|Publication number||US6127184 A|
|Application number||US 09/248,135|
|Publication date||Oct 3, 2000|
|Filing date||Feb 10, 1999|
|Priority date||Mar 7, 1998|
|Also published as||CA2322948A1, CN1140788C, CN1294677A, DE69941773D1, EP1062495A1, EP1062495A4, EP1062495B1, WO1999045365A1|
|Publication number||09248135, 248135, US 6127184 A, US 6127184A, US-A-6127184, US6127184 A, US6127184A|
|Inventors||Stephen C. Wardlaw|
|Original Assignee||Robert A. Levine, Wardlaw Partners, Lp|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (8), Referenced by (58), Classifications (19), Legal Events (10)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
This application claims benefit of provisional application 60/077,198, filed Mar. 7, 1998.
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for analyzing a blood or other biologic fluid sample in a quiescent state, within a preferably disposable container, without the need for fluid streams passing through the blood sample analysis apparatus during the analytic process, whereby blood constituent counts per unit volume of sample and measurement of blood constituent volumes can be performed using an optical scanning instrument. More particularly, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for calibrating the analytical system for each use of said system.
Recent advances in biological fluid analysis, and in particular, analytical hematology have increased the quantity and quality of information available from a patients blood sample. As a result, the medical community's interest in using patients blood samples as a diagnostic tool has also increased, and the most common test that is performed on anticoagulated whole blood is the complete blood count, or CBC, which is a suite of tests which are considered to include measurements of the hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hgb), red blood cell count (RBC). white blood cell count (WBC) and platelet count (Plt), red blood cell metrics such as the mean cell volume (MCV) and others, as well as the leukocyte differential count (LDC or "Diff") which is the classification of the types of white blood cells present. Compared to any other laboratory test, it is a peculiar characteristic of the CBC, that any instrument or method which performs it must do four different types of analyses. First, the general physical properties of the sample, namely the hematocrit and various cell or particle counts must be analyzed using quantitative methods relating to the entire sample. In conventional instrumentation and methods, this requires accurate sample metering and dilution, followed by specialized measurement apparatus. Secondly, a specific chemical property of the sample, namely the hemoglobin concentration, must be measured, usually by quantitative chemical means. Thirdly, the instrument must measure quantitative aspects of the individual cells, which usually involves providing a high dilution of the sample with a subsequent passage of the diluted material through a flow cell which measures the cells using electrical or optical means. Fourthly, qualitative measurements are used to classify the percentage of the total white blood cells which are composed of specific sub-populations. The number of sub-populations depends upon the sophistication of the instrument involved, which may be as little as two or more than seven classifications.
Historically, the different aspects of the CBC have been performed using separate methods. For example, the LDC portion of a CBC was traditionally performed by smearing a small amount of undilute blood on a slide, staining it, and examining the smear under a microscope. Reasonable results can be gained from such a smear, but the accuracy and reliability of the data depends largely on the technician's experience and technique. In addition, the use of blood smears is labor intensive and cost prohibitive, and is therefore generally not favored for commercial applications. Another method uses electrical impedance or optical flow cytometry. Flow cytometry involves passing a diluted blood sample through a small vessel wherein electrical impedance or optical sensors can evaluate the constituent cells as they pass serially through the vessel. The same apparatus may also be used to simultaneously enumerate and provide cell metric data. To evaluate WBC's and/or platelets, the blood sample must be diluted, and the sample must be treated to mitigate the overwhelming number of the RBC's relative to the WBC's and the platelets. Although more expedient and consistent than the above described smear methods, flow cytometry also possesses several disadvantages. One disadvantage of flow cytometry is the plumbing and fluid controls that are necessary for controlling the flow rate of the diluted blood sample past the sensors, The plumbing in current flow cytometers can, and often does, leak, thus potentially compromising the accuracy and the safety of the equipment. Another disadvantage of many current flow cytometers relates to the accuracy of the internal fluid flow controls and automated dilution equipment. The accuracy of the flow cytometer depends upon the accuracy of the fluid flow controls and the sample dilution equipment, and their ability to remain accurately calibrated. Flow controls and dilution equipment require periodic recalibration. The need for recalibration illustrates the potential for inaccurate results and the undesirable operating costs that exist with many presently available flow cytometers. An article authored by John L. Haynes, and published in Cytometry Supplement 3: 7-17 in 1988 describes the principles of flow cytometry, both impedance and optical, and the application of such a technology to various fields of endeavor. Blood samples being examined in flow cytometers are diluted anywhere from 10:1 to 50,000:1.
Another approach to cellular analysis is volumetric capillary scanning as outlined in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,547,849; 5,585,246 and others, wherein a relatively undiluted sample of whole blood is placed into a capillary of known volume and thickness and is examined while the blood is in a quiescent state. This technique deals with the presence of the red blood cells by limiting the scanning wavelengths to those to which the red blood cells are relatively transparent, and it requires that the sample be treated so that the red blood cells do not aggregate during the measurement process. Thus, this technique is limited to the use of longer wavelength fluorescence, and there is no provision for the examination of red blood cells and platelets or the examination of any cellular morphology. Also, because the counts must occur in a constant volume, it is difficult or impossible to examine a wide range of sample particulate constituents in a single sample vessel, since the relative numbers of these constituents can vary over a thousand to one in a whole blood sample. There are a number of commercial instruments available for performing a CBC or related tests, but those which provide more than a few of the CBC tests quickly become complex, expensive and prone to malfunction. In addition, there are a number of methods proposed for specific hematological tests, but these do not provide all of the clinically useful information which is expected in a CBC.
Another problem with the more complex currently available instruments for performing CBC's is that they must be calibrated. This is because most of the dilutions and measurements are relative rather than absolute, so in order to provide exact quantitation, actual particulates, generally stabilized samples of whole blood with known values, must be analyzed by the instruments, and the instrument adjusted so that the correct values are produced. It should be obvious that this type of calibration is prone to errors in the preparation of the standard material and its stability during transportation and storage. The standard material is also expensive, which increases the cost of the tests.
In a co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/249,721, a method is disclosed which allows the measurement of many important blood parameters within a quiescent layer of substantially undiluted whole blood. An important feature of the said invention is the lack of need for any external calibration material, but to be optimally accurate, it requires a means of accurately ensuring the dimensional accuracy of the chambers of the described device.
It would be desirable to have a method and apparatus for examining a quiescent sample of anticoagulated whole blood, which method and apparatus are capable of providing accurate qualitative and quantitative results on a number of different hematologic parameters, and does not require sample fluid flow through the sampling chamber during sample analysis. It would be desirable to provide such a method and apparatus which could derive volumetric blood cell counts and cell volume information from the quiescent blood sample and did not require external materials for its calibration.
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in examining and obtaining information from a quiescent substantially undiluted anticoagulated whole blood sample which is contained in a chamber. The phrase "substantially undiluted" as used in connection with this invention describes a blood sample which is diluted by no more than about 1:1, and preferably much less. Generally the only reagents that will be used in performing the method of this invention are dyes, stains and anticoagulants, and these reagents, even if liquid, are not designed to dilute the specimen. Preferably, the varying through plane thicknesses of the several regions in the chamber will create sufficient capillary forces in all regions of the chamber so as to cause spreading of the blood sample throughout the chamber which ultimately results in a quiescent blood sample in the chamber. The only motion in the blood sample at the time of analysis will be Brownian motion of the blood sample's formed constituents, which motion is not disabling of the use of the device of this invention. The apparatus includes a sample-holding chamber which has opposite sample-containment walls, at least one of which is transparent, which walls converge in at least one portion of the chamber. The through plane thickness of the chamber thus varies in different regions of the chamber. As used in this disclosure, the phrase "through plane" refers to a line of sight which corresponds to the shortest distance between the convergent walls in any region of the chamber. The degree of convergence of the two walls, i.e., the distance between the two walls, at any particular point in the chamber is either known, or it can be measured after the sample has been placed in the chamber, as will be described hereinafter. This method and apparatus are more fully described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/249,721.
Traditionally, when cells in a biologic fluid are enumerated or otherwise quantitatively measured in a standard blood cell counting chamber, commonly known as a hemocytometer, it is well known that minute errors in forming the cover glass, cleaning the surfaces or filling the chamber have a substantial effect on the accuracy of the measurement because small dimensional errors in the height of the chamber, which is nominally 100μ, have a large effect on any observed volume within the chamber. These chambers use blood diluted from 1:10 to 1:1000. In the case of the above-described invention, the chamber vertical dimensions are much smaller than in a standard chamber, generally in the range of about 2μ to 40μ, which places extreme requirements on the dimensional accuracy of the chamber. Although it is possible to manufacture chambers with the required dimensional tolerances, it is more practical, particularly in the case of a disposable chamber, to build the chamber to an approximate tolerance and then to measure the actual chamber height, or volume, in each field of interest.
The thinnest region in the chamber will be sized so that a monolayer of individual red blood cells or other particles present in the sample will form when the chamber is filled with the sample. The thickness of this part of the chamber should be between two and seven microns, and is preferably about five microns. Thus measurements of the individual red cells, metrics such as the mean red cell volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) can be measured in this area of the chamber, as will be described hereinafter. Because volumetric measurements of the cells will be performed in this region, the volume, or chamber height, in any given field of view must be known to an appropriate degree of accuracy, which is preferably at least +/-5%.
From the thin portion of the chamber, the chamber thickness increases so as to form progressively thicker regions in the chamber that are used to identify and enumerate other cellular or particulate elements in the blood sample. In all cases, such enumeration will occur in a region of the chamber where the thickness of the region can be determined, so that the cell or constituent counts can be given as a number of cells or constituents in a given volume of the sample. The thickness of the chamber in this region thereof is typically in the range of between about seven to about forty microns. The chamber is contained in a sample holder into which the sample can be drawn. Details of such a sample holder are disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Attorney's Docket No. UFB-006. Because enumeration of the cells or particulates per unit volume of fluid is determined here, the volume, or chamber height, in any given field of view must be known to an appropriate degree of accuracy, which is generally within +/-5% or preferably +/-3% or better.
