text:
Review: 10 (1979)
Booze News: Update on Bob and Doug MacKenzie and A...
Review: Public Hero #1 (1935)
Review: Blazing Saddles (1974)
>> Thursday, June 5, 2008
USA/C-93m./Dir: Mel Brooks/Wr: Mel Brooks, Norman Steinberg, Andrew Bergman, Richard Pryor, Alan Unger/Cast: Cleavon Little (Bart), Gene Wilder (Jim, the Waco Kid), Slim Pickins (Taggart), Harvey Korman (Hedley Lamarr), Madeline Kahn (Lili Von Shtupp), Mel Brooks (Governor William J. Le Petomane)
Blazing Saddles has been called the greatest Western comedy ever made. It is certainly that, but it is much, much more. It's stiletto-sharp satire of racial prejudice. It's a boundary-busting celebration of vulgarity. It's nearly a Warner Brothers' cartoon. It's almost a musical. And, like most Westerns, it also happens to be a booze movie.
First and foremost, it's a parody--a film about jokes rather than plot. However, the story, what there is of one, is as follows. It's 1874 in an unnamed Western state, and the Attorney General, Hedley Lamarr (Harvey Korman), hatches a scheme to make a quick profit by buying up land when he discovers that the railroad must divert through the backwater town of Rock Ridge. He sends a band of cutthroats to run off the residents; but rather than pulling up stakes, the citizens wire the governor (Mel Brooks) to send them a new sheriff. Undaunted, Lamarr convinces the governor to appoint Bart (Cleavon Little), a black railroad worker, to the post, certain that the citizenry will never accept the new sheriff due to the color of his skin. Can Bart defeat frontier racism and the nefarious schemes of Hedley Lamarr? With the help of alky gunfighter, the Waco Kid (Gene Wilder) and a lot of ingenuity, Bart manages to save the day.
Blazing Saddles is an exceptionally funny film--so funny that it garners a guffaw before the first word is spoken (thanks to the exaggerated whip crack that precedes the lyrics of the opening theme). The writers take aim at every Western cliché, including the whiskey-sodden gunfighter (in the form of Gene Wilder's shaky-handed Waco Kid), and few comedies have a better hit to miss ratio. Many of the pop culture jokes, such as references to Olsen and Johnson, Laurel and Hardy, Randolph Scott, and Douglas Fairbanks will likely to go over the heads of younger viewers, as will the comically exaggerated imitations of Gabby Hayes and Marlene Dietrich. However, silliness is eternal, and Mel Brooks' inspired lunacy will stand the test of time.
The movie will also endure because it is one of the smartest films ever produced on the subject of racism. Like Dr. Strangelove (1964), Blazing Saddles ridicules its dark subject with subversive humor and is a more effective statement for the use of the jokes. It isn't an easy to create an entertainment that is sophisticated and juvenile simultaneously, but Brooks and his sparkling cast make it look easy. The cast is, of course, top notch; and Korman, Kahn, Little, and Pickins give career-topping performances. Like good whiskey, this comic gem has just improved over time.
Drinks Consumed--Whiskey, beer, and wine
Intoxicating Effects--Hangover, the shakes, passing out, bad breath
Potent Quotables--BART (regarding the Waco Kid's boozing): A man drink like that and he don't eat, he is going to die.
JIM: When?
Video Availability--Blazing Saddles is available on DVD (Warner Brothers) as a standalone disc or as part of The Mel Brooks Collection (Fox). An ultra-sharp Blazing Saddles [Blu-ray] is also available.
Similarly Sauced Cinema--For more alky gun slinging, check out Lee Marvin as Kid Shelleen in Cat Ballou (1965).
Chris B. June 11, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Gene Wilder, Harvey Korman, and Slim Pickens directed by Mel Brooks. Might be my favorite movie of all time. Every time I watch it, I still laugh, and I can recite it line for line.
garv June 12, 2008 at 9:27 PM
I had to check this one out again in tribute to Harvey Korman. The film gets better every time I watch it, and Korman's performance is priceless. Cleavon Little also really shines in SADDLES. It's a shame that he didn't have more opportunities as a leading actor. Instead, he had to take work in crap like ONCE BITTEN.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


This next season our Ava By Moonlight collection draws on the bold, provocative imagery from the designer and photographer Paul Outerbridge. Focusing on his still life works that feature everyday items with traditional patterns, offset by reflective and unusual objects, that when paired together show verve and delight. Outerbridge was a pioneer in his early experimental work with colour photography and this makes for sumptuous and moody colour palettes.
swirls that jumble with tiny polka dot drops of colour against a black background. And the finale Wave Tile print, a classic regimented print of curves and points in soft peach, black and white.
For the silhouettes, Sundays retains its softness in beautiful silk satin. Introducing two styles of pyjama; a sharper cut, cropped leg, mandarin collar in the Ava style. In contrast, Pia, with a long length trouser and full button down shirt.
Brand new for AW16 is the Amelia full length nightshirt, with side splits and a subtle bib shape hem. Keeping it simple and sassy with Mirella cami dress, its A-line silhouette and mini length, a perfect piece for weekend getaways.
shoulders and high neckline of the Delphine lounge suit is the ultimate in relaxation – a Sundays take on lounge –luxe. Our Athena robes, with their 70's style kimono sleeve, a perfect partner to the pyjama sets, worn over the Mirella cami dress or simply on it's own as a silky wrap dress.
Art direction for the photo-shoot again reference the works of Outerbrige which we also linked to the iconic image of Lauren Hutton laying on Andy Warhol's silver helium pillows – the photograph was taken by Gianni Penati in 1966.
We shot the campaign on a winter weekend in January in East London with our Sundays team working together to create the imagery that we are excited to share with you.
Keep following our Journal to discover more from behind the scenes.


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Home Tech Microsoft Rolled Up Its Sleeves For Its Own Processor!
Microsoft Rolled Up Its Sleeves For Its Own Processor!
Kaitlyn Kubrick
Currently busy with the Windows 11 operating system, Microsoft has signaled that it will switch to its own processor on its computers.
Microsoft, which recently released the new Windows 11 operating system after a 6-year hiatus, signaled that it could enter a new sector with the job posting it gave.
Microsoft can produce its own processor
After Apple's big transition from Intel processors to its own M1 processors, Microsoft took a similar step. According to a job posting published Sept. 3, Microsoft is looking to hire someone for its Surface team to "light up Microsoft experiences with next-gen devices."
It also includes information that the candidate will work closely with chip, hardware and software engineers, as well as designers and manufacturing, according to this job posting. The focus of this announcement is thought to be to increase the features and capabilities of the processors used in Surface devices.
Microsoft's desire to produce its own processor is not the first time it has emerged. It was revealed late last year that it was working on its own ARM-based processor for servers and Surface computers. Moreover, a partnership with AMD was established for this ARM-based processor.
MSI Is Waiting Until Next Year to Announce Its 7900 XTX and 7900 XT GPUs.
Nvidia RTX 4080 Is Newegg's Best—Selling Graphics Card, But It's Not in Amazon's Top 20.
Nvidia RTX 4070: price, specifications and release date forecasts
Realme Watch 2 Pro's Launch Date Has Been Announced
WhatsApp: they discover their worst bug in years and it is...


- Review financial statements, sales and activity reports, and other performance data to measure productivity and goal achievement.
- To determine areas needing cost reduction and program improvement.
- Manage staff, preparing work schedules and assigning specific duties.


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OHCHR > Español > Noticias y eventos > Noticia
Violence against environmental defenders – New UN major report urges zero-tolerance
NEW YORK / GENEVA (21 October 2016) – Environmental human rights defenders are critical to our future but they face unprecedented risks, according to a new report* to the United Nations General Assembly by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Michel Forst.
"I am extremely worried and appalled by the growing number of attacks and murders of environmental defenders, but also by the continuous resistance of States to act in front of egregious human rights violations," Mr. Forst said.
"It is the responsibility of States and international community to empower and protect these defenders. We should listen to those who raise the alarm against environmental disasters, climate change and irresponsible resource exploitation, not repress them," he underscored.
The human rights expert warned that, although the situation is particularly dramatic in Latin America and Asia where many international investors, companies and local governments ignore the legitimate concerns of the population, "attacks and threats happen everywhere in the world."
In the first major UN report on the subject, the UN expert examines the root causes of attacks perpetrated against environmental defenders and presents concrete recommendations to a range of actors including business and investors for reversing the trend.
According to the study, a number of environmental conflicts could be avoided by prior consultation and active participation of local communities and environmental activists.
"Recently, the world has taken concrete steps to protect our planet, now it is time to protect the heroes who, day by day, are at the forefront of the fight for our future," concluded the Special Rapporteur, urging the international community to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to the violence against environmental human rights defenders.
(*) Check the Special Rapporteur's report: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/SRHRDefenders/Pages/AnnualReports.aspx
Mr. Michel Forst (France) was appointed by the Human Rights Council as the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders in 2014. Michel Forst has extensive experience on human rights issues and particularly on the situation of human rights defenders. In particular, he was the Director General of Amnesty International (France) and Secretary General of the first World Summit on Human Rights Defenders in 1998. For more information, log on to:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/SRHRDefenders/Pages/SRHRDefendersIndex.aspx
The Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights, is the general name of the independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms of the Human Rights Council that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures' experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.
For more information and media requests please contact Mr. Jamshid Gaziyev (+41 22 917 9183 / jgaziyev@ohchr.org) or write to defenders@ohchr.org
For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts:
Xabier Celaya, UN Human Rights – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917 9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org)
For your news websites and social media: Multimedia content & key messages relating to our news releases are available on UN Human Rights social media channels, listed below. Please tag us using the proper handles:
Twitter: @UNHumanRights
Facebook: unitednationshumanrights
Instagram: unitednationshumanrights
Google+: unitednationshumanrights
Youtube: unohchr


