text:
OSA Publishing > Biomedical Optics Express > Volume 9 > Issue 1 > Page 41
Christoph Hitzenberger, Editor-in-Chief
Time-resolved near infrared light propagation using frequency domain superposition
Stanislaw Wojtkiewicz, Turgut Durduran, and Hamid Dehghani
Stanislaw Wojtkiewicz,1,* Turgut Durduran,2,3 and Hamid Dehghani1
1School of Computer Science, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
2ICFO - Institut de Ciències Fotòniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain
3Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
*Corresponding author: s.wojtkiewicz@cs.bham.ac.uk
S Wojtkiewicz
T Durduran
H Dehghani
•https://doi.org/10.1364/BOE.9.000041
Stanislaw Wojtkiewicz, Turgut Durduran, and Hamid Dehghani, "Time-resolved near infrared light propagation using frequency domain superposition," Biomed. Opt. Express 9, 41-54 (2018)
Get PDF (3226 KB)
Table of Contents Category
Tissue Optics and Spectroscopy
Diffuse optical spectroscopy
Diffuse optical tomography
Photons
Point spread function
Previously assigned OCIS codes
Light propagation in tissues (170.3660)
Photon density waves (170.5270)
Original Manuscript: September 20, 2017
Revised Manuscript: November 15, 2017
Manuscript Accepted: November 24, 2017
Time-resolved temporal point spread function (TPSF) measurement of near infrared spectroscopic (NIRS) data allows the estimation of absorption and reduced scattering properties of biological tissues. Such analysis requires an iterative calculation of the theoretical TPSF curve using mathematical and computational models of the domain being imaged which are computationally complex and expensive. In this work, an efficient methodology for representing the TPSF data using a superposition of cosines calculated in frequency domain is presented. The proposed method is outlined and tested on finite element realistic models of the human neck and head. Using an adult head model containing ~140k nodes, the TPSF calculation at each node for one source is accelerated from 3.11 s to 1.29 s within an error limit of ± 5% related to the time domain calculation method.
© 2017 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement
Self-calibrating time-resolved near infrared spectroscopy
Stanislaw Wojtkiewicz, Anna Gerega, Marta Zanoletti, Aleh Sudakou, Davide Contini, Adam Liebert, Turgut Durduran, and Hamid Dehghani
Biomed. Opt. Express 10(5) 2657-2669 (2019)
Multiwavelength time-resolved near-infrared spectroscopy of the adult head: assessment of intracerebral and extracerebral absorption changes
Anna Gerega, Daniel Milej, Wojciech Weigl, Michal Kacprzak, and Adam Liebert
Biomed. Opt. Express 9(7) 2974-2993 (2018)
Time-resolved multidistance near-infrared spectroscopy of the adult head: intracerebral and extracerebral absorption changes from moments of distribution of times of flight of photons
Adam Liebert, Heidrun Wabnitz, Jens Steinbrink, Hellmuth Obrig, Michael Möller, Rainer Macdonald, Arno Villringer, and Herbert Rinneberg
Appl. Opt. 43(15) 3037-3047 (2004)
Mathematical model for time-resolved and frequency-domain fluorescence spectroscopy in biological tissues
Michael S. Patterson and Brian W. Pogue
Tumor contrast in time-domain, near-infrared laser breast imaging
Anthony Joblin
Article Order
A. Pifferi, D. Contini, A. D. Mora, A. Farina, L. Spinelli, and A. Torricelli, "New frontiers in time-domain diffuse optics, a review," J. Biomed. Opt. 21(9), 091310 (2016).
A. Torricelli, D. Contini, A. Pifferi, M. Caffini, R. Re, L. Zucchelli, and L. Spinelli, "Time domain functional NIRS imaging for human brain mapping," Neuroimage 85(Pt 1), 28–50 (2014).
H. Wabnitz, M. Moeller, A. Liebert, H. Obrig, J. Steinbrink, and R. Macdonald, "Time-resolved near-infrared spectroscopy and imaging of the adult human brain," Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 662, 143–148 (2010).
W. Weigl, D. Milej, D. Janusek, S. Wojtkiewicz, P. Sawosz, M. Kacprzak, A. Gerega, R. Maniewski, and A. Liebert, "Application of optical methods in the monitoring of traumatic brain injury: A review," J. Cereb. Blood Flow Metab. 36(11), 1825–1843 (2016).
M. Kacprzak, A. Liebert, W. Staszkiewicz, A. Gabrusiewicz, P. Sawosz, G. Madycki, and R. Maniewski, "Application of a time-resolved optical brain imager for monitoring cerebral oxygenation during carotid surgery," J. Biomed. Opt. 17(1), 016002 (2012).
D. Grosenick, H. Rinneberg, R. Cubeddu, and P. Taroni, "Review of optical breast imaging and spectroscopy," J. Biomed. Opt. 21(9), 091311 (2016).
D. A. Boas, L. E. Campbell, and A. G. Yodh, "Scattering and Imaging with Diffusing Temporal Field Correlations," Phys. Rev. Lett. 75(9), 1855–1858 (1995).
T. Durduran and A. G. Yodh, "Diffuse correlation spectroscopy for non-invasive, micro-vascular cerebral blood flow measurement," Neuroimage 85(Pt 1), 51–63 (2014).
C. Lindner, M. Mora, P. Farzam, M. Squarcia, J. Johansson, U. M. Weigel, I. Halperin, F. A. Hanzu, and T. Durduran, "Diffuse Optical Characterization of the Healthy Human Thyroid Tissue and Two Pathological Case Studies," PLoS One 11(1), e0147851 (2016).
S. R. Arridge, "Optical tomography in medical imaging," Inverse Probl. 15, R41 (1999).
A. Liebert, H. Wabnitz, D. Grosenick, M. Möller, R. Macdonald, and H. Rinneberg, "Evaluation of optical properties of highly scattering media by moments of distributions of times of flight of photons," Appl. Opt. 42(28), 5785–5792 (2003).
A. Liebert, H. Wabnitz, and C. Elster, "Determination of absorption changes from moments of distributions of times of flight of photons: optimization of measurement conditions for a two-layered tissue model," J. Biomed. Opt. 17(5), 057005 (2012).
A. Pifferi, P. Taroni, G. Valentini, and S. Andersson-Engels, "Real-time method for fitting time-resolved reflectance and transmittance measurements with a monte carlo model," Appl. Opt. 37(13), 2774–2780 (1998).
A. Puszka, L. Hervé, A. Planat-Chrétien, A. Koenig, J. Derouard, and J.-M. Dinten, "Time-domain reflectance diffuse optical tomography with Mellin-Laplace transform for experimental detection and depth localization of a single absorbing inclusion," Biomed. Opt. Express 4(4), 569–583 (2013).
A. Farina, A. Torricelli, I. Bargigia, L. Spinelli, R. Cubeddu, F. Foschum, M. Jäger, E. Simon, O. Fugger, A. Kienle, F. Martelli, P. Di Ninni, G. Zaccanti, D. Milej, P. Sawosz, M. Kacprzak, A. Liebert, and A. Pifferi, "In-vivo multilaboratory investigation of the optical properties of the human head," Biomed. Opt. Express 6(7), 2609–2623 (2015).
J. A. Guggenheim, I. Bargigia, A. Farina, A. Pifferi, and H. Dehghani, "Time resolved diffuse optical spectroscopy with geometrically accurate models for bulk parameter recovery," Biomed. Opt. Express 7(9), 3784–3794 (2016).
C. Zhu and Q. Liu, "Review of Monte Carlo modeling of light transport in tissues," J. Biomed. Opt. 18(5), 50902 (2013).
L. Wang, S. L. Jacques, and L. Zheng, "MCML--Monte Carlo modeling of light transport in multi-layered tissues," Comput. Methods Programs Biomed. 47(2), 131–146 (1995).
Q. Fang, "Mesh-based Monte Carlo method using fast ray-tracing in Plücker coordinates," Biomed. Opt. Express 1(1), 165–175 (2010).
H. Dehghani, S. R. Arridge, M. Schweiger, and D. T. Delpy, "Optical tomography in the presence of void regions," J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 17(9), 1659–1670 (2000).
Q. Fang and D. A. Boas, "Monte Carlo Simulation of Photon Migration in 3D Turbid Media Accelerated by Graphics Processing Units," Opt. Express 17(22), 20178–20190 (2009).
S. R. Arridge, M. Schweiger, M. Hiraoka, and D. T. Delpy, "A finite element approach for modeling photon transport in tissue," Med. Phys. 20(2 Pt 1), 299–309 (1993).
T. Durduran, R. Choe, W. B. Baker, and A. G. Yodh, "Diffuse Optics for Tissue Monitoring and Tomography," Rep. Prog. Phys. 73(7), 076701 (2010).
M. Jermyn, H. Ghadyani, M. A. Mastanduno, W. Turner, S. C. Davis, H. Dehghani, and B. W. Pogue, "Fast segmentation and high-quality three-dimensional volume mesh creation from medical images for diffuse optical tomography," J. Biomed. Opt. 18(8), 086007 (2013).
H. Dehghani, M. E. Eames, P. K. Yalavarthy, S. C. Davis, S. Srinivasan, C. M. Carpenter, B. W. Pogue, and K. D. Paulsen, "Near infrared optical tomography using NIRFAST: Algorithm for numerical model and image reconstruction," Commun. Numer. Methods Eng. 25(6), 711–732 (2008).
Q. Zhu, H. Dehghani, K. M. Tichauer, R. W. Holt, K. Vishwanath, F. Leblond, and B. W. Pogue, "A three-dimensional finite element model and image reconstruction algorithm for time-domain fluorescence imaging in highly scattering media," Phys. Med. Biol. 56(23), 7419–7434 (2011).
A. Kienle, T. Glanzmann, G. Wagnières, and H. Bergh, "Investigation of two-layered turbid media with time-resolved reflectance," Appl. Opt. 37(28), 6852–6862 (1998).
A. Kienle, M. S. Patterson, N. Dögnitz, R. Bays, G. Wagnivres, and H. van den Bergh, "Noninvasive determination of the optical properties of two-layered turbid media," Appl. Opt. 37(4), 779–791 (1998).
M. Kacprzak, A. Liebert, P. Sawosz, N. Żolek, and R. Maniewski, "Time-resolved optical imager for assessment of cerebral oxygenation," J. Biomed. Opt. 12, 034019 (2007).
A. Liebert, P. Sawosz, D. Milej, M. Kacprzak, W. Weigl, M. Botwicz, J. Mączewska, K. Fronczewska, E. Mayzner-Zawadzka, L. Królicki, and R. Maniewski, "Assessment of inflow and washout of indocyanine green in the adult human brain by monitoring of diffuse reflectance at large source-detector separation," J. Biomed. Opt. 16, 046011 (2011).
J. Ashburner and K. J. Friston, "Image segmentation," in Human Brain Function, 2 ed., R. S. J. Frackowiak, K. J. Friston, C. Frith, R. Dolan, K. J. Friston, C. J. Price, S. Zeki, J. Ashburner, and W. D. Penny, eds. (Academic Press, 2003).
K. J. Friston, "Introduction: experimental design and statistical parametric mapping," in Human Brain Function, 2 ed., R. S. J. Frackowiak, K. J. Friston, C. Frith, R. Dolan, K. J. Friston, C. J. Price, S. Zeki, J. Ashburner, and W. D. Penny, eds. (Academic Press, 2003).
S. L. Jacques, "Optical properties of biological tissues: a review," Phys. Med. Biol. 58(11), R37–R61 (2013).
H. Fujii, Y. Yamada, K. Kobayashi, M. Watanabe, and Y. Hoshi, "Modeling of light propagation in the human neck for diagnoses of thyroid cancers by diffuse optical tomography," Int. J. Numer. Methods Biomed. Eng. 33(5), 2826 (2016).
"CGAL, Computational Geometry Algorithms Library", retrieved http://www.cgal.org .
A. Custo, W. M. Wells, A. H. Barnett, E. M. C. Hillman, and D. A. Boas, "Effective scattering coefficient of the cerebral spinal fluid in adult head models for diffuse optical imaging," Appl. Opt. 45(19), 4747–4755 (2006).
G. Strangman, M. A. Franceschini, and D. A. Boas, "Factors affecting the accuracy of near-infrared spectroscopy concentration calculations for focal changes in oxygenation parameters," Neuroimage 18(4), 865–879 (2003).
