Smilax aspericaulis Wall. ex A.DC., Monogr. Phan. 1 (1878) 195. --Smilax bracteata C.Presl var. verruculosa (Merr.) T.Koyama, Quart. J. Taiwan Mus. 10 (1957) 18; Quart. J. Taiwan Mus. 13 (1960) 12; --Smilax verruculosa Merr., PJS 5 c (1910) Bot. 173; EPFP 1 (1922) 209. --Smilax williamsii Merr., PJS 5 c (1910) Bot. 173; EPFP 1 (1922) 209. India (Himalayas, Khasya), Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malesia. Peninsular Malaysia, Java, Borneo (Sabah, Sarawak), Philippines. LUZON: Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Zambales (Mt Pinatubo), Quezon (Mt Tulaog), MINDANAO: Lanao del Sur, Bukidnon, Davao. Note by P.B. Pelser (16-Aug-15): Smilax williamsii is considered a distinct species in the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families.
var. bracteata. Indochina, S China, S Japan to Taiwan, Caroline Isls (Truk), Philippines. LUZON: Benguet, Pangasinan, Bataan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Rizal, Quezon, Sorsogon, MINDORO: Mindoro Oriental, MINDANAO: Davao (Mt Apo). Lowland and medium elevation thickets and secondary forests.
var. heterophylla Merr. & Quisumb.; --Type: BS 45333 Ramos & Edaño (K, NY), Luzon: Aurora prov., Casiguran. LUZON: Aurora.
Smilax china L., Sp. Pl. (1753) 1029; --Merr., EPFP 1 (1922) 208.
var. china. Japan, Korea, C & S China, Taiwan, Philippines.
var. kuru Sakaguchi ex Yamamoto, J. Trop. Agr. Formosa 11 (1939) 278. Ryukyus, Hong Kong, Philippines.
var. recticaulis T.Koyama, Dansk. Bot. Arkiv 23 (1963) 14. Thailand, Philippines. LUZON: Cordillera Highlands, MINDORO: Mindoro Occidental (Mt Halcon), 1100-2000m.
Smilax elmeri Merr., PJS 13 c (1918) Bot. 6; EPFP 1 (1922) 208. Endemic to the Philippines. LUZON: Sorsogon, BUCAS GRANDE, MINDANAO: Bukidnon, Agusan. Forested ridges to 1000m.
Smilax erecta Merr., PJS 13 c (1918) Bot. 5; EPFP 1 (1922) 208. Endemic to the Philippines. LUZON: Aurora prov. (E coast). Forested slopes at low or medium elevation.
Smilax leucophylla Blume, Enum. Pl. Javae (1827) 18; --Merr., PJS 3 c (1908) Bot. 96; EPFP 1 (1922) 208. China, Peninsular Malaysia, Java, Borneo, Moluccas, Philippines. LUZON: Benguet, Pangasinan, Pampanga, Bataan, Rizal, Laguna, MINDORO, CULION, PALAWAN, MINDANAO.
Smilax loheri Merr., PJS 10 c (1915) Bot. 294; EPFP 1 (1922) 208. Endemic to the Philippines. LUZON: Nueva Ecija, Rizal. Mossy forest at or above 900m.
Smilax lucida Merr., PJS 13 c (1918) Bot. 5; EPFP 1 (1922) 209; --Smilax lanceifolia Roxb. var. lucida (Merr.) T.Koyama, Quart. J. Taiwan Mus. 13 (1960) 26. Endemic to the Philippines. LUZON: Apayao, Isabela (San Mariano).
Smilax luzonensis C.Presl, Rel. Haenk. 1 (1827) 131; --Merr., EPFP 1 (1922) 209. India, Indochina, Malesia. LUZON: Ilocos Norte, PANAY, CATANDUANES, MINDANAO: Lanao, Bukidnon. Forests at medium elevation.
Smilax megacarpa A.DC., Monogr. Phan. 1 (1878) 186. India to S. China, west and central Malesia. Note by P.B. Pelser (16-Aug-15): reported for the Philippines in the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families; presence needs to be confirmed.
Smilax pygmaea Merr., PJS 5 c (1910) Bot. 399; EPFP 1 (1922) 209. --Smilax menispermoidea A.DC. var. randaiensis (Hayata) T.Koyama; --Smilax randaiensis Hayata, J. Coll. Sci. Imp. Univ. Tokyo 30(1) (1911) 362. Taiwan, Borneo, Philippines.
Smilax riparia A.DC., Monogr. Phan. 1 (1878) 55.
Koyama, T. 1960. Materials towards a monograph of the genus Smilax. Quart. J. Taiwan Mus. 13 (1960) 61.


Wanderlust Asia is a travel agency based in Negombo Sri Lanka, that primarily promotes Sri Lanka and Maldives as tourist destinations. The requirement was to develop a website that highlights tour packages, events and offers and other essential information for a traveler such as popular activities, things to do etc. LAYOUTindex custom built a website for Wanderlust Asia that allows customers to pick a ready-made tour or even customize their own trip. This SEO friendly website is user-experience oriented, and customers can also make a direct inquiry through the website if required.


Mr. Ortega is a shareholder and attorney practicing in the commercial litigation, appellate, and labor and employment departments at ScottHulse, P.C. Prior to joining ScottHulse, P.C., he served as a briefing attorney to the Honorable David M. Medina of the Texas Supreme Court and as a law clerk to the Honorable Philip R. Martinez of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas.
In the community, Mr. Ortega serves on the board of directors of AVANCE-El Paso, the KCOS Community Advisory Board, and the El Paso Marathon Foundation. He is a past board member of the Ethics Review Commission for the City of El Paso, the El Paso Museum of Art, the El Paso Holocaust Museum, and the El Paso Federal Bar Association. He is also a graduate of the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce Leadership El Paso, Class 34.
Mr. Ortega is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso and the University of Wisconsin Law School.
His term on the Board of Commissioners expires February 24, 2020.


Located in Jalan Plawa Seminyak, Bali, this gorgeous, 2 bedrooms, holiday rental pool villa ticks all the boxes for a fabulous island vacation. Surrounded by lush gardens, you can enjoy your time relaxing in the Balinese bale overlooking the private pool. Travelling with friends? No problem, Villa Warni Warni is located right next door for your convenience.
The bedrooms are air-conditioned and have stunning en suite bathrooms. The master bedroom is romantically decorated with filmy curtains, candles and chandeliers and the second bedroom features a modern combination of grey tones against wood. For those that enjoy self catering, the modern equipped kitchen is a delight. Open and airy living space allows you to really enjoy the Bali tropical lifestyle. A separate TV room adjoins the living room for those times that you want to just kick back and watch a DVD. Come and enjoy your home away from home soon.


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Pope sends aide to Greek island to bring back 33 migrants
Posted: Dec 2, 2019 / 08:58 AM EST / Updated: Dec 2, 2019 / 08:58 AM EST
In this Thursday Oct. 3, 2019 photo, an Afghan man looks out of his tent in a makeshift refugee and migrant camp on the fringes of the overcrowded Moria camp on the Greek island of Lesbos. Greece's conservative government announced Wednesday Nov. 20, 2019, plans to overhaul the country's migration management system, and replacing existing camps on the islands with detention facilities and moving and 20,000 asylum seekers to the mainland over the next few weeks. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican says Pope Francis has dispatched a close aide to the Greek island of Lesbos to bring back 33 asylum-seekers to Rome.
Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the papal almsgiver, headed Monday to Lesbos.
The Vatican says he'll return Wednesday with the migrants.
When returning to Italy from visiting Lesbos in 2016, Francis took three Syrian families of asylum-seekers with him aboard his flight.
Francis asked Krajewski to go to "renew solidarity to the Greek people and to the refugees."
The pope, according to the Vatican, wants to make "a further gesture of solidarity" in hosting young refugees and families from Afghanistan, Cameroon and Togo.
Ten more refugees will be brought to Italy from Lesbos later this month.
U.N. officials say minors risk exploitation at overcrowded migrant camps on Greek islands.
MOSCOW (AP) — A heating pipe burst Monday in a small Russian hotel, flooding rooms with boiling water that killed five people and left six others injured in the central city of Perm, emergency officials said.
The nine-room hotel was located in the basement of a residential building in the city of 1 million people near Russia's Ural Mountains. All of the victims — who included a child — were staying at the hotel, authorities said. Three of the injured were hospitalized with burns.
by JIM MORRIS and ROB GILLIES, Associated Press / Jan 20, 2020
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — The first stage of an extradition hearing for a senior executive of Chinese telecom giant Huawei begins Monday in a Vancouver courtroom, a case that has infuriated Beijing, caused a diplomatic uproar and added to tensions between China and the United States.
Canada's arrest of chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, the daughter of Huawei's legendary founder, in late 2018 at America's request shocked Beijing.
A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low 17F. Winds light and variable. Precip: 0%
Partly cloudy Precip: 0%
Pineville, Kentucky school to dismiss early for funeral of three students
Local / 1 week ago

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


We all love the Likkle Baby Cheeses.
to be honest something i have always thought of doing (just havent worked the logistics out yet. Is a never mind the Buzzcocks style quiz.
nostborn wrote: to be honest something i have always thought of doing (just havent worked the logistics out yet. Is a never mind the Buzzcocks style quiz.
Teamspeak singalong guess the tune?
Well Next line is easy as i can type the line you reply on TS.
Intros round can be either In game music (don't like this idea) or configure my TS to play the music through the mic.
If Nost's heading that one up, the answer is always either gonna be Deep Purple, or FREE BIRD!!!
Came to think of something.
Some people in the kin have made some nice cosmetic works for their character(s).
Not a revolutionary idea, but an idea.


