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Justia Patents US Patent for Valve equipped with a position detector and a micropump incorporating said valve Patent (Patent # 5,271,724)
Valve equipped with a position detector and a micropump incorporating said valve
Apr 21, 1992 - Westonbridge International Limited
A valve is formed from a silicon wafer (20) and has a position detector to detect by contact the position of the valve and hence reveal any malfunction. The position detector comprises a first electrical contact (54) formed on a glass support (32) mounted on the back face of the wafer (20), a second electrical contact fixed to the wafer (20) and an electrical impedance measurement circuit (resistance or capacitance according to the embodiment) between the two electrical contacts. The valve is useful in a micropump for the injection of medicaments.
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The present invention relates to a valve equipped with a position detector of the type in which the body of the valve is formed by machining a silicon plate by such micromachining techniques as photolithographic technology or similar technologies and a micropump incorporating such a valve.
These micropumps may be used notably for the in situ administration of medicaments, the miniaturization of the micropump optionally permitting the permanent implantation thereof into the body. These pumps enable a precise dosage of small quantities of fluids to be injected.
These micropumps are in particular described in the article "A piezoelectric micropump base on micromachining of silicon" by H. van Lintel et al. which appeared in "Sensors and Actuators", No 15, 1988, pages 153-167. These pumps essentially comprise a stack of three wafers, i.e. is a silicon wafer disposed between two glass wafers.
The silicon wafer is etched in order to form a cavity which together with one of the glass wafers defines a pump chamber, an inlet valve and an outlet valve, communicating the pump chamber respectively with an inlet channel and an outlet channel, and a regulating valve. A control element, e.g. a piezoelectric disc, is provided on one wall of the chamber. This piezoelectric disc may by deformed when it is subjected to an electrical voltage which causes deformation of the wall of the pump chamber and hence variation in the volume thereof.
The micropump functions as follows. At rest the inlet and outlet valves are in the closed position. When an electrical voltage is applied the wall of the pump chamber deforms and the pressure increases therein until the outlet valve opens. The fluid contained in the pump chamber is then driven towards the outlet channel. During this phase the inlet valve is held closed by the pressure prevailing in the pump chamber. When, however, the electrical potential is removed or reversed, the pressure therein diminishes. This causes closure of the outlet valve and opening of the entry valve. Fluid is thereby drawn into the pump chamber.
As already indicated above, these micropumps are useful especially for the administration of medicaments. It is therefore important to be able to monitor the correct functioning of these micropumps. Moreover in some cases the pump flow rate may drop considerably, e.g. when bubbles of air are present in the pump chamber, or when the pressure in the exit channel becomes too high.
Obviously, such malfunctioning should be detected. It has been noted that the movement of a valve might be used for such a purpose. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a valve having a position detector which is, in addition, simple, viable and inexpensive.
More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a valve comprising a first wafer and a second wafer bonded to the first wafer to define the valve seat, which is characterized in that it comprises a position detector having a first electrical contact facing the back face of the valve body at such a distance that there is a mechanical contact between the valve body and the first electrical contact when the valve is in the open position, a second electrical contact so that is forms an electrical impedance with said first electrical contact, influenced by said mechanical contact, and a detection circuit sensitive to the electrical impedance between said electrical contacts.
The mechanical contact between the valve body and the first electrical contact thus ensures the largest possible electrical impedance difference between the open and closed positions of the valve.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a micropump equipped with such a position detector.
The characteristic features and advantages of the invention are better illustrated by the following description give for purpose of example, but which is not limiting and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-section along the line I--I of a micropump having a valve according to the invention,
FIG. 2 is a top view along the line II--II of the intermediate wafer of the micropump shown in FIG. 1,
FIGS. 3 and 4 shows in section a valve according to a first embodiment of the invention, in the closed and open positions respectively,
FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a detection circuit suitable for use with a valve of FIGS. 3 and 4,
FIGS. 6 and 7 show in section a valve according to a second embodiment of the invention, in the closed and open positions respectively,
FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a detection circuit suitable for use with the valve of FIGS. 6 and 7,
FIG. 9a shows in section a valve according to a third embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 9b is a top view along line IX--IX of FIG. 9a, and
FIG. 10 shows in section a valve according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
Reference is made first of all to FIGS. 1 and 2 which show a micropump having a valve according to the invention.
It should be noted that for the sake of clarity the thicknesses of the various wafers in the micropumps have been greatly exaggerated in the drawings.
This micropump has a base wafer 2 of for example glass which is pierced by two channels 4 and 6 which constitute the inlet and outlet channels respectively of the pump. These channels communicate respectively with the connectors 8 and 10.
The connector 8 leads to a tube 12 which is itself joined to a reservoir 14 containing the liquid substance to be pumped. The reservoir is sealed by a pierced cap and a movable piston 16 isolating the useful volume of the reservoir 14 from the exterior. This reservoir may contain a medicament, for example in the situation where the pump is to be used to inject a precise dosage of this medicament into the human body. In this application the micropump may be carried on the patient's body or may be implanted.
The outlet connector 10 may be connected to an injection needle (not shown) which is connected thereto by a tube 18. The use in this manner of the micropump is particularly suitable for treating certain forms of cancer with peptides, where medication is preferably given in a precise dosage at regular intervals in small amounts. Another possible application is the injection of insulin for the treatment of diabetics.
A wafer 20 of silicon or any other material capable of being etched by photolithographic technology is bonded to the glass wafer 2. This wafer 20 is machined so as to form an inlet valve 22, a pump chamber 24 and an outlet valve 26 (which forms the regulating valve). A glass sealing wafer 28 is bonded to the wafer 20 above the inlet valve 22, a piezolectric disc 30 to the wall of the pump chamber 24 and a glass support 32 above the outlet valve.
The inlet valve 22 comprises a membrane 34 of substantially circular form with near its center an orifice 36 and, adjacent to the side of an inlet channel 4, an annular sealing ring 38. This latter is covered with a thin oxide layer which confers on the membrane 34 a certain preconstraint tending to press the sealing ring towards the glass wafer 2, this latter thereby serving as the valve seat 22. When this valve is open, the inlet channel 4 is in communication with the pump chamber 24 by the orifice 36 and another orifice 40.
The outlet valve 26 also has a membrane 42 of generally circular form which is without any orifice therein and an annular sealing ring 44 which, as is the case with the inlet valve, is covered with a thin oxide layer. Opening- this outlet valve enables direct communication between the pumping chamber 24 and the outlet channel 6.
Finally, it should be noted that the piezoelectric disc which brings about the variations in volume of the pump chamber, is connected by two electrical conductors 46 and 48 through electrodes (not shown) situated on the faces of the piezoelectric disc to a voltage source 50.
In accordance with the invention the outlet valve 26 is equipped with a position detector. The projection 56 shown on the reverse face (i.e. the side that, in this embodiment, is not in contact with the fluid to be pumped) of the valve as well as the support 32 form part of this detector. Two special embodiments of the detector will now be described.
A first embodiment in which the detector is of the capacity type is shown in FIGS. 3 to 5.