A. H. Hielscher, S. L. Jacques, L. Wang, and F. K. Tittel, "The influence of boundary conditions on the accuracy of diffusion theory in time-resolved reflectance spectroscopy of biological tissues," Phys. Med. Biol. 40(11), 1957–1975 (1995).
M. Diop and K. St Lawrence, "Improving the depth sensitivity of time-resolved measurements by extracting the distribution of times-of-flight," Biomed. Opt. Express 4(3), 447–459 (2013).
J. Selb, T. M. Ogden, J. Dubb, Q. Fang, and D. A. Boas, "Comparison of a layered slab and an atlas head model for Monte Carlo fitting of time-domain near-infrared spectroscopy data of the adult head," J. Biomed. Opt. 19(1), 16010 (2014).
F. Martelli, S. Del Bianco, and G. Zaccanti, "Retrieval procedure for time-resolved near-infrared tissue spectroscopy based on the optimal estimation method," Phys. Med. Biol. 57(10), 2915–2929 (2012).
L. Spinelli, M. Botwicz, N. Zolek, M. Kacprzak, D. Milej, P. Sawosz, A. Liebert, U. Weigel, T. Durduran, F. Foschum, A. Kienle, F. Baribeau, S. Leclair, J. P. Bouchard, I. Noiseux, P. Gallant, O. Mermut, A. Farina, A. Pifferi, A. Torricelli, R. Cubeddu, H. C. Ho, M. Mazurenka, H. Wabnitz, K. Klauenberg, O. Bodnar, C. Elster, M. Bénazech-Lavoué, Y. Bérubé-Lauzière, F. Lesage, D. Khoptyar, A. A. Subash, S. Andersson-Engels, P. Di Ninni, F. Martelli, and G. Zaccanti, "Determination of reference values for optical properties of liquid phantoms based on Intralipid and India ink," Biomed. Opt. Express 5(7), 2037–2053 (2014).
H. A. d. Vorst, "Bi-CGSTAB: A Fast and Smoothly Converging Variant of Bi-CG for the Solution of Nonsymmetric Linear Systems," SIAM J. Sci. Statist. Comput. 13, 631–644 (1992).
A. Duncan, J. H. Meek, M. Clemence, C. E. Elwell, L. Tyszczuk, M. Cope, and D. T. Delpy, "Optical pathlength measurements on adult head, calf and forearm and the head of the newborn infant using phase resolved optical spectroscopy," Phys. Med. Biol. 40(2), 295–304 (1995).
P. van der Zee, M. Cope, S. R. Arridge, M. Essenpreis, L. A. Potter, A. D. Edwards, J. S. Wyatt, D. C. McCormick, S. C. Roth, E. O. Reynolds, and et al.., "Experimentally measured optical pathlengths for the adult head, calf and forearm and the head of the newborn infant as a function of inter optode spacing," Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 316, 143–153 (1992).
F. Scholkmann and M. Wolf, General Equation for the Differential Pathlength Factor of the Frontal Human Head Depending on Wavelength and Age (SPIE, 2013), 6.
X. Intes and B. Chance, "Multi-frequency diffuse optical tomography," J. Mod. Opt. 52, 2139–2159 (2005).
T. Binzoni, A. Sassaroli, A. Torricelli, L. Spinelli, A. Farina, T. Durduran, S. Cavalieri, A. Pifferi, and F. Martelli, "Depth sensitivity of frequency domain optical measurements in diffusive media," Biomed. Opt. Express 8(6), 2990–3004 (2017).
Andersson-Engels, S.
Arridge, S. R.
Baker, W. B.
Bargigia, I.
Baribeau, F.
Barnett, A. H.
Bays, R.
Bénazech-Lavoué, M.
Bergh, H.
Bérubé-Lauzière, Y.
Binzoni, T.
Boas, D. A.
Bodnar, O.
Botwicz, M.
Bouchard, J. P.
Caffini, M.
Campbell, L. E.
Carpenter, C. M.
Cavalieri, S.
Chance, B.
Choe, R.
Clemence, M.
Contini, D.
Cope, M.
Cubeddu, R.
Custo, A.
Davis, S. C.
Dehghani, H.
Del Bianco, S.
Delpy, D. T.
Derouard, J.
Di Ninni, P.
Dinten, J.-M.
Diop, M.
Dögnitz, N.
Dubb, J.
Duncan, A.
Durduran, T.
Eames, M. E.
Edwards, A. D.
Elster, C.
Elwell, C. E.
Essenpreis, M.
Fang, Q.
Farina, A.
Farzam, P.
Foschum, F.
Franceschini, M. A.
Fugger, O.
Fujii, H.
Gabrusiewicz, A.
Gallant, P.
Gerega, A.
Ghadyani, H.
Glanzmann, T.
Grosenick, D.
Guggenheim, J. A.
Halperin, I.
Hanzu, F. A.
Hervé, L.
Hielscher, A. H.
Hillman, E. M. C.
Hiraoka, M.
Ho, H. C.
Holt, R. W.
Hoshi, Y.
Intes, X.
Jacques, S. L.
Jäger, M.
Janusek, D.
Jermyn, M.
Johansson, J.
Kacprzak, M.
Khoptyar, D.
Kienle, A.
Klauenberg, K.
Kobayashi, K.
Koenig, A.
Leblond, F.
Leclair, S.
Lesage, F.
Liebert, A.
Lindner, C.
Liu, Q.
Macdonald, R.
Madycki, G.
Maniewski, R.
Martelli, F.
Mastanduno, M. A.
Mazurenka, M.
McCormick, D. C.
Meek, J. H.
Mermut, O.
Milej, D.
Moeller, M.
Möller, M.
Mora, A. D.
Mora, M.
Noiseux, I.
Obrig, H.
Ogden, T. M.
Patterson, M. S.
Paulsen, K. D.
Pifferi, A.
Planat-Chrétien, A.
Pogue, B. W.
Potter, L. A.
Puszka, A.
Re, R.
Reynolds, E. O.
Rinneberg, H.
Roth, S. C.
Sassaroli, A.
Sawosz, P.
Schweiger, M.
Selb, J.
Simon, E.
Spinelli, L.
Squarcia, M.
Srinivasan, S.
St Lawrence, K.
Staszkiewicz, W.
Steinbrink, J.
Strangman, G.
Subash, A. A.
Taroni, P.
Tichauer, K. M.
Tittel, F. K.
Torricelli, A.
Turner, W.
Tyszczuk, L.
Valentini, G.
van den Bergh, H.
van der Zee, P.
Vishwanath, K.
Vorst, H. A. d.
Wabnitz, H.
Wagnières, G.
Wagnivres, G.
Wang, L.
Watanabe, M.
Weigel, U.
Weigel, U. M.
Weigl, W.
Wells, W. M.
Wojtkiewicz, S.
Wyatt, J. S.
Yalavarthy, P. K.
Yamada, Y.
Yodh, A. G.
Zaccanti, G.
Zheng, L.
Zhu, C.
Zhu, Q.
Zolek, N.
Zucchelli, L.
Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. (2)
Appl. Opt. (5)
Biomed. Opt. Express (8)
Commun. Numer. Methods Eng. (1)
Comput. Methods Programs Biomed. (1)
Int. J. Numer. Methods Biomed. Eng. (1)
Inverse Probl. (1)
J. Biomed. Opt. (7)
J. Cereb. Blood Flow Metab. (1)
J. Mod. Opt. (1)
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A (1)
Med. Phys. (1)
Neuroimage (3)
Opt. Express (1)
Phys. Med. Biol. (5)
Phys. Rev. Lett. (1)
PLoS One (1)
Rep. Prog. Phys. (1)
SIAM J. Sci. Statist. Comput. (1)
OSA participates in Crossref's Cited-By Linking service. Citing articles from OSA journals and other participating publishers are listed here.
Alert me when this article is cited.
Click here to see a list of articles that cite this paper
Fig. 1 A schematic representation of contributions to a TPSF curve of angular frequencies close to ω = π/(2T) for maximum of a TPSF at t = 0 (a) and t = T/3 (b). T – maximum observable photons travel time, A – cosines amplitude.
Download Full Size | PPT Slide | PDF
Fig. 2 Finite element models/meshes of homogenous slab (a), human head (b) and human neck (c). Green cubes show the 8 sources and red spheres show 9 detectors organized into a grid with 13 mm inter-optode distance. Models are not in scale.
Fig. 3 Relation between accuracy and number of time points Nt of NIRFAST time domain method as defined in Eq. (2). Data shown for the neck model as in Fig. 2c and two source-detector pairs. rsd – source-detector separation of 29 and 44 mm. 80% and 5% mark TPSF region of interest calculated as a percentage of the maximum value of TPSF for Nt = 1024. Residuals are related to TPSFs calculated for Nt = 1024.
Fig. 4 Relation between accuracy and number of frequencies Nω of NIRFAST frequency domain method as defined in Eq. (5). Data shown for the neck model as in Fig. 2c and two source-detector pairs. rsd – source-detector separation of 29 and 44 mm. 80% and 5% mark TPSF region of interest calculated as a percentage of the maximum value of TPSF calculated in time domain for Nt = 1024 Residuals are related to TPSFs calculated in time domain for Nt = 1024.
Fig. 5 Accuracy of TPSF generation with TD – time domain and FD – frequency domain methods using low resolution "slab LO" and high resolution "slab HI" homogenous FEM models. Residuals are related to analytical solution of diffusion equation within the 80%-5% TPSF region of interest. Nω – number of frequencies of FD method, Nt – number of time steps of TD method, rsd – source-detector separation.
Table 1 Quality measures of finite element models.
View Table | View all tables in this article
Table 2 Optical properties of the neck and head models at 780 nm [24, 33, 34].
Table 3 Calculation times per source of 3D distributions of time-resolved photon fluence rate Φ(r,t) within the finite element models. Marked cells show the lowest calculation time within ± 5% relative error. TD – time domain, FD – frequency domain, Nt – number of time point in TD and Nω – number of frequencies in FD.
Table 4 Error of optical parameters recovery using slab models and TD – time domain, FD – frequency domain methods at Nt = 128 time point and Nω = 32 frequencies respectively.
Table 5 Execution time per source per mesh node for the finite element models. TD – time domain, FD – frequency domain.
Equations on this page are rendered with MathJax. Learn more.
(1) ∇⋅D( r )∇Φ( r,t )− μ a ( r )Φ( r,t )− 1 c m ( r ) ∂Φ( r,t ) ∂t =−S( r s ,t ),
(2) ∂Φ( r,t ) ∂t = c m ( r )[ ∇⋅( D( r )∇Φ( r,t ) )− μ a ( r )Φ( r,t )+S( r s ,t ) ].
(3) ∇⋅D( r )∇Φ( r,ω )−( μ a ( r )+ jω c m ( r ) )Φ( r,ω )=−F{ δ( r s ,t ) },
(4) Φ( r,t )= 1 2π ∫ 0 ∞ | Φ( r,ω ) | e j( ωt+∠( Φ( r,ω ) ) ) dω .
(5) Φ( r,t )= 1 2π ∑ k=0 N ω ℜ{ | Φ( r, ω k ) | e j( ω k t+∠( Φ( r, ω k ) ) ) } ,
(6) MA M T y=Mq and Φ= M T y ,
Quality measures of finite element models.
slab LO
slab HI
Number of nodes / - 65 959 261 433 139 845 162 390
Number of elements / - 374 302 1 535 567 821 926 951 880
element volume/ mm3 1.85 ± 0.50 0.45 ± 0.12 3.24 ± 1.18 0.99 ± 0.35
mean nodal distance / mm 2.68 ± 0.47 1.67 ± 0.29 3.25 ± 0.70 2.19 ± 0.45
Optical properties of the neck and head models at 780 nm [24, 33, 34].
Superficial tissue
μa /mm−1 0.0140 0.0140 0.0087 0.5121 0.3804 0.0102 0.0140 0.0001
μ′s /mm−1
μa /mm−1 0.017 0.012 0.004 0.018 0.017
μ′s /mm−1 0.74 0.94 0.30
Calculation times per source of 3D distributions of time-resolved photon fluence rate Φ(r,t) within the finite element models. Marked cells show the lowest calculation time within ± 5% relative error. TD – time domain, FD – frequency domain, Nt – number of time point in TD and Nω – number of frequencies in FD.
Nt or Nω
calculation time per source /s
32 - 1.03 - 3.69 - 1.29 - 4.23
64 1.69 2.05 4.58 7.39 1.56 2.59 4.50 8.47
128 3.38 4.11 9.16 14.77 3.11 5.17 8.99 16.93
256 6.76 8.22 18.33 29.54 6.22 10.34 17.80 33.87
512 13.52 16.44 36.66 59.08 12.44 20.68 35.99 67.74
1024 27.03 - 73.32 - 24.88 - 71.99 -
Error of optical parameters recovery using slab models and TD – time domain, FD – frequency domain methods at Nt = 128 time point and Nω = 32 frequencies respectively.
semi-infinite medium
error of recovered parameters /%
μa
μ′s
μa /mm−1
10−4 1 139.69 85.29 10.94 5.62
0.01 1 −4.04 −3.65 0.99 −1.42
0.05 1 −14.43 −13.96 −17.17 −18.65
0.01 0.5 −5.12 −4.50 0.40 −1.52
0.01 1.5 −5.62 −4.90 −1.31 −2.77
Execution time per source per mesh node for the finite element models. TD – time domain, FD – frequency domain.
#nodes / - 65 959 261 433 139 845 162 390
#nonzero elements of A / - 967 413 3 909 353 2 093 985 2 427 466
A condition number (1-norm) / - 190.2 465.5 19 946.5 88 537.5
MAMT condition number (1-norm) / - 91.5 217.7 153.5 7 550.5
#iterations of forward solver / - 28 44 23 74
execution time per node / μs, TD @ Nt = 128 51.24 35.04 22.24 55.36
execution time per node / μs, FD @ Nω = 32 15.62 14.12 9.22 26.05