The NPD.FUNC.CALL.MIGHT checker flags situations in which a pointer value from a function call that might return null might subsequently be passed to a function that might dereference it without checking it for null.
Depending on the result of the conditional statement at line 8, a null pointer may be passed to function npd_func_call_might, in which it may be dereferenced, depending on the condition at line 15. This type of vulnerability can produce unexpected and unintended results.
In the fixed code, *p is checked for null in line 18 before the dereference.


"A panel discussion with incredible local women who have spoken at design and tech conferences and public events." Sold out, but a wait list is available.
I have no idea who Hot Buttered Rum are, but Toubab Krewe is one of the finest world-music fusion bands you'll ever see – traditional West African music meets Southern rock.
"Political leader Stacey Abrams takes the stage to share her awareness of the experiences and challenges that hinder anyone who exists beyond the structure of traditional white male power—women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, and millennials ready to make a difference." SOLD OUT, but 50 $5 tickets will be available at walk-up on the night of the event and standby will be available.


Donors can make gifts to a number of programs at Marian, including the Marian Fund, Endowment Fund, and our Wish List. Together, these gifts constitute a crucial source of support, providing the resources to award tuition assistance, fund academic and student programming, nurture our Catholic mission, operate our large physical plant, and see us into the future.
A gift to this annual fundraising effort makes a profound and immediate impact on today's Marian students.
The Marian Fund helps provide the critical dollars used for the Leadership Grant that each student receives. Leadership Grants, which cover the $2,200 difference between the tuition charged and the actual cost of educating a Marian student, are provided to all students in accordance with Marian's mission to serve as many families as possible.
To help provide tuition assistance to students.
To support technology upgrades, both in and out of the classroom.
To enrich our superior academic, spiritual, and leadership programs.
To maintain the facility and campus grounds.
To provide overall support of our operating budget.
Each year Marian asks our alumnae, parents, faculty/staff, and friends to invest in our mission by making a gift to the Marian Fund. Our goal for the 2018-2019 school year is $400,000 in unrestricted funds.
Marian's Endowment Fund ensures the school's future. Money in this fund is invested; interest gained can be used to provide permanent financial support for tuition assistance and scholarships, faculty enrichment, and other student programs.
Estate gifts also grow the Endowment Fund.
In addition, Marian has several endowed scholarships.
Our operating budget provides the essentials to maintain our mission of providing the best possible Catholic college preparatory education for young women here at Marian. However, in the process, "wish we had it" items do not get included in the final budget.
Here's a list of items we "wish we had." Can you help us?
If you would like to help us with one of these items – or donate funds toward its purchase – please contact Julie Morad Natsis, Vice President for Advancement, at (248) 644-1946 or Julie Morad Natsis. Thank you!
Marian's Leadership Circle is composed of lead benefactors who make a gift of $2,500 or more.
These gifts form the foundation of support for Marian students.


As Hideaki Anno's Khara celebrates their 10th anniversary, the anime studio best known for their work on the Rebuild of Evangelion movies have announced their first TV anime production. Headed to NHK BS Premium in February 2017, they will be expanding short "The Dragon Dentist" from the Animator Expo showcase into two 45-minute specials.
A long version of an animated TV show which is based on the first episode from Japan Anima (tor)'s Exhibition, "The Dragon Dentist," will be released in February 2017 on NHK BS Premium.
As with the short version, Mr. Kazuya Tsurumaki serves as the animation director. He has formed a new production team and is assiduously working on the long version (45 minutes x 2 animations). Mr. Otaro Maijo, the original author, writes scripts in collaboration with Mr. Yoji Enokido, an expert scriptwriter. Characters are designed by Mr. Shuichi Iseki, who is the character designer and animation director of the third episode from Japan Anima (tor)'s Exhibition "ME! ME! ME!." Mr. Hideaki Anno takes a role as the executive producer and the director of audiography.
This will be the first animated TV show that is executed by Studio khara.
About the episode 1 "The Dragon Dentist"
A girl comes there to become a dentist of a dragon. She is with other new freshman applicants, but there is no announcement from a senior as guidance. They are confused and taken along with the senior. The only way is just to walk through freshman's path, which is dark and strange. They do not know where they are. Not knowing what to do, she is approaching to the secret of dragon, but she does not realize yet. The adventure has already begun.


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Bolingbrook Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Child Pornography, Sex Trafficking
by Sophia Ansari | Apr 6, 2019 | Press Release
A 46-year-old Bolingbrook man investigated by the Cook County Sheriff's Police's Child Exploitation Unit has been sentenced to federal prison in a child pornography and sex trafficking case, Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced today. In April 2017, Ronald Gobenciong was...
Western Springs Man Charged with Disseminating Child Pornography
by Sophia Ansari | Nov 15, 2018 | Press Release
A 72-year-old man has been charged after an investigation found that he sent explicit images of children using a messaging app, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced today. Edward Evans of Western Springs was charged Nov. 14 with two counts of distributing...
Blue Island Man Charged with Possession of Child Pornography
by Sophia Ansari | Sep 11, 2018 | Press Release
A 45-year-old Blue Island man has been charged after an investigation found images of child pornography on his devices, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced today. Donald Walker was arrested and charged on Sept. 10. Sheriff's Police investigators working with...
Man Charged with Sexual Assault, Child Pornography
by Mike Pierga | Oct 21, 2016 | Press Release
An 18-year-old Kentucky man has been charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault and child pornography, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced today. On Aug. 19, 2015, an undercover officer in Washington D.C. made contact with an individual on an online...
Man Charged with Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault, Child Pornography
by Mike Pierga | Jun 30, 2016 | Press Release
A Cook County Sheriff's Police investigation led to predatory criminal sexual assault and child pornography charges against a 39-year-old Melrose Park man, Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced today. At approximately 1:20 a.m. on June 27, Sheriff's Police received a...


BTW, if you don't have an animal problem (they love the smell as the eggs rot), you can also compost over-age eggs. I turned the list (without the commentary) into a 2-column PDF that I'm printing out for the frig until these become second nature.
If you've already started composting, you've probably got the basic idea of what goes onto the pile. You're already dumping your peels, cores, leaves, clippings and coffee grounds. You're already thinking about your browns and greens, gathering them from your kitchen and yard. If you want to take composting to the next level, and reduce your household waste even further, here's a list of some less-discussed items that can also get tossed in your composting bin or tumbler.
Glossy magazines don't make for good compost, but thin printed paper can go on the pile. Help it break down faster by shredding it. According to composting guidelines from the Cornell University Waste Management Institute, most newspapers today are printed with non-toxic inks and pose no health risk.
But only if you're cleaning up food with these items—if you're sopping up anything that might have chemicals don't put them in the compost to avoid any possible contamination.
If your wine has gone vinegary or your beer has gone flat, don't fret—just pour it onto the pile.
If you're not using those juices to cook with, you can add them to your compost bin.
You might not want to risk a bad batch of bread with a packet of yeast that's past its expiration date. But according to the composting experts over at Gardens Alive, it may still have some microorganisms that can help your compost along.
If that old bag of cat food is hopelessly stale, or your puppy refuses to taste a new brand of kibble, you can throw dry pet food into the compost bin.
They may take a long time to biodegrade, but it will eventually happen. Consider breaking them up a bit to speed the process. Although, it's better to hang onto reusable chopsticks, and ask for the disposable kind to be left out of your take-out order.
Your pet's or your own, as long as they're polish-free.
I have seen several articles that recommend against composting egg shells, but I don't know why. Eggshells will break down in most compost systems. According to "Compost City" by Rebecca Louie (a great guide for beginners), you can even add them to worm bins.


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Home » Social Calendar » Team "Alexandra's Angel's" Gearing Up for The MS150 Breakaway to Key Largo Ride to Fight MS! March 5th and 6th
Team "Alexandra's Angel's" Gearing Up for The MS150 Breakaway to Key Largo Ride to Fight MS! March 5th and 6th
| February 2016
Team Captain Alexandra Mastriana-Solal is getting her team in high gear to raise awareness, spirit, and funds to fight Multiple Sclerosis during the 30th anniversary of the Bike MS 150 Breakaway to Key Largo March 5th-6th.
The MS Ride begins at 7am at the FIU campus in Miami, and the route takes 1,500 cyclists through the Redlands and Homestead, culminating at Key Largo Resorts.
Alexandra's life changed drastically on September 3, 2013. A sudden inability to walk was confirmed by her doctors as MS. At that unsettling and uncertain time Alexandra knew very little about the disease; conversely the disease knew very little about her resolve and a battle began. Her research about MS yeilded some unrefutable truths: presently there are no known cures for MS, and patients experience a multitude of constant side effects and pain. The fatigue, or lassitude, diminishes an MS patients quality of life. Despite knowning these obstacles, Alexandra ever adamant, decided with the support of her husband to form the "Alexandra's Angels" MS150 Bike team to raise funds needed for research and new treatments on behalf of the 500,000 people afflicted in the US with this deadly disease through the support of the National MS Society.
The team started with 24 riders in 2014, and in 2015 Alexandra's Angels finished first overall in fundraising with an impressive $146,000.00 donated to the National MS Society. The 2016 team has grown to over 50 riders of friends and family, and the goal is to raise $100,000.00. New riders are welcome with a $40 MS Registration Fee and a minimum fundraising of $350.00. With just under 30 days remaining, the team is halfway to their fundraising goal. Alexandra's Angels has partnered up with some great supporters for the following February fundraising events:
1. Café Vico – Monday February 8th 6-9pm $150 per person (tax deductible)
1125 North Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 954-565-9681
Hosts: Marco Vico, Keith Costello, Tom Vogel rsvp tvogel@oneriverplaza.com
2. CycleWard – Saturday, February 20th 4pm $50 per person (tax deductible)
Hosts: Lisa Maitland Anderson & Jamie Maitland rsvp info@cyclewardstudio.com
3. Thasos – Thursday, February 25th 6-9pm $150 per person (tax deductible) *silent auction
3330 East Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 954-200-6006
Hosts: Sophia Mylona rsvp info@thasostaverna.com
Venue: Starts at FIU Campus, Miami
Dates: Saturday, March 5th
Sunday, March 6th
Registration and Additional Information: http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?team_id=446525&fr_id=26536&pg=team