Notice that for good shape control, the effective lateral membrane dimensions are defined by the shallow etching from the front of the valve. Also, here the valve has thermal oxide on the membrane as well. This provides sufficient pre-tension with thin membranes. With thin membranes, the deflection can be large.
The support 32, which may for example be of glass, may have a groove 52 on its face bonded to the wafer 20. An electrode 54 for example of Au, A1 or of Indium-Tin Oxide (ITO) is formed on the support 32. The distance between the electrode 54 and the upper part of the back face of the valve 26, that is to say the surface of the projection 56, is such that there is a mechanical contact between the valve body and the electrode 54 when the valve is in the open position. In order to reduce parasitic capacitance between the electrode 54 and the silicon wafer 20 one may increase the distance between them by also forming a groove 55 in the wafer 20. The upper surface of the projection 56 may be insulated, for example using a thin oxide layer (in the order of 1 .mu.m thickness).
Thus, when the valve 26 is closed (FIG. 3) the distance between the valve and the electrode 54 (the detector gap) is of the order of 5 .mu.m, whereas when the valve 26 is open (FIG. 4) the valve and the electrode are in contact with each other.
The schematic circuit shown in FIG. 5 shows the position of the valve. It comprises a resistor 58 connected on the one hand to an alternating current source and on the other hand to an electrode 54; a transistor 60 of which the collector is connected to a source of direct current at 3 V and the base to the electrode 54; and a resistor 62 place between the emitter of the transistor 60 and ground. The valve 26 acts as switch 64, which according to the device used, may be either of a resistive and/or capacitive nature. The silicon plate 20 is directly connected to the apparatus or, as shown, by way of a conductor 46 of the control circuit of the piezoelectric disc; in this case, the capacitor 66 represents the capacity therebetween.
In this embodiment, the conductor 46 forming one of the electrical contacts is connected to the wafer 20. It could equally well only be connected electrically thereto, for example to form an air capacitor.
A high-frequency signal, for example of 30 KHz (so that the detection signal is sufficiently modulated as a function of the position of the valve, taking into account the impedances of the components and to avoid interference with the control signal of the piezoelectric disc) is applied to the electrode 54 by way of the resistor 58. The signal detected by the emitter of the transistor 60 is a function of the open or closed position of the valve.
The duration of the signal also enables distinction to be made between malfunctioning due to the presence of an air bubble in the pump chamber, which could result in incomplete opening, but also a rapid reclosing of the valve after it had been opened by a signal applied to the piezoelectric disc, and malfunctioning due to elevated pressure in the outlet channel of the micropump resulting in prolonged opening of the valve.
The pump may also be constructed or operated in such a way that during normal pumping the valve does not reach the open position, but only when the pressure on the outlet is too high. In such a case, one takes full advantage of the invention only for detecting a too high outlet pressure or blockage.
A circuit of the passive detection type may also be employed in certain cases. When a control signal is applied to the piezoelectric disc (ca. 130 V DC signal) a short interference signal appears on the emitter of the transistor 60 when the valve is in the open position (FIG. 4). However, this signal is less reproducible. To eliminate this signal, one may add a small capacitor in series with the detection line.
A second embodiment in which the position detector is of the resistor type is shown in FIGS. 6 to 8.
FIGS. 6 and 7 are identical to FIGS. 4 and 5 except that a supplementary electrode 68 is provided on the back face of the valve 26 opposite the electrode 54. This electrode may for example be of Au, Al or Indium-Tin Oxide, and it is connected to a conductor 70 of the same material which is accomodated in groove 52.
A detection circuit is shown schematically in FIG. 8. It comprises a resistor 72 placed between the electrode 54 and a voltage source, for example alternating voltage at 30 kHz. The presence or absence of an alternating voltage on the conductor 54 indicates the open or closed position of the valve. As with the circuit of FIG. 5, detection of the closing of the circuit and measurement of the duration of this closing gives information on the presence and nature of malfunctioning of the micropump.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, one of the electrodes is provided on the back face of the valve. There is a way to avoid an independent forming or deposition of the electrodes; one may simply provide both electrodes on support 32, spaced apart one from the other in such a way that they are both in contact with the valve when the latter is in the open position. Such a structure is shown on FIG. 9a, on which same elements as the ones of FIGS. 6 and 7 bear the same reference numerals. The electrodes 54 and 74 may have a semi-disc shape, as shown on FIG. 9b; the electrical connections are made through grooves (like groove 52 in FIGS. 3 and 6) or through electroplated through holes 76, 78 in support 32.
The detection of the open position of the valve, i.e. when the valve is in contact with the electrodes may be of resistive type or capacitive type. In the latter case, the contact is less critical and has the advantage of a strongly reduced by-pass current through the liquid, compared to the first embodiment.
The micropumps according to the invention are intended to be used notably for the injection of medicaments. Such micropumps require therefore a precise control of the opening and of the closing of the valves. However, while it is relatively easy to control the depth of the etching of the silicon wafer, it is more difficult to control the thickness of the membrane of the valves since the thickness of a silicon wafer is not constant over its whole surface, but on the contrary shows certain variations. The thickness of the membrane governs the amount of pre-tension and hence ultimately the parameters for the opening and the closing of the valves. This is particularly important in the case of the outlet valve which requires a greater pre-tension.
The degree of this pre-tension depends notably on the pre-tension due to the the thickness of the oxide layer on the sealing ring. This pre-tension corresponds to the third power of membrane thickness. It is added to the pre-tension which is caused by, for example, an oxide layer on the membrane and which also depends on the membrane thickness, but there only to the first power. In this conventional case, a too thick a membrane will cause an increase in both the pre-tension due to the oxide on the sealing ring, and in the pre-tension due to the oxide on the membrane. The variation of the overall pre-tension is the sum of both pre-tension variations. The pre-tension caused by the oxide on the sealing ring can play an important role in this variation, due to the third order variation.
FIG. 10 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention in which the pre-tension is less dependant on the membrane thickness, and in which an additional etching step to obtain this is used to provide all or part of the detector gap 53. By way of example, the detector is of capacitive type, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 to 5, with the electrode 54 on support 32 being connected to the detector circuit via an electroplated through hole 76 provided in support 32. In this embodiment there has been etching of the sealing ring in a additional etching step (during which the membrane may also been etched, and in this case has been etched and that on both sides) and the oxide layer on it is less thick than the depth of the etching, so that the effective thickness of the sealing ring is less than its nominal thickness. Thus if there is oxide on the sealing ring only, and not on the membrane, the sealing ring will not come into contact with the valve seat. In the same way as in the conventional case, it is clear that the sealing ring creates a pre-tension, now a negative one, whose absolute value is equal to the pressure which would have been exerted on the membrane for the sealing ring to be flush with the valve seat. But in this case an oxide layer is also formed on the membrane (oxide layer can be provided on one side of the membrane or, as shown in FIG. 10., on both sides), the pre-tension to which the valve is subjected will be equal to the pre-tension caused by the curvature of the membrane diminished by this negative pretension. In this situation, the variation in the membrane oxide pre-tension is approximatively compensated by the variation in the negative sealing ring gap pre-tension.
