text:
Bob Sokol comes face to face with FRUMMOX
A tale of infinite improbabilities
and the musical thread that binds.
by Bob Sokol
It begins back in 1969 when I was a college freshman living in Philadelphia. My room-mate Jimmy Burns had a weekend job at a pharmacy over in Cherry Hill where they had a cut-rate record rack full of esoteric artists from unknown record labels.
Every Monday Jimmy would come back with a couple of 33's which we would listen to once and then use for frisbees.
Among these albums was the FRUMMOX album, a collection of ballads performed by these two guys from Texas playing acoustic guitars; Steven Fromholz and Dan McCrimmon. I credit Jimmy with making me sit down and listen to it all the way through the first time, and as it had done to him, it reached out and grabbed me. This is all the more unusual when you consider that at the time I was 19 and we were mostly listening to Led Zeppelin and Lee Michaels cranked up as loud as it would go...
The FRUMMOX album cover art
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Jimmy and I listened to that album regularly and soon we knew all the words to all the tunes. We never heard any of them anywhere else except on that disc... No radio station ever picked up on them, no club ever booked them, no one else ever heard of them. Upon graduation, we went our separate ways, Jimmy and his record collection stayed on the East Coast and I headed west to 'grow up with the country'.
See: How I turned a school bus into a Winnebago.
In my travels, I ran across a copy of the FRUMMOX album in a second-hand store for two bucks and I played it until it got so thin you could see through it...
During the years I lived in the bus I traveled the country working when I needed the bucks as everything from auto mechanic to animal trainer. On a stay in Bisbee, AZ, I made a good friend in Virgo Bill Conte, a half-fast guitarist who played a beat-up Gibson Hummingbird. When I expressed an interest in learning to play, he took me by the hand to a local pawn shop and helped me pick out a six-string to learn on. I gave a hundred bucks for this Ibanez copy of the Gibson Dove. It was an excellent choice, and I still own it.
Bill was a great guy but no teacher, so I got a copy of Mel Bay's 'learn to play' series and locked myself in the back room for a few months. I guess it should come as no surprise to anyone that those familiar songs from the FRUMMOX album were the first songs I wanted to tackle. He had never heard of them, but after a listen through my scratched up album, he wrote down the chord progressions for me and I was on my way. Over the years I have gotten to be a pretty good picker, and I've been told I have a passable voice, and by now I can play a couple hundred tunes from memory. But those tunes from the FRUMMOX album remain some of my favorites.
On a cross country jaunt in 1979, I was driving through El Paso when I saw a poster for the KERRVILLE FOLK FESTIVAL which was due to kick off a four day event just three weeks away. I picked up the phone and called the number on the poster and found myself talking to Rod Kennedy, the promoter. I explained that I was a clever guy traveling with all my tools and looking for a diversion. I asked if he needed temporary help preparing for the festival, and he told me to drive on over and they'd find a place for me and my bus.
The next day I arrived at Quiet Valley Ranch just south of Kerrville TX. There was exactly two people there, Rod and his wife Nancy Lee. I parked the bus at the other end of the property from their house and spent the next 15 days fixing things at Rod's direction. Busted plumbing, fallen bathroom doors, trenching and stringing electrical wiring, patching leaky water tanks; you name it, I did it. Alone.
It was getting to be a joke between me and Nancy Lee that when I would come up to the house for meals I'd always ask, "Are you sure people are really coming out here next weekend? Are you SURE this isn't just a ploy Rod uses to get help fixing up the place?" Well come Thursday morning people did indeed arrive, and many thousands came to camp out and party that weekend. I was the official 'head of maintenance' for the festival, and I had a great time. I reckon it was worth all the sweat.
The Festival was an all-day affair of acts on stage, followed by all-night campfires where it seemed like everyone who came played musical instruments. Imagine my surprise to find out that EVERYONE knew ALL the songs from the FRUMMOX album! Turns out it is a local legend in Texas, and Steven Fromholtz still plays solo gigs around Austin.
The last task I performed for Rod Kennedy was set in concrete... The Baldwin Piano people graciously offered to provide a baby grand for use on stage if Rod would only provide a suitable shelter for it. Unfortunately, the stage was made of wood with spaces between the boards, so I had to build a form and pour a concrete slab big enough to hold the piano. Rod then had a little shed built on the slab with heat and A/C to house the piano. I fought the Texas mosquitos and the Texas heat to frame that slab, and when the concrete truck pulled away and left me to smooth her out, I couldn't resist putting my initials and the date in a corner of the fresh concrete, "B.S. 1980".
Although I was unaware of it when I signed on with Rod, he owed money all over the place. And true to his reputation, when the festival was over he stiffed me for the three hundred bucks he had promised me for working the three weeks, sighting the fact that the festival had not made any money.
I guess it left a sour taste in my mouth, because I would not return to the ranch for 17 years.
I settled in Austin, TX, sold the bus, opened a business, married my high school sweetheart and started raising kids, kids who enjoy music; my Julie plays piano and cello.
And last year I FINALLY bought the guitar I always wanted, my Gibson Hummingbird.
I got my first music CD player!
By now, copies of the now-classic FRUMMOX album were going for $25 to $40 in the used record stores and they were all well played like mine. When I started buying CD copies of all my favorite old albums, I naturally was searching for a CD copy of the FRUMMOX album. Of course, it was a one-time vinyl pressing twenty years out of print and no CD existed.
I got a computer and I got on the internet and:
Up and down the internet I could find no reference to a FRUMMOX CD. But during an all-night web session hammering the search engines, I stumbled over a used record site in California where they warehouse albums which have been returned to the manufacturer for credit becuase they didn't sell. Unbelieveable! Six copies of the FRUMMOX album "HERE TO THERE", new, sealed for 15 bucks each! So for a hundred bucks I took them all... When they arrived, I hustled them over to a friend who runs a sound studio which specializes in (guess what?) transfering albums to CD. It should come as no surprise that he was a fan and amazed to see my unopened copies. He set out on a labor of love that, one week later, produced a sweetened copy of the FRUMMOX album on CDr. I can finally drive around in my pick-up and listen to those old tunes!