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DHS Worker Arrested
Tulsa County prosecutors have alleged that a state Department of Human Services employee stole thousands of dollars from a vulnerable adult.
Debra Maxine Roberts, a DHS Adult Protective Services specialist, is accused of abusing, exploiting or neglecting a 74-year-old mentally disabled man.
According to a DHS special agent's affidavit, Roberts received a court order assigning her as a temporary guardian. During that time, she had the authority to use the Ward's money to pay for residential care and daily expenses.
But bank records show that Roberts made five cash withdrawals from the Ward's accounts after her guardianship ended.
Tulsa DHS worker arrested
Labels: APS, Oklahoma, US Department of Health and Human Services
Fatal Tube Removal
Janet Salas lost her say in her son's treatment when the state turned over custody of him to a case management company.
Adult Protective Services brought a suit to remove Salas as Freddie Nichols' guardian and award guardianship to Erin Ruscetti, owner of Necessity Case Management and Consultation LLC. At the time, the agency's attorney alleged that Nichols was dehydrated and in a "vegetative condition" and had been hospitalized about 10 times during the preceding year for decubitus ulcers, or bed sores.
Salas rejects the allegations that she provided poor care for her son. She contends that her son's bed sores worsened during his stay at a VA hospital. Salas also said she had no opportunity to speak or present evidence at the Aug. 27 hearing. She had a letter from her son's physician who wrote that Salas provided her son with excellent care.
District Judge Richard Brown awarded guardianship to Ruscetti after an Aug. 27 hearing.
Janet Salas paced the sidewalk outside the Raymond G. Murphy Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Albuquerque, demanding that hospital officials restore her son's feeding tube. Salas stood in front of a McDonald's restaurant at Gibson and San Mateo SE nearly all day.
Her hand drawn sign said: "Please Help / The VA is killing my son."
Salas lost the battle when her son, Freddie Nichols, died after Nichols had been without food or water and when hospital officials removed a feeding tube without his family's consent.
Family Opposed To Fatal Tube Removal
Labels: APS, New Mexico, Protest, Veteran Affairs
Accused Lawyer Found Dead
A prominent Duncan lawyer found himself on the wrong side of the law and on Thursday, September 18, stood accused of embezzlement and forgery. On Wednesday, September 24, investigators found him dead from a gunshot wound to the head.
Prosecutors said the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) said he spent nearly $150,000 that belonged to a client. The prosecution says he was holding the money for a family's estate, but when they tried to get it back, it was gone.
Barnes' body was found at Washita Point in the Lake Texoma area, and he appeared to have been dead for several days. Authorities say that after Barnes posted bail, he went missing, and the OSBI feared he was on the run or had harmed himself. They say no foul play is suspected at this time.
Barnes had filed an application to resign from the bar, which means to give up his law license, and discontinued his practice. According to court records, Barnes was hired in February, 2007, to handle the probate of Faye Glenn's estate. Her checking account was transferred to Barnes' Attorney Trust Account at BancFirst in Duncan.
According to Stephens County District Attorney Bret Burns, despite the fact that Barnes was supposed to reimburse $150,000 to the executor of the state, Barnes had yet to do so after the probate period ended.
Burns said: "So there was a large sum of money just sitting there, They had been asking for that money back for the past year and they got different excuses, until they finally found out it was gone."
Duncan lawyer accused of embezzlement found dead
Probate Attorney Jailed
Labels: Lawyer, Oklahoma
New Legislation Passed
Groundbreaking legislation, marking the most sweeping congressional reform of the U.S. foster care system in more than a decade, has passed the House of Representatives and is on its way to the Senate where it is expected to pass.
The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act (H.R. 6893) is designed to help thousands of children in foster care by promoting permanent families for them through relative guardianship and adoption.
Among its many provisions:
* the establishment of "Family Connection Grants," which will help families facilitate the adoption of foster children with blood relatives such as grandparents or aunts and uncles
* doubles the amount of money states would receive for promoting and completing certain adoptions
* tribal governments will be able to receive foster care funds directly from the government, thus ensuring that more American Indian and Alaskan Native children can remain in their own communities
* allows states to continue providing support up to the age of 21 for young people in foster care who are pursuing education, training or work
* improves oversight of the educational progress and health care needs of children in foster care
The Honorable Maura Corrigan, Michigan State Supreme Court Justice and a Member of the Pew Commission said: "The need for all children to have safe, permanent families to love, nurture, protect, and guide them was a steady compass throughout our commission's deliberations, State courts see tens of thousands of foster care cases a year. This legislation provides important new policy that will help judges and other professionals ensure that more abused and neglected children can leave foster care to join safe, loving homes."
The Pew Commission, a national, nonpartisan panel established by The Pew Charitable Trusts, undertook a year-long comprehensive assessment of the nation's foster care system and developed practical child-centered solutions to improve outcomes for foster care.
Landmark Adoption Bill Passed By House
Congress Passes Foster Child Act
Labels: Foster Care, Kinship Care, Legislation, Reform, Supreme Court
Judicial Investigation
A Supreme Court justice is calling for a Judicial Tenure Commission investigation into a Macomb probate judge who has come under criticism for her appointments to a conservator agency and her alleged inability to handle cases.
Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Weaver also is demanding that Macomb County's Chief Probate Judge Kenneth Sanborn step down because she claims he did not disclose to the state high court and the State Court Administrator's Office the alleged "unsatisfactory performance" of Probate Judge Kathryn George.
George was removed as chief judge after an audit revealed wrongdoing by ADDMS Guardianship Services, an agency to which she appointed an inordinate number of cases during the past two years.
Weaver: "The citizens of Macomb County must be informed and the Judicial Tenure Commission must investigate Judge George's performance."
Justice targets 2 probate judges
Guardianship Firm Resigning
Shake Up in Probate
Hearing For New Guardians
Guardianship Agency Removed
Macomb County Probate
Probate Judge Removed
Labels: Judge, Michigan, Supreme Court
No One with Money is Safe
Here's my Mom and I.
We have been victims of the guardianship and conservator business since 2004.
We have lost $400,000 of a 1.2 million dollar investment account. Our money is enriching two criminal guardianship businesses, their lawyers, our court appointed lawyer, a guardian ad litem and a trust company – all with the blessings of The Maricopa County Probate Court in AZ. Most of my own money was seized and put into the trust. My income was cut in half and I am subsisting on a $14,000 per year disability.
The litigation has ruined our health – all because a local guardianship business and their lawyer set out to steal our money. My Mother was placed into assisted living at exorbitant cost and the current guardian is billing the trust any amount of money she wants. All with the blessings of the probate court! This is by far the biggest criminal racket going on in AZ and probably the rest of America.
No one who has money of their own is safe.
I have written letters to dozens of agencies to no avail. My complaints to the courts and judges have been ignored. Hundreds of lawyers and racketeers are making millions in Phoenix. The attorney general turns a blind eye. Our government is corrupt beyond our imaginations and it is about time someone did something! Once our funds are exhausted, these criminals will move on to the next victim.
Labels: Arizona, Trust Fund
Battle for Guardianship
At issue are the care of 86-year-old Suzanne Munn and whether Christopher Kellogg, her 63-year-old nephew by marriage, is a fit guardian for her and her $5 million estate. Kellogg and his lawyers say yes. Ruth Merchant, who was Munn's fiduciary and health-care surrogate before Kellogg took over those responsibilities, says no.
In June, Kellogg asked the Probate Court to appoint him as emergency temporary guardian for his aunt, who is in failing physical and mental health.
Merchant, in a motion filed with the court, maintains Kellogg should not be appointed permanent guardian because he has previously filed for bankruptcy, was sanctioned for not meeting financial obligations sustained in an acrimonious divorce from his wife, and was arrested for carrying a firearm at a Palm Beach International Airport security checkpoint.
Attorney for Merchant: "Mrs. Merchant was Suzanne Munn's bookkeeper, tax preparer and fiduciary for at least 10 years, She watched out for her interests and cared for her. Then suddenly Mr. Kellogg removes her and puts himself in her place."
Attorney for Kellogg: "When people are perceived as having a little bit of money, there's a cast of thousands who think they know what's best."
Nephew Christopher Kellogg, ex-surrogate Ruth Merchant battle for guardianship of Suzanne Munn
Labels: Fiduciary, Florida
State Officials Sued
Charles Todd Lee, a 67-year-old photographer has been confined to a nursing home for five years, the victim of a stroke that paralyzed his left side. And he's angry.
Lee said: "Most of the people come here to die, so you want to die, It is a prison. I can't escape it."
Lee is among the Medicaid recipients across Florida challenging the nightmare of the old and disabled: to be forced from comfort and familiarity into a nursing home.
They say the state is illegally forcing them to live in nursing homes when they should be able to live where they choose. Advocates charge that nursing homes, afraid of losing money, have successfully pressured politicians to make qualifying for community care more difficult. They have filed a federal lawsuit seeking class-action status on behalf of nearly 8,500 institutionalized Floridians.
The Olmstead decision, as it is known, involved two Georgia women, both Medicaid beneficiaries with mental retardation who wanted community-based services, but were refused and were treated in institutions. The high court ruled unjustified isolation of the disabled in institutions amounted to discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. It said states must provide community services if patients want them, if they can be accommodated and if it's appropriate.
The three defendants, the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and Gov. Charlie Crist's office all declined to comment on the litigation. The attorney general's office also declined to comment, which is representing the defendants.
Fla. Medicaid recipients want out of nursing homes
Labels: District Attorney, Federal, Florida, Medicaid, Nursing Home
Public Guardian Scandal
Trial begins in thefts at Guardian Office
A prosecutor said: Former Ventura County employee Juanita Browne repeatedly exploited "society's most vulnerable persons" by stealing thousands of dollars and personal possessions from individuals who were severely mentally ill.
According to Senior Deputy District Attorney Howard Wise, Browne stole from 10 clients over a two-year period while falsifying records and intimidating co-workers, including her bosses. He said the paper trail will reveal much about the crime, including Browne's repeated use of the Guardian's Office's "blue slips," which he described as being like blank checks.
An investigation into the office resulted in a scandal and led to the arrest of Browne and her fellow county employees Hiep Quang Le and Esther Anaya Torres.
* Browne is charged with multiple felony counts, including theft from an elder or dependent adult, receiving stolen property and accepting a bribe.
* Anaya Torres is serving three years in prison for stealing more than $90,000 in income checks from clients.
* Le is expected to testify against Browne. Last year, he pleaded guilty to bribing Browne, who is also known as Juanita Canley and Juanita Whiting. Prosecutors claim Browne received a $6,225 bribe from Le.
Jurors get first look at scandal
Guardian's Office scandal sentencing scheduled for February
Public Guardian Accused of Theft
Labels: California, District Attorney, Public Guardian