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Here's your June 2021 WNBA Pride guide
By Tee Baker
WNBA will promote initiatives that advocate for, support and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community
Welcome to The Next: A basketball newsroom brought to you by The IX. 24/7/365 women's basketball coverage, written, edited and photographed by our young, diverse staff, dedicated to breaking news, analysis, historical deep dives and projections about the game we love.
Subscribe to make sure this vital work, creating a pipeline of young, diverse media professionals to write, edit and photograph the great game, continues and grows. Paid subscriptions include some exclusive content, but the reason for subscriptions is a simple one: making sure our writers and editors creating 24/7/365 women's basketball coverage get paid to do it.
In observance of WNBA Pride, the WNBA will promote initiatives that advocate for, support and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and its allies throughout June. These initiatives support health equity, LGBTQ+ advocacy with a focus on trans rights, and civic engagement, the three key priorities for the WNBA/WNBPA Social Justice Council's platform.
🏳🌈 Happy #Pride to our LGBTQ+ Family! 🏳🌈
You are loved, you are valued, you matter, and we can't wait to celebrate with you!
🖤🤎❤🧡💛💚💙💜 pic.twitter.com/aBj4OaMJhK
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) June 1, 2021
"The WNBA's commitment to equity, justice, diversity and inclusion is year-long, but this month is a special celebration of the LGBTQ+ community," said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. "We also wanted to specifically voice our support of the trans community as our WNBA/WNBPA Social Justice Council continues to focus on rights for non-binary and trans people. We are honored to collaborate with WNBA Changemaker Deloitte to continue to shine light on combatting inequities and promoting advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights."
Teams will offer special ticket packages, in-arena experiences and Pride-themed games and community events during the month. WNBA Pride kicked off a slate of ten Pride-themed games with two nationally-televised games on June 1st. Kia Nurse secured an 84-83 win for the Phoenix Mercury over Chicago with a buzzer-beating, just inside half-court game-winner on ESPN, and Seattle took care of business by soundly defeating the Indiana Fever by 15 points in front of a national audience on ESPN2.
.@KayNurse11 wins it a buzzer for the @PhoenixMercury 🚨 pic.twitter.com/plESZsZfL7
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 2, 2021
The action continues Saturday, June 5 with a double-header on ABC, as 2020 WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces visit former WNBA MVP Tina Charles and the Washington Mystics (1 p.m. ET) followed by the Chicago Sky matching up against the Los Angeles Sparks (3 p.m. ET). The CBS Television Network will feature two key matchups with the Connecticut Sun visiting the Sky (2 p.m. ET) on Saturday, June 19, and the Mystics traveling to Texas on Saturday, June 26, to take on the league's 2020 leading scorer Arike Ogunbowale and the Dallas Wings (1 p.m. ET).
As part of its 2021 Pride advocacy, the WNBA will also conduct league and team ally education sessions on trans inclusivity. WNBA social channels will promote the importance of taking a stand for equity and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community with #wnbapride.
Throughout June, the WNBA will collaborate with GLSEN and Fanatics on an exclusive line of Pride apparel including WNBA t-shirts from Fanatics Brands, with all WNBA proceeds benefiting GLSEN. Fans can purchase the shirts at wnbastore.nba.com.
Happy #Pride, y'all!!! pic.twitter.com/htRWHWeBUY
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) June 1, 2021
Written by Tee Baker
Tee is a women's basketball reporter and historian. At "The Next" Tee covers the BIG EAST conference and contributes articles and media featuring the WBL, the first professional women's basketball league in the United States.


text:
Q: SharePoint 2013 and anonymous access problem We run into following problem:

*

*We have application, that makes authenticated calls to sharepoint 2013 REST services (PUT and GET). Everything works well, when anonymous access
is  turned off.

*But we need to enable anonymous access for two or three lists. When this is done, request for FormDigest from C# code fails always with 403 result – forbidden.

*I attach following code that is used for making the call. Again, it works fine when Anonymous Access is disabled for this site collection.
        var contextContent = new StringContent(string.Empty,Encoding.UTF8,"text/xml");
        var contextInfoRequest = await contextInfoClient.PostAsync(url + "/_api/contextinfo", contextContent);
        var contextInfoRequestStr = await contextInfoRequest.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();

        var formDigestXml = XDocument.Parse(contextInfoRequestStr);
        var formDigestNode = formDigestXml.Descendants(d + "FormDigestValue").First();
        var formDigest = formDigestNode.Value;

        var itemPostBody =
            Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes("{'__metadata':{'type':'" + entityTypeName + "'}, " + jsonProperties + "}");

        var addRequest = (HttpWebRequest)WebRequest.Create(queryUrl);
        addRequest.Method = "POST";
        addRequest.ContentType = "application/json;odata=verbose";
        addRequest.Accept = " application/atom+xml";
        addRequest.Headers["X-RequestDigest"] = formDigest;

        addRequest.Credentials = new NetworkCredential(user, pass, domain);

        var itemRequestStream = await addRequest.GetRequestStreamAsync();
        itemRequestStream.Write(itemPostBody, 0, itemPostBody.Length);

// Following line causes 403 Frobidden Exception:
            var itemResponse = (HttpWebResponse) await addRequest.GetResponseAsync();
            var respStream = itemResponse.GetResponseStream();
            var l = new List<byte>();
            while (respStream.CanRead)
            {
                var i = respStream.ReadByte();
                if (i == -1) break;
                l.Add((byte)i);
            }
            var xml = Encoding.UTF8.GetString(l.ToArray(),0,l.Count);

A: unfortunately, afaik (& tested) the REST services are only working for authenticated users. You'll need to create a bridge service calling with credentials the native ones if you want to provide that functionality but since you're authenticating your request, are you sure it's not an authentication issue ? Does the target username / password combination is valid and have sufficient rights to perfom the expected operations ?
Are you obtaining properly the form digest associated with the page / request (eg : the snippet took from Danny Jessee on his post : http://blog.cloudshare.com/2012/12/16/access-and-manipulate-data-in-your-cloudshare-sharepoint-2013-farm-from-anywhere-with-csom-rest-and-odata/ (which I highly advice you to read since it has pretty similar requirements).
string GetFormDigest()

{

// To get the form digest for external calls, need to make a POST request to

// http://siteUrl/_api/contextinfo

Uri uri = new Uri(siteUrl + "_api/contextinfo");

HttpWebRequest requestPost = (HttpWebRequest)WebRequest.Create(uri);

requestPost.Credentials = new NetworkCredential("username", "password", "domain");

requestPost.Method = "POST";

requestPost.ContentLength = 0;

HttpWebResponse responsePost = (HttpWebResponse)requestPost.GetResponse();

XDocument doc = XDocument.Load(responsePost.GetResponseStream());

XNamespace ns_dataservices = "http://schemas.microsoft.com/ado/2007/08/dataservices";

return doc.Descendants(ns_dataservices + "FormDigestValue").First().Value;

}

You should fire this with Fiddler running to see the request / response flows. You might receive a 401/403 if your request is not fully compliant to what SP is expecting (that canary protection took me a while as well in a public SP2010 implementation).

A: You can disable the Access permission to remote interfaces to the anonymous users, follow this:

*

*Navigate to the site (or sub-site) where you wish to enable anonymous access.

*Go to Settings - Site settings.

*Under Users and Permissions, click on Site Permissions.

*Under the Permissions tab, click on Anonymous Access.

*Choose whether you want Anonymous users to have access to the entire Web site or to lists and libraries only. Uncheck Require Use
  Remote Interfaces permission if anonymous users are complaining they
  are having issues accessing the site and then click on OK.

From: http://support.sherweb.com/Faqs/Show/how-to-enable-anonymous-access-to-a-sharepoint-site-sharepoint-2013

A: Old question but we had the same issue (SP2013) by where a site set up for anonymous access (and Use Remote Interfaces permission ticked) would not work with our REST POST calls, thought I would share our solution in case it helps others.
Our solution was to add the X-RequestForceAuthentication header with a value of true to the request to obtain a digest value.
So assuming the original posters contextInfoClient is an HttpClient then the following code would be required to add the header prior to making the PostAsync call:
contextInfoClient.DefaultRequestHeaders.Add("X-RequestForceAuthentication", "true");

