The iPad is an awesome device.
It sits at the storm front gathering between my home and work lives. Using it is forcing me to reevaluate how I manage my life. All of a sudden, I have one practical, usable device with me wherever I go. I LOVE that! My goal is to have all my personal information and all my work information available to me on this device.
The biggest challenge is that at work there are only Windows machines. At home, I use a Mac. How do I sync the information on my iPad between those two environments? This question currently has no acceptable answer. Which enterprising app developer is going to solve my problem so that I can hand them money?
This is my to do list for all of life and I have to trust it. This was an easy decision even though there is no Windows option.
OmniFocus rocks my world and I am still only beginning to understand the power of this app. I own it on all three platforms (Mac, iPhone, iPad). The apps are expensive but are more than worth their cost. As much as I would love to see a Windows OmniFocus client, it is not coming. But OmniFocus is so good that I will simply use the iPad version at work.
Having all work and home tasks together is overwhelmingly wonderful. I've never had a trusted system like this before and it is life changing.
Tasks get completed so I need a better place to store information.
At work, I use OneNote on Windows. Of all the products Microsoft has made over the years, this is by far my favorite. It organizes information the way my brain does so it takes very little work to add and retrieve information from OneNote.
At home, I use Evernote on Mac. Evernote is the app I want to love but just… can't.
I've looked at a bunch of options for merging work and home repositories. Curio looks wonderful but is only available on Mac. Where are the cross-platform solutions? And remember that I am cheap so I will purchase a piece of software before I sign up for a service contract (yes, I am looking at you Evernote Premium). No cross-platform solutions I've tried have worked. That leaves me trying to sync two different repositories to the iPad.
Evernote syncs and just works. OneNote not so much. We use OneNote 2007 (not the newer 2010) which apparently has fewer syncing options. MobileNoter does sync and the notes look just like they do in OneNote, which is great. Adding and editing content, though, is absolutely awful and note links, which I use everywhere, do not work. The kind folks at MobileNoter allowed me to use a second trial period to make things work but I finally put that brain damage to rest. There is a OneNote iPhone app but no iPad version. It syncs with Office Live, or whatever they are calling their cloud storage service now, but the 2007 version of OneNote does not sync to Office Live.
I've looked into plain text editors using Markdown but I need to store images as well. I've tried a bunch of "ultimate" note taking apps but for the most part, they are ugly or difficult to understand.
The long and short of this is that I have no solution for work, let alone a solution for life.
Using the iPad is causing me to rethink and fine-tune how I manage my life. This is a wonderful process and I am enjoying the road.
Posted on June 10, 2011, in iOS. Bookmark the permalink.	Comments Off on Merging Work and Home on the iPad.


text:
It's Called Google Propeller and It's Aimed at Flipboard (and Facebook, Too, Natch)
September 15, 2011 at 5:25 pm PT
Please see this disclosure related to me and Google.
Earlier today, well-known digerati dude Robert Scoble posted on his social feed on Google+ that the search giant was working on a social and news reader.
"I heard from someone working with Google that Google is working on a Flipboard competitor for both Android and iPad," posted Scoble. "My source says that the versions he's seen so far are mind-blowing good."
If blowing the minds of hot Silicon Valley start-up Flipboard and Facebook is the goal, then Scooby-Don't's rumor is pretty spot-on.
According to numerous sources close to the situation, Google is indeed working on rolling out the new product, which is currently called Propeller.
Sources said Propeller is apparently one of a number of new socially focused announcements Google is prepping, including new apps. But the timing for their launch is unclear.
Here's what is: Propeller is a souped-up version of similar reader apps such as Flipboard, AOL's Editions, Yahoo's Livestand, Zite (which was just bought by Time Warner's CNN) and Pulse.
Facebook is also making social versions of publications available within its site. So, instead of just seeing a sidebar on a news site of what stories your friends liked, you'll get a personalized and reformatted version of the latest news when you visit that publication's page within Facebook.
All these apps are part of the drastically changing habits of media consumers, helping them better navigate numerous social and media feeds — such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as news sites and more — using handsome interfaces and touch technologies.
Flipboard is the most prominent and elegant of these offerings, available only on the Apple iPad. The company is working on an iPhone version, too.
Flipboard's traction among elite users, along with its high-level design ethos and strong reviews, is why Google tried to buy the well-funded company last year, sources said.
But Flipboard — which is backed by some of tech's biggest venture players, who have invested more than $60 million at a $200 million valuation — declined the kind offer.
At the time, sources said, Google told Flipboard execs that if it did not buy the start-up, it planned to do a version of its own.
Hence, after I heard about the product earlier this year, I dubbed it the Flipinator.
Propeller is probably a better name, I will admit.
It's not clear what Google's Propeller will include in the product, such as Facebook integration, since the pair of Silicon Valley behemoths have not been able to partner over data exchange.
Which is an understatement, I know.
But sources said it would be available on both Apple's iPad and Google's Android tablets.
In any case, stay tuned and thanks to Scoobs for the tip!
[Photo credit: This Noogler Propeller Hat — which is given to all new Googlers — is in the collection at the Computer History Museum, the gift of Marcin Wichary; the image is by Mark Richards.]
Tagged with: Android, AOL, app, Apple, CNN, Computer History Museum, consumer, design, disclosure, editions, ethos, Exchange, Facebook, Feed, Flipboard, Flipinator, friend, funded, Google, hat, image, integrationdata, iPad, iPhone, launch, Livestand, Marcin Wichary, Mark Richards, news, Noogler, offer, offering, page, personalized, photo, player, product, Propeller, publication, Pulse, Reader, Robert Scoble, Scooby-Don't, Silicon Valley, Social, Start-up, tablet, Time Warner, valuation, venture, version, Yahoo, Zite

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
namespace base {

// base::RingBuffer uses a fixed-size array, unlike base::circular_deque and
// std::deque, and so, one can access only the last |kSize| elements. Also, you
// can add elements to the front and read/modify random elements, but cannot
// remove elements from the back. Therefore, it does not have a |Size| method,
// only |BufferSize|, which is a constant, and |CurrentIndex|, which is the
// number of elements added so far.
//
// If the above is sufficient for your use case, base::RingBuffer should be more
// efficient than base::circular_deque.
template <typename T, size_t kSize>
class RingBuffer {
 public:
  RingBuffer() : current_index_(0) {}
  RingBuffer(const RingBuffer&) = delete;
  RingBuffer& operator=(const RingBuffer&) = delete;

  size_t BufferSize() const { return kSize; }

  size_t CurrentIndex() const { return current_index_; }

  // Returns true if a value was saved to index |n|.
  bool IsFilledIndex(size_t n) const {
    return IsFilledIndexByBufferIndex(BufferIndex(n));
  }

  // Returns the element at index |n| (% |kSize|).
  //
  // n = 0 returns the oldest value and
  // n = bufferSize() - 1 returns the most recent value.
  const T& ReadBuffer(size_t n) const {
    const size_t buffer_index = BufferIndex(n);
    CHECK(IsFilledIndexByBufferIndex(buffer_index));
    return buffer_[buffer_index];
  }

  T* MutableReadBuffer(size_t n) {
    const size_t buffer_index = BufferIndex(n);
    CHECK(IsFilledIndexByBufferIndex(buffer_index));
    return &buffer_[buffer_index];
  }

  void SaveToBuffer(const T& value) {
    buffer_[BufferIndex(0)] = value;
    current_index_++;
  }

  void Clear() { current_index_ = 0; }

  // Iterator has const access to the RingBuffer it got retrieved from.
  class Iterator {
   public:
    size_t index() const { return index_; }

    const T* operator->() const { return &buffer_.ReadBuffer(index_); }
    const T* operator*() const { return &buffer_.ReadBuffer(index_); }

    Iterator& operator++() {
      index_++;
      if (index_ == kSize)
        out_of_range_ = true;
      return *this;
    }

    Iterator& operator--() {
      if (index_ == 0)
        out_of_range_ = true;
      index_--;
      return *this;
    }

    operator bool() const {
      return !out_of_range_ && buffer_.IsFilledIndex(index_);
    }

   private:
    Iterator(const RingBuffer<T, kSize>& buffer, size_t index)
        : buffer_(buffer), index_(index), out_of_range_(false) {}

    const RingBuffer<T, kSize>& buffer_;
    size_t index_;
    bool out_of_range_;

    friend class RingBuffer<T, kSize>;
  };

  // Returns an Iterator pointing to the oldest value in the buffer.
  // Example usage (iterate from oldest to newest value):
  //  for (RingBuffer<T, kSize>::Iterator it = ring_buffer.Begin(); it; ++it) {}
  Iterator Begin() const {
    if (current_index_ < kSize)
      return Iterator(*this, kSize - current_index_);
    return Iterator(*this, 0);
  }

  // Returns an Iterator pointing to the newest value in the buffer.
  // Example usage (iterate backwards from newest to oldest value):
  //  for (RingBuffer<T, kSize>::Iterator it = ring_buffer.End(); it; --it) {}
  Iterator End() const { return Iterator(*this, kSize - 1); }

 private:
  inline size_t BufferIndex(size_t n) const {
    return (current_index_ + n) % kSize;
  }

  // This specialization of |IsFilledIndex| is a micro-optimization that enables
  // us to do e.g. `CHECK(IsFilledIndex(n))` without calling |BufferIndex|
  // twice. Since |BufferIndex| involves a % operation, it's not quite free at a
  // micro-scale.
  inline bool IsFilledIndexByBufferIndex(size_t buffer_index) const {
    return buffer_index < current_index_;
  }