The Club has a number of Awards/Trophies which are presented each year to the most deserving Club Member in each of the categories. These awards cover racing and non-racing activities and are presented at the Annual Dinner and Prize Presentation evening, which is held in December/January each year.
The winner will be decided by the Committee based on results presented by individuals at the end of the year.
The winner normally decided on the basis of points awarded at the Victoria Park events. If Victoria Park races do not take place then the winner will be decided by the Committee based on results presented by individuals at the end of the year.
The winners will be decided on the basis of the best aggregate time over three 10 mile time trials. This means you have to ride 3 tens to qualify for the award. These can be any three tens, open events or local club events.
Awarded on the basis of the best time achieved in the Club Hill Climb competition.
Decided by the Committee based on an assessment of members' cycling performance throughout the year.
Decided by the Committee based on an assessment of any special cycling-related performances throughout the year.
Decided by the Committee based on the individual member's contribution to Club activities throughout the year. This award will be considered for any regular or special involvement in Club activities (eg. participation on clubruns, organising/helping to organise cycling or social events etc.).
Decided by a committee of the club members based on the ability to try and ride your cycling colleagues into the ground throughout the year.


If you are a father or other individual looking for personal advice or help with a particular issue or problem, please note that we cannot offer personal advice. We are NOT a fathers' rights organisation and so cannot lobby on your behalf. We do have a 'For Fathers' section on this website, which you may find useful – it includes a series of FAQs. You may also find it useful to follow our Facebook and Twitter pages.
For individual parenting enquiries, we suggest you contact Family Lives on 0808 800 2222. For issues involving separation and contact, contact Families Need Fathers on 0870 760 7496. For issues around employment rights, try the Government website.
Our registered address is 57 Chevening Road, London SE10 0LA.


BubbleBox.com respect the privacy of Internet users. Below is information outlining our continued support for the responsible management of consumer information.
During the process of delivering an ad to you, no personally identifiable information about you such as name, address, phone number, or e-mail address is collected. However, some types of non-personally identifiable information such as the Internet Service Provider you use to connect to the Internet, your browser type, or the type of computer operating system you use (Macintosh or Windows, for example) are obtained. The information collected are used for the purpose of targeting ads and measuring ad effectiveness on behalf of our advertisers.
We receive and store any information you enter on our Web site or give us in any other way. You can choose not to provide certain information. We use the information that you provide for such purposes as responding to your requests, and communicating with you. This information will not be shared with third parties.


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Photonics, the 'Green Deal' technology
By Samuel Stolton | EURACTIV.com
Scientist Arno Klenke working in a lab of the 'Abbe Center of Photonics' in Jena, Germany, 05 July 2016. [EPA/MARTIN SCHUTT]
This article is part of our special report How the light gets in: Europe's Photonics Landscape.
Photonics has been defined as a vital technology in Europe's future digital transformation as well as helping the bloc achieve broader sustainability goals and strategic autonomy. However, there remains a deficit in public awareness on the technology. EURACTIV caught up with DG Connect's Lucilla Sioli to find out what photonics can do for Europe's digital sector and beyond.
Lucilla Sioli is Director for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Industry at the European Commission's DG Connect.
The technology of photonics is one of the European Commission's six Key Enabling Technologies of the 21st century. Why, therefore, do you think there is a lack of public knowledge on the power of this technology in particular?
Although everyone is familiar with light, not everyone knows the term 'photonics' which is the area of technology dealing with light. New light bulbs, lasers for welding cars, sensors to detect cancer, systems to check food quality, sort waste, help surgeons operate… all of these are examples of applications using photonics.
The public awareness of the power of photonics has grown steadily in the last years, also because photonics is listed by the European Commission as one of the Key Enabling Technologies. The Commission has emphasised the enormous growth potential this advanced technology presents for Europe.
The biggest hurdle is probably the unusual term "photonics". When "lasers", "sensors", "cameras", "displays" and so on are mentioned, everybody gets it immediately. But not "photonics". "Photonics" as a term is relatively new. It is not so long ago that automatic text correction software indicated it as a misspelled word! But we are sure that soon photonics will become a term as familiar as "electronics".
There had previously been concerns highlighted by several Nobel laureates that photonics did not appear a 'priority' of the Commission in a previous draft of the Horizon Europe Programme. What was the Commission's response?
Even if there was not a 'Photonics' heading, the Commission is well aware of the importance of the area, not least since no less than 53 Nobel Prizes have been awarded for photonics breakthroughs. The fact that those eminent European scientists have received support during their career by the European Union is a remarkable sign of the success and foresight of European research policies.
The Commission has been supporting photonics since the early 90s, long before it did so through a dedicated Partnership, and has always confirmed that will continue to support this vitally important sector, that is crucial for the European economy, and to overcome impelling societal challenges.
In terms of the EU's investment into photonics, how do we compare with other global markets, such as in the US and China?
In terms of private sector research investment, we compare very well indeed. Recent studies show that the Photonics Industry in Europe invests about 11% of its revenues back into R&D spending, well above what is currently spent in the chemical or telecom sectors. It is a clear sign of the growth phase which photonics is in.
Public funding at EU level is also significant – a recent market study identified some 800 EU Horizon 2020 programme projects totalling over €1.6 billion funding related to photonics (including those of the EU's Public Private Partnership dedicated to Photonics, which set aside €700 million).
On a global scale for markets, Europe is in 2nd place overall and is leading by far in some sectors, like production technologies, or medical devices, and even increasing its global market share of these. However, it is clear that there is an increasing competition, especially from China which has the global market lead (thanks in a large part to its photovoltaics industry), and is also massively investing in publicly funded research.
Thinking about EU-funded projects working with photonic technologies, where have we seen the greatest success stories?
We've had more than 100 projects funded by the Photonics PPP, and it is estimated that in the Horizon 2020 programme almost 800 photonics-related projects across a wide range of applications were supported. Each of them advanced the field a step further, but we also certainly have star projects.
The latest is VOSTARS achieving the world's first surgery performed with an augmented reality visor. More successes are in the pipeline. Many breakthroughs will end up in products and cannot be disclosed.
Which sectors do you think benefit the most from a resilient and innovative photonics industry?
Photonics is a key enabling technology for the whole digital sector and indeed in many applications even beyond ICT in which it is used to sense what is happening, power processes, and transfer data and information. It will help to collect much of the data that Artificial Intelligence needs – it already is the "eyes of the Robots".
It provides the network on which the Internet operates, e.g. higher speed fibre optic systems for broadband internet, even at its growing speed and reducing its environmental footprint. It will empower most of the Digital Transformation.
However, the ICT sector is not the only one that will be positively impacted. The Commission started long ago to fund projects targeting also traditional industries to introduce photonics into new areas, like agriculture or health and environment protection, for greater efficiency and productivity in manufacturing and industry, and to fully exploit this technology and compete on a global scale. Photonics is going to be essential over the whole spectrum of human activities.
Can photonics technologies be leveraged in the other priorities of the European Commission? How could photonics be used as part of the executive's climate goals, for example?
As an enabling technology, Photonics is poised to contribute to several Commission Priorities. It certainly contributes to the two overarching priorities of this Commission: the Digital Transformation, where sensors, cameras and lasers are vital, and the Green Deal, where the use of photonics will have a major impact.
Photonics is an inherently green technology – for example, 3 billion tons less C02 is the predicted indirect potential impact in 2030 when photonics is employed. From reduced energy consumption in data centres or fertiliser use, through the reduced use of resources in manufacturing, or by enabling new recycling processes and technologies – photonics is a driver of global sustainability.
What new markets can emerge out of the development of photonics technologies?
Advanced photonics technologies have the potential to revolutionise existing application sectors or to create completely new applications and markets. We have seen this happening through the years, in the lighting sectors, for example, or in farming.
The Commission has been supporting this process by developing a Strategic Roadmap together with the Technology Platform Photonics21 and by funding specific projects, like ActPhast, helping SMEs to use photonics and to introduce photonics solution in non-photonics products.
This year we have an open call for proposals on "Disruptive photonics technologies" covering 4 very different areas: 3D light field and holographic displays, Packaging and module integration for photonic integrated circuits, Light to Fuel (converting sunlight directly into fuel) and Next generation biophotonics methods and devices as research tools to understand the cellular origin of diseases.
We know that more is happening in the vibrant photonics landscape. But we can't always predict how new developments will be used – this is why we need to maintain competence in core or fundamental photonics technologies as well.
Can photonics play a key part in helping Europe to achieve digital sovereignty?
Yes. Photonics has a strong base in Europe, especially in segments like Production Technology, Machine Vision, Optical Components and Medical Technologies. The global market for photonics is expected to continue growing, thanks to the extensive application of photonics in an increasing number of end-use industries, including life sciences, manufacturing, electronics, photovoltaics, security and defence, and information and communications technology.
For this last area, the need to enhance the speed and capacity of data transfer is driving the adoption of Photonic Integrated Circuits in the growing semiconductor industry. It is clear that we need to maintain or acquire sovereignty, as we need to be able to shape and choose the key technologies at the heart of many sectors in our economy and society.
(Edited by Benjamin Fox)
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text:
Lecidea diducens är en lavart som beskrevs av Nyl. Lecidea diducens ingår i släktet Lecidea och familjen Lecideaceae.  Arten är reproducerande i Sverige. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.

