text:
Nitpicks & Nitwits: Drop kick the last two, it's On To Houston
John Rooke
Who were those guys in the blue and silver on Sunday?
Let's face it. The Patriots have been going through an identity crisis for the past few weeks. What happened on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles was merely a by-product of injuries, line-up shuffling, mid-season doldrums and figuring out just who the "next man up" might be.
This team has reached the point where I'm not certain they even know the answer to that last one.
This is not an excuse for losing two games in a row after Thanksgiving for the first time in 13 years. Or, becoming just the 4th team in the NFL over the past 10 seasons to lose two straight games in which they had once held 14-point leads in each game. No, this is reality staring this team – and all of us – right in the facemask.
This is the NFL. It is unforgiving, unrelenting, and ever-changing. Teams and players are forced to adapt to injuries, to opponents gaining an edge through film study and familiarity, and to the weekly grind described here a while back. The sharp edge you have over the opposition in September and October can be dulled in November and December in several ways.
And it seems the Patriots have found them all over the past two weeks. Time to sharpen the knives before carving the next turkey.
But how? Without using injuries as an excuse, it has become clear the Patriots are not as potent on offense, nor are they as rigid on defense, without several key personnel on the field. Maybe that explains the apparent willingness to try some different things, even though the execution with some of those play calls has been lacking.
For instance, with a 14-0 lead on the Eagles in the 2nd quarter, the rugby-style pooch-kick from Nate Ebner surprised just about everyone at Gillette Stadium – except the Eagles.
"I just tried to put it into space and make it an element of surprise," Ebner told the media afterward, "but they were prepared for what we threw at them and credit to the Eagles for reacting so quickly to that one."
Spot-on observation. But the Patriots didn't seem prepared for the Eagles' reaction, taking the ball with a short field and moving 59 yards in eight plays while barely breaking a sweat. The entire sequence put some starch in Philadelphia's shirts, while taking the wind out of New England's sails.
Again, it's not the attempt at something new and different that's the problem, it's the execution of the new and different. And with different players at some of the key positions, as there have been on special teams, offense and defense, "doing your job" can take on an entirely new meaning.
Ever tried carving something with a dull knife? Things can get difficult, and end up messy.
Once the ball started rolling in Philadelphia's direction, it was hard to stop. A blocked punt returned for a touchdown? A punt return for a touchdown? A 99-yard interception return for another touchdown? Come on, who can make this up? These big plays were a perfect example of how quickly momentum can swing, and then steamroll you before you know what hit you.
Without familiarity in place, without regulars who have the experienced edge to step up and stop the madness, it's harder to keep your own momentum from moving in another direction. Like backwards. Perhaps sticking with what brought you to a 10-0 start is the way to go, until the cavalry arrives?
"We don't need to start to draw up stuff in the dirt or think of a whole new way to play here," Devin McCourty told reporters in the locker room. "We've won plenty of games, we've just got to play better. It was too many bad plays to overcome. It's crazy to think in a game like this where we're down by so much that we still gave ourselves a chance to win the game (at the end)."
That much is true. It was also true in Denver. But being close only counts in horseshoes and hand-grenades, not on the football field.
Time to F-and-F. File and forget. Time to figure out just who these current Patriots are. Recent history tells us there's still time to sharpen up, and carve a few turkeys before the holidays.
Special teams need special attention
If you're going to nitpick, you've got to start with special teams. Or in Sunday's case, the not-so-special teams.
Normally an area of strength, there was utter failure in the kicking game – a blocked punt returned for a touchdown, a punt return runback for another score, and the attempt at the onside "pooch" kick recovered by the Eagles that started a scoring stretch of an unprecedented 35 straight points.
That had never happened in the Bill Belichick-era. You've got to go back to 1993 to find a time when an opponent slapped 35 unanswered points on the Patriots.
Give credit to Philadelphia for displaying the ability to make plays for themselves in this area. They traditionally have strong play on special teams. But so do the Patriots – and this is two straight weeks for the special teams to open the floodgates for the other guys, after Chris Harper's muffed punt return at Denver.
It's time to take a closer look at the "how" and the "what." Maybe even the "who."
Has a case of the "drops" returned?
Having already worked its way through the receiving corps earlier this season, has a case of the drops returned to the offense?
TE Scott Chandler did come up with a couple of big receptions (four total), including one for a touchdown. But in seven Tom Brady targets pointed his way, two of those were drops, including one on the final drive that could have put the Patriots in a better position to potentially tie the game.
Brandon LaFell, plagued by the drops in his 2015 debut, and even Danny Amendola managed to get their hands on Brady passes their way, but couldn't hold them. By this count, there were 10 catchable balls that were not caught by New England receivers.
Brady did catch a 36-yarder from Amendola during the comeback attempt, but the Patriots "dropped" that chance after an interception on the next play by the Eagles' Byron Maxwell.
No flags for Philly's quick starts
Let's get this straight – in no way did the officiating cause the Patriots to lose to Philadelphia.
But you've got to wonder what in the world Referee Pete Morelli's crew was looking at in the trenches during several key moments? On at least a half-dozen plays, it appeared Philly's offensive tackles (Jason Peters and Lane Johnson) pulled up too quickly, prior to QB Sam Bradford getting the snap.
If this can be observed with a naked eye from an announce booth (mine), and by hundreds in the Gillette Stadium stands (as Twitter was a-flutter with complaints during the game), you've got to wonder what constitutes illegal procedure.
Morelli's crew was pulled from the Sunday night game this week because of mistakes made last week, and assigned to New England instead.
Refs criticized in Payton's place
Officiating has been under fire throughout the NFL, not just in New England. In the New Orleans-Carolina game Sunday, Saints head coach Sean Payton said he wouldn't comment on the job of the officials.
Then, he did.
"I told myself before coming in here, I was not going to comment on the officiating," Payton told reporters, according to Jeff Duncan of The New Orleans Times-Picayune. But he then pointed out the officiating crew missed plays in which the Panthers had 12 men on the field.
"It happened twice," Payton said, while adding "they're getting that right on Friday nights."
His reference to high school officials calling games on Fridays notwithstanding, it might be time for the NFL to wise up, and take a serious look at the rule book. Or, the officials' interpretation of the rule book.
Time for the riot act from Mr. Kraft?