text:
This is a script that automates creation of cherry-pick PRs to release branches, courtesy of
the Kubernetes team.

## Prerequisites

* A pull request is already merged against the master branch.
* A release branch (e.g. `v0.3-branch`) already exists.
* Hub is installed (see the following section)

## Installing Hub

Download and install hub from its [release page](https://github.com/github/hub/releases):
```
HUB_VER=hub-linux-amd64-2.5.1
wget https://github.com/github/hub/releases/download/v2.5.1/$HUB_VER.tgz
tar -xvf $HUB_VER.tgz
PATH=$PATH:$(pwd)/$HUB_VER/bin
```

## Running the Script
Suppose that you want to cherry-pick PR #1234 to the `v0.3-branch` release:
```
GITHUB_USER=[your github id]
./cherry_pick_pull.sh upstream/v0.3-branch 1234
```
Follow the commandline prompt to enter authentication credentials. Assuming that there are no
conflicts, a PR should be created with the title `Automated cherry pick of #1234...`. PRs
with conflicts need to be resolved manually.

The PR should be assigned to the current release czar for approval.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Attention Internet Explorer Users:
To enjoy the full experience, more speed and security, please use or download one of these free, up-to-date browsers below:
Microsoft Edge | Mozilla Firefox | Google Chrome | Opera Software
Linda B. Carter
Linda Carter, President/CEO, has led the Foundation since 1997. She has served as president of the Community Foundations of Florida, the Planned Giving Council and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Linda serves on the executive committee of the Broward Workshop; she is on the Board of Trustees of Florida House and is a member of the Sun Sentinel South Florida 100. Linda is a South Florida Business Journal Broward Ultimate CEO award recipient, a Broward native and a graduate of the University of Florida.
Steven W. Hudson
Board Chairman
Our experienced leadership team is committed to helping Fundholders move the needle on the issues that matter most in Broward.
The distinguished executives and community leaders who serve on our dynamic board of directors drive the Community Foundation to create bold impact. Our staff of highly skilled experts with deep community knowledge turns bold philanthropy into real results.
Together, we seek solutions to Broward's big challenges. We build endowment to keep pace with the needs of a growing community. And we foster philanthropy that enables our Fundholders to shape Broward's future.
J. David Armstrong Jr.
David, the president emeritus of Broward College, brings his strong education background and deep community knowledge to this Board that provides leadership and distributes grants to tackle Broward's biggest challenges. David is also co-chair for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance Six Pillars Economic Program and on the Broward Workshop Board of Directors. He was Broward College president from June 2007 to June 2018.
Jane F. Bolin
Jane serves as Mayor of Oakland Park. She is the founder and managing partner of PeytonBolin, a real estate law firm, and Giannell Title, an attorney operated title company. She currently serves as a charter officer and the chair of the Governance Committee for the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO). Jane is heavily involved with nonprofits and community groups and previously served as a board member for the Children's Diagnostic and Treatment Center, the Girl Choir South Florida, EO of South Florida, EO of Tampa Bay, Asian Pacific American Bar Association of South Florida, Khushi Hona, Florida Rugby Union, World Aids Museum, and the Pride Center of South Florida.
Doria M. Camaraza
Doria is senior vice president/general manager for the American Express Company. She has been named an "Ultimate CEO" and one of the Most Influential Women in Business by the South Florida Business Journal. Doria is a board member and past chair of The Urban League of Broward County and a Broward Workshop board member.
James B. Davis
Jim is a shareholder at Gunster and Tax Practice group leader. He focuses on estate planning, employee benefits and entity taxation. Jim is rated Band 1 in Chambers USA and is a Preeminent AV Rated attorney in Martindale. He serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami Law School.
James is founder and CEO of the Castle Group. He is a CPA, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He chaired the Community Foundation's BE BOLD Leadership Campaign Committee, is immediate past chair of the Broward Workshop and sits on the LeMieux Center for Public Policy board of advisors. James is an NSU Huizenga School of Business Hall of Fame member, a South Florida Business Journal "Ultimate CEO," the Sun Sentinel's Excalibur Business Leader of the Year for Broward, and recipient of the 2019 Terry Stiles South Florida Leadership Award of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce.
Al is president of ANF Group in Davie, a leading provider of preconstruction, construction management, general contracting and design-build services. As a founder of the company, Al has been at the forefront of producing the quality of work that makes ANF Group, Inc. a South Florida building industry leader. He is a member of the Construction Association of South Florida, Latin Builders Association, Hispanic Unity of Florida and serves an alternate on the Board of Rules and Appeals for Broward County. Al also serves as a Board Member for the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation.
Edward T. Hashek
Ed has more than 40 years of IT experience in the banking industry leveraging technology. He worked with FIS, the world's largest provider of banking and payment technologies. Ed served as a Trustee for the Milwaukee Art Museum, board president of AIDS Resource of Wisconsin and board member of the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. He is currently on the board of the Island City Stage Theatre.
Marcell Haywood
Marcell is an entrepreneur and business executive, CEO of Thesis Holdings and Founder & CEO of Encompass Onsite Solutions. A graduate of Leadership Broward, Marcell volunteers his time to mentor young entrepreneurs, was a former board member of Entrepreneurs Organization and the Sponsorship Committee for the Dolphins Cancer Challenge. He is a board member of Holy Cross Hospital and Broward Workshop. Marcell studied at Florida State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Master's degree in Information Technology and received continuing executive education at London Business School.
David W. Horvitz
David is the Chairman of the Board and CEO of South Ocean Capital Partners, and previously Chairman of WLD Enterprises. He is a board member of United States Artists and a founder and former chair of the board of Camp Boggy Creek. David is also on the board of The Lewis Prize, a grantmaking organization in the arts focused on music education. He is the past Chair of the Board of Governors of the NSU Art Museum Ft. Lauderdale and was a Trustee of the Kresge Foundation. He is a graduate of Kenyon College and has a J.D. from the University of Florida.
Susanne Cornfeld Hurowitz
Susanne is President of HB Capital Group, a privately-held, real estate investment and management company. She was formerly President of SCH Consulting, which advised nonprofit organizations on strategic planning initiatives. She was Director of Development for Homes for the Homeless in New York and has remained on the board for the past 15 years. Susanne is currently on the Boards of the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation/Memorial Hospital Foundation, Nova Southeastern University, the Institute for Children and Poverty, and the Advisory Board of NSU University School. Susanne holds a BA from Tufts University and an MBA from Columbia University.
Paige Hyatt
Paige is an engaged community leader in Broward County. Her volunteer leadership roles include Friends of Jack & Jill Children's Center, Florida House, University of Miami's Forum on Women's Health, PAWS, Lauderdale Debutante Presentation Committee, Memorial Hospital's Pink Angels, and Fort Lauderdale Alumnae Panhellenic. She has been an ambassador of the Foundation since its inception, supporting operational efforts and special interest fundraising over the years.
Alice Lucia Jackson
Alice recently completed a 36-year career in commercial real estate as senior vice president of Jones Lang LaSalle. Her honors include the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award by her business peers, 2017 Magnolia United Way Leadership Award, 2009 Office Broker of the Year and Power Broker from 2006-2015. She is a Leadership Broward graduate, a Tocqueville Society member and serves on the National Advisory Board for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Anne K. Joyner
Anne formerly served as the agency coordinator of Cities in Schools and co-owned a meeting and convention planning service. Anne served on the boards of Stranahan House, Broward Outreach, Greater Fort Lauderdale Film Festival, Junior League of Greater Fort Lauderdale, Jack & Jill Children's Center and the University of Miami's Forum on Women's Health.
Dara Levan
Dara is a communication specialist, writer and editor who publishes the weekly blog and website, Every Soul Has A Story. She previously worked as a speech-language pathologist and has edited several published books. She is currently a member of the United Way of Broward County Tocqueville Society, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation/Memorial Hospital Foundation Board, and a founding member of the Circle of Friends for the Alvin Sherman Library Research, Information, and Technology Center at NSU. Dara is a past board member of Young At Art Children's Museum, I Care I Cure Childhood Cancer Foundation, and the Goodman Jewish Family Services of Broward County.
Peggy Hogan Marker
Peggy is a partner and president of Marker Construction Group. She is also partner in a family-owned commercial and residential development company based in New York and was previously Senior Vice President & Director of Development for an advertising agency. Peggy has a passion for helping to improve our community highlighted by her involvement with the Museum of Discovery and Science, Humane Society of Broward County, Heart Gallery of Broward County, PAWS, SPARK, Save the Children, the Fire House Museum and 4Kids.
Nancy Meyer
Nancy is President of the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald. She is former Publisher and General Manager of the Sun Sentinel Media Group and the Orlando Sentinel. Under Nancy's leadership, the Sun Sentinel won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for impactful coverage of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Nancy serves on The Alliance of Greater Fort Lauderdale Board of Directors, Broward Business Council on Homelessness, Broward Workshop and the Nova Southeastern University Ambassador's Board. She is a cancer survivor and has worked extensively with Susan G. Komen – New England.
Dev Motwani
Dev serves as President of Merrimac Ventures and Founder and Managing Partner of Chieftain Residential. Prior to his current roles Dev worked at Credit Suisse in New York City. He has worked in the White House and on the 2000 Gore/Lieberman Presidential Campaign. Dev plays an active role in the South Florida community and is currently involved with the Broward Center for the Performing Arts Foundation, Broward College Foundation, Orange Bowl Host Committee, Broward Workshop and the Crockett Foundation.
Thomas R. Oliveri
Tom is senior market executive, Broward County, of The Northern Trust Company. He is responsible for a team of professionals who serve high net worth clients and families with comprehensive wealth management services incorporating investment management, trust and banking. Tom is active in civic and not-for-profit organizations serving on the following Boards / Committees: Memorial Foundation and Joe DiMaggio and Children's Hospital Foundation (Chairman), Nova Southeastern University Ambassadors Board, Broward Center for the Performing Arts Board, Broward Workshop Board and the South Broward Hospital District Finance Committee.
Mona Pittenger
Mona is an LGBT activist and philanthropist, based in Fort Lauderdale. In 2011, she retired as owner of a real estate company specializing in the management and sale of government foreclosures. She is a founding Board Member of Our Fund, an LGBT foundation in Fort Lauderdale. Originally from Oklahoma, Mona co-founded the Tulsa Girls Art School, a nonprofit serving underprivileged girls. She is a member of the Board of Trustees for Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa. Mona has served on the national boards of Lambda Legal, Victory Fund and the national board of Freedom for All Americans.
