extending through the coil and a lever in magnetic communicationwith the core, transmitting force induced by the coil, to the forward side of the pivotmember, the lever connected to the pivot member but spaced from said coil and core.6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said arm, lever and vane have a rotational moment ofinertia about the pivot member, said moment of inertia less than 0.5 gm-cm.sup.2.7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said pivot member has a rearwardly extendingpaddle, said vane being connected to said paddle.8. A profilometer assembly comprising,a measurement stylus mounted at the end of an arm for contact with a substrate,a pivot member having opposed forward and rearward sides and a central regiontherebetween mounted for turning on an axis defined from a relatively massive member,the pivot member supporting said arm on the forward side and a counterweight memberon the rearward side, the counterweight including a force transducer having means forsignaling motion of the pivot member, andmeans for adjustably biasing the forward side of the pivot member, thereby urging saidstylus into contact with the substrate.wherein the force transducer means comprises a pair of spaced-apart, parallel plates witha movable vane therebetween, the vane connected to the rearward side of the pivotmember whereby motion of the stylus member is transmitted through the pivot memberto the vane.9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said vane and said parallel plates form a bridgecircuit.10. A profilometer assembly comprising,a stylus arm for step-height measurements of a substrate,a pivot member supporting the stylus arm,a vane supported by the pivot member, rearwardly of the stylus arm, partiallycounterbalancing the stylus arm and having a mass-radius squared product incombination with the stylus arm not exceeding 0.5 gm-cm.sup.2, wherein the vane movesin air between and generally parallel to two parallel plates, the air between the parallelplates damping motion of the vane,
whereby the momentum of the arm is minimized in order to reduce damage to substrates.11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the vane and said parallel plates define twocapacitors arranged for differential sensing of the amount of turning of said pivot therebysensing the deflection of said stylus arm.12. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a solenoidal coil generating a magneticfield spaced a distance from said arm and a lever having one end connected to said pivotmember and a free end having a ferromagnetic tip in communication with said magneticfield whereby said magnetic field can bias said arm relative the substrate.13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said vane moves between two fixed parallel plateelectrodes.Description:TECHNICAL FIELDThe invention relates to instruments for measuring profiles of surface features of apatterned semiconductor wafer or measuring fine texture on soft substrates.BACKGROUND ARTProfiling instruments were first developed in the 1930s for the purpose of characterizingsurfaces in terms of roughness, waviness and form. In recent years, they have beenrefined for precise metrology in the measurement and production control of the thin filmartifacts which are the building blocks of semiconductor devices. As the semiconductorindustry has progressed to smaller dimensions with each new generation of product, theneed for more sensitive and precise profiling instruments has grown. As artifacts becomesmaller, a smaller radius stylus must be used to fully resolve them. But a smaller radiusproduces higher contact pressure and necessitates use of lower stylus force. The use ofvery low stylus force renders the instrument more vulnerable to noise generation fromroughness of the measured surface and also from environmental sources of vibration. Thepresence of noise in the output reduces the effective sensitivity of the instrument andcompromises the fidelity of its traces. Fidelity is also lost whenever the ratio of styluspressure to surface yield strength rises to the degree that plastic deformation of thesurface occurs and detail of the surface variations is obliterated. Reduction of stylus forceis the only solution to this problem.In U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,542 Wheeler et al., assigned to the assignee of the presentinvention, disclose a counterbalanced stylus arm, pivoted about a bearing, in whichstylus force may be adjusted by moving the counterbalance. Force is measured using alinear variable differential transformer having a core associated with the stylus arm and acoil, through which the core moves, supported independently of the arm. In U.S. Pat. No.4,391,044 Wheeler discloses a similar stylus arm supported for linear scanning.It is evident that operation of profilers at very low stylus force is desirable. The present
state of the art in commercial profilers allows operation down to 1.0 mg. of force.However, a relatively quiet environment is necessary for good results at that force andsuch conditions are not always available in the users environment. What is needed is areduced reaction of the stylus/sensor assembly to the vibration or shock energy pulseswhich reach it from whatever source.An object of the invention was to devise a stylus assembly for a profilometer withimproved vibration and shock insulation properties.SUMMARY OF INVENTIONThe above object has been achieved in a profilometer stylus assembly which reduces theeffects of vibration and shock energy pulses by means of a substantial decrease in themoment of inertia of the assembly. For, as an energy pulse comes to the stylus armstructure, it will generate an accelerating force which will tend to raise the stylus fromthe sample surface either at the leading edge of the pulse or upon the rebound if theaccelerating force exceeds the set stylus force. The acceleration force developed is inproportion to the moment of inertia of the stylus arm structure, hence its reduction allowsthe use of lower stylus force.Conventional practice in existing designs is to locate the measurement sensor, sometimesa core working with a coil, close to the stylus on a pivoted stylus arm. A counterweightis frequently employed on the opposite end of the arm to achieve a static balance. Thisdesign approach assures that the sensor will precisely track the stylus motion and alsothat some momentum effects are avoided when a motion pulse is introduced through thestylus arm pivot.Contrary to standard designs, the stylus support arm and the measurement sensor of thepresent invention are in opposed positions about the pivot. A vane, supported by thepivot, opposite the stylus, moves in air between two larger parallel capacitor plates. Thetrapped air between the plates damps the motion of the vane, thereby providing clampingof large stylus motions, while the two plates with the vane form a differential capacitorfor the measurement of motion. An important feature is that the moment of inertia about arotational axis can be made very small. Mass reduction at a maximum distance from thepivot is most important.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a profilometer stylus assembly of the presentinvention.FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the profilometer stylus assembly shown in FIG. 1.FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the profilometer stylus assembly shown in FIG. 1.FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the profilometer stylus assembly shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 a side view of a capacitor plate used in the profilometer stylus assembly shownin FIG. 1.BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTIONWith reference to FIGS. 1-4, a diamond tip 11 having a radius of 0.01 mm. is adhered toan end of a slender stainless steel wire 13 which is bent at a right angle. The wire radiusis about 0.25 mm. The diamond tip is adhesively mounted to a squared-off end of thewire, while the opposite end of the wire is inserted into a hollow aluminum arm 15 whichhas a length of approximately 2 cm and a wall inside radius of approximately 0.018 cm.The aluminum arm is sufficiently rigid that it will not bend when sensing step heights, yetsufficiently low mass that its moment of inertia can be kept low. The overall mass of thearm, wire and diamond tip should not exceed approximately 0.05 grams. Arm 15 fits intoa groove 17 in pivot member 19. Washer 21 holds the arm in place in the groove 17,while a tiny screw 23 holds the washer in place against the wall of the pivot member 19.Support beam 25 has a downwardly extending column 27 to which a flexural pivot 29 ismounted, connecting the pivot member 19 to the column 27. In this manner, thealuminum arm 15 has a center of rotation about the flexural pivot 29. The flexural pivot29 has enough torsion to lightly hold the stylus tip 11 downwardly against a surface to bemeasured. The entire mass on the stylus side of the pivot should not exceed 0.50 grams,including a lever described below.A frame 31 may be connected to a tilt compensation or leveling mechanism as describedin the prior patents to Wheeler. The underside of frame 31 supports a connector block 33which acts as an elevational adjustment for a pair of spaced apart parallel capacitor plates35 and 37. The spacing between the plates is approximately 0.7 mm., with an air gapbetween the plates.FIG. 5 shows the detail of a single capacitor plate. Such plate features a planar ceramicmember 61 having a pair of conductive films which are silkscreened and then fired on theceramic member to form a capacitor plate. The two plates are identical and so only one isshown. A conductive metal film 63 is shown extending through a via hole 65, in theceramic member. The upper surface of the drawing represents the side of the plate facingthe movable vane 41 in FIG. 1. The purpose of the via hole 65 is to provide electricalconnection to a thin wire which is soldered on an outer surface solder pad and carries thesignal from the capacitor plate to associated electronics. Wire 39 in FIG. 4 is such a wire.A second conductive metal layer 71 is in insulative relationship with respect to metallayer 63, but is also deposited on the ceramic member 61. The layer is plated through asecond via 73 and has a bonding ring 75 on the backside of the capacitor plate. Layer 71serves to terminate the shield of the wire which is terminated in via 65. The shieldreduces electrical noise pickup.Returning to FIGS. 1-4, a small insulative spacer, not shown, separates plate 35 fromplate 37 and a screw fastens the two plates to frame 31. The area extent of the platesshould be large enough to shield the vane from outside air, so that the vane experiences
resistance to motion due to compression of air momentarily trapped between the closelyspaced plates. A pair of electrical leads 39 is connected to the parallel plates, one lead toeach plate. Between the parallel plates, a low mass of electrically conductive vane 41 isspaced, forming a capacitor with respect to each of the parallel plates 35 and 37. Therange of motion of the vane, indicated by arrows A in FIG. 4, is plus or minus 0.16 mm.Moreover, vane 41, being connected to the pivot member 19, damps pivoting motion asthe vane attempts to compress air between the parallel plates. This damping motion of thevane serves to isolate vibration and shock which may be transmitted into arm 15.Vane 41 is connected to a paddle 43 which is the rearward extension of pivot member 19,opposite arm 15, serving to counterbalance the arm. The total mass of the vane, paddleand pivot member on the vane side of the pivot should not exceed about 0.6 g. The vane41 is grounded so that a differential pair of capacitors may be formed with respect toparallel plates 35 and 37 with their respective electrical leads 39. Such a pair ofcapacitors may be arranged in a balanced bridge configuration. Movement of the vanebetween plates 35 and 37 upsets the balance of the bridge, with the change of capacitanceindicative of stylus tip motion.An electrical solenoidal coil 51 has a central ferromagnetic core 53 which becomesmagnetized on application of current to the coil 51 by means of wires 55. The magnetizedcentral ferromagnetic core 53 attracts a ferromagnetic tip 57 of a lever 59 having an endopposite the ferromagnetic tip which is affixed to the pivot member 19. By applyingcurrent to the wires 55 and magnetizing the core 53, magnetic force is exerted on thelever 59 causing a bias in the form of a rotation, indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 4. Thelever 59 should be light weight, yet stiff so that the lever will not bend on the applicationof magnetic force.In operation, the stylus tip 11 scans a surface to be measured, such as a patternedsemiconductor wafer. Scanning may be achieved either by moving the frame 31 withrespect to a fixed wafer position or alternatively moving the wafer, on an X-Y waferstage with the position of the stylus fixed, or a combination of the two motions. In thelatter instance, the stylus arm may be moved linearly in the X direction while the wafer isadvanced in the Y direction after each lengthwise X direction scan. The stylus tip 11 ismaintained in contact with the surface of the wafer by an appropriate bias applied throughthe coil 51 and the core 53 into the lever 59. The bias should be great enough to maintaincontact, but yet not damage the surface being measured. Deflections of the tip 11 arecaused by topological variances in the surface being measured and these are translatedrearwardly through the pivot member 19 to the vane 41, but which resists undesirablelarge amplitude motion due to vibration because of the air displacement between theparallel plates 35 and 37. However, as the air is compressed and displaced, the vane 41moves slightly causing a signal in electrical leads 39 reflecting a change in an electricalbridge circuit connected to these wires. At the end of a scan, the tip 11 is raised to protectit from damage in the event that a wafer is changed.In building arm 15, wire 13 and tip 11, it is important to maintain the moment of inertiaas small as possible. The mass-radius squared product should not exceed about 0.5 g-
cm.sup.2 and we have achieved a mass-radius squared product of 0.42 g-cm.sup.2. Theradius is measured with respect to the center of the spring pivot 29 to the furthest radialextent of the steel wire 13. A similar moment of inertia is calculated with respect to thevane 41 and the lever 59. The sum of the moments is termed the moment of inertia for theentire stylus arm. By maintaining a low moment of inertia, the stylus arm is less sensitiveto vibration and greater resolution in profile measurements of thin films, and the like,may be achieved.Profilometers Veeco Dektak Stylus Profilometer The stylus profilometer uses a diamond tipped stylus to scan across the sample surface and measures the surface topography of thin and thick films. The vertical movements of the stylus is measured and recorded simultaneously during the scanning, which reveals the topographical structure of the surface. The instrument has vertical resolution in nanometers and horizontal resolution as small as twenty nanometers and measures the film thicknesses from 5 nm and over 500 µm.Tài liệu tham khảoPossibilities and limitations of the stylus method for thin film thickness measurementsThin Solid Films, Volume 21, Issue 2, April 1974, Pages 237-243