Källor

Sporsäcksvampar
diducens

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


This Genomic Solutioins BioRobotics BioPick BP600 Automated Liquid Handling Machine appears to be in fair cosmetic condition with signs of prior use or wear. I could not get it to power on, even after checking the fuse. It is being sold for Parts or Repair. It does have a crack in the plastic lid. However, I lack the knowledge or equipment to test it, so due to no testing, it is being sold as-is. Please see photos for more detail.


In summary, an advanced health care directive is a type of living will. It allows you to provide written instructions on the medical treatments you wish to use when facing illness or ailments at the end of your life. When forming an advanced health care directive, there are several factors that need to be taken into account, such as the parties involved in the drafting of the directive and the legitimacy of the will. This article will provide information on what an advanced health care directive is and how to create one.
Before any living wills are drafted, it is necessary to have two medical physicians involved. The physicians are required to certify specific criteria including your ability to make medical decisions, your medical condition in the state's living will law, and other issues dependent on the state.
A medical power of attorney will also be required to allow you to appoint an individual as your healthcare agent or surrogate medical decision maker. This agent will be authorized to make any medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to make decisions. Before the power of attorney can be put into place, an individual's physician must report that the person is unable to make a sound medical decision.
What Else Needs To Be Considered?
It is important to note that advanced health care directives are legally valid throughout the USA. This is beneficial because the directive or living will become legal in any state as soon as the application is completed regardless of the presentation of a lawyer or witness. Of course, laws do differ according to the state, and you need to comply with the state law for the directive to be effective.
If the advanced health care directive is completed according to one state's law, it may not be valid in another state. In fact, some states do not accept living wills from other states – also known as out-of-state advanced health care directives. To resolve this issue, it is recommended that you complete advanced directive applications for all the states you spend significant amounts of time in. This will prepare you for any problems that could occur and have a directive in all the potential states.
Advanced health care directives do not expire and will remain in effect until changed by the primary party – that would be you. If you opt to draft a new advanced health care directive, it will immediately invalidate the previous directive. It is recommended that you review the will periodically to ensure it reflects your medical wishes and edit it accordingly.
Many people do not consider the issue of medical treatment later in life, so the advanced health care directive is not always seen as an important document. The fact is that it is an important document and should be considered by all people to ensure they have the correct treatment later in life.
What Exactly Is Business Succession Planning?


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Carmichael Productions, Inc.
Bob Carmichael and company showcase of skills as a director and photographer
photoGRAPHICvideo
By Bob Carmichael June 27, 2012 January 9, 2023
Headshots that Connect!
Carmichael Productions, Inc. is professionally equipped for studio portraits, exterior portraits, and product photography. Bob Carmichael brings a lifetime of experience in image creation to your portrait session. The studio is a custom 1,000-square-foot space with 14-foot ceilings equipped with continuous motion picture K5600 HMI Joker lights, Mathews grip equipment, and Chimera soft boxes to fashion the perfect light for your image. Kit includes: Nikon D5 camera, Sigma Art series 105mm f1.4 portrait lens, Matt box 4×5 filtration, and Apple computer tethering are state-of-the-art. Our post-production retouching artist is world-class. Please view our 100 plus Five Star Google Reviews for insights into our reputation. We aim to maintain a safe, creative studio environment. We are employing Covid-19 protocols: testing, vaccination proof, PPE, staff N95 mask-wearing, and physical distancing for your safety and ours. The studio setting is well-ventilated and equipped with two air filtration devices. Foremost, Carmichael studio is designed to capture the best version of you. Update your portrait image with us!
studio booking @ 303 955.7065 or bc@bobcarmichael.com
Carmichael click-throughs
Pricing: Basic Portrait Package for a traditional headshot is $400.00 plus tax for the director/photographer and studio rental overhead. We aim to assist local entrepreneurs in capturing a distinctively professional image. The price includes a zoom editing session where the final selection of images is made. The $400.00 fee includes one approved and retouched image, studio, camera, lighting rental, and up to three wardrobe changes. Our confirmation email will include an invoice for $435.38, due and payable to Carmichael Productions, Inc. by check at the beginning of the session. Additional retouched portrait selections are $65.00 plus tax each. If digital color changes are desired in the original wardrobe, the retouched files are billed at $80.00 plus tax. A second invoice is generated after the edit session for the cost of additional selections beyond the one retouched image the $400.00 charge includes. Upon payment, all raw files are sent to the retoucher. All fees are subject to city and state tax. Heirloom Senior and Family portraits are also offered! We recommend a professional Makeup Artist who is paid independently at $100.00/session.
Six reasons to book a carmichael headshot
Carmichael's extensive professional experience, world-class makeup/styling, and retouching.
Present the best version of yourself to all your networks.
Dated headshots do not represent who you are today. A current portrait conveys integrity.
Invest in an image that underscores your professional brand.
Professional Custom Studio environment.
View the home/studio construction project in this photoGRAPHICvideo by Bob Carmichael.
What to expect in Carmichael's studio
• The guidance of a professional director and photographer with both Academy Award nomination and a National Emmy Award winning credit who has also garnered nine nominations at the International Color Awards and four at the International Photography Awards. see Bob Carmichael's production BIO.
• Professional equipment: Nikon D5 Camera, Sigma 105mm f1.4 ART series portrait lens, Tiffen filtration, and tethered capture.
• 1,000 sq.ft. wheelchair access custom photography studio with HMI Studio continuous lights, Matthews Grip gear, Chimera Softboxes, and Apple computers.
• Zoom virtual editing via HR LightRoom Classic scheduled remotely following principle photography.
• Approximately 100 images to choose from.
• Up to three wardrobe changes – business and casual. Vertical and landscape framing.
• Covid protocols, including testing, PPE, crew N95 masks, good ventilation, and social distancing.
Bob Carmichael
Overview of Carmichael Studio Rates and Protocols
An invoice will be sent with your confirmation email. A check for $435.38 written to Carmichael Productions, Inc. is required at the start of the portrait session. The rate of $435.38 price includes one retouched image and three wardrobe changes plus a zoom editing session and post-production follow-up and retouching. During the zoom edit session, the client selects all the images she wants to purchase. Additional portrait selections beyond the one included in the base fee are $65.00. If digital color changes are desired in the original wardrobe, the retouched individual files are billed at $80.00 plus tax. A secondary invoice is generated after the edit session and sent to the client for payment for the additional selected files. Cancellation is required 48 hours before the call time. The penalty fee for cancellation is 50% of the session fee. We do not accept credit cards.
• Allow approximately two hours for the entire session, including makeup and photography.
• Bring a wide selection of wardrobes so we can help with styling.
• Visit our portrait portfolios to determine your preferential format – landscape or vertical.
• Choose which Background Seamless color you want.
• After photography, we will edit the images to your final selections via a zoom conference call.
• We offer a number of levels to our retouching and defer to you for your preference.
• After approximately 7 to 10 business days, we will send you the first retouch of your images.
• A digital color change of your original wardrobe is available. The cost is $80.00 per image.
• The client has an unlimited license to her images. Carmichael Productions, Inc. reserves the right to use the images for promotional purposes.
• Raw out-of-the-camera images are NOT allowed outside of the studio. Editing is done exclusively in-house.
• Future reviews of your images for additional selections are charged at $100.00 per hour.
Raw file policy
No unretouched image files will be released from the studio, with no exceptions. Retouching is a critical phase of our workflow, and raw files are not representative of finished work. When the photo session is completed, the client and Bob Carmichael review and edit via zoom using Adobe Lightroom Classic. When final images are client-approved, they are sent for retouching. If an additional editing session is requested, the cost is $100.00 per hour. Additional selections are $65.00 per retouched image. Note: Image files with a grade of over four will be kept for Six Months from the date of the session.
Additional services and pricing
• In addition to studio portraits, we also offer exterior images in the studio side yard. These outdoor setups are $550.00 in addition to the Makeup Artist fee.
• A full-body portrait on reflective Plexiglas flooring is $795.00. This fee includes one retouched image. Additional selections are $125.00 per image, which includes retouching. Three wardrobe changes are allowed.
• A retouched full-body portrait with reflective flooring and a traditional portrait shot is $1,200.00 combined. All additional traditional portrait selections are $65.00. All additional full-body selections are $100.00.
full body portrait
• A half-body (waist-up) portrait for a single person is $500.00. Additional selections are $75.00 per portrait. Three wardrobe changes.
Panoramic nodal point stitch or composite image
• Panoramic team images are created by capturing individual portraits (waist up) stitched or composited together in post-production by the retoucher. These panoramic images are distinctive and high-definition. They can be used for banners or billboards. The key to using the Panoramic technique is shooting five shots of each person in the group. We then choose which image is the most favorable. This assures everyone's portrait within the group is her best!
panoramic groups images – each image composited – to ensure great individual portraits in every team image
A two-person panorama includes a single portrait of each person. Then the individual portraits are composited to create a half-body panorama team image. The cost is $1650.00. Additional single portrait selections are $65.00 per image. All extra selections for the two-person group shot are $150.00. Three-person panorama is $1950.00 and includes three portrait images and a three-person team image. Additional single portrait selections are $65.00 per image. All extra selections for the 3-person panorama group shot are $175.00 per image. Two wardrobe changes. A four-person panorama with four individual portraits and a four-person group shot is $2500.00. Additional single portrait selections are $65.00 per image retouched. All selections for the four-person panorama group shot are $200.00 per image. A 5-person panorama is $3200.00 and yields five retouched portraits. Additional portrait selections are $65.00 per image. All extra selections for the 5-person panorama group shot are $250.00 per image. NOTE: Faded-out backgrounds, such as landscapes, buildings, sports, industrial images, etc., are available for an additional $300.00 per selected image.
• Single-shot Studio Family Portraits: 2 people half body (waist up) is $795.00. Additional family members, including infants are $100.00 each
• Exterior Couple, Staff, or Family Portraits when using location fee properties. $1400.00 for the Photographer, $450 for an assistant with computer tether capture, and $250.00 for ProFoto B1 light rental. A location fee is estimated at $150.00. Makeup Artist $700.00. Full group retouching is $100/ per selected image. Additional single portraits are $65.00 per image for individual shots.
• Special Studio and Exterior Package for High School Senior Portraits: Studio portrait images are recommended for internships, social media, and posterity. Exterior vertical portraits (waist up) are included and are captured in the studio yard or nearby location. The cost is $795.00. The Makeup Artist fee is $200.00. Friends and family of seniors to assist. NOTE: For all other age groups, this package is $995.00, which includes studio and exterior photography. Makeup Artist $200.00. Local film permit fees may be required.
• Band Photography: All requests are happily received. Rates variable. Branded shots in a studio environment require both prep and post-production at a rate of $400 per day. The budget breakdown is as follows: The photographer fee is $1500.00 per shoot day. This includes a 21MP Sensor Flagship Nikon D5 and Sigma Art Series f1.4 105mm, 85mm, and 50mm lens kit. The assistant cameraperson fee is $500.00 per day, which includes Phase One Capture and Tether. The Makeup Artist is $800 per day. PA is $200 per day. Studio Rental fee TBD. Craft Service is estimated at $200.00. Repainting cove is estimated at $125.00. 8′ Para Broncolor light or similar unit is $400.00 per day plus fill lights TBD on rental. Group retouching and panoramic compositing are $200.00 per selected image. Edit selections time via zoom is $300 per session. Projects are bid to include all contingencies, including a line producer to manage the shoot. The minimum producer fee is $750.00 per day.
Eddie Turner by Bob Carmichael
Grant Farm by bob carmichael
• Event or Conference documentary photography coverage: Camera Kit – Flagship D5 Nikon camera using Sigma ART Series f1.4 high-speed primes in 105mm, 85mm, and 50mm included in photographer's rate of $1500.00/day. If lighting is required, an assistant cameraperson is employed, and her rate is $500.00/day. B1 ProFoto strobe lights are an additional $250.00/day plus grip/softboxes, and Mola Beauty Dish is $150/day. Zoom edit session is $300.00. Re-edit sessions are $75.00 per hour. Additional selections are $65.00 per retouched image. Please inquire about the two professionally bound books we have produced in conjunction with our PhotoGRAPHICvideo technique. For additional pricing and session booking, please call 303 955.7065
No unretouched image files will be released from the studio, with NO exceptions. Retouching is a critical phase of our workflow, and raw files are not representative of finished work. When the photo session is completed, the client and Bob Carmichael review and edit via zoom using Adobe Lightroom Classic. When final images are client-approved, they are sent for retouching. If an additional editing session is requested, the cost is $75.00 per hour. Additional selections are $65.00 per retouched image. Note: Image files will be kept for Six Months from the date of the session.
Bob Carmichael - Director, Producer, Cinematographer, and Photographer.
c:310-739-0650 o:303-955-7065
e:bc@bobcarmichael.com
Copyright © 2023 Carmichael Productions, Inc.. All Rights Reserved. | SimClick by Catch Themes