The dimensions are chosen so that the overall pre-tension remains substantially constant for a certain range of membrane thicknesses. Moreover, the dimensions may be chosen such as to match the required detector gap with the additional etching in order to obtain the required gap with the same additional etching step. In this example, the projection 56 is thereto etched as well, simultaneously.
Simulations have shown that micropumps equipped with an outlet valve according to the embodiment of FIG. 10 show substantially the same pre-tension and thus nearly the same behaviour despite differences of .+-.2.5 .mu.m in the membrane thickness of the valves having a mean thickness of 25 .mu.m (depth of sealing ring etching approximatively 4 .mu.m; oxide layer approximatively 1 .mu.m thick).
The position detector according to the invention has the following properties:
no mechanical calibration is necessary since the detector only has to distinguish between two values of the signal which correspond respectively to the open and closed positions (or incomplete opening) of the valve,
insensitive to interference with exterior signals (for example a control signal for the piezoelectric disc),
simple, inexpensive components and fabrication.
In relationship to the embodiments described above, it may be added that the position detector of the capacitive type (FIGS. 3 to 5) functions in a satisfactory manner even if there is not a good electrical contact between the valve and the electrode 54, whereas the electric circuits of the detector of the resistive type (FIGS. 6 to 8, and 9a, 9b) is particulary simple.
1. A micropump comprising a first wafer; at least a second wafer mounted on said first wafer to define a pump chamber; means for causing said pump chamber to take in and drive out a fluid; a valve located downstream from said pump chamber and having a valve body and a valve seat facing the front of the valve body; and a valve position detector having a first electrical contact facing the back of the valve body at such a distance that there is a mechanical contact between the valve body and said first electrical contact when the valve is in the open position and said mechanical contact is absent when said valve is in the closed position, a second electrical contact disposed such that it forms an electrical impedance with said first electrical contact, which is influenced by said mechanical contact, and detection means sensitive to the electrical impedance between said electrical contacts for providing an output signal representative of a duration of said mechanical contact capable of indicating a malfunction of the micropump.
2. A valve according to any of claim 1, wherein in that said second electrical contact is fixed to said first wafer.
3. A micropump according to claim 2, wherein second electrical contact is a second electrode placed opposite the first electrical contact, the detection means being sensitive to the electrical resistance between said electrical contacts.
4. A micropump according to claim 2, in which said first wafer is of a semiconductor material, wherein said second electrical contact is connected to said first wafer and conductively insulated from said first electrical contact and wherein the detection means is sensitive to the electrical capacitance between said electrical contacts.
5. A micropump according to any one of claim 1, wherein in that the means comprises an alternating current generator.
6. A micropump according to claim 1, wherein said first wafer is machined to form said pump chamber and said valve body, and wherein said second wafer is mounted on said first wafer to form said valve seat.
7. A micropump according to claim 6 wherein said valve has a membrane and a sealing ring, at least the membrane being provided with a layer inducing a pretension keeping the valve in the closed position, in the absence of external influence, and at least the sealing ring being so machined that, if the membrane layer would be omitted, the valve would be in the open position in the absence of external influence.
8. A micropump according to claim 7, in which a detector gap (53) is machined by etching of the valve body, characterized in that said machining is done simultaneously with, and at least partially by, said machining of the sealing ring.
9. A micropump according to claim 6, a support is mounted on said first wafer facing the back face of the valve body, said support accomodating said first electrical contact.
10. A micropump according to claim 6 wherein the back face of the valve comprises a projection opposite said first electrical contact.
11. A micropump according to any one of claim 9, wherein in that said second electrical contact is provided on said support, faces the back face of the valve body and is electrically isolated from said first electrical contact.
12. A micropump according to claim 1, wherein said detection means comprises a detection circuit and means for applying a high-frequency input signal to said detection circuit.
13. A micropump comprising a first wafer; a second wafer, said first wafer being machined so as to define, with at least the second wafer mounted face to face on the first wafer, a pump chamber; an inlet valve by means of which said pump chamber can selectively communicate with an inlet of the micropump; an outlet valve by means of which said pump chamber can communicate with an outlet of the micropump, said outlet valve having a valve body and a seat facing the front of the valve body; means for inducing a periodic variation in the volume of said pump chamber; and an outlet valve position detector having a first electrical contact facing the back of the valve body at such a distance that there is a mechanical contact between the valve body and said first electrical contact when the outlet valve is in the open position and said mechanical contact is absent when the outlet valve is in the closed position, a second electrical contact disposed such that it forms an electrical impedance with said first electrical contact, which is influenced by said mechanical contact, and detection means sensitive to the electrical impedance between said electrical contacts for providing an output signal representative of a duration of said mechanical contact capable of indicating a malfunction of the micropump.
14. A micropump according to claim 13, wherein the back face of the outlet valve comprises a projection opposite said first electrical contact.
15. A micropump according to claim 13, wherein said first wafer is machined to form said pump chamber and said outlet valve body, and wherein said second wafer is mounted on said first wafer to form said outlet valve seat.
16. A micropump according to claim 15, wherein said second electrical contact is fixed to said first wafer.
17. A micropump according to claim 16 wherein the second electrical contact is a second electrode placed opposite the first electrical contact, the detection means being sensitive to the electrical resistance between said electrical contacts.
18. A micropump according to claim 17 wherein said outlet valve has a membrane and a sealing ring, at least the membrane being provided with a layer inducing a pre-tension keeping the outlet valve in the closed position in the absence of external influence, and at least the sealing ring being so machined that, if the membrane layer would be omitted, the outlet valve would be in the open position in the absence of external influence.
19. A valve according to claim 16 wherein said first wafer is of a semiconductor material, wherein said second electrical contact is connected to said first wafer and conductively insulated from said first electrical contact and wherein the detection circuit is sensitive to the electrical capacitance between said electrical contacts.
21. A micropump according to claim 15 wherein a support is mounted on said first wafer facing the back face of the outlet valve body, wherein said support accommodates said first electrical contact, and wherein said second electrical contact is provided on said support, faces the back face of the valve body and is electrically isolated from said first electrical contact.
23. A micropump according to claim 13, wherein said detection means comprises a detection circuit and means for applying a high-frequency input signal to said detection circuit.
4543457 September 24, 1985 Petersen et al.
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4579001 April 1, 1986 Hosterman
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4737660 April 12, 1988 Allen et al.
4838887 June 13, 1989 Idriss
4855544 August 8, 1989 Glenn
4965415 October 23, 1990 Young et al.
5029805 July 9, 1991 Albarda et al.
5085562 February 4, 1992 van Lintel
0339528 November 1989 EPX
0387439 September 1999 EPX
2639085 May 1990 FRX
Article entitled "A piezoelectric micropump based on micromachining of silicon" Sensors and Actuators, No. 15, pp. 153-167, 1988, by Harald T. G. van Lintel.