1998, Memorial day weekend
The Kerrville Folk Festival takes place at the beginning and end of the summer, Memorial day and Labor day weekends. I have these friends Stuart and Cari who are staff volunteers and they are always trying to get me to come down for festival weekend and hang out.
I have been to parties at their house which always end up as jam sessions and I have met and picked with some of their other friends. Among them local side man Fletcher Clark who, coincidently has played onstage locally with Steven Fromholz.
Cullen gives Julie a lesson on the squeeze-box
My daughter Julie is 11 and Cari, who runs the back-stage kitchen, invited her specially to come work with her. So after all these years I found myself back at Kerrville, camping in the staff camp area and eating meals back-stage. Julie's Mom told her she could go on the condition that she find a piano or keyboard of some kind to practice on, as she had a recital coming up the following weekend.
I'm not sure that this is what her mother had in mind when she said, "Find a keyboard to practice on".
On Saturday morning over breakfast, I reminded her of her promise, and Cari ran off to ask the stage manager if Julie could use the stage piano. As it was 10:00 and the first act was not until 1:00, the theatre was empty and the piano was free. So we took our coffee cups climbed the stairs to the back stage, only to find this most excellent Baldwin grand. Julie pounded out a rousing version of Scott Joplin's, "The Entertainer" for the volunteers cleaning the theatre and when she finished I sat down on the bench with her and proceeded to tell her the story of how, twenty years earlier, I had spent several days out in the sun, sweating and pouring the concrete slab we were sitting on. I was able to punctuate my story by pointing under the bench to where my initials still appear in the concrete:
B. S.
CLICK HERE FOR A PICTURE
Five minutes later:
As we walked down the stage steps I found myself face to face with Steven Fromholtz! He was there as a judge for the New Folk song writer's competition. I screwed up my courage (it can be disconcerting to come face to face with a six foot something personal legend the first time!) and introduced myself. Steven turned out to be a very approachable, friendly guy and he listened to my story all the way from Philadelphia to Kerrville to the FRUMMOX CD I had made. He told me that the chances were slim to none that anyone would ever do an official version of the CD and that he was lucky he still had the right to even perform those songs in public... I offered to send him a copy when I got back to town, and he gave me his card.
Julie and I had a full, fun, exhausting weekend and it didn't take much convincing to get us to vow we'd be back for Labor Day.
1998, Labor day weekend
The official Kerrville Folk Festival program headlines touted a re-union of FRUMMOX, so Julie and I arrived early and got a prime campsite in the staff area right back-stage. I brought along lawn chairs and I commandeered a table, and we set up a nice circle right outside of our van door, the plan being that instead of walking from camp fire to camp fire, this time we would stay home and BE a campfire. Let them come to us...
Saturday went by in typical Kerrville fashion. We listened to music until midnight, then played music until the sun came up. Fortunately, I didn't have far to walk to bed. I had had about 5 hours sleep, when the on-stage music started Sunday noon, and I awoke to find Stuart sipping a julep outside my door. I was just shaking it off when Fletcher pulled up on his motorcycle with his mandolin strapped to the back. He comes into the circle and sits with us, explaining that the mandolin has just come out of the shop and needs to be tuned. I reach into the van and pull out my cheap mandolin to tune to, and right away we're picking. But at the first opportunity, I switch to my Hummingbird, and compliments come from all assembled.
On the guitar that is, not on my picking...
My Gibson hummingbird
Next to wander up was Segle Fry carrying his banjo and he has Dan McCrimmon in tow. Dan, the other half of FRUMMOX, just flew in for the day. These days he is living the quiet life up in Colorado. He seems a little surprised at the reunion, and I am starting to think that Rod Kennedy may have neglected to inform all of the participants...
When I get an opening, I start spewing my tale on Dan, who kindly listens to my story, all the way from Philadelphia to Kerrville. He takes me up on my offer to send him a copy of the FRUMMOX CD and we exchange cards.
I told Dan that I had heard Steven do a live version of Kansas Legend (a song Dan wrote) with an extra verse in it, one that isn't on the Frummox album. He told me that when they used to tour and perform the tune live he would speak that extra verse and he offered to write it down for me. So he sits in my van with my slam book open to the song he wrote making corrections to it.
He says he can't think it out straight unless he plays it as he writes it, and 1, 2, 3: He's playing my hummingbird...
The missing verse:
CLICK to see it close up
By now the general conversation has turned to the 70's and he tells some stories about the tour they went on promoting the FRUMMOX album and about playing some club near Philly where they were totally unappreciated...
About this time Fromholz wheels up and I find myself, quite literally, in the middle of the FRUMMOX reunion.
Dan McCrimmon
Steven Fromholz
back in '69
After a bunch of back slapping and how-ya-beens, they discover that they are scheduled to appear onstage twice: They are booked as FRUMMOX as the closer at midnight, but Fromholz is also supposed to do a warm-up set, like right now.
He asks Seigel and Fletcher to join Dan and him on stage. Fletcher says, "Yeah, great, but I don't have a guitar with me: wouldn't fit on my motorcycle."
Fletcher says to me, "Don't I remember seeing an electric pickup on your Gibson and would you mind if I played it onstage with your heros Steven Fromholz and Dan McCrimmon?"
Well, he didn't ask me in exactly that way, but that's the way I heard it...
He pulls my Hummingbird out of it's case, strums a big E chord, the usual compliments fly and then they all hustle around to the stage.
Fletcher Clark and Segle Fry backstage
I grab my camera and work my way around the front.
Segle Fry, Dan McCrimmon, Steven Fromholz, Fletcher Clark
(and my hummingbird)
I hope you enjoyed this story by:
Bob Sokol
4418 Pack Saddle Pass
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Return to BobSokol.com