It was interesting to note the post-game comments from Philly linebacker Najee Goode, who returned a blocked punt for a touchdown in the Eagles' 35-28 win at Gillette Stadium. Goode told reporters that owner Jeffrey Lurie "fired up" the locker room prior to kickoff.
"He had a fire under his ass, and he lit a fire under our ass," is what Goode said, according to ESPN.com.
NFL history buffs may recall Lurie made an attempt to purchase the Patriots – or at least a share of the team – more than 20 years ago before buying the Eagles. He told ESPN "this was a big win for our team and our franchise...the NFL is all about playing with anger and this team played angry today."
He has a point. And while I can't imagine Patriots' owner Robert Kraft is terribly pleased with his team's performance on Sunday, should he be ready to unload on his own locker room?
Best guess here is – he won't need to.
John Rooke is an author and award-winning broadcaster, and is in his 23rd year as the Patriots' stadium voice. Currently serving in several media capacities – which include hosting "Patriots Playbook" on Patriots.com Radio – Rooke has broadcast college football and basketball locally and nationally for 27 seasons and is a member of the *Rhode Island Radio Hall of Fame. *
Follow him on Twitter* - @JRbroadcaster*
View from Above: The time to begin again has arrived
The season is here, even if only in pre-preseason form…Gostkowski's return…and JR says an opener against the Browns would be must-see TV…
View from Above: The case for a Parcells Hall call
John Rooke makes the case for Bill Parcells to be in the Patriots Hall of Fame and gives a glimpse inside the nomination process.
View from Above: New rules, but are we April fools?
The new rule on reviewing pass interference isn't all it's cracked up to be. It might actually lead to more trouble ahead...
View from Above: Perhaps we'll be 'Gronked' again?
We've all been Gronked, and we may yet be again...plus JR says new rules may rule the day at the NFL owners' meetings...
View from Above: Don't get too frenzied over free agency
Frenzy? Never fear, Patriots are clear...Coach Scar's impact...and JR says going out on top just got new meaning...
View from Above: Making sense out of pure nonsense
It's the silly season, for a few days at least…Patriot priorities are in place…and JR says the Raiders' sideshow is just getting started…
View from Above: Uneasy are the feelings at this time of year
Take the Combine with a grain of salt...the real work has already started...and JR says to be ready for new names to come, and familiar names to go...
View from Above: The NFL Combine, a dear friend leaves us too soon
Men in tights doesn't titillate the senses and a good one leaves us too soon.
View from Above: To sign, to tag, and equality for all
The Kaepernick question…to tag or not to tag…and JR says the NBA is looking to football, and the Patriots, as examples of winning through equality…
View from Above: Patriots producing their own 'Miami moments'
The 1972 Miami Dolphins were the first to accomplish two historical markers, but JR says they're now the last in one significant way…
View from Above: Getting defensive about America's nightmare
Getting defensive…nitpicking is our nature…and JR says the Pats make a case for being the best, ever…
View from Above: Still Here - and the meaning behind the mantras
Still Here…Do Your Job…No Days Off? JR says there's actual meaning behind those catch-phrases…


Coloured in deep navy blues with red and white detailing, this duvet cover set features a sophisticated dobby design bringing a unique tufted texture to the fabric. Crafted from 100% cotton, the set is soft and of high quality and comes with housewife pillowcase/s included.
Dobby 100% Cotton Navy Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set is rated 1.5 out of 5 by 2.
Rated 1 out of 5 by Laura F from Awful! Very thin and although not apparent or stated the pattern is only on one side of the duvet, the other side is a very thin black fabrics. Had to return the item. Awful quality, do not buy.


text:
Twitter, Facing Challenges, May Soon Be For Sale
Rumors that Twitter could be acquired have been swirling for years, but they may finally come true.
By Tom Brant
https://www.pcmag.com/news/twitter-facing-challenges-may-soon-be-for-sale
Twitter is having a bit of an identity crisis. It has manifested itself in little ways, like the recent reclassification of Twitter's iOS app from "social networking" to "news." Ahead of this week's board meeting, though, it could be going deeper: the entire company could soon be up for sale, Recode reports.
Citing sources within the company, Recode recounted rumors of layoffs and restructuring—including the possible spin offs of units like Vine—that could make the company more attractive to potential buyers. The board meets Thursday, when it is expected to "consider the right options" when it comes to its future as an independent company, according to co-founder and board member Evan Williams.
In addition to considering decisions that will change the foundation of the company, Twitter also has to grapple with stagnant user growth and engagement. A significant portion of Twitter accounts, as high as 44 percent according to one third-party estimate, appear to be abandoned without sending a single tweet.
Twitter doesn't disclose how many active accounts it has, but Bloomberg in June estimated that it has fewer than 140 million daily active users. That's fewer than the 150 million people who use Snapchat every day, and far less than Facebook's 1.13 billion daily active users.
So who might want to buy Twitter? If it emerges from its identity crisis as the news organization it appears to want to be, potential acquirers would likely include other media companies. Recode identified Rupert Murdoch's News Corp as one potential contender. A Google acquisition is also a possibility—both Murdoch and Google have been rumored to be interested in the company since at least 2009.
Twitter Wants You to Make Money From Videos
A Twitter spokesperson did not immediatley respond to a request for comment on whether its board is considering a sale.
Pending Facebook Class-Action Suit in UK Claims $3.15B in Damages
By Rob Pegoraro
The Best Video Dating Apps for 2022
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By Jordan Minor & Karl Klockars
About Tom Brant
Tom is the deputy managing editor of the Hardware team at PCMag.com. He has covered the consumer tech world as an editor, reporter, and analyst since 2015. In his spare time, he's written on topics as diverse as Borneo's rain forests, Middle Eastern airlines, and Big Data's role in presidential elections. A graduate of Middlebury College, Tom also has a master's degree in journalism and French Studies from New York University.
Read the latest from Tom Brant
New Apple MacBook Pro May Not Charge When Turned Off
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New MacBook Pros Can Hide the Notch, at the Cost of Screen Real Estate
First Tests: Are the Apple M1 Pro and M1 Max Good for Gaming?
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Poor play on the road has been holding the Phoenix Coyotes back. A trip to Honda Center, though, could give them a spark.
The Coyotes look to hand the Anaheim Ducks their fourth straight home loss and take sole possession of second place in the Pacific Division when the teams continue their season series Sunday night.