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
International Religious Freedom Report 2007
2008 Human Rights Report: Egypt
2008 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
The National Democratic Party (NDP) has governed the Arab Republic of Egypt, which has a population of approximately 82 million, since the party's establishment in 1978. The NDP, which continued to dominate national politics by maintaining an overriding majority in the popularly elected People's Assembly (PA)
Read more: 2008 Human Rights Report: Egypt
Freedom House report 2008
Report Egypt (2008)
Read more: Freedom House report 2008
Freedom of Religion and Belief in Egypt Third Quarterly Report
Freedom of Religion and Belief in Egypt
Third Quarterly Report
(July - September 2008)
(for a PDF copy press here)
Read more: Freedom of Religion and Belief in Egypt Third Quarterly Report
Samalut's Sectarian Violence: EIPR report
Samalut's Sectarian Violence:
Fighting Impunity is the Only Way to Reconciliation
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) today released the preliminary findings of its inquiry into the sectarian violence that took place in the village of Al-Tayeba, located in the Samalut district of Al-Minya Governorate, on Friday, 3 October. The violence left one dead and four injured and involved arson and the destruction of homes, land and property.
Read more: Samalut's Sectarian Violence: EIPR report
Egyptian Court Gives Christian Boys to Muslim Father
Despite a fatwa from the Grand Mufti, Alexandria judge denies custody for mother.
By Damaris Kremida
ISTANBUL, October 2 (Compass Direct News) – Following the Appeal Court of Alexandria on Sept. 24 granting custody of 13-year-old Christian twins to their Muslim father, their mother lives with the fear that police will take away her children at any moment. Kamilia Gaballah has fought with her ex-husband Medhat Ramses Labib over alimony support and custody of sons Andrew and Mario in 40 different cases since he left her and converted to Islam so that he could remarry in 1999.
Read more: Egyptian Court Gives Christian Boys to Muslim Father
Christian Solidarity Worldwide report regarding Abu Fana incident
Press on the image to read the condemning report of CSW fact finding mission to Abu Fana
Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
The Constitution provides for freedom of belief and the practice of religious rites, although the Government places restrictions on these rights in practice. Islam is the official state religion, and Shari'a (Islamic law) is the primary source of legislation.
Read more: International Religious Freedom Report 2008
Hegazy's Briefing
Egypt Religious Freedom Profile
Saudi Arabia: Stop Trials for 'Insulting' Islam
Charges Violate Precepts of Law, Freedom of Expression
(New York, May 13, 2008) – Courts in Jeddah should dismiss cases against a Saudi web critic and a Turkish barber charged with "insulting" Islam, an unequivocal violation of freedom of expression protected under international law, Human Rights Watch said today.
Read more: Saudi Arabia: Stop Trials for 'Insulting' Islam
UNITED STATES COMMISSION
INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
800 North Capitol Street, NW
Read more: U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
USCIRF Names 11 Countries of Particular Concern, Keeps Vietnam on List
May 2, 2008 Link
Contact: Judith Ingram,
Communications Director,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
TO ACCESS THE 2008 ANNUAL REPORT, CLICK HERE
Read more: USCIRF Names 11 Countries of Particular Concern, Keeps Vietnam on List
CSW EXPERIENCES OF APOSTATES FROM ISLAM
CSW Report 29 April 2008
EXPERIENCES OF APOSTATES FROM ISLAM
FAILURES OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
Apostasy is the renunciation of religious faith, and apostasy from Islam in particular has always been a contentious issue. Although the Qur'an does not prescribe a temporal punishment for apostasy, the vast majority of traditional Islamic theology and jurisprudence has advocated the death penalty for a mentally sane male apostate and life-long imprisonment or harsh treatment for a female apostate. Proponents of the death penalty have legitimised their stance from the sayings and deeds attributed to the Prophet Muhammad, his companions and subsequent caliphs.
Read more: CSW EXPERIENCES OF APOSTATES FROM ISLAM
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, Egypt
US State Department report on Human Rights
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - Link 2007
The National Democratic Party (NDP) has governed the Arab Republic of Egypt, with a population of approximately 79 million, since the party's establishment in 1978. The NDP, which continued to dominate national politics by maintaining an overriding majority in the popularly elected People's Assembly and the partially elected Shura (Consultative) Council, derives its governing authority from the 1971 constitution and subsequent amendments. Executive authority resides with the president and the cabinet. In 2005 President Hosni Mubarak won a fifth six-year term with 88 percent of the vote in the country's first presidential election, a landmark event that was marred by low voter turnout and charges of fraud. The civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces, which committed numerous, serious abuses of human rights.
Read more: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, Egypt
European Parliament resolution of 15 November 2007
on serious events which compromise Christian communities' existence and those of other religious communities
The European Parliament ,
– having regard to Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) of 1948,
Read more: European Parliament resolution of 15 November 2007
EIPR:Allow Citizens to List Actual Religion on ID Cards
Press Release- 12 November 2007
Egypt: Allow Citizens to List Actual Religion on ID Cards
End Discrimination, Harassment of Baha'is, Converts From Islam
(Cairo, November 12, 2007) – Egypt should allow all citizens to use their actual religious identity when required to list religion on government documents, Human Rights Watch and the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) said today. The government's discriminatory practice of restricting identity to three religions, directed at Baha'is and preventing converts from Islam from listing their true belief, violate many rights and cause immense hardship.
Read more: EIPR:Allow Citizens to List Actual Religion on ID Cards
The Constitution provides for freedom of belief and the practice of religious rites, although the Government places restrictions on these rights in practice. Islam is the official state religion and Shari'a (Islamic law) is the primary source of legislation; religious practices that conflict with the Government's interpretation of Shari'a are prohibited. Members of non-Muslim religious minorities officially recognized by the Government generally worship without harassment and maintain links with coreligionists in other countries; however, members of religious groups that are not recognized by the Government, particularly the Baha'i Faith, experience personal and collective hardship.
UN development reports "Arabic"
برنامج الأمم المتحدة الإنمائي
'Christian' nations more free, report says
Paul Marshall
WASHINGTON (BP)—Countries with Christian roots are the most religiously free domains in the world, according to the Center for Religious Freedom at the Hudson Institute in a forthcoming report.
Read more: 'Christian' nations more free, report says
The Application of the Apostasy Law in the World Today:
Barnabas Fund
"We always remind those who want to convert to Islam that they enter through a door but there is no way out".[1]
Since modernization first impacted the Muslim world following Western imperialism and its imposition of secular laws and education systems, there have been tensions between Muslim conservatives and liberal intellectuals. Early reformers tried to reconcile Islam with modernity using the flexible principles of reason and the public good to reinterpret shari'ah along modern lines. Contemporary liberals argue that shari'ah laws are human interpretations of the eternally fixed principles of Islam, so they can be changed to fit modern contexts. It is only the basic principles that are immutable.
Read more: The Application of the Apostasy Law in the World Today:
http://www.uscirf.gov/countries/publications/currentreport/2006annualRpt.pdf#page=1


• • Individual signatories include the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, J.M. Coetzee, iconic playwrights John Kani and Athol Fugard, acclaimed poets Gabeba Baderoon and Breyten Breytenbach, and internationally celebrated novelists Achmat Dangor, Wilbur Smith and Deon Meyer. Other notable authors include Marlene van Niekerk, Lauren Beukes and Fred Khumalo.
• • Organisations that have signed include the Southern African Freelancers' Association, the South African Booksellers' Association, the wRite Associates, the Puku Children's Literature Foundation, Reader's Café Africa, and the Nal'ibali Trust. Support also came from outside our borders, with signatories including the Association of Authors' Agents, United Kingdom, and Blake Friedmann, the London-based literary agency that represents many prominent South African authors. PEN International, the worldwide association of writers, has also supported the protest.
Contact penafrikaans@gmail.com for more information.


text:
CCTV released of man police want to speak to in connection with St John's Retail Park burglary attempt
The incident happened during the night
Avon and Somerset Police has released CCTV footage of a male, described as aged between 25 and 30 years old, who attempted to steal items at St Johns Retail Park in Taunton. (Image: Avon and Somerset Police)
A CCTV image has been released as part of an investigation into an attempted burglary at a Somerset retail park.
Police have released a picture of a man they would like to speak to in relation to an incident at St John's retail Park, in Taunton, at around 4am on Wednesday (July 31).
Avon and Somerset Police has said in a statement: "Do you recognise this male? We would like to speak to him in relation to an attempted non-dwelling burglary at St John's Retail Park.
"The male is described as aged between 25 and 30 years old wearing a white top. He is of medium build with short hair. He was wearing dark jeans, had a backpack and was using a black push-bike."
Anybody with information is advised to call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5219174910.
You can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their Anonymous Online Form.
'Inept' burglar caught after he left DNA on Red Bull can in pub
Paedophile failed to tell new partner he was a sex offender - despite spending three nights in same house as her children
To subscribe to our daily newsletter, enter your email address into the box at the top of this story
To keep up to date with our latest news, follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Find your Bath Facebook page here or Somerset's can be found here
Alternatively, follow us on Twitter - @BathLive and @SomersetLive
Avon and Somerset Police
In the NewsCourageous mum diagnosed with terminal cervical cancer at 29 has this important message for womenCarrie-Anne Tait wants to educate young women on the importance of screening and not overlooking the symptoms
In the NewsDavid Lambert: Body found in search for vulnerable missing 79-year-old man
The pensioner failed to return home after going out for a walk
TauntonThe public toilets rife with drug taking and anti-social behaviour - what council is going to do about it
Visitors have complained about its foul smell and drug paraphernalia found to litter the toilet floor
TravelTravel experts issue advice on how Brexit will affect our holidays in 2020
The UK will leave the European Union on January 31


No attempt has been made to expand upon, much less to explain, fine points of mathematical detail, many of which will be unfamiliar even to professional mathematicians.
Whatever else it may be, it is in no way, shape, or form a scientific treatise.
Yet anyone who opens the book will notice quite enormous equations, and proofs (or at least proof outlines) spanning multiple pages. He or she will also notice long transcripts of email exchanges containing — and this must be a first for any book not written by Leslie Lamport or Donald Knuth — lots of un-rendered TeX source code.
I don't know who the intended audience for this book is. I don't know who the intended audience for this book could be. Does anyone want to read emails with un-rendered TeX? Mathematical amateurs will get virtually nothing out of this book. Mathematical professionals, as mentioned in the note I quoted, will get very little out of this book. The book itself doesn't even know who its audience is. It gives brief, mildly fun biographical sketches of brilliant mathematicians, which suggests that maybe the book is intended for non-professionals. But the volume is filled with so much dense mathematics that's only professionals could read it. Complicated mathematical concepts are used, but then mostly explained many pages after they're first mentioned.
These sentences don't make any sense to me. The author has done nothing to ensure that they'll make sense to anyone apart from, I suppose, specialists within his particular corner of mathematics.
The book generally is supposed to show the thought process that led the author to prove something about Landau damping, whatever that might be. So it's got diary entries, emails between him and his colleague, and scenes from the author's life with his family (including recounting stories he tells his kids). So it feels like a bunch of hastily bolted together snippets that are supposed to form a book. If I had to guess, I would assume that his Fields Medal brought him a lot of press in France (which I'm told honors scholars much more than the United States does), and that his publishers decided to capitalize on it by throwing this out to the world as quickly as possible.
All the paper copies of this book should be pulped, and the hard drives on which the electronic copies exist should be subjected to strong magnets.


