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It was almost impossible not to notice those fuzzy caterpillars that covered and defoliated trees, and it's even harder not to notice the moths that are now seemingly everywhere. The following article is form the UMASS Extension Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program. Remember, if you have any questions our knowledgable staff is here to help so give us a call or stop by the store.
Pest: Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar)
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Lymantriidae
White oak is the preferred host but most other oak species (in the Northeast) are also highly susceptible as well as many other deciduous species. This includes maple, birch, poplar, willow, apple, hawthorn, and many others. Conifers, such as pine and spruce, may also be attacked when the preferred host plants are in short supply. While many trees can survive a year of defoliation from gypsy moth, if they are otherwise healthy, consecutive years of defoliation can highly stress host trees. These stressed plants then become more vulnerable to secondary pests, such as certain wood-boring insects and decay fungi.
The Gypsy Moth was accidentally introduced into the United States in Medford, Massachusetts in the 1860's. Since that time, it has spread throughout the Northeast and well beyond. It is a voracious feeder on oaks but can also attack many different deciduous hosts. In addition, it will also feed on many different conifers when stressed for food. It can be a serious pest of trees and a nuisance due to the irritating hairs on its body and the copious amount of excrement (frass) that it produces in high population years.
The gypsy moth over-winters as an egg in a cluster of 500 or more eggs. Eggs typically hatch in the spring during the first week in May, in Massachusetts, but variations in climate and spring weather can either accelerate or delay egg hatching. Once hatched, the tiny, hairy caterpillars migrate upwards to the tree tops and then each one spins down on a long silken thread. They hang in the air waiting for a strong wind to break the thread and carry them to a new location. This process of dispersal is known as "ballooning" and is somewhat common in caterpillar species where the adult females do not fly. It is the only silk that this species produces. Gypsy moth caterpillars do not make silken webs or tents.
Once the caterpillars settle on a new host, they begin feeding on the foliage. Small to moderate sized populations will often feed at night and come down out of the trees during daylight hours to avoid predators and parasites. Caterpillars in high populations usually stay in the trees around the clock due to intense competition for foliage.
The caterpillar stage lasts until about the third week in June (Massachusetts) whereupon they pupate; adults start to appear by late June/early July. Neither the male nor female adult moths feed.
Gypsy moth caterpillars start out being about a 1/16 of an inch in length and may exceed 3 inches by the time they pupate, six or more weeks later. The caterpillars have hairy bodies; along the length of their backs they have five pairs of blue dots followed by six pairs of red dots. Adult male gypsy moths are brown with black markings and have highly feathered antennae. Female moths are white with black markings and have straight, threadlike black antennae; female gypsy moths, of this species, do not fly.
Population sizes of this pest can change dramatically from one year to the next. Gypsy moth caterpillars have numerous hairs on their bodies, as do the adults. Many people experience allergy-type reactions to these hairs. Symptoms range from itchy skin irritation to sinus allergies with itchy eyes and a runny nose.
Once the caterpillars have settled to feed, they can be successfully treated with a compound known as Bacillus thuringiensis (kurstaki) or commonly known as B.t. This is a naturally occurring bacterium that is specific to caterpillars that become moths or butterflies (Lepidoptera). It is relatively safe for beneficial organisms and other insects. However, once the caterpillars are older, B.t. is much less effective. To establish whether B.t will work or not, inspect the caterpillars on the host plant; younger gypsy moth caterpillars have a head capsule that is all black while the older ones have obvious yellow markings on the head and these larvae are less susceptible to B.t. In this case, other compounds, such as a chemical pesticide, may be necessary. Even though numerous chemical pesticides are available, it is best to manage problematic populations of this pest early and rely on B.t.
A commercial, Massachusetts licensed pesticide applicator will need to be consulted for larger trees due to the necessary application equipment required.
Traps for the adults offer no benefits whatsoever in managing this pest. While bands around trees may be useful for monitoring this insect, they also do not offer effective management of gypsy moth, especially in high population years.
During wet springs, an entomopathogenic (insect killing) fungus, known as Entomophaga maimaiga, works extremely well in keeping this pest in low numbers. (Now "naturally" common in Massachusetts; it was first introduced into the United States from Japan in 1910 for gypsy moth management and at that time was considered to have failed to establish; in 1989 the fungus decimated gypsy moth populations throughout New England.) Observing dead gypsy moth caterpillars that are hanging head-down on the trunks of host trees is a good indicator that this fungus has been effective. A virus, the nucleopolyhedrosis (NPV) virus, is also a common cause for the collapse of gypsy moth populations. Both the fungus and virus overwinter in the soil in Massachusetts and require ample amounts of moisture in the spring to build up in gypsy moth caterpillar populations.
Natural enemies of gypsy moth caterpillars include various insects and mammals, and some birds. Certain ants, ground beetles, and parasitoid wasps and flies will attack gypsy moth in different life stages (caterpillars or pupae). Mice will feed on caterpillars and pupae.
Written by: Robert Childs
Revised by: Tawny Simisky, Extension Entomologist, UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery, & Urban Forestry Program
Last Updated: Jun 30, 2016.
Topics: Commercial Horticulture.
Commercial Horticulture topics: Insects and Mites