Though it is 6-10-3 on the road, Phoenix (19-15-5) is making a run at its first playoff appearance in seven years. The Coyotes won their last road game, 2-1 against Los Angeles on Dec. 26, and appear to have a good chance to win consecutive games away from Jobing.com Arena for the first time this season.
Anaheim (19-15-5) has lost three straight at Honda Center for the second time this season, going 0-2-1. The Ducks haven't lost four in a row at home since a six-game skid (0-4-2) in November 2005.
Anaheim is 10-8-3 at home on the season, losing its first contest there 4-2 to Phoenix on Oct. 12. These teams are tied for second place in the Pacific with 43 points.
Honda Center isn't the only place the Ducks have struggled of late, losing five of their last six (1-3-2) overall. Anaheim fell 5-4 at home in a shootout to Philadelphia on Friday night.
"When you score four goals in a hockey game you expect to win," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. "But if we can bottle this intensity, this emotion, this energy and continue to play at this level, we'll make some great strides."
The Niedermayer brothers helped lead Anaheim to a strong effort on offense.
It was a milestone night for Anaheim captain Scott Niedermayer, who was credited with his 500th regular-season assist. It came on his brother Rob Niedermayer's ninth goal of the season.
Andrew Ebbett scored his first NHL goal on his 26th birthday, and Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf each had a goal and an assist for the Ducks.
Ebbett was playing in his ninth NHL game and sixth since getting called up from the minors because of an injury to Teemu Selanne.
"We've been working on getting shots to the net and getting two or three guys in front for rebounds," Ebbett said. "It was pretty exciting. It's a good feeling to get that first one over with and not have to worry about it anymore."
Phoenix is also coming off one of its best offensive games of the season, beating the New York Islanders 5-4 on Friday night.
Shane Doan and Olli Jokinen both scored, Zbynek Michalek had a goal and an assist, and Viktor Tikhonov and Joakim Lindstrom each added unassisted goals for the Coyotes.
"It's pucks and people to the net," Doan said. "We've got a lot to do yet and it's something that's a process and we'll be better at it."
Phoenix has lost in regulation twice in its last 12 games, going 7-2-3.
The Coyotes are expected to get No. 1 goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov back for this game after he missed two straight contests with a sore back. Bryzgalov is 4-1-1 with a 2.06 goals-against average in six games versus Anaheim.


John Moffat was born in Glasgow on 4 June 1935. He was educated at Beath High School, Cowdenbeath, Fife, and he studied at Edinburgh University where he obtained a First Class Classics degree (M.A.) in 1956, before he went to Corpus Christi College, Oxford. He was called to the English Bar (Lincoln's Inn) in 1962. For two years he did work relating to India at the Commonwealth Relations Office and then in 1964 he became a Lecturer in the Department of Public Law at Edinburgh University. In 1973 he became a Senior Lecturer. John Moffat was killed in an accident in Stuttgart, Germany on 31 July 1973.


To date, the histology and general pathology bachelor courses have been characterized by classrooms full of dual-view microscopes, each with a secondary ocular for the teacher, together with boxes of glass slides. Course administrators had the laborious task of keeping the collections up-to-date. At a college where 120 students are often taught simultaneously, generating the required sections for each student from relevant tissue samples can be challenging, and providing specimens from small biopsies illustrating rare conditions is almost impossible. In addition to this, cleaning and servicing the microscopes is expensive.
As a practical consideration, teachers often had to provide one-to-one tuition with students at their microscope with the teacher using the secondary ocular. This decreased the time spent instructing the rest of the class and reduced overall teaching efficiency significantly.,,,,,, In addition, these one-to-one sessions demonstrated that many students were unable to obtain an image on their microscope and also found it difficult to locate relevant areas on their slides.
At UCPH, coursework is presented either as lectures or as lessons with classrooms of up to 24 students. For general pathology and histology, the classroom lessons focus on studying specimens using microscopy. Because lecture notes and other resources were previously not available online, the students had to attend all the lectures and lessons or alternatively rely on textbooks. Therefore, the students were restricted in their approach to learn the curriculum.
We considered this arrangement as a very static approach that did not take modern theories on education into account. The idea of converting this rather rigid educational process into one which was more flexible, providing each student with more freedom to interact individually with the curriculum, arose with the introduction of whole slide imaging scanners. In addition, recent software- and internet-based methods had demonstrated the suitability of live streaming movie clips for teaching and how e-learning initiatives could be used to show short movie clips while lecturers provided a commentary on specific subjects.
We wanted to develop a dynamic and easy-to-use platform that was focused on optimizing education in histology and pathology for the benefit of future clinicians. This solution had to be user-friendly for both students and their educators and needed to be available 24 h-a-day to all users. Critically, the platform had to ensure that teaching, curriculum, and examination objectives were all aligned. This manuscript explains our approach and the considerations that led to the implementation of the digital microscopy learning platform called VIRMIK (an acronym for virtuel mikroskopi, which is "virtual microscopy" in Danish) for all bachelor's degree studies at UCPH's Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.
For the last decade, the general pathology course has included three distinct elements, each with different learning goals. These elements are lectures, microscopy lessons with one teacher per 24 students wherein selected microscopy specimens are scrutinized, and case studies with one teacher per 24 students wherein theory from the lectures are combined with information from textbooks, microscopy, and clinical information [Table 1].
Teaching resources are increasingly digital and the computer has become central to learning. Several specific e-learning platforms have been developed that support conventional face-to-face teaching methods involving teachers and students. One of the challenges for including e-learning platforms in a curriculum is to ensure that the teaching, the curriculum, and the concluding examination can all be aligned. Therefore, it was critical that the IT platform selected could be applied to all these study elements.
Constructing a website for the digital microscopy of human tissue specimens was considered the most important activity. Once the website was established, microscopy could be used to teach all elements of the courses. It could be used in the microscopy classes, during the lectures and case studies, and it could also be used for examinations. The examinations would be able to pose real microscopy questions, even in test rooms not equipped with conventional microscopes. This would make the questions more realistic than questions using still photos. The goal was to create a system that was compatible with a variety of modalities, including two- and three-dimensional macroscopic images of organs, ultrasound, X-ray, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging images. We would then have a system capable of presenting all imaging modalities relevant for each particular case.