  T buffer_[kSize];
  size_t current_index_;
};

}  // namespace base

#endif  // BASE_CONTAINERS_RING_BUFFER_H_

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Prior to the Married Women's Property Acts of 1870 and 1882, on marriage a woman's property passed in common law to her husband. Since then married women have been able to own their own property, but English law has never adopted a system of community of property, as is normal in many American states and continental jurisdictions, according to which property is equally shared between the spouses. As a result, in English law, during marriage each spouse owns the property they brought into the marriage and the property they earned during it. Historically, this worked to the disadvantage of women and meant that until the 1973 Matrimonial Causes Act the husband could on divorce walk away with all or a large proportion of assets.
The real significance of this case is that it is one of the few areas of law in which care work is valued and recognised, and even said to be valued as equal to money-making… [However] if the law is serious about the claim in White v White that we should value equally caregiving and money making we need vast changes in the law and societal structures. The achievement in White v White hardly deserves being called a scratch on the surface of that aim.
The decision of White v White is one of the most striking acknowledgements of the value of carework in the law, and provides a powerful statement of equality between husbands and wives.
The full version of this landmark is written by Jonathan Herring.
Coupled with numerous significant cultural changes since its publication, what makes the Warnock Report so significant is its foresightedness. It led to two pieces of legislation and its findings continue to form the basis of future discussions on the way these areas should be regulated.
In 1984, after two years of consultations and deliberation, the Committee of Inquiry on Human Reproduction and Embryology published its report. Dubbed the 'Warnock Report', after the Committee's chairwoman, philosopher Mary Warnock (now Lady Warnock), the report was influential in the UK and beyond in the way it facilitated permissive regulation of fertility treatments related science. Its recommendations enabled scientific and medical advancement, and allowed the UK to remain at the forefront of the development and delivery of new treatments, and in innovation in the field. In so doing, the report has allowed numerous women to have children biologically related to themselves (and/or their partner) when this once would have been impossible. The report also recognised the value of allowing the use of donated gametes. In this, and other respects, it foretold changing social and legal understandings of family and parenthood.
The regulatory framework around surrogacy – which also stems from the report's recommendations and another way by which women may have biologically-related children, even when unable to carry them – has lasted over 30 years.
The full version of this landmark is written by Kirsty Horsey.
Davis v Johnson resolved once and for all the correct interpretation of the Domestic Violence and Matrimonial Proceedings Act (DVMPA) 1976. The House of Lords held that the proprietorial right of a husband to occupy the matrimonial home in the event of his physical abuse of a wife or partner could be suspended, thereby excluding the husband or male partner from the property or part of it. All five judges were unanimous that the DVMPA provided a wife or partner with a remedy for protection, which allowed for interference with a husband or male partner's proprietorial right in cases where her life was in serious or grave danger. For the first time the law provided protection for wives and cohabitants living in the same household.
The full version of this landmark is written by Susan Edwards.
The opening of the Chiswick Women's Aid refuge happened almost by chance. Yet the sheer weight of the need that was revealed when its existence became known, and the events that followed, make it very significant. The refuge uncovered not only the pressing need for safe places for victims but also the wider issues detrimentally affecting women, such as financial dependence.
In 1971, members of the Chiswick women's liberation group formed a new group, Women's Aid, to offer help to women. They began with a protest against food prices and then about the withdrawal by the Goverment of free milk from schools. Five hundred mothers, children, and some fathers, marched down the High Road led by a cow. The so-called 'Milk March' drew more women to join the group. After meeting for some time in one another's houses, they decided they needed a community house and acquired from the council, at a peppercorn rent, a derelict house.
It was during the group's meetings that it emerged that some of the women were suffering violence at the hands of their male partners. The group gave them shelter. Word spread and the house, with four bedrooms and an outside toilet, was soon 'inundated' with women and children. It was this at this community meeting place that the first refuge for abused women in Britain and the world opened its doors.
The full version of this landmark is written by Felicity Kaganas.


Band leader Doc Severinsen will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, in the OCCC Visual and Performing Arts Center. Severinsen was the band leader on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson for numerous years. For tickets and more information, contact the OCCC Box Office at 405-682-7579.
The Graduation, Employment and Transfer department will be hosting UCO faculty and advisers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 27, in CU3. The series is open to all to get information on degrees and scholarships. A transfer counselor also will be there to answer questions. For more information, contact the GET office at transfer@occc.edu or 405-682-7519.
Students, faculty and staff are invited to see the Student Rock Band for free at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, in the Bruce Owen Theater. For more information, contact the Arts Division at 405-682-6278.
OCCC students, faculty and staff can donate blood at the Oklahoma Blood Institute Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, and Wednesday, Oct. 28, in the General Dining Area. For more information on donor requirements, visit obi.org or call 1-877-340-8777.
Student Life will have a service learning trip to the Regional Food Bank from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. The trip has been rescheduled from Nov. 7. For more information, contact the Student Life at 405-682-7523.
OCCC is premiering London's Royal National Theatre performance of "Hamlet" via National Theatre Live video at 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, in the Visual Performing Arts Center. Student tickets are free with all other tickets at $15. Tickets may be purchased at tickets.occc.edu or 405-682-7579.
Tuition Waiver applications due Friday, Nov. 20.
Tuition Waiver applications for the spring 2016 semester will be available from Monday, Oct. 19, until 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, in the Financial Aid Office. Students need to attach an Academic Transcript and be enrolled for at least six hours in the spring semester before submitting their Tuition Waiver application to the Financial Aid Office. For more information, call Student Financial Support Services at 405-682-7525.


Our landlords – Colin and Judith – asked us round to their house for a barbecue on Friday evening. Not often that your landlord will loan you their car and invite you round for food! Kids were impressed as they could watch the telly! That's a luxury that they are learning to do without at the moment.
On the Saturday we had a lazy day at the house then Liz – our relocation consultant – picked us up go for a bbq at her house. Liz has been excellent in everything that she has helped us with and has gone way beyond what her employer would expect her to do – thanks Liz!
Liz and Chas moved to NZ about 4 years ago from the UK so had lots of helpful hints about the transition. Liz has 2 boys, the eldest is Gus's age. All 4 had a great time in their pool while we lazed about keeping refreshed on NZ white and Mac's best bitter.


text:
Q: Bitmap is null while capturing image from camera My code is working perfectly fine in API level <= 19 but in greater version I am getting bitmap null.
public void SelectImage() {
        final CharSequence[] items = {"Camera", "Gallery", "Cancel"};

        final AlertDialog.Builder builder = new AlertDialog.Builder(getActivity());
        builder.setTitle(R.string.add_image);
        builder.setItems(items, new DialogInterface.OnClickListener() {
            @Override
            public void onClick(DialogInterface dialog, int i) {
                if (items[i].equals("Camera")) {
                    Intent intent = new Intent(MediaStore.ACTION_IMAGE_CAPTURE);
                    if (intent.resolveActivity(mainActivity.getPackageManager()) != null) {
                        startActivityForResult(intent, REQUEST_CAMERA);
                    }
                } else if (items[i].equals("Gallery")) {
                    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_PICK, MediaStore.Images.Media.EXTERNAL_CONTENT_URI);
                    intent.setType("image/*");
                    startActivityForResult(intent, SELECT_FILE);

                } else if (items[i].equals("Cancel")) {
                    dialog.dismiss();
                }

            }
        });

public void onActivityResult(int requestCode, int resultCode, Intent data) {
        super.onActivityResult(requestCode, resultCode, data);
        if (requestCode == PLACE_PICKER_REQUEST) {
            if (resultCode == RESULT_OK) {
                place = PlacePicker.getPlace(data, mainActivity);
                etAddress1.setText(place.getAddress());
            }
        } else if (resultCode == Activity.RESULT_OK && data != null) {

            Glide.with(this).load(data.getData()).into(ivprofile);
            Bitmap bm = null;
            try {
                bm = MediaStore.Images.Media.getBitmap(mainActivity.getContentResolver(), data.getData());
            } catch (IOException e) {
                e.printStackTrace();
            }
            ByteArrayOutputStream baos = new ByteArrayOutputStream();
            bm.compress(Bitmap.CompressFormat.JPEG, 50, baos);
            byte[] b = baos.toByteArray();
            base64img = Base64.encodeToString(b, Base64.NO_WRAP);
        }
    }

Here my bm is null why this happening am i using the older code version or is there anything else.. Thanks in advance.

A: Actually, there is a library which works with every phone and every android version. If you need to solve you problem here is an answer. EasyImage did the job!
do not forget to handle permissions api 23 and up !