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Q: LabVIEW and C++ DLL I'm working on something that data passed between LabVIEW and DLL.
I wonder how do I implement a function that LabVIEW give a unique name in string to DLL and DLL return a pointer which point at a specific block of memory in according to the name.
In other word, it it just like a relationship between domain name and IP address in networking field.
But "name" is user defined and I return the pointer which is dynamically allocated for the name at runtime. It means that the relationship is not predefined. There is no lookup table to follow.
Example:
int* Mydll(char* name);
I think it is something kind of "reference to pointer" in C++ but I am not so sure. If so, how do I implement?

A: *

*Drop a Call Library Node.

*Configure the return type as "int32" or "int64" based on your platform bitness (LV does not handle raw pointers, but if your DLL returns a pointer, LV can hold onto the numeric value until you're ready to pass it to some other DLL call that knows how to handle it).

*Add a parameter. Configure it to be of type "String" and set the passing method to "C String Pointer" and enable the "Constant" checkbox.

That will do it. You can drop this image directly on your block diagram (it's a VI snippet) to create such a node -- just configure the DLL and function name.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


India was the guest of honour at the 33rd Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), which opened in Cairo on with the screening of John Abraham-Katrina Kaif starrer New York directed by Kabir Khan. Adoor Gopalakrishnan, the internationally renowned Indian filmmaker, was chairperson of the International Jury. Two others, namely Vikas Swarup, Indian Consul-General to Osaka, Japan and Namrata Joshi, film critic, were Indian jury members in the Digital Competition Section and the FIPRESCI Jury respectively. Swarup is the author of Q & A on which Slumdog Millionnaire was based.
[ReviewAZON asin="B002HI6LGK" display="inlinepost"]Two Indian films, New York directed by Kabir Khan and Madholal Keep Walking, a debut film by Jai Tank, featured in the International Competition for Long Feature Films. This section screened 17 films drawn across countries like Argentina, Hungary, France, Russia, Lithuania, Sri Lanka, Slovenia, Morocco, Mexico, Turkey, etc. Mudhal Mudhal Mudhal Varai (First Time)' by Krishna Seshadri Gomatam was selected for the digital competition section. This film bagged the Silver Award (jointly) in the section for its "engaging look at man's eternal struggle to understand the meaning of life and death. The jury found the director's use of a lighthearted narrative to explore a serious theme both innovative and endearing." It is about an aspiring filmmaker who is desperately trying to make his first film and his future depends on his success in making it.
The other Silver Award went to Exile in Paris (France) directed by Ahmet Zirek for "the director's lived experience and creative use of phone conversations that gave an added dimension to the poignant quest for identity in a world full of borders." Subrat Dutta, the main actor in Madholal Keep Walking, won the Best Actor Award (jointly) for his sustained and convincing performances portraying a man up against life's travails with the pain and humour inherent in the situation. It is about an ordinary man whose life changes when he loses an arm in the Mumbai train bomb blasts in July some years back. The other winner is Egyptian actor Fathy Abdel Wahab for his performance in Nile Birds.
Incredible India featured around 23 Indian films. This was a wonderful selection of the works of internationally renowned filmmakers along with up-and-coming young filmmakers of promise, some digital films and also films, both regional and Hindi, that stood out for their insight into socially significant issues that involve us all. This section included a retrospective of films by Madhur Bhandarkar. This section screened Adoor's Four Women, Girish Kasaravalli's Gulabi Talkies, Vishal Bharadwaj's Kaminey, Kabir Khan's New York, Neeraj Pandey's A Wednesday and Bhawna Talwar's Dharm.
Among films committed to social issues within the feature film framework was Satish Manwar's Gabhricha Paus (Marathi) on farmer suicides in Vidharba in Maharashtra. This film has already been screened at 15 State, National and International Film Festivals. Another powerful issue-centric film was Sameer Hanchate's Gafla (Hindi) on the stock market scam. This film was also screened at the IFFI, Goa in 2007 and at The Times BFI 50th London Film Festival in 2006. Priya Darshan's Kanchivaram is set against the backdrop of Kanchi's silk weaving industry. The story is about a man trapped within the force of circumstance and the conflict between his adopted ideals and his individual dreams. Seema Kapoor's Haat – The Weekly Bazaar is based on the custom called natha-pratha in which in some parts of Rajasthan, if a married woman wishes to leave her husband for some reason, her father or whoever supports her must pay compensation to the husband.
18 films were screened in Official Selection – Out of Competition. Some of the films in this section offered a glimpse into a scary world of mental instability, loneliness and alienation on the one hand and meaningless, purposeless violence on the other. Examples are – The Limits of Control (USA/Spain/Japan), New Town Killers (UK), The Soloist (France), Ward Number 6 (Russia), Lost Times (Hungary), Mr. 73 (France) among others.
The International Critics Prize (FIPRESCI) went to the French film The Hedgehog (France), directed by Mona Achache. The film is the story of an unexpected discovery made by an 11-year-old girl who is as gifted as she is suicidal. The film also bagged the Special Jury Prize for the young director. Klaus Haro of Finland won the Best Screenwriter award for Letters to Father Jacob "structuring a story that is constantly engaging and offering surprises as it goes onto celebrate the essence of humanity." It also won the Prize for the Best Film for its excellent cinematic form and the deep study of human condition that went to its producer. The Golden Award in the Digital Competition section was won by The Rapture of "Fe" (Phillipines) directed by Alvin B. Yapan "for its sensitive portrayal of a woman caught between an abusive husband and an impotent lover, in the process illuminating our understanding of human relationships. The film stood out for its unflinching realism and strong performances that brought alive the complexity of a woman's quest for fulfillment." Karolina Piechota won the Best Actress Award for her performance in Splinters (Poland) for the warmth, humour and credibility she brought to her role.
The Syrian film That Long Night directed by Hatem Ali, bagged one of the two awards given away by the Ministry of Culture, Egypt, for the Best Film in the Arabic Feature Films Section for its bold portrayal of a relevant issue, and a heart-breaking phenomenon gripping a community. The other top award went to the Palestinian film Amreeka directed by Cherien Dabis. The film managed to bring together the finest aspects of scriptwriting, storytelling, and performance to create an artistic work that is simultaneously entertaining, gripping, and attractive to mainstream and art house audiences alike. It also won the award for the Best Screenplay from the Ministry of Culture for Cherien Dabis.
More than 30 leading Indian films graced the festival red carpet. Many of them, such as Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Shridevi, Boney Kapoor, short filmmaker Sandeep Wadhwa and Madhur Bhandarkar were bestowed trophies for their rich contribution to Indian cinema. Other celebrities present were Kabir Khan, Jay Tank, Sameer Hanchate, Krishna Seshadri Gomatam, Irrfan Khan and Celina Jaitley who flew in for the closing ceremony. An enlightening symposium on Indian Cinema was held at Hotel Sofitel El Gezirah addressed by Egyptian film critic Fawzi Soliman, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Boney Kapoor and Sandeep Marwah along with presentations made by Egyptian distributors of Indian films in Egypt. A comprehensive overview of contemporary Indian mainstream cinema was made by this writer as an opening to the symposium.
One of best attractions of the festival was the screening of the Egyptian classic Al Mummia (The Night of Counting the Years) directed by Shadi Abdel Salam in 1969 screened on the "Sound and Light" stage in the Pyramids area with a chilly wind blowing, and the Sphinx lit in blue, hovering in the background. Set in 1881, on the eve of British Colonial Rule, the film is based on the true story of the Abd el-Rasuls, an upper-Egyptian clan that had been robbing a cache of mummies discovered at tomb DB320 near Kurna village and selling them illegally in the black market. Despite the danger to his life, one of them goes to the police and helps the Antiquities Service to find the cache.