Juliet Murphy Roulhac
Juliet is the Regional Director of External Affairs for Florida Power & Light Company. She is an attorney with over 25 years of complex business litigation and appellate experience. Juliet's prior experience includes work within the General Counsel offices of both the CIGNA and Prudential Property and Casualty Insurance Companies. Juliet's love of Broward County is seen through her involvement with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, Broward Workshop, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, and the Museum of Discovery and Science.
David M. Scully
David is a partner in the Loving Scully Law Group in Fort Lauderdale. He specializes in estates, tax law and corporate law. David is a member of the Community Foundation's Professional Advisor Council. He has served on the Steering Committee of the Annual Joint Tax and Estate Planning Seminar, the Board of Trustees at Saint Mark's Episcopal School and helped lead the Islamorada Fishing and Conservation Trust. David was born in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and lived in Miami as a child before moving to Fort Lauderdale.
Kurt D. Zimmerman
Kurt has practiced law for approximately 30 years in the area of trusts and estates. He currently serves as chair of the Community Foundation of Broward Professional Advisors Council. He also serves on the governing board of the Broward Performing Arts Foundation. He formerly served on the governing board of the YMCA of South Florida, was a "big brother" in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward, and is a Leadership Broward graduate. Kurt is a graduate of the University of Michigan where he was a First-Team Academic All-Big Ten athlete. He received his law degree from Vanderbilt.
Leaders & Staff
Jennifer O'Flannery Anderson, Ph.D.
Jennifer began as President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Broward in August 2020. Before joining the Community Foundation she served as Vice President of Advancement and Community Relations at Nova Southeastern University (NSU). Under her leadership, the University completed its first comprehensive campaign raising $267M three years early. She previously worked at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) as VP for Community Engagement and Executive Director of the FAU Foundation and served as President/CEO of the United Way of Broward County. She is past Chair of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, immediate past Chair of the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches and a graduate of both Leadership Florida and Leadership Broward. She holds a bachelor's degree from Florida State University; a master's degree from the University of South Florida; and a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration from FAU. She has lived in Fort Lauderdale for more than 21 years with her husband Peter and their two rescue dogs Annie and Pearl.
Email: joa@cfbroward.org
Annette Bauer
Annette Bauer, CPA, SPHR, Foundation Finance Manager, has more than 20 years of experience in accounting and human resources in both the public and private sectors. Annette has served on the local Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation board, as treasurer at Saint Gregory the Great Catholic School and volunteered with Girl Scouts of America. She is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University.
Email: abauer@cfbroward.org
Sheri Brown
Vice President, Community Impact
Sheri Brown, Vice President, Community Impact, has served the Foundation for over 15 years and is a member of the South Florida Advisory Council of the Florida Philanthropic Network, Broward Workshop's Education & Youth Advocacy Committee, and Grantmakers in Education. She is a graduate of Leadership Broward, the American Express Leadership Academy and Leadership Florida Class XXXIV having recently served as program chair of the Gold Coast Region. Her community involvement includes service to The Links, Incorporated and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. A Broward native, Sheri is a graduate of Florida A&M University.
Email: sbrown@cfbroward.org
Dacia Cabo
Executive Assistant/Office Manager
Dacia Cabo, Executive Assistant/Office Manager has over twenty years of administrative experience in the private sector. Prior to joining the Foundation, Dacia worked as the Executive Assistant with the Managing Partner at a prominent law firm in South Florida. Dacia is a Broward County native and enjoys traveling and spending time at the beach.
Email: dcabo@cfbroward.org
Judy Cordoves
Judy Cordoves, Staff Accountant, has more than 20 years of accounting experience in both the private and public sectors. A South Florida native, she has resided in Broward for 28 years. Judy holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Barry University.
Email: jcordoves@cfbroward.org
Carol Dorko
Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer
Carol Dorko, Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer, has nearly 30 years of progressive experience in the areas of accounting, finance, human resources, IT and operations in both the public and private sectors. She is a member of the Council on Foundations Financial and Administrative Officer Group and an American Express Leadership Academy graduate. She is an alumnus of the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University School of Law.
Email: cdorko@cfbroward.org
Kirk Englehardt
Kirk is a veteran communicator with more than 25 years of experience. He grew up in Broward County and holds a master of public adminstration degree from Florida Atlantic University and a bachelor of science degree in communication from Florida State University. Kirk led award-winning communications teams at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), the Georgia Department of Education, and Broward County Public Schools. He has also been a media relations specialist for the Broward Sheriff's Office and a reporter for South Florida's WIOD Newsradio 610.
Email: kenglehardt@cfbroward.org
Andrea Gregory
Andrea Gregory, Office Assistant, has more than eight years of experience in administration in the public and private sectors. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2014, Andrea worked for the Department of Children and Families where she helped clients navigate public assistance requirements. Andrea has also held positions with the Department of Labor and the Challenger Learning Center.
Email: agregory@cfbroward.org
Amanda Kah
Charitable Funds Services Manager
Amanda Kah, Charitable Funds Services Manager, has worked at Donors Forum of South Florida as its communications and member services manager. She obtained a B.A. in International Relations from Claremont McKenna College and a M.A. in International Affairs from George Washington University.
Email: akah@cfbroward.org
Mark Kotler
Senior Director, Philanthropic Services
Mark Kotler, Senior Director, Philanthropic Services, has more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit development. He has held senior positions at the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the American Red Cross of Greater Miami and the Keys. Mark co-chairs "Life and Legacy" at B'nai Aviv in Weston and is a volunteer youth soccer coach. He is a graduate of Binghamton University in New York with a bachelor's degree in English and General Literature.
Email: mkotler@cfbroward.org
Justine Morgan
Charitable Funds Services Director
Justine Morgan, Charitable Funds Services Director, has a background in finance and development in the private and nonprofit sectors. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2016, she served as donor relations manager at Equine-Assisted Therapies of South Florida. Justine is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and serves on the organization's National Philanthropy Day committee. A Broward native, she graduated from Florida Atlantic University.
Email: jmorgan@cfbroward.org
Jennifer Powers
Philanthropic Services Manager
Jennifer has two decades of experience in philanthropy, retail management and community involvement. She has previously worked in development at Davidson College and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She holds a bachelor's degree in History from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Email: jpowers@cfbroward.org
Andrew Reid
Andrew Reid, communications manager, has more than 20 years of communications experience from working as a journalist in Florida. He is a former editorial writer and reporter for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, who throughout his journalism career specialized in writing about government, growth and development and environmental issues. Prior to moving to South Florida in 2005, Andrew worked as a reporter at the Tampa Tribune, Stuart News and the Winter Haven News Chief. He has a bachelor's degree in communications from Florida State University.
Email: areid@cfbroward.org
Angelica Rosas
Strategic Grants Manager
Angelica Rosas, Strategic Grants Manager, is the grantmaking lead for Issues that Matter and has more than ten years of fundraising and development experience with local nonprofit agencies. Prior to joining the Foundation, she worked at the Sun Sentinel Children's Fund as its charitable giving and communications manager. Angelica is a graduate of St. Thomas University.
Email: arosas@cfbroward.org
Abigail Symonds
Abigail Symonds, Marketing Manager, has more than a decade of marketing and communications experience in both the public and private sectors. Abigail holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City where she was named a member of the Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Kansas.
Email: asymonds@cfbroward.org
Nancy Thies
Vice President, Philanthropic Services
Nancy Thies, Vice President, Philanthropic Services, has more than 30 years of experience in development, sales and marketing. She has held leadership positions with Holy Cross Hospital, United Way of Broward County and Miller Brewing Company. Nancy is a member of United Way's Tocqueville Society and serves on the boards of Friends of Birch State Park and the Planned Giving Council of Broward. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she earned her bachelor's degree in journalism.
Email: nthies@cfbroward.org
Former Members of the Board of Directors
Suzanne Y. Allen
W. George Allen*
Elliot B. Barnett*
Richard A. Berkowitz
Francie Bishop Good
Gary E. Bitner
James J. Blosser
Nancy W. Blosser
Holly Bodenweber
Francis B. Brogan, Jr.
Anthony Brunson
Gale M. Butler
Rita Case
Barbara R. Castell
Margarita T. Castellon
D. Keith Cobb
Joan K. Crain
Jan C. Crocker
Jan R. Cummings
Ward J. Curtis Jr.*
Shaun M. Davis
John B. Deinhardt*
Elizabeth C. Deinhardt*
Louise F. Dill
Patricia Du Mont
Katherine M. Eggleston
Richard L. Engberg
Leonard L. Farber*
Bernardo B. Fernandez Jr.
George E. Gadson
Linda L. Gill
Daniel E. Gordon
Wilson B. Greaton Jr.
Howard Greenberg
Barbara Grevior
William Gundlach*
Steven J. Halmos
Frank E. Helsom
Robert J. Henninger Jr.
Frederick L. Hicks
William D. Horvitz*
Walter E. Howard
Marti Huizenga*
Edwin A. Huston*
R. Stephen Hyatt
Joseph E. Jack*
Bacardi Jackson
Nona L. Jones
Janet C. Jordan
Robert B. Judd
Thomas O. Katz
Patricia R. Kearns
Stewart R. Kester Sr.*
James B. LaBate, Jr.
Christine L. Lambertus
Michael G. Landry
Raymond H. Leightman
Armando Leighton, Jr.*
Jarett S. Levan
Susie Levan
Alan J. Levy
Marsha O. Levy
Herschell Gordon Lewis*
Jack R. Loving
Anne B. MacLean
Patricia L. Mahaney
Mark R. Maller
Wendy Masi
John C. McKeon
Cori Flam Meltzer
H. Kent Mergler
Virginia I. Miller
Frederick V. Miller*
Joseph R. Millsaps*
Albert J. Miniaci
Karen Mitchell Curran
Chris Mobley
Maj. Gen. James W. Monroe
Thomas P. O'Donnell*
A. Gordon Oliver*
Stacy Ostrau
Charles L. Palmer
Arlene Pecora
David E. Ratcliffe
Carlos J. Reyes
Mary Riedel
Leonard Robbins*
Sally J. Robbins
Ramon A. Rodriguez
Roy L. Rogers
Jacquelyn Rogow
Barbara Roti
John W. Ruffin Jr.*
Maria T. Sanjuan
Tony Segreto
William L. Shillington
Christopher L. Smith
William A. Snyder
Raymond C. Southern
George E. Sullivan
William F. Sullivan
Kim Sweers
Paul Tanner
J. Kenneth Tate
Judith M. Thiel
Norman D. Tripp
Leslie C. Tworoger
Jose B. Valle
Elaine Vasquez
Douglas J. Von Allmen
John M. Walsh
Steven H. Woods
*Deceased

