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Harley Quinn Mad Love T-shirt & Cycling Short Womens Pyjama Set
Add some DC Comics action to your nightwear wardrobe with this awesome Harley Quinn pyjama set for women. Have you read the novel ‘Mad Love’ by author Paul Dini? If so, then this dark red and black t-shirt and cycling shorts combo is the perfect loungewear set for you! The adult Harley Quinn Mad Love pjs comes with a short sleeve black & red t-shirt paired perfectly with matching cycle short pyjama bottoms. The sleepwear set is made from mixed materials and features an animated character print of Harley Quinn making a must have villain gift for birthdays, Christmas, Comic Con, costume parties and all special occasions. This item is 100% genuine licensed DC Comics merchandise & features official branding throughout. We want you to get the most out of your new pyjamas, so please be sure to follow all care label instructions and contact our dedicated customer service team for any additional information or sizing queries.
- LADIES HARLEY QUINN MAD LOVE PYJAMAS T-SHIRT WITH CYCLE SHORTS - Our awesome sleepwear set for adults comes with a short sleeve and crew neck t-shirt paired perfectly with comfortable cycling shorts that are awesome for lounging around the house watching your favourite DC Comic movies.
- AVAILABLE IN VARIETY OF SIZES PJ’S FOR HER- The loungewear set comes in sizes; small, medium, large and x-large offering a comfortable and regular womens fit made for ultimate comfort.
- MIXED MATERIALS HARLEY QUINN CLOTHES - The sleepwear set includes a Mad Love top that is made from 100% cotton with cycle style bottoms that are made from 93% cotton & 7% elastane for a cosy, light, and very soft to touch feel ensuring comfort for movie marathons.
- DARK RED AND BLACK HARLEY QUINN MAD LOVE DESIGN - Relax whilst reading your favourite novel ‘Harley Quinn - Mad Love’ whilst dressed in your brand new matching pyjamas!
- OFFICIALLY LICENSED DC COMICS MERCHANDISE - This nightwear outfit is perfect for relaxing; it is 100% official Harley Quinn merchandise, to get the most out of this product please follow all wash and care label instructions before use.

domain: entertainment


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The second phase of the Belarus Farm Mechanisation Facility to the tune of US$51 million is set to raise the tillage area and give impetus to the land reform.
This was said by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa, while addressing the 37th post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday.
The second phase of the programme that brings an assortment of farming implements, follows the successful launch of the first phase last month worth US$51,9 million.
Minister Mutsvangwa said Cabinet considered and approved Phase II of the Belarus Farm Mechanisation Facility, which was presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Dr Anxious Masuka.
"Under the second phase, the Republic of Belarus will supply an additional US$51 940 149 worth of farm mechanisation equipment, following the successful launch of the first US$51 million facility on 30th September, 2020," said Minister Mutsvangwa.
The 1 337 tractors, five disc harrows and 16 combine harvesters to be supplied under Phase II will raise the mechanised tillage area by 133 700 hectares. The implements for the tractors will be acquired locally since Government has already started the process of capacitating local industry to manufacture tractor-drawn implements.
Through this approach, the country will get more tractor units, save on foreign currency and capacitate the local industry.
Dr Masuka presented a proposal on toll manufacturing of dipping chemicals for the national dipping programme, which was adopted by Cabinet.
This followed challenges faced by farmers across the country and the heavy livestock losses due to tick-borne diseases.
"Under the programme, the Department of Veterinary Services will procure imported raw materials, while Chemplex (Corporation) locally produces materials required for the manufacture of the dipping chemicals, said Minister Mutsvangwa. This will ensure that the major challenge of shortage of foreign currency is overcome.
Large savings in the total cost of production will also be realised when the Government imports the raw materials from international suppliers and Chemplex concentrates on toll manufacturing for Government."
The minister said Cabinet was briefed by the Ministry of Health and Child Care that it was updating guidelines on the wearing of face masks by children in order to strengthen the control and prevention of infection in schools and communities.
"Regarding the supply of testing consumables, it is worth noting that the 21 080 Gene Xpert cartridges in stock are sufficient for over six months, giving room for the country to stock up on other consumables required," she said.
On resumption of domestic and international flights, Minister Mutsvangwa said Cabinet had been updated that two laboratory firms had commissioned Covid-19 testing facilities at international airports and entry points in readiness to handle increased human and vehicular traffic.
She said there had been an increase in attendance of teachers at schools in Masvingo, Matabeleland North and Manicaland provinces in the previous week since schools reopened.
"The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will this week conduct field visits to assess school preparedness for the impending Phase 2, which will see Grade 6, Form 3 and Form 5 learners resuming classes," said Minister Mutsvangwa.
On protection and support for vulnerable groups, she said 51 308 beneficiary households were paid $30,8 million under the urban Cash for Cereal Programme.
She said 66 509 beneficiary households were paid $39,9 million allowances for the Covid-19 cushion.

domain: economics


Here are some of the highlights.
The Fanfare system was designed to solve the real issues that a club faces on a daily basis.
It went live for the 2014/15 season and produced some excellent results as shown below.
Number of internet orders up by 20% to 5,000 orders
Average internet order value up 81% to over £36
Web conversion rate on online store
Over 26,000 transactions across 6 sales channels
“The introduction of the Fanfare system led to a marked improvement in the performance of our web store. This, combined with a new town centre shop saw our total retail sales increase by 80%. Having a single system that managed our sales and inventory across all channels in real time was critical to this success.”


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happy new year psychonauts!
2018 was a reasonably crazy year for us. We got to tour quite a few new countries (Slovenia, Serbia, Rumania, Russia), we released two live albums (A boxful of Demons and Roadwork Vol.5), we recorded a new album and actually started writing the one after that already, and we played shows all through the year with several week long intense guerilla offensives. All in all, not bad for a ’non album year’, but no rest for the wicked, as they say, and we’re starting the new year with an extended writing and rehearsing period at home, awaiting The Crucible dropping in mid-February. That usually takes its toll (some positive feedback, some negative, a lot of attention and a lot of people judging us, all a bit of a challenge to deal with), but we’ll be out there starting in April and going steady into June with a few weeks off in-between legs. It should be nice, and we’re looking at even more countries than usual for us, so that should be fun!
We hope you’ll like The Crucible – it is in some ways a continuation of what we started on The Tower, but it is a bit more ambitious from a songwriting standpoint and a bit harder to play too, but we are stoked with how it all came together and absolutly superhappy with the production help we got from Deathprod and Andrew Scheps. Sometimes a focused blow packs a harder punch and lands heavier than a long barrage, and we have to mix it up to make it fun, so …it’s different but as good, at least that’s how we feel about it!
There will be a memo from the bunker a little closer to the release going into more details, so hang loose and have a great winter untill then!
Bob LeBad, esq
Great album, review soon on Classic Rock.
Cork kanskje…? Har håpet på en Irsk konsert i 20 år nå…
Vel, 18 iallefall…
“a bit more ambitious from a songwriting standpoint and a bit harder to play too,”
I’m afraid this is going to be a technical – too many notes – album. Call me oldskool, but I am longing for some romantic songs a la Tomothy’s Monster.
That was fun to read!! I am really looking forward “The Crucible” and what thrills me the most is that you already work on the next one. Sail on!!!! So glad to know you :)
North America this time around?!
Can’t wait for the release of the new record and, of course, to see you guys again live. I’m sure it will be mind blowing
After all these years still tension about how the newborn will be received…this makes you guys all the more human and don’t worry, we love your courageous
everlasting self-renewal, it’s what makes Motorpsycho stand out. Hanging on to the trip we’re on, sharing this beautiful journey is a great joy in my life !
Liked the Tower a lot, am really anxious for the continuation…all MP records and 10″ in my collection and loving them all, regardless of the phase I´m in (or MP were in as a matter of fact), I really love how you manage to always take a step forward. Cheers from germany, sse you in Hamburg and Kopenhagen (hopefully)
Det gledes til nytt album. Ønsker enda et godt nyttår!
Good luck with the new album, just good reviews for it, many new countries you play in, even more fantastic concerts, new psychonauts discovering you – and having a lot of fun with all this … that’s my wish for you for the new year. And many, many thanks for the last 25 years I’ve enjoyed your music – it’s always a special moment when I listen to your music.
Can’t wait for The Crucible, And the one after that. And whatever comes out of the Håkon Gullvåg collaboration/celebration this summer. Not to mention the tour (will see you in Groningen and Leuven – though I wish you were coming here to London again too), and whatever you do after all that. Good luck and thank you.
hey, soooo damn curious about the new one!!! and i hope that i can get in the next time also the vinyl of angels and demons at play, timothy’s monster, phanerothyme, barracuda, heavy metal fruit and the tussler!!!!!! keep on psychos!!!

domain: artistic


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Ousted premier Nawaz Sharif’s grandson Junaid Safdar on Tuesday debunked social media reports claiming that he was arrested by Scotland Yard in London.
Earlier, a video circulating on Twitter showed PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz’s son being taken in a police van for allegedly obtaining a fake degree.
However, in a statement issued on Tuesday, Junaid said the news regarding his arrest was fake. “For those who have a short memory, this video is from 2018.
I was arrested after responding in self-defense to an attack instigated by a group of PTI goons who took no time in turning tail,” he clarified.

domain: news


Controllab cooperates with Steel Sim VR
Controllab has formalized its cooperation with Steel Sim VR by signing a cooperation contract. Controllab and Steel Sim VR started their cooperation in 2019 with the joint development of the VR training simulator for Tata Steel in Port Talbot. Steel Sim VR is an end to end platform that offers highly realistic crane driver training for the Steel Industry.
Under the contract, Controllab will provide its simulation software 20-sim to power the real-time physics for the Steel Sim VR platform. According to Christian Kleijn, managing director of Controllab, “Controllab will keep developing new functionality to continuously enhance the physics capabilities of Steel Sim VR platform“.