domain: biology


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Are you a vegetarian who loves Taco Bell but isn’t sure if their beans contain lard? Are Taco Bell’s beloved beans hiding a dirty secret?
Many customers have raised concerns about the presence of lard, also known as pork fat, in the fast-food chain’s popular refried beans. But is there any truth to these claims?
So, do taco bell beans have lard? According to Taco Bell’s website, the beans they use in their products are vegan, meaning they don’t contain any lard or other byproducts of animal products.
This article will explain why it is important to find out if Taco Bell’s statement about beans that do not contain lard is true or not. This article will explain why this is a valid concern and how to find a solution.
In this blog post, we find out why vegetarians are worried and whether or not Taco Bell’s beans have lard in them.
What Is Lard and How Is It Used in Cooking?
Lard is a type of fat that is obtained from pork. Pork fat is “rendered,” which is the process of heating it to a high temperature in order to separate the fat from any connective tissue or meat. The end result is a white, semisolid fat that is often used in cooking and baking.
One of the most popular uses of lard is as a cooking oil. It has a high smoke point, which allows for rapid heating without smoking or burning. It’s perfect for frying and sautéing because of this. It also imparts a rich, savory flavor to the food it is cooked with, which is why it is often used in traditional dishes such as tamales de rajas, empanadas, and refried beans.
Lard is also used as a shortening in baking. Shortening is a type of fat that is used to make baked goods such as pie crusts, biscuits, and pastries. It helps to make the dough or batter more tender and flaky and also helps to keep the finished product from becoming too dry. When making pie crusts, lard is a great choice because it gives the crust a rich, buttery flavor and a flaky texture.
Lard is also used to make soap and candles. It is a popular ingredient in traditional soapmaking because it is gentle on the skin and produces a rich lather. When combined with other ingredients such as lye and essential oils, it can be used to make a variety of different types of soap, such as laundry soap, hand soap, and shaving soap. Similarly, lard is also used to make traditional tallow candles, which have a longer burn time than other waxes.
Examination of Taco Bell’s Ingredient List
An examination of the ingredients at Taco Bell is an important step in understanding the composition of their menu items, including their beans. The ingredient list for Taco Bell’s beans can be found on their website, and it includes a list of ingredients for each menu item. By checking this list, customers can see exactly what goes into their food and make informed decisions about what to order.
To determine if lard is present in the beans, we need to look for the ingredient “lard” or “pork fat” on the list. Lard is a type of animal fat that is commonly used in cooking and baking, and it is a common ingredient in refried beans.
Take note that many fast-food chains, including Taco Bell, have started moving away from using lard in their recipes in order to provide healthier options for customers.
According to Taco Bell’s website, the ingredients for their beans include water, pink beans, and a blend of spices. Lard, or pork fat, is not listed as an ingredient.
This means that the beans are not made with lard and are suitable for customers who are looking to avoid animal products in their diet.
Does Taco Bell’s Beans Have Lard?
According to Taco Bell’s website, the beans that they use in their products are vegan, meaning no animal products or lard are in the beans. This is great news for customers who are looking to avoid meat in their diet, as the beans can be enjoyed without any worries about the presence of lard.
Also, Taco Bell has been reducing the amount of lard they use in their recipes to give their customers healthier options. This is a positive step towards providing more plant-based options on the menu, which is in line with the current trend towards healthier and more sustainable eating habits.
Cross-contamination may happen in the kitchen, even when the beans are vegan. Customers with dietary restrictions should always be cautious when ordering from fast-food chains and should inquire about ingredient lists and preparation methods.
What Are Taco Bell’s Beans Made Of?
One of the most popular menu items at Taco Bell is the beans, which are used in a variety of dishes such as burritos, tacos, and nachos. Many customers wonder what exactly goes into these beans and whether they are a healthy option.
According to Taco Bell’s website, their beans are made from a simple recipe that includes water, pink beans, and a blend of spices. The pink beans are cooked and then mashed, creating a smooth and creamy texture. The blend of spices includes a mix of chili pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder, which gives the beans their unique and flavorful taste.
It’s important to note that Taco Bell’s beans are vegan, meaning they do not contain any animal products. Because of this, they are a good choice for customers who don’t want to eat meat. Additionally, the beans are a good source of protein and fiber, which can help keep customers feeling full and satisfied.
Keep in mind that the beans are not made fresh in the restaurant and may contain a high amount of sodium. Customers should always be mindful of their sodium intake and consider this when ordering beans or any other menu item.
What Part of the Pig Is Used for Tacos?
When it comes to making tacos, a variety of different cuts of pork can be used. Some of the most common cuts used in tacos include pork shoulder, pork loin, and pork belly.
Pork shoulder, also known as pork butt or Boston butt, is a cut of meat that comes from the upper part of the pig’s shoulder. It is a flavorful cut of meat with a lot of marbling that works well for slow cooking methods like braising or smoking. It’s often used for making traditional Mexican dishes like carnitas, a popular taco filling.
Pork loin, also known as pork loin roast, is a cut of meat that comes from the back of the pig, just above the rib cage. It’s a leaner cut of meat that is great for grilling, roasting, and sautéing. It’s a versatile cut of meat that can be used for a variety of dishes, including tacos.
A cut of meat called “pork belly” is taken from the pig’s belly. It’s a fatty cut of meat that is often used to make bacon and pancetta. But it’s also a popular cut for making tacos, especially in the Korean-Mexican fusion dish “Korrito.” It is also used to make traditional tacos al pastor, which is a type of taco that is typically made with marinated pork that is cooked on a spit and shaved off into thin slices.
In addition to these cuts, other parts of the pig, such as the leg, rib, and jowls, can also be used in the preparation of tacos, depending on the recipe and the region. Different parts of the pig can have different levels of fat content and flavor.
Is Taco Bell Vegetarian and Halal?
Is Taco Bell vegetarian and halal? It is a question that has been asked by many customers who follow the halal dietary guidelines. Halal is the word for food that Muslims are allowed to eat by Islamic law. This includes guidelines for the preparation and handling of food as well as the types of ingredients that can be used.
Taco Bell has a dedicated vegetarian menu, which includes items such as refried beans, cooked black beans, and potatoes. These items are good for vegetarians and vegans because they don’t have any taco dehydrated meat or fresh meat. However, when it comes to halal dietary guidelines, Taco Bell’s vegetarian options are not specifically halal certified.
The reason for this is that while the meat and other ingredient suppliers that Taco Bell uses may be Halal certified, the products prepared in their restaurants are not specifically Halal certified. This means that while the ingredients may meet halal guidelines, the preparation and handling of the food in the restaurant may not.
Halal certification is a complicated process with strict rules and inspections, and it’s not always possible for fast-food chains to get certification for all of their menu items.
You Might Be Surprised by the Ingredient in Taco Bell’s Refried Beans
On the surface, the ingredient list in Taco Bell’s refried beans is relatively simple and includes pinto beans, soybean oil, and seasonings. However, one of the taco bell “seasonings” is an FDA-approved food additive called trehalose, which raises concern. This ingredient may surprise some customers and make them rethink their bean and cheese burrito.
Recent studies have linked the approval of trehalose as a food additive to the uncontrolled growth of some aggressive, antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. These bacteria are known to cause gut infections and can be dangerous to some individuals. More research needs to be done on this possible link, and small amounts are usually safe.
Even so, it is up to the customer to decide if they want to eat Taco Bell’s dehydrated beans or not. Luckily, the fast-food chain’s menu is full of options, so customers have plenty of options to choose from. For those who do decide to Live Mas and indulge in the refried bean deliciousness, keep in mind that more research is needed on the potential link between trehalose and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
In conclusion, customers need to know what is in their food, especially if they are on a vegetarian or halal diet. The ingredient list for Taco Bell’s beans can be found on their website, and it includes a list of ingredients for each menu item.
According to Taco Bell’s website, their beans are vegan, meaning they do not contain any animal products, including lard. However, cross-contamination may happen in the kitchen, even when the beans are vegan.
Customers with dietary restrictions should always be cautious when ordering from fast-food chains, and should inquire about ingredient lists and preparation methods to make sure they are safe for their dietary restrictions.
Taco Bell’s beans are a tasty and simple recipe made from water, pink beans, and a blend of spices. They are vegan and a good source of protein and fiber, but they may contain a high amount of sodium. Customers should always be aware of how much sodium they eat and keep this in mind when ordering beans or anything else.
FAQs on Taco Bell Beans and Lard (Vegetarian Concern)
Does Taco Bell use lard in its beans?
No, Taco Bell’s refried beans do not contain lard. They are prepared without animal fats, making them suitable for vegetarians.
What ingredients are in Taco Bell’s beans?
Taco Bell’s refried beans primarily consist of pinto beans, water, seasoning, and minimal additives. They’re designed to offer a flavorful and vegetarian-friendly option.
Are Taco Bell’s beans vegan?
Yes, Taco Bell’s refried beans are considered vegan as they do not contain animal-derived ingredients like lard or dairy.
Are there other vegetarian items at Taco Bell?
Yes, Taco Bell offers a variety of vegetarian options. You can customize many of their menu items by substituting meat with beans or opting for their dedicated vegetarian menu items.
Is Taco Bell’s bean burrito vegetarian?
Yes, you can make the bean burrito at Taco Bell vegetarian by asking for no cheese or sour cream. The beans themselves are a protein-rich, meatless option.