text:
21/10/2015	Press Releases (Shaheed)
Iran: UN rights experts outraged at the execution of two juvenile offenders
16 October 2015 – United Nations human rights experts today expressed their outrage and profound sadness at the execution of a juvenile offender convicted for the death of her husband, whom she had been forced to marry at the age of 16, and which follows the death of a young man last week, who'd been sentenced to death at age 17.
"These executions are disturbing examples of surging execution rates and questionable fair trial standards in the Islamic Republic of Iran," said the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, Ahmed Shaheed, in a news release.
"The Iranian authorities must comply with its international law obligations and put an end to the execution of juvenile offenders once and for all."
The young woman, Fatemeh Salbehi, was hanged on Tuesday "in breach of international law banning juvenile executions, and despite reported flaws in her trial and appeal process," the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) warned. She is reportedly the 11th woman to be executed so far this year in Iran, where at least 700 other people have been executed.
A week earlier, OHCHR reported that Samad Zahabi was executed in secret in Iran. No notice was provided to his family, nor was the required 48 hour notice provided to his lawyer, the UN said. He was sentenced to death in March 2013 for the killing of a fellow shepherd, when he was 17-years-old.
"Let us be clear – these are unlawful killings committed by the State, the equivalent of murders performed by individuals," stated the UN Special Rapporteur on summary executions, Christof Heyns.
"These are profound tragedies that demean the value of human life and sully the reputation of the country," he added, noting that executing a juvenile offender, "especially after a questionable trial," directly contravenes the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Iran is a party.
"Iran must immediately stop killing children," he insisted.
Meanwhile, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, Dubravka Šimonoviæ, said "the lack of judicial consideration for Ms. Salbehi's circumstances is emblematic of the struggles victims of domestic abuse face in the judicial system."
"We cannot ignore the serious consequences of psychological, sexual and physical violence in the home on a woman's physical and psychological health," she cautioned.
While highlighting Ms. Salbehi's young age at the times of her marriages and her lack of consent, Ms. Šimonoviæ also expressed concern for the high numbers of early and forced marriages in Iran.
Finally, the UN human rights experts strongly urged the Iranian Government to immediately establish a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty.
Farsi version.
UN rights expert calls for the immediate release of dual nationals
UN rights expert condemns Iran's 'illegal' execution of 12 people on drug-related charges
UN Expert calls on Iran to halt execution of 12 individuals expected to take place Saturday
Iran: Most recent backlash against Baha'is exposes authorities' extreme intolerance for religious minority group
"A travesty of justice" – UN experts condemn latest conviction of prominent rights defender
Iran: Denial of Adequate Medical Treatment to Political Prisoners Unacceptable
Juvenile death penalty and administration of justice top list of serious concerns in Iran – UN expert
UN human rights experts welcome freeing of Iranian-Americans and call for more releases
UN experts call on Iran to stop intimidating journalists ahead of parliamentary elections


text:
using glm::quat;
using glm::vec3;

extern vec3 gPosition;
extern quat gOrientation;
extern vec3 gEulerAngles;
extern bool gPointModel;
extern bool gLineModel;
extern vec3 gLightPosition;
extern double gLastx, gLasty;
extern double gScaleAlpha;
extern GLfloat gPointSize;
extern GLfloat gLineWidth;
extern double gFPS;
extern char gModelFilename[1000];

void MouseHandler(GLFWwindow* window, int button, int action, int mods) {
	TwEventMouseButtonGLFW(window, button, action, mods);
	if (action == GLFW_PRESS && button == GLFW_MOUSE_BUTTON_LEFT) {
		double xpos, ypos;
		glfwGetCursorPos(window, &xpos, &ypos);
		gLastx = xpos;
		gLasty = ypos;
	}
}
void CursorHandler(GLFWwindow* window, double xpos, double ypos) {
	TwEventMousePosGLFW(window, xpos, ypos);
	if (glfwGetMouseButton(window, GLFW_MOUSE_BUTTON_LEFT) == GLFW_PRESS) {
		double deltax = xpos - gLastx, deltay = ypos - gLasty;
		gLastx = xpos; gLasty = ypos;

		// Conversion from Euler angles (in radians) to Quaternion
		vec3 gEulerAnglesDelta(0.01*(deltay), 0.01*(deltax), 0);
  		//gEulerAngles += gEulerAnglesDelta;
		quat tmpOrient = quat(gEulerAnglesDelta);
		gOrientation = tmpOrient * gOrientation;

//		double k = sqrt(1 - pow(gOrientation.w, 2));
//		gEulerAngles = glm::vec3(gOrientation.x/k, gOrientation.y/k, gOrientation.z/k)+gEulerAnglesDelta;
//		gEulerAngles += rotate(gOrientation, gEulerAnglesDelta);

		printf("deltax=%.3f deltay=%.3f\n", deltax, deltay);
		printf("gEularAngle = %.3f %.3f %.3f\n", gEulerAngles.x, gEulerAngles.y, gEulerAngles.z);
		printf("gOrientation = %.3f %.3f %.3f %.3f\n", gOrientation.x, gOrientation.y, gOrientation.z, gOrientation.w);
	}
}
void ScrollHandler(GLFWwindow* window, double xoffset, double yoffset) {
	TwEventMouseWheelGLFW(window, xoffset, yoffset);
	gScaleAlpha += 0.05*yoffset;
	if (gScaleAlpha < 0.01) gScaleAlpha = 0.01f;
	printf("Scale=%.3f xoffset=%.3f\n", gScaleAlpha, yoffset);
}
void KeyHandler(GLFWwindow* window, int key, int scancode, int action, int mods) {
	TwEventKeyGLFW(key, action);
	double scale = 0.3f;
	if (action == GLFW_PRESS)
		switch (key) {
		case GLFW_KEY_UP: {
			gPosition.y += scale;
			break;
		}
		case GLFW_KEY_DOWN: {
			gPosition.y -= scale;
			break;
		}
		case GLFW_KEY_LEFT: {
			gPosition.x -= scale;
			break;
		}
		case GLFW_KEY_RIGHT: {
			gPosition.x += scale;
			break;
		}
		default: {
		}
		}
}

void FPS_init() {
	lastTime = glfwGetTime();
	lastFrameTime = lastTime;
	nbFrames = 0;
}