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Two and a Half Men (Ep. 1023) "Cows, Prepare To Be Tipped"
Walden dates a hot 22-year-old woman, but finds himself more attracted to her worldly grandmother; Alan and Jake take a trip.
Two and a Half Men (Ep. 1022) "My Bodacious Vidalia"
With encouragement from Walden, Alan updates his look; Alan is faced with a moral dilemma when he attracts a married woman.
Latest Programming News at CTV.ca
Third time’s the charm for Season 12 ‘American Idol’ winner Candice Glover
Candice Glover’s dream of winning "American Idol" finally comes true as she prepares for a career ...
'Grimm's' Bree Turner promises a 'very scary' cliffhanger finale with a main character's life hanging in the balance
It looks like the rumours that a key cast member might not make it through the finale aren’t just ...
The Oklahoma tornado hits close to home for judges and contestants of 'The Voice'
Blake Shelton is from Oklahoma -- and he's thinking about the victims of Monday's killer tornado.
Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio confirmed as judges on ‘The X Factor’
The former Destiny’s Child member and Mexican pop singer will join Demi Lovato and Simon Cowell on ...


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COFFEE CO., GA (WALB) - Investigators say they have found a body in a pond in Coffee County.
The body was found submerged in the water by officials near Mahogany Road Monday morning.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was also called to the scene.
They said they found it near the same area that search and rescue teams had been leading an expanded effort to find Jose Mendez Diaz, who has been missing for more than two weeks.
"The little pond is really just a water hole, about 6 feet deep. It has algae all on top of it so you can't see in it; you can't see very well in it. But yeah, the search site was very close to this site," said Sheriff Doyle Wooten.
Officials said they believe the body is likely Diaz.
Coffee County Sheriff Wooten said the body would be sent to the GBI crime lab for further analysis. He also said no foul play was immediately suspected.
Searchers on horseback and in the air had been scouring the area. Since then crews were working hard on the ground, but turned up nothing until Monday.
Friends of Diaz told investigators that he may have been intoxicated and was known to get disoriented while walking.
Investigators also said Diaz had blacked out at work a few times in the days before he went missing.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Coffee County Sheriff's Office.


Dylan Farrow on Woody Allen: 'Why shouldn't I want to bring him down?'
Kendrick Lamar, Sam Smith and U2 added to Grammys performance roster -- and Miley teams with Elton!
President Trump is one pound shy of obesity? How convenient, says Stephen Colbert
Chrissy Teigen offers to pay gymnast McKayla Maroney's potential $100,000 fine
Matt Damon wishes he had ‘listened a lot more’ before weighing in on sexual misconduct
It may seem surprising now, but Ben Whishaw wasn’t supposed to play Paddington.
The adorably furry bear, who returns to his good-natured hijinks in this weekend’s “Paddington 2,” was actually first voiced by Colin Firth. In fact, Whishaw didn’t come onboard the 2014 “Paddington” movie until filming and partial animation had been completed and director Paul King decided he wanted a more youthful voice.
“I was called in to audition, and they were all in a bit of a panic because there was about five months to go before it was due out in the cinemas,” says Whishaw, who is in London rehearsing a production of “Julius Caesar,” which opens Jan. 20 at the Bridge Theatre.


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On Thursday, 19 June 2019, Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta said Africa has to invest more in its youth for it to become a continent of hope and prosperity.
Kenyatta said he was committed to keep up the momentum to create more jobs for the youth in Kenya and would each year host a summit on jobs to engage directly with young people.
“I commit to host an annual Jobs Summit which will engage young people, partners and all stakeholders to take stock of progress and advance action to increase the quality and quantum of jobs available to our young people,” said Kenyatta.
Kenyatta said this as he launched a public-private partnership program that brings together MasterCard Foundation, Kenyan banks and the government to support job creation by supporting SME’s to the tune of more than 100 billion shillings (982 million dollars)
The Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works Kenya platform aims to work closely with technical colleges and linking the youth to the job market. It will also create jobs by supporting the Small and Medium Enterprises through access to funds and training.
Kenyatta said the youth are Africa’s biggest asset and governments should focus necessary policy attention on them.
“I urge Africa to invest in the youth and we will become a continent of hope, dignity and prosperity,” said the President.
He said the majority of Africa’s population is composed of the youth, who are persons below 25 years of age, and that is why all policy decisions must give them due consideration.
“In Kenya alone, there are 17 million children in primary and secondary schools, giving a true picture of Africa’s youth bulge,” he said.
He said Africa is on the cusp of an economic transformation with the adoption of the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) Agreement which will provide a common marketplace for over one billion people.
He said the common market arrangement will create enormous opportunities for Africa’s youth who are full of energy and innovative ideas.
The President called on Africa’s leaders to make continental integration a reality because it will create more avenues for economic growth and social integration.

domain: sociology


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Club Pogo is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this month! In celebration, you can play the original five Club Pogo titles for tokens, enter a daily sweepstakes, and score special anniversary products in our store.
February 1 is National Wear Red Day to support the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign, so the team at Pogo and EA showed their support today.
Get ready for enough fun to fill a big top in the new puzzle game, Cirque Du Flea. In this free online game from POGO, it’s up to you, the ringleader, to master puzzles and save the circus!
Read the competition between reading books with POGO Hearts, Spades, and More! This new game for the Amazon Kindle packs in five great card games: Hearts, Spades, Euchre, Gin, and Canasta.
News and blogs from the brands and games you love most.

domain: game


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Israel - Tiberias April 1st 2008 Although our time in Israel has come and now gone (by about 4 weeks) we haven't had a good chance to post any comments on that part of the trip until now. It was quite an experience and so should still be fresh on our minds.
We arrived in Tel Aviv on Saturday a day later than expected (since we missed our flight out of Athens the day before). I knew that most things shut down on the Sabbath b ... read more
Middle East » Israel Following World War II, the British withdrew from their mandate of Palestine, and the UN partitioned the area into Arab and Jewish states, an arrangement rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently, the Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars without... ... read more