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


In a post-industrial economy, a company's most valuable assets might well be customer lists, contract rights, proprietary software or analytic processes instead of more traditional equipment, fixtures and real estate. For reliable advice about the best ways to protect the value of your most important trade secrets and business information, contact the attorneys at Bromberg Rosenthal LLC in Rockville.
With more than 30 years of experience advising small and mid-sized companies in Maryland and the District of Columbia, Bromberg Rosenthal advises employers and sole proprietors about negotiating, documenting, reviewing and enforcing so-called restrictive covenants in employment and consulting relationships.
Find out how your company can benefit from our experience with the use of contracts, civil litigation and injunctive relief to secure and enforce effective protection for your trade secrets and proprietary information. Contact our trade secrets lawyers for additional information, or call Bromberg Rosenthal LLC at 301-251-6200.


text:
#ifndef [!output UPPER_PREFIX]DATAREADER_H
#define [!output UPPER_PREFIX]DATAREADER_H

#ifdef _WIN32
#pragma once
#endif // _WIN32

class [!output PREFIX]DataReader :
    public virtual [!output PREFIX]Reader<FdoIDataReader>
{
    typedef [!output PREFIX]Reader<FdoIDataReader> superclass;

    friend class [!output PREFIX]SelectAggregatesCommand;

protected:

public:
    [!output PREFIX]DataReader ();
    virtual ~[!output PREFIX]DataReader (void);

    virtual void Dispose();

    //// Prevent the use of the Assignment Operation by definning it and not implemeting it.
    //// DO NOT IMPLEMENT
    //[!output PREFIX]DataReader & operator= (const [!output PREFIX]DataReader &right);

    /// Gets the number of propertys in the result set.
    /// <returns>Returns the number of propertys.</returns>
    virtual FdoInt32 GetPropertyCount();

    /// Gets the name of the property at the given ordinal position.
    /// <param name="index">Input the position of the property.</param>
    /// <returns>Returns the property name</returns>
    virtual FdoString* GetPropertyName(FdoInt32 index);

    /// Gets the data type of the property with the specified name.
    /// <param name="propertyName">Input the property name.</param>
    /// <returns>Returns the type of the property.</returns>
    virtual FdoDataType GetDataType (FdoString* propertyName);

    /// Gets the FDO property type of a given property. This is used
    //  to indicate if a given property is a geometric property or a data property. If the property is
    //  a FdoPropertyType_DataProperty, then GetDataType can be used to to find the data type of the property.
    /// <param name="propertyName">Input the property name.</param>
    /// <returns>Returns the FDO property type.</returns>
    virtual FdoPropertyType GetPropertyType (FdoString* propertyName);

    /// Advances the reader to the next item and returns true if there is
    /// another object to read or false if reading is complete. The default
    /// position of the reader is prior to the first item. Thus you must
    /// call ReadNext to begin accessing any data.
    /// <returns>Returns true if there is a next item.</returns>
    virtual bool ReadNext ();
};

#endif // [!output UPPER_PREFIX]DATAREADER_H


Growing up, you couldn't get me out of the pool. There was something incredibly refreshing about swimming laps and jumping from the high-dive into 18 feet of water below. As I got older, however, the time spent in a pool all summer significantly dropped. On the other hand, the importance of the activity did not.
So, in recognition of Swim a Lap Day, let's chat and chew about the health benefits of swimming.
Increases muscle tone and strength. Unlike runners, who typically see muscle build in their legs, swimmers gain muscle strength throughout their entire body—they utilize larger groups of muscle to move through the water. During a swim, your legs kick while your arms pull, and as your back reaches and rotates, your stomach tightens to power the legs and stable your core.
Swimming makes you more flexible. As mentioned above, swimming allows your body to stretch, rotate, twist, reach, and pull as you move in the water. At the gym, many exercises are focused on one muscle at a time; swimming positions the body in a wider range of motions that helps joints and ligaments stay loose and flexible.
Swimming is good for your heart. Swimming is an aerobic exercise, therefore, is strengthens the heart and increases its size. This not only makes it pump better, but also leads to improved blood flow throughout the body. According to the American Heart Association, just 30 minutes of exercise—such as swimming—can decrease chances of coronary heart disease in women by 30-40 percent.
It reduces asthma symptoms. When you work out in a gym, typically the air is stuffy and very dry; however, swimming allows you to workout in moist air, which can ultimately reduce exercise-induced asthma. Studies, such as this one, have also linked swimming to improving symptoms and the general condition of the lungs. Even for those who don't suffer from asthma, swimming increases lung-volume and encourages good breathing techniques.
Swimming helps with weight loss. Despite the cool body temperatures associated with swimming, the sport is actually a top calorie burner. While the exact number of calories depends on the person, the average burned every 10 minutes of swimming is: 60 with the breaststroke; 80 with the backstroke; 100 with freestyle; and a whopping 150 with butterfly.
Helps reduce stress and relieve depression. In addition to the release of endorphins, swimming also creates a feeling of relaxation comparable to yoga. Swimming not only stretches your body, it combines deep rhythmic breathing and a focus inward that allows you to block all outside distractions and stressors. This naturally lowers stress levels and depression. In addition, research has also shown that swimming can actually reverse damage caused to the brain from stress—this process is called hippocampal neurogenesis.
There are many other benefits associated with swimming, including improvements to your skin if you take a dip in salt water. If you want to mix up your exercise routine, try adding some time in the pool and see how it benefits your overall health. And if you ever need some words of encouragement, as Dori from Finding Nemo reminds us all, just keep swimming!
It's official—2015 is here. I can't believe it myself. According to Forbes, about 40 percent of Americans make a New Year's Resolution. If you're like me, you feel reluctant to disclose your resolution, because you might not stick to it. The resolution may require a hard lifestyle change, but more times than not, it may come with a hefty fee. However, did you know there are three things you can do in the next 365 days that come FREE with the Compass Rose Health Plan?
Let's chat and chew about how you can make your health plan work for you in 2015!
With an average price tag of $55 per month, paying for a gym membership can add up. As a Compass Rose Health Plan member, you have access to a free fitness and wellness benefit program through GlobalFit. With discounts available on gym memberships, personal trainers, diet programs, equipment, and more, you can exercise your body, not your wallet!
For additional fitness-friendly cost savings, walk to the local grocery store, or bring your dog to the park and toss a Frisbee.
For anyone who has tried quitting before, the "cold turkey" method is the cheapest, but isn't necessarily the easiest. For products such as nicotine replacement therapies, hypnosis, or counseling, you're looking at a price tag in the hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
If you're serious about quitting, don't do it alone. As a Compass Rose Health Plan member, you can utilize our free, voluntary smoking cessation benefit. You'll have access to 24/7 online support, a personal tobacco cessation advisor, quit guide, 100% coverage for quit medications (with a prescription), and more! Don't wait any longer to quit smoking—use your benefit today and start down the road to a healthier lifestyle tomorrow!
One of the biggest ways you can save money as a Compass Rose Health Plan member is to use in-network doctors and facilities. Always call the provider prior to your appointment to verify they participate in our network or try our easy-to-use online Find a Doctor tool. Another way members can save is by using the additional benefits, which are included within the health plan at no cost! Fitness and wellness, as well as Smoking Cessation are just two of the available programs—more can be found here.
Make sure you set this New Year's resolution up for success. Break new ground this year without breaking the bank—take the time to research how your health plan can save you time and money in 2015!


Over the past couple of years there has been much said about the inexorable impact of technology on the future of financial advice. Almost all of it focussed on disruption to the 'product' of financial advice and its delivery; 'robo' v 'human'. Opinion from some quarters, typically those with heavily vested interests, portrays the inevitable demise of the human advice interaction. This makes for bold headlines but fails under even the most modest level of scrutiny.
Whilst interesting in a tabloid sort of way, the 'great robo debate' clouds the more meaningful discussion of what the financial advice business of the future looks like.
I'm happy to go on record saying that the role of a Financial Planner will be here for a long time to come. In fact, with the right adjustments to structure, tools and skill sets, the financial advice value proposition will be strengthened, not diminished in coming years. I read with interest recently that US 'robo' pioneers, Betterment, have evolved their offering to include direct contact with human advisers.
Over the next couple of weeks I'll be publishing a series of articles, each looking at a different aspect of financial advice businesses, and how I expect them to evolve. I work closely with firms at different points on this journey and all are grappling with whats next, so you're in good company if some of this feels foreign.
To be clear, this isn't intended to be a step-by-step guide, after all every business is unique and every business owner has unique goals. Also, I'm not Nostradamus, this is my view of the world – others may argue that I've got it totally wrong and that's ok, at least we're having the right discussion.
Financial advice firms, like all other businesses, are comprised of people, the processes they follow and the technology they use to deliver the product. In this instance that product is advice.
Another useful way to view businesses is to consider the systems needed to ply their trade (the product systems) separately from those needed to manage customers and operations (business management systems). Specialist product systems have a tendency to evolve at a slower rate than those addressing business management needs due to their narrower market focus and more specialised function.
Given that many words have already been spent on advice product systems, I'm going to start in the business management space. In particular, I'll explore what makes up this space functionally (people & process) and what is happening on tools (technology). This a broad area so in this first blog I'm going to concentrate on one key aspect of the financial advice business of the future – workflow.
A global survey of advice businesses in 2016 pointed to workflow automation as the number one issue financial planning businesses want solved. Even ahead of profitability. Drill in on just the Australian results, and workflow automation remains the number one issue.
The question that no-one seems to be asking is; how is this seemingly simple functional need the most burning issue facing an entire industry globally?
He goes on to explain 'If businesses want to grow, they need to separate the technology needs of running the business from those of producing client advice'.
'If businesses want to grow, they need to separate the technology needs of running the business from those of producing client advice'.
While most of the advice product systems prevalent in Australia have workflow to some degree, none cater for business management processes well at all. Quite rightly, they focus on what they were designed for, producing compliant advice documents.
Before I delve too far, it's important to validate the need for workflow. What value does it bring? What is the pay-off for the effort invested?
Now we're on the same page about what we mean let's look at the major benefit areas..
Doing things the same way each time has obvious benefits. Staff are clear on what happens next at every point, so wasteful down time while work is continuously re-explained is avoided. There are less considered benefits related to hiring new staff or introducing a new outsource partner. Standardised workflows make increasing capacity simple, ensuring maximum value is delivered from day one.
Key to good process design is determining the most efficient path through the required steps. This optimisation unlocks latent capacity within the business, reducing the need to increase headcount and lowers operational risk levels.
A huge part of any well run business is the ability of the management team to understand how each part of the business is functioning at any time. For this to be effective each business activity needs to be measurable and comparable over time. Clear, repeatable processes provide the backbone to robust management analytics.
Often seen as the most burdensome component of running a financial advice practice, compliance is also fundamental to establishing trust. It's not going anywhere anytime soon so, rather than fight it, advice businesses need to strive to reduce the operational impact associated. In many ways, this is a culmination of all the other benefits of well documented and automated workflow.
Sometimes, despite everyone's best efforts, something goes wrong. For the majority of businesses today retracing what happened to identify the point of failure has a devastating affect on the whole business. With automated workflow this exercise becomes simple. Well designed systems help pinpoint issues through audit features. In fact many eliminate the most common causes of issue by alerting management in real-time when deviations occur.
So returning to the original question; Is there sufficient return on investment to justify automated workflow sitting as the number one issue that financial advice businesses globally want addressed? Absolutely.
The next article in this series will address the role of CRM. Is it the be-all and end-all major global software providers like Microsoft and Salesforce want you to think it is?