For Web Designers 2019-03-24 22:04:40 UTC Mail Delivery Problems?
Some time ago I wrote the first three of what was to be a four part series, and eventually I'll get around to part four. Today, though, I just want to do a little follow-up so we can all see how well getting our stuff in order can work.
The bulk mail is still going out as two campaigns per week, but we've trimmed out about a quarter of the recipient addresses. Whereas it was a list of over 40,000 addresses a year ago, it's about 31,500 addresses today. None of them spamtraps, all of them deliverable. And with a Sender Score of 99, it's probably a safe bet that those messages are not being automatically filtered as bulk by the mail service providers, so they're actually getting in front of human users.
I'm going to call it a win now.
Served to 3.90.12.112:37750 at 22:04:40 GMT on Wednesday, April 24, 2019.


So, I had someone introduce me to the Dungeonomicon as a good example of someone taking a given work, with all of its flaws, and finding ways to explain the flaws away. I highly advise it, particularly the sections where the author discusses how the world of D&D is socially a Bronze/Iron Age world, not Medieval, despite the plate armor and the section on economics and how it would likely work in a world with wishes and magic items. But mainly, what I'm going to discuss is one of the author's other works, the Book of Gears. This book is ostensibly about Crafting rules, but the author makes a very fascinating side trip on the issue of level advancement and when, or if, it's necessary, and what he comes out with is essentially what Mutants and Masterminds typically does, with small bits of the Weis Marvel RPG.
Essentially, most good fantasy literature is about the characters not advancing. I'll give you a second to bring up a long list of counter-examples, but honestly, throughout the Conan books, Conan probably does not gain any real class levels. Drizz't Do'Urden starts as a highly trained swordsmen and acquires a small handful of magic items that he makes smart usage of. Jamethiel remains a wildling Highborn with a chaotic streak. Threats might scale up on occasion, but by the end of the book, the protagonist is more likely to be a little bit more scarred and wiser than they are to have suddenly improved their combat prowess by another 5%. The character neither level up nor do they acquire an ever-growing horde of magic baubles, trading their old +1 magic sword for a +2 Fireblade. So, why do we do it in RPGs?
Mutants and Masterminds gets things mostly right. Characters don't acquire gear. Advancement is relatively slow, with players gaining 1-2 pp at most for complete campaign arcs, and often PL advances more slowly, meaning that characters become broader rather than becoming intrinsically more powerful. In making rewards happen at the end of campaigns, we also follow one of his suggestions of not rewarding players for every trap disarmed, every monster killed, but rather on completing the scenario (as has often been pointed out, particularly with computer RPGs, avoiding combat generally means you advance too slowly. Thieves, in particular...). So, why do we still advance? I think that some of it is that people like their characters to gain the ability to battle stronger opponents. We've all had the case where we've been outmatched by an opponent several PL higher than us, and we dream of being stronger so that we could battle Omega toe-to-toe rather than fighting a running battle, or just running and trying to accomplish some other objective first. Some of it is that joy of expansion, of making our character more able to pull out neat tricks without having to invoke Extra Effort or Fatigue. Sometimes, it's buying those things that we simply never realized we'd need, like commlinks, or feats that would have proven useful.
Ultimately... this is as much me rambling as anything else. I loved reading these sourcebooks and I wanted to share them with others. So I tried to find a tenuous link. Tell me whether I found a good enough one?
The need to advance has actually always been a little bit of an issue for me as a GM when it comes to certain ideas, stories or what not. To take D&D for example (or any other leveling up style game), sometimes, especially the lower levels, it feels like the story has to drag while the players are learning to walk. I mean, as a GM I always make sure that there is ample story and fun even at lower levels, but it always kind of feels like we are waiting to get to the cool. Robert E. Howard didn't write story after story of Conan's learning to wield a blade, he just delved into the good stuff. That is one thing I have always liked about MnM, the fact that you are expected to start at a Power Level that makes you competent and powerful enough that you are expected to be able to fight a dragon in your first adventure (as per a game I started on Thursday!) as opposed to having to wait for months on end and encounter after encounter until you can finally muster the level and the requisite magical items to do so. And, on that train of thought, I have also always hated the magical item economy of most fantasy games.
I'll have to check out some of those links though, I am curious to see where the idea that it is late bronze age comes in. I am not going to necessarily argue it, I am just curious to see the case for it.


text:
Freed from the rigours of commercial pop's factory floor, Justin Timberlake concocts a solo debut that manages to—somehow—be both drum-tight and boundlessly inventive. Of course, Justified is also a monument to the bottled-lightning production of The Neptunes (the earthy snap of "Señorita", the glistening, space age funk of "Rock Your Body") and Timbaland (layered, percussive alchemy on "Cry Me a River" and "Right for Me"). But those sumptuous beatscapes would be nothing without the focal point of Timberlake's MJ-worthy falsetto, emancipated swagger and full-beam star power.
Señorita
Like I Love You (feat. Clipse)
(Oh No) What You Got
Take It from Here
Cry Me a River
Rock Your Body
Nothin' Else
Still On My Brain
(And She Said) Take Me Now [feat. Janet Jackson]
Right for Me
Let's Take a Ride
℗ 2002 Zomba Recording LLC
More by Justin Timberlake
Man of the Woods
FutureSex/LoveSounds (Deluxe Version)
CAN'T STOP THE FEELING! (Original Song From DreamWorks Animation's "Trolls") - Single
The 20/20 Experience (Deluxe Version)
The 20/20 Experience - 2 of 2 (Deluxe)
Say Something (feat. Chris Stapleton) [Live Version] - Single
SoulMate - Single
Easy Hits
Justin Timberlake Essentials
All I Want for Christmas Is Pop
Apple Music Christmas
I Miss Y2K Pop
Breakup Songs Essentials
B2k

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


All hail the X-Racer VR. One of the most loved, unlimited, extreme VR racing applications. The game itself is simple: You step up on a jet and all you have to do is fly on the airway as far as you can. However, you gotta be careful because the airway is very dangerous. There are many obstacles around: The walls that are trying to catch you and sometimes are getting bigger and wilder, the jet that is getting faster like you lose control. Are you ready?


Description or summary of the audiobook: Slipstream brilliantly illuminates the literary world of the latter half of the 20th century, as well as giving a highly personal insight into the life of Elizabeth Jane Howard, one of our most beloved British writers. Born in London in 1923, Elizabeth Jane Howard was privately educated at home, moving on to short-lived careers as an actress and model, before writing her first acclaimed novel, The Beautiful Visit, in 1950. She has written many highly regarded novels, including Falling and After Julius. Her Cazalet Chronicles have become established as modern classics and were adapted for a major BBC television series and for BBC Radio 4. She has been married three times - firstly to Peter Scott, the naturalist and son of Captain Scott, and most famously and tempestuously to Kingsley Amis. It was Amis' son by another marriage, Martin, to whom she introduced the works of Jane Austen and ensured that he received the education that would be the grounding of his own literary career. Her closest friends have included some of the greatest writers and thinkers of the day: Laurie Lee, Arthur Koestler and Cecil Day-Lewis, among others.