domain: politics


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Are you searching for inspiration and the courage and passion to pursue what you want? Do you wish you felt free to say what you need to say in your relationships? If you felt free, I have no doubt that you would bring your dreams into the world.
Today’s guest is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of expression. As a national poetry slam champion, winning poet, and multi-platinum songwriter, he knows what it takes to push the boundaries of vulnerability using your voice.
Today, our guest is IN-Q, who has groundbreaking achievements, including being the first spoken word artist to perform for Cirque du Soleil and be featured on ESPN and HBO’s Def Poetry Jam. He inspires audiences worldwide through his live performances and storytelling workshops, which are incredible.
IN-Q has performed at almost every Summit of Greatness we’ve had with four standing ovations. He is a man on a mission with a new book called, Inquire Within, and I highly recommend getting yourself a copy.
We talk about the book in this episode as he shares the difference between codependent love and unconditional love and the poetry he writes. We also dive into his take on the major problems in the world today and how we can come together to solve them, the power of using your voice, and how you can inspire others to use theirs as well — because leaders create other leaders. He opens up about his relationship with his father and how his absence inspired his poetry today. I am so excited, so let’s jump straight in!
IN-Q is a National Poetry Slam champion, award-winning poet, and multi-platinum songwriter. His groundbreaking achievements include being named to Oprah’s SuperSoul 100 list of the world’s most influential thought leaders. His recent poetry videos have gone viral with over 70 million views combined.
As a songwriter, IN-Q’s hit single “Love You Like a Love Song” by Selena Gomez went multi-platinum, winning him a BMI award. He has written with renowned artists, including Miley Cyrus and Mike Posner. His songs have accumulated over one billion views on YouTube alone.
The book Inquire Within is a collection of all IN-Q’s poems, and he talks about issues of love, loss, forgiveness, transformation, and belief. As the pandemic affects everyone, I wonder which of those five universal issues have deepened in the last year for him and risen to the forefront the most?
“The overarching theme of everyone’s life is learning how to love through ups and downs and coming back to love. … We should be so lucky to have all of these major themes of life, and continue to deepen over time.” – IN-Q
IN-Q has written some powerful love poems and shares why ‘85’ and ‘When it’s right’ stand out for him.
“Both of those I’m really happy with, and I wrote them at different stages of my life. They were a manifestation at the time that I wrote them. They were almost like exploring what I would want, and now it’s really beautiful to be living some of the poems that I wrote.”
IN-Q wrote these poems as kind of his dream life, almost like a wishlist of what he wanted his future to be because he wasn’t in a good place.
“All of my poems are prayers. I’m talking to myself like they’re reminders of the life I want to live. When I get an opportunity to get up and share them with other people, I’m talking to myself first, and [then] people are observing me doing that and hopefully seeing their own humanity in that mirror.” – IN-Q
I love the fact that IN-Q is speaking and performing first for himself and secondly for the crowd he hopes they connect with as he vulnerably shares his greatest desires.
IN-Q’s dad was alive, but he was absent from his life. It wasn’t until IN-Q was 15 years old that he met him for the first time. With such a gaping hole most of his young life, I wonder how he transformed his feelings of love into his intimate relationships.
“Various degrees of success and failure? Probably more failure, but each time I learned more about what intimacy was to me and how I was showing up in ways that I wanted to improve, and how I wasn’t showing up. The first time I went out with my girlfriend, at the end of the night, we were sitting on a porch, and we were having tea. She asked me, ‘So how old are you?’ She’s 39, and I said, ‘I’m 39.’ She goes, ‘You’ve never been married.’ I said, ‘No.’ She said, ‘You don’t have any kids.’ I was, ‘No.’ She stopped for a second and goes, ‘Why?’ She was basically asking, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ And by the way, she should have been asking that question.” – IN-Q
IN-Q didn’t feel good about answering that, and it was uncomfortable and led to an awkward moment and the end of the date.
“Two years later, I know the answer to that, and it was because I was waiting to feel like it was right. Those poems were manifestations [of] what I wanted to create in my life. But at that time, the answer to that would’ve been scary because I wasn’t sure why I’d waited. I had been with amazing women, but I wasn’t able to say, ‘I wanted to take the long walk,’ and I didn’t quite feel like I had found home.” – IN-Q
It’s incredible to hear him speak about his realization on such a painful subject.
“When people get into relationships at the beginning, they tend to project onto each other, and I have done this [repeatedly] where you meet someone and they have a few points that I want. You see those points and then fill in the rest with your own illusion [or] projection. And they do the exact same thing. You’re not even really meeting each other. That doesn’t usually come up for a while because at the beginning [you’re] in this honeymoon.” – IN-Q
When our partner doesn’t live up to our made-up expectations, we resent them. A better idea is to swap expectations for appreciation — focus on what your partner does do and build better communication around what you need.
IN-Q has had a challenging road with love. His poems and artistic expression are compelling; he shares how he developed a better style on stage thanks to a deeper understanding of himself and of relationships with partners.
“In the same [way] that you want something from a relationship at the beginning and you start to project, ultimately it’s about wanting love and validation — somebody you think is attractive being attracted to you, having this [image] of this life partner and then saying, ‘I’m ready.’ When I get up in front of an audience, I still want to be liked. Of course, I still want them to love my work. I still want them to validate my ego. People talk about getting rid of your ego. You can’t get rid of your ego. Your ego is a part of your humanity, but learn how to not navigate from it or operate from that place.” – IN-Q
IN-Q speaks about tricks and techniques he developed to interact with the crowd and even make them lean back at certain times. That is, until he realized they were getting in the way of the ultimate communication.
“When I’m in front of an audience now, I acknowledge that I want them to be connected to what I’m saying, but I don’t try to control their experience. I’m much more energetically contained. Think about what a single person is like out in the world. [Often,] if you’re looking for a partner, your energy is all over the place. It’s like you see somebody you’re attracted to, and you give them your energy, and you don’t even know who the f*** they are.” – IN-Q
Instead of giving energy away, IN-Q learned to contain himself in his romantic life.
That translates into his performances now, too, as he changes what he used to do.
“If I used to see someone in the audience that I perceived was not into it, I would give them my energy. It was exhausting. Focusing on myself allows the audience to then lean in. Who am I to tell them how to think, or how to feel, or whether or not to like me? Then I’m not actually in the moment. I’m not actually there. In that way, I think it’s the difference between codependent love and unconditional love. What I’m trying to do with my audience right now is unconditionally love myself and unconditionally love them.” – IN-Q
The world trains us to look for the answers outside of ourselves, and nowadays, we have so much stimulus bombarding us that we can’t ever find a moment just to be. IN-Q has learned to tap into his own pool of resources.
“I wrote all of these poems from that [internal] place of truth. I don’t strategize my inspiration. I pay attention to what [inspires me], and then I follow that breadcrumb trail. Writing this book was an opportunity to see what I’ve been trying to say all of these years. Technology is this amazing thing [that] connected the entire world, and simultaneously people are feeling more isolated than ever. They’re on their little islands and do not feel like they’re a part of this larger community. If I don’t know something, what do I do? I go Google, or I seek out an expert, or I read a book, or I listen to a podcast, and all of these things are amazing tools, but there’s a difference between using tools and having those tools use you.” – IN-Q
What excellent advice! If left unchecked, the very tools we use can become a crutch of sorts if we don’t allow ourselves to listen to the voice and wisdom within. IN-Q shares powerful ways to tap into that voice inside.
“Inquire Within is an invitation for the person to inquire both within the pages and themselves because, if you have something going on in your life that you can’t figure out, yes, you can search outside of yourself for that. But you can also find moments of silence, be in nature and allow that authentic voice you have inside of you to come up to the surface.
“That is the voice of your passion, purpose, and enthusiasm. I hope that this book is a window into that for people.” – IN-Q
I love the differentiation between using tools or whether tools are using you. It’s easy to get sucked into technology all day and think we’re being productive. IN-Q makes a beautiful point here about the benefits of doing things that connect us within and the results they produce.
Guys, there was such great wisdom shared in this podcast, and I just couldn’t fit it all in here. I highly recommend you head over to Episode 934 to listen to it all and hear IN-Q deliver his poems with me. Hearing him share his poems made me emotional, and I have no doubt you will enjoy it too!
Visit his website if you enjoyed this episode and would like to learn more about IN-Q. Here you can find links to his podcast, buy his book Inquire Within, and find a workshop to join and learn to tell your own story through poetry and create a powerful vision. I highly recommend checking out his YouTube channel here too — that’s where he has live shows, poetry videos, and even a Ted Talk.
If you liked this episode, we would love it if you could tag IN-Q, @inqlife, and me, @lewishowes, on Instagram with what stood out most to you. Also, please consider giving us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts because they help spread these messages even further!
This episode is for you if you’re looking to start authentically expressing yourself! So join me for Episode 934 of The School of Greatness, and start your journey toward discovering what you’re capable of!

domain: literature


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During the summer, we try to go on a road trip every weekend. You would think that there are not that many places we have not visited within a two-hour drive of Boston. Yet, last weekend we have made several “discoveries” in the nearby Coastal Southern Maine! We are happy to share them with our readers before the summer is over.
.STOP 1: YORK, MAINE
We left our suburb south of Boston around 8:30am and arrived at Nubble Light House, our first destination of the day in roughly 1.5 hours.
I have chosen York, Maine as our first stop on this weekend road trip. York has great beaches, picturesque coastal walks and history. The town of York is one of New England’s earliest colonial settlements and is America’s first incorporated city (1642). “Museums of Old York” society has several historical buildings in their care that are available for public touring for a small fee (some are free). For specific touring hours and building locations, use this link.
We visited on a very hot summer day in August, and although we stopped at the Old York Museum Center to get the maps, we decided to leave the touring of the Museums for the colder months.
During this visit we stayed closer to the water:
Nubble Light House. When you think of coastal Maine, you probably picture a lighthouse in your mind. York has (arguably) the most photographed lighthouse in Maine – Nubble Light House.
To see the light house, park at Sohier Park off Nubble Road in York. We arrived shortly after 10 am on a Saturday and did not have a problem with finding a space to park. (as we were exiting in about an hour, we saw cars waiting to get in).
Other than looking for a best position to take your own shot of iconic Maine, there are a couple of benches to take it all in for a few minutes, a small gift shop, and a restaurant with an outside self service window.
When we felt that we have taken enough pictures, we headed to our next destination-
Fisherman’s Walk. To get to the Fisherman Walk from the Light House, we drove along York Road, passed a busy York Beach that seemed to attract many families. We parked further along, next to the beautiful little free Mason Reservation (be sure to read the most interesting historical note next to the entrance). A short walk down, was a small picturesque Harbor Beach.
Here, you have a choice to either walk the Cliff Walk (on your left) or Fisherman’s Walk on the right.
We chose a family friendly (flat) Fisherman’s Walk along York River that starts at Harbor Beach and runs for about a mile to Wiggly Bridge. You can also start the walk in the other direction – at Wiggly Bridge (park at Lilac Lane – route 103).
There are boats on the river, but no commercial activity on shore, so we had the road all to ourselves.
STOP 2. OLD ORCHARD BEACH.
We booked our overnight lodging in the town of Old Orchard Beach, less than thirty-minute drive North of York. I have to admit that Vit and I did not find our lodging (or the town) particularly charming. That said, I am sure that plenty of families love the area and come back year after year (back home in the old country we had our own share of family memories built at the simple seaside places on the Black Sea).
The town’s sandy beach is a winner with families. It offers miles or walking (seven miles, to be exact) and “gradual” ocean entrance is appealing to families with young children. There is a busy pier and an amusement park right on the beach. The two seven-year old girls in our party were so busy building their sea tunnels that they failed to notice the amusements from the distance (I am sure they would find them calling!). We have had a busy day and were too tired to visit the park. (Next time we are passing the area, we will give the Pier a chance, I promise. ) We did not feel too bad about missing on the beach amusement park – we had plans to visit FunTown SplashTown USA in nearby Saco on Sunday afternoon.
Note to those timid around dogs: in the summer, dogs are allowed on the beach after 5pm.
STOP 3. PORTLAND, PEAKS ISLAND
We will tell you more about Portland in our next installment on Maine. This weekend we have parked at the Casco Bay lines pier on Commercial street and bought ferry tickets to Peaks Island (a neighborhood of the city of Portland), just three miles (15-minute ferry ride) away. The company runs a variety of “runs” to Casco Bay islands, including a daily three-hour mailboat run with stops on several islands, but we opted for a nearby Peaks Island. There are hourly weekend departures to and from the island (be sure to check fares and full schedule here).
Once on the island, you can walk the entire 4-miles perimeter (or rent a bike). We stocked on some fruit and drinks in the supermarket just left off the Pier and then walked to the picturesque Sandy Beach where we spent a couple of relaxing hours.
Back on Portland’s Commercial street we could not leave without tasting the lobster rolls ($17) at the Portland Lobster Co. further down Commercial street. It was a lively place with live music and water views and casual counter self-service (they page you when they are ready to help you with a table – a little unusual but it worked for us: we found the table before we had our food). The rolls were great if only small.
STOP 4: FUNTOWN SPLASHTOWN USA, SACO
The kids were wonderful all weekend and deserved a fun stop of their own! FunTown Splash Town USA was a convenient 30 minutes drive from Portland (in Saco, Maine, on route 1) – and back towards Boston. It was a perfect summer family stop with both amusement park and a water park in one place. We made it to the park shortly after 3 pm and headed straight to the water park (Splashtown).
In addition to nine water slides with various degrees of thrill, there is a Pirates Paradise AquaPlay area with smaller slides for kids of all ages, as well as several family pools (no wave pool though).
In the three hours, our girls had all the fun they had in them and were ready for the FunTown part. I hate to disappoint you, but we sticked to the kiddie favorites here. There are over a dozen thrill rides for those willing!
The Splashtown closes at 6pm, while the FunTown stays open until 8 or 9 pm in season. Check website for hours and tickets options (they are single park and combined with discounts for later admission). Thank you, Funtown/Splashtown for inviting us to check out the park!
This was a weekend trip that pleased the entire family (yes, I do believe that our teen secretly enjoyed the coastal walk).
PIN THIS FOR LATER!
For our recent couple’s roadtrip through mid-coast Maine, check out our youtube video
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domain: geography