A pilot project using whole-slide scans made by a Mirax Midi Scanner (3DHistech Ltd., Budapest, Hungary) was initiated in 2006. Slides were chosen from the existing tissue collection used in the pathology courses and scanned at ×20 magnification. The scanned slides were stored on local computer hard drives and individual files copied to all the teaching computers. The students could retain a copy of the scanned slides on their personal flash drives.
Because the images were stored locally, it was not possible to save annotations (i.e. markings of interest) on the scanned files, although the slides could be annotated individually on each teacher's workstation.
Virtual microscopy could not be used in the examination rooms because the slides could not be stored on the central examination server. Therefore, still photos of the digital slides were used in the examination questions. This was the first step toward introducing images of histopathological changes into a written examination setting at UCPH. The next step was to upload software compatible with the Mirax scanner file format (Mirax Viewer – later called Pannoramic Viewer; 3DHistech Ltd.) onto the examination room server, allowing the relevant digital microscopy slide files to be uploaded centrally and the students to perform virtual microscopy during the examination. It remained difficult to include annotations, limiting the scope of the examination questions that could be asked.
A Windows 2008 Server virtualized using VMware, and MIRAX server software supporting the.mrxs digital slide format were installed. A VPN connection was used to upload digital slides to the server, making uploading very slow. The Mirax Viewer had to be installed manually on each workstation to access the digital slides stored on the server.
After conducting the pilot study, which was received positively by both students and teachers, we developed a system that could be applied to all courses that included microscopy. This required the purchase of digital microscopy viewing software for the server, which could be used as part of a general system for distributing image files across the university campus network. This system was named VIRMIK, an acronym of virtuel mikroskopi, which is "virtual microscopy" in Danish.
Accessible at any time and location to anyone with a university user account and internet connection.
To optimize the flexibility of the system, it had to be able to support all slide scanner image formats. This included z-stack slide scanning where the focus is optimized in multiple planes to show cellular details at different depths. Other image formats, including two- and three-dimensional macroscopic images, and radiology images also had to be supported as these may be used in teaching.
Shared repositories were established that could be accessed without specific setup requirements. As for all other portals linked to the faculty servers, access to these repositories was restricted to persons with a faculty user account.
Although some classrooms are equipped with built-in desktop computers or laptops, teaching at the faculty is based on students bringing their own devices [Figure 1]. The faculty has only minimal influence on what devices the students bring to campus, and so the system had to be accessible using all computer formats and platforms, including Windows-, iOS-, and Android-based computers, smartphones, and tablets. The Irish company PathXL was chosen from a shortlist of suitable system providers, and the VIRMIK platform has been developed and optimized for use at UCPH since 2012.
The VIRMIK service was built using a number of virtual Windows servers and VMware, which is the industry standard. The design included distributed file system (DFS) links that enable users to upload slides from a domain PC using standard internet browsers. For security reasons, the Faculty servers are located on a protected network with no direct user access, so a DFS link was used to access the repository storing the digital slides. User administration is based on a Windows domain active directory structure [Figure 2].
Each department and research group has its own operating methods. The VIRMIK service was divided into a number of Topics (i.e., subjects), and for each topic three different levels of user were established: Slide owners, instructors, and students. All published slides can be viewed by anyone with a valid university user account and an internet connection, and there is no need to be connected to the campus network.
The following is a brief technical description of how the service was set up: A database server was separated from the main web server to enhance the system's performance, and the slide scanners were connected to two image hubs. One web server was set up for presentations and required user login details via Microsoft Active Directory [Figure 2]. All servers were virtual and based on a vSphere platform. The database server, image hubs, and other resources differed in processing power and memory size. The web server was capable of accommodating login spikes, which occur at the beginning of examinations when approximately 250 students may login simultaneously. For security reasons the server network is separated into different security zones. All alterations to the system followed the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL; version 3; AXELOS, London, UK) changes model. A more detailed description is available upon request.
Snapshot copies of all system servers are made four times per day, including a backup of all scanned slides. In addition, "long-term" copies are made to a backup site once-daily.
The VIRMIK platform currently supports whole slide image files from the Mirax scanner (.mrxs-format) in addition to the.ndpi-format provided by the Hamamatsu NanoZoomer (Hamamatsu, Hamamatsu City, Japan), the. czi format from the Zeiss Axio Scan (Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH, Jena, Germany), and the. vsi-format generated by the Olympus VS120 scanner (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan).
For the general pathology course, explanatory text and annotations are provided for each digital slide. The text is positioned alongside the corresponding slide thumbnail, allowing students to read the relevant information before viewing the microscope slide. The explanatory text provides comprehensive background information, making it easier for students to prepare for lessons. The annotations describe normal structures, providing information on the healthy tissue, and they also highlight abnormal structures to help the students identify histopathological changes. Examples of the explanatory text and annotations are provided in [Figure 3].
To make it easier for both students and teachers to navigate the large collection of microscope specimens, each general pathology topic is subdivided into folders containing the material for each of the microscopy lessons. Teachers can make their own folders when preparing lessons and copy existing slides into these new folders, generating new explanatory text and annotations as necessary.
The digital slides have been used successfully in examinations. They can be used in different ways to test the students' knowledge, and several examples of this are provided below. Testing can include formative and/or summative assessments, and both can be accommodated by the VIRMIK setup.
The Microscopic and Macroscopic Anatomy course examination previously included a theory assessment based on describing microscope specimens, questions on macroanatomy, and a spot test. The spot test used 12 microscopes, each with two specimens. The students were given 3 min at each microscope to make a diagnosis and answer specific questions that might include naming a particular cell type shown, for example. Because this spot test was an oral exam, it was time-consuming and a drain on resources. Using the digital specimens has meant it is now possible to include the spot test in the written examination by replacing annotation text with specific questions. The students log into VIRMIK in a shielded mode allowing them to see only the specimens selected for that particular examination.
In general pathology, the written examination includes seven or eight essay questions and ten multiple choice questions, each with five possible answers. The essay questions focus on microscopy, theory and the link between microscopy, theory, and their clinical application. Microscope slides taken from two of the four major general pathology topics are supplied. With the new system, the two digital slide images can be selected from the teaching collection and annotations highlighting specific areas for the students to name or discuss may be added. These annotations can be different from the explanatory annotations used in the teaching slide set.
Including the digital slides in examinations has enabled testing to become more flexible and consistent with teaching in the classroom. Because the technology used during classroom teaching and examinations is identical, the students can learn how to perform microscopy using a single method.