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Rent Boat, history and excursions in Siracuse
Siracuse, chief town of the province, is 217 Km. distant from Agrigento, 191 Km. from Caltanissetta, 58 Km. from Catania, 172 Km. from Enna, 154 Km. from Messina, 307 Km. from Palermo, 81 Km. from Ragusa, 390 Km. from Trapani. The municipality has 127.224 inhabitants, its surface measures 20.408 hectares and its population density counts 623 inhabitants for square kilometre. It rises over a flat area, 17 metres above the sea-level. The main economical activities are agriculture, cattle breeding and fishing. Since 1950s a notable industrial development has been reported. It mainly produces grapes, cereals, olives, almonds, vegetables and citrus fruits. There are also cow, sheep and pig farms.
The city of Syracuse, in a splendid position in the E part of the Sici1ian coast, stretches out over the sea with the island of Ortygia, where the major testimonies of its glorious past are to be found. Ortygia is connected by a bridge to the mainland, where the modem city extends. According to the 5th c. BC historian Thucydides the ancient city was founded in 734-733 BC by a group of Corinthian settlers led by the oecist Archias. It took its name from a near. by marsh called Syraka. Very soon Syracuse became one of the most powerful cities in Sicily. Its expansionist policy began between the 7th and 6th c. BC and led to the foundation of the colonies of Akrai (663 BC), Kasmenai (643) and Kamarina (598), which were to assume a role of primary importance in the defence of the surrounding territory . At first, power was wielded in Syracuse by the Gamoroi (aristocrats and landowners); subsequently, at the beginning of the 5th c. BC, it was exercised more democratically. In the mid-th c. the retum of the aristocrats and the establishment of the tyranny of the Deinomenids of Gela coincided with a period of expansion of the city, which set itself at the head of the Hellenist settlements of Magna Graecia in the struggle against the Carthaginians, defeating them at the famous Battle of Himera (480 BC), with the city of Agrigento as an ally. In the second phase of the Peloponnesian War Athens, jealous of Syracuse's econornic and military expansion, launched against it a powerful offensive with a naval expedition led by Nicias Lamachos and Alcibiades. Syracuse succeeded in defeating the Athenians, who were annihilated on the banks of the Assinaros., near Eloro (Helorus). The architect of the victory was the democratic faction, which took control of the town. But the Carthaginians retumed to the attack and destroyed Selinunte (409 BC), compelling Syracuse to an agreed surrender . When Dionysius I came to power (405 BC), the Carthaginian offensive started again but was held back by a pestilence which proved to be a prelude to peace. Clashes continued in the following years until a new pact was agreed upon in 392: Dionysius obtained control of the Sicel toWns, which previously had been independent; Carthage kept its domination of W Sicily. This was the moment of Syracuse's greatest splendour, and it extended the sphere of its influence as far as S and Central Italy. On Dionysius' death he was succeeded by his son Dionysius II. New intemal conflicts broke out and the Syracusans tumed for help against the tyrant to their mother-city Corinth, which in 344 despatched to Sicily an expedition under Timoleon. The Corinthian leader defeated Dionysius and peace terms were agreed. In 339 Timoleon had to face an offensive by the Carthaginians which ended in their debacle near the River Krimisos (341 BC). Timoleon now devoted himself to the restoration of order in Sicily, the recolonization of the countryside, and the strengthening of the Greek element, while maintaining a moderate political stance. He was succeeded on his death by Agathocles, the leader of the radical democratic party, who got rid of the oligarchs and in 307, during yet another war with the Carthaginians, adopted the title of King. One year lat er, having won the war, he became master of the whole island. Following his death he was succeeded by Hieron II, who remained in power for over 50 years (269-215 BC). This was the period of the appearance of the Romans on the stage of history. They strove to limit Syracuse's independence to such a next enxtent that Hieron, realizing their superior strength, eventually declared himself their ally. His successor Hieronymus entered instead into an alliance with the Carthaginians but in the end had to yield to the Romans who conquered and sacked Syracuse in 213 BC and made it part of the Province of Sicily, permitting it however to maintain the role of capital city. After the fall of Rome Syracuse followed the alternating vicissitudes of Sicily; it was occupied by the Vandals, Goths and Byzantines, until in 878 it fell into the hands of the Muslims. Under the Normans and Swabians Syracuse, though ceding the role of capital city to Palermo, continued to be of considerable importance. It also benefited from an ample restructuring of the town. Maniàce Castle is an admirable example of architecture of the epoch of Frederick II and is at the same time a symbol of his military power and of the centralization of the state ef fected by this sovereign. Under the Angevin domination Syracuse became the capital of an extensive territory with nine communes. In this period a number of elegant baronial residences, churches and convents were built, including the convents of Santa Lucia, San Benedetto and L 'Annunziata. Between the 16th and 17th c., the Spanish age, the presence of the Carmelite Jesuits led to further transformations of the city skyline, according to the dictates of the new baroque style, which in Syracuse however took on specific and characteristic connotations, and imposing bastions were built all around the city, mainly because of the pressing Turkish threat. After the earthquake in 1693 Syracuse was partially reconstructed, the work proceeding throughout the 18th c. Between the 18th and 19th c. there were considerable urbanistic and cultural transformations; many religious buildings were confiscated and destined to public use. This process was accentuated even more after the unificatjon of Italy, when it was decided to demolish the Spanish walls, and the city began to expand in land. New quarters arose which increasingly underlined the great divide between the ancjent city and the modern city. A prograrnme of recovery is now being followed which by means of conservati ve restoration procedures is saving and reviving the most significant testimonies of the city' s ancient past.
Ortygia, piazza Duomo
Siracuse, Greece Theater
Siracuse, amphitheater
Siracuse, Grotta dei Cordari
Siracuse, Umbertino bridge
Siracuse, Dionysius ear
Siracuse, Ortygia
Siracuse,temple of Minerva
Siracuse, Maniace castle
Siracuse, catacombs
Siracuse, temple of Apollo