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Twitch or YouTube? Where To Build a Loyal Online Community With Trisha Hershberger [The Videocraft Show Episode #17]
"I value the community that I have online…so very much that if I go more than a few days without streaming, like I miss them. I miss my friends! It really is a wonderful way to connect. And especially right now, in a time when so many of us feel isolated and not connected, it's been a brilliant and incredibly therapeutic thing for me, and I hope for people who are able to watch that type of content as well."
Trisha Hershberger is a creator, host, and producer, known for her content in entertainment, gaming, and technology.
She rose to prominence on the internet as one of the hosts of SourceFed, a platform founded by Philip DeFranco in 2012 as part of YouTube's $100 million dollar original channel initiative. While at SourceFed, she was also a host for SourceFedNerd and earned two Streamy awards before leaving the channel in 2015.
In this episode of The Videocraft Show Presented by Video Husky, Trisha talks with host Jon Santiago about her early days as a creator plus:
How her background in theater translates into her work as a live-streamer.
What she learned from the years she spent working with Philip DeFranco.
Advice she'd give to any creator who wants to work with brands.
Developing her skills as an entrepreneur.
Her insights on why she prefers live-streaming on Twitch moreso than YouTube.
Her perspective on finding work/life balance as a creator.
Sick of wasting time editing your own videos? Video Husky provides you access to a dedicated team of talented editors who can help. If you're not happy, we have a 30-day, action-based money-back guarantee. Click the button to take a short quiz and find out if Video Husky is right for you.
Trisha's Twitch Channel
Trisha's YouTube Channel
Trisha's Website
Trisha's Instagram
The Naked Truth Podcast (Apple Podcasts Link)
SourceFed
SourceFedNERD
Philip DeFranco
Where to Listen to The Videocraft Show
Radio.com
If you enjoy the show, subscribe to our email list. It's the best way to stay up-to-date with The Videocraft Show and all the content we're creating.
Producer: Nikki Vicente
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Graphics: Paolo Lopez
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New Trend: Cloud Supply Chain Model
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True collaboration is the goal of a supply-chain partnership, but that ideal is hindered by a number of factors. One is the set-up of most data management systems, which shield and protect information within individual silos. Within the four walls of a corporation, for example, the status of a financial transaction is not visible to all users.
In a typical supply chain, that problem is exacerbated hundred-fold. Electronic data interchange (EDI) is the most popular system for managing supply and demand transactions. Information is visible only to the principals involved: say, the distributor that is placing an order with a supplier, and vice versa. If for some reason there is a problem with that order, a second-source supplier isn't privy to it, yet, that supplier could intervene and help.
There are good reasons why information is often managed in a silo format: competitors shouldn't be able to see each other's pricing, for example. If certain data was shared — say, the fact that an order can't be fulfilled — competing suppliers could collaborate on a solution while price confidentiality is maintained.
This is the concept behind a set of supply-chain solutions being offered by companies such as E2open Inc. and GT Nexus. These platforms, hosted on the cloud, enable partners to establish a set of rules that allow certain constituents to see information relevant to them. Unlike a typical closed system, the universe of collaborators can be opened to include financial institutions, logistics providers, and even governmental and regulatory agencies.
Let's say an event at a shipping port holds up a container in customs. Typically, this information isn't automatically shared with carriers, distributors, or even end customers. Another example: a manufacturer is awaiting a customer's credit approval before starting production. If the OK was communicated directly from the lender, manufacturing could start immediately.
Each system emphasizes certain strengths: GT Nexus focuses on the ease of sharing data. Users can collaborate without downloading or uploading data between systems. Greg Kefer, GT Nexus director of corporate marketing, said in a phone interview earlier this year:
The supply chain is basically comprised of a lot of points of data that have a distinct chain of custody. This data is different for each company, and that information is often stored, or 'locked up' within an ERP system. These systems aren't designed to work across enterprises, so the data isn't flowing.
The only way to do that, GT Nexus believes, is through the cloud. Not only do most ERP systems not talk to one another, they don't even speak the same language. GT Nexus partners provide data from their ERP systems. GT Nexus takes it, translates it, and then makes the data available to select members of the network. Although the information is standardized, linked, and centrally stored in the cloud, it is also partitioned. It is visible only to stakeholders that have been granted permission. "Being part of a group does not necessarily mean every partner sees the data," explains Kefer.
In addition to the partners in a typical supply network — suppliers, distributors, and customers — global commerce also depends on air, land, and sea freight handlers, third-party logistics companies, trade and tariff officials, seaports, and trucking and rail companies. Each of these groups manages information that isn't necessarily shared with an end customer that's awaiting a shipment.
Most users already have EDI links and legacy systems on which they have spent millions. The cloud doesn't replace those systems, but it does provide economies of scale. GT Nexus users pay a subscription fee based on their level of engagement. This means small companies that don't have costly ERP platforms can participate.
A similar concept was developed by E2open, which started as a component-sharing Website for OEMs. E2open's cloud-based trading platform, E2open Business Network V 8.0, allows supply-chain partners to view and manage procurement events in real-time. The product, among other things, enables users to "monetize" the various aspects of a buying transaction. It captures and compares component costs; assesses various logistics scenarios, and calculates risks such as manufacturing line downtime.
E2open emphasizes the real-time aspects of its system. "The problem is the electronics industry has the fastest moving supply chain in the world," said Michael Schmitt, E2open senior vice president of marketing and product management, in a phone interview earlier this year. "It's not just providing the data; it's the ability to interpret and react to the data." (See: Have OEMs Relinquished Too Much Control Over Their Supply Chains?)
PC manufacturer Lenovo Group Ltd. (Hong Kong: 992) uses the E2open system. (See: The Cloud & the Supply Chain: A Match Made in Heaven.) Lenovo set out to reduce the cost and time to onboard new trading partners and to build a real-time, consolidated view of processes and operations. Since implementing the platform, Lenovo reports it has reduced onboarding time by 85 percent, lowered IT costs by 53 percent, and reduced IT management costs associated with supplier integration by 70 percent.
Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO) has also implemented the E2open platform and estimates it has linked its systems electronically to more than 100 key suppliers and partners. In a report on its results, Cisco notes that tech companies already have the ability to view and exchange data with their suppliers, contract manufacturers, and distributors. The key to success, however, will be how companies use that data to effectively collaborate and take action.
Some analysts believe OEMs have relinquished too much control over their supply chain and open collaboration platforms will reverse the trend. So far, it appears that cloud-based solutions complement, rather than replace, legacy solutions and therefore don't threaten the status quo. Yet, many partners in the electronics supply chain have taken on certain management functions to cement their relationships with customers.
Distributors, for example, coordinate amongst suppliers to make sure orders are fulfilled. Suppliers with proprietary customer relationships don't generally collaborate with second sources. However, if it's the end customer that determines the rule-set for collaboration, supply-chain responsibilities may shift, again, back to the OEM.
Barbara Jorgensen, EBN Community Editor
Categories Featured Articles
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eBook: "Interviews with Masters of Operations Management" $34.95 $14.95
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Dance Celebrities
How Much Is Cara Delevingne Net Worth
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Cara Delevingne, known for her acting and modeling career is also a host of little-known facts that make her stand out even more. From her struggles with depression and body image, to her ventures in the realm of sex toys and her willingness to talk about her pansexuality Here are 10 fascinating facts about the multitalented Delevingne.
Troubles with Depression and Body Image
Despite her stunning beauty, Cara Delevingne struggled with anxiety and depression about her body throughout her youth. Her body was constantly ridiculed due to her small chest. She also began menstruating earlier than her peers who were referred to as "frigid" and "flat". At the age of fifteen depression struck her and she was forced to drop out of school. When she spoke to BBC, she spoke about the time when she admitted, "I hated myself for being depressed, I hated feeling depressed, I hated feelings." However, Delevingne came from a wealthy family, and everyone believed that she would be automatically happy, they were unable to comprehend her mental state.
Homophobic in her Youth
Cara Delevingne struggled to understand her sexuality, growing up in a family in which it wasn't discussed. For a while she found the idea of same-sex relationships to be disgusting and was considered herself homophobic. When she spoke to The Guardian, Delevingne said, "I know I'm the luckiest girl in the world, I understand all this and I wish I could appreciate it. It's just that there's something dark inside me that I can't shake."
Pansexuality
Delevingne considers herself pansexual and is in love with the person, regardless of gender identity. The actress explained she could also be attracted to non-binary or transgender people. In an interview with Variety, Delevingne said, "However an individual identifies, whether it's a 'they', a 'he' or a 'she', I fall in love with the person – and that's what it's about. I'm attracted to the person as such."
In 2019, Delevingne got married in Las Vegas to actress Ashley Benson However, they soon broke up. She has also been romantically linked to the actress Michelle Rodriguez and singer Miley Cyrus. The public display of Delevingne's sexuality has received both praise and criticism.
Risks emanating from the Film Industry
Delevingne faced opposition from her producer Harvey Weinstein, who threatened her career if she didn't hide her orientation and find male partners to serve as the role of a "cover". However, Delevingne didn't listen, and she continued to speak out about her sexuality as well as relationships.
Business with a Sex Toy Company
Delevingne is a part of a business partnership with a sex toy company and is the one who personally tests the products. She is open and unashamed about her involvement in the industry and regards it as an opportunity to spread the message of sexual wellness and liberation.
Secret Vaginal Tunnel
Delevingne has a hidden vaginal tunnel inside her home it was a gift from a friend. The tunnel was created by an artist and is an image for female power and empowerment.
Delevingne recently stepped into the realm of NFTs by making a video of her dancing in the secret vaginal tunnel inside her house and then selling it as a special digital collectible. This showcases her bold and unflinching attitude, as well as her willingness to try new things and break boundaries.
Despite criticisms about her acting ability, Delevingne continues to pursue her passion for acting and has appeared in several films and TV shows, including "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets," "Suicide Squad" and "Carnival Row" It's evident that she isn't shackled by other people's opinion on her abilities and talents and continues to push herself.
Inspiration and Role Model
Delevingne's story is an inspiration for many. She has been open regarding her struggle and progress towards self-acceptance. She is an example of the importance of being true to oneself, regardless of what others might think or think. She has been vocal about her mental health, body positivity and inclusiveness and has utilized her platform to advocate for communities that are marginalized. Her actions prove that it's okay to not be able to do everything right and it's okay to be unique and different.
Cara Delevingne began her career as a model at the age of 10 when she signed with Storm Model Management. She quickly rose to fame and became one of the most in-demand models in the business, walking for top designers such as Burberry, Chanel, and Fendi. She's a model of how to transcending from being a model into a brand, and how to establish an impression in the fashion world.
Charitable work
Delevingne is also well-known for her charitable work, she has served as a global ambassador for Women's Cancer Research Fund and actively supports mental health charities and groups like The Samaritans and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. In addition, she has given to groups fighting discrimination and racism.
Delevingne can also be regarded as a performer and she has released numerous music videos and songs. She has collaborated with different artist such as Pharrell Williams.
Social Media Influence
Delevingne has a strong presence on social media and is well-known for her candid postings and relatable posts, which has helped her to grow a huge following of fans and supporters.
Model turned actress
Delevingne has successfully transitioned from a model to an actress and has been recognized for her performance in films such as "The Face of an Angel" and "Tulip Fever".
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Fake Native American Running for Presidency
By Larry Huss
In: 2020 Presidential Election, Cultural appropriation, Sen. Elizabeth Warren
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Two of the least surprising events of 2018 occurred in this year's final week. First, No. 3 Notre Dame lost (33-3) to No. 2 Clemson in what can only be described as a rout. The only thing surprising about it was that Notre Dame didn't become the first undefeated college football team to be denied an invitation to the BCS series based on the weakness of their regular season opponents. With the exception of Michigan, not a single team that Notre Dame played remained in the Top 25 of the college football power rankings at the end of the regular season. Only the Notre Dame alumni (and not all of them) were surprised by the outcome. This was reminiscent of the 2014 BCS championship game when Alabama embarrassed Notre Dame 42-14, and when Oregon State buried Notre Dame 41-9 in a Fiesta Bowl match up that saw the only positive yardage for Notre Dame was based on a plethora of penalties assessed against Oregon State. But I digress.
The other least surprising event was that fake news media darling Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) – herself a fake Native American – announced that she was running for the Democrat nomination for President of the United States. Wow! You could have knocked me over with a feather.
Ms. Warren, affectionately referred to as Pocahontas by President Donald Trump, serves as the Senate's resident scold. Draped in her omnipresent pastel linen blazer, Ms. Warren draws her sense of indignity to excess whether she is talking about soaking the rich or ordering from the lunch menu. She does not speak – she lectures, complete with a wagging forefinger. And when she lectures she demonstrates that she is a first class phony.
Ms. Warren rails against the rich and claims that they do not pay their fair share. But Ms. Warren is one of the rich. Her joint income tax returns indicate that she and her husband earn between $750,000 and $1,000,000 annually with less that twenty percent of that coming from her salary as a United States Senator. And while she dutifully pays her state and federal taxes as required by law, (a necessity if you have been preparing to run for president for the last four years) she does not pay anymore even though there is a specific provision that allows you to pay more if you don't think you are paying enough. To Ms. Warren's credit she has not created a phony charitable trust to increase her access to tax-free money ala Bill and Hillary Clinton. However, her net worth has increased significantly over her brief tenure in the United States Senate proving once again that politics is an easy road to riches.
But, as another phony rich white person, she has to demonstrate her "oneness" with the masses and in this regard she became a Native American – an Oklahoma Cherokee in fact. But before she used it to demonstrate her kinship with Middle America, she used it to advance her personal fortune. She claimed the title of Native American in order to secure a position with Harvard University as a person of color. Of course Harvard didn't check into her bona fides because it benefited the university by bolstering its claim to a diverse faculty. Both Ms. Warren and Harvard waived the flag of diversity in all that they did thereafter (including her political campaigns). Meanwhile, a position specifically reserved for a Native American was filled by another rich white woman and the Cherokee tribe denied Ms. Warren's claims.
But when you run your mouth someone is likely to call you out. (Remember Sen. Richard Blumenthal's claims to military service in Vietnam and University of Colorado professor Ward Churchill's claims to be a Native American.) And while many have questioned Ms. Warren's claims to Native American ancestry, Mr. Trump drove a stake through its heart. He offered to donate $1 Million to charity if she could prove her claim and reminded her that for less than $100 she could have her DNA analyzed to determine her ancestry. Ms. Warren took the bait – but took it quietly. She didn't go to Ancestry.com or 23 AND Me, or even National Geographic – no she hired a college professor of genetics, Carlos Bustamante. Whether she did it to try to control the message or out of fear that a commercial provider would leak the results, Ms. Warren got unwelcome news. The DNA tests did not confirm Ms. Warren's claimed Native American ancestry, rather it said that it was possible that five genetic markers could have originated from Native American ancestry somewhere between 6 and ten generations previously – a fact that is resident in an overwhelming majority of European immigrants to America. In other words, Ms. Warren is no more Native American than the generations of Europeans who migrated to America.
But Ms. Warren pressed on sure that the fake news media would paper over her misleading claims. And sure enough the Boston Globe, the New York Times and the Washington Post in a "who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes" moment manufactured stories to claim that the DNA test was proof positive that she was correct about her ancestry.
In truth, does it make any difference whether your ancestry includes Native Americans, Africans, Scots or even French? No, it does not. But it should make a difference whether you falsely claim such ancestry in an effort to portray yourself as somebody you're not. If Ms. Warren will lie about this, about what else will she lie?
What America doesn't need as its next president is a persistent scold or a phony liberal or a cultural appropriator. What America doesn't need is Elizabeth Warren.
Elizabeth Warren: Another Phony Liberal
"Cult of the Presidency" Author to Speak in Portland
Lars Larson: What's wrong with mascots that honor Native Americans?
Immigrants consume less welfare per person than native born Americans.