Filed: Apr 21, 1992
Date of Patent: Dec 21, 1993
Assignee: Westonbridge International Limited (Dublin)
Inventor: Harald T. G. van Lintel (Enschede)
Primary Examiner: Richard A. Bertsch
Assistant Examiner: Alfred Basichas
Law Firm: Pollock, Vande Sande & Priddy
Current U.S. Class: 417/413A; 417/413B
International Classification: F04B 1700;


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Dalit-Bahujan should tap the social media
The journalists working for big media houses are rabidly casteist. So much so that they make fun of news of assaults on tribals, Dalits, OBCs and Muslims. This is true of both the print and the electronic media
By Ashok Chaudhary अशोक चौधरी On January 1, 2014 No Comments इस लेख को हिंदी में पढ़ें
That the media in north India does not give adequate attention to the condition of the Dalit-Bahujans is an old complaint. The journalists working for big media houses are rabidly casteist. So much so that they make fun of news of assaults on tribals, Dalits, OBCs and Muslims. This is true of both the print and the electronic media. For example, hundreds of incidents of rape and molestation of Dalit-Bahujan women take place every day. But it is only if a woman of any upper caste or one hailing from the elite sections of society suffers the ignominy that the media kicks up a big row. The inner contradictions of the Indian media are palpable. Let us see what the eminent personalities from different fields have to say about this state of affairs. Ashok Chaudhary has elicited their views.
Udit Raj
Udit Raj,
National president, Indian Justice Party
This is very true. News relating to Dalits never gets the place that it deserves. The media gives the same space to AAP as to Modi but it has no place for Dalits. We will have to use the social media to spread our message. The media's attitude towards issues relating to social justice is extremely biased. Of course, that does not mean that the Dalits do not need media houses to present their world view before the people at large.
Sanjay Paswan
Sanjay Paswan,
Former union minister and national president, BJP SC front
To begin with, we will have to make efforts to bring ourselves at par with other sections of society. It is not that Dalits never tried to establish their own media house. They did, but failed. We will have to create a place in the media through co-ordination and persuasion. Social justice should begin from the very bottom. Only then can we struggle with the upper castes for justice.
Ravish Kumar
Ravish Kumar,
Senior journalist, NDTV
It is not that the voice of the Dalits is not heard in the media. In fact, the media covers such events, though the proportion may be somewhat unequal. Chandranbhan Prasad's articles are regularly published by The Times of India. Some Hindi newspapers too give place to the voice of the Dalits. But this coverage is mostly event-centric. Its scope is limited. If the houses of Dalits are burnt, it will be covered but the media will not take notice of the lakhs of people gathering at Ambedkar's Mahaparinirvan diwas. The way male chauvinism is assailed in news items or comments concerning atrocities against women is not done vis-à-vis the upper caste mindset. The media sees only Dalits and OBCs as casteist. For the media, criticizing casteist politics means criticizing the politics of Dalits-OBCs. It hardly, if ever, flays the attitude of the upper castes. So, even while accommodating the Dalit view point, it does not shun its biases. I do not have any hopes from the media on this count. It does not have people who can think and write on these issues. And those who can do it are small fries.
Prempal Sharma
Story writer and thinker
Firstly, I would like to say that I am really distressed by this trading of charges. We have learnt this from the politicians. The media and its intellectual class are busy shadow-boxing. To quote educationist Krishna Kumar, the educated citizen of the country is more casteist, communal and a blind follower of his religion as compared with the poor, uneducated man, who does not have the facts needed to fabricate charges and counter-charges. If the media is also divided into Dalits, Bahujans, Brahmins, Shias, Sunnis, Biharis, Gujratis, Haryanvis and so on, only God can save this country and its media. In this respect, a comment of Taslima Nasreen on the Tehelka case in the latest (December 11, 2013) issue of India Today is relevant. "The nation does not suffer as much if its politicians lose their way as it does if its intellectual class does". If the intellectuals in the media do not shun casteism, this country has no future.
Urmilesh
Senior journalist
It is not only a question of Dalits and OBCs. News regarding all depressed groups and communities is ignored by the media. And there is nothing new in this. It is a very old trend. But after the economic reforms, there was the hope that the media would give up its old, feudal mindset. But that did not happen. Instead, those with a feudal mindset forged an alliance with the so-called captains of the economy. The corporatized media is ignoring not only Dalits and OBCs but all marginalized communities. In this scenario, only an alternative media can challenge the vice-like grip of monopolists on the media.
Avinash Das
Avinash Das,
Editor, Mohalla Live
The Indian media may be widely believed to be an objective, democratic institution but the truth is that its structure is no different from the structure of Indian society with all its absurdities and discords. So, if the Dalit-Bahujans say that the media is not paying heed to their voice, the charge has some element of truth in it. The media has become fully commercialized now. Turnover has become its primary concern. The credibility of its news matters little. In the circumstances obtaining today, there is hardly any hope of societal reforms in the media. Upper castes dominate the top positions in media organizations. Even if a Bahujan reaches the top echelons he or she can do little except serve their interests. Today's media understands the language of only money – capital. Here too, prosperous Dalit-Bahujans have an opening but this can be no substitute to fair and accurate reporting in the media in general. Dalit-Bahujans should work towards developing an alternative media because there is urgent need to publicize the way they see things. When alternative politics of Dalit-Bahujans can create a space for itself in the country, there is no reason why their alternative media would not be welcomed. But there is one condition. The structure of this alternative media should not be corporate. It should be co-operative. Only then would it be able to take on the mainstream Indian media and emerge as its viable and credible alternative.
Published in the January 2014 issue of the Forward Press magazine
Forward Press also publishes books on Bahujan issues. Forward Press Books sheds light on the widespread problems as well as the finer aspects of the Bahujan (Dalit, OBC, Adivasi, Nomadic, Pasmanda) community's literature, culture, society and culture. Contact us for a list of FP Books' titles and to order. Mobile: +919968527911, Email: info@forwardmagazine.in)
Tags:Dalit-bahujan Indian media Muslim OBC Ravish Kumar social media tribal Udit Raj Urmilesh
Ashok Chaudhary अशोक चौधरी
A magazine, a movement
I see FP's seven-year journey akin to writing the preface of a big resolution. With its limited financial resources and sustained by the passion of some writers, FP, even in its new form, is an important achievement for those dreaming of social justice
एक पत्रिका—एक आंदोलन
फारवर्ड प्रेस की सात वर्ष लंबी यात्रा को में केवल बड़े संकल्प की भूमिका के रूप में ही देखता हूं। सीमित संसाधनों से, कुछ लेखकों के जुनून के बूते निकल रही पत्रिका, अपने परिवर्तित रूप में भी सामाजिक न्याय का सपना देखने वालों के लिए महत्त्वपूर्ण उपलब्धि के समान है
Where visions are valid visas
To me the vision was very clear: to return to launch a bilingual (English and Hindi) magazine to provide a platform for the silenced Bahujan majority, with a special focus on the voiceless farmers and artisans, who make up the majority of the OBCs
जब स्वप्न बन जाते हैं वैध वीजा
मेरे लिए यह एक ईश्वरीय प्रेरणा ही थी कि मैं भारत लौटूं और मूक बहुजन बहुसंख्यकों को मंच उपलब्ध कराने के लिए एक द्विभाषी (अंग्रेजी व हिन्दी) पत्रिका शुरू करूं, जिसका विशेष फोकस उन किसानों और शिल्पकारों पर हो, जो ओबीसी का सबसे बड़ा हिस्सा हैं और जिनकी कोई आवाज ही नहीं है
Anil Sarkar and Tripura's Dalit movement
In 1991, when the country was celebrating the birth centenary of B.R. Ambedkar, Anil Sarkar began serious efforts to launch a Dalit movement in the state. He gave a new perspective to Marxism in the Northeast by aligning it with the Dalit movement
अनिल सरकार और त्रिपुरा का दलित आंदोलन
1991 में जब देश बाबासाहेब भीमराव आंबेडकर की जन्मशती मना रहा था, तब अनिल सरकार ने त्रिपुरा के दलित आंदोलन को फैलाने के गंभीर प्रयास प्रारंभ किए। उन्होंने पूर्वोत्तर में दलित आंदोलन को मार्क्सवाद से जोड़कर उसे नया परिप्रेक्ष्य दिया

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Michael A. Cohen
An Open Letter to Bernie Sanders
By Michael A. Cohen ,April 22, 2016, 9:44 p.m.