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International Journal of Biomaterials
International Journal of Biomaterials/
AbstractIntroductionMaterials and MethodsResultsDiscussionConclusionsAcknowledgmentsReferencesCopyrightRelated Articles
Research Article | Open Access
Dimensional Ridge Preservation with a Novel Highly Porous TiO 2 Scaffold: An Experimental Study in Minipigs
Hanna Tiainen,1Anders Verket,1Håvard J. Haugen,1S. Petter Lyngstadaas,1and Johan Caspar Wohlfahrt1
Academic Editor: Frank Feyerabend
Received11 May 2012
Accepted03 Sept 2012
Published03 Oct 2012
Despite being considered noncritical size defects, extraction sockets often require the use of bone grafts or bone graft substitutes in order to facilitate a stable implant site with an aesthetically pleasing mucosal architecture and prosthetic reconstruction. In the present study, the effect of novel TiO2 scaffolds on dimensional ridge preservation was evaluated following their placement into surgically modified extraction sockets in the premolar region of minipig mandibles. After six weeks of healing, the scaffolds were wellintegrated in the alveolar bone, and the convex shape of the alveolar crest was preserved. The scaffolds were found to partially preserve the dimensions of the native buccal and lingual bone walls adjacent to the defect site. A tendency towards more pronounced vertical ridge resorption, particularly in the buccal bone wall of the nongrafted alveoli, indicates that the TiO2 scaffold may be used for suppressing the loss of bone that normally follows tooth extraction.
Oral rehabilitation with dental implants requires sufficient vertical and horizontal dimensions of the residual alveolar ridge in order to accommodate and fully embed the endosteal implants in alveolar bone [1, 2]. However, the dynamic hard tissue remodelling that occurs following tooth extraction typically results in significant resorption of the residual alveolar ridge, and the rate of this progressive postextraction bone loss has been shown to be fastest during the first three months [3, 4]. Since the loss of bone height and original ridge contour can lead to complications in implant placement, reducing the dimensional ridge alterations plays an important role in achieving mechanically stable and aesthetically pleasing clinical outcome in implant-retained prosthetic rehabilitation.
Several clinical and preclinical studies have described the morphological changes occurring in the alveolar process in both apical-coronal and buccal-lingual directions following extraction of teeth [2, 3, 5, 6]. The healing sequence of an alveolar socket begins with the formation of a blood coagulum within the alveolus, which subsequently formed into a temporary matrix before osteoblastic reorganisation of the temporary matrix to woven bone [7]. Simultaneously, the socket walls undergo bone remodelling and osteoclastic resorption, and it has been shown that particularly the buccal aspect of the residual ridge is susceptible to reduction in bone volume [6]. It has been suggested that immediate implant placement in fresh extraction sockets can help maintain the original ridge shape [8], but remodelling in the later stages of the healing sequence still results in marked reduction in the buccal bone volume as has been shown in experimental studies by Araújo et al. [9, 10]. This finding is in good agreement with recent clinical studies reporting that immediate implant placement fails to prevent the lateral resorption of the alveolar ridge following tooth loss [11, 12].
An alternative approach in the attempt of dimensional ridge preservation has been the grafting of the fresh alveoli using porous bone graft substitutes, which ideally both stimulate the healing of the alveolar socket and inhibit the residual ridge resorption [13]. Several experimental and clinical studies have reported promising results in respect of dimensional ridge preservation for various synthetic and animal-derived bone graft substitutes [14–18]. Bioresorbable materials in granulated form have typically been employed as grafting material in extractions sockets where subsequent implant placement is expected [13]. However, because of the low resorption rates of many currently used bone graft substitutes [19, 20], nonresorbable materials may also be considered a reasonable alternative for alveolar ridge preservation, particularly when highly porous materials are used as bone graft substitutes.
Due to its excellent biocompatibility and favourable osteogenic properties, ceramic titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been proposed as a promising material for nonresorbable synthetic bone grafts, or scaffolds, in the restoration of large bone defects [21, 22], and highly porous TiO2 scaffolds are considered to be suitable for bone augmentation in dental applications. Since the high surface-to-volume ratio and large accessible pore volume provide sufficient space for cell attachment, cell proliferation, and nutrient and metabolite transportation, the highly porous TiO2 scaffold structure allows excellent conditions for initial osteoblast attachment and proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) in vitro [23, 24]. Furthermore, the well-interconnected pore structure of the TiO2 scaffolds has been shown to allow unobstructed bone ingrowth when placed in fresh, surgically modified extraction sockets in minipig mandibles, which together with the good osteoconductivity of the scaffold material resulted in good mechanical interlocking of the scaffold structure and the newly formed bone tissue within the alveoli [25]. Because of this mechanical stability of the scaffold structure in the alveoli, the porous TiO2 scaffolds may also have the potential to inhibit the residual ridge resorption. Hence, the aim of the present animal study was to assess the hard tissue remodelling in the alveolar ridge following tooth extraction in order to establish the effect of the highly porous TiO2 scaffold structure on dimensional ridge preservation in minipig mandibles.
2.1. Scaffold Production
Ceramic TiO2 scaffolds were fabricated by replication process. TiO2 slurry was prepared by dispersing 65 g of TiO2 powder (Kronos 1171, Kronos Titan GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany) in 25 mL sterilised H2O, and the pH of the dispersion was kept at 1.5 for the entire duration of the stirring with small additions of 1 M HCl. The stirring was continued for 2.5 h at 5000 rpm. Cylindrical polyurethane foam templates, 5 mm in diameter and 12.5 mm in height (60 ppi, Bulbren S, Eurofoam GmbH, Wiesbaden, Germany), were coated with the prepared slurry. Prior to sintering at 1500°C for 40 h, the polymer sponge was carefully burnt out of the green body at a lower temperature. After sintering, the scaffolds were recoated with slurry that was prepared using the previously described procedure, only this time mixing 40 g of TiO2 powder with 25 mL of water. The recoated scaffolds were then sintered in 1500°C for 24 h. For more details, see [22]. The final dimensions of the scaffolds were 4 mm in diameter and 10 mm in height due to the shrinkage during the sintering phase. The scaffold samples were steam sterilised in 121°C for 15 minutes.
2.2. Animals and Surgical Procedures
Six female Göttingen minipigs (Sus scrofa, Ellegaard A/S, Dalmose, Denmark) aged 18 to 24 months and weighing 32–42 kg were acclimatised in the local animal facilities (Malmö General Hospital (MAS), Malmö, Sweden) for two weeks before the surgical procedure. Preparation of animals as well as animal management and care followed routine protocols approved by the Institutional Review Board of MAS. Ethical approval for the experiment had been obtained from the Institutional Review Board at MAS Animal Experimental Ethical Committee Malmö-Lund M130-06.
The animals were maintained under general anaesthesia according to a standard procedure using Ketalar 50 mg/mL (Pfizer, Sollentuna, Sweden) and Midazolam-Hameln 5 mg/mL (Hameln Pharma plus GmbH, Hameln, Germany). After visual inspection of the animals, the pigs were shaved around the mouth, and the skin was then rinsed with chlorhexidine solution (chlorhexidine 5 mg/mL in 60% EtOH, Apoteksbolaget, Stockholm, Sweden).
Buccal and lingual incisions were made in the posterior premolar region in both quadrants of the mandibles. Buccal and lingual full-thickness flaps were elevated to expose the alveolar crest. Two premolars (P3 and P4) were hemisected on both sides using fissure burs, and the distal roots were carefully removed using elevators and forceps. The extraction sockets were surgically treated to accommodate the cylindrical TiO2 scaffold using burs 4 mm in diameter resulting in standardised cylindrical defects 10 mm deep and 4 mm in diameter. The resulting defects were either grafted with a porous TiO2 scaffold or left untreated (sham) in alternate pattern so that each mandible contained equal number of scaffold and sham sites (Figures 1 and 2, ).
Clinical photographs illustrating the sham and scaffold sites (A) and the socket sites covered by mucosa flaps that were retained in position with interrupted sutures (B).
Representative three-dimensional illustration of the scaffold (right) and sham (left) sites with their corresponding mesial roots after six weeks of healing (reconstructed from micro-CT data using CTvox).
The surgical sites were closed with Vicryl 4.0 resorbable sutures (Polyglactin 910, Ethicon Inc., Somerville, NJ, USA). Particular care was taken to ensure that the flap completely covered the extraction sites and that passive stability of the flap had been obtained. The same procedure was repeated for both quadrants of the mandible.
The animals were kept on soft diet for one week after surgery. Antibiotic (Streptocillin vet 250 mg/mL + 200 mg/mL Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Ingelheim, Germany) was administered for seven days after surgery, and 1 mL/10 kg analgesics (Temgesic 0.3 mg/mL Schering-Plough, Brussels, Belgium) was administered once after surgery. Six weeks after surgery, a lethal injection of 40 mL pentobarbital natrium 100 mg/mL in spiritus fortis 290 mg/mL was given intracardially to the animals.
Segments including all experimental teeth were excised en bloc. After 48 hours of fixation in formaldehyde, the biopsies were transferred to 70% alcohol, and the bone segments were later sequentially embedded in light-curing epoxy (Technovit 7200 VLC, Heraeus Kulzer GmbH, Wehrheim, Germany). All procedures were documented with clinical photographs.
2.3. Micro-Computed Tomography (Micro-CT)
Bone formation and dimensional ridge alterations were analysed using micro-CT imaging (SkyScan 1172 high-resolution micro-CT, SkyScan N.V., Kontich, Belgium). All samples were scanned at 17.1 μm voxel resolution using a source voltage of 100 kV and a current of 100 μA with 0.5 mm aluminium filter to optimise contrast. Samples were rotated 360° around their long axes, and four absorption images were recorded every 0.4° of rotation. These raw images were then reconstructed with the standard SkyScan reconstruction software (NRecon) to serial coronal-oriented tomograms using 3D cone beam reconstruction algorithm. For reconstruction, beam hardening was set to 40% and ring artefact reduction to 16. The image analysis of the reconstructed axial bitmap images was performed using standard SkyScan software (CTAn and CTVox).
Reconstructed cross-sectional images were recorded from the central area of each remaining root as well as their corresponding alveolus in both buccal-lingual and mesial-distal plane. Three buccal-lingual micro-CT sections from each root and alveolus were recorded, and the following vertical and lateral aspects of the root/defect sites were evaluated: buccal and lingual total bone height (BBH, LBH) measured from the top of the buccal and lingual alveolar wall to the most apical point of the jaw (Figure 3(a)), buccal and lingual alveolar wall bone width ( , , ), and total bone width ( , , ) measured perpendicular to the long axis of the root/defect 1, 3, and 5 mm underneath the top of the alveolar crest (Figure 3(b)). In addition, the vertical height difference between the most coronal positions of the buccal and lingual bone crest (b-l) was measured (Figure 3(b)). Each measurement for sites containing the remaining mesial root was subtracted from the equivalent measurement on the corresponding distal extraction site. The shape and dimensions of the alveolar process at the mesial and distal roots were presumed to be similar. From the mesial-distal sections, the vertical bone loss at the alveolar bone crest was measured in comparison with the original bone level marked by the top of the remaining mesial root (Figure 3(c)).
Schematic drawing representing the locations of the morphometric measurements performed in this study with the grey rectangle showing the approximate shape and place of the scaffolds/shams. (a) Vertical parameters: buccal bone height (BHH) and lingual bone height (LBH). For scaffold and sham sites, a straight line was drawn along the edges of the scaffold/sham, and bone height was measured where this line intersected the bone crest. In addition, the vertical height difference between buccal and lingual bone crest was measured (lines b and l in (b)). (b) Horizontal parameters: buccal and lingual alveolar wall width ( , , ) and buccal and lingual total bone width ( , , ) 1, 3, and 5 mm apical of the buccal and lingual bone crest, all measured perpendicular to the long axis of the defect. (c) Vertical bone loss: difference in height ( ) between original bone level and bone level at defect site after six weeks of healing.
One mandible segment containing one scaffold and one sham site was excluded from the micro-CT analysis due to damage during sample preparation.
2.4. Histological Examination
Histological sections were prepared according to the cutting-grinding technique described by Donath and Breuner and Rohrer and Schubert [26, 27]. One central buccal-lingual section of each scaffold and sham site was prepared. Approximately 100 μm thick sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin for light microscopy and digital imaging. The bone tissue adjacent to the defect area (scaffold and sham) was examined using Leitz DMRBE microscope (Leica, Wetzlar, Germany) equipped with CellB imaging system (Olympus Soft Imaging Solutions GmbH, Münster, Germany). All sections were evaluated qualitatively for the appearance of the alveolar ridge adjacent to the scaffold and sham sites as well as inflammation and/or immunological reactions in the extraction sockets.
The normality and equal variance of the datasets were tested prior to further statistical analysis. When datasets were found normally distributed, statistical analyses between the datasets were performed using Student's -test, while the datasets that failed the normality or equal variance test were analysed using nonparametric Mann-Whitney test. Statistical significance was considered at a probability . Post hoc power calculations were performed for all analyses. All statistical analyses were performed using SigmaStat software package (SigmaStat v. 3.5, Systat Inc., St. Louis, USA).
3.1. Clinical Observations
All defect sites demonstrated uneventful healing without clinical signs of inflammation at the time of harvest.
After six weeks of healing, the morphological appearance of the scaffold, and sham sites did not differ markedly. Both defect sites were sealed by newly formed hard tissue consisting of dense woven bone giving a dome-shaped outline for the bone crest of the defect sites in the buccal-lingual sections. Typically, no distinct border that separated the newly formed bone from the old cortical bone of the buccal and lingual walls could be identified in the histological sections. For the majority of the scaffold sites, a bony bridge with the average height of mm had formed above the scaffold material (Figures 2 and 4) as measured from the central mesial-distal cross-sections. In few isolated instances (2/11) which both were in the same individual, there was no bony bridge covering the entire scaffold and a small portion of the scaffold was exposed above the newly formed bone (Figure 4(e)). The porous scaffold structures were well integrated in the newly formed bone tissue in the alveolar bone, and the TiO2 scaffolds were not found to interfere with the normal healing sequence of the extraction socket (Figures 2 and 4). Both scaffold and sham sites showed a large bone volume within the alveoli, and only a small part of the alveolar ridge was occupied by loose connective tissue.
The scaffolds were well integrated in the alveolar bone, and the TiO2 scaffold was not found to interfere with the normal healing sequence of the extraction socket (a–d). In few isolated instances (2/11), small portion of the scaffold was exposed above the newly formed bone (e), while the loss of ridge height at a sham site is shown in (f).
3.3. Dimensional Ridge Alterations