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Neuroengineering (1)
Biomedicine (6)
Wounds (5)
MRI-Guided, Transperineal Prostate Biopsy Using Fixed Coordinate Needle Guide: Initial Feasibility Study
Pankaj Kulkarni, Sumit Laha, Sakura Sikander, Pradipta Biswas, Heather Cornnell, Ulas Bagci, Jeremy Burt, Sang-Eun Song
Most of the existing MRI guided robotic needle guide systems have been limited to research purposes and have not progressed towards clinical applications due to complex and bulky structures. The 'device-to-image' registration step further complicates the operation and significantly increases the overall procedure time. To address limitations, we developed an MRI guided transperineal prostate biopsy guide system that uses the concept of a 'fixed coordinate device' to simplify the overall biopsy procedure and eliminate the registration step, making the procedure more clinically friendly. We performed proof-of-concept targeting experiments using an agar phantom under 3T MRI. The targeting results were analyzed, and initial results prove that the simplified intervention concept would well be feasible. We plan to extend the study further to identify error components.
Topics: Magnetic resonance imaging, Needles, Agar, Errors, Phantoms, Robotics
Optimal Design of a Parallel Robot for Dental Articulation
Dilmurat A. Kizghin, Carl A. Nelson
A dental articulator is a mechanical device used to simulate the relative position and motion between the upper and lower jaw when testing dental work or dental treatments (implants or bridges). Typically, it can be adjusted to approximate patient-specific jaw kinematics. However, the use of dental articulators is essentially a trial-and-error method in order to fine-tune fit and function of the dental work. In this paper we propose a robotic articulator suitable for reproducing tracked movements of the patient's jaw. Based on an asymmetric-leg parallel structure, dimensional synthesis is performed to optimize performance over the range of motion typical of the human jaw. The resulting robotic device is expected to improve workflow in the processing of dental implants. Fabrication and testing of a prototype robot is also presented.
Topics: Design, Robots, Robotics, Testing, Bridges (Structures), Engineering prototypes, Errors, Kinematics, Manufacturing, Workflow
Cost Effective Laparoscopic Trainer Utilizing Magnetic-Based Position Tracking
Matthew Boutelle, Fluvio Lobo, Mohammad Odeh, Jack Stubbs
This paper discusses the design and application of magnetic-based position tracking in surgical trainers. The utilization of magnetic-based position tracking in Laparoscopic Trainers provides a cost-effective solution to the next generation of medical education, training and evaluation. The utilization of 3D printed parts as well as off the shelf electronics allows us to maximize accuracy while minimizing design cost. Our current design costs less than $300.00 while providing results with an error of 1.474–14.265%.
Topics: Additive manufacturing, Biomedicine, Design, Education, Electronics, Errors, Surgery
A Validation Study of an Innovative Medical Program to Reconstruct and Compute the Thoracic Volume
Po-Chih Lee, Arthur G. Erdman, Charles Ledonio, David Polly
In this study, we focus on validating the accuracy of the previously developed software, which reconstructs thoracic rib cage and thoracic volume in 3D. This software is applied in spine deformity patients to help doctors monitor and follow spine curvature and the thoracic volume variation. Five users were recruited to perform usability testing for the developed software. The usability testing shows that the performance of the thoracic volume reconstruction via our software meets the criterion set by the American Thoracic Society, which recommends an acceptable error of ±3% for the respiratory measurement. In addition, the user operation results were analyzed through a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), without replication, statistical method. The outcome indicates the reconstruction accuracy of the software is satisfactory. In the reproducibility study, the result shows that the performance of the developed software is superior to previous literature and the reconstruction is clinically relevant.
Topics: Biomedicine, Computer software, Errors, Performance, Testing
A Comparison of Two Segmental Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Methods With Whole-Body Analysis
Thomas Cannon, JungHun Choi
Two different methods of attaching the current leads for segmental bioelectrical impedance analysis measurements were compared. The first method was leaving the current electrodes in place at the hand and foot for all measurements, while the second method involved moving the current electrodes to be adjacent to the voltage electrodes when measuring each segment. Each method was compared to a whole-body measurement performed at the same occasion as the segmental measurements. Slight deviation from the whole-body measurement was expected, as the electrode placements resulted in small gaps that were not measured between each of the arm, trunk, and leg segments. The second method, moving the current electrodes for each segment, was found to be the closer of the two methods for whole body measurements, with errors of 2% and 5.8% at R 0 and R ∞ , respectively, while the first method had errors of 4.2% and 6% respectively.
Topics: Electrodes, Errors
Automated Manufacturing of Fiber-Reinforced Elastomeric Enclosures for Patient Specific Catheter Robots
Ben Hamlen, Gillian McDonald, Mark Gilbertson, Daniel Ng, Timothy Kowalewski
"No-option" patients have vasculature too tortuous for existing catheters to navigate. To treat these patients, new catheter technologies are needed that are easy to actuate and can be customized for each patient. We propose using fiber-reinforced elastomeric enclosures (FREEs), which have been shown to be capable of performing screwing, spiraling, twisting, extending, and other motions when the fiber wrap angles are adjusted. Here, we present and validate an automated system capable of manufacturing FREEs with wrap angles from 0–90 degrees. The prescribed fiber angles were within 5 percent error when manufactured.
Topics: Catheters, Fibers, Manufacturing, Robots, Errors
An Attempt to Improve Stance Mechanics of Trans-Tibial Amputee Gait by the Design of a Modular Ankle Joint Prosthetic
Alastair B. During, Sudesh Sivarasu, George Vicatos
A-priori research show that trans-tibial (TT) amputees display poor gait parameters when walking with passive mechanical ankle-foot prosthetics (AFP's). This has large implications for the amputee populations in the developing world, who have limited access to advanced prosthetic technologies and instead rely on baseline AFP's. Analysis of such baseline AFP's in literature indicates that the predominant issue with these devices are their inability to adequately replicate the mechanics of a normal ankle during the stance phase of a walking gait cycle. This has shown to be a contributory cause of increased energy expenditure, as well as secondary complications such as osteoarthritis and joint deterioration. This paper presents the design and analysis of a modular low-cost ankle-joint prosthetic (AJP) that serves as an attachment to existing prosthetic feet, with the intention to improve the ankle mechanics thereof. The AJP is modelled to reproduce ankle joint mechanisms, specifically controlled relative angular flexion in the sagittal plane, using only simple mechanical elements (i.e. compression springs instead of electronics). Initial results were positive, indicating that the AJP improves the stance phase mechanics of the baseline AFP in a simulated TT amputee gait cycle. During forefoot dorsiflexion rollover, an 80%–132% (p < 0.001) increase in joint angle and a 42–56% decrease in ankle stiffness (p < 0.001 for all but one participant) is observed. Following heelstrike a 22%–77% (p < 0.001) increase in joint angle is observed. However equipment and methodology errors left the moment response of this phase unverifiable. The overall conclusion of this paper is that the introduction of the AJP to baseline AFP's supplies evidence of improved rollover shapes, easier phase transitions, and the facilitation of footflat during mid-stance.
Topics: Artificial limbs, Design, Cycles, Compression, Developing nations, Electronics, Errors, Osteoarthritis, Phase transitions, Shapes
Combination Product Patient Training: How Are Patients Trained and Who Conducts the Training?
Virginia A. Lang, David Nalan
Patients are frequently prescribed a medication that must be administered either by a nasal spray, an inhaler, or a self-injection device. These devices are classified as combination devices by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Medical Device Regulations (MDR). However, there has been an issue of who and how do these patients get trained. It has long been the stance of the pharmaceutical companies they will not provide training because they provide an Information for Use (IFU) and/or a demo on their website. The issues with either of these means is that neither the FDA, nor the MDR permit them as mitigation for use errors. And, in human factors testing there are considerable numbers of use errors when patients attempt to use the devices.
Topics: Drugs, Errors, Food and Drug Administration, Human factors, Medical devices, Regulations, Sprays, Testing
Design and Fabrication of a Robust Active Needle Using SMA Wires
Bardia Konh, Tarun K. Podder
Shape memory alloy (SMA) based active needles [1] have shown the potential to introduce remarkable improvements to many percutaneous needle-based procedures such as thermal ablation, brachytherapy and breast biopsy. Brachytherapy for instance is a common procedure to treat early stage prostate cancer because its superior clinical outcome. Prostate cancer is sex specific and only affects males; it is more prevalent in elderly males, ages 65–74 years old [2]. There is projected to be a 24% increase in cancer cases for men by 2020, this would mean approximately 1 million new cases each year [3]. There was a study in 2015 [4] that examined the needle placement accuracy for brachytherapy procedure while implementing the use of a 3D navigation system, Surgical Planning and Orientation Computer System. The study examined the Target Registration Error (TRE) for single and multiple needle placements. Analysis of the 250 different targets showed a mean Target Registration Error for single needle applications of (1.1 ± 0.4 mm), (0.9 ± 0.3 mm), and (0.7 ± 0.3 mm) in the x, y, and z directions, respectively. The maximum deviation was found 2.3 mm. In another study by Podder et al. [5], the effects of dose distribution has been discussed which has a high influence on the clinical outcome. The study shows that the curvilinear approach by the active needle would introduce the potential for improving dose distribution, reducing number of needles and resulting is better clinical outcome. Actuating the surgical needles for higher accuracy, SMAs are considered as suitable actuators [6] because of their lightweight, high force and energy density. However, SMA actuated needle will be more complex and may incur additional inaccuracy; thereby after development of a robust active needle, control studies sound very necessary. The focus of this work is to introduce an innovative design of an active needle, and to fabricate the device to demonstrate its capability of creating a high maneuverability at the needle tip. This design of the active needle privileges from actuation of a comparatively long SMA wire to create a considerable amount of deflection, while minimizing the tissue rupture. Most of the needles today are made of stainless steel, titanium or Nitinol; they are ensured to be sturdy enough to puncture the tissue and overcome its resistance during insertion. This would limit the flexibility of the needles. In our previous designs [7,8], a joint element was included in design to provide more dexterity to the needle's structure. Despite of the fact that this soft element increased the needle's flexibility; the design introduced a high tissue rupture during actuation because of the gap between the body of the needle and the SMA actuator. The amount of rupture was increasing with larger deflection of the needle. This work decreases the rupture to a reasonable amount while even a higher deflection compared to our previous design is achieved. Table 1 lists general specifications and approximations of dimensions and requirements that have been tried to be addressed in the current design as much as possible. There will be still future work to meet some other factors discussed at the end of this study.
Topics: Design, Manufacturing, Needles, Wire, Rupture, Biological tissues, Cancer, Deflection, Performance, Actuators
Erratum: "Development of a Simplified Ankle Distractor" [2017 Design of Medical Devices Conference, 2017 Design of Medical Devices Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, April 10–13, 2017, ISBN: 978-0-7918-4067-2, Copyright © 2017 by ASME. Paper No. DMD2017-3438, pp. V001T03A005; 2 pages; doi:10.1115/DMD2017-3438]
Thomas Baer, Ryan Frisbie, Michael Willey, Jessica Goetz
Proc. ASME. DMD2017, 2017 Design of Medical Devices Conference, V001T03A005e, April 10–13, 2017
Paper No: DMD2017-3438e
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1115/DMD2017-3438e
This erratum corrects errors that appeared in the paper "Development of a Simplified Ankle Distractor" which was published in Proceedings of the 2017 Design of Medical Devices Conference, 2017 Design of Medical Devices Conference, V001T03A005, April 2017, DMD2017-3438, doi: 10.1115/DMD2017-3438.
Topics: Design, Medical devices, Errors
Characteristics of Intracellular and Extracellular Fluid Ratio for the Varying Body Impedances in Fixed Total Body Fluid
JungHun Choi
A bioelectrical impedance analysis is a proven method to measure body composition in clinical situations. It uses the relation between the body fluid and the impedances in a variety of frequencies. A body model can be simplified as a parallel combination of a capacitor and two resistors which represent a cell membrane, Intracellular Fluid (ICF), and Extracellular Fluid (ECF). Low frequency current passes through ECF and high frequency current also passes through ICF in a body. A Cole-Cole plot is a graphical interpretation of the path of impedances and each axis represents resistance and reactance with variable frequencies. A high value of resistance in a horizontal axis is a resistance value of ECF and a low value of resistance at a high frequency presents ICF. Interpolation technique is needed to find out the exact cross-point between impedance values and the horizontal axis. The two estimated impedance values are used to derive Total Body Water (TBW), ICF, ECF, Fat Free Mass (FFM), and Fat Mass (FM) from various published equations [1]. Minimizing the possible error of fluid volume assessment and accurate prediction of fluid status in a human body is essential for appropriate therapy. Different techniques of fluid status assessment in a human body can be applicable, such as physical examination, orthostatic vital signs, blood volume measurement, acoustic cardiograph, chest radiography, and thoracic ultrasonography [2]. In this study, a bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy device and simple body models were used to collect data such as TBW, ICF, ECF, FM, and FFM. The ratio between ICF and ECF was investigated for the same values of TBW, FM, and FFM by varying impedance values.
Topics: Fluids, Pellet fusion, Acoustics, Blood, Capacitors, Cell membranes, Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, Errors, Impedance (Electricity), Interpolation
Conceptual Design of Flex-DBS, a Mechanically Reconfigurable Deep Brain Stimulation Probe
Gregory Johnson, Lauri Lehto, Silvia Mangia, Olli Gröhn, Shalom Michaeli, Suhasa Kodandaramaiah
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) has demonstrated outstanding results for the treatment of medically intractable Parkinson's disease (PD), essential tremor and other neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and major depression [1,2]. Despite widespread proliferation, efficacy of DBS treatment is limited primarily because of two key limitations as shown in Fig. 1: (a) non-specific activation of regions implicated in DBS side effects, and (b) inefficient neurostimulation due to complex anatomical structure and axonal orientations of target regions. Thus, there is a need to develop approaches to DBS that achieve more precise target selection and efficient activation of axonal pathways within the brain. Recent efforts in target selection has focused on shaping the stimulation field by using multichannel electrodes for current steering [3]. These multichannel electrodes are limited to cylindrical lead configuration and can only correct for small spatial localization errors, and they do not utilize the direction of the electrical field's gradients to stimulate neurons depending on their orientation (mainly orientation of axons). Thus, there is a critical need for new electrode architectures that enable both spatial steering and stimulation field orientation tuning capabilities. Here we present the Flex-DBS, a novel DBS electrode lead architecture that harnesses recent advances in flexible probe fabrication and precision guidance strategy to mechanically reconfigure electrodes in three dimensional orientations within anatomically complex brain tissue. Further, it incorporates dense arrays of electrodes with each lead that allow stimulation field orientation tuning.