text:
Utilization of a three-dimensional printed kidney model for favorable TRIFECTA achievement in early experience of...
Utilization of a three-dimensional printed kidney model for favorable TRIFECTA achievement in early experience of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy
Akira Fujisaki1^, Tatsuya Takayama1, Masahiro Yamazaki1, Tomoki Kamimura2, Saki Katano1, Maiko Komatsubara1, Jun Kamei1, Toru Sugihara1, Satoshi Ando1, Tetsuya Fujimura1
1Department of Urology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan; 2Department of Radiology, Jichi Medical University Hospital, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
Contributions: (I) Conception and design: A Fujisaki, T Takayama; (II) Administrative support: T Takayama, T Fujimura; (III) Provision of study materials or patients: A Fujisaki, M Yamazaki, T Takayama, T Kamimura; (IV) Collection and assembly of data: A Fujisaki, M Yamazaki, T Takayama, T Kamimura; (V) Data analysis and interpretation: All authors; (VI) Manuscript writing: All authors; (VII) Final approval of manuscript: All authors.
^ORCID: 0000-0001-5204-2358.
Correspondence to: Tatsuya Takayama, MD, PhD. Department of Urology, Jichi Medical University 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotuke city, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan. Email: ttakayam@jichi.ac.jp.
Background: This retrospective study aimed to investigate whether a three-dimensional (3D) model would improve the achievement of TRIFECTA, which was defined as the absence of perioperative complications and positive surgical margins and a warm ischemia time of <25 minutes, during robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN).
Methods: Prior to RAPN, a 3D-square type kidney model was prepared and used for all RAPN procedures in patients with T1a renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treated at a single center between March 2016 and April 2019. All RAPN procedures were performed by a single surgeon.
Results: The study included 50 patients, of whom 22, 24, and 4 had low-, intermediate-, and high-risk R.E.N.A.L Nephrometry scores, respectively. The TRIFECTA achievement rate was 86.0%, and transfusion or conversion to radical nephrectomy was not required in any of the patients. Only one Clavien-Dindo grade 3 complication was reported—a pseudoaneurysm that required embolism. The TRIFECTA achievement rate was independent of the R.E.N.A.L Nephrometry scores and the surgeon's experience level (25 cases each of early and advanced experience).
Conclusions: The 3D model contributed to the achievement of TRIFECTA during RAPN performed by a less-experienced surgeon. These findings should be further evaluated in studies involving a larger number of cases and surgeons.
Keywords: Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN); three-dimensional; kidney model; TRIFECTA
Partial nephrectomy is the current gold-standard procedure for the treatment of small renal masses. Since its introduction, robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) has rapidly become well-established and widely used. During RAPN, it is important to recognize the relationships between positions of the renal artery and vein, tumor and urinary tract, and the depth of the tumor. Even during initial experiences with this procedure, an accurate understanding of these anatomical structures can enable reductions in the warm ischemic time (WIT), positive surgical margins, and range of resection, which will subsequently help to spare renal function.
Some studies have reported the development and use of three-dimensional (3D) printed models for RAPN (1-6). Although these models are useful for patient education, preoperative planning, and training, limited reports have discussed the effects of their use on clinical outcomes. In a report using 3D-printed soft-tissue physical models as preoperative simulation in 7 cases, it was also reported that bleeding was reduced (3). In this study, we describe the creation of a novel, simple, and inexpensive 3D-printed model of the kidney that contains the minimal anatomical information required for RAPN (e.g., the tumor, artery, vein, and urinary tract) (7). We aimed to determine the usefulness of this model during initial experience with RAPN and whether its use would contribute to the achievement of TRIFECTA, defined as the absence of perioperative complications, positive surgical margins, and a WIT of <25 min.
We present the following article in accordance with the STROBE reporting checklist (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/tau-20-927) (8,9).
This retrospective study included all cases of RAPN performed by a single surgeon (TT) at Jichi Medical University Hospital between March 2016 and April 2019. During this period, all RAPN procedures were performed to treat patients with diagnosed clinical T1a renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The following data were collected from medical records of the patients: age, sex, body mass index (BMI), tumor side, tumor size, and R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scores (10). All patients who were diagnosed with clinical T1a RCC were included in this study, and there were no exclusion criteria. There were 2 cases with a single kidney after nephrectomy. Chronic kidney disease, defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, was seen in 24.0% of cases.
Fifty cases before the surgeon started the second-generation surgical instruction were set as initial cases and analyzed.
The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (as revised in 2013) and the Harmonized Tripartite Guideline for Good Clinical Practice from the International Conference on Harmonization. This study was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Research Review Boards of Jichi Medical University with an opt-out system (No. A19-097). Written informed consent was obtained from all patients.
Three-dimensional model
According to a previous article (7), each final printed model was actual size and had a square-block structure so that the inside could be seen (see Figure 1 for representative images). In the model, arteriovenous arterioles could be reproduced up to the tertiary branches and the branching of the quadratic branches. For each model, the average weight was 115 g, printing time was 22±4.9 h, and creation time was 13±7.7 h. The average total cost of production was US $10.
Figure 1 A three-dimensional (3D)-square model. (A, B) Green, brown, red, blue, and white color indicate the renal tumor, kidney, artery, vein, and correcting system, respectively. (C, D) Determining the direction to cut with reference to the 3D model. (E, F) After tumor resection, two clips on the vein (yellow arrow and or white arrow). By using the 3D model, small vessels flowing into the tumor were recognized preoperatively. (G) Due to a grid shape 3D model, blood vessels and the tumor could be confirmed from the opposite side.
Surgical technique and follow-up
All RAPN procedures were performed by a single surgeon with experience in more than 50 open partial nephrectomy and 60 robot-assisted radical prostatectomy procedures. RAPN was performed using the da Vinci Si® surgical system (Intuitive Surgical; Sunnyvale, CA) via the transperitoneal approach, except in cases with a posteriorly located tumor, which were treated via the retroperitoneal approach. The extra device arm was used for all patients, except for those with a small physique. Intraoperative ultrasound examinations were conducted using an ARIETTA 70 probe (Hitachi; Tokyo, Japan). Ultrasound images were observed as picture-on-picture images on the console screen using the TilePRO features of the da Vinci surgical system.
The 3D model was placed next to the console box, and the operator took the model off the console and examined it when needed. During surgery, the 3D model was used mainly to secure the renal artery and mark the tumor resection line by examining it from various angles in his hands. In particular, it was used to identify the location of the main trunk of the renal artery from the viewpoint of the renal vein and to confirm whether the secured renal artery was the main trunk. For entirely entophytic tumors, the tumor position was confirmed based on the 3D model, and the resection line was determined while confirming the positions of the renal calyx and inflowing blood vessels.