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Color institute Pantone has named Pantone 16-1546 Living Coral as color of the year for 2019.
The shade is described as a nurturing color.
"With consumers craving human interaction and social connection, the humanizing and heartening qualities displayed by the convivial Pantone Living Coral hit a responsive chord," commented Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.


How much does to cost from Alicante to the city center ?
Where to eat local food in Alicante city center ?
Does it worth to take the Alicante city bus tour ?
What are the best places to visit in Alicante ?
How many days does it takes to visit Alicante ?
What is the weather like in Alicante right now ?
In Alicante, is it better to book an Hotel or an Airbnb ?
Where to go out and have a drink in Alicante ?
Best place to go shopping in Alicante ?
Where could i buy a cheap flight to Alicante ?
Is it safe to travel in Alicante ?
Is Alicante good for a stag weekend ?
Is it possible to visit the football stadium of Alicante ?
Can i rent a car at Alicante airport ?
Is it possible to rent bikes in Alicante ?
If i had to choose 1 museum, which one is worth to visit in Alicante ?
What is the best sportsbar in Alicante ?
Tripaff offers the ideal solution for the best hire car deals in alicante, searching through more than 550 car rental companies and finding the best fully inclusive car hire rates. Whatever your budget; Tripaff wide choice of vehicles will find the perfect fit for you, ranging from economy models to the top of the range luxurious hire cars.
Book your car hire for alicante ( spain) and get the best deals, taking full advantage of our competitive online prices and car hire discount. Tripaff is sure to find you the lowest cost car hire for alicante (spain). In order to do so, Tripaff is searching through its extensive car rental database and scanning more than 550 providers so you don�t have to.
Until now Tripaff has collected reviews for his car hire service in alicante (spain). On average our customers think that our car rental service in alicante spain worth out of 5.


Situated on the Atlantic Ocean along the east coast of Florida, West Palm Beach is folded into Palm Beach County, home to year-round warm temperatures and sunny, blue skies. If you enjoy the outdoors, various activities are immediately accessible. From the self-guided auto tour of Lion Country Safari, to the local South Florida Science Museum, numerous wildlife and cultural destinations await your exploration. When you're ready to settle in for some rest and relaxation, hotel resorts offering tennis, swimming and other activities are available.
Located one mile from the downtown area, Crowne Plaza West Palm Beach is a high-end resort property with various amenities. Hotel features include an outdoor swimming pool with dining service, a 24-hour fitness center, a dry sauna and whirlpool tubs, a restaurant and lounge, a business center, tennis courts, a convenience store, laundry services and a beauty salon. Room amenities offered are high-speed Internet access, refrigerators, microwaves, in-room movies and video games, work desks and bathrooms with separate vanity areas. Suites with pull-out sofas, dining room tables and chairs, and wet bars are also available.
Situated on the longest stretch of secluded beach in Palm Beach County, Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa offers guests a choice of rooms and suites. Resort features include a heated outdoor pool, a day spa, a fitness facility, lighted tennis courts, a restaurant, a lounge, poolside dining, and meeting and banquet facilities. A poolside bar with live entertainment, a business center, babysitting services and local car rental are also available. Room amenities include free high-speed Internet access, cable television, coffee makers, hair dryers, irons and ironing boards, mini-bars, robes and slippers, CD players, work desks and marble baths. Enjoy a cabana and a beach chair on the 1,000 feet of white sandy beach outside your door.
The Windsor Gardens Hotel is centrally situated between Palm Beach, Juno and Jupiter beaches. This property offers guests a choice of approximately 100 rooms and suites. Hotel features include high-speed Internet, a business center, a fitness facility, a restaurant and bar, a complimentary hot buffet breakfast, a pool, a spa and laundry services. Room amenities offered include work desks, refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, cable television, hair dryers, and free local calls. Some suites also offer separate living quarters, wet bars, whirlpool tubs and dining sets. Tennis courts await guests at the Palm Beach Country Club for a nominal fee, approximately two miles away. The public courts at Palm Beach Gardens City Tennis are only a few miles away.
Roget, Tiffany. "Hotels With a Tennis Court in West Palm Beach." Travel Tips - USA Today, https://traveltips.usatoday.com/hotels-tennis-court-west-palm-beach-19701.html. Accessed 19 April 2019.


200 Pretti Point - G3 #G3, Hot Springs, AR.| MLS# 19004793 | Rollin Caristianos | 501-318-8782 | Trademark Commercial Real Estate.
Completely updated Lake Hamilton Condo with private Boat Slip. Get the best of both worlds while enjoying cocktails and sunsets - the privacy of a quiet cool cove and a vista view of the main channel. New appliances, bathrooms, floors, paint, countertops and more. High-demand year round rental or perfect family getaway. Located off Hwy 7 in the city limits of Hot Springs. Near Oaklawn, restaurants and shopping. Don't miss the opportunity to start making memories at this great place.


Moroni is the capital city of Comoros. It is a port city on Ngazidja, the largest island of the archipelago.
While the area around Moroni may have been settled earlier, its development began in the fifteenth century with the arrival of Shirazi royal clans from Persia. They dominated the island until French occupation in the nineteenth century. Moroni became Comoros' administrative capital in 1958, succeeding Dzaoudzi (on the island of Mayotte). It became capital of independent Comoros in 1975.
Moroni houses the presidential residence and government ministries. The local economy is reliant upon port activities. Other important industries include food and drink processing and building materials.
There is an international airport, Iconi, and road links to other major towns on the island.
The city has an old quarter, the medina, with narrow streets and buildings which reflect Moroni's Arab origins. The CNDRS (Centre National de Documentation et de Recherches Scientifiques) houses a museum, library and information centre. The museum's exhibits include ninth century pottery and ancient Korans. The Alliance Franco-Comorienne hosts cultural shows and theatrical performances. A new mosque with a capacity of 6,000 people was inaugurated in July 1998.


Paul W. Plunket of Dallas was appointed in November 2018 as Chairman of the Finance Commission of Texas. Plunket is retired and most recently was senior vice president of Oncor Electric Delivery Co. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and Energy Bar Association, and past president of the Texas Utility Lawyers. Plunket received a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from the University of Houston.


Digital fine art, canvas and photobase papers. The best brands at the most competitive prices.
D & P Media For Print, Inc. was founded in 2004, and is located at 1 Power St in Lawrence. Additional information is available at www.dpmedia.com or by contacting William A Lescarbeau at (978) 685-4994.
DP Media for Print Inc is located at 1 Power St, Lawrence, MA. This location is in the Mount Vernon neighborhood. This business specializes in Advertising.