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SAN DIEGO—Is genetic testing in psychiatry a dangerous development or a useful addition to a clinician’s toolkit?
A panel of mental health professionals debated this question before hundreds of people at the American Psychiatric Association’s annual meeting Monday, sharing insights on several potential benefits and pitfalls of the increasingly common practice.
Presenter James L. Kennedy, MD, who has been researching genetic testing for 20 years, believes it can be useful in mental health treatment, but that it is far from imperfect and requires more research. Dr. Kennedy is professor and co-head, Division of Brain and Therapeutics at the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada.
“These tests are not meant to be the be-all and end-all but they’re just another source of information,” he said.
With the proliferation of direct-to-consumer genetic tests offered by companies such as 23andMe and Ancestry.com, patients have the ability to independently order their own tests and get information about their DNA. But that autonomy has downsides, Dr. Kennedy said, as the information can easily be misinterpreted.
“The best thing is to have a physician or someone in the know who can interpret and caution you about overinterpreting some of the genetic information that you’re getting,” he said.
Tests for single-gene disorders, such as Huntington’s disease, are simple and highly accurate. But many others, such as tests assessing the risk of prostate cancer, are much more complex and prone to different interpretations, according to Dr. Kennedy.
“These tests are really not ready for prime time,” he said.
In addition, certain test results can have significant emotional effects on patients, Dr. Kennedy said. For example, an easily available test tells patients if they have a gene that gives them a 95% chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Learning they have that gene could induce depression in a patient, increase the risk of suicide, and cause worry among family members, Dr. Kennedy said.
One benefit of drug testing, Dr. Kennedy said, is being able to detect possible serious adverse drug reactions and side effects. For example, in Asian people taking the mood stabilizer carbamazepine, tests can show if someone has a genotype which increases the risk of developing the potentially fatal Stevens-Johnson syndrome by more than 30 times.
Genetic testing can also show the speed at which a person metabolizes specific drugs. Clinicians can use this information to switch treatments or lower or increase dosage levels beyond the standard dose, which Dr. Kennedy said is based on a “normal” profile which only 1 of 6 people has.
Having this knowledge has the potential to lower the number of drug trials a patient has to undergo before finding the best treatment for a disorder such as depression, Dr. Kennedy said.
An interactive component of the session provided a look at some of the clinicians’ experiences with genetic testing.
About 42% said they have never used genetic testing for drug choice in their practice. Only 12% said they order it regularly.
One-third of participants said the biggest barrier to using genetic testing for drug choice in their practice is that they don’t believe it is ready for clinical use. Another third said the biggest barrier is that it’s not cost-effective.
Among those who had ordered genetic testing for drug choice, 87% said it was helpful. Of that group, 73% said the results caused them to avoid or prescribe a certain drug.
Nurmi EL, Kennedy JL, McCracken JT, Pato M, Calarge C. Should I Be Using Genetic Testing to Guide Prescribing? Presented at: the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting; May 22, 2017; San Diego, CA.


text: An epidural steroid injection (ESI) is a minimally invasive procedure that can help relieve neck, arm, back and leg pain caused by inflamed spinal nerves. ESI may be performed to relieve pain caused by spinal stenosis, spondylolysis or disc herniation. The goal of the injection is pain relief; at times the injection alone is sufficient to provide relief, but commonly an epidural steroid injection is used in combination with a comprehensive rehabilitation program to provide additional benefit. Dr. Vashi and Dr. Didinsky both perform this procedure at the Wisconsin Specialty Surgery Center. Make your appointment today! 262-764-5595.