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Last Portraits, Exhibitions of Skulls and Related Images: Fritz Scholder, Tweed Museum of Art, University of Minnesota, Duluth. October 23 - January 13, 2002 / Skulls and Scholder: A Meditation by Robert E. Bjork
Place Published: Duluth
Publisher: Tweed Museum of Art, University of Minnesota
Date Published: 2001
Edition: Original edition
Condition: Very good
Book Id: 49152
SIGNED. Quarto [28 cm] Off-white wraps printed in black and red. With light soiling to the wraps.
An exhibition catalogue. With a foreword by Martin De Witt. Signed by Fritz Scholder below the frontispiece illustration.

domain: library


text:
Picada 108 is a road linking the Ruta Ciudad Mariscal Estigarribia-Mayor Pablo Legerenza in the departments of Boquerón, Paraguay and the Bolivian border. This road, with a total length of 212km, crosses the infamous Ruta Transchaco and during the wet season, it’s totally impassable.
The Pirapo river bridge is a wooden bridge located in the Caazapá department of Paraguay. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
Trans-Chaco Highway is one of the most famous roads in South America. After decades of notoriety as one of the worst roads, it was paved in 2007.
The Pan-American Highway is one of the biggest adventures in the world. It’s a network of roads covering almost 48,000 kilometres (30,000 mi) from North America to South America.

domain: travel


(NEWS.YAHOO) — WASHINGTON (AP) — The Associated Press filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the State Department to force the release of email correspondence and government documents from Hillary Rodham Clinton's tenure as secretary of state.
The legal action comes after repeated requests filed under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act have gone unfulfilled. They include one request AP made five years ago and others pending since the summer of 2013.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, comes a day after Clinton broke her silence about her use of a private email account while secretary of state. The FOIA requests and lawsuit seek materials related to her public and private calendars, correspondence involving longtime aides likely to play key roles in her expected campaign for president, and Clinton-related emails about the Osama bin Laden raid and National Security Agency surveillance practices.
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text:
Editor's note: This is a guest blog provided by the Western Dairy Association.
We know it’s true.
Healthy behaviors are connected to learning. And the proof is in the brain. New research on how the brain is affected by nutrition and physical activity is strengthening the learning connection argument, as neuroscience is making vividly clear the positive effects of both on students’ academic achievement.
We’re all interested in helping our kids. School leaders, teachers and parents are focused on ensuring students are prepared to do their best. Research shows that regular access to better nutrition — starting with breakfast — coupled with increased opportunities for physical activity may help students reach their potential.
The Wellness Impact: Enhancing Academic Success through Healthy School Environments is a new report that summarizes research on the “Learning Connection”— the science-based concept that improved nutrition, including breakfast, coupled with increased physical activity can help lead to better academic performance.
Findings from The Wellness Impact suggest:
- More than half (62%) of all teens say they do not eat breakfast every day of the week.
- Breakfast eaters have better attention and memory than breakfast skippers.
- Three-in-four high school students aren’t active for the recommended 60 minutes each day.
- Students who were more active during school performed better on standardized tests for reading, math and spelling.
Proven school wellness programs such as Fuel Up to Play 60 — a program founded by National Dairy Council and the National Football League (NFL), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture — encourage students to take charge in making small, everyday changes toward a healthy lifestyle at school. Fuel Up to Play 60 has provided schools with more than $10 million in funds to help develop healthy in-school initiatives ranging from breakfast programs to walking clubs.
Schools are an ideal place to promote childhood health and wellness, but they cannot act alone. Everyone from community leaders to parents can work together for improved child health and wellness in schools. To read The Wellness Impact in its entirety, please visit www.westerndairyassociation.org. To learn more about helping your school make sustainable changes through Fuel Up to Play 60, visit www.FuelUpToPlay60.com.
Note: Colorado Action for Healthy Kids is currently offering 10 $500 stipends for interested parents. Contact Stephanie Ekoniak at email@example.com for details.
Kids need good nutrition and physical activity every day, not just on test days. Let’s make sure we’re all in the game for them.