The VIRMIK platform ensures that students can revise at home exactly what they have been taught in the classroom. In addition, in the general pathology course, short quizzes based on PathXL's online test platform are provided for students to test their knowledge. These tests use the VIRMIK specimens and annotations presented in the classroom. One quiz tests the students' ability to pan and zoom in on a specimen with questions that require a broad understanding of how a tissue might change, while other tests are based on screenshots of annotations of all 63 digital specimens. The questions are multiple choice, and each has five possible answers to choose from.
These are not preexamination tests but are designed to supplement practical classroom teaching, lectures, and case studies. Each student's score is reset when they log out allowing them to take the test before, during, and after a particular subject has been taught. As a result, they provide a type of formative testing in contrast to the summative assessments used during final examinations.
Implementing the VIRMIK digital microscopy platform meant that teachers and students had to adapt to a novel teaching platform and new equipment as well as changes in the curriculum. In addition, classrooms had to be renovated to support the new teaching methods. High definition monitors, touch boards, and color- and light-sensitive projectors optimized for showing microscopic tissue images all had to be installed. Computers and internet connections had to be upgraded to allow many students to perform virtual microscopy at the same time, as often more than 100 students may be using the wireless LAN and VIRMIK systems simultaneously.
The transition from conventional microscopy and boxed glass slide collections was accomplished in different ways. Some course leaders chose to scan their existing slide collection directly, copying the entire course. This was the approach chosen by the organ histology course. The general pathology course leaders took the opportunity to renew their specimen collections and update the content of their microscopy lessons.
It also became possible to include rare specimens that could not be produced as 120 duplicate slides using the previous individual slide preparation method. As a result, it was now possible to include immunoreactions and specimens of small structures that were not big enough to produce the number of sections required in the past.
Positive feedback from students using the virtual microscopy platform meant that the technology was introduced gradually to other courses. This often involved retaining the option of analog microscopy alongside the implementation of the new digital technology. This fostered a smooth transition, enabling course directors to assess feedback and ensure all teachers were comfortable using the novel digital platform.
The general pathology course administrators conducted surveys to assess student perceptions of the digital teaching platform and these included specific questions on virtual microscopy (unpublished data). All of the feedback was positive, with students emphasizing the easy access to the teaching resources and the flexibility that the 24-h VIRMIK platform affords. The fact that students no longer needed to attend physical microscopy study halls that had restricted opening hours was repeatedly pointed out. The explanatory text and annotations alongside each virtual microscope slide provide a better overview of the syllabus and a good basis for notetaking, according to some students. This highlights the benefit of presenting virtual microscopy specimens with explanatory text and annotations as teaching-support elements.
In 2012, the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences was established as the result of a merger within the university between the medical faculty, the pharmaceutical faculty, and the School of Veterinary Medicine. A new plan for teaching and education was launched that included a focus on better use of information technology. One aim was to facilitate digital testing, and it was decided to create a digital version of all existing histological samples so these could be used in examinations. During the initial phase and the transitional period (2010–2012), the resources required were approximately 1.5 full-time equivalent (FTE), and the capital expenditure was approximately 700,000 DKK. After the transition, the resources allocated to the new system and early online support were reduced to 0.6 FTE and approximately 800,000 DKK per year.
Over the following 2 years, all medical teaching using histological samples was transformed from microscope-based technology to virtual, digital technology. As expected, the investment in new technology was offset by significant reductions in course running costs. The VIRMIK system has subsequently been introduced to the veterinary medicine and odontology teaching programs without significant additional investment.
An additional consideration was the greater flexibility and utility of classrooms that the new system afforded. When analog microscopes were no longer needed in these classrooms, more of them became available for pathology and histology teaching.
At UCPH's Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, study programs are administered by Faculty staff and directed by the dean. A full study program includes a collection of topics constituting a bachelor's and master's degree. The faculty currently has six full study programs in addition to six 2-year MSc programs and six 2-year professional master's programs. Danish University legislation stipulates that study boards, containing an equal representation from teachers and students, are responsible for defining the curriculum and approving the plans for teaching. With approximately 4000 enrolled students in 2015, medicine constitutes the largest single study program and has approximately 50% of the students enlisted at the faculty.
During the pilot study, VIRMIK was developed by the Department of Biomedical Sciences, which provided the course in general pathology. An IT project leader was assigned by the Faculty IT department and a small steering committee was appointed consisting of the project leader, the head of the IT Department, and course directors from three courses pioneering the use of digital microscopy. In addition, all users of VIRMIK were invited to biannual meetings.
It was essential that the introduction of VIRMIK was supported by the medical studies board because medical students receive the most extensive histology and histopathology teaching. Therefore, results from the VIRMIK pilot phase were presented to the medical studies board, who voted in favor of implementing the program. However, after debating the issue, the study board decided to retain a minimal teaching capacity in using the classical light microscope, restricted to two lectures during the first semester. Accordingly, fifty microscopes were kept and maintained while 125 were removed from service. The Director of Medical Studies coordinated these changes in collaboration with other study program directors from the courses that used light microscopy to ensure that the alterations could be accommodated by affected staff and students.
The transition from conventional to virtual microscopy presented certain challenges for teachers. Both the methods of preparing and delivering lessons changed. However, these changes were generally positive. For example, teachers could now prepare lessons at home on a personal computer without requiring access to an analog microscope. In addition, there was no longer any time-consuming, hands-on microscope work during lessons and this created more time for reviewing specimens with the students.
The VIRMIK system provided a reliable digital platform that enabled each teacher or course director to customize a collection of scanned slide specimens to suit their particular needs. Teachers regarded this flexibility as a very positive aspect of virtual microscopy. However, the positive feedback on VIRMIK, provided by students in their written assessments at the end of each course, was the most significant factor in persuading teachers of the merits of the system.
The explanatory text associated with each image on the system has proved particularly beneficial for new teachers. The VIRMIK texts and annotations have helped to introduce teachers learning the syllabus to the subject matter. Another benefit for teachers is that the VIRMIK platform can exchange images, making it easy to optimize teaching resources and include rare examples of cytology or disease specimens without the need to generate more than 100 samples showing a particular abnormality.