Complete arterial clamping was performed using a bulldog clip (Braun-Aesculap AG; Tuttlingen, Germany) in all cases. No selective or renal vein clamping was performed. Renorrhaphy was performed in two layers (11): the first layer was sutured using a barbed suture (15-cm 3-0 V-Loc 180 with a half-circular 17-mm needle; Covidien, New Haven, CT) to achieve hemostasis and repair the collecting system, and the second layer was sutured using a barbed suture (30-cm 2-0 V-Loc 180 with half-circular 37-mm needle; Covidien) to ensure capsular reconstruction. This procedure involved the early unclamp technique, in which the arterial clamp was removed after the first-layer suture was placed (12,13).
Enhanced computed tomography (CT) was performed 6–7 days after surgery in all patients except in those with renal dysfunction for screening of postoperative complications, such as pseudoaneurysm, hematoma, and urine leakage. Patients with pseudoaneurysms measuring <20 mm were followed up, and enhanced CT was performed 1 month later. Patients with pseudoaneurysms ≥20 mm underwent embolization if requested by the patient, and they were followed up 1 month later.
Peri- and postoperative outcomes, including console time, WIT, blood loss, tumor volume, transfusion, and complications, were determined for each case. Postoperative complications were graded using the Clavien-Dindo classification (14). Renal function was assessed preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively (POM1, 3, 6, and 12, respectively). Renal function was measured using eGFR, calculated using the current equation established for the Japanese population (15). TRIFECTA was defined as described previously (16).
After surgery, the surgeon examined the subjective benefit of the 3D model with a self-assessment form using a scoring system based on a 5-point scale (1= not beneficial; 5= highly beneficial).
Fisher's exact test was used to assess categorical data. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used for non-parametric testing between groups. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to evaluate renal function. All statistical tests were two-sided, with a significance level of P<0.05. The statistical analyses were performed using JMP v.14.0 software (SAS Institute; Cary, NC).
Characteristics of the 50 patients in the study sample, including age, sex, tumor side, BMI, tumor size, and R.E.N.A.L nephrometry scores, are presented in Table 1. The sample included 31 males and 19 females with a median age of 61 years (range, 22–79 years) and median BMI of 24.5 kg/m2 (range, 16.6–46.1 kg/m2). Twenty-four and twenty-six cases involved right- and left-sided tumors, respectively. The median R.E.N.A.L nephrometry score was 7 (range, 4–10), and 22, 24, and 4 patients had low, intermediate- and high-risk scores, respectively. The retroperitoneal approach was performed in 12 cases (24%). The mean observation period was 20.5 months (range, 3–47 months).
Table 1 Clinical characteristics of the study sample and perioperative and oncological outcomes
Table 1 summarizes the perioperative and oncological outcomes of the 50 enrolled patients. The median WIT and console time were 15.6 min (range, 7–39 min) and 142 min (range, 64–285 min), respectively. The median blood loss was 50 mL (range, 5–300 mL). The median resected tumor mass was 11.3 g (range, 1.0–44.5 g). No cases required transfusion or conversion to radical nephrectomy.
Overall, 44 of the 50 patients were diagnosed with malignancies, including 39 with clear cell RCCs and 5 with papillary RCCs, and the remaining 6 patients were diagnosed with benign or other lesion types, including 3 with angiomyolipomas (AMLs), 2 with oncocytomas, and 1 with adrenocortical adenoma. No patients had positive surgical margins. Postoperative contrast-enhanced CT was evaluated in 47 cases except in 1 case of iodine allergy and 2 cases of renal dysfunction. Only one Clavien-Dindo grade >3 complication was reported—a pseudoaneurysm requiring embolism. Accordingly, the TRIFECTA achievement rate was 86.0%.
The surgeon's evaluation of the effectiveness of the 3D model in RAPN showed an average of 3.48 in all cases. The model was evaluated based on the surgeon's experience and R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scores; there were no significant differences among the scores for the items "E", "N", "A", or "L".
Renal function was evaluated in 46 patients in whom renal function was confirmed at POM12. The median eGFR rates (mL/min/1.73 m2) at the preoperative, POM3, POM6, and POM12 timepoints were 74.5, 69.5, 69.5, and 66.5, respectively. The median percent changes in eGFR at POM3, POM6, and POM12 relative to the preoperative value were −5.8%, −6.2%, and −5.9%, respectively. There were no significant differences in eGFR between the preoperative, POM3, POM6, and POM12 timepoints.
Table 2 compared clinical characteristics and perioperative outcomes according to R.E.N.A.L nephrometry scores and the surgeon's level of experience. Notably, the only significant difference involved blood loss volumes between the low- and intermediate-/high-risk R.E.N.A.L nephrometry score groups. There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics or perioperative results depending on the approach (transperitoneal or retroperitoneal).
Table 2 Clinical characteristics and perioperative outcomes
As noted above, few reports have discussed the impacts of 3D-printed renal tumor models on the clinical outcomes of patients. In this study, therefore, we investigated the effects of such models on peri- and postoperative outcomes of RAPN. During a 2-year period, we created 3D models for 50 patients with T1a kidney tumors and achieved a TRIFECTA rate of 86.0%. Our 3D model can be created inexpensively using a commercially available 3D printer and contains the minimum information required for performing RAPN (7).
Surgeons may require experience with as many as 20 cases of robotic surgery before approaching an optimized console time, whereas more than 30 cases may be needed to achieve a decrease in WIT (17). In a previous report of 99 cases by Buffi et al. (18), the TRIFECTA achievement rate improved to 66.7% during the initial 33 cases and to 87.9% in the latter 33 cases, suggesting an effect of surgical experience. In contrast, we observed no significant difference in the achievement of TRIFECTA when we compared the initial and latter 25 cases in our study, as shown in Table 2. We suggest that preoperatively, the 3D model can be taken many times to stereoscopically image tumor dissection as described above, hemostasis of blood vessels flowing to the dissection surface, and repair of the opened urinary tract. This prior realistic image training can compensate for a relative lack of surgical experience.
We further note that all cases in our sample had negative surgical margins and experienced minimal postoperative reductions in renal function. We attribute these good outcomes to the ability to set an appropriate resection line in each case according to the grid shape in this model while avoiding resection of the normal surplus renal parenchyma. Moreover, we did not observe any significant difference in the achievement of TRIFECTA when we stratified cases by R.E.N.A.L nephrometry scores. Given the small number (n=4) of cases with high-risk R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scores, we combined these together with the moderate-risk score cases. However, we note that TRIFECTA was achieved in all four high-risk cases. This result suggests that the 3D model enables the achievement of TRIFECTA even when a highly complex tumor is treated by a less-experienced surgeon.
In Table 3, we present the TRIFECTA achievement rates reported for previous series of approximately 100 cases (18-22). Previously, the hospital and surgeon volumes were identified as factors that strongly influenced the achievement of TRIFECTA during RAPN (23). However, we achieved comparable results with a surgeon without prior experience at a lower-volume institution. Our findings suggest that this 3D model is useful for institutions with a smaller number of cases and less-experienced surgeons.
Table 3 TRIFECTA achievement rates in series of approximately 100 cases
The present study had several limitations. First, this was a retrospective study conducted at a single institution. Further large-scale prospective studies will be needed to confirm our outcomes. Second, the study featured a single-arm design and thus lacked a control arm without a 3D model. Third, urologists and radiological technologists were involved in the creation of the models used in this study. However, generalization would require a system that can be used by all technicians.