domain: news


text:
It was a bad dream That quickly became a reality for Jeff Waters.
I woke up to a loud pounding on my door. It was a police officer telling me to get out of the house, recalled Waters. The house next door was fully engulfed in flames.
As the fire grew, Waters watched his own house start to melt.
My house started to smoke. It was coming off the top of the roof. The side of the house was starting to blister, said Waters.
Firefighters were able to save Water's home, but he was left with some hefty repairs.
A couple of windows were broken, the roof was damaged, our fence was damaged, siding was damaged, damaged my car a little bit, explained Waters.
The fire started next door, so Waters thought the neighbor's insurance, Farmers, would take care of him. Waters is even a Farmer's customer too. But it didn't matter. He was still frozen out.
We had to prove that whatever was wrong with the electrical that the homeowner knew it would cause a fire, said Waters.
In a letter, the company said:
Our investigation has determined that your damages were caused by an undetermined and accidental fire.
But the report from the fire department lists the cause as electrical. It didn't matter because Farmers wouldn't work with Waters. He was forced to pay his $1,000 deductible out-of-pocket and was facing another $500 for his car.
In a couple of months we're expecting our second child. $1,500 goes a long way towards diapers, food, clothes, etc., said Waters.
Waters contacted me and I reached out to Farmers, which sparked a whole different response. This time the company re-opened the claim. Farmers told me it denied the initial claim because it didn't have enough information.
But it got what it needed the second time around and sent Waters a refund check. Now this family can refocus their energy on their new baby and not chasing an insurance company.


text:
Yakisoba is one of the foods usually sold at festivals in Japan and you can easily find it at convenience stores or Japanese restaurants in general. Although this dish is called yakisoba, the noodles used are usually Chinese yellow noodles or ramen noodles. Lightly sear on the pan and stir fry with the sauce and other ingredients until resulting in fried noodles that look appetizing, the taste is salty, sweet, mellow, delicious, and pleasing to both children and adults. Today we’d like to show you how to make a simple yakisoba menu. Let’s get this party going. ~~~
Ingredients (for 1 serving)
• Cabbage (shredded) 100 g
• Pork belly 3 pcs. (about 40 g)
• 1 block of Chinese yellow noodles or ramen noodles (150-200 g)
• Yakisoba sauce 50 g (can adjust the amount of sauce for concentration as desired)
• Tempura Crunchy Scraps (Tenkasu) 10 g
• Aonori seaweed for topping.
• Other ingredients as desired, such as bean sprouts, squid, shrimp, etc.
How to cook.
1. Preheat a pan with medium heat. Loosen the noodles and stir-fry them for about 5 minutes.
2. Place the noodles on a plate and set aside.
3. Stir in the pork belly, which has been cut into bite-sized pieces, for about 1 minute.
4. Put the cabbage, tempura crunchy scraps, and noodles, respectively, and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until well combined. Allow the steam to evaporate and slightly scorch.
5. Add your favorite yakisoba sauce and stir quickly until the sauce thoroughly coats the ingredients.
6. Pour onto a plate and top with aonori seaweed powder. Serve immediately.

domain: food


text:
MHANJ Launches New Service to Help Those Struggling with Heroin and Rx Drug Abuse
New Jersey is in the midst of a major epidemic of heroin and prescription drug abuse with more than 550 fatal overdoses this past year alone. Those struggling with addiction, along with their families, are struggling to find treatment, support and education. The Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ) has launched a new service to help: NJ Connect for Recovery, 855-652-3737, http://www.njconnectforrecovery.org.
NJ Connect for Recovery provides access to support and treatment for persons dealing specifically with addiction to heroin and prescription painkillers, as well as peer support to families and friends dealing with the addictions of loved ones. This service is being funded through the private sources and operated as part of MHANJ’s call center and helpline services, and is staffed by a team of addiction professionals and peer specialists.
Help Spread the Word
Please take a few moments needed to join our campaign to spread the word. We all know that support, education, and access to treatment services are keys to recovery for both those addicted and their loved ones.
This is an epidemic that has no boundaries and is destroying lives across the state. Thank you for helping us help by spreading the word.

domain: sociology


Landmarks throughout Moira Shire have been illuminated orange as part of a campaign against violence.
Moira Shire Council is participating in the United Nations Orange the World 16 Days of Activism campaign targeting gender-based violence. The landmarks lit up as part of the campaign include the palm trees in the Cobram roundabouts, the Yarrawonga Town Hall, Numurkah Lake and the Barmah Heritage and Education Centre in Nathalia
Mayor Libro Mustica said domestic and family violence cost the Australian economy more than $8billion dollars.
‘‘It is the leading contributor to death, disability and illness in Australia and these figures are relevant to Moira Shire,’’ he said.
‘‘By having leaders in the workplace take a public stance it encourages others to do so.
‘‘As a bright and optimistic colour, orange represents a future free from violence against women and girls.’’
Cr Mustica said by participating in the Orange the World campaign, council was addressing a focus area from its Community Safety Strategy.
‘‘We are actively involved in implementing innovative community programs which raise awareness about the role gender inequality plays in driving family violence,’’ he said.
‘‘It is unacceptable that one in four Australian women has experienced physical or sexual violence from a partner.’’
The Orange the World 16 Days of Activism began on November 25 and will end on Sunday.


text:
Generic Name and Formulations:
Cholera vaccine, live attenuated (V. cholerae strain CVD 103-HgR); 100mL per single dose; susp for oral administration after reconstitution.
Indications for VAXCHORA:
Immunization against disease caused by Vibrio cholerae serogroup 01 in adults 18–64 years of age traveling to cholera-affected areas.
Limitations Of use:
Efficacy not established in persons living in cholera-affected areas or persons with pre-existing immunity due to previous exposure to V. cholerae or receipt of a cholera vaccine. Not shown to protect against disease caused by V. cholerae serogroup 0139 or other non-01 serogroups.
For oral administration only. Avoid food or drink for 60mins before and after administration. ≥18yrs: Give single oral dose a minimum of 10 days before potential cholera exposure.
<18yrs: not established.
Severe allergic reaction to any previous cholera vaccine.
Immunocompromised. Considering whether to administer to individuals with immunocompromised close contacts. Elderly. Pregnancy.
Avoid use within 14 days of systemic antibiotics. Give vaccine ≥10 days prior to antimalarial prophylaxis with chloroquine. Concomitant immunosuppressive therapy (eg, irradiation, antimetabolites, alkylating agents, cytotoxic drugs, high-dose corticosteroids): may get suboptimal response.
Tiredness, headache, abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, lack of appetite, diarrhea.
To enroll patients in the pregnancy exposure registry call (800) 533-5899.
Single-dose carton—2 packets (buffer component + active component)
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- New Hypertension Threshold Guides Blood Pressure Management During Cancer Treatment
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- Gas Mixture Improves Efficacy of Breakthrough Cancer Pain Treatment
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- Obesity and Cancer Risk (Fact Sheet)
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- Anticancer Properties of Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Plant-Based vs Marine-Based
- US Pharmacopeia Revises Chapter on Handling Hazardous Drugs
- Follow-Up After Treatment Lacking for Younger Cancer Survivors
- Adjuvant Vemurafenib Does Not Improve Disease-Free Survival in Melanoma
- Profile of Buparlisib and its Potential in the Treatment of Breast Cancer: Evidence to Date
- Exercise Before Lung Cancer Surgery Greatly Reduces Complications
- Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment in EU vs US: Similarities Would Enable Worldwide Studies
Regimen and Drug Listings
GET FULL LISTINGS OF TREATMENT Regimens and Drug INFORMATION
|Head and Neck Cancer||Regimens||Drugs|

domain: medical


Last updated on December 2nd, 2022 at 05:49 pm
The overall design will not change.
An Intel PR manager has shared photos of the NUC 13 Pro mini PC prototype. Inside the device is a board from the NUC 12 Pro model, so we are talking about a prototype case.
In this case, you can see a large number of vents on the bottom, but the overall design is about the same as the current model. Thus, it is likely that the main change will be exactly the holes that should allow to reduce the temperature of the CPU and other components.
The current NUC 12 Pro model is based on Core i7-1260P or Core i5-1240P. Probably, the new model will receive Core i7-1360P and Core i5-1340P. Such a mini-PC will not have a discrete graphics card.