void FPS_calc(GLfloat FPS) {
	double currentTime = glfwGetTime();
	float deltaTime = (float)(currentTime - lastFrameTime);
	lastFrameTime = currentTime;
	nbFrames++;
	if ( currentTime - lastTime >= 1.0 ){ // If last prinf() was more than 1sec ago
		FPS = double(nbFrames) / 1.0;
		nbFrames = 0;
		lastTime += 1.0;
	}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Teachers and students from Mauston High School's construction class helped build the new Habitat for Humanity home at 408 Grant Street in Mauston. Pictured, front row, left to right, Peter Cauley, Brandon Lierman, Cody Zeman, and James Duran. Second row, left to right, Mike Borreson, Nathan Saso, Jordan Luke, and Cole Peterson. Third row, left to right, Julian Berg, Aaron Volk, Ashton Dahlgren, and Tristan Schlough. Not pictured is Michelle Baumgart.
Bill Taylor, Chairman of the Board for Habitat for Humanity of Adams and Juneau counties, talks to prospective buyers for the organization's new build at 408 Grant Street in Mauston.
The new home built by Habitat for Humanity features a finished basement. It's located at 408 Grant Street in Mauston and is currently for sale.
Habitat for Humanity of Adams and Juneau Counties held an open house on Wednesday to unveil its newest home at 408 Grant Street on the north side of Mauston. Mauston High School construction teacher Mike Borreson and several of his students worked on the house for several months. In addition, many area businesses provided financial support and materials for the house.
Since the house hasn't been matched with a family applicant yet, Habitat for Humanity is offering it for sale on the open market. The ranch style home carries an asking price of $130,000.
"It's not a typical thing, but we were just put in a situation where we had this one put on the market," Borreson said.
The house on Grant Street was built by seniors in Borreson's construction technology class during the 2015-16 school year. The process allowed students to gain a hands-on experience of constructing a house from the floor to the roof.
Borreson said community support was instrumental in building the house. Habitat for Humanity builds a new home in Mauston every year.
The house features a finished 9-foot basement with two downstairs bedrooms and a full bath. It has a log-sided recreation room and ample storage. Upstairs, the kitchen is spacious with new Whirlpool appliances. Overall, the home has four bedrooms, two bathrooms and has 2,112 square feet of space.
MHS has worked with Habitat for Humanity for four years. Borreson said this year's construction class has already starting building a new house on Sherman Street to be unveiled next fall.
Stacy Pahlke, Director of Operations for Habitat, said the organization has financing options for families to afford the house, if they have solid credit.
"We have to make sure families can still afford the house, because they still have to pay a mortgage, but it's a very low percentage rate," Borreson said.
To donate supplies for new homes, call the Habitat for Humanity Restore in Mauston at 608-847-2000. For those interested in viewing or purchasing the house, call Pahlke at the aforementioned number or send her an email at stacy@habitat-ajc.org.


text:
After You Campaign Proposed for Tourism
Seoul needs an "After You" campaign to make foreign visitors feel more welcome, the city's top tour promoter said Friday.
Samuel Koo, President of Seoul
Tourism Organization
By Kwon Mee-yoo
"Koreans are the most hospitable people in the world but they are shy of showing this to people they meet for the first time," said Samuel Koo, CEO of the Seoul Tourism Organization (STO), in an interview The Korea Times.
Koo referred to the barrier that keeps Koreans from showing their true emotions to strangers as "thin ice."
He mentioned the "After You" campaign that was staged in Shanghai in preparation for the World Expo 2010 with a great success.
"Please, thank you and excuse me are the three magic phrases they need to know," Koo said as the theme of a campaign for Seoul and Korea.
Koo said that a "Be Kind to Visitors" campaign reflects what he felt after reading Korea's ranking in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index compiled by the World Economic Forum.
Korea was ranked 31st overall, behind Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan in Asia, but performed poorly in travel and tourism, being ranked 114th among a total of 133 countries.
Koo started his career as a reporter and then worked as a senior official of the United Nations and UNICEF.
In May 2008, he became the first STO head, a joint venture company mostly funded by Seoul City.
"I've visited about 100 countries. Based on my experience, I can certainly tell what is attractive and what is not, what is delicious and what is not, and what is a bargain and what is not," Koo said.
"Seoul, until very recently, was not considered as a tourism destination. This is beginning to change. We've managed to put Seoul on the international tourism map.
"My special emphasis is on introducing iconic Korean food. It is not only competitive globally but also good, healthy and delicious. This coincides with the pan-national campaign to 'globalize' Korean food," he said.
Seoul is also proactively promoting medical tourism, mainly targeting Japanese, Chinese, Americans and Russians. He sees medical tourism as a real growth sector.
The STO has also been "doing spectacularly" in attracting international conventions to Seoul.
"There is a very important competition globally involving leading cities to attract all kinds of conventions," he said.
In the ranking of holding international conventions, Seoul was second in Asia, following Singapore, and seventh in the world.
He also emphasized exchanges with other Asian countries such as Japan and China. The STO is seeking exchanges of students with and trying to attract well-off, retired Chinese.
Koo thinks that Asian countries can cooperate more when it comes to tourism than compete. He even suggested a "Visit Each Other Year" in Asia.
"I think more and more Koreans should visit Japan and China, even in large numbers. Worrying about this sort of travel deficit is nonsense. I think for Korea, more people should go abroad than staying at home for the sake of keeping the national travel balance in the black," Koo said. "Student visits are very important as there is no better substitute than having children know about their neighboring countries."
The STO president said there was no one model city for Seoul. He has looked at the long term strategies of Singapore, and the success of Thailand in creating a relaxing mood despite political unrest.
"I wish we could learn the loving, practical attitude of Italians, how they love their heritage, preserve it well and, at the same time, live with it," he said. "I'd loved to learn from New York the true characteristics of being a true global metropolis."
However, he said Korea has many wonderful things such as prompt service. "We have tons of wonderful things going for us. So my job is not to be envious of others - of course, I have to constantly study and learn - but to know how we can package our attractive aspects and market them to foreigners," he said.
Koo suggested building more business-class hotels and differentiated Chinese restaurants in Seoul. For instance, the STO has signed an MOU with the Shanghai Tourism Board to co-invest in Chinese restaurants and business hotel chains in the Korean market.
He advised Seoulites to be kinder and gentler to draw more visitors from around the world.
"We should not be dismissive or highly selective in order to attract tourists," he said.
meeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr


text:
MAIN : All : Renal Disease in Black Howler Monkeys
Retrospective Evaluation of Renal Disease in Black Howler Monkeys (Alouatta caraya) at the Riverbanks Zoological Park and Botanical Gardens
Deidre K. Fontenot1, DVM; Christopher R. Gregory2, DVM, PhD; Nadine Lamberski1, DVM
1Riverbanks Zoological Park and Botanical Gardens, Columbia, SC, USA; 2Department of Small Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia Athens, GA, USA
Medical records of 15 black howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) were reviewed. Six of the 15 (40%) records included a diagnosis of renal disease. The six animals were wild caught and included three males and three females. The hematologic and serum values, gross and histopathologic abnormalities, as well as subjective clinical findings were compared and documented. Further comparisons included age of onset of disease, duration of disease and age at death. Average age of onset of azotemia was 14.8±2.9 yr while the average age at subjective notation of clinical signs was 17±4.7 yr. For most of the cases (66.6%), the mean age of onset of azotemia (14.8±2.9 yr of age) was often much earlier that the onset of notation of clinical disease (17.7±4.7 yr of age). Average duration of disease was found to be 2.83±1.6 yr with an average age at euthanasia of 18±4.7 yr. Chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis with secondary glomerular sclerosis was the common histopathologic lesion in all the cases. Further investigations into specific etiologies of chronic tubulointerstitial disease in this species are warranted.
1. A high prevalence (40%) of irreversible, chronic renal disease exists in the black howler monkeys in this study. The etiology of the disease is unknown at this time.
2. Onset of azotemia appears in middle-age to older animals (14.8±2.9 yr).
3. This disease appears to be chronic in nature with duration of disease in 50% of the cases averaging 3–4 yr.
4. In azotemic patients, helpful diagnostic aids to determine extent of renal disease include urinalysis, UP:UC, urine protein electrophoresis, survey and contrast radiology, and ultrasonography. Antemortem investigation into etiologies of renal disease, nephron component involvement, and degree of tissue damage may warrant renal biopsy.
5. Supportive care with oral fluid supplementation, dietary protein restriction, and phosphate binding therapy may have contributed to the slow progression of disease.
6. The decline in quality of life warranting euthanasia corresponded to dramatic progression of azotemia (BUN = 124±58.9 mg/dl, creatinine = 7.8±1.4 mg/dl).
7. Chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis with secondary glomerular sclerosis was the common histopathologic lesion in all the cases.
Deidre K. Fontenot, DVM
Riverbanks Zoological Park and Botanical Gardens
Columbia, SC, USA


The WorkXplore 3D CAD viewer and analyser from Vero Software is ensuring that Sandvik Coromant's sales engineers can individually interrogate solid models in the field. Vero are supplying more than 30 WorkXplore licences to the field-based sales engineers, and running a training programme in all four of the company's UK sales regions.
Wesley Tonks, Vero's EMEA Strategic Partnership Manager, says Sandvik Coromant regard giving their sales engineers the ability to load and interrogate CAD-created solid models as a vital part of their Industry 4.0 culture.
He says the sales engineers will find WorkXplore particularly useful as it contains many innovative features usually found in high-end CAD systems which enable to the user to perform part diagnostics, create assembly instructions and prepare the production of 3D models. The software was created to efficiently import and analyse all file types and sizes at high speed. It often takes less than half the time to open a file compared to the original CAD application.
And Martin Ball, Sandvik Coromant's UK Business Development Specialist, says: "The WorkXplore training provided by Vero enables members of the Southern Region sales force to explore and interrogate customer drawings quickly, and at a considerably higher level, without having to involve a third party at Coromant Head Office. The training material was delivered professionally and patiently by the expert Vero team, and proved to be enjoyable and engaging.


of the Aesthetic in American Studies" critically takes stock of recent returns to the aesthetic and extends their scope.
Scholars working in such diverse areas as media studies, identity theory, animal studies/posthumanism, and democratic theory have begun to put the aesthetic dimension of their objects of study at the center of their work, even if they do not necessarily consider their scholarship to belong to the field of aesthetics proper. To bring these approaches into the conversation, we propose to broaden the definition of "aesthetics" so as to reflect that in American Studies – as much as in many other disciplines within the humanities – "the aesthetic" is increasingly recovering its original reference to sense perceptions (aisthesis). At the same time, however, scholars have also begun to rethink traditional concerns of aesthetic theory. In particular, they have been revisiting the question of aesthetic autonomy. Far from conceiving of aesthetic autonomy as apolitical, the resurging debate explores its potentially oppositional and utopian position vis-à-vis recent economic, social, and political developments.


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