There is only 1 Dojo listed in Westhoughton. This page shows 20 Martial Arts Schools found within 7 Miles of Westhoughton. Based on the information available from these Dojos, Kick Boxing, Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Jiu-Jitsu (Jujutsu/Jujitsu), Shotokan Karate & Shukokai are the most offered Martial Arts in Westhoughton area. Most of these schools offer self defense classes for men, women and children near Westhoughton.
Chart based on information available from Martial Arts Schools in Westhoughton area.
Distance is shown approximately from the downtown area of Westhoughton. For a list of Martial Arts Schools near you, Search with your complete address. Click on a Dojo name to view details. Clicking on 'Map' next to a Dojo will show the school on the Map.
See Martial Arts Schools in places nearby Westhoughton: Lostock, Atherton, Hindley, Horwich & Tyldesley.
Are you associated with a Martial Arts School, Club or Dojo in the Westhoughton area? Please make sure it is listed with dojos.co.uk.


text:
Sony Closes Its Liverpool Studio
Studio behind WipEout closes its doors.
By Daniel Krupa
Posted: 22 Aug 2012 10:56 am
Sony has confirmed the closure of its Liverpool studio and released a statement.
It reads: "As part of SCE Worldwide Studios, we do regular reviews to ensure that the resources we have can create and produce high quality, innovative and commercially viable projects in an increasingly competitive marketplace. As part of this process, we have reviewed and assessed all current and planned projects for the short and medium term and have decided to make some changes to our European Studios.
"It has been decided that Liverpool Studio should be closed. Liverpool Studio has been an important part of SCE Worldwide Studios since the outset of PlayStation, and have contributed greatly to PlayStation over the years. Everyone connected with Liverpool Studio, past and present, can be very proud of their achievements.
"However, it was felt that by focusing our investment plans on other Studios that are currently working on exciting new projects, we would be in a stronger position to offer the best possible content for our consumers.
"Our Liverpool Facility will continue to operate, housing a number of other vital WWSE and SCEE Departments.
"This should not take anything away from the great work WWS are doing and the incredible games and services that we have made, and continue to make, both for this coming year and further in the future."
Original story: It's being reported that Sony has closed its Liverpool studio, the team behind the WipEout games.
The news broke on the GRCade forum, where a contributor called Shadow said Sony had closed the studio and all projects have been cancelled.
In a subsequent post, Shadow wrote, "They got rounded up this morning and Michael Denny [Senior Vice President of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios] explained the company was being 'reorganised'".
No official statement has yet been put out. But reports seem to be authentic with Sony Liverpool developer Sandy Lobban tweeting: "End of an era today for Studio Liverpool. Honoured to have been a part of it."
The studio started life as Psygnosis in 1984, and quickly established itself as a cornerstone of the British games industry, producing and publishing games such as Barbarian and Lemmings. Sony bought the studio in 1993, rebranding it in the process as Sony Liverpool. They went on to achieve great success with the WipEout games.
Its last title was WipEout 2048 on PS Vita.
Daniel is IGN's UK Staff Writer. You can be part of the world's worst cult by following him on IGN and Twitter.
Rated "E10+"
DeveloperSCE Studios Liverpool
PlatformsPlayStation Vita
Arrow's Spinoff Episode Misses the Target
Netflix's Altered Carbon Season 2 Finally Has a Premiere Date
The Real Reason Hugo Weaving Didn't Return as Red Skull Won't Surprise You
David Lynch Dropped a Monkey Movie on Netflix and It's Unnerving


text:
What is a BSN? Is There a Difference Between an RN and a BSN?
A BSN - or Bachelor of Science in Nursing - is an undergraduate-level degree for Registered Nurses that exposes nurses to topics such as patient care technology, research, health promotion, safety and quality within the healthcare system.
Krysten Godfrey Maddocks
Nursing is the biggest health occupation in the United States today, providing a number of career options for registered nurses (RNs) to practice in hospitals, clinics, and private practices, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, RNs are finding that a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) can offer even more opportunities for career growth and satisfaction beyond RN licensure.
Why Do I Need a BSN?
Today, both the nursing profession and some employers are calling on RNs to obtain a BSN to improve safety and help prepare for future healthcare challenges. RN programs teach basic nursing skills that focus on nursing theory and clinical practice, whereas the BSN program expands upon that, exposing nurses to topics such as patient care technology, research, health promotion, safety and quality within the healthcare system, said Southern New Hampshire University clinical faculty member Elizabeth Christman, MSN, RN.
In 2010, the Institute of Medicine released its report, "The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, which called for increasing the number of baccalaureate-prepared nurses to 80% by 2020.
The National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice (NACNEP) calls for at least two-thirds of the nurse workforce to hold baccalaureate or higher degrees in nursing. Currently, 56% of nurses have a BSN or higher degree, an all-time high, and a 7% increase from 2010, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
In 2017, after 14 years of lobbying, New York State passed its "BSN in 10 Law." The state now requires all nurses to earn a BSN within 10 years of receiving an initial RN license. The impetus behind the law is "a result of a growing body of research evidence that additional education results in better patient outcomes."
The complexity of healthcare and need for strong leadership calls for nurses to sharpen their skills in management and research in years to come, Christman said.
"As a BSN, you have more opportunities than your RN counterparts. You can step up to a leadership position, move into nursing education, work in public health and focus on health education within the community, or even go on to pursue a nurse practitioner or nurse administrator degree," Christman said.
What Does BSN Stand For?
BSN is the abbreviation for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and refers to someone who has earned a bachelor's in nursing in addition to earning registered nurse licensure.
You are not required to earn a bachelor's degree in order to become an RN. To become an RN, you must have graduated from a state-approved school of nursing and have passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) – a standardized exam that each state board of nursing uses to license candidates for entry-level nursing practice, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
An associate degree in nursing, or ADN, can prepare you to take the NCLEX exam and become a registered nurse, as can a hospital-sponsored diploma program. However, in order to practice as an RN, you must be licensed in your state.
What is the Difference Between an RN and a BSN?
Whether you are an RN practicing with or without a BSN, your primary focus is on providing patient care. This includes performing physical exams and taking health histories, providing health counseling and/or education, administering medication and other treatments, as well as coordinating care with other health professionals, according to the American Nurses Association.
RNs with a BSN and an ADN can work alongside each other on the same medical team, carrying out similar duties. The difference is BSN-qualified nurses open themselves up to a broader career path that can include leadership roles such as nurse manager, case manager and nurse educator, according to BLS.
How Do I Get a BSN and How Long Does it Take?
You can earn a BSN in a traditional 4-year college degree program, or you can earn your ADN in a 2-to-3-year associate degree program, and then opt to further your education after you begin working as an RN. Graduates of either program must pass the NCLEX-RN© licensing examination, according to American Association of Colleges of Nursing. To bridge the gap between an ADN and BSN, there are RN to BSN programs that help nurses earn a bachelor's degree.
It's true that earning RN licensure takes less time than to complete than a BSN program, but if you are already a registered nurse, you can complete an RN to BSN program in as little as 2 years without having to put your career on hold or cut back your hours, Christman said.
"One of the strengths of being an RN student pursuing a BSN is that you are able to work as a nurse the whole time you are advancing your education. This provides a very affordable opportunity," she said.
How Much Does a BSN Make?
Registered nurses earned a median salary of $71,730 in 2018, according to BLS, with the caveat that those salaries very widely according to specialty, geography, facility type and years of experience in addition to education.
The 2018 Advance Salary Survey for Nurses showed that it pays to pursue higher education in the nursing field. More than 13,000 full-time respondents answered a question related to their highest education level, with 5,100 respondents reporting that they had earned a bachelor's degree and 3,500 respondents reporting that they had earned an associate degree. In the survey, the average salary of a nurse with a bachelor's degree made about $6,000 more than a nurse with an associate degree.
In a survey conducted by the AACN, 49% of hospitals and other health care settings are requiring new hires to have a BSN, while more than 86% of employers are expressing a strong preference for nurses with bachelor's degrees.
Below are some examples of nursing jobs that typically prefer a BSN:
Charge Nurse – Nurses working in this leadership role oversee unit operations, monitor admissions and discharges, and oversee the activities of the nursing and support staff. They also may be involved in direct care. While Payscale lists the national average income of a charge nurse at $67,000, big employers such as the Veteran's Administration can pay charge nurses up to $78,000.
Nurse Case Manager – In this role, nurses oversee the healthcare needs of patients, acting as administrators of care. A nurse case manager works with both patients and their providers to develop a comprehensive care plan. He or she also communicates with the patient's health insurance company to determine eligibility for certain treatments or programs. The national average salary of a nurse case manager is $70,174, according to Payscale.
Military Nurse – Nurses who practice in a branch of the U.S. military treat service members and their families, monitoring wounds, prescribing medication and caring for them before, during and after surgery. In the interest of providing the best patient care and leadership, the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force all require RNs to hold a bachelor's degree to practice as active-duty nurses. In addition, the Veteran's Administration (VA), the nation's largest employer of RNs, also requires a bachelor's degree as the minimum education requirement necessary to be promoted beyond an entry-level role, according to AACN. Depending on experience, military nurses can earn between $58,000 and $103,000, according to a Payscale salary survey conducted in 2018.
There is strong evidence that shows a BSN provides graduates the skills and education they need to both grow as clinicians and make a significant impact in the nursing profession.
Krysten Godfrey Maddocks '11 is a writer and marketing/communication professional. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
To become a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), you need to earn a bachelor's and/or master's degree in health education, public health or a related field and then pass the CHES certification exam administered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.
Epidemiologists are public health facilitators, who study concerns, trends and threats to the health of a specific population. Epidemiology is a vital research and development career critical to public health.
Regardless of their title, nurses in all roles are expected to demonstrate leadership, and must challenge themselves and the profession to develop effective leadership styles. In order to accomplish this, 5 leadership styles can be noted and emulated among successful nurse leaders.