and are shaped to resonate at specific frequencies. When particles pass through the electric field in a cavity, some of the energy from the radio waves is transferred to the particles. To maintain the RF field in the cavities, both amplitude and phase control loops are required.
Low-level RF (LLRF) control loops are normally implemented on digital FPGA boards. Nutaq’s Perseus 601X advanced mezzanine card (AMC), for example, is based on the Virtex-6 FPGA and offers high-performance, high-bandwidth, low-latency processing and its uTCA software tools are highly suitable for developing Linac and other high-energy applications.
Phase modulation is often used to switch from the I/Q domain into the phase domain . This is done with a Coordinate Rotation Digital Computer (CORDIC), an algorithm that converts the Cartesian I/Q vectors to Polar (phase and amplitude) coordinates in order to simplify the phase controllers. The CORDIC IP by Xilinx can be used to target the Nutaq Perseus601x uTCA FPGA board . Alternative implementations can also be realised using Nutaq’s Model-Based Design Kit (MBDK) or Board Support Development Kit (BSDK), which provide enable you to benefit from the FPGA’s capabilities.
The improved flexibility offered by digital control systems enables the creation of more complex control loops . For example, the FPGA board can be programmed with different algorithms for comparison. Digital solutions enable the use of redundant diagnostic channels to display the parameters of the control loop. Nutaq’s Real-Time Data Exchange (RTDEx) supports a real-time readout of digital signals from within the FPGA. Reading and writing from custom registers is also easy, which is useful for control loop optimization, tuning, and diagnostics.
The FGPA mezzanine cards (FMCs) inserted between the RF board and the uTCA digital board are used to digitize RF signals at sampling rates ranging anywhere from 1 MHz to thousands of MHz. Nutaq’s MI125, for example, provides 16 or 32 channels and offers 125 Mega Samples Per Second (MSPS) analog-digital conversion (14-bit width per channel). It is common to use FMCs with additional analog channels to provide interfaces for standard equipment like oscilloscopes for LLRF control loop diagnostic and monitoring. Moreover, the analog channels can be used to receive readings from sensors. State machines, for example, are used to drive the interlocks accordingly to ensure safe operation of the Linac.
System for cavity LLRF digital control loop


text:
Barchart Morning Call
- Global stocks are higher with the European Euro Stoxx 50 up +0.08% and June S&Ps up +6.60 points after an elite team of US Navy Seals stormed a secret compound in Pakistan and killed Osama Bin Laden. Crude oil is down over $2 a barrel and Treasuries are weaker, while the dollar index dropped to a fresh 2-3/4 year low and pushed gold prices to a record high. Silver prices plunged to a 2-week low after the CME raised margin requirements 13%, while copper sank to a 1-1/2 month low on concern that China's growth is slowing after its Apr purchasing managers' index unexpectedly fell. European stocks also received a boost after German and French Apr PMI manufacturing indexes were both revised upward.
- The Asian stock markets today closed mostly higher with Japan up +1.57%, Australia +0.04%, South KOrea +1.71%, India -0.72%. Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Singapore were all closed for holiday. The Apr China PMI manufacturing index, released Saturday, unexpectedly fell -0.5 to 52.9, weaker than expectations of +0.5 to 53.9. South Korean stocks closed higher after Apr Korea exports climbed a record +26.6% y/y, stronger than expectations of +23.7% y/y, and as construction companies and land developers gained when the government said it will give tax incentives to real-estate investment trusts that buy unsold housing, and will establish a bank to purchase soured loans owed by builders and developers. The Australian dollar climbed to a record $1.1011 on speculation increasing commodity prices will keep pressure on the RBA to raise interest rates.
- June S&Ps this morning are trading up +6.60 points at a fresh contract high after President Obama said the US killed Osama Bin Laden. The US stock market last Friday settled higher on strong company earnings results along with strength in US personal spending: Dow Jones +0.37%, S&P 500 +0.23%, Nasdaq Composite +0.04%. The Dow and S&P 500 posted 2-3/4 year highs. Bullish factors included (1) impressive company earnings results as over 75% of the 298 companies in the S&P 500 that reported earnings results since Apr 11 have beaten analysts' estimates, (2) the larger-than-expected increase in Mar personal spending along with the upward revision to Feb (Mar +0.6% versus expectations of +0.5% and Feb revised up to +0.9% from the originally reported +0.7%), which bodes well for the sustainability of the US economic expansion, and (3) strength in energy and commodity producer after a slump in the dollar index to a 2-3/4 year low prompted a broad-based rally in commodities.
- Bearish factors for stocks included (1) the weaker-than-expected Apr Chicago purchasing managers index (-3.0 to 67.6 versus expectations of -2.4 to 68.2), (2) the weaker-than-expected Apr US University of Michigan consumer confidence (+0.2 to 69.8 versus expectations of +0.4 to 70.0), and (3) comments from Fed Chairman Bernanke who said high levels of joblessness and home foreclosures are restraining the US recovery and putting people and communities at risk of being "left behind."
- Terex (NYSE:TEX) rose 1.8% in European trading after the US heavy-equipment manufacturer offered to buy Demag Cranes for about 883.9 million euros ($1.3 billion) to expand in the global harbor-crane market.
- TiVo (NASDAQ:TIVO) surged 20% in pre-market trading after the company settled all patent litigation with Dish Network nd EchoStar.
- June 10-year T-notes this morning are down -1.5 ticks. T-note prices last Friday rallied after mid-morning and closed higher as weaker than expected consumer confidence and manufacturing data offset stock market strength and stronger-than-expected personal spending: TYM11 +6, FVM11 +3.7, EDU11 -0.5. The 10-year T-note yield fell to a 1-1/4 month low of 3.280%. Bullish factors included (1) the weaker-than-expected Apr Chicago purchasing managers index (-3.0 to 67.6 versus expectations of -2.4 to 68.2), (2) the weaker-than-expected Apr US University of Michigan consumer confidence (+0.2 to 69.8 versus expectations of +0.4 to 70.0), and (3) the smaller-than-expected increase in the Mar PCE deflator (+1.8% y/y versus expectations of +1.9% y/y. Bearish factors included (1) the larger-than-expected increase in Mar personal spending along with the upward revision to Feb (Mar +0.6% versus expectations of +0.5% and Feb revised up to +0.9% from the originally reported +0.7%), (2) the larger-than-expected increase in the Q1 employment cost index (+0.6% versus expectations of +0.5%), and (3) reduced safe-haven demand for Treasuries after the S&P 500 rose to a 2-3/4 year high.
- The dollar index this morning is weaker and fell to a fresh 2-3/4 year low in overnight trade with the dollar/yen +0.19 yen and the euro/dollar +0.36 cents. The dollar index last Friday tumbled to a 2-3/4 year low and settled lower as weaker-than-expected US manufacturing data undercut the dollar while an increase in Euro-Zone inflation boosted the euro to a 16-1/2 month high: Dollar Index -0.188, USDJPY -0.335, EURUSD -0.00142. Bearish factors included (1) the weaker-than-expected Apr Chicago purchasing mangers index, which indicates a slowdown in US manufacturing and is dollar negative, (2) early strength in the euro which rallied to a 16-1/2 month high against the dollar after the Apr Euro-Zone CPI estimate rose more than expected to a 2-1/2 year high, which bolsters speculation for additional ECB rate hikes, and (3) reduced safe-haven demand for the dollar after the S&P 500 climbed to a 2-3/4 year high. Bullish factors included (1) the unexpected decline in Mar German retail sales, which is euro negative, and (2) the stronger-than-expected Mar US personal spending, which indicates strength in the US economy and is dollar supportive.
- June crude oil prices this morning are trading down sharply by -$1.91 a barrel and June gasoline is -5.50 cents per gallon. Crude oil plunged in overnight trade on speculation that the death of Osama Bin Laden may ease the risk of Middle East supply disruptions. Crude oil and gasoline prices last Friday settled higher due to a weak dollar and better-than-expected US consumer spending: CLM11 +$1.07, RBM11 +2.88. Nearest-futures May gasoline posted a 2-3/4 year high. Bullish factors included (1) the continued slide in the dollar index to a 2-3/4 year low, which boosts investment demand in commodities, and (2) the larger-than-expected increase in Mar US personal spending, which bodes well for the sustainability of the economic expansion and energy demand. Bearish factors included (1) the unexpected decline in Mar German retail sales along with the slower than expected increase in South Korean Mar industrial production, which indicates a slowdown in Asian and European fuel demand, and (2) the weaker-than-expected Apr Chicago purchasing managers index, which signals reduced energy demand.
Earnings reports (confirmed releases, sorted by mkt cap) APC-Andarko Petroleum (BEST earnings consensus $0.58), ADP-Automatic Data Processing (0.85), LYB-LyondellBasell Industries NV (0.74), CHK-Chesapeake Energy (0.71), L-Loews (0.91), FE-FirstEnergy (0.75), BXP-Boston Properties (0.45), HIG-Hartford Financial Servics Group (0.95), HUM-Humana (1.46), EIX-Edison International (0.66), DISH-DISH Network (0.68), PFG-Principal Financial Group (0.71), DVA-Davita (0.95), CNA-CNA Financial (0.70), MEE-Massey Energy (0.54), BWP-Boardwalk Pipeline Partners LP (0.47), DNDN-Dendreon (-0.67).
Global Financial Calendar
|1000 ET||Mar construction spending expected +0.3%, Feb ?1.4%.|
|1000 ET||Apr ISM manufacturing index expected -1.6 to 59061, Mar ?0.2 to 61.2. Apr ISM prices paid expected -2.0 to 83.0, Mar +3.0 to 85.0.|
|1130 ET||Weekly 3-mo and 6-mo T-bill auctions.|
|0100 ET||Apr Japan vehicle sales, Mar -37.0% y/y.|
|0315 ET||Revised Apr French PMI manufacturing expected no change at 56.9.|
|0355 ET||Revised Apr German PMI manufacturing expected no change at 61.7.|
|0345 ET||ECB Vice President Vitor Constancio along with fellow ECB Council member Mario Draghi and EU Economic and Monetary Commissioner Olli Rehn speak at a EU-sponsored conference in Brussels.|
|0500 ET||ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet and German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble speak at the inauguration of new Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann in Frankfurt.|
|0830 ET||Mar Canada industrial product prices expected +0.3% m/m, Feb +0.7% m/m.|
|0830 ET||Mar Canada raw materials price index expected +3.5% m/m, Feb +1.8% m/m.|
|2100 ET||Apr China non-manufacturing PMI, Mar +16.1 to 60.2.|
|n/a||UK markets closed for May Day.|
Barchart.com provides Financial Quotes, Charts and Technical Analysis for Stock and Commodity Traders.