domain: food


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domain: economics


The increasing requirements of lighter, smaller and more efficient electronic products require power supply designers to develop AC-DC and DC-DC converters with high power density and efficiency. High switching frequency and high efficiency are the two methods used to improve power density and the profile of switched-mode power supplies (SMPS).
The effort to obtain ever-increasing power density in an SMPS has been limited by the size of passive components. Operation at higher frequencies considerably reduces the size of passive components such as transformers and filters; however, switching losses have been an obstacle to high-frequency operation.
Resonant techniques are used to reduce the switching losses in semiconductor devices and to allow for high-frequency operation. These techniques process power in a sinusoidal manner and the switching devices are softly commutated. Therefore, the switching losses and noise can be dramatically reduced because of its soft switching characteristics. Resonant techniques are used in both half-bridge and full-bridge converters.
The three most popular resonant converters are,
- Series resonant converter
- Parallel resonant converter
- LLC resonant converter
Series resonant converter
In a series resonant converter (SRC), the resonant inductor (Lr) and resonant capacitor (Cr) are in series and placed in series with the load. The resonant tank and the load act as a voltage divider.
The impedance of the resonant tank can be changed by varying the frequency of driving voltage (Va).
The input voltage will be split between this impedance and the reflected load. Since it is a voltage divider, the DC gain of an SRC is always lower than 1 (maximum gain happens at the resonant frequency).
At light load condition, the impedance of the load will be very large compared to the impedance of the resonant network and all the input voltage will be imposed on the load. This makes it difficult to regulate the output at light load. Theoretically, frequency should be infinite to regulate the output at no load.
- Reduced switching loss and EMI through Zero Voltage Switching & Improved efficiency
- Reduced magnetic components size by high-frequency operation
- High circulating energy and high switching loss will occur at high input voltage. They are not suitable in application such (front end DC/DC application).
- Pulsating rectifier current from the output capacitor so limitation for high output current application.
- Cannot regulate the output at no load condition.
Parallel Resonant Converter
In a parallel resonant converter (PRC), The resonant capacitor (Cr) is placed in parallel with the load, inevitability requiring large amounts of circulating current. This makes it difficult to use parallel resonant topologies in applications with high power density or large load variations.
The impedance of the resonant tank can be changed by varying the frequency of driving voltage (Va). The transformer primary side is a capacitor, so an inductor is added on the secondary side to match the impedance.
- No problem in output regulation at no load condition
- Continuous rectifier current from the output inductor, Hence it is suitable for high output current application
- The primary side current is almost independent of load condition, significant current may circulate through the resonant network, even at the no-load condition
- High circulating energy and high switching loss will occur at high input voltage. They are not suitable in application such (front end DC/DC application)
Half-Bridge LLC Resonant Converter
The half-bridge LLC topology consists of a square-wave generator, a series resonant tank, a transformer, an output rectifier circuit, and an output filter.
The series resonant tank is composed of a series resonant inductor Lr, a series resonant capacitor Cr, and the Lm formed by the magnetizing inductance of transformer T1. The series resonant inductor can be an external component or the leakage inductance of T1. The rectifier circuit which includes D1 y D2 converts the resonant current into a unidirectional current. The output filter Co modulates the high-frequency ripple current.
The LLC resonant converter uses transformer magnetizing inductance for generating one more resonant frequency, which is much lower than the main resonant frequency comprising resonant tank Lr y Cr. The LLC resonant converter is designed to operate at a switching frequency higher than the resonant frequency of the resonant tank Lr y Cr.
Switches S1 y S2 operate at 50% duty cycle and the output voltage is regulated by varying the switching frequency of the converter. The converter has two resonant frequencies: a lower resonant frequency Fr2 (given by Lm, Lr, y Cr) and a fixed higher series resonant frequency Fr1 (given by Lr y Cr only).
The typical frequency response of an LLC resonant converter is:
The two resonant frequencies are:
The quality factor of the resonant tank is:
RAC = Equivalent AC Resistance, n = Turns ratio
The characteristics of an LLC resonant converter can be divided into three regions based on the operation.
Region 1 is similar to SRC operation. When the switching frequency is higher than Fr1, the converter is running at the ZVS region and the magnetizing inductance does not participate in the resonance. This region, which is also called the inductive load region, the voltage gain of the LLC resonant converter is always less than one.
Region 2 is the multi-resonant converter (MRC) region. Between Fr1 y Fr2, the load condition will determine the operation of the converter under ZVS and ZCS conditions, converter voltage gain reaches its maximum value. In this region, the energy stored in the magnetic components causes ZVS for the opposite switching device.
Region 3 is the overloaded region. When switching frequency is higher than Fr2, the converter always runs at ZCS condition. This region is called the capacitive mode region, switches S1 y S2 are under hard switching and have high switching losses. So ZCS operation should always be avoided.
In general, the LLC resonant converter is designed to operate in Region 1 and 2 because of output regulation and ZVS operation. Switches S1 y S2 can be soft-switched for the entire load range by operating the converter under inductive load mode (ZVS region). It can be either above or below the resonant frequency Fr1. The required gain is determined by the relationship between the input and output voltage, which can be represented by:
g = Voltage gain for LLC resonant converter
Vo = Output voltage
VIN = Input voltage
From this equation, we can see that the lower the input voltage, the higher the voltage gain.
- Narrow frequency variation over a wide line and load range, making this topology the best choice for front end DC-DC applications.
- ZVS capability for entire load range, low turn-off current, therefore the switching loss is very low.
- Zero voltage switching even at no load condition
- All essential parasitic elements, including junction capacitances of all semiconductor devices and the leakage inductance of the transformer, are utilized to achieve soft-switching.
- No output choke required, resulting in cost savings
- Integrated magnetics: When a transformer is used in an LLC converter, the magnetizing inductance and leakage inductance can be used in resonant circuit instead of using a separate external inductor
- High efficiency of > 96% and high power level up to 1 kW.
- Higher ripple current on the secondary so lower ESR capacitors needed
- LED and LCD televisions
- Computers and laptops
- Industrial LED lighting
- High-end audio
- Home appliances
- Industrial battery chargers