Bernie Sanders listened to a question during a campaign stop on Friday in Gettysburg, PA. Lucas Jackson/REUTERS
Dear Bernie:
I know you and I have had our differences over the past few months, so perhaps I'm not the person you're most inclined to listen to about your political future. But please, hear me out.
You've had a pretty good run so far. A year ago, you were trailing Hillary Clinton by 50 points in the polls. No one gave you much of a chance of winning a single state, let alone 16 of them. And there certainly wasn't a person alive who thought you'd out-raise the mighty Clinton campaign-cash harvesting machine. You spent $46 million in April. Are you kidding me?
You've not only done well at the polls, but you've raised the profile of income inequality, an issue on which you've been focused for decades and is today, in part because of your campaign, on top of the nation's political agenda. People are actually seriously talking about changing the rules for choosing presidential nominees, which are in major need of a shake-up. Beyond that, you've inspired a vast number of young people to believe that change is possible within the political system; and that their advocacy and their voices can make a real difference.
These are major accomplishments. They have the potential to be transformative and to re-shape not only the direction of the Democratic Party, but also American politics in general.
But here's the thing – and I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but maybe a little tough love is in order — you're not going to win the Democratic nomination. This isn't one of these "yeah, it's a long shot, but maybe if I get lucky and everything goes my way" things. You're not going to overcome Hillary Clinton's lead in pledged delegates and you're certainly not going to convince super delegates to vote for you over her. I mean, think about it: You're trying to convince them to vote against the person who is almost certainly going to win in pledged delegates.
And even if you could win that way, would you really want to? In fact, if we're really being honest here, the way your campaign has gone the past six weeks isn't the way you want to win — or even the way you want to lose. Remember back in May 2015 when you said you didn't want this campaign to be about Jeb Bush, Hillary Clinton, or Bernie Sanders? Remember when you said you weren't going to engage in character assassination and personal attacks?
Well, that hasn't worked out so well over the past few weeks. I don't want to rehash all the things you've said about Clinton that you once suggested you wouldn't, but you are now running a real risk of undercutting the one person who you've said would be a better president on her worst day than all the Republicans currently running for the office. Even worse, you're in real danger of sullying your otherwise inspiring campaign for president.
Look, I get it. You're a politician; you're a competitive guy. You want to win. Who wouldn't? It's like being a top-notch athlete and not wanting to take home a gold medal. No one aspires for silver, after all. And truth be told, when the odds were looking a bit longer for Hillary Clinton back in 2008, she didn't exactly cover herself in glory during the last few months of the Democratic primary campaign.
So, mistakes have been made. Tough attacks delivered. Feelings hurt. It happens. But the question now — after the walloping you took in New York and the long odds you face in the upcoming primary states – is this: What's your plan?
I suppose you could really go scorched earth on Clinton and fight this out to the convention. But why would you want to do that? Isn't the real target on the Republican side? Hillary Clinton might not be your cup of tea, but surely on 100 out of 100 issues that you care about, she'd be better than Donald Trump or Ted Cruz.
So here's my suggestion: Don't end your campaign, re-frame it. Rather than talking about Hillary Clinton's speech transcripts like you did yesterday in Pennsylvania, and rather than boasting about how you don't have a Super PAC and your opponent does, focus on the issues that got you into this race in the first place. Keep talking about inequality, reforming campaign finance, and making the rich pay their fair share, but shift the focus away from Clinton.
Rather than raising money to run more ads that likely aren't going to move the polling needle, start raising money for liberal Democrats in swing districts, Democrats who, with that little extra boost from your supporters, might be able to win in November. After all, if you want a political revolution, don't you need to elect a few more like-minded Democrats to Congress? And with Trump as the likely GOP nominee, the chances of a Democratic wave in the House and the Senate are that much greater. Maybe focus on local races in places like Florida or Ohio or North Carolina, where Republican-dominated state legislatures are putting up restrictions on abortion rights, voting rights, and LGBT rights. You have the megaphone and the money to get your supporters involved in the nitty-gritty of local politics that Democrats have ignored for far too long. You want to beat the Democratic establishment? Become the Democratic establishment.
Rather than talking about a revolution that isn't going to come this year, get your supporters focused on a more achievable set of goals. You've accomplished so much in the past year — don't let your pursuit of the presidency get in the way of the kind of real change that could ensure your campaign is not a footnote but a first step toward a more progressive America.
Michael A. Cohen's column appears regularly in the Globe. Follow him on Twitter @speechboy71.


There is a lot of violence in the camp, but here it feels safe. I feel happy when I'm playing the violin, and my mother has seen me play before. I felt so happy when she saw me.
Sounds of Palestine offers a "peaceful and safe place" for children in Aida refugee camp to study music.


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DAVID COLE AIA | architect
Education and Early Career
Outside Interests
Civic / Transit
Hospitality / Retail
Cranbrook Wellness Center
The Cranbrook Wellness Center was a year-long project that involved the design of a spa, wellness facilities, and guest rooms on the campus of the architecturally-renown Cranbrook Educational Community. The project program included pools and spa areas, a yoga studio, lobby and communal kitchen, facilities for overnight guests, and related ancillary spaces. Components of the studio throughout the year included an overnight field trip to the Cranbrook campus, a critical examination of the historical context of Cranbrook and its structures, research into materials and precedents related to spa facilities, and the design of passive and active environmental strategies and systems.
A site was selected north of the Eliel Saarinen-designed Boys School, adjacent to a wooded ravine near the 2001 natatorium designed by Tod Williams and Billie Tsien. The design solution responds to the site and program by placing the most publicly-accessible functions at the main ground level. The more private spa areas are on the level below, located in a portion of the building that cuts into the hillside. The guest rooms are on a bar that is lifted one story above ground level, allowing views into the forest canopy from the rooms and from the adjacent athletic field into the ravine. The palette of materials was kept simple, with a strong emphasis on structural honesty and the experience of the facility as a warm, welcome place of relaxation and refuge.
Structures / Environment / Construction Studio, Fall – Spring 2011
University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning
Studio Critics: Patricia Kucker, Bob Burnham
© 2022 David Cole AIA


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AYV Hailed for Big Sister Salone Show
L-R: Dr. Lakkoh, Zainab Sheriff, President Navo
Hundreds of viewers and fans of Africa Young Voices (AYV) Media Empire are praising the ongoing first-ever reality television show dubbed Big Sister Salone 2018 which has the theme: Ella Koblo Gulama Drama. The fans make it no secret that they are amazed and thrilled beyond words over the initiative and commend AYV, ZedZee, Africell and the other partners this bold, forward-thinking, pragmatic and creative initiative.