domain: medical


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Have you heard about garcinia cambogia for weight loss? Garcinia cambogia is a natural way to lose weight. The truth is, there are a few side effects associated with garcinia cambogia, but the benefits far outweigh the risks. Let’s find the truth. Garcinia gummigutta is a tropical Garcinia species. It is found in Southeast Asia and South Asia. It’s green or pale yellow in color, and it looks like a pumpkin.
Garcinia gummigutta, a tropical fruit, is a native to Southeast Asia and South Asia. Its name translates to brindle berry or Malabar tamarind. It looks like a pumpkin and ranges in color from green to pale yellow. While it is not widely available in the U.S., it is grown in Southeast Asia and is an effective weight loss supplement.
Garcinia cambogia supplements can lead to a modest or rapid weight loss. Garcinia cambogia prevents fat from being produced in the liver, and promotes the oxidation. It also reduces cholesterol levels and affects serotonin levels in the brain. Hydroxycitric acid is thought to be responsible for the weight loss benefits. The effects of the fruit are not fully understood, but some research shows it helps reduce appetite and prevent the body from storing fat.
The fruit contains high levels of hydroxycitric acids (HCA), a derivative of citric acids that inhibits the production fat. Some studies suggest that garcinia cambogia increases serotonin levels in the brain and helps curb appetite. This fruit is great for weight loss and suppressing appetite. If you’re interested in garcinia cambogia to lose weight, keep reading!
Garcinia cambogia is well-known for helping people lose weight. However, recent studies have shown that it can cause liver problems. Some patients experience hepatitis after taking it for a long time. Garcinia cambogia has been linked to severe liver damage in some patients. For this reason, military service members should take caution while using multi-ingredient products. This ingredient is not recommended to people with a weak immune system or a history liver disease.
Hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which is found in garcinia cambogia, is a substance that is found in the fruit and leaves of tropical plants from India and South-East Asia. It is a calorie-burning ingredient found in the skin of the fruit and has been shown in animal trials to promote weight loss. Although the exact mechanism isn’t fully understood, it is thought to improve appetite control and fat burning.
While this ingredient is widely used for weight loss, its effect on human health is unclear. Although there are no human studies to prove its effectiveness in weight loss, animal research has shown it can reduce body fat by suppressing fat synthesis. It has also been proven to increase athletic performance. While more research is needed in order to prove its efficacy, some researchers believe that the fruit can aid with weight loss.
While the hydroxycitric acid in gambogia for weight loss is a potent fat-burner, its effects on blood glucose levels are unknown. Some celebrity endorsements suggest that this fruit may be beneficial to diabetics. Research on rats suggests that garcinia can reduce glucose absorption as well as blood sugar spikes following meals. These studies are not reliable because rats don’t have as much metabolic capability as humans.
Garcinia cambogia’s HCA has been shown in animal studies to increase body fat-burning ability. However, human research on the effects of garcinia is still incomplete. Garcinia has been shown in animal studies to help with weight loss, but the results are not consistent. Although there isn’t enough data on humans to prove that it can help with weight loss, it is worth a shot if you are interested in improving your overall health.
There are a number of possible side effects associated with garcinia cambogia for weight loss. One of these side effects is mania. In 2009, the FDA sent a warning to consumers about this product. The company that makes the supplement has also been linked to seizures, rhabdomyolysis, and liver damage. Other potential side effects include mania and cardiac disorders.
The fruit’s primary ingredient, hydroxycitric acid (HCA), inhibits the enzyme ATP citrate lyase, resulting in altered synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol, and triglycerides. Garcinol, which is present in significant quantities in the rind of the fruit, has multifunctional bioactivities. It has also been shown to reduce human pancreatic cancer cells. Its role in the pathogenesis and treatment of acute pancreatitis was also investigated.
Garcinia cambogia’s safety has not yet been tested on pregnant or nursing mothers. A standard dose of the fruit is not known to be effective in weight loss. In studies that showed benefits, participants consumed 300mg of HCA daily for 2 weeks. They then took 1,500mg per day for 11 days. The optimal dosage for each individual is different.
Garcinia cambogia is linked to some other side effects in overweight people. Garcinia cambogia reduced triglyceride levels by a third in overweight women who took it for 60 consecutive days. Triglycerides is a type of blood fat which is linked to cardiovascular disease. It is important to lower blood triglycerides. However, other types of fat have not been studied, and more studies are necessary to determine whether the fruit’s side effects are worth the potential risks.
A review of the research regarding garcinia Cambogia and weight loss shows that it is safe. However, there are some caveats. The safety of garcinia cambogia for weight loss may depend on the diet of the individual taking it. HCA may not work as well if you eat high-fiber foods. Despite this, the supplement has been widely used for many years. Some people have lost significant amounts of weight using it.
Garcinia cambogia extract, a compound present in the rind, contains the active ingredient hydroxycitric acid (HCA). This ingredient is not regulated by FDA and diet pills containing it are considered a supplement. The effectiveness of garcinia cambogia is left to the manufacturers. Many people swear by its weight loss properties.
The safety of garcinia cambogia for weight-loss has been studied extensively, with numerous trials examining its effectiveness in reducing body fat. One study looked at the effectiveness and safety of garcinia-cambogia in weight loss, compared to placebo-treated subjects. To assess the safety and efficacy of garcinia Cambogia as a weight-loss supplement, this study used double-blind placebo-controlled trials.
Some cases of adverse effects have occurred when garcinia cambogia was taken by a woman with no history of liver disease. She had taken 2,800 mg of pure garcinia cambogia extract every day for a month. After her condition improved, she resumed taking the supplement. She eventually suffered from liver damage. This is the first report of liver toxicity linked to garcinia cambogia.
Garcinia cambogia is known to inhibit the extramitochondrial enzyme Adenosine triphosphate citrate (pro-3S). It may also play a critical role in inhibiting de-novo lipogenesis. This is good news to overweight people as it can lead to weight loss. Unfortunately, there are not many studies on this extract.
The study participants ranged in age from 20 to 65 years old. They were evaluated at 0, 4, and 12 weeks of the study. The average age for the participants in the study was 44 years. There were no subjects who had to withdraw from the study because of adverse events related to treatment. Those whose weight loss was not accompanied by a significant decrease in body fat were still considered to have lost weight. These findings suggest that Garcinia Cambogia is an effective weight-loss supplement.
Columbia University’s Obesity Research Center recently evaluated the effects of garcinia Cambogia on weight loss in 135 overweight individuals. Half of the study group received garcinia cambogia, while the other half received a placebo. Both groups ate high-fiber diets and returned for evaluation every two weeks. The 12-week trial showed no significant differences between the two groups.
Combined with exercise and diet, garcinia cambogia alone did not cause any meaningful weight loss. One RCT showed that garcinia-cambogia combined with diet and exercise could help obese people lose up to 6lbs more than the placebo group. Further, the study also showed that the supplement was more effective than the placebo in suppressing appetite and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol. But the research has shown that the weight loss benefits are small and temporary, and that it is best to combine the two in order to achieve maximum results.
Garcinia Cambogia Weight Loss Program Review
Garcinia cambogia weight loss programs are becoming increasingly popular. You’ve likely heard about the latest research and trials. Columbia University Obesity Research Center ran a 12-week study that included 135 overweight participants. Half of the participants were given a placebo and half were given a garcinia-cambogia supplement. Both groups followed a high fiber diet. At the end of the 12-week trial, researchers found no significant differences between the two groups in terms of weight loss.
BioPls Slim Pro weight loss formula
A BioPls Slim Pro garcinia-cambogia weight loss program review would not be complete without mentioning its benefits. The weight loss formula has many benefits, including boosting metabolism and hormone levels, as well as preventing fat cell growth and improving overall wellbeing. Its ability enhance libido, sexual performance, and regulate the circadian rhythm to boost metabolism are just a few of its many benefits.
The formula contains hydro citric extract and green tea leaf phytochemicals. These substances promote fat oxidation and stimulate the body’s ability to eliminate toxins. It also contains caffeine, a vital component in stimulating metabolism. BioPls Slim Pro contains various supplements, minerals, as well as enhancements that can boost metabolism and encourage weight loss. It also strengthens the immune system and enhances sound assimilation.
The ingredients in BioPls Slim Pro are carefully chosen from hundreds of other natural ingredients. They work on metabolism without causing side effects and are therefore guaranteed to be safe and effective. BioPls Slim Pro claims they don’t contain any artificial additives. It is also safe to use because the product has been thoroughly tested.
The company offers a 60 day money-back guarantee so that you can try the products and determine if they work. But, results won’t happen overnight. It takes between four and eight weeks for you to notice any real effects. If you don’t see any results in the first few weeks, you can simply stop using the product.
It’s that time of year again: the holiday season is a time for heavy eating, followed by a New Year’s resolution to start a diet. Many popular diets such as South Beach, Jenny Craig and Slim-Fast are effective, but there’s a new product that promises to help you lose weight in a month. The miracle ingredient Garcinia cambogia is being touted as the fastest fat buster. However, there are several questions that need to be answered.
First of all, what do the studies say? There are mixed results from studies on the supplement’s effect on weight loss. One meta-analysis published in the Journal of Obesity analyzed data from 12 random clinical trials. Researchers found that people could lose approximately two pounds by taking 1,000 to 2,800 mg of garcinia Cambogia per day for between two and twelve weeks. Although the trials’ results aren’t conclusive, it is worth reading some of these reviews.
Garcinia cambogia can be safely consumed, but it is best to consult your doctor before you take it. There are many side effect to be aware of. Some studies have even shown that it can interact with other medications. If you are taking any type or medication, it is important to speak with your doctor. Garcinia cambogia can be purchased online. But, be cautious. Beware of scam sites!
HCA is one of the main components in Garcinia cambogia. HCA inhibits the enzyme ATP-citrate lyase, which is necessary for de novo lipogenesis in human cells. Garcinia cambogia contains HCA, which is believed to help reduce body weight and fat mass. A recent study examined the effects of HCA on obesity in people. The study included subjects with various levels of obesity and was designed to assess the effectiveness of HCA treatment.
While a lot of research has shown that the substance inhibits one key enzyme in the human body, it is not known if it is a natural ingredient in Garcinia Cambogia. However, rats have shown that the substance significantly slows down their weight gain and increases their metabolism rate. Although it is unlikely that HCA will cause weight loss, you can still use it as a supplement.
In addition to weight loss, HCA increases your energy levels. Higher energy levels can not directly impact weight loss, but they can motivate you to exercise and burn calories. These effects can be beneficial when they are part of a diet-based program for weight loss. But the best results are achieved by taking the supplement with a calorie-reduction diet. A Garcinia cambogia weight-loss program should include HCA and an exercise program.
A new study in the Nutrition Journal suggests that a popular weight-loss supplement can actually increase your cholesterol levels. Garcinia cambogia, a tropical fruit that is rich in antioxidants, may increase your cholesterol and triglycerides. It may also raise your HDL cholesterol levels. However it is not recommended to people taking high cholesterol medications. FDA also considers this weight loss supplement unsafe. In 2017, the agency issued a warning to consumers about the safety of garcinia cambogia products. It can also cause liver and kidney damage.
One study evaluated the effect of garcinia on the suppression of hunger. Participants on the diet were 89 mildly overweight females. Participants were instructed to consume 400mg of garcinia-cambogia or placebo capsules 30-60 min before meals. All participants were assessed for body composition, weight, and food intake. Garcinia weight loss programs failed to result in significant weight loss or fat reduction.
In 2010, a study showed that sibutramine could interact negatively with prescription medications such as antidepressants and opioid pain medication. It was also associated to higher blood pressure and heart rates. This can lead to serious cardiovascular events. In 2010, the FDA banned sibutramine’s sale. Supplements can interact with medications and cause side effects. Those taking a sibutramine-containing supplement may need to be monitored closely by a physician.
garcinia cambogia weight loss program
Garcinia cambogia advertisements often mention Dr. Oz and clinical studies. But is there any scientific evidence to support its weight loss benefits? The Malabar tamarind, the rind of this fruit, has been used for centuries as a traditional remedy and digestive aid. However, there are several concerns about the safety of HCA, the active ingredient in garcinia cambogia.
While research is still inconclusive, some studies have shown a significant weight loss with garcinia cambogia. A meta-analysis published in the Journal of Obesity analyzed the results of 12 randomized clinical trials. Researchers found that garcinia Cambogia can be used in low doses to lose two pounds over a two-to-12-week period.
Garcinia cambogia has been shown to increase fat burning and weight loss. Hydroxycitric Acid is the main ingredient. This interferes with the citrate-lyase enzyme that aids in the fatty acid metabolism. This compound has been extensively studied and no evidence of its effectiveness has been found.
Garcinia cambogia weight loss programs review the evidence to assess its safety and effectiveness. It is grown in Malaysia and used in soups and other foods since centuries. It is well-known for its natural properties, but it has become more readily available in bottles in recent years. Its many uses in weight loss are endless. It can actually help with weight loss faster than you might think.
Garcinia cambogia – Hydroxycitric acid
Hydroxycitric acid, also known as HCA, is a natural substance that can be found in certain South Asian plants. It works by inhibiting adenosine triphosphatase-citrate lyase, a key enzyme involved in appetite suppression. HCA also inhibits the activity intestinal alphaglucosidase, and pancreatic alpha aminolase, which slows down carbohydrate metabolism.
Researchers have studied HCA, the main component of garcinia cambogia, and found it to have significant health benefits. HCA can also suppress appetite and increase brain serotonin levels. Although the mechanism is still unclear, it is believed that HCA can aid in losing weight. More research is needed to fully understand these effects. To learn more, keep reading!
The safety of this supplement has been questioned, mainly because there are no studies on its safety and effects on pregnant or lactating women. There is no recommended dosage recommendation for adults. In 2017, the FDA issued a warning for use of this weight loss supplement. Some people experience liver damage or even manic episodes, which make it dangerous for their health. It is important to follow all instructions.
In addition to its weight-loss benefits, HCA inhibits the extramitochondrial enzyme adenosine triphosphate-citrate (pro-3S)-lyase. This enzyme could play a crucial role in inhibiting de-novo lipogenesis. Studies involving overweight people have shown that Garcinia cambogia can help reduce body weight and reduce fat mass.
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domain: health


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Shin Min Ah’s boyfriend Kim Woo Bin talks for Netflix drama ‘Delivery Knight’!
On the morning of July 2, Kim Woo Bin’s agency AM Entertainment officially announced, “Kim Woo Bin has been offered a role in the Netflix drama ‘Delivery Knight’ , and he is currently in talks to appear.”
After a two-year hiatus due to battling throat cancer, Kim Woo Bin officially returned to good health in 2019. He recently ended filming for the upcoming movie “Alien.”. And if he accepts this drama ‘Delivery Knight’, this will be his first Drama after 5 years of hiatus.
Are you looking forward to his return?