Implementing VIRMIK has also made it easier to integrate new teachers. The explanatory text and annotations have helped these new recruits to understand individual specimens and how they relate to each subtopic and the curriculum as a whole. The clinical aspect of many of the explanatory texts has been particularly beneficial for those learning to teach general pathology without a medical background, as clinical considerations were not part of their academic training.
As described in reports on digital microscopy teaching from other institutions,, 15, ,, the VIRMIK platform has been extremely well received at the faculty. It has quickly become a central element of teaching and the explanatory texts associated with each slide are now included as part of the curriculum together with the course textbooks. These explanatory texts and annotations are invaluable guidelines for new teachers and provide common learning goals for the curriculum, ensuring optimal alignment between the syllabus, teaching, and examinations.
The development and implementation of virtual microscopy at UCPH has encouraged other medical schools in Denmark to use it for teaching undergraduate pathology. In most of these cases, however, less flexible, hosted systems were provided by virtual microscopy software vendors. In addition, virtual microscopy is now being used in the specialized courses that are obligatory for pathology trainees, replacing the boxed slide collections previously distributed by mail.
From the very beginning, students have had a positive view of digital education. For many years, the possibility of providing students with all the information they need electronically has been an idealized concept. However, implementing the digital elements of individual courses remains challenging. One obstacle is teachers, who believe that the traditional teaching methods are best.
With the VIRMIK system, we engaged the students on their own ground, using methods they were familiar with applying for many other purposes. This was certainly one of the reasons for the students' positive attitude toward the digital system. The Faculty gauged each course using student surveys collected immediately after examinations. However, in the general pathology course, an internal survey focusing on issues specific to pathology teaching is also performed. The students complete this survey before their written examinations. This particular survey revealed a very positive attitude toward the VIRMIK system and other electronic initiatives. The positive attitude was reflected in the statement that up to 15% of one semester's students considered pathology as their future career.
The implementation of digital microscopy methods in routine diagnostic pathology is outside the scope of this article, but it is important that medical schools are aware of technological developments likely to occur in the near future and can present these to their students. Digital pathology procedures that include virtual microscopy, the use of databases, and electronic reporting are currently being implemented in a number of pathology departments across the world.,,, Digital pathology methods have already been used for frozen section diagnostics between cooperating hospitals in different locations, for example between a neurosurgical unit in one location and a pathology department in another, as in a recently reported collaboration between units in Toronto and New York.,, This can make it unnecessary for a specialist pathologist to travel from their office at one hospital to the surgical unit at another to assess emergency tissue biopsies during surgery. In the Department of Pathology at Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, digital methods have enabled pathologists working at their homes, in the Netherlands for example, to be employed performing diagnostic pathology via online server connections. In addition, biomarker assessment can be performed using digital image analysis, rapidly providing verifiable, high-quality results for cancer patients. These advances clearly require particular server and scanner configurations, but they do demonstrate the potential of digital pathology and suggest that the health-care system can benefit from investing in early training in its application.
During the last 2 years, digital pathology has significantly advanced toward becoming a routine procedure. For example, medium-sized hospitals in Utrecht and Hengelo in the Netherlands, and in Linköping in Sweden, have replaced conventional microscopy with the digital approach, scanning all their glass slides and storing them on a server accessible to diagnosing pathologists., In other cases, for example, the pathology department at Odense University Hospital in Denmark, scanning is only used for storage and not as part of the initial diagnostic procedure. However, a database of stored images is a valuable resource for comparing fresh biopsies with those assessed earlier in the patient's disease history. The large university hospital pathology department at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen receives more than 95,000 tissue samples (excluding vaginal smears) and produces more than 800,000 glass slides annually. Here, the process of completely replacing conventional microscopy with a virtual system is ongoing and expected to be complete by 2020.
In Denmark, patients have become increasingly interested in accessing their medical and hospital records. This includes tissue specimens removed to make a diagnosis or as part of surgical intervention. It is unlikely to be feasible or prudent to link virtual microscopy specimens to patient files and allow patients to access raw scans. However, allowing patients to see still photos with annotations highlighting diagnostic abnormalities may be a viable alternative. A closer link between patient files and virtual images might benefit clinicians, facilitating a better understanding of the changes that have occurred in individual patients.
Although the details are uncertain, digital platforms that include virtual microscopy will undoubtedly be important for the diagnostic pathologist of the future. As a result, devoting large amounts of resources to sustaining teaching in the use of conventional microscopes is difficult to justify. In cases where three-dimensional aspects of a specimen need to be assessed (e.g., depth in a thick cytological specimen or live microorganisms) conventional microscopy can be taught as part of the specialist training. However, the rapid progress in the technology associated with digital methods over the past few years suggests that future scanners may also be able to meet these requirements.
Paulsen FP, Eichhorn M, Bräuer L. Virtual microscopy – The future of teaching histology in the medical curriculum? Ann Anat 2010;192:378-82.
Sagol Ö, Yörükoglu K, Lebe B, Durak MG, Ulukus Ç, Tuna B, et al. Transition to virtual microscopy in medical undergraduate pathology education:First experience of Turkey in Dokuz Eylül University Hospital. Turk Patoloji Derg 2015;31:175-80.
Dee FR. Virtual microscopy in pathology education. Hum Pathol 2009;40:1112-21.
Tian Y, Xiao W, Li C, Liu Y, Qin M, Wu Y, et al. Virtual microscopy system at Chinese medical university: An assisted teaching platform for promoting active learning and problem-solving skills. BMC Med Educ 2014;14:74.
Bruch LA, De Young BR, Kreiter CD, Haugen TH, Leaven TC, Dee FR. Competency assessment of residents in surgical pathology using virtual microscopy. Hum Pathol 2009;40:1122-8.
Guo H, Birsa J, Farahani N, Hartman DJ, Piccoli A, O'Leary M, et al. Digital pathology and anatomic pathology laboratory information system integration to support digital pathology sign-out. J Pathol Inform 2016;7:23.
Holten-Rossing H, Larsen LG, Toft BG, Loya A, Vainer B. Consultation on urological specimens from referred cancer patients using real-time digital microscopy: Optimizing the workflow. J Pathol Inform 2016;7:11.
Hamilton PW, Wang Y, McCullough SJ. Virtual microscopy and digital pathology in training and education. APMIS 2012;120:305-15.
Kumar RK, Freeman B, Velan GM, De Permentier PJ. Integrating histology and histopathology teaching in practical classes using virtual slides. Anat Rec B New Anat 2006;289:128-33.