The Big Sister 2018 Reality TV Show's original initiator, Zainab Sheriff who previously featured prominently in Nigeria's Big Brother Reality TV Show (Big Sister Salone's equivalent), first discussed the idea with AYV Empire Media's CEO and President, Anthony Navo Junior.
Ambassador Navo after seeing the beauty of it and that it would serve as a platform to showcase hidden talents of young women as well as rebrand Sierra Leone's cultural and historic heritage locally and globally immediately agreed.
The month-long reality show which started on 15th September, 2018 is undeniably the first most popular reality television show in the country according to numerous fans and viewers are not only being entertained with mature humor, nudity, eloquence and other human attributes but they are also finding out that Sierra Leone has young women who have a lot of clout, personality and diversity in character.
The show which has been well-received by a huge chunk of the general public and a huge promotional success is described by many viewers as interesting and full of unimaginable fun.
Interestingly, AYV is one of the few TV channels in West Africa that has a mobile app for broadcasting globally. The Media Empire in addition to its first Channel 33 recently launched its second Channel 34 (which is showing exclusively the Big Sister Salone 2018 show); alongside a brand new website.
As they engage in the politics of 'Fake Death'; SLPP and APC in 'Korkor Politics'
AYV Plans Debate for Constituency 110 Re-Run Election Candidates
Police Nab Fake Driver License Manufacturers
Plan Partners with AMNet to support Savings and Loans Scheme in Moyamba
LAB joins former client to harvest groundnut


Philly Fans Unite: Nike Speed Turf Max "Sixers"
Philly's stance in basketball has always been solid, whether we're talking about the legendary career that Allen Iverson cemented during his decade-spanning stint on the 76ers roster, or the work that guys like Joel Embiid and Jimmy Butler are currently putting in for the squad. Nike is taking a minute to give Sixers fans a special treat to flex in for their home team with a new iteration of the Speed Turf Max.
Decked out completely in the teams signature red, white and blue team hues, the Sixers Turf Max seen here looks almost as appealing as the regional cheesesteaks that Philadelphia is known for and prides itself for mastering. Also included is a "PHI" script text across the midfoot strap, in addition to a star logo on the heel with a "P" in the middle to really drive the theme all the way home. While the black upper is the only detail that interrupts the shoe from being a full Philly tribute — grey would've probably been a better option to symbolize the City Edition uniforms — these are still fire and will please the city's most earnest fans for sure.


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COVID-19: B.C. reports 567 new cases; new orders restricting Lower Mainland travel, gatherings, indoor sports
by admin|Published November 7, 2020
Press conference starts at 6:30 mark of video.
Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia:
"Today, we are reporting 567 new cases, for a total of 17,716 cases in British Columbia. There are 31 people in intensive care.
"There have been 122 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 411 in the Fraser Health region, three in the Island Health region, 22 in the Interior Health region, nine in the Northern Health region and no new cases of people who reside outside of Canada.
"There has been one new COVID-19 related death, for a total of 276 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"There has been one new health-care facility outbreak at The Residence in Mission. In total, 33 long-term care or assisted-living facilities and four acute-care facilities have active outbreaks.
"In the last two weeks, we have seen a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and outbreaks in health-care facilities centred primarily in the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health regions.
"These are the result of transmission in people's homes and in many workplaces, including food processing facilities, retail locations, public venues, as well as with indoor group physical activities.
"The goal of our COVID-19 response is to maintain capacity within our health-care system, to protect those who are most vulnerable and to keep as much as possible going in our communities.
"We need to keep essential services and essential activities open and operating safely. This is now in jeopardy. As a result, we must now take further action to step back from our restart activities in the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health regions, to avoid potentially serious consequences for all of us.
"Today, new provincial health officer orders have been put in place for all individuals, places of work and businesses across the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health regions, with the exception of Hope, the central coast and the Bella Coola Valley.
"The orders are in effect starting today, Saturday, Nov. 7 at 10 p.m. through to Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, at 3 p.m.
"Right now, it is very important that everyone in these regions significantly reduces their social interactions.
"The orders focus on three areas: social gatherings, group physical activities and workplaces, and are outlined in the following backgrounder.
"We are putting measures in place to better protect people who participate in group physical activities and we are also requiring all businesses and worksites to revisit and ensure strict adherence to their COVID-19 safety protocols.
"We appreciate this takes sustained daily effort and sacrifice, but these actions are critical to us keeping businesses open and communities safe over the winter months.
"In support of this new order, active inspections are being increased and businesses that do not comply will be subject to fines, and/or ordered to close, until a refreshed safety plan and commitment to comply are established.
"Finally, we are strongly recommending travel into and out of these regions be limited to essential travel only and people within the regions stay within their local community, as much as possible. We ask those who live outside of the regions not to visit unless it is essential.
"Provincial health officer orders are always a last resort, and these additional measures are required right now.
"We need everyone to help us keep our wall strong to re-double our efforts to protect our hospitals, our schools, our workplaces and our communities."
For more information about today's orders for the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal Health regions, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/lower-mainland
BCCDC's national and international COVID-19 epidemiological data: https://bccdc.shinyapps.io/covid19_global_epi_app/
BCCDC's safer celebrations guidance: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/social-interactions/safer-celebrations
To learn more about the Oct. 5 modelling presentation, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/COVID19_Going_Forward_Oct_2020.pdf
To find the provincial health officer's orders, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
To see a map of COVID-19 cases by local health area, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data
If you are experiencing symptoms, find a collection centre near you to get tested: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/testing
For a listing of the community exposure events, go to:
BCCDC (flights, work sites, etc.): http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/public-exposures
Fraser Health: fraserhealth.ca/covid19exposure
Interior Health: https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/public-exposures/
Island Health: https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/covid-19/outbreaks-and-exposures
Northern Health: https://www.northernhealth.ca/health-topics/outbreaks-and-exposures
Vancouver Coastal: http://www.vch.ca/covid-19/public-exposures


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December 14, 2022 Bryant Marques
FIFA World Cup 2022: How Lionel Scaloni tactically outclassed Zlatko Dalić with the help of Lionel Messi to cruise to the final – tactical analysis
After a resounding 3-0 defeat against Croatia in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup, the alarms went off in the process of Jorge Sampaoli, which would only be the beginning of the end, before a very tough defeat against France that would eliminate them from the tournament in the Round of 16. After this, Lionel Scaloni's internship was made official in Argentina, after his good participation in a sub-20 tournament, precisely with his assistants Pablo Aimar and Walter Samuel, who remain so to this day.
A shaky start began for the Argentine team, which in each game seemed like the last of Scaloni, many names appeared and none was that of the former Deportivo La Coruña player. With effort and work, he renewed the team, implemented a dynamic and modern working method and created a group with which he reached a new world final in Qatar.