Thursday Cloudy. Isolated showers in the south this morning and afternoon. Winds W 25 to 40 km/h turning SW 15 to 25 km/h from late morning. Daytime maximum temperatures between 13 and 16.
Friday Mostly sunny. The chance of frost in the north in the early morning. Light winds.
Saturday Partly cloudy. The chance of frost in the south in the early morning. Slight chance of a shower. Winds NW 20 to 30 km/h.
Sunday Partly cloudy. Winds W/NW 20 to 30 km/h tending W/SW 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening.
||time||wind dir||wind spd||wind gust||tmp||dew pt||feels like||rh||fire||rain||pres|
17:34 EST The weather bureau's long-term forecast is predicting a drier than normal October to December for much of eastern Australia and north-west Western Australia.


text:
@ White Wolf
Be sure to click to enlarge for lots more detail!
I had forgotten about this one until recently, and just found it while I was poking through an old folder. It's from about five years back, and it's the cover for a White Wolf RPG book called "Mage: Legacies 2: the Ancient". I know, one too many colons there... Well, I'm sure it's a fine book anyway.
This had to depict lots of stuff: the three distinct and VERY specific mages, the central standing stone, the way they were standing around it, and the creatures they were fighting. The Australian guy in the middle was the most difficult, as I recall - I had to figure out how to make it look like he was using cave paintings that come to life to fight with.

domain: artistic


text:
In October 2015, the National Infrastructure Commission was asked to advise on strategic improvements to transport connectivity in the North.
That advice was published in March 2016.
The Commission’s central finding: The North needs immediate and very significant investment for action now and a plan for longer term transformation to reduce journey times, increase capacity and improve reliability. On rail, this means kick-starting HS3, integrating it with HS2 and planning for the redevelopment of the North’s gateway stations. On roads, investment should be brought forwards for an early boost in capacity on the M62, the North’s most important east-west link, alongside funding to identify and assess proposals for tackling a range of other strategic challenges.
High Speed North makes recommendations to that end:
A higher speed, higher capacity, higher frequency network from Liverpool in the west to Hull and Newcastle in the east, incorporating key northern sections of HS2, upgraded lines, and sections of new track where necessary.
The development of the network should begin between Manchester and Leeds, the two largest economies of the North.
Phase one should reduce journey times from 49 to 40 minutes and increase capacity by 2022.
Phase two could cut times to just 30 minutes. An integrated plan covering both phases should be drawn up before the end of 2017.
Route decisions on the northern sections of HS2 to be announced later this year should support enhanced high-speed connections within the North, including between Leeds-Sheffield, Liverpool-Manchester, and Sheffield-Newcastle.
Redevelop Manchester Piccadilly
A long-term transformation of the station, combined with shorter-term delivery of additional east-west platforms, would unlock this hub and stimulate significant regeneration across 140 acres in central Manchester.
Highways England should accelerate enhancements to the M62 between Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds, which could cut journey times by up to 20% and increasing capacity by up to a third.
Development funding should be provided to accelerate the design of further enhancements to the road network, and better connections to Manchester International Airport should be prioritised.
At budget 2016 the government accepted the report in full.

domain: politics


text:
Grandma Loves You!
ABOUT GRANDMA LOVES YOU!
Through every day, in all you do, you’ll always know, Grandma loves you! Celebrate the special bond between a grandmother and her grandchild with this sweet rhyme. Features a “To” and “From” personalization page in the front of the book making this an ideal gift.
A grandchild is reminded of the extent of Grandma’s love as they spend a day together. Grandchildren can watch as the pair explore the outdoors where they hop on the rocks, play silly games as they walk along a path, peek at each other around a tree, watch baby birds eating in their nest, pick flowers, and so much more. Features a “To” and “From” personalization page in the front of the book making this an ideal gift.