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Author + information
- W. Gregory Hundley, MD⁎ ()
- ↵⁎Reprint requests and correspondence:
Dr. W. Gregory Hundley, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157-1045
- adverse cardiac prognosis
- cardiovascular computed tomography
- cardiovascular magnetic resonance
- coronary artery disease
Advances in cardiovascular (CV) imaging have contributed to the marked reductions observed in CV mortality over the past 40 years (1). Importantly, however, expenses for CV imaging have outpaced the growth in expenses for other physicians' services over the same timeframe (2). Recently, both the government and private insurers have reacted to this increase in CV imaging-related expenditures by instituting processes to curb imaging procedure utilization (3). Specifically, the implementation of radiology benefit managers (RBMs) have been utilized to pre-certify CV-related imaging procedures in the fields of cardiovascular computed tomography (CCT) and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) (4). Often, obtaining qualifying payment for an imaging procedure requires a pre-certification phone call from a physician, which takes 30 min and delays health care delivery. Although RBMs may disallow up to 26% of imaging case requests, additional concerns have been raised that as many as 20% to 30% of those performing the screening procedures may be unfamiliar with both the diagnostic accuracy and patient suitability for CMR (5).
Physicians are also concerned with growth in health care expenditures related to CV imaging. Importantly, however, physicians have advocated different means of limiting CV imaging health-related expenditures by focusing on quality of care (6). Quality is a broad term including several processes that when utilized together may be used to limit costs by selecting patients for the correct imaging procedure. Quality processes include: 1) identifying the appropriateness of the referral of a patient in an imaging procedure; 2) insuring adequacy of the performance of a procedure; 3) reporting procedural results in a timely fashion; and 4) often linking results to patient-related outcomes (6). Importantly, physician societies, such as the American College of Cardiology, rely on evidence-based materials to develop criteria, guidelines, and standards that direct quality-based initiatives (6). Quality measures can be implemented in a fashion to select patients' suitability for procedures without lengthy workflow delays.
Research is utilized to establish the processes for guiding the development of quality-based initiatives (7). In regards to CV imaging, this research has several stages including establishment of the technical feasibility and safety, determining the diagnostic accuracy, defining the prognostic utility, and finally, understanding both the cost-benefit and patient satisfaction aspects of the procedure. Not performing all of these steps can, however, lead to increases in expenditures. Potentially contributing to escalating health care expenses related to CV imaging is the fact that this process is often short changed such that the latter stages (prognosis and cost-benefit) of development are not accomplished (6). If quality is to be used to facilitate control of health care expenditures related to CV imaging (particularly CCT and CMR), further research is necessary across large study populations, that helps to define the prognostic utility as well as cost-benefit of these modalities.
To this end, 2 studies presented in this issue of the Journal, from Korosoglou et al. (8), and Aquaro et al. (9), address the prognostic utility of CMR results in patients with chest pain syndromes and individuals with >1,000 premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) in a left bundle branch block (LBBB) pattern on 24-h telemetry monitoring. In the first study, Korosoglou et al. (8) studied 1,493 patients who underwent dobutamine CMR stress testing incorporating both left ventricular (LV) wall motion and myocardial perfusion analyses. They then followed these individuals for 2 years and identified 53 major CV events (including 14 cardiac deaths and 39 myocardial infarctions) within the study population. In this relatively large, single-center study, dobutamine-induced LV wall motion and perfusion abnormalities predicted future adverse CV events after accounting for established risk factors of CV disease.
Features of this study allow practitioners to draw several important conclusions regarding the use of CV stress testing to assess cardiac prognosis. Because of the versatility of CMR, the investigators were able to assess LV wall motion and perfusion in all the patients during a single exam. This allowed the investigators to compare the 2 techniques and determine when 1 (wall motion or perfusion) should or should not be used to supplement the other. The relatively large number of study participants also allowed the investigators to reach important conclusions regarding patient subgroups and associated comorbidities.
Important conclusions drawn from this study include: first, the identification of dobutamine-induced wall motion abnormalities forecasted CV prognosis in those with or without myocardial perfusion deficits. The converse, however, was not true, as perfusion assessments only provided incremental prognostic information in individuals who did not experience an inducible wall motion abnormality during intravenous dobutamine. Moreover, the prognostic utility of these additional perfusion images occurred only in those with existing LV wall motion abnormalities at rest, those with known coronary disease, or those with LV hypertrophy. Since perfusion assessments require the addition of gadolinium contrast, and contrast is associated with incremental expense and minor risks to participants, the results of this large study indicate that if individuals with normal resting LV function experience an inducible wall motion abnormality during testing, then contrast perfusion need not be administered since the determinations are not useful in providing any increment prognostic information regarding CV risks. The same is true in patients without inducible LV wall motion abnormalities if individuals have a normal LV ejection fraction, no LV hypertrophy, and no existing wall motion abnormalities at rest.
The data from Korosoglou et al. (8) also indicate when the addition of contrast will provide incremental benefit for assessing cardiac prognosis. As shown in their study, the implementation of gadolinium contrast is helpful for identifying adverse prognosis if a patient does not exhibit a wall motion abnormality at peak dobutamine, but exhibits a resting LV wall motion abnormality, known coronary disease, or LV hypertrophy. The data from this study and others (10) raise an interesting question as to whether dobutamine CMR stress perfusion studies should be considered as a first-line dobutamine stress modality (rather than echocardiography alone with wall motion) in appropriately equipped and credentialed centers when patients exhibit resting LV wall motion abnormalities, coronary artery disease, or LV hypertrophy, and there is no contraindication to contrast.
Second, the presence of dobutamine-induced LV wall motion abnormalities forecasts cardiac prognosis in individuals regardless of the pretest probability of coronary artery disease (low, intermediate, or high). The absence of inducible LV wall motion abnormalities only confers a favorable CV prognosis in those who are at low or intermediate risk.
Finally, the results (positive or negative for ischemia) of either wall motion or perfusion stress tests do not add incremental information regarding CV prognosis in individuals with a severely reduced LV ejection fraction at rest. Thus, for individuals with a resting LV ejection fraction of <35%, dobutamine stress testing will only be useful in identifying myocardial ischemia or viability when selecting individuals who may be candidates for coronary artery revascularization procedures to relieve symptoms.
The study by Aquaro et al. (9) is different in that it was a resting CMR exam and is focused on the right ventricle as opposed to the left ventricle. The study population included relatively young (average age of 33 years) individuals with >1,000 PVCs in 24 h, of a LBBB morphology with inferior axis on the 12-lead electrocardiogram. Four hundred and forty subjects, of which 396 were included in the analysis, underwent a resting CMR exam in which right ventricular (RV) regional wall motion, volumes, ejection fraction, and tissue characterization (using determinations of myocardial fat content without gadolinium contrast) were performed. All individuals had a normal maximal exercise stress test, a negative family history for sudden cardiac death, normal echocardiogram, no hypertension, diabetes, or coronary artery disease, and were otherwise not suspected to be at risk for CV events.
Major (RV dyskinesis, severe RV dilation, or a RV ejection fraction <40%) and minor (RV dilation that was above 2 standard deviations but below 4 standard deviations of normal, RV hypokinesis, or individuals with a RV ejection fraction between 40% and 50%) criteria for arrhythmogenic RV cardiomyopathy were identified in all participants (11). Importantly, in this study, individuals with ≥2 of these abnormalities (major or minor) experienced a significant increase in the incidence of a major CV event, including sudden cardiac death, resuscitated cardiac arrest, or subsequent defibrillator shocks for ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation recorded by the defibrillators implanted after the CMR procedure.
In addition, individuals with none of these factors, even if there was suspected fatty infiltration of the RV wall, had a favorable prognosis. The results of this latter study indicate that individuals over the age of 20 years with frequent PVCs of a LBBB morphology should likely undergo a thorough CMR examination of the right ventricle as these individuals may be at risk for developing RV cardiomyopathy that could lead to an adverse CV event. It is important to recognize that these abnormalities were not observed on transthoracic echocardiography; thus, one should not assume a normal echocardiogram will serve as a surrogate for a CMR study in these patients.
What are the limitations to the studies of Aquaro et al. (9) and Korosoglou et al. (8)? First, studies such as these require ancillary and physician staffing with expertise in performance and interpretation of relatively advanced CMR. This includes management of ventricular arrhythmias, the capability to administer and monitor the effects of cardiac stress agents, and the ability to react to adverse CV events during the procedure. Thus, studies should be performed in centers with appropriate credentialing and expertise (12). To this end, the Society of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, an international society that includes cardiologists, radiologists, physicists, and biomedical engineers, can provide reference and guidance on training and protocols necessary to perform the types of procedures described in these papers.
Second, in both studies, most subjects possessed a relatively regular heart rhythm during their exam. In fact, in the Aquaro et al. (9) study, some individuals (number not disclosed) received antiarrhythmic therapy 1 week prior to the CMR procedure for the purpose of minimizing PVCs. It is important to recognize that not all patients may be eligible for this type of treatment (particularly those in an acute hospital setting). Recently, high temporal resolution “real-time” (no cardiac gating required) imaging has been made available on some vendor platforms (13). Whether “real-time” imaging would be useful in these situations is uncertain. Finally, certain patients are not well suited for these procedures. Currently, this includes individuals with implanted devices, such as a pacemaker or defibrillator, or ferromagnetic intracranial metal (14). Also, in patients with severe renal dysfunction, one avoids administration of gadolinium contrast (for myocardial stress perfusion) to avert the risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (14).
In summary, these 2 relatively large, single-center studies demonstrate the effective use of CMR in identifying CV prognosis in 2 groups of patients: those with chest pain syndromes, and relatively younger individuals with multiple PVCs of a LBBB morphology. Results from large prognostic studies such as these provide important evidence for directing the appropriate use of advanced CV imaging techniques such as CMR, and can direct planning of additional research that addresses cost-benefit–related issues. Korosoglou et al. (8) and Aquaro et al. (9) are to be commended regarding their research initiatives because it is results such as these that help to provide the foundation for high-quality health care initiatives that can be used to direct individual patient-care imaging in an increasingly resource-limited environment.
Dr. Hundley is supported in part by National Institutes of Health grants RO1AG18915, R41AG030248, R33CA1219601, P30AG21332, and N01-HC-95165.
↵⁎ Editorials published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reflect the views of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of JACC or the American College of Cardiology.
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- et al.