Topics: Brain, Conceptual design, Probes, Electrodes, Architecture, Biological tissues, Diseases, Errors, Essential tremors, Manufacturing
Measurement of Syringe Needle Forces for a Haptic Robotic Training Device
David Pepley, Mary Yovanoff, Katelin Mirkin, Scarlett Miller, David Han, Jason Moore
Medical simulation plays a critical role in the training of surgical and medical residents. Training simulators give residents an environment to practice a wide variety of procedures where they can learn and make mistakes without harming a living patient [1]. In recent years, much research has been conducted on applying haptic or force feedback technology to surgical simulators in order to create more effective training devices [2]. Simulators such as the LapSim (laparoscopic simulator) and the PalpSim (palpitation needle insertion simulator) have both utilized haptic feedback arms to provide the physical sensation of performing surgical procedures to the user [3, 4]. The haptic simulator shown in Fig. 1 is currently in development. This virtual reality haptic robotic simulator for central venous catheterization (CVC) utilizes a haptic feedback arm to provide the feeling of a syringe being inserted into neck tissue [5]. Currently, there is little experimental data relating needle force to depth. To determine the forces necessary to program into the haptic robotic device, a force sensing syringe was developed and cadaver experiments were performed. This paper presents the development of a syringe which can accurately measure needle insertion force and the proceeding experiments conducted using this device on a fresh frozen cadaver. The results of these cadaver needle insertions are characterized into force profiles for needle insertion force that are implemented into the haptic based CVC simulator.
Topics: Haptics, Needles, Robotics, Surgery, Biomedicine, Feedback, Biological tissues, Errors, Force feedback, Simulation
Design and Fabrication of a MirtaClip Locator Prototype for Percutaneous Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair System
Bardia Konh, Russell K. Woo, Scott Miller
Mitral Regurgitation (MR) is a malfunction of the mitral valve where the blood flows backward because of improper closure of the valve. The blood flows back through the mitral valve to the left atrium during the contraction of the left ventricle. This condition usually causes shortness of breath, fatigue, lightheadedness, and a rapid heartbeat. It is estimated that 2% of the global population have significant mitral valve disease. In US, more than 200,000 patients are diagnosed with this condition each year [1]. Current treatments include anticoagulation medication, and surgeries to replace or repair the dysfunctional mitral valve. Open heart surgery has been the conventional approach to repair or replace the mitral valve. However, for a large percentage of patients (almost 30%), open heart surgery carries increased risk of mortality and morbidity due to their advanced age and dysfunction of the left ventricle [2]. Recently, less invasive, transcatheter approaches to mitral valve disease have been developed to decrease the surgical risk for these patients. [3]. One of the approaches that has recently shown promising outcomes is the placement of a MitraClip system (Abbott Vascular, Inc., Santa Clara, California) to stop or decrease the undesired leakage. MitraClip is a metal clip coated with fabric that is implanted on the mitral valve leaflets to allow the valve to close more completely. After clip placement, blood flows in an assisted fashion as the mitral valve opens and closes on the either sides of the clip. The whole procedure for placement of the MitraClip in Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair (TMVR) takes 2 to 3 hours under general anesthesia. A transesophageal echocardiogram is used to observe the blood flow and to trace the placement of the clip. A catheter is guided inside the femoral artery after percutaneous access is established. Then a guide wire is inserted to reach the mitral valve. At this time the MitraClip is threaded into the target position between the leaflets, and then, the guide is removed. Precise placement and orientation must be achieved at this point to best secure the clip with the minimum leakage possible. Since the implantation is being done inside a beating heart, this precise placement is the most challenging part of the surgery. Currently trial and error along with precise measurements are being utilized to find the best position. This work introduces an innovative MitraClip locator device based on the most advanced materials and actuators to assist in the positioning of the MitraClip during implantation; this would potentially facilitate the most challenging and improtant step of the procedure. Currently, doctors are spending most of their surgical time (roughly 90 min) finding the correct orientation for the clip. The proposed self-actuated MitraClip locator device uses active Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs), Nitinol wires, in order to expedite surgical procedures with a higher precision. SMA wires have been used in medical devices safely and effectively [4,5]. Fig. 1 shows the schematic picture of our novel design that includes evenly distributed SMA wires inside a shaft to enable orientations in multiple directions. This design is proposed as a scaled model for preliminary testing. After thorough testing and evaluation on this model a real size prototype will be made for the real application. This work presents a detailed design of our innovative device. This device has been fabricated and tested to show the proof of concept. The main purpose of this work is to show the feasibility of achieving movements in multiple directions using three shape memory alloy wires. As a long term plan, the authors aim to have this mechanism (while its accuracy and safety is assured) attached behind the MitraClip to facilitate controlled, accurate positioning.
Topics: Design, Engineering prototypes, Maintenance, Manufacturing, Valves, Surgery, Wire, Blood flow, Diseases, Leakage
Design and Analysis of a Symmetric Articulated Single-Port Laparoscopic Surgical Device
Rohan Katoch, Boao Xia, Yoshinori Yamakawa, Jun Ueda, Hiroshi Honda
Laparoscopic surgery is a practice of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) performed in the abdominal area. Prior to surgery, instead of exposing the target region to air as in a typical conventional open surgery, "key holes" are opened for positioning ports, through which surgical tools (e.g. laparoscope, needle drivers, etc.) are inserted. MIS therefore minimizes trauma and reduces the risk of hemorrhaging and infection. MIS also generates economic benefits such as shorter hospitalization time for patients and better utilization of operating rooms and wards for hospitals. MIS procedures, however, require extra dexterity from surgeons: they must use instruments with little to none haptic feedback to remotely manipulate tissue within a limited range of motion, assisted by an indirect view from laparoscope. Such unintuitive operations not only require additional training, but also increase the risk of medical errors. Thus, the development of novel surgical devices that can provide a better operating experience will allow surgeons to deliver safer and more effective surgeries. At the advent of MIS only rigid straight laparoscopic instruments were available. Therefore, surgeons used multiple incisions to position the tools and achieve triangulation. In single port laparoscopic surgeries (SPLS), only one incision is made for positioning a port. Two rigid straight instruments inserted through one incision cannot provide sufficient triangulation for operations. Rigid bent, or articulated, instruments can achieve triangulation, but the tools must intersect at a point. The mapping to control the end-effector, therefore, must be inverted such that the right hand controls the left end-effector, and vice versa [1]. Given this inverted mapping, surgeons need to undergo extra training to intuitively control the end-effector, and greater attention is required toward operating the device, which can potentially detract from the ability of surgeons to focus on procedures. The disadvantage of an inverted mapping can be overcome by providing additional mobility with flexible tools and actuating structures [2]. For example, Transenterix has developed a flexible laparoscopic device which utilizes a cable-driven system for articulation of the end-effectors. However, using flexible elements as the driving mechanism can result in new problems such as diminished force feedback [3]. In 2015, a novel design of an articulated single port laparoscopic device was presented with 6 degrees of freedom (DOF). The system provides intuitive control, accurate force feedback, and sufficient manipulation for laparoscopic procedures. The design proposed in this paper keeps much of the functional features in the previous model, including 1:1 mapping and force feedback, while incorporating flexible hydraulic graspers. The articulated mechanism was redesigned to have a symmetrical structure, which is more intuitive to control and provides better operating angles for surgeons. Joint structures are redesigned for enhanced robustness and misalignment prevention. Kinematic analysis is presented for the proposed mechanisms, which is used to determine the manipulator workspace.
Topics: Design, Surgery, Laparoscopic devices, End effectors, Force feedback, Instrumentation, Risk, Biological tissues, Biomedicine, Cables
Design and Analysis of a Novel 5-DoF Bimanual Laparoscopic Impedance Skills Trainer With Haptics Feedback
M. S. Raghu Prasad, M. Manivannan
Laparoscopic surgery has widely replaced open surgery due to the advantages it has for patients both during surgery and post-surgery recovery. Due to inversion and remote access to the surgical site, haptics feedback is altered with laparoscopic surgical instruments [1]. This leads to excessive exertion of force [2]. Many intra operative errors like tissue injury in laparoscopic surgery are due to texertion of large forces [2]. Over the years, virtual reality (VR) based laparoscopic surgical simulators with haptics feedback have been instrumental in teaching basic and advanced laparoscopic skills to residents and surgeons [3]. However, a major limitation in modern day VR based simulator training systems is that they do not effectively teach the bimanual impedance-based laparoscopic skills. Past studies on VR based laparoscopic training have captured the skills sets of residents and surgeons using force and psychomotor metrics [3, 4]. However, till date none have explored the effects of experience on impedance based training. In this study, we analyze the impedance skills of residents and surgeons using custom developed novel bimanual laparoscopic skills trainer.
Topics: Design, Feedback, Haptics, Surgery, Biological tissues, Errors, Surgical tools, Teaching, Virtual reality, Wounds
Design and Development of Valgus-Sensing Leggings
Robert Pettys-Baker, Crystal Compton, Sophia Utset-Ward, Marc Tompkins, Brad Holschuh, Lucy E. Dunne
Performing exercises, especially cutting and pivoting activities, with poor lower extremity mechanics can lead to severe damage of the knee, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears [1]. A common movement pattern observed in at-risk athletes is knee valgus. This term refers to the medial collapse of the knee (when the knees falls inward towards the center of the body). Intervention to prevent knee valgus could reduce the chance of injury for at-risk athletes, or re-injury for those recovering from a knee injury. Currently, in patients with knee injuries, knee valgus is monitored by physical therapists, who observe a patient's movements visually during exercise. The therapists instruct patients on how to identify valgus and how they might correct it. Visual diagnosis of valgus can be difficult and subjective, thereby allowing the unavoidable presence of human error. In addition, monitoring in real time is only possible when the patient is with a therapist. Several studies have focused on the issue of accurate detection of knee valgus by using a variety of systems such as 2D and 3D motion capture systems to track knee and hip movements, dynamometers, and electromyography [2][3][4]. Although these systems are able to determine knee valgus, they are difficult to use, require expensive equipment, and do not provide real-time feedback outside of the clinic setting. The purpose of this study was to inform the design of a valgus-sensing legging by exploring sensor placement options to maximize the magnitude of the sensor response difference between valgus and non-valgus knee bends.
Topics: Design, Knee, Wounds, Anterior cruciate ligament, Risk, Collapse, Cutting, Damage, Dynamometers, Electromyography
Design of a Portable Dynamic Calibration Instrument for daVinci Si Tools
Nathan J. Kong, Trevor K. Stephens, John J. O'Neill, Timothy M. Kowalewski
Tissue crush injuries are more prevalent with laparoscopic surgery than open [1]. Injuries may become more frequent in robotic surgery, because force is often only evaluated by the visual deformation of the tissue [2]. A proposed solution by Sie et al. to mitigate these surgical errors is to create tissue-aware graspers which can be incorporated into existing surgical robots, such as the da Vinci [3]. Stephens et al. created a tissue-aware grasper using backend sensing on a da Vinci Si tool [4]. However, tissue identification can be further improved through properly understanding a dynamic da Vinci tool model. Therefore, instrumentation that can accurately and fully characterize existing robotic tools is needed. Various tool calibration set-ups have been created such as [5], which are not portable and often neglect dynamic ranges. The goal of this paper is to present a portable device that shows promise in capturing the dynamic range for da Vinci Si tools.
Topics: Calibration, Design, Instrumentation, Biological tissues, Surgery, Robotics, Wounds, Deformation, Errors, Robots
Design and Characterization of Shoe Embedded Pressure Sensors for Gait Analysis and Rehabilitation
SeanWolfgang Wachtel, Breanna Hassett, Zhi Qiao, Prudhvi Tej Chinimilli, Wenlong Zhang
In clinical gait therapy, the quality of gait analysis is critical for developing a training plan and monitoring patient progress. Ground contact forces (GCFs) are often recorded to estimate joint torques which can quantify a patient's needs and strength development. They are also useful in designing and controlling rehabilitative and assistive devices. In clinical gait analysis, force plates are used to measure GCFs objectively and precisely [1, 2]. Currently, forces sensitive resistors (FSR) are often used as a mobile platform to measure GCFs. FSR based platforms exhibit considerable hysteresis and have low durability, some requiring replacement after only 5-hour long uses. As an alternative to FSR, a pair of sensor-embedded shoes (smart shoes) relying on air pressure sensors has been presented in previous research [3]. Some details regarding the precise characteristics of the sensing abilities were unknown, though, generating unanticipated errors during use. In this paper, the sensing units of wireless smart shoes are characterized and tested to verify their capability to provide real-time and accurate GCF measurements. For the prototype, silicon tubes were sealed on one end, wound into coils, secured to the underside of the shoe's insole at four points of interest (heel, toe, the first and fourth metatarsophalangeal joint) routed outside the shoe, and their open ends are connected to air pressure sensors as shown in Fig. 1(a). The pressure sensors were placed on a circuit board along with a battery and microcontroller responsible for reading sensor outputs and wirelessly communicating data to a nearby device, as shown in Fig. 1(c). The sensing unit on the lateral side of the shoe is 1.2″ × 1.3″ × 3.95″. A series of calibration tests were first performed on the tube-insole subsystem in isolation to test linearity, repeatability, and hysteresis. Then practical experiments were performed on a healthy subject to determine the accuracy of GCF measurement. A previously presented hysteresis filter was implemented in practical testing [4].
Topics: Design, Gait analysis, Pressure sensors, Sensors, Batteries, Calibration, Durability, Engineering prototypes, Errors, Filters