In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that the use of a simple and inexpensive 3D square-block-type kidney model during RAPN led to a high TRIFECTA achievement rate, regardless of the surgeon's experience level. Future studies involving larger numbers of cases and surgeons are warranted.
Funding: None.
Peer Review File: Available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/tau-20-927
Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/tau-20-927). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Ethical Statement: The authors are accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (as revised in 2013) and the Harmonized Tripartite Guideline for Good Clinical Practice from the International Conference on Harmonization. This study was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Research Review Boards of Jichi Medical University with an opt-out system (No. A19-097). Written informed consent was obtained from all patients.
Lee H, Nguyen NH, Hwang SI, et al. Personalized 3D kidney model produced by rapid prototyping method and its usefulness in clinical applications. Int Braz J Urol 2018;44:952-7. [Crossref] [PubMed]
Porpiglia F, Bertolo R, Checcucci E, et al. Development and validation of 3D printed virtual models for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and partial nephrectomy: urologists' and patients' perception. World J Urol 2018;36:201-7. [Crossref] [PubMed]
Maddox MM, Feibus A, Liu J, et al. 3D-printed soft-tissue physical models of renal malignancies for individualized surgical simulation: a feasibility study. J Robot Surg 2018;12:27-33. [Crossref] [PubMed]
von Rundstedt FC, Scovell JM, Agrawal S, et al. Utility of patient-specific silicone renal models for planning and rehearsal of complex tumour resections prior to robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. BJU Int 2017;119:598-604. [Crossref] [PubMed]
Bernhard JC, Isotani S, Matsugasumi T, et al. Personalized 3D printed model of kidney and tumor anatomy: a useful tool for patient education. World J Urol 2016;34:337-45. [Crossref] [PubMed]
Ghazi AE, Teplitz BA. Role of 3D printing in surgical education for robotic urology procedures. Transl Androl Urol 2020;9:931-41. [Crossref] [PubMed]
Yamazaki M, Takayama T, Fujisaki A, et al. Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy of initial cases using a 3D square-block type kidney model. Translational Andrology and Urology 2020;9:494-500. [Crossref] [PubMed]
von Elm E, Altman DG, Egger M, et al. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies. PLoS Med 2007;4:e296. [Crossref] [PubMed]
Vandenbroucke JP, von Elm E, Altman DG, et al. Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE): explanation and elaboration. PLoS Med 2007;4:e297. [Crossref] [PubMed]
Kutikov A, Uzzo RG. The R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score: a comprehensive standardized system for quantitating renal tumor size, location and depth. J Urol 2009;182:844-53. [Crossref] [PubMed]
Kondo T, Takagi T, Morita S, et al. Early unclamping might reduce the risk of renal artery pseudoaneurysm after robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. Int J Urol 2015;22:1096-102. [Crossref] [PubMed]
Baumert H, Ballaro A, Shah N, et al. Reducing warm ischaemia time during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: a prospective comparison of two renal closure techniques. Eur Urol 2007;52:1164-9. [Crossref] [PubMed]
Peyronnet B, Baumert H, Mathieu R, et al. Early unclamping technique during robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy can minimise warm ischaemia without increasing morbidity. BJU Int 2014;114:741-7. [Crossref] [PubMed]
Dindo D, Demartines N, Clavien PA. Classification of surgical complications: a new proposal with evaluation in a cohort of 6336 patients and results of a survey. Ann Surg 2004;240:205-13. [Crossref] [PubMed]
Matsuo S, Imai E, Horio M, et al. Revised equations for estimated GFR from serum creatinine in Japan. Am J Kidney Dis 2009;53:982-92. [Crossref] [PubMed]
Hung AJ, Cai J, Simmons MN, et al. "Trifecta" in partial nephrectomy. J Urol 2013;189:36-42. [Crossref] [PubMed]
Mottrie A, De Naeyer G, Schatteman P, et al. Impact of the learning curve on perioperative outcomes in patients who underwent robotic partial nephrectomy for parenchymal renal tumours. Eur Urol 2010;58:127-32. [Crossref] [PubMed]
Buffi N, Lista G, Larcher A, et al. Margin, ischemia, and complications (MIC) score in partial nephrectomy: a new system for evaluating achievement of optimal outcomes in nephron-sparing surgery. Eur Urol 2012;62:617-8. [Crossref] [PubMed]
Veeratterapillay R, Addla SK, Jelley C, et al. Early surgical outcomes and oncological results of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy: a multicentre study. BJU Int 2017;120:550-5. [Crossref] [PubMed]
Beauval JB, Peyronnet B, Benoit T, et al. Long-term oncological outcomes after robotic partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma: a prospective multicentre study. World J Urol 2018;36:897-904. [Crossref] [PubMed]
Castellucci R, Primiceri G, Castellan P, et al. Trifecta and Pentafecta Rates After Robotic Assisted Partial Nephrectomy: Comparative Study of Patients with Renal Masses <4 and >/=4 cm. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A 2018;28:799-803. [Crossref] [PubMed]
Bianchi L, Schiavina R, Borghesi M, et al. Which patients with clinical localized renal mass would achieve the trifecta after partial nephrectomy? The impact of surgical technique. Minerva Urol Nefrol 2020;72:339-49. [Crossref] [PubMed]
Peyronnet B, Tondut L, Bernhard JC, et al. Impact of hospital volume and surgeon volume on robot-assisted partial nephrectomy outcomes: a multicentre study. BJU Int 2018;121:916-22. [Crossref] [PubMed]
Cite this article as: Fujisaki A, Takayama T, Yamazaki M, Kamimura T, Katano S, Komatsubara M, Kamei J, Sugihara T, Ando S, Fujimura T. Utilization of a three-dimensional printed kidney model for favorable TRIFECTA achievement in early experience of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy. Transl Androl Urol 2020;9(6):2697-2704. doi: 10.21037/tau-20-927
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In its 12 issues from 2004-2007, Jaded, an alternative media magazine published by students at the University of California, Irvine, attempted to celebrate and support the Asian Pacific Islander community, according to its mission statement, by retelling the past, engaging the present, and creating a voice for the future. It hoped to build connections and bridge gaps between different people on and off campus. Its goal was to provide not only a space for students to voice different opinions and artistic expressions, but also as a form of activism through education and awareness. While the contents may be misrepresented or misconstrued, and the writers' cultures misunderstood, the magazine's mission statement declares, "we are not jaded in spirit. This is what we are about." From issue 7, the magazine was subtitled: "Progressive Culture for All". Up to 3,000 copies of each print issue were published. Selected issues were also posted online on the magazine's web site (now defunct).
Seen as the "premiere alternative publication on campus" according to Traci Garling Lee's article, "Thinking Alternative", New University, 29 March 2010, it garnered the UCI Dean of Students' Social Justice Award in 2006 and the Campus Progress Publication of the Year in 2007.
Jaded relied on financial donations from readers and parents of its editorial staff, and from fundraisers. According to Ben Ritter's article, " 'Jaded' Magazine Plans to Fold', in the 20 February 2007 New University "Other funds came from a Peter the Anteater scavenger hunt (the 'Jaded' team placed second and won $500) and a bake sale (they made $12 working for one entire day)." It also received financial support from APSA (Asian Pacific Student Association), the Alternative Media Board of ASUCI (Associated Students, UCI), and from the Center for American Progress/Campus Progress.
Jaded is made available through UCIspace @ the Libraries with the permission of its Editor in Chief, Diana Jou.
This material is provided for private study, scholarship, or research. Transmission or reproduction of any material protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. The author(s) of the material or their heirs retain copyright to this material. Contact the Jaded Editor in Chief, Diana Jou, for more information.
Jaded is an alternative media magazine published by students at the University of California, Irvine intended to encourage political, cultural, and social discourse among UCI students. It published 12 issues from 2004-2007.