domain: literature


text:
Maryland has been among the most aggressive states in the country over the past two years in making access to voting more equitable.
Since 2020, the heavily Democratic Maryland state legislature has passed and Republican Gov. Larry Hogan signed new state laws that expand access to early voting and absentee ballots; improve voting access for students, veterans and incarcerated people; and expand access to ballot drop boxes.
The state now guarantees an extensive early voting period and requires that in-person early voting polling places be open at similar hours to Election Day polling places. It also requires a minimum number of early voting polling place locations based on population.
Maryland will provide pre-paid postage for the return of mail-in ballots and allow voters to request they be put on the state’s “permanent list” for voting absentee by mail.
The changes set consistent local standards for the number and placement of secure drop boxes to receive absentee ballots, including that they be accessible by public transportation if it’s available.
And new legislation also requires local election officials to get input from colleges, nursing homes, military bases and large senior housing complexes on how to locate polling places in an accessible way. It requires public colleges and universities to establish a “student voting coordinator” to develop a plan to increase student voter registration and turnout.
GOP governor blocks some changes
While Hogan has resisted his party’s embrace of former President Donald Trump’s “Big Lie” about voter fraud, he vetoed a bill that would have allowed voters to make sure their absentee ballot counts if they forget to sign the envelope that accompanies it. He cited the state’s lack of a “signature matching” requirement to verify voters’ identity. Signature matching requirements have been criticized as a disenfranchisement tactic in other states.
The conservative Heritage Foundation has cited zero instances of alleged voter fraud in Maryland since 2018.
An election hotline and email account dedicated to receiving complaints of voter intimidation and harassment in Maryland was set up during the 2020 presidential election. It received few reports.
About this series
This project looks at the state of voting access, voting rights and inequities in political representation in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Hogan is the state’s second Republican governor in 50 years. After serving two four-year terms, he expressed dismay that party voters selected a far-right state legislator as their nominee to succeed him. Maryland Del. Dan Cox has embraced Trump’s false claims of widespread voter fraud and supported an effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
Easy to vote, difficult to count
Maryland residents can register to vote online or submit an application to their local or state boards of elections. Voters can also register to vote in person on Election Day. In 2018, the state legislature approved a bill establishing automatic voter registration, which registers eligible individuals to vote through the Motor Vehicle Administration.
Maryland does not require voters to present identification while voting in most cases. But Voters will be asked to show ID at the polls if they registered to vote by mail without meeting identification requirements, if someone challenges their identity, or if they are registering to vote or changing their address during early voting. Otherwise, ID is not required.
The state offers wide flexibility to voters beyond having to show up at their local polling place on Election Day. They can vote absentee without an excuse or in person during the state’s early voting period. They can also request to be put on the state’s permanent mail-in ballot list for all future elections.
As more voters are choosing to vote by mail since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the counting of mail-in ballots, legally required to happen two days after polling places close on Election Day, has held up the final certification of votes in Maryland.
The Maryland State Board of Elections voted unanimously in August 2022 to file an emergency petition in court seeking to enact an earlier count of mail-in ballots for the midterm elections in November, and a judge ruled on Sept. 23 that local election workers can do so.
Previously, Hogan vetoed a bill that would have allowed the opening and counting of mail-in ballots eight days before Election Day, claiming it posed election security issues.
Cox, the Republican nominated to succeed him, is appealing the decision.
Black turnout and representation
Maryland has one of the highest shares of Black residents among U.S. states at about 31%. Baltimore, in turn, has one of the highest shares of Black residents in the state and for years has seen low voter turnout.
“These upcoming elections will be the most important in our history, as they all are,” the Rev. Dr. C. Anthony Hunt, pastor of the Epworth Chapel United Methodist Church in Baltimore County, told the AFRO newspaper. “Votes have consequences –– they translate to improvements in our communities and resources. We need to encourage our citizens to vote by any means necessary and not be deterred by the spirit of apathy.”
“This is a huge win for democracy and for improving the process, and now we are going to have fair maps and fair elections in this election cycle,” Hogan declared as he signed a revised plan ordered by the court.
Marylanders convicted of a felony who are no longer incarcerated can register to vote following the state legislature’s 2016 override of a Hogan veto. He’d sought to block the easing of Maryland’s previous policy of restoring voting rights only after offenders completed all aspects of their sentence, including parole and probation. Advocates and some formerly incarcerated people argued that amounted to taxation without representation. Now Maryland restores voting rights immediately upon an individual’s release from incarceration.
Last year, the state legislature changed Maryland law to require that the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services provide a voter registration application and paperwork to each individual upon release from incarceration, making it clear that their voting rights have been restored.
Another piece of legislation specifically requires that a drop box for casting absentee ballots be provided to eligible voters incarcerated in Baltimore City’s centralized booking facility.
Help support this work
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domain: sociology


text:
Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine Carlton.
Catherine, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
In the early 80’s I was waitressing for a few years when I decided I wanted to do something different. I opened the yellow pages (yes, an actual book) and went through the alphabet looking for something that stood out. I got to “signs” and thought that might be fun since I love lettering. I called a sign company and told them I had no experience in sign making but wanted to learn. They hired me to make patterns for the signs to be sandblasted and I learned about the industry. Eventually, I moved to another bigger/better company as a sign designer (again, with no experience, but got on the job training).
One day a guy came to the shop and HAND PAINTED a sign we had prepared for him. I was so impressed. When he finished, he went to the front office and was paid, then drove off. I said… “THAT is what I want to do”. So, I quit my job, practiced every day until the wee hours of the morning learning how to use the brushes and hand letter signs. I took any job I could and learned more about each project. That was 35 years ago. I have been fortunate ever since to work with designers and travel throughout much of the United States hand painting signs, murals, and/or decorative finishes in restaurants, as well as hotels, schools, business’ and residences.
I began doing fine art when all commercial projects came to a halt from the last recession. Having spent years collaborating with designers and clients to create art with a particular look or idea to fit the space, I found it daunting to know what I wanted to paint for myself when faced with a blank canvas. What emerged was a series of painting that represented much of the changes I had gone through during a difficult time. I learned encaustics and did some public art and sculptures. In the past three years, my business has been thriving again and I have not spent much time doing fine art for pleasure, however, I feel that is about to change and I am excited to see where that creative path will take me.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I design and hand letter signs and artwork for business’, mostly restaurants. I have recently been painting a lot on brick and lettering chalkboards. I enjoy being a part of the design process on a project, however, I often paint an existing logo or artwork on a project. I mostly use acrylic paints, depending on the surface…. i.e, concrete stain for floors, wood stain or enamel oils for windows etc. I am impressed with well-designed and beautifully painted signs on storefronts or display boards. I feel as though a business takes pride in presenting their store to the public when there is a good sign and including hand painted wall art adds an organic nature to space.
In a world filled with everything digitally produced, painting by hand is a lost art, and I am proud to have the skill to be able to do it. I hope people appreciate the craft of a thoughtfully designed sign and notice the interior of a space when surrounded by artfully painted walls. My fine art is in a variety of mediums and styles, always exploring new techniques and ideas. Currently, they are not in any gallery or such, except on my website. I do take commissions, however. 😉
What do you know now that you wished you had learned earlier?
As most artists would say, be persistent and prolific in your painting. Trust that your creative voice is worth being heard, seen and enjoyed by others as much as you enjoy making it. I wish I had been as prolific in fine art as I had been with sign art, but it’s never too late to start, and now is the time.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Locally, I painted all of the signs and large chalk wall at Brooklyn Girl Eatery in Mission Hills, the brick walls at Pizza Nova in Point Loma and Newport Beach, BJ’s Restaurant in La Jolla and a double helix DNA sculpture at the Wolfstein Sculpture Garden at Scripps Hospital in La Jolla. Most of my work is out of the area, but I would love to have more local clients…. lettering chalkboards, designing and painting signs and murals etc.
- Address: 1404 31st Street San Diego, CA. 92102
- Website: WWW.CATHERINECARLTONARTS.COM
- Phone: 7603900324
- Email: firstname.lastname@example.org
- Instagram: CATHERINECARLTON_ARTS
- Facebook: CARLTON ARTS