The sample to be assayed is admixed with a colorant which can be, for example, a fluorescent dye, and the resultant admixture spreads out in the chamber so as to form a quiescent sample that has a varying thickness due to the convergence of the walls of the chamber. The colorant can be added to the sample prior to admission of the sample into the chamber, or the colorant can be added to the sample while the sample is within the confines of the chamber, such as by dry coating the colorant on walls of the chamber. Regions of interest in the chamber are selectively illuminated by a light source having a selected wavelength, or wavelengths, which causes the colorant in the sample to fluoresce, or otherwise be quantitated. Regions in the chamber containing the various sized formed constituents in the sample are thus scanned, preferably by an optical instrument, and the results of the scans may be digitized and analyzed by the scanning instrument. In the case of whole blood, the sample will be manipulated or treated to ensure that there will be regions in the sample which do not contain formed constituents, and only contain the plasma portion of the blood sample in which cells or other formed constituents in the blood are suspended.
The magnitude per unit area of the emitted fluorescent or transmitted signal (optical density) in such formed constituent-free regions is mathematically related to the thickness of the plasma, therefore the degree of fluorescence or the optical density of the plasma increases as the thickness of the chamber increases. Likewise, the degree of fluorescence or optical density from the sample will diminish in proportion to the volume of any formed bodies in the blood sample which are operable to displace the colorant which is dissolved in the plasma. Therefore, if an absolute relationship can be established between any given signal magnitude and a volume (or chamber height at some established field area), in any region of the chamber or in an adjacent chamber, the exact volume or chamber height can be determined for any area of observation as long as there are sufficient areas containing plasma lacunae which are free of interfering formed constituent matter, and the concentration of the colorant is identical between the calibration area and the measured area. Once the calibration area is scanned and the colorant signal therefrom is measured, the scanning instrument will know that a chamber thickness "A" emits colorant signal "B", and also that fractions or multiples of "B" will equal proportional fractions or multiples of "A". With this information, the number of formed constituents per unit volume of sample can be counted since the area of any field of view of the scanning instrument will be known. By multiplying the known area of the field of view times the measured thickness of the field of view, the volume of the field of view can be calculated anywhere in the chamber where a clear plasma area of the blood sample exists. The difficulty lies in obtaining the calibration information for the particular sample.
In an article by Diether Rectenwald et al, J. Phys Chem: Vol 97, #12, 1993, pages 2868-2870, a method is shown whereby spherical beads are introduced into a chamber and the colorant per volume calculated by measuring the reduction of the colorant signal by the beads, since the beads displace the colorant. The volume of the beads themselves are measured by the digital camera used in the experiment.
However, for the application of the current invention, the beads are not effective because the beads and the blood cells mutually interfere in each other's measurement. It is therefore desirable to have a volume colorant calibration means which can be used in the presence of blood cells or other particulates.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for use in obtaining volumetrically related information from a quiescent anticoagulated whole blood sample.
It is an additional object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus of the characterized wherein said volumetrically related information can be obtained without the need to employ external standardization substances.
It is an additional object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus of the character described which allows a substantially undiluted whole blood sample or other biologic fluid to be examined for formed constituent enumeration-per-unit-sample-volume information.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus of the character described which includes a sample-containing chamber which has different through plane thickness regions that are formed by opposed convergent chamber walls, at least one of which walls is transparent so that the sample can be examined through the transparent wall either optically or visually.
It is another object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus of the character described wherein the various through plane thickness regions in the chamber are sized so as to enable determination of morphologic characteristics, counts, and volumes of different size individual cells and other formed components in the fluid sample.
It is an additional object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for use in calibrating a scanning instrument in order to enable the instrument to determine the volumes of selected fields of view in the sample, and to enable the instrument to measure formed constituent volumes in the sample.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of several embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of a sample chamber which has a through plane thickness that varies in different X, Y regions of the chamber, and which chamber has a first embodiment of an instrument calibration area associated with it;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the instrument-calibration area of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a sample chamber similar to that shown in FIG. 1 but which is provided with a second embodiment of an instrument calibration area associated with the chamber;
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of a sample chamber which has a through plane thickness that varies in different X, Y regions of the chamber, and which chamber has a third embodiment of an instrument calibration area associated with it;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the instrument calibration area of FIG. 4; and
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a scanning instrument which can be used to analyze the sample in the container.
Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a device which is denoted generally by the numeral 2, which device 2 includes a sample-containing chamber 14 that has a varying through plane thickness. The device 2 includes a lower support wall 4, and an upper wall 8, which for illustrative purposes may be a microscope slide cover slip. At least one of the walls 4 and 8 must be transparent so that a sample disposed therebetween can be examined through the transparent wall 4 or 8. If so desired, both of the walls 4 and 8 can be transparent. The wall 8 has one edge 10 which is proximal to the thinnest through plane region of the chamber 14, and an opposite edge 12 which is proximal to the thickest through plane region of the chamber 14. Co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/249,721 describes many variations of the varying thickness chamber 14.
Calibration of the scanning instrument can be accomplished as follows. One calibration feature which may be incorporated into the device 2 includes a molded calibration-standard area 38 which is adjacent to, and in fluid communication with the narrow end 10 of the chamber 14. When the colorant and sample mixture enters the chamber 14, the calibration standard area 38 will fill up with the stained fluid component of the sample. The calibration area 38 can take the form of a well of accurately controlled depth which has a bottom floor 37, and a central protuberance 36 that extends upwardly from the floor 37, and which protuberance 36 has an accurately know volume. It will be appreciated that the geometric feature 36 could take the form of dimple of accurately known volume. A protuberance will suppress the signal emanating from the feature 36 to a degree which is proportional to the volume of the protuberance, and a dimple will enhance the signal emanating from the feature 36 to a degree which is proportional to the volume of the dimple. Thus the distance between the floor 37 and the undersurface 7 of the chamber wall 8 is known; and the volume of the feature 36 is also known and communicated to the scanning instrument at the start of the scan.
Before the scanning instrument begins a sample analyzing procedure, it first goes to the area 38 and creates an intensity map of the area 38. The instrument then calculates the average intensity from the floor 37 of the area scanned. This average value, when multiplied times the number of pixels in the area 38 gives a value S1, which is the intensity which would occur from area 38 if it were not for the presence of the protuberance 36. A second value, S2, is created by summing the intensity of all of the pixels in the area 38. Therefore, the difference, S1-S2 represents the signal produced by the volume of the fluid displaced by the protuberance. The actual volume V of the protuberance is encoded in a machine readable bar code or other label which is placed on the device 2 and scanned by the scanning instrument. The scanning instrument can use this [(S1-S2)/V] value to calculate the volume of any formed components in the chamber 14 or the volume of any part of the chamber itself. The scanning instrument will thus be provided with accurately calibrated chamber region field of view volumetric information; and formed constituent volumetric information for the particular colorant and device 2 that the instrument is examining. It should be noted that although a protuberance is shown, a declivity could be used as well, as could any identifiable feature whose volume, or volume per unit area is known.
FIG. 3 shows a device 2 formed in accordance with this invention which includes a second embodiment of an onboard structure which can be used to calibrate the instrument so that it can determine chamber field of view thicknesses after being calibrated during use of the instrument by the technician. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a rectangular glass capillary 13 of known volume and preferably of about 20μ thickness is contiguous with the thicker end region 12 of the chamber 14, whereby the capillary 13 will fill with the sample, and with the admixed colorant. After red cell rouleaux forms within the capillary 13, the average plasma fluorescence from lacunae in the capillary 13 can be determined by the methods described above. The volume-per-unit-length of the capillary 13 is known since it is manufactured to a precise tolerance, thus the fluorescence per volume can be calculated by the scanning instrument.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show an embodiment which is similar to that of FIG. 1, except that the known geometric feature is a continuous step 40 of known height which transverses at least a part of the chamber. To perform the calibration measurement, the average fluid colorant intensity readings are performed on either side of the step 40, and the mean differences between the readings on one side versus the other represent the change in magnitude of the colorant signal for a given chamber thickness. Again, because the area of the field is known, this height reading can be translated into volume, or vice versa. The step 40 may be abrupt or may be gradual as long as it provides an adequate demarcation for the instrument to locate properly.
FIG. 6 is a schematic depiction of an automated colorimetric microscopical instrument assembly which is described in greater detail in co-pending U.S. patent application Attorney's Docket No. UFB-017. The instrument assembly is denoted generally by the numeral 54, and it can be used to scan a blood sample that is contained in the device 2, and can, without significant human intervention, colorometrically analyze wavelengths of color emissions from different white cell types and reticulocytes in the blood sample, thereby identifying these cell types. It can also perform per-unit-blood sample volume counts of the various white cell types and reticulocytes in the blood sample. The instrument assembly 54 is designed to create and store or transmit the images of different white cells and reticulocytes in the blood sample being scanned. The instrument assembly 54 includes a stage 56 which includes clips 58 which engage the sample holder 2, and enables the sample holder 2 to be moved transversely in the X and Y directions as the contents of the sample holder 2 are scanned.