Scoville SA, Buskirk TD. Traditional and virtual microscopy compared experimentally in a classroom setting. Clin Anat 2007;20:565-70.
Van Es SL, Kumar RK, Pryor WM, Salisbury EL, Velan GM. Cytopathology whole slide images and adaptive tutorials for postgraduate pathology trainees: A randomized crossover trial. Hum Pathol 2015;46:1297-305.
Helle L, Nivala M, Kronqvist P, Gegenfurtner A, Björk P, Säljö R. Traditional microscopy instruction versus process-oriented virtual microscopy instruction: A naturalistic experiment with control group. Diagn Pathol 2011;6 Suppl 1:S8.
Marsch AF, Espiritu B, Groth J, Hutchens KA. The effectiveness of annotated (vs. non-annotated) digital pathology slides as a teaching tool during dermatology and pathology residencies. J Cutan Pathol 2014;41:513-8.
Krippendorf BB, Lough J. Complete and rapid switch from light microscopy to virtual microscopy for teaching medical histology. Anat Rec B New Anat 2005;285:19-25.
Kumar RK, Velan GM, Korell SO, Kandara M, Dee FR, Wakefield D. Virtual microscopy for learning and assessment in pathology. J Pathol 2004;204:613-8.
Van Es SL, Grassi T, Velan GM, Kumar RK, Pryor W. Inspiring medical students to love pathology. Hum Pathol 2015;46:1408.
Bueno G, Fernández-Carrobles MM, Deniz O, García-Rojo M. New trends of emerging technologies in digital pathology. Pathobiology 2016;83:61-9.
Nap M. Network consumption and storage needs when working in a full-time routine digital environment in a large nonacademic training hospital. Pathobiology 2016;83:110-20.


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The fastest 10 evs to lease
Electric vehicles (EVs) have a massive amount of torque which is available to them instantly, as well as (typically) single-speed reduction-gear transmissions, which makes them feel really fast for acceleration compared to a conventional petrol or diesel car. But, in reality, Electric cars haven't always been that fast when you look at their official on-paper figures… that is, until now.
A horsepower war – or, perhaps more accurately, we should say a 'kilowatt war', given these things run on electric – is erupting in the EV world of the 2020s, resulting in cars with the sort of 0-62mph times and top speeds that would shame an entrant into the 2022 Formula 1 World Championship.
However, rather than this becoming a rundown of megabucks, super-rare hypercars made in double-digit production runs by start-up companies promising 2000hp-plus from their impending EVs, we've tried to keep it real-world with a few rules. And they are these: the car must be on general sale today, or at least have its order books open online; it must cost considerably less than £1 million or have a proposed price tag of less than that figure; and it must be produced in runs of more than 200 units.
To that end, we can't include some of the most mental EV things like Japan's Aspark Owl (0-62mph in 1.69 seconds, £2.5m, 50 to be built), Croatia's Rimac Nevera (1.85secs, £2m, 150 to be built), Italy's Automobili Pininfarina Battista (2.0secs, £2m, 150 to be built) and China's Nio EP9 (2.7secs, £2.5m, 16 to be built), because they're all hyper-rare oddities that won't be available on general leasing deals with Vanarama, natch.
Similarly, we're excluding the incoming Tesla Roadster (0-62mph in 1.9secs), Faraday Future FF91 (2.4secs), Lucid Air (2.5secs), Lotus Evija (less than 3.0secs) and Rivian R1T/R1S (3.0secs), because they're not on sale yet. That's a real pity in the case of the 2000hp Lotus supercar (whose model name is pronounced 'ee-vie-ya'), which looks utterly astounding – but then, its going to be £1.5m when it finally does hit the market, so it fails on that score as well.
Here, then, is a list of the 10 fastest EVs you can lease right now, ranked in terms of their 0-62mph times. Oh, and one final thing: number 10 on this list is actually a tenth-of-a-second slower to 62mph than the already-on-sale BMW iX xDrive50 (4.6secs, and BMW is doing an even-faster M60 version of the iX soon), but as we figured there might be some of you out there who didn't want a German EV or, alternatively, a Tesla, we'd better put something else in the line-up for you to look at!
10. Polestar 2
0-62mph Time: 4.7 seconds Top Speed: 127mph Maximum Power: 408hp Maximum Quoted Driving Range: 292 miles
Cool Scandi styling, a marvellous and minimalist interior, and decent handling with the Performance Pack means this twin-motor, all-wheel-drive Polestar 2 is a proper piece of speedy kit. With a 78kWh battery pack onboard, you even get a quoted 1-shot range approaching 300 miles, which means you don't pay for performance with limited usability. Understated EV brilliance from the Swedes, this.
9. Audi E-Tron S Sportback
Available in standard SUV format or this more rakish Sportback machine, the Audi E-Tron's ultimate incarnation is the S, taking its name from the German company's fabled line of 'S' performance cars of the past. It has all of Audi's indisputable desirability mixed in, but bear in mind that the E-Tron S only makes its maximum 503hp for a mere 8 seconds of 'overboost' driving, while you also have to sacrifice some range to have this sort of all-weather performance – the Sportback will only go a maximum of 223 miles on a single charge. Still, its fast and it's stylish, and its capable of 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds, so the Audi E-Tron S wholeheartedly deserves its place on this elite list.
8. BMW i4 M50
Watch our Mark's brilliant video review of this car and he'll tell you this is the best pound-for-pound EV on the market right now. And he's not wrong. Aside from its questionable front-end looks, there's little to dislike about the BMW i4 M50 and plenty to love. Like an interior that's one of the best in the business, or handling that's properly engaging and fun – like all good BMWs, electric or otherwise, should be. Furthermore, the range is in excess of 300 miles on a charge and, if anything, we'd say its 3.9-second 0-62mph time feels on the conservative side. This thing is dementedly rapid, no doubt about it.
7. Ford Mustang Mach-E GT
No Ford Mustang Mach-E is what you'd call slow, but until the GT turned up, the fastest model available (the AWD Extended Range) could only just crack 6 seconds for 0-62mph with its 351hp powertrain. The GT, however, changes all that. Power rises to a healthy yet not-out-of-this-world 487hp, but it's the torque you want to keep an eye on – fully 860Nm of the stuff. That means Ford's all-wheel-drive Mach-E GT finally lives up to its Mustang billing, with a 3.7-second 0-62mph sprint. Not only that, but a massive 98.7kWh gross, 88kWh net battery means the ultra-Mustang-EV will go up to 310 miles on a single charge.