domain: artistic


text:
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domain: library


text:
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domain: design


text:
Wondering how to write a formidable poetry analysis essay? It’s pretty straight ahead that a literary evaluation is basically an in-depth evaluation of a chunk of literature work. You might want to examine it fastidiously and break it into smaller items that can provide help to understand the events and in addition writing about them in a more environment friendly manner. Make sure you do not confuse literary analysis with a plot summary as it is not the point of a literary analysis in any respect. Of course, together with a abstract in your evaluation is not a bad idea but that should not be the main target.
After I first got here to the UK, it was hard to meet up with the study load. I could not do it without Royal Essays! Promptness coupled with the very best quality – that’s what I like here. The assigned writer turned out to be very educated in the subject. He absolutely did his finest with my analysis paper, for which I’m very grateful.
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Think of it this manner: you’re putting your self in the sneakers of a literary critic. In case you’ve ever learn the critiques in well-liked magazines, you may discover they are objective; not personal. Your essay can have a specific format, but it is going to keep that important method you’ve seen from real critics.
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The plot itself has some very distinct characteristics which might be of the literary realism style. First, it’s believable. Most individuals imagine that coronary heart illness and train accidents do exist (Chopin 157). Authors writing inside this style usually selected to look at the character of human beings (Agatucci 3). Your entire plot of Story of An Hour” is that of describing the character of the characters. The plot begins by depicting the reaction of Mrs. Mallard’s sister and Mr. Mallard’s good friend (Chopin 157). The evolution of the emotional nature of Mrs. Mallard is described as she sits alone (Chopin157-158). Finally, we see the nature of society at the moment, totally unaware of the true feelings felt by the wife about her husband. Agatucci describes this affect on characters such as Mrs. Mallard as unusual people of up to date occasions stay it in society, caught up by social…forces” (three).


text:
The End Machine’s 2019 debut for Frontiers Records presented almost an hour’s worth of classic sounding hard rock. Its sound was exactly as you’d expect from a couple of musicians associated with Dokken and the ex-vocalist from Lynch Mob. It’s higher octane tracks gave George Lynch every opportunity to hammer his fretboard, while the darker and slower workouts put bassist Jeff Pilson squarely in the spotlight. Most importantly, a lot of the numbers wielded huge choruses to great effect, often giving vocalist Robert Mason (ex-Cry of Love/Warrant) plenty to work with. In terms of melodic metal, it was a great disc – certainly much better than Dokken had managed in a few years.
As the old saying goes, you can’t fix what ain’t broke, and 2021’s ‘Phase 2’ gives fans much more of the same. The album’s production values mightn’t be quite as good – the overall sound is a little more abrasive – but most of the songs are of a similarly high quality. At the point ‘Blood And Money’ kicks in, sounding like a crunchy hybrid of a 90s Dokken tune and one of Mr. Big’s rockier numbers, you know you’re in safe hands. Lynch wields a vaguely dirty riff peppered with his signature sound and Mason attacks every lyric with a genuine sense of urgency. With new drummer Steve Brown (substituting for the now retired Mick Brown) quickly adopting a thunderous groove, this energetic performance captures The End Machine giving their all. That would be enough to secure a really strong opener, but Lynch’s featured solo really adds something extra when he throws in several bars of lead guitar work that fuse an 80s melodic metal mood with a few new-classical sweeps for good measure. That huge rocker is swiftly followed by ‘We Walk Alone’ which takes a musical sidestep by offering a semi-bluesy groove, tempered by the vaguely alternative angle Dokken demonstrated brilliantly on their ‘Dysfunctional’ album. The slower tempo really favours Pilson and he spends most of the number delivering a huge bottom end chug with the subtlety of a truck. It’s an incredibly muscular arrangement that pushes Mason to give a huge performance throughout and, if anything leaves an impression here, it’s those vocals. Mason was always great as the Lynch Mob frontman, but here, he sounds even better, and it’s impressive how the veteran singer can still hit the massive notes without forcing his voice too much. David Coverdale really ought to be taking notes.
Going for something a little funkier – but without losing too much of the crunch – ‘Dark Divide’ presents a fantastic, moody vocal against the kind of tune Dokken would’ve trucked through with ease in the late 80s. Although the weight of the performance is shared between Mason and Pilson once more, Lynch’s musical fills are especially cool as he shows off a few bluesy tinges within some classic rock chops, while his featured solo proves that a little old-school fretboard burning can still go a long way. Suggesting the band aren’t just about the huge sounds, ‘Scars’ taps into a hazy rock ballad which, again, has a vaguely early 90s feel (it’s straight out of that brief period when AOR/melodic rock came with bigger boots on albums like Warrant’s ‘Dog Eat Dog’) which contrasted with a few Hendrix-ish licks leads to a very retro listen, while ‘Born of Fire’ applies some massive vocals to a slab of melodic hard rock with a slight Euro feel. Although the crunchier angle doesn’t always show off The End Machine’s more inventive side, somewhere around the third or fourth listen, the huge bias towards those multi-layered voices and some great vibrato fuelled lead guitar eventually makes this a stand-out track.
Demonstrating far more swagger, ‘Destiny’ initially sounds more like the Rufus cover on Lynch/Pilson’s covers album from 2020 than typical End Machine fare thanks to a funk oriented intro, but settling into a smoother verse and a massive melodic chorus where Mason is very much in the spotlight certainly returns everything to being business-like. Although this might represent a little too much of a comfort zone for some listeners, it’s hard to argue with Robert in such good form. The funk based riff isn’t actually a red herring, either: Pilson subsequently uses it brilliantly when linking the various AOR moods throughout, and when attacking a confident groove, he and Lynch show they’ve lost none of their previous fire, despite that aforementioned covers release being very disappointing. [A full review of ‘Heavy Hitters’ can be found here.]
With ‘Prison Or Paradise’ recalling older Lynch Mob material and ‘Devil’s Playground’ sounding as if the rhythm section from an old Whitesnake recording have been hired to cover ‘Mane Attraction’ era White Lion elsewhere on the disc, it’s fair to suggest that most of the album comes across as good to great, but ‘Shine Your Light’ actually manages to be a cut above most of The End Machine’s best efforts. Lynch switches between clean and dirty sounds throughout, and when teasing with an intro riff that almost seems to tip the hat to a mid-80s Judas Priest, it’s also a number that appears to have an almost cheeky quality. With huge choirs of vocals battling against another punchy groove, the band seem to channel ‘Pull’ era Winger at times, but it’s a style that very much suits. If you’re reading this anywhere other than Real Gone, that piracy website have stolen our words again. By the time Mason steps aside and Lynch adds not one but two of the album’s best solos – both working several bars of clean, sweeping melodies and showing a great ear for melody – it asserts its position as a track fans will love.
This second album is pretty much everything you’d hope for. It doesn’t re-invent the wheel; it merely captures the ex-Dokken men in a comfort zone, often sounding as if they actually enjoyed the recording process. If you’re in the market for something that sometimes sounds like the heavier end of Winger colliding with bits of Dokken, with a dash of Lynch Mob’s 2009 album ‘Smoke & Mirrors’ thrown in, then this is definitely for you. The choruses might not all be shiny enough for the unadventurous AOR fan and there are a couple of tunes where The End Machine aren’t quite as full on as they could be, but on the whole, ‘Phase 2’ is excellent. It makes that “difficult second album” seem like an easy thing to pull off. Highly recommended.
Read a review of Lynch Mob’s ‘Rebel’ here.