The medians and interquartile ranges of the difference in buccal and lingual bone height (BBH and LBH) and height difference of buccal and lingual bone crest (b-l) in comparison to equivalent measurement on the corresponding mesial root of each defect site ( ) as well as the vertical bone loss are shown in Figure 5. The difference in BBH was noticeably smaller for the scaffold group although no statistically significant difference was found between the scaffolds and shams. The results of the horizontal morphological measurements are presented in Figure 6 as medians and interquartile ranges of the difference in each parameter in comparison to the equivalent measurement on the corresponding mesial root of each defect site ( ). No morphometric aspect apart from (buccal) revealed statistically significant difference between the scaffold and sham sites ( ). However, the power of the performed comparisons between each parameter was below 80%. Both vertical and horizontal parameters were also compared without subtracting the equivalent measurement of the corresponding mesial root (Tables 1 and 2). Apart from the buccal bone height, no statistically significant difference in any of the measured parameters was detected ( ) although the power of the performed comparisons was below the desired power of 80% for all aspects.
Mean values and standard deviations of buccal and lingual bone height (BBH and LBH, respectively) in millimetres after 6 weeks of healing.
Mean values and standard deviations of alveolar wall thickness ( – ) and total bone thickness ( – ) on different levels: 1 mm ( ), 3 mm ( ), and 5 mm ( ) apical of the buccal and lingual bone crest. Values are given in millimetres after 6 weeks of healing. No significant difference was detected between scaffold and sham groups. .
(a) Box plot showing the medians and distributions of the difference in buccal and lingual bone height (BBH and LBH) and height difference of buccal and lingual bone crest (b-l) in comparison to equivalent measurement on the corresponding mesial root of each defect site ( ). (b) Box plot of vertical bone loss relative to the original bone level measured from central micro-CT sections cut in the mesial-distal direction. The whiskers of the plots represent the 5th and 95th percentiles, .
Box plot showing the medians and distributions of difference in buccal and lingual alveolar wall ( – ) and total bone thickness ( , ) in comparison to equivalent measurement on the corresponding mesial root of each defect site 1 mm ( ), 3 mm ( ), and 5 mm ( ) apical of the buccal and lingual bone crest ( ). The whiskers of the plot represent the 5th and 95th percentiles, *statistically significant difference in this parameter ( ), .
This is the first study to investigate the effect of the highly porous TiO2 scaffold construct on the dimensional ridge alterations occurring following tooth extraction. The highly porous TiO2 scaffolds were well integrated in the alveolar bone with a dense bony bridge covering the entire scaffold at the most coronal point of the ridge (Figures 2 and 4) six weeks following their implantation in extraction sockets in the premolar region of minipig mandibles. The excellent osteoconductive capacity of TiO2 scaffolds has previously been reported by the present authors [25]. It was shown that the scaffold structure permits excellent bone tissue penetration to the entire pore volume when placed in fresh, surgically modified extraction sockets, and no significant delay in the healing of the socket was observed in comparison to empty sockets during the six-week healing period. The bone mineral density was also found higher for sockets containing TiO2 scaffolds in comparison to the empty control sockets, thus indicating improved bone matrix mineralisation in the presence of the TiO2 scaffold in mandibular extraction sockets [25]. Furthermore, it is likely that the porous TiO2 scaffold can advance the closure of the marginal entrance of the alveolus with newly formed bone tissue, as indicated by the large volume of bone tissue observed above the scaffold structure for great majority of the grafted alveoli (Figure 4(a)). Early closure of the socket is desired in order to seal the defect site from soft tissue proliferation and invagination into the extraction socket as the ingrowth of endothelial tissue may result in reduced bone fill within the alveolus [13]. For this purpose, bone grafts and bone graft substitutes are sometimes used in combination with a guided tissue regeneration (GTR) membrane in order to isolate the alveolus from the soft tissue, and thereby improve the maintenance of the ridge dimension [28]. Since the scaffold was completely embedded in newly formed bone tissue and enclosed by the marginal bone at great majority of the scaffold sites, there was no surface invagination of marginal bone, and the convex shape of the alveolar crest was preserved also in the absence of GTR membrane. However, it appears that the TiO2 scaffold does not have the capacity to fully prevent the loss of bone height at the defect site in the present animal model. When the vertical bone loss was measured from the central mesial-distal sections, no marked difference in the lost bone height was observed between the grafted and nongrafted sites (Figure 5(b)). This may be related to the cylindrical dimensions of the experimental TiO2 scaffolds. While particulate and pastelike bone grafts can easily be made to fill the entire contour of the alveolus, with preformed rigid scaffold constructs; this can only be achieved if the alveolus can be shaped to fit the scaffold dimensions or vice versa. Since the scaffold structure had a predefined shape and dimensions that did not mimic the contours of the extraction alveoli, the TiO2 scaffold did not always fill the entire defect volume close to the marginal entrance of the socket. If the graft material does not reach the original bone level or leaves a gap between the scaffold and alveolar walls, it cannot provide sufficient mechanical support to the adjacent bone walls at the most marginal regions of the alveoli, which is likely to result in loss of bone height at the alveolar ridge as seen in the present study.
Various studies have suggested that bone graft substitutes can suppress the residual ridge resorption, while others have questioned the efficacy of bone graft substitutes in preserving the original contour of the alveolar ridge. Several experimental studies in dogs have reported a favourable outcome in regard to dimensional ridge preservation when fresh extraction sockets were grafted with various bone graft substitute materials [17, 29–31]. The effect is commonly attributed to the capacity of the grafting material to provide a scaffold for new bone formation and to offer stability for the blood coagulum that forms in the initial stages of the healing process [15]. It appears that good osteoconductive capacity alone cannot serve to preserve the dimensions of the edentulous alveolar ridge, as grafting the sockets with highly osteogenic but fast resorbing autologous bone chips was not shown to prevent the ridge resorption following tooth extraction [32]. Moreover, other studies with similar experimental setups have concluded that various bone graft substitute materials fail to preserve the alveolar ridge height [33–35]. Fickl et al. reported that incorporation of deproteinised bovine bone xenografts (DBBX) into fresh extraction sockets has only a limited impact on the resorption of the buccal plate [34]. Similarly, a recent study by Bashara et al. showed no statistically significant difference in the residual ridge resorption of empty extraction sockets and sockets grafted with either DBBX or porous titanium granules both with and without an additional GTR membrane after 6-month healing period [33].
While the excellent osteoconductive capacity of the pore network of the TiO2 scaffolds can provide a favourable environment for bone regeneration within the extraction socket, the mechanical stability of the TiO2 scaffold block is expected to give good initial structural stability to the adjacent socket walls during the early phases of the healing sequence. However, it appears that the scaffold did not fill the entire defect volume as already mentioned above, and there was no conclusive evidence for the TiO2 scaffold to prevent the reduction in the alveolar ridge dimensions. A statistical significance was observed in the buccal bone heights between scaffold and sham sites, while a more prominent reduction in buccal bone height in comparison to corresponding distal alveoli was also evident for the nongrafted extraction sockets as illustrated in Figure 5(a). However, no significant difference in the lateral resorption was apparent between the grafted and no-grafted sockets apart from the statistical significance in the buccal total bone width 3 mm apical from the alveolar crest (Figure 6). This difference was not found statistically significant when the actual horizontal bone widths at this level were compared, but all horizontal aspects at 3 and 5 mm apical from both buccal and lingual crest were found noticeably larger for the nongrafted group (Table 2). This was also observed in Figure 6 depicting the difference in bone width, particularly for the lingual bone wall. As the horizontal measurements were performed in respect to the buccal and lingual bone crests, the measured lateral dimensions are strongly affected by the vertical resorption with increasing vertical bone loss resulting in larger measured bone width values. Therefore, the larger apparent increase in the alveolar bone width in the sham group can be seen as an indication of the resorption of alveolar crest and loss of ridge height. Still, the lack of marked difference in the lingual height difference for scaffold and sham sites (Figure 5(a)) seems to be in disagreement with this notion. Nevertheless, the observed tendency towards more pronounced vertical ridge resorption in the buccal bone wall of the nongrafted alveoli may indicate that the TiO2 scaffold can suppress the postextraction resorption of the buccal bone wall. In addition, it must be noted that the dimensional ridge alterations were recorded after a relatively short healing period of six weeks, even if the bone resorption has been shown to occur at a fast rate during the first three months [3]. Longer observation periods may result in more discernible difference in the ridge of the grafted and nongrafted sites, and therefore further experimental studies with multiple healing periods are recommended to fully characterise the effect of the TiO2 scaffolds in preserving the alveolar ridge dimensions.
Inaccuracies and technical complications in the evaluation of the dimensional ridge alterations may also have influenced the outcome of the comparisons between grafted and nongrafted sites. In the present study, all dimensional aspects of the alveolar ridge were measured from the cross-sectional micro-CT images rather than the histological sections as the nondestructive digital sectioning allowed more precise alignment of the cross-sectional images to the centre of each defect than what could be achieved by the cutting and grinding method used for the production of histological sections. For scaffold sites, the radiopaque TiO2 structure clearly defined the lateral boundaries of the socket, and thus, the lateral endpoints of the measurements were easily distinguished. The same applies for root sites in which the remaining roots distinctly defined the boundaries of the alveolar socket. However, this was not the case for the sham sites as the boundaries of the original alveolus were not always clearly visible in either micro-CT cross-sections or histological slide as can be seen in Figure 4. Therefore, defining the end-points for the horizontal measurements was not always straightforward for the nongrafted extraction sockets, and may have resulted in slightly erroneous width measurements. In addition, the measurements applied here are further restricted by the two-dimensional nature of the measurements which may partially omit the changes in the true three-dimensional ridge contour.
Moreover, the comparison of the different experimental animal studies performed to evaluate the effect of a given bone graft material in preserving the original ridge dimensions following tooth extraction is somewhat restricted due to the variation in the measured parameters and measurement techniques used in each study. Using the distal alveolus with the remaining root as a reference for each experimental site, as described by Araújo et al. [29], allows fairly good evaluation of the amount of ridge contraction in comparison to the original ridge dimensions. However, this method relies on the presumption that the mesial and distal alveoli, as well as the adjacent bone walls, have the same shape. In addition, it must be assumed that only minimal resorption occurs at alveolar walls adjacent to the root sites. To adjust to these assumptions, the results of dimensional measurements of the sham and scaffold sites were also compared to each other without the subtraction of the ridge dimensions measured for the mesial root sites. These results were mostly in line with the results obtained by calculating the dimensional differences, thus reinforcing the conclusions of the present study. However, it is important to keep these limitations in mind when interpreting the results of this study.
The TiO2 scaffolds were completely embedded in newly formed bone tissue, and the convex shape of the alveolar crest was preserved. However, it appears that the TiO2 scaffold does not have the capacity to fully prevent the loss of alveolar bone height following tooth extraction in the present animal model. Nevertheless, the observed tendency towards more pronounced vertical ridge resorption particularly in the buccal bone wall of the nongrafted alveoli indicates that the TiO2 scaffold may suppress the postextraction resorption of the buccal bone wall. Due to the short healing period of the present study, further experimental studies with longer healing periods are recommended to fully characterise the effect of the TiO2 scaffolds in preserving the alveolar ridge dimensions.
This study was supported by Eureka-Eurostars Project Application E!5069 NewBone. The authors acknowledge Shahbaz Yousefi for technical assistance in preparing the bone specimens for sectioning.
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D. Botticelli, T. Berglundh, and J. Lindhe, "Hard-tissue alterations following immediate implant placement in extraction sites," Journal of Clinical Periodontology, vol. 31, no. 10, pp. 820–828, 2004.
M. Sanz, D. Cecchinato, J. Ferrus, E. B. Pjetursson, N. P. Lang, and J. Lindhe, "A prospective, randomized-controlled clinical trial to evaluate bone preservation using implants with different geometry placed into extraction sockets in the maxilla," Clinical Oral Implants Research, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 13–21, 2010.
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A. Barone, N. N. Aldini, M. Fini, R. Giardino, J. L. C. Guirado, and U. Covani, "Xenograft versus extraction alone for ridge preservation after tooth removal: a clinical and histomorphometric study," Journal of Periodontology, vol. 79, no. 8, pp. 1370–1377, 2008.
M. G. Araújo and J. Lindhe, "Ridge preservation with the use of Bio-Oss collagen: a 6-month study in the dog," Clinical Oral Implants Research, vol. 20, no. 5, pp. 433–440, 2009.
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A. Mordenfeld, M. Hallman, C. B. Johansson, and T. Albrektsson, "Histological and histomorphometrical analyses of biopsies harvested 11 years after maxillary sinus floor augmentation with deproteinized bovine and autogenous bone," Clinical Oral Implants Research, vol. 21, no. 9, pp. 961–970, 2010.
H. Haugen, J. Will, A. Köhler, U. Hopfner, J. Aigner, and E. Wintermantel, "Ceramic TiO2-foams: characterisation of a potential scaffold," Journal of the European Ceramic Society, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 661–668, 2004.
H. Tiainen, S. P. Lyngstadaas, J. E. Ellingsen, and H. J. Haugen, "Ultra-porous titanium oxide scaffold with high compressive strength," Journal of Materials Science, vol. 21, no. 10, pp. 2783–2792, 2010.
G. Fostad, B. Hafell, A. Førde et al., "Loadable TiO2 scaffolds-A correlation study between processing parameters, micro CT analysis and mechanical strength," Journal of the European Ceramic Society, vol. 29, no. 13, pp. 2773–2781, 2009.
R. Sabetrasekh, H. Tiainen, S. P. Lyngstadaas, J. Reseland, and H. Haugen, "A novel ultra-porous titanium dioxide ceramic with excellent biocompatibility," Journal of Biomaterials Applications, vol. 25, no. 6, pp. 559–580, 2011.
H. Tiainen, J. C. Wohlfahrt, A. Verket, S. P. Lyngstadaas, and H. J. Haugen, "Bone formation in TiO2 bone scaffolds in extraction sockets of minipigs," Acta Biomater, vol. 8, no. 6, pp. 2384–2391, 2012.
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B. K. Bartee, "Extraction site reconstruction for alveolar ridge preservation. Part 2: membrane-assisted surgical technique," The Journal of Oral Implantology, vol. 27, no. 4, pp. 194–197, 2001.
M. Araújo, E. Linder, J. Wennström, and J. Lindhe, "The influence of Bio-Oss collagen on healing of an extraction socket: an experimental study in the dog," International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 123–135, 2008.
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Copyright © 2012 Hanna Tiainen et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