Well it has been a busy few months, I have made a few more orders and replaced some parts which I just thought would look nicer new. I have also placed the engine in the frame and assembled a few other components. I am currently waiting on some new handlebar risers since my original set had a bit of pitting on the chrome. I had some issues installing the seat and it would seam some bolts that should have came with either the seat or the bolt kit were not present. I made due with what I had. I have included more photos in the main assembly.
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will be open to the general public November 18-27.
Garage, will feature more than 60 exhibitors across a 162,000 square feet area.
will host car care and maintenance tutorials tailored specifically for women.
as "6'3" Eyes O' Green."
including races, t-shirts, lanyards and more.
- Madness Autoworks (https://madnessautoworks.com/ ): As the largest U.S.
industry's first modified FIAT 124 ABARTH.
bike. The exhibit will feature something for the entire family to enjoy.
"The Garage, powered by Prestone(R), is really where car culture lives,"
for the entire family to enjoy."
AutoMobility LA, please visit: http://www.automobilityla.com.
Auto Show(TM) are the exclusive property of ANSA Productions, Inc.


In 1999, the husband and wife jazz vocal team Jackie Cain and Roy Kral will be celebrating 50 years of performing and their golden wedding anniversary. One could be forgiven for thinking their latest would be a summing up or looking back. Forgiven but still sadly mistaken. On the evidence of the Brazilian flavored THE BEAUTIFUL SEA, this remarkable, ever youthful couple is as musically inventive, witty, romantic and able to create moments of sheer vocal beauty as they ever were.
THE BEAUTIFUL SEA features "songs of sun, sand and sea," as the complete title tells us. Some tracks are quite ancient, like 1914's "By The Beautiful Sea" and Frank Loesser's "On A Slow Boat To China," which was a hoary old standard even when Charlie Parker fooled around with it in be-bop's heyday. The Krals seamlessly integrate these tunes with jazz originals like Herbie Hancock's "Dolphin Dance" and Mark Murphy's "Song Of The Boy And The Dolphins," the latter a tour-de-force riding an unfolding wave of melody and bossa nova rhythms.