chickfactor 17: sneak preview poll question!
how has music changed in the past 20 years?
allen clapp: seems like there's more tolerance for melody now than there was 20 years ago. everything back then was so aggressive and serious! ugh. I think the world has loosened up a lot since the early 90s. thank goodness.
stephin the magnetic fields: the enormous changes in every genre between 1972 and 1992 are obvious. changes since '92 are subtle (country, dance music, children's music) to nonexistent (cabaret, rap, metal, musical theater, rock, gospel, jazz, soundtracks). In chickfactor's core genre of cheaply made strummy rock, there hasn't even been a new guitar effect.
gordon the fan modine: hmmm. has it?
stephen the real tuesday weld: there seems like there is an awful lot of it.
corin tucker: obviously the format has gone digital and people find new music in a different way now. there also seems to be many many more bands than there were in 1992. unfortunately there are still very few great bands.
james dump/yo la tengo: haven't really been paying attention.
ed shelflife: more bands and less labels.
jeffrey honeybunch: everything is accessible which has its good points (josef k video's on youtube) and bad (I can't tell if the josef k–influenced band is new, or something old I missed out on).
michael white: it barely has; only its delivery systems have been revolutionized.
gaylord cf/wfmu: music has changed more between 1960 and 1970 than in the 42 years that follow.
shaun brilldream: we have a healthy post-oasis indie scene now. more record labels too.
andrew eggs/talk it: the 1992 music economy is unrecognizable today because it depended on narrow channels to distribute music, channels that are by and large irrelevant now.
bridget st john: It's a more level playing field – with the will and a little wherewithal any one who chooses can make music and has a good chance to be heard.
clarissa cf: there is much less new music that is my idea of a good time, and much more that is 20-years-younger people's idea of a good time. I'm fine with that.
fran cannane: a lot of use of the vocoder. more silly talent shows encouraging bad music. a lot more cover versions being hits perhaps?
gene booth: popular music is incredibly subtle and diverse now — thanks nirvana you really did change everything.
jennifer o'connor: the idea of what passes for a song in many cases these days is a joke.
pete paphides: it's more freely available and, as with anything which is more freely available, its monetary value has gone down.
gail cf: the underground disappeared in the 1990s when the internet happened and maybe even before.
daniel handler: has it? I keep hearing music that I think is new and turns out to be old, or vice versa.
ian musical chairs: the mainstream has embraced an indie sound; indie bands have embraced commercials and other licensing opportunities (now the only reliable sources of income for bands). most commercial rock music is otherwise basically the same as in 1992 (grunge) and aside from the occasional interesting production job, top-40/dance music seems pretty the same too except for the overuse of auto-tune which will sound silly in a few years.
joe pines / foxgloves: the sundays stopped. belle & sebastian started. I got better at writing songs, and was lucky enough to record some of them with a few tremendous people. it arguably became easier to filter out what you didn't like. which may, come to think of it, mean that contemporary culture is even worse than I think.
chickfactor poll: what is your dream gig?
greg the saturday people: I'd like to be an executive assistant.
jonathan lambchop: any gig where I'm onstage in my underwear.
lupe pipas: gal costa/stereolab/sun ra/anonymous french ye-ye session musicians/the aislers set + the lucksmiths + the frenchmen + free loan investments + vashti of course.
claudia the magnetic fields: playing in barcelona, outdoors in a medieval church courtyard at the twilight with gargoyles and swallows swooping overhead. and it really happened!
clarissa cf: I dreamt a few months ago that I just happened to go see the b.p.m. lineup of unrest—they weren't making a big deal about being "reunited," they just happened to be playing. it was happy. I woke up with longing in my heart. this marks me as a relic of my era, I realize.
mike alway: to begin with, it would have to be at lunchtime.
bliss blood: playing for 100 people who are listening and making $100,000.
slim kill rock stars: a captive audience.
stephen the real tuesday weld: the bar of les trois garcons with al bowlly guesting.
josh gennet: anything that (1) pays and (2) number of people you don't know in crowd exceeds the number you do know. if they clap it's a plus.
rebecca cf: seeing the pixies reunion tour in 2004 was, pretty much, my dream gig.
candice p: I would have liked to see the clash, dusty springfield, and al green. that would be a pretty good show.
david silver jews: csn and m: crosby stills nash and me.
amelia tender trap: magnetic fields supported by beat happening at la guinguette inparis. I would have queued overnight in the snow for that one.
gail cf:: I own my own nightclub which is a combination of les trois garcons and the old town bar in new york. we have concerts, parties, exhibitions, screenings, readings, and salons. I have a partner with cash so there is endless funding. we use the stage during the day for filming silly chat shows. we have a vegan cafe fully stocked with superstrong coffees, homemade ginger beer, and veuve clicquot. it's open 24 hours with a full service bar and kitchen. we have our own shuttlebus service! I hardly have to ask anyone to play because everyone wants to play here and people call me!
tim dagger: love (circa forever changes), beach boys (circa pet sounds), nick drake (circa anything), belle and sebastian, and the modern lovers end it with "roadrunner"!!!
lisa cf: the national book award.
john phosphene: pink floyd at the ufo club, late 1966/early '67, with syd upfront and people alternately dancing or lying on the floor.
sam brumbaugh: the left banke did a show at the london school of economics and the opening bands were bill fay and fresh maggots. any 70s eater show or anne briggs impromptu pub performance.
ld flare: any one where people can sit down comfortably. ideally in a theatre with a proscenium.
peter straub: um, the one I have right now.
alasdair the clientele: I thought it said "pig" for a minute.
louis philippe: I was there—brian wilson playing pet sounds at the festival hall in london.
aliccia slumber party: I had a dream that I was a country music singer. playing a show, on a large dark stage alone with a brilliant, beautiful, white acoustic guitar with inlaid abalone. and a head stock I didn't recognize. it was old and haunted. I wish that would happen.
john true love always: I'd love to back up george michael in his timberlake/ flaming lips-style image remake. I am holding my breath.
james dump / yo la tengo: trouble funk, santa claus, an octopus, my 3rd grade teacher, and sherilyn fenn, but I'm stranded somewhere thousands of miles away in my underwear.
stephin the magnetic fields: walk into next room, find tuned (and self-tuning) ukulele ready to go in specially designed uke stand, discover my hearing damage is cured, play all-new set of beautiful songs I didn't know I'd written, fronting a band such as tito puente might have led. the show is filmed, so I never have to play live again, and I don't.
frances cannanes: I think we had it in new york one time. music went well, I was drunk enough to think I was being funny and there were lots of people there. but also in byron bay when there was no one there and also in northampton in a cellar and also in tokyo last visit on first night…I guess they just keep happening.
stephen cannanes: so many really, easy lug!, good sound, good engineer, good lineup, lots of mates, guinness rider, upstairs accommodation with a party room, recently it's been doing three set evenings where it's all pretty relaxed and people dance a lot, you always seem to have a good time when the crowd are getting down!
daniel handler: writing liner notes for a saint etienne album. if I say this enough perhaps it will come true.
david grubbs: it would involve people who've never heard me play before. old people in the first several rows, smiling. outdoors at night. cobblestones.
alistair tangents: it would be a two-night show (not a festival) with the velvets, byrds, felt and the clientele on the first night, and then fire engines, hellfire sermons, mccarthy, the wolfhounds, the playwrights and the pipettes on the second. the show would be at the silver factory, andy would be projecting his films, edie sedgewick would be dancing and billy name would be taking photos for posterity.
the legendary jim ruiz: the would-be-goods, max eider and I on a package tour of the netherlands and belgium, by bike of course.
kristian airliner: for watching? the beatles at any venue in '63 or '64. for the way they looked more than anything else.
jeff aden: at this point, I'd settle for a nice, high-paying show where we don't actually have to play music. oh yeah, with chili-dogs on the rider.