text:
I love full moons on cold nights but the moons give me a warm feeling.
Is that what it feels like for you ??
I love looking at pictures of women... to me, the best are the pictures that are semi-clothed... just enough to see and get turned on, but not so much that you've shown it all...
I love to see the crescent moon on sunrise at early morning at 5AM
It was so beautiful
Crescent moon is my favorite moon shape
Along with that crescent moon I saw the 2...
I love to invite a few friends over for a late night dinner party. We cook a large meal together. Then we set a table outside under the full moon. We start a few candles burning...
On Saturday August 9, 2014 I took over 50 shots of the so called Super moon. I took the best of the crop of pics and made this collage. It's a good thing I did take the pics on...
Ever since 1997 I've been a moonie and it's thanks to Sailor Uranus and Neptune. If it wasn't for Uranus I would've never stood up to bullies in school. And Neptune help me become...
The Moon is my Lover
Your light gives me peace and joy to my soul
I raise my hands and fell the warmth of your glory
My body is craving for your tiny piece of affection
I remember always running home from school with my sister to watch Sailor Moon. :)
Outside enjoying tonight's Beautufull moon.. Just wish I had someone next to me enjoying it..sighing!!!
Tonight the moon is closest to the earth this year. Full and bright. I took some pic. Have a look!!
There upon the Horizon, she appears.
so golden in light.... her power, I feel her
give strength unto me...
To the Supermoon of the Night, so graceful with beauty
I give to you my...
New moon painting, this is a second painting ..... I have the first one sold. And a second buyer wanted it. So I did a second painting.
I,m looking a female friend, i,m honest,kind,loving,hlpeing guy from gurgaon. looking smart, beautiful female friend for long type friendship. if you are looking who love you...
Today i will never forget because today I really saw you and you really saw me. Today I looked into your eyes and felt you. You held me in your arms letting me know i was safe...
Howwlllllllllllllllll wolf r the best
Oh man! This anime was the s*** sailor Jupiter was of the chain!
cuantos son los cantos que escuchaste ya
cuantas las palabras dichas para ti
que han surcado el cielo solo por gozar
una noche el puerto de tu soledad
Los amantes se...
Hope everyone's enjoying tonight's gorgeouse supermoon.. Mmmmmmm making me feel naughty.. How about urself??
Hope you enjoy my work of art
The feet are in the top 3 of my favorite parts of the female body for sure.
It reminds me of the good times.
They keep me motivated to be skinnier
A beautiful woman is the most wonderful work of art on the planet !
Clouds are simply calming, well not during thunder though. :DI can climb the roof and stare at them all day. The pic was taken while lying on the roof. :D
Hints of blue and grey
Sun bursting through the cottony pillows
The air filled with moisture, waiting to release it's tears.
Droplets fall, the air smells fresh and clean
This is how my family will always be now since my dad left
He left us like this when we were younger so I guess this is how he is going to leave us now oh well I'm not complaining...
I love the moon and the moonlight. It is the symbol of the feminine just as the sun is the symbol of the masculine. I love to be out on my own in the moonlight, especially at full...
Did you notice the full moon last night? I love the moon in all it's phases but I get excited when the moon is full. I love to stare at it as clouds pass by causing it to look...
it may sound desperate, but i do want to find the right girlfriend, who love looking at the moon, lov


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Welcome to the March 26th installment of The Daily Farm Report! We rake the news for each organization’s top farmhands and give you a digest with some commentary for you greedy prospectors to enjoy. Here are some recent news and highlights:
Padres #5 by MLB Pipeline
Chris Paddack To Make MLB Debut Sunday
Here's presumably a look at the moment Andy Green told Chris Paddack through Eric Hosmer, per @sdutKevinAcee, he officially made the @Padres. Starting Sunday against the Giants at Petco Park. What a story, what a player. pic.twitter.com/rKztKGLgpm
— Lance Brozdowski (@LanceBroz) March 26, 2019
When Padres manager Andy Green lifted Paddack from his final spring training start yesterday, he let the young right-hander know that he’d be starting the season in the MLB rotation. Paddack will face the Giants on Sunday at Petco. Paddack has been excellent this spring, and in his final spring training appearance his fastball was excellent, generating 10 swinging strikes on 34 pitches. If the curveball comes along this season, Paddack can be a dominant starter in the MLB.
Reds #1 by MLB Pipeline
Nick Senzel left a minor league game with an ankle injury and the #Reds day they are awaiting the results of an examination
— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) March 26, 2019
Senzel was sent down to minor league camp as the team wasn’t sold on letting him start the season as their big league CF over Scott Schebler. Now it is reported that his foot is in a walking boot. Senzel has been prone to picking up ailments over the last calendar year: he’s dealt with vertigo, fractured his index finger requiring surgery, underwent offseason surgery to remove bone chips from his left elbow, and now this ankle injury. Look for an update on his condition sometime today, but hopefully the ankle injury is nothing serious.
Marlins #5 by MLB Pipeline
Alcantara Earns Rotation Spot
Unofficial #Marlins Rotation
Thursday – Ureña
Friday – Richards
Saturday – Lopez
Sunday – Alcantara
Monday – Caleb Smith
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) March 25, 2019
Miami Marlins RHP prospect Sandy Alcantara has earned a rotation spot to start the season. Alcantara, 23, made 6 starts for Miami last season, posting a 3.44 ERA and holding opponents to a .214 batting average against. He’s got to work on his control, and you can’t count on him for many wins, but Alcantara is a fine $1 end-game flier even in redraft leagues if you’re drafting this week.
Padres #13 by MLB Pipeline
Espinoza Looks Healthy This Spring
ICYMI: I got a look at two innings of work from #Padres Anderson Espinoza last week. Fastball sat 93-95 MPH with clean arm action.
Offspeed was effective, but not thrown with as much confidence, as one would expect from the downtime. Looked healthy.https://t.co/jDZosL1BC0
— Emily Waldon (@EmilyCWaldon) March 25, 2019
The Athletic’s Emily Waldon caught Padres pitching prospect Anderson Espinoza in a minor league complex game yesterday. Waldon noted that Espinoza looked healthy with clean arm action, and his fastball was sitting in the 93-95 mph band. Espinoza is working his way back from TJS after suffering a UCL tear in late July, 2017. He will be on an innings cap this year, but look to see if his control and trust in secondaries returns to form this season.
Diamondbacks, unranked by MLB Pipeline
Socrates Brito Unceremoniously Dumped
#Dbacks have placed Socrates Brito on waivers. He can be traded or claimed off waivers. If he clears waivers he can be assigned to Triple-A. With the loss of Steven Souza Jr. to injury tonight, Brito can become important again.
— Bernie Pleskoff (@BerniePleskoff) March 26, 2019
The Diamondbacks placed the 26-year-old OF on waivers yesterday, but that was before Steven Souza Jr. got injured in a spring training game last night. Brito was our #61 overall hitter in all of minor league baseball last season. Despite his penchant for punishing AAA pitching, Brito hasn’t been able to force his way into regular playing time with the big club. Maybe the Souza injury or another organization’s waiver claim will open a path to playing time for this Dominican slugger.

domain: news


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of all types:
Bahrain, Brazil, Brunei
Darussalam, Cambodia, Colombia,
Gambia, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritius, Nepal,
Nicaragua, Oman, Panama, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles,
Singapore, Suriname, Syria, Thailand,
Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates and
Costa Rica, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Switzerland.
Update June 2022: According to Leticia MARTINEZ LOPEZ <firstname.lastname@example.org> 32 countries banned e-cigarettes completely, 79 countries regulated them (e.g. in Australia legal only on prescription).
regulation (Dec. 2022)
fulltext articles on E-cigs from TC (2023)

domain: geography


A tsunami alert was triggered Monday in Alaska following a 7.5 magnitude earthquake off the coast of this American state, but no large-scale phenomenon had been observed at the end of the day.
The tremor, initially rated at 7.4, was recorded 91 km southeast of Sand Point, in the Aleutian Islands in the Bering Sea, about 40 km deep, the US Geophysical Institute said. (USGS).
It was in this small town that the largest waves were reported, around two feet high.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center subsequently indicated that areas potentially affected by the phenomenon were not exposed to “large-scale flooding”.
The tsunami alert affected the state’s south coast as well as the Alaska Peninsula, but spared Anchorage, the state’s largest city, located nearly a thousand kilometers from the epicenter.
The earthquake itself did not cause any known casualties or major damage, in a very isolated and sparsely populated area.
It was felt in King Cove, about 100 kilometers west of Sand Point, but no damage was seen, Gary Hennigh, the manager of the small town, told Anchorage Daily News site, whose ” inhabitants and workers of the cannery “had found refuge on the heights, he explained.
“It rocked a lot, I can’t tell you how long it lasted, maybe 15 to 30 seconds,” added Michael Ashley of Cold Bay. “All the sofas, armchairs and shelves were moving”.
The main tremor was followed by several aftershocks of magnitude 5 or greater.
Alaska is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a very active area for earthquakes, which stretches from the Gulf of Alaska to the Russian peninsula of Kamchatka.
On March 27, 1964, a 9.2 magnitude earthquake, the most violent ever recorded in the United States and the world, struck the Anchorage region. It had lasted several minutes and caused a destructive tidal wave across the entire West American coast, killing more than 250 people in total.