I have to warn you, Charlie from Northampton, I have a terrible habit of doing exactly the opposite of what people want of me.
I thought we'd have more time.
Burgundy... Please, god, tell me I have not inspired something burgundy!
I came for the adulation.


text:
/* eslint-disable react/no-array-index-key */
/* @flow */

import React from 'react';
import type { Node } from 'react';
import cn from 'classnames';
import { Dropdown, DropdownOption } from '../../Dropdown';
import type { FontFamilyConfig } from '../../../core/config';

export type Props = {
  expanded: boolean,
  onExpandEvent: Function,
  doExpand: Function,
  doCollapse: Function,
  onChange: Function,
  config: FontFamilyConfig,
  currentState: any,
};

type State = {
  defaultFontFamily: string,
};

class FontFamilyLayout extends React.Component<Props, State> {
  state = {
    defaultFontFamily: undefined,
  };

  componentDidMount(): void {
    const editorElm = document.getElementsByClassName('DraftEditor-root');
    if (editorElm && editorElm.length > 0) {
      const styles = window.getComputedStyle(editorElm[0]);
      const defaultFontFamily = styles.getPropertyValue('font-family');
      this.setDefaultFam(defaultFontFamily);
    }
  }

  setDefaultFam = defaultFont => {
    this.setState({
      defaultFontFamily: defaultFont,
    });
  };

  props: Props;

  render(): Node {
    const { defaultFontFamily } = this.state;
    const {
      config: { options, title },
      onChange,
      expanded,
      doCollapse,
      onExpandEvent,
      doExpand,
    } = this.props;
    let { currentState: { fontFamily: currentFontFamily } } = this.props;
    currentFontFamily =
      currentFontFamily ||
      (options &&
        defaultFontFamily &&
        options.some(opt => opt.toLowerCase() === defaultFontFamily.toLowerCase()) &&
        defaultFontFamily);
    return (

        <Dropdown
          onChange={onChange}
          expanded={expanded}
          doExpand={doExpand}
          ariaLabel="be-dropdown-fontfamily-control"
          doCollapse={doCollapse}
          onExpandEvent={onExpandEvent}
          title={title}>
          {currentFontFamily || 'Font Family'}
          {options.map((family, index) => (
            <DropdownOption active={currentFontFamily === family} value={family} key={index}>
              {family}
            </DropdownOption>
          ))}
        </Dropdown>

    );
  }
}

export default FontFamilyLayout;

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Very congested flattened buns of lovely tiny puckered leaves brightly margined bold white. Incredible Indian cultivar famous for fooling plant show judges who cannot believe this is cousin to the "Calico/ Parrot" tribe! The most successful way to introduce a patch of white in your terrarium, your fairy garden, or tropical trough. Much used in moss topiary as this quilted carpet stays close to the surface.