domain: celebrity


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The Distance to the Large Magellanic Cloud
A summary of recent Large Magellanic Cloud distance determinations is presented, with an eye towards pinpointing the source(s) of the resulting large discrepancies encountered between some of the techniques. Thirty-eight recent (1998-1999) measurements of are highlighted, the extrema for which (18.07 versus 18.74) are inconsistent with one another at the 3 level. The lack of overlap between the results of many of the techniques, simply employing the authors’ quoted uncertainties, is a clear indication that unrecognized uncertainties, both random and systematic, plague many of the published results. While almost certainly lies within 13% of 18.5 (i.e., between 18.20 and 18.75), to those of us outside the LMC “community”, no single compelling argument has been put forth that reconciles the wildly disparate values presented thus far. A 13% uncertainty in the LMC distance corresponds to a 13% uncertainty in the Cepheid-based extragalactic distance scale.
A precise (and accurate!) value of the distance modulus to the LMC, , is a crucial component of the current Cepheid-based extragalactic distance scale; provides the anchor against which all HST-based Cepheid distance determinations are measured. To date, both the HST Key Project on the Extragalactic Distance Scale (Gibson et al. 2000; Mould et al. 2000) and the Sandage/Saha Type Ia Supernovae Calibration Team (Saha et al. 1999) have adopted the “canonical” zero point of =18.50 - the uncertainty in adopted by the Key Project was mag (i.e., 6.5%), representing the largest component of their global systematic error budget. While mag may be the formal uncertainty associated with the ensemble distribution of published values (in agreement with a similar analysis done by Jha et al. 1999), I hesitate to attach a high level of confidence to such statistical analyses since the individual “components” in the ensemble distribution are as different as apples and oranges, with an uncomfortable lack of internal consistency between the apples and apples (and oranges and oranges)!
In what follows, I present a cursory overview of current (mid-Oct 1999) thinking regarding the distance to the LMC, contrasting the techniques employed in determining , and commenting upon their respective strengths and weaknesses. The implications for the extragalactic distance scale are inexorably linked and noted in Section 3. Complementary recent reviews include Popowski & Gould (1999), Layden (1999), and Feast (1999).
2 The Distance to the LMC
Figure 1 summarizes the state of the field at the time of writing (mid-Oct 1999), and should be considered an updated, and somewhat more comprehensive, companion to Cole’s (1998) Figure 1. Thirty-eight entries have been included here, and are displayed in descending order of . The technique employed is listed to the right of each entry, along with a reference number matching those in the caption.
Taking the extrema at face value (=18.07 and 18.74) demonstrates the gravity of the situation for the extragalactic distance scale. For example, assuming =18.50, Gibson et al. (2000) derived H=68 km s Mpc; for =18.07, though, H=83 km s Mpc, and for =18.74, H=61 km s Mpc - i.e., H could change by up to 20%, simply by revising the choice of !
A few general trends can be gleaned from a cursory inspection of Figure 1. First, methods based upon Cepheids and fitting to local subdwarf sequences generally tend to favor the “long” distance scale (i.e., 18.5). Second, those based upon RR Lyrae statistical parallax and luminosity of the LMC red clump stars generally tend to favor the “short” scale (i.e., 18.4). Third, those based upon the exact same data (e.g., SN 1987A circumstellar ring geometry and the LMC eclipsing binary HV 2274) are disturbingly author-dependent.
The most extreme proponents of the long distance scale are Feast et al. (1998) and Feast & Catchpole (1997), with 18.7. Their earlier value of =, based upon HIPPARCOS trigonometric parallaxes of Galactic Cepheids, coupled with the -band photometry of Caldwell & Laney (1991), has been re-examined by three different groups and suggested to be too large by mag. Madore & Freedman (1998) show that full multi-color photometry (adopting permutations of two to six photometric bands for various Cepheid subsets) leads to a downward revision of mag. Oudmaijer et al. (1998) retain the single -band photometry that Feast & Catchpole adopted, but apply a Lutz-Kelker bias correction to the parallaxes resulting in a 0.14 mag downward revision. Luri et al. (1998) employed their “LM” maximum-likelihood model (which incorporates proper motions , radial velocities , and trigonometric parallaxes , into the mix, although enters in with apparently minimal weight - Feast 1999) to revise Feast & Catchpole downward by 0.38 mag; this represents the lowest Cepheid-based determination of , . In contrast with Luri et al., Feast et al. (1998), also using a sample culled by and , find =18.740.13; the source of the discrepancy between the two studies is not readily apparent.
2.2 Subdwarf Fitting
Subdwarf fitting techniques give the distance to a globular cluster by matching the cluster sequence to a corresponding one derived from calibrating stars in the solar neighborhood; local subdwarfs with HIPPARCOS parallaxes provide the calibrating sample. Knowledge of the cluster’s distance then yields an absolute luminosity for the resident RR Lyrae (Popowski & Gould 1999, equation 18). Assuming a range of cluster metallicities spanning that of the LMC RR Lyrae can be sampled, one can derive . As Figure 1 shows, subdwarf fitting techniques generally lead to a consistent with the long distance scale. Reid (1997) and Caretta et al. (1999) claim , a consequence of which is that cluster horizontal branch stars are predicted to be 0.2 mag more luminous than their field counterparts. Catelan (1998) has questioned the reality of this supposed cluster/field horizontal branch luminosity difference. Reid’s analysis leads to an extremely steep slope for the RR Lyrae M-[Fe/H] relationship; his Figure 10 suggests a slope of , which seems difficult to reconcile with that observed in Galactic and M31 globular cluster systems (i.e., ; Fusi-Pecci et al. 1996). Gould & Popowski (1998a,b) and Popowski & Gould (1999) have stressed the influence of differing metallicity scales in the analyses as the primary source of the discrepancy between their “short” (faint horizontal branch (M at [Fe/H]=1.6) and older ( Gyrs) globulars) RR Lyrae scale and the Reid/Caretta et al. “long” (bright horizontal branch (M at [Fe/H]=1.6) and younger ( Gyrs) globulars) scale. Pinsonneault et al. (1998) suggest that residual spatially-dependent systematic HIPPARCOS parallax errors should also be considered as a potential source of bias.
2.3 Statistical Parallax
Statistical parallax works on the principle that one can balance the stellar radial velocity distribution of a sample of Galactic RR Lyrae (distance independent) against that of its stellar proper motion distribution (distance dependent). The balanced velocity ellipsoids provide the necessary distance scale parameter, which in turns provides the necessary RR Lyrae absolute luminosity calibration. Statistical parallax, both prior to and subsequent to HIPPARCOS, has consistently supported the “short” distance scale (e.g., Layden et al. 1996; Gould & Popowski 1998a,b; Layden 1999).
Distances based upon linking Miras in the LMC with those in the Galaxy with accurate HIPPARCOS parallaxes, because they are based on such a small sample (11 overtone pulsators, culled from an initial total sample of 15 candidates - van Leeuwen et al. 1997), still have a large intrinsic scatter (0.18 mag) and suffer from a 0.13 mag systematic uncertainty depending upon the bandpass adopted. The ability to separate fundamental mode pulsators from overtone pulsators is also crucial, as any contamination by the former will systematically decrease the predicted .
2.5 Sn 1987a
An appealing one-step technique which bypasses the intermediate assumption that various Galactic stellar constituents (e.g., RR Lyrae, Cepheids, Miras) are direct analogs to those in the LMC, is that based upon the geometry of the fluorescent light echo from the SN 1987A circumstellar ring. The technique consists of measuring the angular size of the ring with HST and comparing it to the absolute size, as estimated from the IUE emission line light curves. In terms of observables, the distance can be written (after Panagia 1998):
where d is the onset of UV emission, is the time of maximum UV line emission, and is the apparent angular ring size at . It is in the assignment of values to and where things start to get controversial.
Gould & Uza (1998) adopt the weighted mean of the Plait et al. (1995) HST [OIII] ring angular size determinations (i.e., arcsec) and the IUE NIII] and NIV] light curves to derive d. Panagia (1998) though attaches weight to the Jakobsen et al. (1991) 1988 pre-COSTAR [OIII] observation of 0.8300.015, and uses this in combination with the Plait et al. data to extrapolate back to , yielding . Panagia claims the ring radius grew in extent by 6% between 1988 and 1993, while Gould & Uza assume a static ring. Panagia uses the CIII], OIII], and NIII] IUE light curves and favors d. Both solutions, despite being formally inconsistent at the 2 level, look equally good to the eye. Adopting their respective values, we can use equation 1 to derive =18.370.05 (Gould & Uza 1998) and =18.550.05 (Panagia 1998 - aside: Panagia applies a 0.03 shift to this value, under the assumption that SN 1987A lies 700 pc in front of the LMC’s center of mass). One-third of the resulting 0.18 mag discrepancy is due to the different adopted, with the remaining two-thirds due to . If the ring is intrinsically elliptical, as suggested by Crotts (as cited by Gould & Uza), both teams’ may be underestimated by up to 0.07 mag. The recent H+NII observation of the reverse shock by Garnavich et al. (1999) has not (yet) clarified the above controversy.
Gould & Uza claim that these determinations are only upper limits, due to the inherent “prompt response assumption” employed (i.e., that no time delay exists between the blast of ionizing photons impinging upon the ring and the subsequent UV fluorescence). This fact has been used to reconcile the inferred SN 1987A-based with the lower value derived via the LMC’s red clump and masers in NGC 4258 (discussed below), which both yield 18.25. What is not appreciated in these arguments is the magnitude of the putative time delay needed. Specifically, from equation 1, mag for every day of “delay”, independent of .
In practice, what this means is that to reconcile Gould & Uza’s results (assuming an intrinsically circular ring) with =18.25, one would need to reduce from 378 to 357 d (i.e., a time delay of 21 d). The situation is even worse when attempting to reconcile Panagia with =18.25; in that case, would have to be reduced from 395 to 331 d (i.e., a time delay of 64 d). Are delays of this enormous magnitude physically feasible? I have not seen this particular scenario addressed, but an informal polling of my colleagues with experience in such fluorescence models suggests not - “a few days” was the most optimistic response, meaning the downward correction to could be no more than 0.010.02 mag. Relaxing the prompt-response assumption, therefore, does not appear to be the panacea it might at first appear to be. Continuing to refer to the SN 1987A results as “upper limits” is somewhat misleading, in my opinion.
2.6 Red Clump
Under the assumption that the mean -band luminosity of red clump stars in the LMC matches those calibrated locally by HIPPARCOS, Udalski (1998b) and Stanek et al. (1998) found 18.1. Cole (1998) criticized these analyses on the basis that age and metallicity differences between the LMC and Galactic red clump stars cannot be neglected. By employing Seidel et al. (1987) red clump models, evolved under the (poor) assumption of constant helium abundance and core mass, Cole claimed that Udalski and Stanek et al. underestimated by 0.28 mag. This extreme correction though is not supported by modern stellar evolution models (e.g., Girardi et al. 1998). In fact, even in comparison with its contemporaries (e.g., VandenBerg 1985; Lattanzio 1986; Sweigert & Gross 1978), the Seidel et al. models are extreme. Adoption of any of the other models of that era would have led to a predicted correction factor of 0.10.1, as opposed to the 0.3 suggested by Cole. Empirically, Stanek & Garnavich (1998) show that the stellar populations in three M31 fields have identical -band luminosities. Considering the galactocentric distances of the fields (6.7, 11.2, and 33.6 kpc) with the Zaritsky et al. (1994) abundance gradient (0.018 dex/kpc), one would predict an a priori metallicity differential of 0.5 dex, in agreement with each field’s CMD (Holland et al. 1996; Rich et al. 1996). In the parlance of Cole, this 0.5 dex difference implies that there should be a 0.150.05 mag difference in the -band luminosities of the inner and outer M31 field CMDs - such a difference is not observed. Further evidence to the minimal role played by age differences is provided in Udalski (1998b), who showed that the -band luminosities of LMC and SMC clusters was independent of age (for cluster ages of 210 Gyrs).
More recently, both Zaritsky (1999) and Romaniello et al. (1999) have suggested an upward revision of 0.2 mag be applied to all previous red clump determinations, based upon their more sophisticated treatment of dust in the LMC red clump fields. In response, Udalski (1999) bypasses the complicated dust corrections favored by Zaritsky and Romaniello et al., by simply restricting the analysis to regions of low extinction, thereby obviating any complicated dust corrections. Udalski also makes the point that the region in which Romaniello et al. restricted their red clump analysis is unsuitable for red clump studies. Of perhaps even greater importance, Udalski culled from the HIPPARCOS Galactic red clump catalog, a large sample of stars with LMC metallicities (from McWilliam 1990), thereby avoiding any potential Galactic versus LMC stellar population mismatch pitfalls. His result - =18.230.05 - appears to be the most solid empirical application of this technique possible, at this time.
2.7 Tip of the Red Giant Branch (TRGB)
Romaniello et al. (1999) and Sakai et al. (2000) have derived 18.618.7, based upon the apparent magnitude of the TRGB, coupled with the assumption that the -band luminosity of the TRGB (for the LMC’s metallicity) corresponds to M. Udalski (1999) has already commented upon the suitability and photometric calibration of the field employed by Romaniello et al.. To reconcile the Sakai et al. value of =18.59 with =18.25 would require M.
2.8 Eclipsing Binaries
The geometry of the LMC eclipsing binary system HV 2274 has been used by Guinan et al. (1998) to derive =18.300.07. This technique, while not entirely geometrical (local reddening estimates are required), remains one of the most promising. A graphic illustration of the importance of using the appropriate reddening comes from the fact that Guinan et al. adopted a reddening of E(BV)=0.120.01, while in contrast, Nelson et al. (1999) derived a reddening of E(BV)=0.090.03, leading to =18.400.07.
2.9 Masers in NGC 4258
Under the assumption that =18.500.13, Maoz et al. (1999) derived a Cepheid distance to NGC 4258 of 29.540.120.18, where the subscripts ’r’ and ’s’ correspond to random and systematic uncertainties, respectively. Conversely, Herrnstein et al. (1999) derived a purely geometric distance to NGC 4258 of 29.290.100.12, using the orbital motions of masers in the gas disk surrounding the galaxy’s nucleus. Unless some unappreciated flaw exists in either (or both) of these analyses, in order to reconcile the Cepheid and maser distances, one must reduce from 18.50 to 18.25.
To re-iterate points made earlier, it is clear from even a cursory examination of Figure 1 that significant unappreciated systematic uncertainties exist in many of the published values of , as evident in the lack of overlap in the quoted uncertainties. I am loathe to pass judgment on the various entries shown in Figure 1, but will mention that those techniques deemed as “geometric” (and, in principle, somewhat less susceptible to intermediate steps in going from Galactic to LMC stellar populations), such as the eclipsing binary HV 2274, the circumstellar ring around SN 1987A (at least Gould & Uza’s analysis), and the masers in NGC 4258, all suggest 18.3. Cepheids (except for Luri et al. 1999) and subdwarf sequences still favor the long scale (18.518.7). I remain skeptical that our understanding of is accurate to 6%, as has been assumed in most Cepheid-based extragalactic distance scale analyses, and would suggest that 13% is a fairer reflection of the present-day uncertainty. I stress that this 13% should not be construed in terms of any sort of Gaussian confidence level (e.g., 1, etc.); I do not currently support the use of distributions as useful statistical measures of the uncertainty in .
Future astrometric missions such as FAME (http://aa.usno.navy.mil/FAME/) and SIM (http://sim.jpl.nasa.gov/) should provide a definitive calibration for the absolute luminosities of Galactic Cepheid and RR Lyrae standard candles, and hopefully resolve the remaining discrepancies, one way or the other.
Acknowledgements.I wish to thank both Francesca D’Antona and Roberto Gallino for their assistance in ensuring that this contribution was included in these proceedings. Helpful feedback from Mike Shull, Dick McCray, Bohdan Paczynski, and Andrzej Udalski was likewise appreciated. BKG acknowledges support from the NASA Long-Term Space Astrophysics Program (NAG5-7262) and the FUSE Science Team (NAS5-32985). I want to dedicate this paper to the memory of my good friend Charlene Heisler - you are sorely missed Charlene.
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- Georeference CAD data
- Save world files
- Creating geodatabases
- Select data based on criteria (select by attributes)
- Convert CAD feature classes to Geodatabase feature classes
Asheville - Buncombe Technical Community College
This course covers interpreting and understanding of a variety data formats available in GIS. Topics include the similarities and differences between data models as well as how data is treated differently within each format, to include the conversion of data between different environments. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of GIS data storage and interoperability.