The defeat of the Copa América 2019 in the semifinals by 2-0 against Brazil, would only be the beginning of a facelift and a desire to fight more, which could be seen two years later in their conquest of the Copa América, and in the reaching the final against Croatia, which once again made history together with Zlatko Dalic after being one of the best four teams in the tournament for two consecutive World Cups, with one of the smallest countries on the planet but a golden generation that was so close to touching glory.
In this tactical analysis, we dive into the tactics of both teams in form of analysis and see how Lionel Scaloni's Argentina qualified for their sixth final in their history.
Argentina went with a 4-4-2 joined by Emiliano Martínez in goal, Nahuel Molina, Cristián Romero, Nicolás Otamendi and Nicolás Tagliafico as the back-four, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernández, Alexis MacAllister, Rodrigo de Paul, Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez.
Croatia formed a 4-3-3 with Dominik Livakovic as the goalkeeper; Borna Sosa, Dejan Lovren, Josko Gvardiol, and Josip Juranovic on the defence; Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic on one of the best midfields of the tournament, ending with Andrej Kramaric, Ivan Perisic and Mario Pasalic on attack.
Argentina's aggressive press and numerical superiority through the middle
Lionel Scaloni raised some doubts before the game about the selection of the starting eleven to face Croatia. Faced with the midfield three of so much control and balance by Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric and Marcelo Brozovic, but the rapid rise of Borna Sosa on the left side of the pitch, the two options that were being considered for the Argentine coach was whether to congested the midfield with four players with the inclusion of Leandro Paredes, with a more defensive cut and distribution of the first pass as #6, thus freeing Enzo Fernández, or whether to attack the space liberated by Sosa, with Ángel di María.
In the end, he decided to have better control of the midfield with the inclusion of Paredes to the team, which clearly dominated both defensively and offensively, due to the numerical superiority that was shown when they had the ball as well as how well their midfielders aggressively slated to mark Kovacic or Modric when these, under his principle of more functional roles, sought to combine. Argentina moved the block from side to side extremely well when they had to defend and this covered the spaces to generate play for Croatia.
Even in moments of lucidity in Croatia, where they were creating plays constantly, especially in the left sector of the field with the Sosa-Perisic tandem, Argentina seemed quite comfortable defending and being more direct, which is something highly worked on by Lionel Scaloni from the beginning in the coaching process of the national team. The adaptability and comfort that his team has generated to play in a low block, with the ball being the protagonist or playing in a more direct football, has been more than positive and was demonstrated against Croatia, in the minutes before the 1-0 scored by Lionel Messi.
One of the first tactical aspects seen in the match was the defensive role of Julián Álvarez, who each game shows more that he is prepared for the elite level. He is a great player for high pressure. He never tires and seeks to run since he is tactically very correct and intelligent. As Scaloni mentioned after the match; "it was very important since he gave us a hand with one of the midfielders" which in this case was Brozovic. If the ball was played from side to side between the central defenders, he would not go to them but would cover the option of passing with Brozovic.
Behind him, one of the things that were most seen in the game: MacAllister and De Paul closed as wingers who went aggressively to fill the midfield and then jump wide if they had to. Inside, Paredes and Enzo provided more rigidity and balance inside, which were usually more zonal.
Argentina had a tendency when Croatia was looking to progress through midfield, as they have throughout the tournament: If the ball went to the front line, the first receiver had to take pressure from a close ranger, and so on with the next one that offered himself into space.
Argentina really coordinated and controlled these aspects of the game with aggressive jumps to mark the man in a kind of counter-pressure when playing in the middle that was suffocating since they had extra men and a system that did not stop scoring close to the rival, with smart, intense hedges behind them.
One of the things that Argentina wanted to take advantage of tactically in the match was the interval between Juranovic and Lovren, who, especially the second one, left a lot of space between them that they could attack with a good long pass. However, ahead of them, they had good zonal marking from Croatia that did not allow a ball to pass through their lines.
That is why Scaloni sought, once again, to stretch the rival block, in order to generate dangerous opportunities. He positioned his two full-backs high up almost as wingers, while his midfielders had enough freedom of movement to join as early in the lineup or higher.
In this image, for example, we can see how Scaloni's men deployed their full-backs quite high, and the players who were relegated were Messi and Rodrigo de Paul, who could then be seen much more advanced and that generated dynamism within the team. Normally the idea was to stack with these players in the middle, to try to activate the left where Enzo would normally receive and look upon him to find a player going into the space between Juranovic and Lovren.
But Lionel Scaloni ran into a problem. Croatia tried to fill these spaces with one more footballer, Pasalic, the winger on this side who came together to close Enzo's inclinations and Tagliafico's runs from outside in or inside out at certain times.
As in this figure, the left back who was a substitute for Marcos Acuña in this match and did quite well makes the run for Enzo Fernández to enable him with a through pass. Given this, the options there were complicated. Still, Argentina kept looking for him on that same side since they would know that an error could be generated if they found these two players setting up the back-line and Pasalic wouldn't do the defensive movement to create a back-five.
Argentina also sought, through these stretching of the block with the full-backs pinning out-wide, in full turn of the game, seeking to break inside with receptions from players like MacAllister, Enzo or even Messi.
In the image that we can see below, Rodrigo de Paul receives the ball from outside, where he finds a space in the middle to play with the Brighton player, who then passes it to Enzo Fernández who with some combinations on the edge of the box, something constantly sought to break the last line, ended up finishing off from long distance.
The play prior to the penalty that Dominik Livakovic conceded over Julián Álvarez was clearly Argentina's desire to have a player like Enzo Fernández more advanced between the lines, lurking what Lovren-Juranovic could generate before the space and momentum of one of the two with his aggressive jumps off the line.
In addition, Enzo's half-space receptions made the Celtic player hesitant to come out, which could create spaces behind him or behind Lovren, who was going to cover him. It was precisely what happened in the said play, with the ex-Liverpool player very badly positioned after his jump to cover Juranovic, Álvarez took the opportunity to sting into space and generate the penalty.
The tension of playing against such a motivated Lionel Messi was seen a lot in a Croatia that sought to be more zonal than anything else, while the PSG player was activated by absolutely all sides and pockets of the field. Even in the third goal, he made one of the best individual plays of the 2022 World Cup against possibly the best central defender in the tournament.
Argentina lived one of its best matches in the World Cup that allows them to play a final again. It will be their sixth in history, of which they won 2 and Lionel Messi has been and will be in 2, it only remains to be seen if, after the final whistle on 12-18-2022, he will have lifted the prestigious trophy in any of them.


In a change from our usual two or three day visits, we have been in Tacna now for just over a week. Our sisters here are wonderful--no surprise there! Five sisters live here in the house, but Sonia is away visiting family while we are here. All of the sisters work in the school, Fe y Alegria, a combination grade school and high school. In typican Peruvian style, the grade school children meet in the morning from 8:00 until 12:45, with the older students taking over the building in the afternoons. The schedule here is usually prayer at 6:20 a.m. with breakfast following before heading off to school. We return for lunch just after 1:00, and the sisters head back sometime between 2:00 and 3:00. We pull out the leftovers when everyone gets home, sometimes around 6:30 or 7:00.