domain: literature


text:
Einstein, albert () -- from eric weissteins world of scientific biographyAlbert einstein is one of the most recognized and well-known scientists of the century. his theories solved centuries-old problems in physics and rocked even. Albert einstein - historyWelcome to the official licensing site of albert einstein. learn more about albert einstein and contact us today for any commercial licensing inquiries. Review: einstein by walter isaacson, books, the guardianAlbert einstein was born as the first child of the jewish couple hermann and pauline einstein, nee koch, in ulm on march 14, when alberts grandmother.
Albert einstein biography Albert einstein biography - overview and interesting factsAlbert einstein, biography, education, discoveries, & factsAlbert einstein - simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopediaNew biography focuses on einsteins creativity: nprAlbert einstein () Albert einstein (14 march – 18 april) was a german-born theoretical physicist who developed the general theory of relativity, one of the two pillars of modern physics (alongside quantum mechanics). he received the nobel prize in physics in, but not for relativity.Biography of albert einstein () around albert einstein began his school career in munich. as well as his violin lessons, which he had from age.Albert einstein is probably the worlds most famous scientist but how much about him do you really know? here is a short biography of the. Albert einstein: a short biography - telegraphEinstein, albert (), theoretical physicist, american national biographyAlbert einstein biography - life, story, wife, school, young, information, born, time, yearA science odyssey: people and discoveries: albert einstein Albert einstein was born in in germany, the first child of a bourgeois jewish couple. the young albert displayed an early interest in science, but he was.Today we tell about a scientist who changed the way we understand the universe, albert einstein. in the year, albert einstein published some important.Albert einstein was working as a patent clerk in germany in when he developed his famous theory of relativity (e=mc2). the theory simply states that the speed of light (constant, c) is the fastest speed in the universe and relates energy (e) and mass (m).Youre author of a biography of albert einstein called einstein: a hundred years of relativity that was republished this year to coincide with the centenary of the.Albert einstein was a german-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of relativity, one of the two pillars of modern physics (alongside quantum.
Albert einsteins childhood nickname was the dopey oneAlbert einstein was a theoretical physicist and one of the geniuses of 20th century physics. his work has helped along our understanding of the. Albert einstein - wikipediaIn his new biography of albert einstein, author walter isaacson argues that it was einsteins creativity, not his mathematical genius, that led him. Albert einstein: biography, theories & quotesAlbert einstein was born in in ulm, germany. he was the first child born to hermann and pauline einstein. though he attended school as a young boy.
Albert einstein biography Biography: albert einstein () (voa special english)
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Albert einstein biography - childhood, life achievements & timelineOne of the greatest physicists of all time, nobel prize winner and discoverer of the special and general theory of relativity, albert einstein was born on march. Albert einstein - biographicalAlbert einstein profoundly changed physics and ideas about space and time. learn his theories, find facts and quotes from the man with an iq. University of glasgow:: story:: biography of professor albert einsteinAlbert einstein, a physicist born in germany in, is known best for his special and general theories of relativity. in the former, published in, he presents.
Albert einstein biography: success story of physicist and scientistHans albert einstein - wikipediaAlbert einstein was born on march 14,, in ulm, germany, but he grew up and obtained his early education in munich, germany. he was a poor student. Albert einsteinConsidered by many to be the greatest scientist of the twentieth century, albert einstein born in ulm, germany in, einstein grew up in munich. unable to. Albert einstein (bio)Albert einstein is perhaps best known for his ground-breaking theory of relativity, which helped earn him the coveted nobel prize in physics in. Albert einstein, biographyAlbert einstein, (born march 14,, ulm, württemberg, germany—died april 18,, princeton, new jersey, u.s.), german-born physicist. Albert einstein biography - short biographies for kids, mocomiAlbert einstein biography. overview. albert einstein is considered one of the most important scientists in world history. his discoveries changed the course of modern physics establishing the field of relativity and also contributing in the area of quantum mechanics. Albert einstein: genius inventor and scientistThe german-born physicist albert einstein developed the first of his groundbreaking theories while working as a clerk in the swiss patent office in bern. after. Albert einstein biographyAlbert einstein was born in ulm, germany, on march 14, he had a speech problem and often paused to think about what to say next. einstein wrote about. Biography: albert einstein: father of relativity not relativismAlbert einstein (/ ˈ aɪ n s t aɪ n /; german: [ˈalbɛɐ̯t ˈʔaɪnʃtaɪn] ; 14 march – 18 april) was a german-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of relativity, one of the two pillars of modern physics (alongside quantum mechanics). Hans albert einstein - wikipediaExtract. einstein, albert (14 march –18 april), theoretical physicist, was born in ulm, germany, to hermann einstein and pauline koch, who had. Albert einstein, biographical memoirs: v, the national academies pressAlbert einstein. biographical. questions and answers on albert einstein. albert einstein was born at ulm, in württemberg, germany, on march 14.
Albert einstein biography - life, story, wife, school, young, information, born, time, yearEinstein born in germany, albert einstein is one of the most celebrated scientists of the twentieth century. his theories on relativity laid the framework for a. Albert einstein - biography - imdbAlbert einstein is revered for his scientific intellect, which laid the albert einstein was born in ulm, germany on march 14, to. Albert einsteinEinstein and mariac married in the january of later next year, mariac gave birth to their first son, hans albert einstein. six years later, the couple was blessed with another son, eduard. in, einstein moved to berlin, while his wife and two sons remained in zurich.
Albert einstein biography - life, story, wife, school, young, information, born, time, yearHans albert einstein was born on may 14, in bern, switzerland, where his father, albert einstein, worked as a clerk in the patent office. his father was of german-jewish descent and his mother, mileva marić, serbian-orthodox. his younger brother, eduard einstein, was born in and died in. Albert einstein biographyAlbert einstein was a famous physicist. his research spanned from quantum mechanics to theories about gravity and motion. after publishing some groundbreaking papers, einstein toured the world and gave speeches about his discoveries. Albert einstein biography - life, story, wife, school, young, information, born, time, yearAlbert einstein biographical questions and answers on albert einstein. a lbert einstein was born at ulm, in württemberg, germany, on march 14, six weeks later the family moved to munich, where he later on began his schooling at the luitpold gymnasium.


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'Ni no Kuni Wrath of the White Witch' for PS3.
Upon picking up a PS3 controller and firing up Namco Bandai's Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, it's hard not to like it right away. The game is, after all, beautifully made with anime cut scenes made by long-time anime company Studio Ghibli and director Hayao Miyazaki ('My Neighbor Totoro', 'Princess Mononoke'). After some experience with its battle system, however, an immediate love for the game turned into a feeling of "let's see where this goes" -- somewhat like finding out that the beautiful girl you've been crushing on has "man hands".
While the game is a Japanese-made RPG, it features one of the more unique battle systems experienced in recent memory -- and it will take some getting used to. The player controls one character (typically Oliver), with the AI handling the actions of the other two. Luckily, the player can tell the AI how to handle its own actions by telling it to "watch our backs" or "keep us healthy". Another oddity is that Oliver and company do not actually do the fighting themselves, as small critters known as avatars do all of the actual dirty work. The controlled character's avatar is given a small radial menu from which to control its actions, but combat as a whole seemed like a jumbled mess. Of course, one advantage an actual owner or renter of this game would have over somebody who played a demo version on a trade show floor is the availability of a tutorial -- something that would have greatly come in handy for the hands-on gameplay demonstration.
The game's storyline, as should be expected from anything Studio Ghibli touches, looks masterfully done -- even with what little could be seen during the gameplay demos available at E3 2012. Ni No Kuni follows the story of a young boy named Oliver who, after his mother passes away, cries while clutching his favorite stuffed animal. The tears bring it to life, and Oliver soon finds himself adventuring in a magical realm in search of his late mother. In that world, he meets a number of new friends (some of whom become party members) and visits some amazing locations, including a militaristic steam punk styled city run by a race of anthropomorphic pig people. In all honesty, even if combat is something that the player will never fully adjust to, the story and its presentation will probably carry this game to the end just fine.
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is scheduled for release in January of 2013. The game has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

domain: game


to Mr. Frelinghuysen.
London, May 6, 1882. (Received May 18.)
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith two copies of the correspondence respecting the imprisonment of the so-called American suspects, [Page 242] which has been printed and laid before Parliament. I also inclose copies of letters from Messrs. O’Mahoney, Slattery, Brophy, Lynam, and Gannon, and letters from myself to Messrs. O’Mahoney and Lynam.
My notes to the British Government in relation to the cases of American suspects, copies of which have not already been transmitted to the Department of State, will appear in the printed correspondence herewith forwarded.
I have, &c.,