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After a successful Bluesfest’s 21st birthday celebration event during Easter 2010 – planning for Bluesfest 2011 is now in full swing.
The 22nd annual Bluesfest 2011 event will take place over five days between April 21 and April 25, 2011, once again at the festival’s new permanent site at Tyagarah, 12 minutes north of Byron Bay.
New awards and nominations for Bluesfest include: recognition as an international winner in The Greener Festival awards – for the fourth year in a row – a continuing tribute to the event’s long-term commitment to environmental sustainability. Bluesfest has also picked up a Silver Award in the ‘Major Festivals and Events’ category in the North Coast Tourism Awards. And lastly, Bluesfest has been nominated as finalists in the Australian Event of the Year Awards in two categories: ‘Best Cultural or Arts Event’ and ‘Best Achievement in Sustainability’. Continue reading Bluesfest 2011 Dates Announced!→
The John Steel Singers have an aversion to sleeping in their own beds. They like the road. The rough, smelly, road. At least it seems that way. While in the midst of a huge national tour opening up for The Grates throughout October, The John Steel Singers have announced their own national headline tour in November.
In Stores now through Popboomerang / Secret Fox / MGM
Sometimes an album comes along that resonates. Something that sounds immediately relevant and is so unmistakably honest, that no matter your musical taste, there’s a deep founded respect and due reverence noted. Drum Media called it “a classic pop sense that doesn’t get bogged in its own vision of itself” (Aug 08). Rip It Up Magazine were straight to the point: “In an age of downloads and ringtones, Skipping Girl Vinegar stand out from the pack”.
Skipping Girl Vinegar are proud to announce the release of their debut album Sift The Noise. An alt acoustic saturation of melody and pop hook described by the band as ‘music from cold places’, Sift The Noise was recorded in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and studios across Melbourne – as well as ‘The Lookout’, a beach shack in Aireys Inlet. The album was mixed and mastered in London, New York and Nashville by Adrian Bushby (Ben Kweller, Gomez, Foo Fighters), Greg Calibi (Bob Dylan, John Lennon, David Bowie) and Brad Jones (Josh Rouse, Bob Evans) respectively.


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B2B financial service start-up Finom– which supplies online financial services for SMEs, freelancers and the self-employed in Europe– has raised an extra$12 million(EUR10.3 million)to add to its previous seed round of EUR6.5 million last April. The overall financing raised in 2020 is now EUR16.8 million, and this is before the business has actually done a Series A round. Financiers consist of Target International (Germany), Cogito Capital (Poland), Entree Capital(Israel), Avala Capital (Germany), Tal Capital (India)and Adfirst Ventures FJ Labs(USA). The extra financial investment round will allow Finom to extend its certified activities, establish
item and get in brand-new European markets. Established in 2019, Finom is based out of the Netherlands and was founded by the group formerly responsible to Modulbank
, a B2B online bank in Russia. So far it is offering an e-invoicing service in Italy, and will release in France this October. Comparable to other online opposition banks aimed at SMEs, the company is targeting countries where there is
a reasonably low penetration of online SME banking gamers, such as Poland, Spain, Austria, Switzerland. Article curated by RJ Shara from Source. RJ Shara is a Bay Area Radio Host (Radio Jockey) who talks about the startup ecosystem – entrepreneurs, investments, policies and more on her show The Silicon Dreams. The show streams on Radio Zindagi 1170AM on Mondays from 3.30 PM to 4 PM.


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Ablaze Image has picked up sales rights to “The Tag Along,” a Taiwanese horror thriller that will screen in Berlin’s European Film Market.
Based on an urban legend about the girl in red, the story follows mysterious disappearances and equally mysterious reappearances by a woman and her grandson.
The film is directed by Cheng Wei-hao and has a cast including River Huang, Hsu Wei-Ning and Yumi Wong.
Representative of a new generation of more commercial filmmaking in Taiwan, “Tag Along” was released theatrically in Taiwan in November last year, in Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam in January.
Ablaze was formed three years ago by former Edko Films executive June Wu to handle Taiwanese cinema’s outreach.
The company has contributed to building the territory’s younger generation of stars, including Eddie Peng (in Ablaze’s “The Last Women Standing”) and Mark Chao (in Ablaze’s “Black And White: The Dawn of Justice”). Its lineup also includes a primer on the Taiwan ‘new wave,’ “Flowers of Taipei: Taiwan New Cinema.”
Ablaze is also representing recent festival favorites “Zinnia Flower,” directed by Tom Lin, and Chen Jianbin’s “A Fool.”
Popular on Variety
Lupita Nyong'o on Crafting Her Shocking 'Us' Voice (Watch)
The European Parliament on Tuesday gave final approval of Article 13, a controversial directive that shakes up the rules around copyright in the continent with ramifications for online platforms, content owners and creators, and the general public. The proposed new framework, now approved, has sparked widespread debate among the platforms, public, and content firms. The platforms, [...]
In the waning days of 21st Century Fox, there was a run on the searchlight. As Disney neared the completion of its $71.3 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox, employees on the Fox lot rushed into the studio’s gift shop to pick up mugs, shot glasses, sweatshirts, hats and T-shirts emblazoned with 20th Century Fox’s [...]
Award-winning actress Sally Fields and her son Sam Greisman are among the first wave of stars supporting the Human Rights Campaign’s “Americans for the Equality Act,” which launched March 25. In the series’ debut video, filmed by award-winning directors Dustin Lance Black and Paris Barclay, Fields talks to her son about his own journey to [...]
Nestled at the foot of a large hill on the edge of downtown Providence, R.I., Cable Car Cinema was known to local moviegoers as ”the one with the couches.” That was a charitable description. They were love seats, really — perfect if you were with a date but awkward if you went to see a [...]
Lebanese filmmaker Nadine Labaki has been named president of the jury for Un Certain Regard in Cannes. The Festival said Labaki had been chosen after “moving hearts and minds at the last Festival de Cannes with her Academy Award- and Golden Globe-nominated ‘Capernaum,’ which won the Jury Prize.” The organizers noted Labaki’s films have all [...]
As it prepares to open a fully-staffed office in France and ramp up its investment in local originals, Netflix has unveiled three new documentaries, “Move” (working title), “Gims” (working title), and “Anelka” (working title), and the feature film “Of Earth And Blood” while at Series Mania in Lille. Announced during a panel with Netflix’s commissioning [...]
In today’s film news roundup, “I Won’t Be Home for Christmas” is in the works, the NFL has made a documentary about female team owners and D Street Pictures has signed Kenny Gage and Devon Downs to direct the dance feature “Move.” HOLIDAY PROJECT Miramax has acquired film rights to Lauren Iungerich’s holiday-themed screenplay “I [...]


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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has unveiled a website to track what it describes as failed promises of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.
The website, www.nppfailedpromises.com, was launched at the party’s weekly press briefing on Monday June 15, 2020.
The party’s North Tongu Mmember of Parliament, Okudzeto Ablakwa who led the presentation explained the website was to help Ghanaians fact-check the promises of the incumbent government.
According to him, only 86 out of the total 631 promises found in the NPP’s 2016 Manifesto have been delivered so far.
Speaking on how the NDC arrived at the data, he said the party relied on credible documents and data which concluded the fulfilled promises are far less than the 78% of the NPP projected achievements.
He added the website presents detailed accounts and lists all the promises the government made in its manifesto and those which have been fulfilled after coming into power.