companies to invest in oil and gas projects to improve profitability.
drilling mud desander and desilter during the forecast period.
concern in offshore drilling rigs.
senior research analyst at Technavio.
regions (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and MEA).
compared with offshore E&P activities.


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Q: Using the CurrentRegion property in VBA I want to write a simple VBA macro to copy the data in a range that corresponds to the block of cells around an active cell in Sheet1 and Paste it in Sheet2. (preferably in the same address as of in Sheet1).
The code I have written is:
Option Explicit
Dim Cello As Range

Sub CopyCurrentRegion2()
    Set Cello = Worksheets("Sheet1").Range(ActiveCell.Address)
    Cello.CurrentRegion.Copy Sheets("Sheet2").Range(Cello)
End Sub

Please correct this prog. It is giving run time error: 1004.

A: Consider:
Sub CopyStuff()
    With ActiveCell.CurrentRegion
        .Copy Sheets("Sheet2").Range(.Address)
    End With
End Sub

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Dalgliesh Gilpin Paxton Architects
Dalgliesh Gilpin Paxton
Farm & Estate
Resort & Hospitality
Cultural & Civic
Michie Tavern
The original Tavern was built in the early 1780s in northern Albemarle County. In 1928 it was disassembled and moved seventeen miles to its current location near Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. Our firm restored the original tavern and the museum, and designed subsequent additions which house the dining rooms and commercial kitchens. The Michie Tavern complex is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places.
TAGS: Architecture, Henry (Hank) J. Browne, Master planning, Museums, National Register of Historic Places, Relocations, Restaurants, Restorations, Robert (Bob) L. Paxton, Virginia Landmarks Register
Architecture, Master Planning, Historic Preservation
434.977.4480 • info@dgparchitects.com
Sketches, illustrations and details… See More


Statistical Questions in Evidence-based Medicine is a book of questions and answers about the statistical principles and methods used in medical research. Based entirely on material published in the medical literature and popular media, it will prove invaluable to medical students, doctors, nurses, medical researchers and others concerned with medical data. This book is a companion volume to the new 3rd edition of An Introduction to Medical Statistics but can also be used in conjunction with the 2nd edition or with other good texts. Short excerpts of material from published papers or summaries of their results are presented with questions. These test and develop the reader's understanding and interpretation of statistics and extend the reader's research and critical appraisal skills, thus encouraging an evidence-based approach. Questions are presented on the left-hand page with detailed answers on the right-hand page. Answers include references to core material in An Introduction to Medical Statistics. The book is intended as a series of examples for self-teaching but could also be read as a series of case studies with detailed commentaries. The questions are clearly graded, using icons, in terms of difficulty and undergraduate or postgraduate level. The book is easy to use and a model of clarity for the reader.
Martin Bland is Professor of Medical Statistics and Janet Peacock is Senior Lecturer in Medical Statistics both in the Department of Public Health Sciences, St George's Hospital Medical School, University of London, UK.
Description: The book is built on a question and answer format with the purpose of providing review material to help readers interpret research findings in medical literature. One prerequisite would be a course in introduction to medical statistics. The author recommends his Introduction to Medical Statistics (Oxford University Press, 2000) as a companion to this book. He notes questions that are above undergraduate level or that are of increased difficulty.
Purpose: The author's objective is to provide a critical understanding of study design, research findings, and interpretation of studies reported in medical literature. With the advance and ease of using statistical computer software, various statistical methods are currently used in medical literature. This book provides a large number of examples of published studies, which the author uses to demonstrate various statistical concepts in a systematic way.
Audience: This book is intended to reach medical students, physicians, nurses, and medical researchers in order to help them understand medical literature. Although the author succeeds in reaching his audience most of the time, some sections are above the level of these audiences, particularly the chapters on methods based on rank orders, clinical measurement, and multifactorial methods.
Features: Snapshot coverage of various statistical issues is provided including descriptive statistics, distribution, probability, study designs, and various types of statistical analysis. The sections that cover descriptive statistics of summarizing and presenting data and the section on normal distribution and estimation are the most useful for the targeted audience. These sections are clearly written and easy to follow. Readers should have an appreciation of various approaches used to present data and an understanding of common reported findings like standard deviation, standard error, mean, and confidence intervals. The section about multifactorial methods will likely be confusing for the intended readers.
Assessment: This well-written book is unique in providing a critique of published medical literature. It has an easy to follow question-and-answer format.


"To the Kenerly Kreations crew at Twirl Mania: Thank you for all for your help! All of you were more than helpful and extremely nice. My daughter got the Sophie in dark royal blue. She looks amazing and her grammie loves it too!"


Stress is a catch all term that describes a state from mild irritation, to a severe condition that can cause a real breakdown in health.
Most people can cope with moderate amounts of stress, it is very much part of our modern day lives and therefore we seem to factor it in. However, long-term chronic stress is so often emotionally, psychologically and physically damaging and extremely difficult to live with.
The first signs of stress differ from person to person and are not always easy to spot. In fact, the person suffering from stress may not display any physical symptoms or may hide them as they worry what people may think. Therefore, signs of stress can often only be spotted by the people close to us.
Sometimes a person can get caught in a stress cycle, involving the 'tension-worry-symptoms-tension' cycle.Therefore, the best time to take action against stress is at an early stage, before the problem can get out of control.
Hypnotherapy can be a very effective way of dealing with and improving symptoms of stress. As well as helping the sufferer to avoid old stress patterns, hypnotherapy can provide many new coping mechanisms that can be used to help the sufferer. Hypnotherapy can provide many ways of coping with life; enabling a person to deal with further stress situations as they happen and in a much calmer, more relaxed and more positive way.
All that is needed is the motivation to get better and the willingness to co-operate; with these two things, hypnotherapy and you can beat stress.
Whatever your problem, why not see if hypnotherapy can help you? It is always private and confidential.