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Raipur: Two Naxals were arrested from
Chhattisgarh`s Kanker district on Tuesday, police said.
Acting on a tip-off, police arrested Roop Singh and Mehru
Ram from Paratpur village under Pakhanjur station area and
seized many guns from the Superintendent of Police, Kanker
Ajay Yadav told PTI over phone.
Both the accused were wanted in connection with murder
and attempt to murder cases, he said.
Further investigation is on, police said.
In two other incidents today, nine Naxals and two CRPF
jawans were killed in Dantewada and Bijapur districts of the

domain: law


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Williams Men's Basketball
January 24, 2015
Ephs Fall to Hamilton 67-64
Hayden Rooke-Ley's 21 points in his return to the court couldn't lead the team to victory over the Continentals.
January 21, 2015
Amherst Tops Williams in Comeback Win 86-76
Connor Green had 30 points, while Daniel Wohl and Daniel Aronowitz both scored over 20.
January 17, 2015
Ephs Defeat Colby 72-65
Daniel Wohl and Mike Greenman led Williams to a road win over a conference opponent.
January 16, 2015
Ephs Fall to Bowdoin 67-60
The Ephs came back from a 20-point deficit to contest the game in the final minute.
January 10, 2015
Williams Overcomes Amherst 71-70
Ryan Kilcullen hit the game-winner with four seconds left to give the Ephs the victory.
January 9, 2015
Trinity Edges Ephs 71-69 in 2OT
Daniel Wohl dropped 32 points in the heartbreaking loss to open NESCAC play.
January 3, 2015
Williams Edges Endicott 79-76
With 24 points in the game, Daniel Wohl becomes the 32nd Eph to score 1,000 points in his career
December 30, 2014
Ephs Triumph Over Salem State 84-77
Daniel Wohl led the team with 26 points in the win.
December 29, 2014
Ephs Fall in Nailbiter to WPI 73-71
Daniel Wohl notched 25 points in the very close game that wasn't decided until the final buzzer.
December 10, 2014
MUST READ: NCAA.com Feature on Hayden Rooke-Ley and His Free Throw Shooting
Practice as therapy


Which Miura Boiler Model Should I Choose — EX or LX?
To best serve our customers in a wide variety of industries, Miura manufactures two series of modular boilers: the EX series and the LX series. Both are superior to traditional fire tube boilers regarding fuel efficiency, safety, and how quickly they produce steam. However, there are distinctions between the two series that will determine which one is right for you.
The LX series is most noteworthy because of its size. All of Miura’s modular boilers are smaller than conventional fire tube boilers; however, LX boilers are roughly half the size of fire tube boilers. For example, LX-200SG has a rated output of 200 horsepower, and it can fit through a standard commercial doorway. The LX series offers the smallest footprint per horsepower output of any boiler on the market, so it does not sacrifice performance for space savings.
In addition to their advantageous size, LX series modular boilers are ideal for reducing environmental impact. Miura’s LX series line includes boilers with NOx emissions as low as 9 ppm. For companies that pride themselves on being environmentally friendly or need to adhere to stringent emission standards, Miura’s LX series boilers offer the best solution.
The EX series also includes boiler that have a smaller footprint than conventional boilers, and still qualify as Low NOx in most parts of the country, operating around 30 ppm NOx. Just like the LX series, EX boilers utilize water tube technology and are capable of producing steam from a cold startup in less than five minutes. Regarding quality, the EX is tough to beat, as it makes use of a vertical cyclone steam separator to produce dry-saturated steam.
The EX model offers both flexibility and efficiency regarding fuel use. These boilers can run on oil, natural gas, or vaporized propane, making it possible to switch between different fuel types in the event of a curtailment or sudden loss of supply gas pressure. Operators may also switch between different fuel types based on the price of each fuel, allowing them to save money on fuel without sacrificing productivity. For companies that need an efficient boiler and are looking to save money on fuel, Miura’s EX model should be given strong consideration.
To find out more about our EX and LX boilers, please contact your local Miura representative.


21+ $6adv/$8 DOS
Dressy Bessy: Nearly 20 years into their career, Dressy Bessy is making some of their most compelling and accomplished music. Such melodically infectious, lyrically barbed new tunes as "Lady Liberty," "Make Mine Violet" and the anthemic title track are potent examples of the band's uncanny ability to wrap Ealom's personally-charged, pointedly subversive lyrics in sparkling, irresistibly catchy songcraft.
More info: http://dressybessy.com/
Little Brazil: Four guys from Nebraska raised on The Replacements, Fugazi, Guided By Voices, Superchunk, and Busch Light.
Arc Flash: Kansas. Mutant space punks


In September 1971 and May 1972, John Lennon and Yoko Ono appeared on three episodes of The Dick Cavett Show, talking about their music and lives. (To be technical, they only appeared on the program twice, but the 1971 interview was so long that it was used in two separate episodes.) This two-DVD, approximately three-and-a-half-hour set presents all three of the episodes in their entirety, even including Cavett's opening monologues and the other guests who appeared on the programs; nothing's missing, except the commercials. For Lennon fans, and for many general music and popular culture fans, these are unremittingly interesting, with Lennon and Ono discussing various aspects of their art, songs, records, experimental films (from which a few clips are shown), and social views. The Beatles are only touched upon at a few points, though John does make some general observations about the group and their breakup. While Cavett was not a rock music expert, he did set them at ease and draw out their chat in an informal manner that, certainly by the standards of talk show television, was intelligent and entertaining.
In the September 1971 segments, Lennon does far more talking than the much quieter Ono, coming across as a pretty likable, funny fellow who doesn't shoot as much venom here as he did at various other points of his solo career. Certainly the most interesting portion is the one in which the pair takes questions from the audience, with John delivering a very thorough, insightful answer as to how he wrote songs and how his composing method changed since the early days of the Beatles. As especially interesting points of trivia, he reveals regretting that he threw in a reference to Chairman Mao in "Revolution," worrying that it might prevent him from visiting China. He also names Frank Zappa and Dr. John as some of the musicians he was most enjoying listening to at the time, and expresses surprise that "Oh Yoko!" and "Imagine" are turning out to be the most popular tracks from his Imagine album.
Ono speaks more in the May 1972 segment, in part because much of that was devoted to her and Lennon explaining their search for Ono's daughter, Kyoko, in a custody battle with Yoko's ex-husband. This in turn was helping to lead to efforts to deport John from the U.S., which are also discussed (and which would turn into a battle lasting five years or so). In this episode (unlike the September 1971 programs, which were all talk), Lennon and Ono also perform, using Elephant's Memory as the backing band. John sings "Woman Is the Nigger of the World," whose controversial title required Cavett (under network pressure) to insert a small introduction aimed at mollifying any viewers who might be offended. Yoko sings "We're All Water," which like "Woman Is the Nigger of the World" was bound for the ill-fated Some Time in New York City album.
For the record, these episodes also contain interviews with other guests who appeared on the programs, those being comedian/commercial producer Stan Freberg; actress Shirley MacLaine; and, as a far less recognizable name, Robert Citron, then director of the Smithsonian Institute's Center for Short-Lived Phenomena. Though not related to Lennon and Ono's work, those segments are actually pretty entertaining (even the Citron one), and you might as well watch them as long as you have these discs in the player. Rounding off a first-rate package are introductions specially recorded for this DVD by Cavett, shortly before its 2005 release; a 20-minute interview with Cavett about the Lennon-Ono programs; and a booklet with historical liner notes.