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Hollywood director Tony Scott has died after jumping from a Los Angeles bridge, authorities have revealed.
The LA Coroner's office has revealed that Scott's death is being investigated as a suicide.
"We will go where the facts take us. We have no reason to believe it was not a suicide," Lt Joe Bale, from the coroner's office, told the BBC.
Tony's body was reportedly pulled from the water "less than three hours" after he was sighted jumping from the bridge.
According to various reports, a suicide note has been found. Sources have revealed it was discovered at his office after finding a list of "contact information" in his vehicle.
The younger brother of Ridley Scott, Tony was rumoured to be working with Cruise on a hotly-anticipated sequel to Top Gun at the time of his death.
Tony's death has sent shockwaves through Hollywood, with director Ron Howard taking to his Twitter page to write: "No more Tony Scott movies. Tragic day."
The late director is survived by wife Donna Scott and their twin sons.


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It’s been two years since Five Churches by the Bay opened their new location in the Morton House. After successfully operating Five Churches Brewery in New Britain for nearly seven years, the Lemnotis family was thrilled to open their second location in Niantic.
Their passion for artfully crafted beer, delicious food and a strong sense of community has proved to be a winning combination. And it’s a perfect fit for Niantic’s friendly vibe.
While the family has proudly owned and operated multiple businesses in New Britain since 1949, they have spent memorable family summers in Niantic for many years. So, it seemed like a dream come true when the opportunity arose to open their second restaurant and taproom right here on Main Street with the added bonus of stunning water views.
They completely renovated their new space, bringing a touch of their comfortable, inviting New Britain taproom ambiance while merging the décor with Niantic’s coastal vibe. Their goal was to stay true to their roots, while maximizing their new space and shoreline location.
It all began in 2017 when Peter and his son Phil decided to turn what began as a hobby – craft beer making – into the next family venture.
Recognizing the growing popularity of microbreweries and having a bit of empty space that needed some TLC, Peter determined that the best location for the brewery would be in the abandoned coat factory that overlooks downtown New Britain’s Arch Street. He quickly enlisted the help of his family, and they set out to find some additional help to make this new business venture a success. Austin Japs was the obvious choice for head brewer. His passion for artfully crafted beer is reflected in every beer he brews.
If you’re wondering how Five Churches got its name, just visit their original taproom in New Britain and look out from their unique second floor location. You’ll see the city’s skyline featuring five church steeples and immediately understand how the brewery was aptly dubbed Five Churches. When they opened their second location here, they wanted to stay true to the brand they have worked so hard to build. So, although Niantic doesn’t share the same Five Churches skyline, you’ll see aspects of the brewery’s brand inside the new space. The new name adds “By the Bay” to acknowledge the gorgeous bay views in their new scenic location.
Because of their personal ties to Niantic, they knew it would make the perfect location when they sought to expand the business. They worked hard to find the right spot and jumped at the opportunity when the Main Street location across from the bay became available.
The family vibe is strong at Five Churches. It’s important to them that their space be comfortable and inviting. Enjoy the art of craft beer, delicious pizza from their wood-fire oven and local seafood, all with a view.
You’ll find their famous charcuterie pretzels, or regular pub pretzels, seafood appetizers and dishes, wood-fired pizza with house-made dough and so much more! You can check out their full menu by visiting their Facebook page.
They typically have twelve beers on tap, including experimental and seasonal varieties. They pride themselves in offering a beer to satisfy everyone’s unique palate – from the craft enthusiast to the person who is new to finding a beer they love. Along with a wide range of Five Churches beer, they offer a full bar with fun cocktails and local wine from Jonathan Edwards Winery in Stonington.
The restaurant and pub offers plenty of indoor seating and an inviting bar with a friendly vibe and a view of the bay. When the weather warms up, their large garage doors open to include plenty of outdoor seating.
The family feels fortunate they were able to establish the Five Churches brand in the supportive city of New Britain. And now, Niantic has been equally as supportive.
Five Churches by the Bay
Address: 215 Main Street, Niantic
About Our Main Street Blogger:
Joanne lives in, and loves, our community. She was looking for an opportunity to help share all that our local businesses do to make East Lyme such a special place to call home, and she is excited to contribute to our blog. Joanne brings to the role her experience from New London Main Street where she contributed content to their website, newsletters and email communications for many years.