A still from the video circulating on Facebook.
A MAN badly injured after robbers drove away in his Transit van – with him clinging to the windscreen – is still fighting for his life more than two weeks on.
Distressing footage had emerged on Facebook showing the man sprawled across the front of the windscreen while it was travelling at high speed.
He can be heard crying out for help as the van approaches a turn in the road.
He was later seen on the ground being helped by passers-by after the van drove off.
Police are still hunting for the thieves and are appealing to the public for information.
They were called to the junction of Caludon Road and Swan Lane just before 1pm on Monday, November 19.
Police later located the burnt out van on Lentons Lane, Coventry.
Anyone with information should get in touch with police via Live Chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight, call 101 any time, or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting log number 1040 from November 19.


Holis Bork has been sent to negotiate the entrance of Mellidan VII into the Federation, a union of 485 worlds. Mellidan is unlike any Federation world in that it does not have an oxygen atmosphere -- the inhabitants breathe chlorine. But differences can be overcome, and Bork is confident in the success of his mission. But when his ship lands, he discovers the unthinkable -- a Terran dome, built by the people of the only planet ever to refuse an offer to join the Federation: Earth.
This story is an interesting specimen for its time. It argues quite strongly against the assimilation of one culture into another, and for the necessity of diversity among races. This seems quite contrary to the general run of glorified conformism that features in much SF of the 50s.


Home > FAQ > What if my ambulance doesn't arrive?
If your ambulance has not arrived in the time you expected, please telephone the hospital (the number is on your appointment card) to check if an ambulance has been booked for you.
If the ambulance has not been arranged then let them know your situation and that you need an ambulance to attend the appointment. Wherever possible we will do our best to pick you up.


text:
Échallon és un municipi francès situat al departament de l'Ain i a la regió d'Alvèrnia-Roine-Alps. L'any 2007 tenia 765 habitants.