text:
Economy January 27, 2023 10:20 pm
Finance Experts Breaks Down the Economy
A finance professor at Quinnipiac University explains the latest numbers out about economic growth in the U.S.
news January 26, 2023 12:33 pm
U.S. GDP Rose 2.9% in the Fourth Quarter, More Than Expected Even as Recession Fears Loom
Gross domestic product was expected to rise 2.8% at an annualized pace in the fourth quarter, according to Dow Jones estimates.
news January 27, 2023 1:24 pm
With a Possible Recession Looming, Here's How to Decide If You Should Go Back to School
With a recession possible, inflation and higher interest rates are complicating the usual return on investment equation for continuing higher education.
taxes January 25, 2023 3:30 pm
How Much Should I Pay to Prepare My Taxes?
Gonzalo Freixes, adjunct professor of accounting at the UCLA Anderson School of Management, explains the average national costs to prepare your tax return for the upcoming tax season.
money January 23, 2023 5:32 pm
Is Tipping Getting Out of Control? A Lot of People Seem to Think So
Consumers are posting rants on social media complaining about tip requests at drive-thrus, while others say they're tired of being asked to leave a gratuity for a muffin or a simple cup of coffee at their neighborhood bakery.
Wholesale Prices Fell Significantly in December
Government figures say the wholesale price for goods and services dropped sharply in December, a sign that inflation may be waning.
Economy January 19, 2023 2:06 pm
The US Has Reached Its Debt Limit. What Happens If It Isn't Raised?
The U.S. government reached the nation's legal borrowing limit on Thursday, forcing the Treasury Department to resort to "extraordinary measures" to avoid a default.
Microsoft to Lay Off 10,000 Employees
The maker of Windows and Office is letting go thousands of employees on Wednesday following a slower revenue growth.
Debt Ceiling January 18, 2023 5:06 pm
The US Is Hitting Its Debt Limit Today. What Happens If It Isn't Raised?
Economists say consequences of a default on the national debt could include higher interest rates, a stock market crash, a recession and massive job losses. NBC's Alice Barr reports.
Smartphones, Used Cars and Bacon: 10 Things With the Biggest Price Drops in 2022, Despite Inflation
Overall inflation in 2022 peaked at its highest levels since the early 1980s. Here's why consumers saw some items deflate.
US Expected to Hit Debt Limit on Thursday, Treasury Secretary Yellen Warns Congress
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has notified Congress that the U.S. is projected to reach its debt limit on Thursday and will then resort to "extraordinary measures" to avoid default.
What December's Consumer Price Index Means for the Economy
An economics expert at the University of New Haven helps break down the latest Consumer Price Index numbers, and what it means for everyone as the Federal Reserve tries to bring down inflation.
Some Groceries Are Breaking All-Time Price Records
inflation January 12, 2023 12:25 pm
Biden Celebrates Easing Inflation, Acknowledges 'More Work to Do'
President Joe Biden spoke Thursday to celebrate the easing inflation rates after the Consumer Price Index showed a dip to 6.5%.
Consumer Prices Fell 0.1% in December as US Inflation Declined for a Sixth Month
Rising consumer prices in the United States moderated again last month, bolstering hopes that inflation's grip on the economy will continue to ease this year and possibly require less drastic action by the Federal Reserve to control it.
Why Are Egg Prices Soaring? The Bird Flu Outbreak is Partly to Blame
A lingering bird flu outbreak, combined with soaring feed, fuel and labor costs, has led to U.S. egg prices more than doubling over the past year, and hatched a lot of sticker shock on grocery aisles.
Congress January 11, 2023 1:58 pm
US Set to Hit Debt Ceiling This Month, Setting Up a Political Fight in a Divide Congress
The federal government is on track to max out on its $31.4 trillion borrowing authority as soon as this month. That starts the clock on an expected standoff between President Joe Biden and the new House Republican majority. Both political parties' ability to navigate a divided Washington will be tested, with the fragile global economy at stake. Once the cap...
Economy December 15, 2022 8:11 am
Here's How the Fed's Rate Hike May Affect Your Wallet
The Fed's seventh rate hike this year will make it even costlier for consumers and businesses to borrow for homes, autos and other purchases.
Economy December 14, 2022 8:00 pm
Fed Raises Interest Rates Half a Point
This is the highest interest rate the Federal Reserve has set in 15 years.
inflation December 9, 2022 1:42 pm
Wholesale Prices Rose 0.3% in November, More Than Expected, Despite Hopes That Inflation Is Cooling
The producer price index, a measure of what companies get for their products in the pipeline, increased 0.3% for the month and 7.4% from a year ago.
California Restaurant Employee Fired After Asking Police Officers to Leave


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Google Maps Now Advises iOS Users When Faster Routes Become Available
By Luke Dormehl • 3:14 am, February 5, 2014
Google Maps' latest update for iOS adds a new "Faster Route" feature, which notifies users in navigation mode when a quicker journey to their destination becomes available.
The new feature works in conjunction with Google Maps' existing ability to track traffic data in real time. Once alerted that there is a possible faster route, users have the option of either tapping "No thanks" and remaining on their present course, or else hitting "Reroute" and diverting their journey to one that Google predicts will be faster.
"Faster Route" is a popular feature in Waze, the crowd-sourced traffic app from the company Google acquired in 2013 for a reported $1.3 billion.
This update was initially added to the Android version of Google Maps last month — meaning that the iOS version is now up-to-date.
The latest Google Maps update also features several unspecified bug fixes.
Source: iTunes
Posted in: News Tagged: Google Maps, iOS, Waze


The Australian Food Network believe that 2019 will be the year for urban farming as it invests in two major projects.
Sustainable Food Cities have two new practical guides on food partnerships with local authorities.
Somerset's first food trail - the culinary equivalent of an art trail - takes place 20 July - 29 July.
A new fund has been launched to tackle the critical issue of veg consumption which is contributing to 20,000 premature deaths every year in the UK.
Sustainable Food Cities have produced a practical guide to ensuring a long term dependable income base.
The next Women's Environmental Network Forum will discuss the role of women's empowerment in creating sustainable cities.
FREE webinar, September 16, about engaging younger people on sustainable food issues and projects. Book now.


text:
208 S Levee Rd, Krotz Springs, LA 70750 (337) 566-8867
"The Gateway to the Atchafalaya"
Capabilities & Facilities
The Atchafalaya River is maintained at a depth of 12 feet by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. At the Port, the channel is approximately 1,000 feet wide, providing ample clearances for anchorage and fleeting. Adjacent to the Port area, the depth of the river is 100 feet.
The general cargo dock is a T-dock 145 feet wide that extends 220 feet into the Atchafalaya River with a 25-foot wide roadway. A 16,000 sq. ft., warehouse/transit shed is located adjacent to the dock. Available cleared property is in close proximity. Roads are in place and utilities available for immediate location.
6 Docks are being operated at the Port at this time
Products handled are oil and grain
Current tonnage figures show 2.8 million tons of cargo (Liquid & Dry Bulk)
Businesses operating at the Port employ about 270 people
The Atchafalaya River is maintained at a depth of 12 feet by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The Port Channel is approximately 1000 ft. wide providing ample clearances for anchorage and fleeting
3 days ago Listen to the story of the Louisiana Orphan Train riders as told by their descendants at this online event. Learn e… https://t.co/wQALgzwVBL
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About the Port of Krotz Springs
The Port of Krotz Springs is located one mile south of U.S. Hwy. 190, 20 miles north of U.S. Interstate 10 and 20 miles east of U.S. Interstate 49. Located near Simmesport, the Port is situated at mile 47.5 on the Atchafalaya River below the juncture of the Atchafalaya River with the Mississippi River. The Port is 76 miles above the intersection of the Atchafalaya River with the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway at Morgan City.
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