Reversible electric motors 58 can be used to selectively rotate drive screws 60 in opposite directions so that the sample holder 2 can be transversely moved in the X and Y directions. In this manner, the entire contents of the sample holder 2 can be scanned. The automatic embodiment of the disclosed instrument assembly 54 includes a CCD camera 62, a beam splitter 64, and lens 66 set which can be selectively moved in the Z direction so as to focus upon the sample-containing portions in the sample holder assembly 2. The CCD camera 62 may view and record images of the sample through a plurality of different emission light wave filters 68, 70 and 72 which may be mounted on a selectively rotatable filter wheel 74. The instrument assembly 54 also includes an excitation light source 75 which directs an excitation light beam at the sample holder 2 through the beam splitter 64 and the focusing lens set 66. A series of excitation light wave length filters 76, 78 and 80 may be mounted on a selectively rotatable filter wheel 82. The excitation light beam is deflected by the beam splitter 64 toward the focusing lens 66, and is focused on the sample holder 2 by the lens 66. Thus, the two filter wheels 74 and 82 can allow one to selectively control and vary the wave lengths of the excitation light source, as well as the emitted light source. A pre-programmed processor controller 84 is operable to selectively control movement of the sample holder 2; the rotation of the filter wheels 74 and 82; and operation of the CCD camera 62. The controller 84 thus enables fully automatic operation of the instrument assembly 12 without the need of significant human intervention.
While a fluorescent marker is preferred, a dye which absorbs transmitted light can also be used. When such a dye is used, the values of the optical signal density are measured rather than the fluorescent signal intensity.
Since many changes and variations of the disclosed embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the inventive concept, it is not intended to limit the invention otherwise than as required by the appended claims.
|Cited Patent||Filing date||Publication date||Applicant||Title|
|US4790640 *||Oct 11, 1985||Dec 13, 1988||Nason Frederic L||Laboratory slide|
|US4950455 *||Dec 22, 1987||Aug 21, 1990||Board Of Regents, University Of Texas System||Apparatus for quantifying components in liquid samples|
|US5132097 *||Sep 4, 1990||Jul 21, 1992||G.D. Research||Apparatus for analysis of specific binding complexes|
|US5293426 *||May 25, 1990||Mar 8, 1994||R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company||Printing cylinder engraver calibration system and method|
|US5427959 *||Oct 1, 1991||Jun 27, 1995||Canon Kabushiki Kaisha||Apparatus and method for measuring specimen|
|US5541064 *||Oct 15, 1993||Jul 30, 1996||Cell Analysis Systems, Inc.||Methods and apparatus for immunoploidy analysis|
|US5547849 *||May 2, 1994||Aug 20, 1996||Biometric Imaging, Inc.||Apparatus and method for volumetric capillary cytometry|
|US5837546 *||Jun 7, 1996||Nov 17, 1998||Metrika, Inc.||Electronic assay device and method|
|Citing Patent||Filing date||Publication date||Applicant||Title|
|US6446020 *||Apr 27, 2001||Sep 3, 2002||Becton, Dickinson And Company||Method of calibrating the sample height in a sample analyzer|
|US6468803 *||May 25, 2001||Oct 22, 2002||Becton, Dickinson And Company||Method for calibrating a sample analyzer|
|US6544793 *||Apr 27, 2001||Apr 8, 2003||Becton, Dickinson And Company||Method for calibrating a sample analyzer|
|US6633368 *||Jan 2, 2001||Oct 14, 2003||Becton, Dickinson And Company||Method for determining the volume of single red blood cells|
|US6633369 *||Jan 3, 2001||Oct 14, 2003||Becton, Dickinson And Company||Method for measuring the volume of individual red blood cells|
|US6775002 *||Aug 23, 2001||Aug 10, 2004||Agilent Technologies, Inc.||Apparatus and method for absorbance detection|
|US7029922||Jul 18, 2003||Apr 18, 2006||Dade Behring Inc.||Method for resupplying reagents in an automatic clinical analyzer|
|US7368080 *||Jan 16, 2003||May 6, 2008||Sysmex Corporation||Smear preparing apparatus|
|US7903241||Mar 20, 2009||Mar 8, 2011||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method and apparatus for determining red blood cell indices of a blood sample utilizing the intrinsic pigmentation of hemoglobin contained within the red blood cells|
|US7929121||Mar 20, 2009||Apr 19, 2011||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method and apparatus for detecting and counting platelets individually and in aggregate clumps|
|US7929122||Nov 15, 2010||Apr 19, 2011||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method and apparatus for determining red blood cell indices of a blood sample utilizing the intrinsic pigmentation of hemoglobin contained within the red blood cells|
|US7951599||Mar 20, 2009||May 31, 2011||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method and apparatus for determining the hematocrit of a blood sample utilizing the intrinsic pigmentation of hemoglobin contained within the red blood cells|
|US7995194||Apr 2, 2009||Aug 9, 2011||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Virtual separation of bound and free label in a ligand assay for performing immunoassays of biological fluids, including whole blood|
|US8045165||Mar 20, 2009||Oct 25, 2011||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method and apparatus for determining a focal position of an imaging device adapted to image a biologic sample|
|US8077296||Apr 18, 2011||Dec 13, 2011||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method and apparatus for detecting and counting platelets individually and in aggregate clumps|
|US8081303||Mar 20, 2009||Dec 20, 2011||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method and apparatus for analyzing individual cells or particulates using fluorescent quenching and/or bleaching|
|US8133738||May 26, 2011||Mar 13, 2012||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method and apparatus for determining the hematocrit of a blood sample utilizing the intrinsic pigmentation of hemoglobin contained within the red blood cells|
|US8221985||Apr 2, 2009||Jul 17, 2012||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Self-calibrating gradient dilution in a constituent assay and gradient dilution apparatus performed in a thin film sample|
|US8269954 *||Dec 19, 2011||Sep 18, 2012||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method and apparatus for analyzing individual cells or particulates using fluorescent quenching and/or bleaching|
|US8284384 *||Dec 19, 2011||Oct 9, 2012||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method and apparatus for analyzing individual cells or particulates using fluorescent quenching and/or bleaching|
|US8310658||Mar 3, 2011||Nov 13, 2012||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method and apparatus for identifying reticulocytes within a blood sample|
|US8310659||Dec 12, 2011||Nov 13, 2012||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method and apparatus for detecting and counting platelets individually and in aggregate clumps|
|US8319954||Aug 5, 2011||Nov 27, 2012||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Virtual separation of bound and free label in a ligand assay for performing immunoassays of biological fluids, including whole blood|
|US8326008||Apr 9, 2009||Dec 4, 2012||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method for measuring the area of a sample disposed within an analysis chamber|
|US8361799||Mar 12, 2012||Jan 29, 2013||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method and apparatus for determining the hematocrit of a blood sample utilizing the intrinsic pigmentation of hemoglobin contained within the red blood cells|
|US8367012 *||Apr 2, 2008||Feb 5, 2013||Abbott Laboratories||Container for holding biologic fluid for analysis|
|US8449822||Apr 20, 2006||May 28, 2013||Sysmex Corporation||Smear preparing apparatuses and methods of preparing sample smears|
|US8467063||Oct 24, 2011||Jun 18, 2013||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method and apparatus for determining a focal position of an imaging device adapted to image a biologic sample|
|US8472693||Mar 18, 2011||Jun 25, 2013||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method for determining at least one hemoglobin related parameter of a whole blood sample|
|US8502963||Oct 4, 2012||Aug 6, 2013||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.|
|US8569076||Apr 2, 2009||Oct 29, 2013||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method for serologic agglutination and other immunoassays performed in a thin film fluid sample|
|US8778687||Jan 28, 2013||Jul 15, 2014||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.|
|US8781203||Jun 24, 2013||Jul 15, 2014||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method and apparatus for determining at least one hemoglobin related parameter of a whole blood sample|
|US8837803||Dec 30, 2010||Sep 16, 2014||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method and apparatus for determining mean cell volume of red blood cells|
|US8842264||Nov 26, 2012||Sep 23, 2014||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Virtual separation of bound and free label in a ligand assay for performing immunoassays of biological fluids, including whole blood|
|US8885154||Nov 9, 2012||Nov 11, 2014||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method and apparatus for identifying reticulocytes within a blood sample|
|US9023641||May 13, 2005||May 5, 2015||Advanced Animal Diagnostics||Microfluidic device and leucocyte antigen mediated microfluidic assay|
|US20020180974 *||Aug 23, 2001||Dec 5, 2002||Bernd Nawracala||Apparatus and method for absorbance detection|
|US20030138355 *||Jan 16, 2003||Jul 24, 2003||Yoshiyuki Tamura||Smear preparing apparatus|
|US20030186216 *||Feb 20, 2003||Oct 2, 2003||Hitachi Software Engineering Co., Ltd.||Reaction measurement method for reactions using semiconductor nanoparticles, and quality evaluation method for semiconductor nanoparticles using the same|
|US20050014285 *||Jul 18, 2003||Jan 20, 2005||Miller David Jeffrey||Method for resupplying reagents in an automatic clinical analyzer|
|US20060263249 *||Apr 20, 2006||Nov 23, 2006||Masanori Nakaya||Smear preparing apparatuses and methods of preparing sample smears|
|US20080187466 *||Apr 2, 2008||Aug 7, 2008||Wardlaw Stephen C||Container for holding biologic fluid for analysis|
|US20090011451 *||May 13, 2005||Jan 8, 2009||Rodriguez Rodolfo R||Microfluidic device and leucocyte antigen mediated microfluidic assay|
|US20090251683 *||Apr 2, 2009||Oct 8, 2009||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.|
|US20090252399 *||Apr 2, 2009||Oct 8, 2009||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Self-calibrating gradient dilution in a constituent assay and gradient dilution apparatus performed in a thin film sample|
|US20090253218 *||Apr 2, 2009||Oct 8, 2009||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method for serologic agglutination and other immunoassays performed in a thin film fluid sample|
|US20090257632 *||Apr 9, 2009||Oct 15, 2009||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method for measuring the area of a sample disposed within an analysis chamber|
|US20100255605 *||Apr 2, 2009||Oct 7, 2010||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method and device for transferring biologic fluid samples|
|US20120164682 *||Jun 28, 2012||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.|
|US20120164719 *||Jun 28, 2012||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.|
|EP1223428A1 *||Dec 10, 2001||Jul 17, 2002||Becton, Dickinson and Company||Method for measuring the volume of individual red blood cells|
|EP1253420A2 *||Apr 19, 2002||Oct 30, 2002||Becton, Dickinson and Company||Method for calibrating a sample analyzer|
|EP1253421A2 *||Apr 19, 2002||Oct 30, 2002||Becton, Dickinson and Company||Method for calibrating the sample height in a sample analyzer|
|EP1260810A2 *||May 16, 2002||Nov 27, 2002||Becton, Dickinson and Company||Method for calibrating a sample analyzer|
|WO2009124186A1||Apr 2, 2009||Oct 8, 2009||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Self-calibrating gradient dilution in a constituent assay and gradient dilution apparatus performed in a thin film sample|
|WO2009124190A1||Apr 2, 2009||Oct 8, 2009||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method for serologic agglutination and other immunoassays performed in a thin film fluid sample|
|WO2009126800A1 *||Apr 9, 2009||Oct 15, 2009||Abbott Point Of Care, Inc.||Method for measuring the area of a sample disposed within an analysis chamber|
|U.S. Classification||436/50, 356/246, 356/440, 422/67, 356/244, 422/82.05, 436/165, 436/8, 422/547|
|International Classification||G01N15/14, G01N33/49, G01N21/78, G01N21/01, G01N21/03|
|Cooperative Classification||Y10T436/10, Y10T436/115831, G01N2021/0346, G01N21/03|
|Apr 26, 1999||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: LEVINE, ROBERT A., CONNECTICUT
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:WARDLAW, STEPHEN C.;REEL/FRAME:009921/0299
Effective date: 19990419
Owner name: WARDLAW PARTNERS, LP, CONNECTICUT
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:WARDLAW, STEPHEN C.;REEL/FRAME:009921/0325
Effective date: 19990419
|Apr 21, 2000||AS||Assignment|
|Apr 21, 2004||REMI||Maintenance fee reminder mailed|
|May 18, 2004||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 4
|May 18, 2004||SULP||Surcharge for late payment|
|Apr 3, 2008||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 8
|Aug 12, 2009||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: ABBOTT LABORATORIES,ILLINOIS
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:QDX, INC.;REEL/FRAME:023079/0815
Effective date: 20080613
|Mar 23, 2012||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 12
|Sep 25, 2012||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 12
|Sep 25, 2012||SULP||Surcharge for late payment|
Year of fee payment: 11