Demografia

Població
El 2007 la població de fet d'Échallon era de 765 persones. Hi havia 286 famílies de les quals 64 eren unipersonals (32 homes vivint sols i 32 dones vivint soles), 81 parelles sense fills, 137 parelles amb fills i 4 famílies monoparentals amb fills.

La població ha evolucionat segons el següent gràfic:

Habitants censats

Habitatges
El 2007 hi havia 409 habitatges, 293 eren l'habitatge principal de la família, 91 eren segones residències i 25 estaven desocupats. 370 eren cases i 37 eren apartaments. Dels 293 habitatges principals, 246 estaven ocupats pels seus propietaris, 37 estaven llogats i ocupats pels llogaters i 10 estaven cedits a títol gratuït; 12 tenien dues cambres, 20 en tenien tres, 66 en tenien quatre i 194 en tenien cinc o més. 243 habitatges disposaven pel capbaix d'una plaça de pàrquing. A 107 habitatges hi havia un automòbil i a 167 n'hi havia dos o més.

Piràmide de població
La piràmide de població per edats i sexe el 2009 era:

Economia
El 2007 la població en edat de treballar era de 469 persones, 364 eren actives i 105 eren inactives. De les 364 persones actives 336 estaven ocupades (185 homes i 151 dones) i 28 estaven aturades (10 homes i 18 dones). De les 105 persones inactives 34 estaven jubilades, 40 estaven estudiant i 31 estaven classificades com a «altres inactius».

Ingressos
El 2009 a Échallon hi havia 309 unitats fiscals que integraven 809,5 persones, la mediana anual d'ingressos fiscals per persona era de 20.360 €.

Activitats econòmiques
Dels 23 establiments que hi havia el 2007, 1 era d'una empresa de fabricació de material elèctric, 5 d'empreses de fabricació d'altres productes industrials, 2 d'empreses de comerç i reparació d'automòbils, 1 d'una empresa de transport, 3 d'empreses d'hostatgeria i restauració, 1 d'una empresa d'informació i comunicació, 1 d'una empresa financera, 1 d'una empresa immobiliària, 5 d'empreses de serveis, 1 d'una entitat de l'administració pública i 2 d'empreses classificades com a «altres activitats de serveis».

Els 3 serveis als particulars que hi havia el 2009 eren restaurants.

L'any 2000 a Échallon hi havia 6 explotacions agrícoles.

Equipaments sanitaris i escolars
El 2009 hi havia una escola elemental.

Poblacions més properes
El següent diagrama mostra les poblacions més properes.

Referències

 Résumé statistique Fitxa resum de dades estadístiques d'Échallon a l'INSEE.
 Évolution et structure de la population Fitxa amb el detall de dades d'Échallon a l'INSEE
 France par commune Dades detallades de tots els municipis de França accessibles a partir del mapa.

Municipis de l'Ain

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Sorry I took some time...with school and all!
wow! Seems to be your lucky day!!
Don't forget!! Please play in our 3rd Sunny Challenge- SNOWFLAKES!!
Congrats Hussena & all the others who made it to the top 3!! Can't wait to see the GD in action for the next challenge!!!
Congrats Hussena ,priya and kavitha too.Thanks Anushka .
Thank you so much Anushka.. I didn't noticed tht I am among top 3.. :D COngratulations to rest of the winners!


Special anniversaries are made even more remarkable when celebrated on a luxury yacht with the backdrop of Sydney Harbour. Whether you're celebrating your first year together or your 50th, Leisure Bridgewater Charters enjoy nothing more than seeing our guests honour their love for each other. From intimate boat charters to large groups celebrating your special day, there's no better way to celebrate your history and toast to the future.
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Reach out to Leisure for bridgewater charters for anniversaries and we guarantee that every guest will leave impressed and delighted.
We look forward to working with you on your next Anniversary celebration. Contact us today with your requirements and one of our event managers will get back to you shortly.


text:
Home Local Thousands of Jobless Bahamians Looking for Work, Whilst 4,050 Work Permits Were...
Thousands of Jobless Bahamians Looking for Work, Whilst 4,050 Work Permits Were Issued to Foreigners in August, September and October 2007
Participants make enquiries at various business booths at the "All Male Empowerment Seminar and Job Fair" hosted by the Kemp Road Urban Renewal Centre and Church of God of Prophecy Life Transformation Centre on Saturday.
Whilst thousands of Bahamians queue on unemployment lines in search for work, the government of The Bahamas in August, September and October of 2007 approved over 4,000 work permits to foreigners. (Photo/Tim Aylen)
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Omar Archer Sr.
That is a rather interesting point. I will be sure to mention it when I'm on air this Sunday 102.9 FM and put it out there for the public to digest.
Quite an interesting point you made.
Cassandra Davenport
Can it be that successive governments have used the issuance of work permits as a means of earning revenue for our Country? If this has been their approach, little attempt will be made to ensure that Bahamians are employed. What we need is a comprehensive National Plan for Development of the Bahamas, where the needs of all BAHAMIANS can be factored into a Development Plan.
I accept your position Maria. Thank you for the insight.
I would say that it has less to do with a government that values foreigners over its own citizens and more to do with employers that value people who are interested in working hard, as against people who want maximum return with minimum effort. Our people's work ethic is so terrible, and we make little or no effort and we take no pride in what we do. It's a terrible generalization to make; however, the facts are that very few of our people want to work a full day's work for a full day's pay. It's evidenced in all sectors – from the shoddy electrical and building work, to the embarrassing attitude toward the persons in our biggest industry (tourism), to the lackadaisical attitude of many of our doctors and lawyers. Many of the young criminals are no longer criminals because they feel shut out and they have no other alternative. They sell drugs because the money is good and the money is fast… and that is fact, not conjecture. What is bullshit is Mr. Archer Sr's crap commentary on ignorance in an effort to oppress perpetuated by a governments supported by White Knights. In actual fact, the last government to support a strong education in the Bahamas was Her Majesty's sometime before 1973 when we became independent. It's been all downhill since then. And let's not forget, under the previous government the national average for the dumbed down BGCSE (which was already a dumbed down version of the GCE) had been as low as F and as high as D. The current government seems to believe however that any progress is good progress and lauds the wonderful D+ national average that currently exists. All education in this country is a disgrace, it's the government's fault for not demanding higher standards, it's parents' fault for not instilling an importance of education in their children and for not parenting in general, and it's the fault of the youth of this nation for not desiring more for themselves. At the end of the day, we are a wilfully ignorant and lazy people.
That's what you get when you vote in a Government who values foreigners over it's own citizens. Their excuse would probably be that Bahamians are not qualified for the jobs that were given to foreigners. That's utter bullshit…Politicians subscribe to the policy of keeping their people ignorant so that they can retain power. They were once hailed as the apprentices of yesterday freedom fighters, but are now the true oppressors of today. The oppressor is a Balck man funded by the white knights. That's the simple reality of it. CRY FREEDOM!


This lovely apartment is located in a great location with numerous restaurants and places to visit nearby. The apartment has 2 beds and 3 baths, gas, electricity and water connection. The price of this flat also comes affordably at 2 beds. A credible entrance leads to the flat. Bathrooms and kitchen are completed with sturdy fixtures. All the rooms are well spacious and lets you have the whole feel of solace and calmness with closed ones. Electricity, gas and water supply is readily available in this apartment so you do not have to worry regarding this.
Service Charge is BDT 4,000.


"Icons Night" presented by Paul Taylor American Modern Dance featuring Trisha Brown and Isadora Duncan. What a wonderful evening!!!
"Esplanade" by the Paul Taylor Dance Company was absolutely stunning.
I've seen the piece before, but watching it from first row orchestra was a completely different experience. It was incredible to see the facial expressions on the dancers, and to be only feet away from the the amazing actions.
In the opening scene, with much energy and spirit, eight dancers ran in circles, skipped, rolled, flew across the stage, and weaved in and out of intricate patterns. I love not just the exuberance of the individual dancers but also the connection between them, as they created the most happy and uplifting experience on stage… a celebration… a festival… devoted to the joy of dance.
Michelle Fleet opened (and later closed) the choreography. Overflowing with positive energy, her body language said to the audience: Don't you blink and miss a single moment!!! With a big smile and much warmth, Eran Bugge welcomed the audience, invited us to join the celebration, and experience the joy of dance together with the dancers. The mood on stage eventually changed, and Heather McGinley brought intense emotions into the piece.
Saving the best for the last, the final scene of Esplanade was a non-stop sequence of stunning movements, aerials, runs followed by slides across half of the stage, spectacular leaps and sensational mid-air catches.
The most incredible thing about the closing sequence (and why I looooove this company) is that all the movements were initiated from the center of the body. The dancers fell into the movements as if pulled by gravity. Unlike ballet, where dancers fight gravity in order to stay balanced, stand tall, and take off from the ground, here the Paul Taylor dancers "simply" let gravity take over. Their movements looked remarkably natural. Yet, as they were pulled off balanced, they gained so much momentum that they were able to zoom across the stage, propel themselves into the air, throw themselves onto the ground, into each other, and bounce right back… and not hurt themselves!
As I watched "Set and Reset" by Trisha Brown for a second time tonight, the choreography grew on me. I still loved the overall feel of the piece: fluid, dynamic, organic. Being able to see the dancers' expressions, how they relate to one another, made me appreciate the piece so much more. The beauty of the piece, much of it in the subtle details of how the dancers interacted rather than the overall patterns, came pouring out tonight. Bravos to the Trisha Brown Dance Company for a lovely performance!!