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The excellent narration of the Marriage of Cupide and Psyches
Legacy dimension: 9 1/4 in.
Not On View
Apuleius, L. The excellent narration of the Marriage of Cupide and Psyches. Translated out of Latin into English by William Adlington, 1566. (another copy) Ballantyne Press, London, 1897. Illustrations by C.S. Ricketts.
William A. Sargent Collection
William A. Sargent Collection—Bequest of William A. Sargent


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Secretary Arne Duncan has been on the road selling his idea of “RESPECT” for teachers, but teachers don’t feel any respect from the U.S. Department of Education. Teacher John Thompson has called on Secretary Duncan to apologize for the ways he has encouraged and promoted the currently hostile environment surrounding teachers.
The Metlife Survey of the American Teacher reported a dramatic decline in teacher morale from 2009 to 2011. What happened in 2009 that changed the climate? Could it have been the launch of Race to the Top? Could it have been the endless rhetoric blaming teachers for low scores? Could it have been the idea–launched by Arne Duncan–that teacher evaluation should be tied to the test scores of their students?
Things have gone downhill since then. In 2010 came the teacher-bashing “documentary” called “Waiting for ‘Superman’” which was repeatedly praised by Duncan and President Obama. President Obama even invited the children in the film to the White House. And then of course there were cover stories and Oprah appearances, and anyone who trashed public schools was considered a hero for trying to liberate children from the basic democratic institution that is so important to our society.
And the privatization of public education continues. And teachers ask how all these terrible things befell them. Historians in the future will trace a clear narrative, including No Child Left Behind, Race to the Top, the rise of Tea-Party governors, and the relentless attacks on teachers and public schools. Anyone who was part of this privatization movement will be portrayed by historians as the villains of American education, the thieves intent on giving away our public schools to private sector interests.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Secretary Duncan took a strong stand against for-profit corporations invading public education and against the willy-nilly proliferation of charter schools and against those who would roll back collective bargaining and against those who want to remove teachers’ academic freedom and rights to due process? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if he admitted–based on evidence and experience– that he was wrong to push the idea that teacher quality can be measured by the test scores of their students? I can assure him that it cleanses the soul to admit error.
We can always hope.


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Zambia safari has it all ...an ideal tourist destination for that special holiday of your lifetime. And Africa's undiscovered gem! But why? Because of rich cultural heritage, spectacular wildlife, unforgettable adventure and awesome beauty.
And don't forget Zambia is home to mystic and awesome Victoria Falls. And Zambians are well known for being warm and friendly people. Zambia safari is a cultural tourism you'll remember.
Rich Cultural Heritage With a population of only 10 million people in a country of 753,614 sq km Zambia is large country. It's larger than Texas in USA and has one of lowest populations to land ratio in Africa. The high urbanisation has resulted in massive tracts of uninhabited land across country. But, however, many of rural inhabitants have retained their indigenous and traditional customs and values.
The government recognizes this and has set up institutions to protect and promote Zambian culture. The National Heritage Conservation Commission is one. Government and private museums and cultural villages promote expression of artistic talents.
Over 73 dialects are spoken in Zambia but official language is English and most Zambians speak it fairly well. All media and business is in English. Bemba is next most commonly spoken language, followed by Nyanja. Other large languages are Tonga, Luvale, Lozi. Being a haven of peaceful Zambia has hosted many refuges from neighbouring countries in past and still do today. It's an epitome of unity in diversity.
Traditional Ceremonies Would you have known it? Zambia has numerous traditional ceremonies. But a word of advice! They generally do not follow normal calendar. The weather elements and a bit of "sniffing around" or such related matters bring things to bear on date... if you get drift...
But seriously, timing of most traditional ceremonies depend more on natural factors such as rainfall, season, position of moon, month, etc. If you happen to be around when one of these ceremonies is on don't miss opportunity. Just ask your tour operators they'll advise you.
There are more than 21 annual traditional ceremonies cerebrated in Zambia. They generally manifest customs, social life, rituals, oral history, material and spiritual culture. They provide a valuable insight to a traditional culture that has been passed down from generation to generation.

domain: geography


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This Is Not America
Remarking on the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia over the weekend, Julian Assange tweeted a picture of it with the words, "The new face of America is eerily familiar."
With all due respect to Mr. Assange for his advancement of truly relevant journalism in our era, what we all saw happen in Charlottsville, Virginia is not the new face of America.
A few hundred of these eccentric, openly racist, angry young men do not speak for or represent all of us.
They hardly speak for any of us at all.
The shock, disgust, and outrage at their racist and divisive message was nearly universal over the weekend.
On social media, America resoundingly thundered its disapproval of the racist alt-right groups, and its heartbreak and disbelief at the appalling murder of Heather Heyer by one of the demonstrators.
It's hard for most of us to believe that in this day and age anybody can think the kind of things that these alt-right groups say.
A white supremacist speaker at the rally, Richard Spencer, is the one that coined the term "alt-right" and once ran a website at the domain "AlternativeRight.com."
He says that white people are superior to other races, complains that the "white race" is "dispossessed," and dreams of creating a white nation in North America in which non-whites are not allowed.
People who share his views are in the extreme minority.
They are bizarre stragglers in the upward march of human history, with beliefs that have been discarded by the rest of us long ago.
But that doesn't mean they can't be dangerous, as the wanton evil that unfolded from the rally organized by Jason Kessler this weekend too painfully revealed.
So it feels gratifying to watch the video of Kessler's press conference on Sunday, from which he had to flee, literally for his life, as angry counter-protesters menacingly closed in on him.
When someone punched Richard Spencer in the face in January, many conservatives and libertarians said that his words are reprehensible, but shouldn't be met with violence.
But his words are an incitement to violence. After the horrors of the 20th century, we know where his words lead.
It's a serious problem that comparisons to Hitler are thrown around far too carelessly in political discourse today.
Because Spencer and Kessler are actually, overtly trying to stir up the same worst aspects of humanity that Hitler conjured with his nationalism, and ethnocentrism, and bigotry.
So we Americans, who value free speech so highly that there are still statues of defeated rebel leaders in the nation they rose up against 150 years later, might just be drawing the line in the right place when it comes to what kind of speech is tolerable.
It may be a sign of a healthy society that someone looking for the kind of trouble that Jason Kessler and his followers are after, might be driven out of town by an angry crowd.
But that video is also terrifying to watch. Because those counter-protesters really might have killed him if the police hadn't helped him escape. Or beat him to a bloody pulp.
And that would not have been right at all.
His message should be met with fierce hostility everywhere he takes it, but an angry mob, devastated by the personal loss of a member of their community, is not the one to mete out justice.
Justice must be cold and unfeeling. It must be deliberative and noble.
An angry mob does not stand on the foundation of centuries of jurisprudence, nor act to honor the wisdom of the past. And does not carefully consider the kind of future its actions create.
An angry mob is a group of people under a spell, animated by the heat of the moment, often with horrible consequences.
And we already saw what that looks like on Saturday.
We are all very lucky it didn't happen again on Sunday.
Because if that crowd had badly beaten Kessler up or killed him, you can be sure the violence would be revisited on another counter-protester like Heather Heyer at a future white nationalist rally.
I can't stop myself from suggesting that her death this weekend might have been the not-equal and opposite reaction of the punch Spencer took in January.
Or the not-equal and opposite reaction of the extremist Antifa counter-protesters that physically attacked the Nazi marchers on Saturday.
That's how blood feuds work. One side hurts the other. The other side retaliates and does something worse. The first side strikes back and escalates the violence even further.
The responsibility you have in all of this is to stop taking part in any kind of mob, which includes online mobs.
While they don't kill anyone directly, the toxic, bitter, angry words they spew are polluting people's minds.
All of us must stop dehumanizing people by grouping other human beings together under a label and treating them with abuse.
It happens online every day; especially, in political dialogue. The way we talk to each other about controversial social issues online is so often charged with seething resentment and disrespect.
You may know that you're not unhinged and would never drive a car into a crowd of people or even punch anyone. But there are people right on the edges and they're breathing the foul air online.
The world is a strange and beautiful place, and we can all live to our fullest potential in it and find happiness if we strive to live our lives as noble individuals, and treat others that way.
The answer to the alt-right's nightmare rally is a fervent commitment to defending the inherent dignity, worth, and supremacy of every human being in their own right as an individual.