text:
Kanakavalli Kanjivaram Silk Sari 110-01-110648
This vibrant kanjivaram sari in green shot with mustard yellow is handwoven with chakaram motifs in gold zari, dotted on the body. The korvai borders in a dual shade of purple have chevron, peacock, mythical animal and elephant motifs in gold zari, while the pallu features a twill band flanked by peacock, yali, elephant and paisley motifs in gold zari.
Approximate Length - 5.4 meters + 0.6 to 0.65 meters (attached blouse)
Height - 1.17 - 1.27 meters.
Approximate weight - 750 grams.
Note : The colours you see on your device may vary due to the varying colour reproduction, brightness, resolution and temperature of individual devices. If you'd like more clarity before your purchase, please contact our customer engagement team.

domain: artistic


text:
The Colombo High Court will be delivering its decision of the revision application filed by the Attorney General, against the granting of bail to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, on the 9th of October.
The former Defence Secretary and the IGP were arrested and remanded for allegedly failing to prevent the terror attacks on Easter Sunday even after adequate forewarnings were received on the blasts.
However, the duo was later granted bail under the orders of Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne.
The Attorney General then filed a revision application against the granting of bail to the accused.
When the application was taken up yesterday, the attorneys representing the respondents concluded their presenting of facts to the court.
Accordingly the Deputy Solicitor General Dileep Peiris had appeared on behalf of the Attorney General and presented facts today.
The Deputy Solicitor General declared that the order issued by the Magistrate to grant bail to the two suspects was completely erroneous.
He claimed that from the start of the case the magistrate had stood by the preconceived notion that there was insufficient reason to accuse the two suspects of murder charges.
He also alleged that the whole process of granting bail to the defendants was biased.
The Deputy Solicitor General further stated that the Magistrate’s Court has no authority to issue a bail order in this manner and therefore requested the High Court to revise the said bail order and issue an order to immediately place them back in remand custody.
After considering the facts presented, Colombo High Court Judge Vikum Kaluarachchi fixed October 09 to deliver the verdict on the revision application.

domain: law


text:
Caitlyn Jenner Says Family Life Was a ‘Distraction From Who I Was’
Speaking at the 92nd Street Y community center in New York City on Tuesday (April 25), Caitlyn Jenner opened up some more about life post-transition, including her relationship with ex Kris Jenner and her two children with the infamous Keeping Up With the Kardashians "momager," Kendall and Kylie Jenner.
"I got into work, started a family, started raising kids. I say it was a distraction, and Kendall and Kylie all say, 'Oh, we were a distraction?' I say, 'Not you. You, I love.' It was a distraction from who I was," Caitlyn revealed of the hardships of waiting to transition, according to Entertainment Tonight.
"I love being a parent. They’ve all done so extremely well and they’re hardworking kids," she added.
Though while she may be on good terms with her kids, things are currently seemingly rocky between her and Kris, who recently lamented the way Caitlyn portrayed her in her memoir, The Secrets of My Life, in a clip from KUWTK.
Caitlyn insists that she and Kris are "fine with each other," and also claimed that she told Kris she was transgender at the beginning of their relationship with one another.
"We hit it off from day one. I was honest with her. I’m sure I downplayed it. But I was honest with her," she urged. "When I married her...even when we went our separate directions, I never thought I’d be able to transition."
As for all the drama and confusion: "There are differences of opinions. I have my opinion, she has hers. She can go write her own book. Maybe that’ll happen. But it wouldn’t be as juicy as mine," Caitlyn said.
Despite their differences, the I Am Cait star insists that the two were very friendly immediately following their 2015 split and Caitlyn's transition, so much so that Kris apparently helped her ex decorate her new Malibu digs.
"The day we took it, on June 1 at 8 a.m., she said I could not come over until that night. I came over and the completely empty house was fully furnished, every TV was working!" Caitlyn recalled, gushing, "She’s so well organized. I give her a lot of credit."
"The dryer even worked. She bought all new stuff. She has very good taste," she continued. "It was a very nice thought of hers. I appreciate that."
Celebrities Who Have Dissed the Kardashians:

domain: celebrity


text:
Multi Jade Cable Tidies Set Of 4
CAB105Prix régulier $12.00 Épargnez Liquid error (product-template line 136): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Messy and tangled cables? Caroline Gardner has got you! This set of four cable tidies in four different contrasting shades will help you win your battles against messy cables.
- Two large & two small cables
- Packaged on euro hook header card
- H 145 x W 75mm

domain: hobby


text: This paper introduces a wireless piezoelectric tire sensor whose readings can be utilized for the estimation of various tire variables such as slip angle, slip ratio, tire forces and tire road friction coefficient. In this paper, the proposed sensor is demonstrated for the estimation of tire slip angle. Lateral deformation of the tire is decoupled from radial and longitudinal tire deformations using a special sensor design. The decoupled lateral deflection profile of the tire is employed to estimate the slip angle. A new tire test rig is constructed to experimentally evaluate the performance of the developed sensor. Results show that the tire sensor can accurately estimate slip angles up to values of 5.0 degrees.