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Hi. I’m Mark for ACLS Certification Institute. Welcome to another Rapid Algorithm Review. Today we’re going to review stroke. There is nothing more time-sensitive than medical care during a stroke. Just like other algorithms, it all starts with the patient presentation. When assessing for stroke, a great pre-hospital or even hospital assessment is the Cincinnati Stroke Scale.
There are three components made up of:
Facial droop. Ask the patient to smile. We’re looking for asymmetry in the face. Is the face drooping? If it is on one side, well that’s facial droop.
Arm drift. Have the patient extend their arms palm up and close their eyes. We’re going to watch them for 10 seconds. We’re looking to see if one of those arms starts to drift away. It’d be positive for arm drift.
Slurred speech. Ask the patient to repeat a sentence like ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.’ Are they able to say that without slurring their speech?
If they present with any one of these deficits, chances of having a stroke are 72%. If they present with all three of these deficits, about 87%. It’s fast. It’s reliable. It can be done in about 60 seconds.
First, get your assessment done. Second, support your ABCs. Provide oxygen if they’re hypoxic. Check a blood glucose. Alert the hospital that you’re going to that you have a possible stroke coming in, so they can prepare to receive this patient. Another critical factor is to assess their last known normal. When was the last time anybody saw this patient without neuro deficits, they were acting normally, everything was fine? When was the last time that they were presenting normal? We need that time. Sometimes you don’t need the assessment. The patient presents as if they’re having a stroke. I was teaching at the hospital yesterday, and I bopped upstairs to the ER because a former student of mine had brought a patient in and I wanted to go say hi. I’m talking to him, and he had brought in a stroke patient. He was telling me what happened at the scene. He showed up and saw the patient. He could see the facial droop. He could see that she was paralyzed on one side. She had slurred speech. He skipped the exam. He knows what’s going on. His scene time was minutes. In EMS, it’s really important to know what we can do. It’s more important to know what we can’t do, and we can’t fix this. Definitive care for this patient is in the hospital. His scene time was minutes. Load her up and let’s get going. Then he did all the supportive care on the way. He got the blood sugar, got the IV, notified the hospital. He did everything he was supposed to do, but he did it on the way to the hospital and reduced that time to get that CT so we could treat this patient.
If you’re in the ER and you’re preparing to receive a patient, the suggested timeline, if you look at the algorithm, is about 10 minutes. When the patient hits the door, in that 10 minutes we want to reassess the patient, make sure they’re oxygenated, review their history, order a CT scan immediately (get that cooking), obtain vascular access. All this should be done within the first 10 minutes, and activate the stroke team if you have a stroke team in your hospital—get them coming, get the experts moving on this. When your patient comes to the ER, we need to do a more detailed neuro exam, maybe an NIH Stroke Scale, which was developed by the National Institute for Neurologic Disorders and Stroke, or the Canadian Stroke Scale. This is more detailed so we can see if there are subtle differences in this patient’s neuro status as they progress through their care at the hospital.
Looking at strokes, we can break them into two categories: ischemic and hemorrhagic. In an ischemic stroke, a clot has formed. Just like in a heart attack, a vessel in the brain has developed some plaque, the plaque ruptured, formed a clot, and occluded blood flow and oxygenation of that part of the brain. Or a clot formed somewhere downstream, floated to the brain, got wedged in a vessel, occluded blood flow and that caused a stroke. Those are ischemic strokes. They account for about 87% of all strokes. We can treat them with fibrinolytic therapy and bust up that clot and restore blood flow to the brain. The other category is hemorrhagic stroke. In this case, a blood vessel has ruptured in the brain and it’s bleeding. That’s why it’s so important to get that CT scan as quickly as we can to rule out a hemorrhagic event. If we administer fibrinolytic therapy in a hemorrhagic event, it would be fatal to the patient. If we’re going to administer fibrinolytic therapy in an ischemic stroke, we need to try to do this within three hours of the patient’s last known normal. That’s why it’s so important to get that information in the field and relay it to the people in the hospital. We’d like to give that medication within three hours. With some patients, we could extend it out and you see it getting longer all the time (four or four-and-a-half hours), but it’s from the time of their last known normal. If the patient meets the criteria to receive fibrinolytic therapy, we want to administer that as quickly as we can. Review the concerns, the risks, the possible hazards, with the patient, and then suggest that the patient shouldn’t receive any anticoagulant therapy for 24 hours after we’ve administered the fibrinolytic therapy. If the patient is having an ischemic event but does not meet the criteria to receive fibrinolytic therapy, the algorithm suggests we can still administer aspirin and admit them to the proper unit for evaluation by a neuro team. If your CT scan reveals a hemorrhagic event, obviously they’re not going to get fibrinolytic therapy. We need to get Neurology involved with this patient very quickly. We may be transporting them (driving them or flying them) to a facility that can manage this hemorrhagic event.
I’m Mark for ACLS Certification Institute. Thank you for watching this Rapid Algorithm Review. Remember to like us on Facebook and, please, become a subscriber to our YouTube channel. Thanks, and I’ll see you in the next algorithm.


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It’s finally time for the final recipe from my honeymoon tour of Europe! We’ve made tapas from Spain, macarons from France, pastéis de nata from Portugal, and döner from Germany. Finally, it’s time for the United Kingdom to shine, with Jaffa cakes!
Like I mentioned in my post about our trip to London, my favorite memory of the trip revolves around loading a cart with sweets and eating them together in the apartment while we watched the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest. So I figured, why not try to recreate my favorite snack? I decided to go for my ultimate British snack, Jaffa cakes. A small cake topped with a disc of orange jelly and coated in chocolate, it’s one of my favorite things to pick up on a World Market run.
This was my first time trying to recreate a commercial product at home, just like my hero Claire from Bon Appètit. The recipe itself required a few things I’d never done before, namely making jelly and a fatless sponge. While my döner recipe was all about making things easy and accessible for those at home, this one will be a bit of a challenge. But trust me, mastering new techniques is so satisfying! When I finished my first trial, they weren’t perfect, but I was so proud of myself for attempting and finishing something new.
Since I was trying so many new things, I decided to stick almost exactly to the recipe I found so I didn’t fudge it all up. One thing I did add was some orange extract, to try and amp up the orange flavor of the jelly. And while I used dark chocolate because I prefer the way it pairs with orange flavors, the coating ended up being brittle when it cooled. Milk chocolate, with its higher fat content, would probably provide a slightly softer bite and would be an excellent substitute if you don’t like the sharper taste of dark chocolate.
I couldn’t have done this without Marsha’s Baking Addiction and her excellent recipe. Like I said, I only changed or would change a few small things, but the way she walked through all the steps was excellent and helped me make my way through new techniques like jelly making. I’m so grateful for thoughtful recipe writers that make exploring in the kitchen a breeze!
If you’re feeling like trying something new, I hope you give this a shot! Jaffa cakes really are one of my favorite snacks, and these homemade ones look like so much effort without truly being all that hard. I hope you enjoyed cooking through my honeymoon with me, now that I have FINALLY finished. I can’t wait to officially return to each of these countries as part of my #GentGoesGlobal series. For now, though, here’s to good drinking, great eating, and even better living!
For the jelly
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp orange extract
- 1 sachet gelatine
For the cake
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
For the chocolate topping
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
Make the jelly
- On the stovetop in a medium saucepan, combine the orange juice and the sugar on a medium-low heat, and simmer until the sugar dissolves. Add the extract and stir well to disperse. Take the saucepan off the heat and evenly sprinkle the packet of gelatine over the surface of the liquid. Stir until there are no lumps and the gelatine is completely dissolved.
- Pour about a tablespoon of the orange jelly mixture into each cup of a 12-hole muffin pan. If your pan is nonstick, there's no need to prepare it; if your pan isn't nonstick, you may need to line the cups with parchment paper. Leave in the fridge to set for about 2 hours. When they are chilled, remove the discs from the pan so you can use the muffin pan for the cakes.
Make the cake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare the muffin pan by spraying each cup with nonstick cooking spray, then set aside.
- Place enough water in a pot that is wide enough to fit a mixing bowl without having the bowl touch the surface of the water. Simmer the water to create an indirect heat source on the bottom of the bowl. Whisk together the eggs and sugar on the medium setting of a hand mixer until pale and frothy, about 5 minutes. You want to create lots of air bubbles in the batter, since these cakes contain no leavening agent.
- When the mixture is frothy, remove the bowl from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Lightly fold in the flour, being careful not to knock too much air out of the mixture. Make sure there are no dry pockets of flour!
- Pour one tablespoon of batter in each cup of the muffin pan. Bake in the preheated oven for about 8 or 9 minutes. The cakes should be light in color, so don't think they are underdone if they are a little light. Let cool for a few minutes, then use a knife to gently remove the cakes from the pan and let cool completely on a wire rack.
- When the cakes are cool, trim a little off of the edge of each jelly disc (you want the jelly to be a little smaller than the cake). Place a jelly disc on each cake. Melt your chocolate in a heat-proof bowl in the microwave, doing so in small spurts of time to prevent burning. When your chocolate is silky smooth and flows easily, pour it over each cake. Use a spoon to gently coax the chocolate to the edges of the cake, completely encasing the jelly. Before the chocolate dries, press a fork gently into the chocolate and lift to create a pattern that's traditionally found on packaged Jaffa cakes. Let the chocolate dry, then enjoy with a mug of tea!
- As mentioned before, this recipe was entirely inspired by Marsha's Baking Addiction and I just made a few very small tweaks.
- Be sure not to overbake the cakes, as they will be rubbery and not fun to eat.

domain: hobby