Holidays can be a little fear-inducing for people on a strict diet. All that food, all that temptation… it's so hard to resist, even when you know it's bad for you or that it'll make you feel totally crappy afterwards.
Last year, I prepared a full-on Christmas spread for friends, complete with a lot of food I couldn't eat – and I managed not to cheat (lord alone knows how). This year, I've planned ahead and shouldn't have trouble sticking to my diet again, even though we'll be dining at someone else's house.
From experience, here are my tips for avoiding the festive cheat (and its consequences).
1. Tell yourself that cheating isn't an option. It's taken me a good few years to GET THIS, but it's actually not okay to cheat from time to time. Think about it: Have you ever strayed from your diet and felt okay afterwards? Probably not. More likely, you've been doubled over in pain, stuck in the loo or simply feeling yucky and remorseful. Why go through all that? It's just food.
2. Tell everyone else that cheating isn't an option. Your family probably knows you're on a special diet, but just to cover all your bases, remind them that you can't, under any circumstances, eat dairy/gluten/sugar, etc. It's much harder (and super awkward) to cheat when you've been banging on about the evils of gluten to anyone who'll listen.
3. Make sure there's a lot of food you can eat. I'm not talking one or two side dishes added to the menu as an afterthought. I mean properly planned, carefully prepared foods that you'll enjoy. If you're eating at home, this is easy because you're in charge of the menu. If you're dining at someone else's house, tell them (don't ask) that you'll be bringing a few dishes that you can eat. Make extra, because I guarantee people are going to want to try it.
4. Plan ahead. Always keep snacks on hand, because those dips and bowls of chips are going to start talking to you when lunch is delayed. Also, not being starving when you get to the table means you're less likely to overindulge and eat foods you shouldn't be eating.
5. Don't think of it as a food fest. Most of us on a healing diet have come to realise that a special occasion isn't a legitimate reason to binge (there's never really a legitimate reason to binge). But the festive season is admittedly hard – I mean, everyone is eating, as opposed to on your birthday, when it's only you gorging on chocolate cake and Tumbles and watching Spice World in your PJs while checking out the Mr Delivery menu (No? Just me?). Anyway, push through the urge to binge and think of it Christmas as an opportunity to spend time with your loved ones and enjoy each other's company. I get that this is a challenge for some people, but even if your family drives you absolutely batshit crazy, don't let it send you straight to the ice-cream tub (unless you've made your own ice-cream).
6. Have dessert. Speaking of ice-cream, one of the surest ways to feel like you're missing out is by being forced to skip the dessert part of proceedings. It's sad and depressing… and when everyone else is tucking in and being all like 'OMG this is the BEST chocolate lava cake I've EVER eaten in my ENTIRE life', you might just cave in and ruin all your good work. Bring your own or prepare something you can eat, but make sure there's some kind of sweet treat you can enjoy. Pure Ella is a great place to find the most mouth-watering, healthy, all-natural recipes. Again, make extra, because everyone's going to want a taste.
7. Stop feeling like you're missing out. Stop rueing the fact that you can't eat the bread pudding and start being grateful that you're on a healthy, healing eating plan that treats your body right and ensures you eat only high quality, natural ingredients that make you feel great. That's something to be ecstatic about! In fact, forcing yourself to think like this every day will make it a habit, and you'll soon start to feel less hard done-by and more satisfied and happy in your choices.
Transitioning into a low-carb, high-fat way of eating (also known as 'Banting') can be challenging: for many of us, carbs make up a substantial portion of our daily intake, and figuring out what to replace them with can be tricky and confusing. That's why it helps to go into it with a plan – or more specifically, an eating plan – so that your attempts aren't derailed before you've even started.
Here's a list of things you should be eating on a LCHF diet, as well as some suggestions for each meal.
Eat a lot of: healthy fat. This includes avocados and avocado oil, coconut oil, olive oil, animal fat (choose organic, additive-free cuts of meat including chicken, beef and bacon), oily fish and fish oil.
Eat some: protein. You need to include fat and protein in every meal, but remember that LCHF is a HIGH fat, MEDIUM protein, LOW carb way of eating. Overdoing it on the protein can impede your weight-loss efforts and also result in nausea. Remember to include eggs too.
Eat few: carbs. Even on a low-carb diet, it's still essential to include some carbs in your daily intake. Choose lower-carb fruits and veggies like leafy greens, salad greens, cauliflower, berries, melons, cherries, oranges, tomatoes and avocados. You want to exclude starchy vegetables (all of those that grow under the soil, as well as peas) and high-carb fruits like bananas, plantains and raisins.
What about dairy? The right kind of dairy is an important part of a LCHF diet. Choose hard cheeses, cream, butter, full-fat yoghurt and so forth. You want to avoid any 'low-fat' items, and opt instead for those with greater amounts of fat and fewer carbs/no added sugar. Learn to read food labels.
The food lists at Originaleating.org are extremely useful if you need a little guidance. View them here.
Here are some more great meal ideas and recipes from Authority Nutrition. The list also includes dressings and sauces to spice up your meals.
Don't start the eating plan without being fully prepared, or you could become frustrated, bored or under-nourished. Know what you'll be eating and more importantly, where you'll be buying your food, so that you'll never be left hungry. Also, keep snacks in your car, handbag/briefcase, etc so that you never find yourself ravenous and resorting to shop-bought carbs to fill the void.
It's easy once you're in the swing of things and you're bound to feel – and notice – a difference.
Tons of people are following a low carb, high fat (LCHF) lifestyle at the moment and raving about it – and I can see why. Having followed the diet myself for several weeks, I can tell you that I'm really happy on it – but, like every eating plan, it's not for everyone. In my completely non-expert opinion, and in the spirit of experimentation, here are my top pros and cons.
Quick initial weight loss. Within one week of starting the diet, I dropped 2kgs, with what felt like very little effort.
Never/seldom hungry. I've never lost weight this effectively without feeling ravenous all the time. I hardly ever feel hungry and I certainly don't feel like I'm on diet.
You don't eat 'diet foods'. If you love meat, nuts, seeds, eggs and dairy, LCHF is perfect for you. No rice cakes or diet shakes or grapefruit.
It helps manage my IBD symptoms. It took a few weeks for my BMs to regulate, but from the start I had almost no digestive discomfort, and very little bloating. My belly seems to love LCHF.
No sugar cravings. Possibly one of the biggest benefits for me, a self-confessed sugar addict, is the fact that including more fat in my diet seems to have combatted my sugar cravings, and even reduced my taste for the stuff.
Feeling better. When I eat sugary and gluten-based foods, I often wake up the next day feeling groggy, 'stuffy' and just generally under the weather. Sometimes, if I really overindulge in these foods, I get terrible cramps and my body even feels sore to the touch. I always feel good and healthy when eating LCHF.
Easier food prep. Steak and salad is quicker and simpler to prepare than, say, a curry. Grabbing a handful of almonds is an easier snack than whipping up a smoothie. But this depends on what you like to cook and eat.
Expense. LCHF foods aren't necessarily 'cheap' foods, especially now that this style of eating is so trendy. The price of meat, nuts and cheese all adds up – to a lot. You may find it balances out if you were previously buying lots of packaged or processed food, but then again, it might not.
Less butternut and banana. I had to cut out two of my staples, which made me sad. But pumpkin is fine, and once I combatted my sugar cravings (which only took a day or two), I didn't miss bananas at all.
Limited choices. Particularly when it comes to snacking, it can be hard to find LCHF foods that aren't pricy (nuts), unrealistic to eat on their own (a piece of meat or a block of cheese) or simply difficult to get on the run (have you ever tried to find a ready-to-eat, ripe avo at your local corner shop? Yup, exactly).
Very rich foods. High-fat foods can be very rich, and about three weeks into the diet, I became quite nauseated – a feeling that lasted a number of days. I'm not sure if it was too much fat or protein, or just being completely and utterly sick of eating eggs, but it wasn't pleasant. Nothing really helped – I just had to wait for it to subside (which it did).
Lactose intolerance. If you're lactose intolerant, like me, your options are even more limited. I have been including a bit of cheese in my diet as a test, and it seems mostly fine.
Snacking is HARD. I know I've covered this already, but it bears repeating. Every snack is supposed to include some fat and protein – this means that you shouldn't really be snacking on fruit or yoghurt, especially if you're trying to avoid fruit. I graze on biltong, nuts, grain-free toast and cheese, but again, these are not cheap snacks and they're not easy to grab on the run.
Weight loss can plateau quickly. If you're following the diet for weight-loss purposes, you might find your weight loss comes to an abrupt halt. This could be due to eating too much fat and protein – after all, it's not a free-for-all. Nuts, butter, cream, etc are calorie bombs and even if they're allowed on the diet, they'll hinder your weight-loss efforts if you overindulge. Remember that it's HIGH fat, MEDIUM protein and LOW carb.
Anyone else been struggling to find a diet that works for them?
Since being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis about a year ago, I've embarked on various diets to try to ease my symptoms and heal my body (hence this blog). In fact, I started this blog to document my experiences on the SCD diet (see a summary here), which has helped many, many people to heal after the ravaging effects of inflammatory bowel disease.
But it's been really tough to find a diet that stuck.
SCD wasn't the answer for me, so I moved on to autoimmune paleo after consulting a nutritionalist. I followed it mostly strictly for a month or two (AIP is not a long-term diet), and then switched to paleo. By this time, my various diets had exhausted me psychologically, and subconsciously I think I felt imprisoned by them. I was either restricting or bingeing, and I constantly felt guilty about my slip-ups. How could I care so little about my health that I couldn't find the willpower to avoid gluten or dairy or all the other things that were so bad for me? Restrict, binge. Restrict, binge. Guilt guilt guilt. I was trapped.
Compounding all of these negative feelings towards myself and my diet was the fact that my clothes were getting tighter and the number on the scale was steadily rising. Having faced some weight demons for many, many years, this just made everything so much worse. I was constantly going back onto my restrictive diets simply to lose weight, even though I said it was because of my IBD. They didn't work, so I'd binge some more.
Perhaps most ironic of all was that, apart from one or two isolated incidents, my UC symptoms were completely under control and, thanks to my Asacol, I was never aware of any issues.
Several weeks ago, spurred on by yet another attempt to trim down, I decided to give the high-fat, low-carb diet a bash (also known as a ketogenic diet). Although I've been hearing about it for months, it's taken me ages to come around to the idea. Eat fat? No, surely not. I'd spent the past decade avoiding anything with fat, oil or even a single additional calorie. And fat has the most calories of all! Plus, everyone was doing the diet (especially here in SA, where Tim Noakes has become something of a ketogenic legend), and that made me not want to do it even more. Ugh, fads.
But I was also desperate to kick my sugar habit (which by this point I had labelled an 'addiction' – read about my binges and attempts to overcome them here), and I thought that severely limiting carbs, at least at first, might help.
I read up about the Atkins diet, which is essentially a ketogenic diet (at least in the early phases), and thanks to the guidelines provided, I figured I'd be able to give it a shot.
That was several weeks ago, and I hate to say it (because it still feels like such a fad), but it is actually working.
This is the first eating plan I've followed where I haven't felt hungry, haven't had many cravings (I've had perhaps two or three bad sugar cravings in total, as opposed to several every day) and have actually felt completely satisfied at all times. Plus… the weight has started to melt off. I can't understand it because I've been eating fat – and a lot of it (for me). I eat handfuls of almonds every day, I add oil to my food (olive or coconut) and I'm consuming plenty of avocado. I eat several eggs each day (my nutritionalist has assured me that four a day is fine, but I usually consume about three), and lean red meat a few times a week.
What has been strange for me, as someone who grew up in a household that was 50% vegetarian, has been cutting down on the amount of fruit and veggies I eat. Fruit I can understand – it's healthy, but not in the quantities I was consuming it. I could eat 10 bananas in a day, or five pears in the space of several hours. Unnecessary, and probably feeding my sugar addiction. I decided to cut out fruit altogether for the first few weeks, to break the sugar cycle, as well as starchy veg, just as the Atkins diet advises. Eating less veg has been weird for me (I never realised how many carbs there are in vegetables, especially when you're trying to limit your carb intake to 20g per day!).
That said, the way that ketogenic and Banting diets work is by getting your body to stop using carbs as your primary energy source, and to use fat instead. It takes a few days to 'switch over' to this way of burning calories, and – for me anyway – it seems that once it kicks in, it's EFFECTIVE!
For breakfast, I either have a boiled egg or avocado on grain-free seed toast. For lunch I'll have two boiled eggs with salad, and as a late afternoon snack, I'll have almonds. Supper is usually lean steak or chicken, or if I don't feel like cooking, biltong. I serve it with cauli-rice or a portion or two of other low-carb veg (broccoli, zucchini, etc) and avocado. In between, when I'm hungry, I snack on raw almonds or biltong.
In fact, the one area where I slip up is when it comes to snacking. I'm a notoriously big snacker, but on this diet, I don't really get hungry between meals, and sometimes I'm not even hungry at meal times (I always eat though). Not being hungry has never been a reason for me to not eat – but I simply am not craving food the way I used to. This means I don't have a mid-morning snack, but I do tend to have something small in the late afternoon/early evening in the hours before dinner.
On a high fat diet, one of the primary building blocks is full-fat dairy, and being lactose intolerant, the majority of dairy is off-limits to me. I can have small amounts of hard cheese (ie, parmesan), but soft cheese does weird things to my belly… and I can't even look at cream! However, this might also be why I'm losing more weight: Some people have complained that they haven't lost the amount of weight they were expecting on the 'Tim Noakes diet', which the professor attributes to too much dairy. After all, while butter and cream contain healthy fat, they're also LOADED with calories.
Either way, you do need certain vitamins and minerals that come from dairy. If you don't eat the stuff, make sure you're taking supplements or getting what you need from other food, which you should continue to include in your diet.
As always, it comes down to this, as it should. My belly has been fine, and I haven't noticed any major differences in its activity since starting this diet. But that's probably also because Asacol does a powerful job of keeping everything under control. Plus, the right kind of fat is extremely healing: avocado and coconut oil especially are very beneficial to the gut and should always be included in a healing diet.
I do have to be careful with almonds, because if I eat too many, they can give me cramps. And I also have to be sure that I include my five portions of fruit/veg in my diet every day – something I never used to struggle with, but which I now have to actually make a concerted effort to do. My stomach is perhaps not as active as usual (normally I have daily BMs, but sometimes now I skip a day). That said, I haven't experienced any bloating, constipation or discomfort, so I'm not concerned about it.
Overall, I'm loving how I'm feeling on this diet. I LOVE not having cravings, I LOVE that I never feel too hungry, and I'm enjoying the actual food itself (steak, avocado, nuts, caul-rice – what's not to relish?!). I'm aware of the potential pitfalls (too much fat, too little veggies/fruit), and I'm being careful to avoid them. So far, so good, and out of all the diets I've tried in the past year (SCD, paleo, autoimmune paleo), this has been the most enjoyable, the easiest to follow, and the one that has made me feel the best.
There's no denying it – we all know it's true! (and thank goodness we do).
I saw this quote today and it almost made me cry with relief. Not because I didn't know this – I suppose somewhere deep down, buried beneath the constant guilt and occasional self-loathing and hidden behind the 'how could you's, I did – but because sometimes, you need to hear it from someone else.
For me, cheating is a highly charged, highly emotional issue that can either cause a horrible domino effect (more and more cheating until I'm nauseous or in pain) or a quick, instantly regretted decision that I beat myself up about for hours or even days afterwards.
It's okay to cheat. It really is. Especially when you're trying so hard most of the time, and particularly if you learn from it. Endlessly berating yourself for it is far more damaging.
Cheating shouldn't be a regular thing, though I can't tell you how much or how little to cheat. Only you know what your body can handle. What I am pretty sure of, even though I'm not a doctor or psychologist or any kind of medical professional, is that the constant guilt and self-castigation must surely be more harmful to your body. You know how guilt is often described as 'eating away' at a person? I just imagine that guilt in my gut, eating away at the healthy lining I've worked so hard to build up, and I realise that it's probably far more damaging to my health than the few blocks of chocolate I just ate.
Try your best with your diet and know your cheating 'limits'. You'll break them sometimes, but you need to forgive yourself. A healthy mind is SUCH a big part of a healthy body, and without it your body will constantly be fighting for health.