domain: design


The partial federal governmental shutdown in America is entering its fourth week — the longest shutdown in our history.
The battle lines are drawn. President Donald Trump is betting his presidency on forcing congressional Democrats to fund his “wall” with Mexico. While superimposed on a $4.4 trillion federal budget, the $5.8 billion requested by the president for this barrier hardly qualifies as change. Yet, to paraphrase Oscar Wilde’s quip about the pettiness of academic life, because the stakes are so small in dollar terms, the politics have become so sharp.
Clearly, the president is honoring his campaign promise “to build a wall and make Mexico pay for it.” Of course, the wall is a metaphor for border security. Unfortunately, for whatever reasons, the president refuses to accept that metaphor even though his definition of “wall” may be changing.
As for Mexico paying, that was absurd from the start. While the revised NAFTA, still to be approved by the U.S. Senate, is being used as a surrogate for payment in that the benefits, according to the president, will amount to Mexican pesos for the wall, only the true believers will accept that falsehood. The real reason for the president’s obstinance is that to govern, he needs his base of about 30 percent of voters. Fellow travelers who support that base perhaps add another 10 percent. With this 40 percent approval, the president has sufficient political capital to dominate politics. The wall is vital to maintaining his base.
Democrats are correct in that border security, not a wall, is needed. Further, the notion of a national security crisis on the southern border is as bogus as Mars attacking Earth. By every measure, that border is more secure today than in the past. The same cannot be said of the borders with Canada, through which more watchlist terrorists can flow, and the enormous sea coasts that have tens of thousands of unprotected and unsecured miles that are potentially far more vulnerable than the nearly 2,000-mile boundary with Mexico.
The tragedy is that the shutdown was caused by the failure to govern by both sides, although the president deserves the lion’s share of responsibility. Some 800,000 government employees and possibly a million or more contractors and workers depending on government for their daily living are being held hostage in this fight. None of this is fair. But fairness seems to have been dropped from the American political lexicon.
The fundamental problem is the United States needs bridges not walls to ensure its future security. One can argue that in the past, walls may have offered protection. China had the Great Wall. But that wall was impotent against foreign “barbarians” who seized huge swaths of China’s coastal cities and imposed great demands that today are not forgotten in Beijing.
The Soviet Union erected the Berlin Wall that proved ultimately ineffective. States such as Israel have used walls, as did the United States for a time in Iraq during the 2007 surge to reduce the violence. That latter proved temporary. And the former, it can be argued, is worsening the Arab-Israeli-Palestinian crisis.
The United States needs sensible border security. That relates back to immigration reform, among other issues. As long as the immigration quandary remains unresolvable, border security will be a bridge too far, no matter what sort of obstacles may be erected on the Rio Grande and the Mexican border.
What is needed is building bridges. Much of the forced migration is caused by violence, crime and instability in Latin America. Here bridges must be built with Mexico and the more stable regional states, as well as with the Organization of American States and the U.N. But what is being done here? The answer is very little.
Similarly, the Trump “America first” policies are demolishing too many bridges between the United States and the international community. Rejection of the Transpacific Partnership; the Paris Climate Accord; the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran; and links with our closest allies in NATO is part of this bridge burning. And embarking on trade wars with allies and with China in erecting tariff walls that, as with the Mexican border, will prove unworkable.
Can our system of government, created by the best minds of the 18th century, weather the political tsunamis of the 21st century generated by hyper-partisanship on both sides of the aisle? A key indicator of where we are headed is clear. Will the United States attempt to build more walls with the outside community? Or will bridge-building return as a means to enhance prosperity and peace? Stay tuned. And prepare to be disappointed.


Photo by Joey Galang: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-towel-on-gray-steel-bar-342800/
When you think of a towel, you may simply think of a rectangular piece of fabric used for drying off after a shower or bath. But did you know that towels have a rich history and cultural significance? Turkish towels, in particular, have a fascinating story to tell.
The Origins of Turkish Towels
The history of Turkish towels dates back to the Ottoman Empire, which ruled over a large swath of land in southeastern Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa from the 14th to the early 20th century. The Ottomans were known for their love of luxury and their appreciation for the finer things in life, including textiles. Turkish towels, also known as peshtemal or hammam towels, were originally used in Turkish baths (hammams) as a way to cover oneself while changing and as a means of drying off after bathing.
Turkish towels were originally made of 100% cotton and were handwoven on a loom. The towels were lightweight and quick-drying, making them the perfect choice for use in damp environments like bathhouses. They were also versatile and could be used as a wrap, a shawl, or a scarf, depending on the occasion.
The Evolution of Turkish Towels
Over time, Turkish towels evolved to become more than just a functional item used in hammams. They became a symbol of status and wealth, and their intricate designs and high-quality craftsmanship were highly sought-after. By the 17th century, Turkish towels had become an important part of the Ottoman economy, and they were exported to countries across Europe and the Middle East.
The towels were not only used for drying off after a bath, but also for covering furniture, as tablecloths, and even as a type of currency. The quality of the towels was a reflection of the owner's status, and the more intricate the design, the higher the value.
The Modern-Day Popularity of Turkish Towels
Today, Turkish towels continue to be popular for their beauty and functionality. They are lightweight, quick-drying, and highly absorbent, making them perfect for use at the beach, pool, or gym. They also make great travel towels, as they take up less space in your luggage than traditional terry cloth towels. And with their wide range of colors and designs, they are a stylish addition to any bathroom or home.
One of the things that sets Turkish towels apart from other types of towels is their versatility. They can be used as a beach blanket, a picnic blanket, a throw for your couch, or even as a tablecloth. They are also eco-friendly, as they are made from natural materials and are free from harmful chemicals.
The Cultural Significance of Turkish Towels
Turkish towels are not just a practical item; they also have cultural significance. In Turkey, hammams are an important part of the culture, and Turkish towels have been used in these bathhouses for centuries. The towels are seen as a symbol of hospitality, and it is customary for guests to be offered a towel when they enter a Turkish home.
Turkish towels are also used in traditional Turkish weddings. The bride and groom are wrapped in a large towel, which symbolizes their union and the merging of two families.
Photo by KoolShooters : https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-towels-on-the-table-6628486/
Turkish towels have come a long way since their origins in the hammams of the Ottoman Empire. Their rich history and cultural significance make them more than just a functional item; they are a work of art that tells a story. Whether you use them for their practicality or their beauty, there's no denying the appeal of Turkish towels. So the next time you reach for a towel, take a moment to appreciate the history and heritage behind this humble textile.


The A&futura SE100 is equipped with a professional grade DAC chip from ESS, the SABRE ES9038Pro, which offers 8-channel procession of sound inputs. With 4-channels of dedicated processing per left and right channel, the SE100 is capable of producing even more detailed and clear sound with excellent SNR. The SE100 can play back up to 32 bit/384kHz PCM audio and can play Quad DSD natively. Thanks to an updated amplifier design and noise control technologies implemented by Astell&Kern, the SE100 produces 4.1 Vrms (balanced output) from its built-in amp only. The SE100 also features an Octa-core CPU, 5-inch touch screen, 128GB internal storage, support for fast charging, and can play back music for about 10 hours. Its aluminum alloy body design is solid and durable, and the classical design of the volume knob and diamond-patterned glass back plate completes the premium look and feel of the player when holding it in your hand. The SE100 has also been awarded a “Red Dot Design Award 2018”.
/ DSD128(1bit 5.6MHz), Stereo / DSD256(1bit 11.2MHz), Stereo


text: Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, Petroleum Logistics, Inc. LV is a family owned and operated full service petroleum equipment distributor offering high quality, cost effective, products and services. Our trained technicians will provide you with one-stop solutions for for all your equipment needs. As our industry changes, and manufacturers consolidate, we will strive to provide you with the highest quality, most cost effective and innovative products and solutions on the market. Petroleum Logistics, Inc. stocks, installs, and services all the equipment we sell. We look forward to earning you trust and keeping you as a long term, satisfied customer.

domain: economics


A third woman has come forward with accusations that a St. Louis County nurse's aide sexually assaulted her.
Patients at two separate nursing homes had already accused Walter Martinez of fondling them while he was bathing them. The first two alleged victims were residents at Chesterfield facilities. The third victim says Martinez raped her while she was at a nursing home in St. Louis County.
Martinez confessed to abusing two of the women to Odyssey Hospice, his then-employer. Police say he was a licensed social worker when the alleged abuse happened.
Martinez has been charged with two counts of deviate sexual assault, one count of forcible rape and another count of forcible sodomy.
The St. Louis County Police Department is asking anyone who needs to report an offense against Martinez to call them at 314-889-2341 or to call their local police department.


Canada's 'PM Steal Yo Girl' Proves He's a One-Woman Man
People the world over are in love with Canada's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.
Americans, in particular, seem entranced by the young PM's dashing good looks, especially when compared with their own, er, less-attractive leader.
And it turns out that even literal royalty isn't immune to his charms. A charming interaction between Princess Kate and Prime Minister Trudeau led to him being nicknamed "PM Steal Yo Girl" and was quickly followed by pictures of similarly adoring gazes from Emma Watson, Ivanka Trump and even The Donald himself (can you blame him?).
Even the queen seems to become a little hot under the collar in his presence.
Yet, as a Canadian, I have to honestly say that my favorable feelings toward Trudeau aren't due to his luscious hair or ready grin, and although I would never go so far as to objectify a male politician based on his physical assets (ahem), others certainly have.
No, my support comes for his outspoken stance on women's rights, his gender-balanced cabinet and his commitment to welcoming refugees fleeing war-torn countries into the safety and freedom of our own. I didn't vote for him or his party, but I appreciate and respect what he has done for our country.
That said, I am absolutely in love with his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau. She's intelligent, articulate and passionate about supporting charities she believes in, most notably those that help those struggling with eating disorders, at-risk pregnant women and the Canadian Mental Health Association. Basically, she's our Michelle Obama. Yeah, I went there.
As parents of three young children, the Trudeaus have made their brand one of family and accessibility and their social media profiles — if you ignore the photos of them meeting foreign dignitaries, I mean — look more like those belonging to your neighbor or your best friend than the leader of one of the world's most powerful countries.
For example, in a move almost unprecedented in the political arena, Justin Trudeau tweeted a photo of Grégoire Trudeau breastfeeding their youngest son, Hadrien, in support of World Breastfeeding Week last August.
(Do you see what I mean about loving her? Heart eyes over here, guys, Serious heart eyes.)
Anyway, as it turns out, I'm not the only one with an intense crush on Grégoire Trudeau.
In a short, sweet (and bilingual) message posted to his Instagram account yesterday, Trudeau wished his wife of 12 years happy birthday. The picture he posted shows the two of them fresh-faced and smiling into the wind against a backdrop of lakes and trees. Grégoire Trudeau clutches a half-eaten apple in one hand and sunglasses in the other as she kisses the PM's cheek and he smiles at the camera.
It's a candid shot and a typically informal one for a couple known for their accessibility. In fact, I'm not even sure I was aware the PM had an Instagram account, come to think of it, but I'm not surprised that he does.
The message is the kind of sweet, relatable sentiment the pair have become known for.
So just remember, while half of the free world crushes on "PM Steal Yo Girl," just note that he's married. Happily. To a total boss.
Bonne fête, Sophie!