The school is very impressive. A very large school compared to the grade school that I attended as a child. There are three of almost every grade with nearly 30 students in every class. Classes have been disrupted lately for a variety of reasons. About two weeks ago there was a big strike/protest in the neighboring pueblo and the school was shut down for a week. As a result, there are now classes on Saturdays for the next month. Friday, the day after we arrived, began the Peruvian fiesta for teachers. Classes Friday were replaced with dances, poems, presentations, and food in thanksgiving for the teachers. The party continued all weekend. We went Saturday to watch students from all of the colegios in Tacna perform native Peruvian dances. They were wonderful with their native dress and enthusiasm. Sunday we watched the students (and professors) march. A very patriotic and regal event. I find the culture as a whole very patriotic. After the marches we returned home to have our own celebration--barbeque, with a Peruvian flair, of course. We didn´t get our Fourth of July fireworks, but this was close enough.
Monday and Tuesday were slightly disrupted at school with the arrival of an image of Señor de los Milagros, with which there was a procession and prayer. Yesterday classes were cancelled in a country-wide protest of national policies affecting workers and the economy. Shops were closed, taxis and buses didn´t run. Tacna was pretty shut down. The teachers did meet at school in the morning to share prayer and reflection around the injustices and to make signs to hang at the school. After that we played volleyball, which was fabulous. It is incredible to me that so many people would participate in the protest; I would guess that many of the venders in the mercado and on the street live on the money they make day to day. I wonder how many people went hungry last night because they chose to stand up for the rights of workers.
One of the images and thoughts to which I continue to return these days is from the mercado. There was a point when I realized that many of the venders (typically women) and the children that I see wandering and playing in the mercado sleep there as well. What seem to be unattended stands are those often being watched in the dreams of the vendor catching a cat nap under or behind her or his table. The smell of urine is understandably strong as day and night the venders are there. Yesterday the gate to one of the markets was closed because of the protest. I could see only the cloths over the carts, yet I could hear the voices of the children playing inside. It is no wonder that the first graders at school have such a difficult time sitting still, minding their teachers, etc. It is such a different setting from what they leave and to what they return.
Today we went to Chile, a bonus stamp in my passport. Tacna, and most of Peru all of the way north to Lima, had been at one time invaded by Chile. Tacna was under Chilean rule for fifty years, actually not terribly long ago. Similar to the U.S.-Mexican border, although not as extreme, there is a definite difference between the economies of the countries. Things in Chile are nearly twice as expensive as they are here in Peru. I was thinking of the immigration issue in the States and asked if there were similar issues with persons crossing illegally from Peru into Chile. There would be except that there are landmines lining the border. I think we could come up with better ways to resolve the gaps between the poor and wealthy.
There was a very small tremor here the other morning. No damage, nothing, but since I for some reason can´t send or check e-mail here in Tacna, I thought I´d post this reassurance that all is well for anyone who might have heard the news.
We return to Lima Sunday, arriving in the morning on Monday, and hopefully I´ll be able to share a bit more then. I have taken more time for personal prayer and reflection this last week or so and hopefully will be able to share some of that rather than simply the schedule of events in one of these postings. As with everything here, who knows exactly where we will be and when with access to what.
Thank you for the vivid descriptions.
I'm reminded of the time when I was young and unions were strong in the US. My dad worked for the St. Louis Star Times newspaper. When one union on the newspaper would call a strike to get just wages or benefits, all the unions honored the strike and refused to cross the picket line. I remember that even if Dad wasn't on strike no money would come in at that time because Dad wouldn't cross the picket lines. To this day if there's a picket line at a place where I want to shop, I won't cross the line. Unfortunately for workers in the US nowadays, the unions aren't as strong. Unions were broken in Reagan's time as president.
I hope the strikes and protests in Peru bring justice to the workers there. Greed rules the economy in so many places.It makes me reflect on how I can live more simply.
Thanks for putting some of our minds and hearts at ease. It's a little sad that the earthquake got press and the workers' rights issue wasn't even mentioned.
With all the criticism that comes from U.S. Unions about "outsourced jobs", you'd think someone would have made the connection that fighting for workers rights and just wages overseas would help Americans too.
Ordinarily I do not take my "required" break here at NLC; however, thought I would right now and see if you had a new entry.
I am so looking forward to the/your stories...in person. Many, many experiences, yes? I am so very happy for you, Anne and Andrea.
Love to you, Sarah Jane Heger!
As always, your Blog is so very interesting. I, too, was surprised about the large numbers willing to protest despite the extra hardships.
I'm eagerly awaiting your return.
As I write this, my sister is probably in the process of cremation. Thank you for your prayers. She will be interred in the family plot in Denver. I'll share more when you get home.


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Sergio Perez wins incident-packed Singapore Grand Prix
By Issy Ronald, CNN
Published 1:51 PM EDT, Sun October 2, 2022
Perez (11) leads Leclerc (16) at Marina Bay Street Circuit.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Red Bull's Sergio Perez won the Singapore Grand Prix amid treacherous conditions, but he remains under investigation for a potential safety car violation with race stewards due to rule on any penalty.
Torrential rain delayed the start of the race by an hour and, on the slippery track, the safety car was deployed twice – firstly following a collision between Nicholas Latifi and Zhou Guanyu and secondly after Yuki Tsunoda hit the barriers.
Alexander Albon of Thailand and Williams talks to the media in the paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on September 08, 2022 in Monza, Italy.
Bryn Lennon/Formula 1/Getty Images
From intensive care to the F1 grid, Alex Albon's remarkable comeback
Perez emerged from the chaos unscathed and eventually passed the chequered flag seven seconds ahead of runner-up Charles Leclerc to move within just two points of the Ferrari driver's second place in the drivers' championship.
Ferrari's Carlos Sainz completed the podium while Perez's teammate and runaway leader atop the overall standings, Max Verstappen, was forced to wait for his second title after finishing seventh – one of the worst results of his season.
Sergio Perez celebrates in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit.
Clive Mason/Getty Images
"It was certainly my best performance," Perez said, according to F1. "I controlled the race, although the [tire] warm-up was pretty difficult. The last few laps were so intense. I really didn't feel it so much in the car, but when I got out of it, I felt it. I pushed [and] I gave everything for the win today."
Perez had navigated the frantic start best, overtaking pole-sitter Leclerc on Turn 1 while his teammate Verstappen lost and then regained four positions in the middle of the pack.
On the tenth lap, the first safety car was deployed and Verstappen took advantage of the compressed field to make up another two places for P7 while Latifi and Zhou both retired.
Marking his 350th race start, Alpine's Fernando Alonso suffered an engine failure 10 laps later prompting a virtual safety car which had barely finished before it reemerged again following Williams' Alex Albon crash into a wall and Alpine's second engine failure of the day with Esteban Ocon.
It was not until halfway through the race that the track was dry enough for slick tires, and all the drivers pitted to change while yet another safety car was out on the course.
Accelerating out of the restart, Verstappen locked up trying to overtake Norris and was forced to pit again to change tires once more while Hamilton also made an uncharacteristic error to tumble out of the podium race.
In the end, it was Perez who held off the challenges of Leclerc to take his second victory of this season and fourth of his career.