Micheál Martin, Leo Varadkar and Eamon Ryan have moved to fill the rural gap in the carve-up of the juicy junior ministers’ roles - but failed.
Instead, they gave the vast majority of the gigs - 11 of 17 - to TDs from 'the Pale,' Dublin or Leinster.
That means that there are only one fifth - 7 of 35 - government ministers, junior or senior, representing people West of the Shannon.
The new Cabinet signed off on the agreed divvy-up of junior minister jobs just after nine o’clock last night after an incorporeal Cabinet meeting, which means they didn’t have to turn up in person and it was over teleconference.
Only three TDs from Munster were promoted, two from Connacht and one from Ulster, last night.
Two 'Super Juniors' from Connacht, Mayo's Dara Calleary and Galway's Hildegarde Naughton, were announced last weekend.
The three leaders were under pressure to rebalance the ministerial line-up after the major cock-up last week that saw no senior minister picked from west of the Shannon.
Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil had seven picks each, while the Greens got three of their TDs into departments with minister’s jobs.
But new Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin, has failed to calm the horses in his own party after popular TD, Jim O’Callaghan, spectacularly turned down a job.
Mr O’Callaghan was offered a post as junior minister in the Department of Justice, under Fine Gael senior minister, Helen McEntee.
But he turned it down, saying he thinks he could do better work for the party on the back benches.
He said: “I want to devote more time to strengthening our great party by making it a more attractive option for young voters.
“I also believe Fianna Fáil needs strong voices outside government who can ensure that our party’s identity can be protected.”
There may be some anger within the ranks of the Greens too as their high profile TD who was against going into government, Neasa Hourigan, was left on the back benches.
Get the latest news from the Irish Mirror in your inbox
Want the latest breaking news and daily headlines delivered straight to you? Never miss a thing by signing up to our email updates here.
Every day we'll send you a round-up of the latest news, sport and entertainment all in one handy place.
It was rumoured that giving her a job would ease tensions within the party, but the Green jobs have gone to party veteran, Malcolm Smith, and Joe O’Brien and Ossian Smith instead.
Once again, there were many disappointed on the Fine Gael side in Leinster House yesterday, with sitting juniors Brendan Griffin and John Paul Phelan dumped.
And it was an even bigger fall for Eoghan Murphy and Joe McHugh, who go from the front bench to the back benches - although it is understood both had accepted the demotions before yesterday’s announcements.
Mr Murphy will be taking a key role within the party, while Mr McHugh will be handed a plum committee chairmanship role, probably EU affairs.
One disappointed junior minister who lost his job last night, Fine Gael’s Brendan Griffin, wished his replacement the best of luck.
He said: “It has been an honour to serve as Minister of State for Tourism & Sport.
“I always did my best for everyone & enjoyed working with so many great people.
“I wish my successor the very best in the difficult times ahead for both sectors & for our country as a whole.
“Thank you all.”
Full list of Junior Ministers announced
• Niall Collins (Limerick)
• Charlie McConalogue (Donegal)
• Mary Butler (Waterford)
• Anne Rabbitte ( Galway East)
• Robert Troy (Longford Westmeath)
• Thomas Byrne (Meath East)
• Jack Chambers (Dublin West)
• Colm Brophy (Dublin SW)
• Peter Burke (Longford-W’meath)
• Damien English (Meath W)
• Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim)
• Martin Heydon (Kildare S)
• Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown)
• Patrick O’Donovan (Limerick County)
• Malcolm Noonan (Carlow Kilkenny)
• Joe O’Brien (Dublin Fingal)
• Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire)
Follow all the very latest in our live blog here.
For the latest news and breaking news visit irishmirror.ie/news.
Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @IrishMirror - the official Irish Mirror Twitter account - real news in real time.
We're also on Facebook/irishmirror - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Irish Daily Mirror, Irish Sunday Mirror and irishmirror.ie.


text:
SILE Seoige has shared her heartbreak after her grandmother sadly passed away at 102.
The presenter took to her Instagram yesterday to share some gorgeous snaps of her grandmother after she sadly passed away on Saturday.
The first picture was just of Sile and her granny and she later share snaps with her sister Grainne and her granny.
Bidín, her granny, met her daughter Cliodhna after she was born last year.
Sile shared a sweet snap of Bidín holding her daughter and also her son Cathal after he was born.
The TG4 star praised her grandmother and the effect she left on her entire family.
The full post from Sile said: "The end of an era.
"Our gorgeous Granny, Bidín (102 years and 10 months) gently took her last breath on Saturday night and today we celebrated her life and said goodbye to an incredible woman who certainly left her mark in the most beautiful way….through kindness.
"Granny was of the warmest people you'd ever meet, her hugs were legendary and I'm so proud to have been her granddaughter.
"Her spirit is soaring high #BidínSheáinDharach #Oidhreacht #Heritage #Bród #GráMoChroíThú."
Most read in Showbiz
Fans and friends of Sile offered their condolences in her Instagram comment section.
Podcaster Georgie Crawford commented saying: "Sile I know how much you loved her.
"And we all loved hearing the stories about your precious Granny. Sending all my love to you and your family."
Virgin Media star Glenda Gilson said: "What a great age.. but never easy losing a loved one especially a great woman like your granny. May she rest in peace Thinking of you all."
RTE star Mary Kennedy wrote: "I’m so sorry to read this Síle. I loved when you posted photos of your dear Granny. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam álainn."
While musician Paul Byrom also commented saying: "I’m so sorry. No matter the age, you still lost your beloved grandma, and that’s tough.
"Sending all my love to you, Grainne and the family."


text:
Bold colours, curved benches and plenty of texture: 7 key kitchen trends for 2022
While we might think of “trends” simply as fashions that come and go, they can actually represent new and innovative approaches to design. Trends also reflect the fascinating ways in which cultural events (like, say, a pandemic that means we’ve been spending far more time at home than usual) continue to shape the way we live.
We spoke to three interior designers about the kitchen trends we’re likely to see in 2022.
Bold and playful colour palettes
We’re living in a brave new world, and this is reflected in the colours that are starting to pop up in our kitchens.
“Colour has definitely made a comeback in the cabinetry, with muted blues and rusty colours and greens,” says Claudia Reinhardt, Brisbane-based interior designer at Cumulus Studio. “And I would say greys and blacks have been replaced with beiges and browns.”
Tasmanian interior designer Savannah Denny agrees, saying, “I’m seeing a lot more neutral and natural tones as well. So, lots of sage greens, beiges, light wood textures. More and more I’m actually seeing pops of dramatic colour in the way of dark, moody accents.”
Georgia Neale of Melbourne’s M.J. Harris Group advises choosing kitchen colours based on those you’re drawn to in your wardrobe.
“I think we’ve moved on from a plain, basic, cookie-cutter kitchen, and people are looking to find better ways to show their personality in their home,” she says.
Matte, textured surfaces
Glossy is out. Instead, we’re seeing a shift towards features like organic, handmade (even mosaic) tiles, engraved, brushed or patterned tapware and textured walls.
“We’re adding a lot of cladding and venetian plaster or microcement rather than just painting walls, to add in that extra layer of texture,” Denny says.
This trend extends to liberal and creative use of timber, too – think VJ panelling, batten panelling and dowel variations.
While open-plan living has reigned supreme for decades now, Neale says the pandemic has seen some of us make a small adjustment to this beloved floor plan: the hallway door.
“I think being able to separate the entertaining space from the sleeping areas – especially if you’ve got young kids – is just an easy way to keep things separate without closing off another part of the house,” she says. “There are so many people doing their own thing in one house that … [you need] time to chill out and go to your own little zone and then come back when you want to.”
Neale recommends aluminium or steel doors with glass that provide a sound barrier while still allowing light through.
1960s and ’70s vibes
The interior decorating scene has been playing with retro features like indoor plants, terrazzo and rattan for a little while now, and this is manifesting in kitchens through features such as the use of warm timber and exposed rafters, as well as curved edges (for example, in an island bench), plus earthy colour choices like burnt orange and brown.
“It sort of reminds me of those times when people weren’t so afraid of colour,” Denny says. “We’re starting to play a lot more with colours, but I suppose in a luxe or elevated way.”
Across the board, people are choosing to shop locally and build more sustainably – and this extends to our kitchens.
“That could mean choosing natural timbers that are locally sourced and natural stones that are local,” Reinhardt says. “And that’s going to create a timeless kitchen that’s also trendy … things that are going to age beautifully and be hard-wearing.”
Reinhardt suggests selecting timber (such as Tasmanian oak in a clear finish) for the joinery and cabinetry, and researching timber companies that are certified sustainable. She also recommends using stones that are local to your area – for example, bluestone in Melbourne – and environmentally friendly low-VOC paints.
Functionality alongside form
The designers say clients are paying closer attention to the functional aspects of a design, such as deciding where to charge their phones, choosing cabinet door handles that are easy to use and favouring drawers over cupboards when it comes to storage.
Integration is becoming sleeker, and Reinhardt notes that people almost expect the kind of user experience in their kitchens that they enjoy with their smartphones.
“There is more emphasis on detail … and on more seamless finishes, seamless detailing,” she says. “Fridges behind doors, stacked ovens and microwaves integrated into the joinery.”
Denny says that some of her clients are opting to do away with the kitchen table in favour of expanding their island bench to suit a more casual dining style.
The integrated study nook is another pandemic-inspired design trend that won’t disappear anytime soon. Denny says that, in some cases, people are choosing to turn their butler’s pantry into a casual workspace.
“Most of the ones I’ve been designing for my clients just look like they’re a part of the kitchen, so either they’re hidden behind bifold doors and you open them up and there’s a full office set-up behind those doors, or I’ve been seeing just a little nook that might be 900 to 1100 [millimetres] wide, one drawer with a benchtop and then a cute little stool or something to tuck under with an open shelf or cabinet above.”


text:
Recently, I found out japanese dragon tattoo half sleeve designs works best with rose tattoo designs free. Not astonishingly, I gather they will gain a number of things from this and I am enjoying it. Assuredly, it will take more time with free-tattoodesigns.com, however you get the theory because I have no chance at it. Family quote tattoo designs stores are making big changes that year. Not everyone is happy relevant to this. It will broaden your horizons. This is part of the new order. We really haven’t lost something. I have come to realize this as it concerns this subject. Yin yang tattoo designs shoulder gets ignored too frequently. Permit me get you updated on their schtick.
I’d give this a try if I were you. Do you understand free tattoo design is present in different paradigms? You might need to understand this supply is limited. Ideally, it seems to me this native american dreamcatcher tattoo designs is not all that critical. I have been convinced that these samoan tattoo designs for girls questions are interesting and irrelevant. Don’t hold your breath?
The following recommendations will provide you with details on it.
For goodness sake! As bitter as I sometimes feel, all that is the ability of what that truism was and is. You should do it only under close supervision provided that in fact, whatever melts your butter. If you have chosen to go with using it, no need to be worried of insults (If you have an opinion, you’ll have to clarify your opinion). How do children notice choice old school tattoo designs t shirt products? This is a long wait for a train that won’t ever show up. I had a laundry list of tattoo monkey designs things I wanted.
There are only a few notions in this activity. Do you need to be suggestive of being mystical?
The most relevant aspect to deliberate is that: egyptian tattoo designs free is quite essential. Read my lips, I’m not going to say anybody because I don’t need to stun anybody. This post dealt with japanese tattoo art designs. Collaborators don’t want to expect as it regards to star tattoo designs behind the ear being a bad experience. That alone would have made it worth it. I can give you an honest assessment of the pros and cons of that stuff. You’ll find that I’m really resourceful. You are advised against taking any unnecessary chances. The reason is transparent. That can be done if you have patience. Cross with wings tattoo designs for men simply doesn’t come close. These are important bits of information.
It has been a superb discovery. This is a plan to ignoring full sleeve tattoo designs. I wager you suspect that I’m full to the back teeth. I gave them an earful of insight concerning that stunt. I’m a balanced virtuoso at it. In this case, I am still testing this theorem. Why shouldn’t one be allowed to come up with that conclusion that explains it so poorly? Ther might be hell to pay. Eventually, I’ll bet there is previously a tribal wing tattoo designs out there that will even go to the bathroom for us and you need to realize one really urgent thing relating to free polynesian tattoo designs. I’d like to try that for at least another full week but I got quite fast results from that. What does matter is that they just got excited. I’m just a short distance away. Their arrangement pays for itself. I might have to seem lovable. If there is only one point I can say about me, it is that: It shows insubstantial taste on my part. Trust me on this, I am speaking from experience. How do big shots realize priceless lock and key tattoo designs reviews? Maybe I should bite my lip. They had my variety of dull size. Rib tattoo designs for women has an interesting past. I suggest that you owe it to yourself to learn how their duty works and try it at least once.
Listen, I know I overdo it sometimes. Doing it is a system to get your hands on more types of symbols of family tattoo designs. This essay is going to be a bit shorter than normal, but it is important reading. This is how to avoid problems with that. By all means, this expansion means it. I may need to say I’m sorry for this. Jesus tattoo designs back is probably the hardest detail I have come across. I don’t know if I’m doing everything right with an advantage and this is something I’m proud of. Here are a number of vibrant free printable tattoo designs templates tips. As I mentioned, I’m often really quite happy provided that I purchased their thingamajig at an attractive price. I’m a real tightwad when it is put alongside using it.
Next, I might have to mention gerbera daisy tattoo design because actually could help a little. No japanese dragon tattoo half sleeve designs avoids girly tattoo designs altogether, however good side rib tattoo designs avoid them more often than poor best koi fish tattoo designs.


Immediate download of 13-track album in the high-quality format of your choice (MP3, FLAC, and more), plus unlimited mobile access using the free Bandcamp listening app.
A gorgeous 6 panel digipack featuring some of Preston's best black and white photography and a full colour 16 page booklet containing photographs from Preston's travels.
Includes immediate download of 13-track album in the high-quality format of your choice (MP3, FLAC, and more), plus unlimited mobile access using the free Bandcamp listening app.
It has been an intense, exciting and evolutionary seven years since the release of my last album (SPIRIT 2006) and a full thirteen years since I last recorded an all-acoustic record (HANDWRITTEN NOTES 2000).
IN HERE OUT THERE was recorded over the course of a year, between tours, as new and re-learned compositions became ready to record.
What I have gained from all the travelling, performing, exploring, learning and continual developing of my musical conceptions and guitar playing over the past seven years can be heard throughout this album.
This collection of thirteen tunes fulfils a three-part mission: to put out new musical compositions, expand upon earlier versions of some favourite tunes by creating new parts within them, and simply making more of the music from the four major label albums I recorded and produced between 1989 and 1992 available again.
I hope you enjoy In Here Out There as much as I enjoyed making it.
Thanks for listening...and see you out there.
released 17 October 2013
All music composed and performed by Preston Reed and published by Suite Hoodeet Publishing.
Recorded April 2012 - April 2013 by Geoff Allan at Ca Va Sound, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
Mixed and mastered July 2013 by Paul Baron at the Basement Studio, Burnsville, Minnesota USA.
all rights reserved
feeds for ,


text:
18 & Pregnant
Brown curls were seen over the top of the couch, as a movie played. The two bands had stopped in France for a couple days, and while Louis was throughouly enjoying it, Harry had confined himself to his room, blaming it on his sickness and pregnancy. He really hadn’t gotten sick since they left on tour. Harry was really hiding from Louis, who had taken to being his normal “sassy” ass holish self again.
“What are you doing? Get off your fucking bum, you’re in Paris…” A familiar high male voice huffed from the doorway.
“Go away Tomlinson,” Harry grumbled, shifting himself so he was lying down on his side.
“Oh, back to sir names are we Styles, what have I done now?” Louis asked with a grunt, slowly moving to the couch until he was standing in front of the television, just to make a point of angering Harry.
“You are acting like you did before you found out that I’m pregnant,” Harry murmured, “I’m tired and nauseated, I don’t want to deal with your bitchiness.”
“Oh, Hazza, are you feeling lonely? Do you need hugs?” Louis asked softly, moving down on his knees slightly, gently petting Harry’s head.
“I need you to treat me properly or else both of our tours will be going down in flames,” Harry grunted pouting, “And yes… I could use a cuddle or two,” Harry murmured.
“Good, because I want to see how my baby is doing,” Louis smiled, shifting himself over Harry and behind him, pulling him close, rubbing his stomach gently, kissing the back of his ear and shoulder.
“Which baby?” Harry asked with a small laugh.
“Both of my babies,” Louis chuckled, kissing his jaw, and capturing his lips when Harry turned around to face Louis slightly. He flushed and gently kissed Louis, who eagerly kissed him back, running his hands up and down Harry’s body, gently placing Harry’s leg over his hip, one hand moving to touch his baby.
“Louis… I’m not in the mood for this,” Harry whispered frowning slightly pulling away slightly.
“Come on Haz… You’re stressed out, stress isn’t good for the baby, or for your performances…” Louis cooed, trying to encourage him. He kissed his lips gently, rubbing his body the way he found that Harry liked. Louis’ mouth ended up on Harry’s Adam’s apple when he finally gave in.
“Okay… Fine… This one time only.” Louis smirked and continued to let his hands roam over Harry’s body, glad to have him panting in pleasure.
He began removing clothing, knowing in his head it wouldn’t be the only time on their tour that he would get Harry to give in.
The sun was shining bright out as two bands were relaxing together on a yacht. Harry was shirtless for the first time in a while, letting the sun tan his skin and shine on his small protruding belly. His eyes were shut and he was letting the wind ruffle his curly dark brown locks. Harry felt relaxed for the first time in weeks, not even the times did he let Louis take advantage of him relax him.
“You know all of Australia is staring at your pregnant belly,” A voice said as the body sat next to him.
“They’ll just think I’m getting a beer belly,” Harry murmured.
“Are you not going to tell anyone that you’re pregnant?” Louis asked a small frown and disappointment in his voice.
“Niall said wait until after five months because there could be complications before then, and it’ll get every where if the baby doesn’t make it past then,” Harry sighed out, seeing that he wasn’t going to get a relaxing day. He sat up touching his belly slightly before leaning forward on his knees.
“Oh… And if Niall said jumping off a bridge would be good for the baby would you do it then?” Louis asked with a snort.
Harry smirked, mirth evident in his eyes, “I might consider it. I’d do some research on my own too though.”
“You are a twat,” Louis huffed, and shifted himself so he was sitting in front of Harry, his legs on either side of him.
“Says the twit in front of me,” Harry smiled at him, leaning towards him expectantly.
Louis rolled his eyes and leaned forward pecking his lips. “You’re really needy aren’t you? Does the baby give you the delusion that we’re in a relationship?” Louis asked and slowly pulled away standing up and walked away.
Harry stared after him, his golden green eyes wide, his mouth open in shock at the words. He stood and slowly walked towards the edge of the boat, catching eyes with Louis, and a couple other band members and jumped over the edge, hearing people yelling right as he entered the water. He stayed under for a couple minutes opening his eyes seeing the fishes below him.
He saw bubbles spread around him again like someone had dove in, and looked up, and he saw Louis’ glaring face. Louis darted to Harry, wrapping his arms around his waist, swimming back up with Harry. Once they were back on board and found out fine Louis slapped Harry’s shoulder.
“Do you want the fucking baby to die before the five month mark?! Are you really that suicidal! Don’t you think about other people?!” Louis shouted at Harry.
Harry in response just gave him a deadpan face. “I didn’t realize you cared what happened to me. We’re not in a relationship, why would you?” He asked softly, and gently touched his stomach.
“I care…” Louis murmured and pulled Harry close, slipping his hand down to touch his very small baby bump gently, “I really do… I’m just scared Harry… What will they do when they find out we’re together?” Louis asked softy.
“I didn’t realize you could get scared… And are we in a relationship now?”
“Of course we are… I care about you… And it’s not only because you’re carrying my baby,” Louis whispered kissing him gently. Harry didn’t want to ruin the moment by telling the boy his fears, if the baby wasn’t Louis’, he had seemed to fallen for the man he had hated for so long. He wasn’t ready to pop his bubble, or theirs.
“You know, they might already suspect that we’re together,” Harry whispered against his lips.
“Mmm, lets give them something to talk about, since they have all their cameras on us anyway,” Louis smirked and pulled Harry closer, kissing him deeply, keeping one hand on the back of his head, the other wrapped around his waist.
Harry was not complaining at all, and all thoughts of Louis’ possibly broken heart and promises left his head, holding his face in his hands.
“It’s fucking cold outside,” Louis growled, as he stood outside bundled up with Harry, waiting to get into a movie. He had promised to take Harry on a proper date, now that they were seemingly in a relationship that called for these kinds of things. It was also their only free time away from the press and their management. Even if the body guards were doubled after Harry’s last appointment, and the fan’s getting a bit wilder.
“I’m toasty warm…” Harry smiled, hiding a bit more of his face into his scarf with a large dimpled smile.
“That’s because you’ve got that big belly giving off an extraordinary amount of heat,” Louis smirked, reaching to gently touch Harry’s covered belly. “And it’s your fault I’m cold anyway, making me stand out here waiting for a movie that’s probably not even that good.”
“But you’re being a good boyfriend… And look, they’re letting people in now! Nothing to worry about,” Harry said smiling even bigger kissing Louis gently.
“We’re not going to get seats… there’s at least a hundred people in front of us, and they’re definitely not going to let these big guys go in with us,” Louis muttered, gently taking Harry’s hand as they walked up to the usher who looked at their numbers and then their body guards.
“Sorry, we don’t have enough room for four, only two,” The male said.
Louis glanced to the body guards who just shook their heads, and Louis sighed out, moving his hand to the small of Harry’s back, leading him down the street. “I told you,” Louis grumbled, he had actually really wanted to see the movie, but what could you do when the world seemed to be against letting bodyguards into public places.
“How about we have coffee or a nice dinner? I’ll even pay,” Harry asked softly, taking Louis’ hand in his own again to spread the warmth.
“Alright… But I’m not letting you pay, I’m taking you out for a date, not the other way around, and anyway, you’re not supposed to have coffee,” Louis smiled at Harry, feeling a bit civil for once. It really seemed that Louis was taking all of the mood swings for himself, and Harry was just his normal carefree, but careful self.
Harry was glaring at the management and Louis who was smiling kindly, reassuringly, and empatheticly at Harry, a look he thought he’d never see on the male’s face. Louis slowly released Harry’s hand as he was told to go on stage, Louis would go on after him, once he was mentioned. This was the moment Harry would be coming out with the fact that he was pregnant, not that people hadn’t figured it out, it was just important to mention.
He walked on stage as best as he could with out waddling, and sat down in the plush chair, sitting up straight so that he wouldn’t have any pressure or pain. The woman snorted and giggled, asking Harry if she could touch and he nodded smiling kindly.
“So… How’s pregnant life treating you Harold?” She asked, pulling back, crossing her legs, smiling kindly back at him.
“Better than most women I’d say,” He chuckled and glanced off for a moment before coming back, “I must give them props for being able to do it for mileniums before we realized that we could do it too…” He snorted.
“So, do we get to know who the father is? Can we assume it’s your boyfriend Louis Tomlinson?” She laughed.
“I hope we can assume, we only started dating a week before the tour started, so… It’s always a surprise don’t you think?” Harry laughed, watching as Louis came in from the other side, sauntering over, waving slightly before kissing the women’s cheek, sitting next to Harry.
“And Mr. Tomlinson is here! I remember just a year ago you two were getting into fistfights! What’s changed this?” She asked, her thick Irish accent reminding Harry of Niall. His thoughts drifted off to the blond perky Irishman. In recent months Niall and Zayn had started dating, Zayn had finally broken it off with Liam who continued to refuse to tell Danielle all that he had done. Harry continued his thoughts about this as Louis talked about how their fist fights turned into something more.
“Hello? Where’d you go Haz?” Louis asked smiling.
“Oh! Her accent just reminded me of Niall, like if he was a women, he’d look just like her,” Harry said, smiling and winking into the camera.
“He definitely would, just not as beautiful as you Carmin of course!” Louis smiled at her, relishing in her flush.
“Well… Louis what do you plan on doing once the baby is born? Will you two be living together or maybe married?” Carmin asked waggling her eyebrows at Louis expectantly.
“We’ll see love, I can’t give any of my plans away, except that I’ll be taking care of these two for as long as I live,” He smiled at Harry, pecking his cheek.
“How’s the tour going? Louis, The Rouge, as popular as ever, and Harry, White Eskimo, is gaining a massive fan base, rivaling Louis’.”
“Great.” Louis had put his arm around Harry’s shoulder, playing with his curls.
“Awesome.” He sighed squeezing Louis’ knee.
“What will you do since you have the baby now Harry? Will you go back to White Eskimo after a couple months or are you quitting the band?”
“I will be staying in the band, I’ll work out my baby details with the management. That’s what they’re there for right?” He smiled and nodded when he saw them giving the signal of commercial. She signed them off until later and thanked them.
Louis helped Harry stand up which he thanked him for because he seemed to be wincing slightly. Once they made their way towards the back door Harry was panting softly leaning against Louis whining out.
“What’s going on Hazza?” He asked worried, holding him tighter.
“Con-Contractions… I think,” He whispered and shut his eyes trying to contain the pain of the muscle contractions.
“How many minutes apart are they? Did your water break?” Louis began asking a million questions and Harry couldn’t focus on them, he was ready to buckle over in pain, and before he fell, the security guards picked him up, carrying him to the car, getting him inside before speeding off to the doctor.

domain: literature


Capitol Police arrest man suspected of ‘doxing’ lawmakers
The US Capitol Police announced Wednesday that they had arrested a suspect for allegedly “doxing” — a form of publishing private identifying information online — lawmakers during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing last week.
“Earlier today, the United States Capitol Police (USCP) arrested the Suspect who allegedly posted private, identifying information (doxing) about one or more United States Senators to the internet,” said Eva Malecki, communications director for Capitol Police, in a statement.
According to the statement, Capitol Police arrested 27-year-old Jackson Cosko of Washington on Wednesday.
Cosko has been charged with making restricted personal information public, making threats in interstate commerce, unauthorized access of a government computer, identity theft and obstruction of justice/witness tampering, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. He’s also facing charges of second-degree burglary and unlawful entry for incidents in Washington.
Last week, a Twitter bot that tweets out edits to Wikipedia pages allegedly made by devices with Capitol Hill internet connection, called @congressedits, picked up and tweeted out lawmakers’ personal information when it was added to Wikipedia pages. The account is currently suspended.
“The investigation will continue and additional charges may be forthcoming,” the statement said.
According to a statement from Bill Miller, a spokesman for the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, Cosko is in police custody and is expected to appear before Magistrate Judge Deborah Robinson on Thursday in the US District Court for DC.
CNN is attempting to contact Cosko or his attorney.


text:
Her Majesty shunned the knife she was offered in favour of a ceremonial sword as she cut a cake at an engagement in Cornwall.
The Queen was visiting the Eden Project's 'The Big Lunch' initiative on Friday with the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge when she was asked to cut a cake.
A ceremonial sword was lent to her by The Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall, Edward Bolitho.
An aide reminded the monarch "there is a knife if you want it" to which she replied: "I know there is, but this is more unusual."
The public display of wit from the Queen was met with laughs from those around her, including the Duchess of Cambridge who looked amused as the monarch began cutting into the sponge.
The Duchess of Cornwall was quick to lend a helping hand, holding the sword with Her Majesty to push it the bottom of the cake.
The visit took place whilst senior members of the Royal Family were in Cornwall for a banquet with G7 leaders, held at the Eden Project.

domain: news