6. Mercedes-AMG EQS 53
We're still waiting for this one to land but order books are open for what is going to be, at the end of the day, a £155,000 car in basic format. Yikes! However, its the first Mercedes 'EQ' electric vehicle to have the touch of the German marque's performance arm AMG bestowed upon it, which results in 2 distinct models. The Touring version has a 658hp/950Nm dual-motor AWD set-up, resulting in 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 137mph. Plenty fast enough, you might think. However, opt for the Night Edition with the AMG Performance Package and those output numbers increase to 761hp/1020Nm, which coincides with a reduction in the 0-62mph time to a searing 3.4 seconds. For something so massive, that's incredible, and better yet the gigantic 108kWh battery pack on the EQS 53 means up to 358 driving miles on just 1 charge of its lithium-ion cells.
5. Audi RS E-Tron GT
Another of Mark's favourite high-end EVs, the Audi E-Tron GT is a different machine to the Audi E-Tron, as the latter is an SUV whereas the car we're looking at here is a swoopy saloon-coupe-type-thing. The regular GT is fast, but the appellation of the letters 'RS' to its model nameplate takes things to another level. Power rises to 646hp, enough for a 3.3-second 0-62mph time with Launch Control and a top speed that has to be limited to 155mph. Naturally, as the E-Tron GT is based on the underpinnings of the Porsche Taycan (see further down this list), the Audi has been capped at power and performance levels slightly below those of the ultimate Porsche EV (the Turbo S) for wider VW Group marketing reasons, but in recompense the RS E-Tron GT is cheaper to lease or buy than the Taycan Turbo S in the first place, it has a softer suspension setting for better long-distance comfort, and it'll also go further on a charge of its massive 93.4kWh gross battery pack – up to 283 miles in 1 hit.
4. Tesla Model 3 Performance
Tesla is a company which specialises in EVs – indeed, this American disruptor is the brand which has changed the game for electric cars in the 21st century. It therefore dominates the top positions on this list with cars like this, the Dual-Motor AWD Tesla Model 3 Performance. With a whopping 562hp and an equally whopping battery pack, you get the best of both worlds with this EV – speed and long-legged cruising, as it will do 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds, a V-max of 162mph and up to 340 miles of driving on a single charge of its battery (if you can resist its motors' massive power). The only thing to note here is that while the Model 3 might look like a practical hatchback, its boot in truth opens like that of a saloon car, so don't go expecting SUV-like levels of family usability from it.
3. Porsche Taycan Turbo S
Probably the most technically accomplished car on this list and something of a dream EV, the king of the wider Porsche Taycan family is the 4-door Turbo S saloon. Sure, the German outfit does different versions of its halo EV, like the off-roading Cross Turismo estate and the more road-biased Sport Turismo wagon too. But for the ultimate in speed, you need the 'regular' Turbo S. It delivers a colossal 761hp in Launch Control mode and backs that up with 1050Nm of torque, which – channelled through all 4 wheels via 2 motors and 2 different gearboxes – means 0-62mph in just 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 162mph. Best thing is, the Taycan's advanced 800-volt architecture means it can do repeated, ultra-rapid 0-62mph runs again and again and again, when many of its rivals' performance will fade away after a few fast starts. About the only thing going against the Porsche, which also looks tremendous and has one of the all-time great interiors, is that the Taycan Turbo S doesn't have the greatest 1-shot driving range in the world at a theoretical maximum of 261 miles.
2. Tesla Model X Plaid
0-62mph Time: 2.6 seconds Top Speed: 163mph Maximum Power: 1020hp Maximum Quoted Driving Range: 333 miles
First up in Tesla's total lockout of the top of the podium for the fastest EVs of 2022 is the preposterous Tesla Model X Plaid. Not only is this behemoth a 7-seat family SUV with those super-funky Falcon Wing doors, but its latest powertrain arrangement now blesses it with more than 1000hp. That means an outrageous 0-62mph time of 2.6 seconds is on the cards, yet a 100kWh battery means the Tesla will still do 333 miles on a single charge. Oh, and the name 'Plaid'? Its from Tesla founder Elon Musk's favourite movie, the 1980s sci-fi spoof Spaceballs. In it, the villains engage 'Ludicrous Speed' on their spaceship at one point and, prior to this model's launch, all Teslas had a Ludicrous Mode in their drive settings in homage to this movie sequence. Well, going further, the Spaceballs' ship then 'goes to plaid' (the American word for 'tartan', oddly enough) in the film as its going so fast, so… now you know why this bonkers EV SUV is called the Model X Plaid.
1. Tesla Model S Plaid
0-62mph Time: Less than 1.99 seconds Top Speed: 200mph Maximum Power: 1020hp Maximum Quoted Driving Range: 396 miles
Take the monstrous tri-motor arrangement from the Tesla Model X Plaid and install it in a lower, lighter, more aerodynamic saloon shape, and what have you got? Well, what you've got is the fastest EV you can lay your hands on right now. The Tesla Model S Plaid punches the same 1020hp into its tyres as the Model X, only it'll apparently crack 2 seconds for a 0-62mph run… and it goes on to 200mph as well, rather than a 'mere' 163mph. Its a win-win on driving range too, because the same 100kWh battery pack will reputedly take the Tesla Model S Plaid the best part of 400 miles on a single charge. So there you have it – if you want the fastest EV and one of the current crop with the best range, then you'll be needing this Model S Plaid.
The Fastest 10 Electric Cars 2023
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Whale Bay, Antarctica No. 4, 84x144, 2016 (reproduction)
Zaria Forman
December 20 – January 15
24-hour window installation (galleries closed)
Peggy Weil
In Human Time, the first exhibition of the Climate Museum, explored intersections of polar ice, humanity, and time through installations of work by Zaria Forman and Peggy Weil. The poles of the Earth can seem implacably vast, unchangeable and forbidding. But every week of climate news confirms that polar ice, far from invulnerable, is profoundly affected by human activity. How does this contradiction between invulnerability and fragility reflect on us? What does polar ice tell us about ourselves?
Zaria Forman's installation included a reproduction of Whale Bay, Antarctica, No. 4, 84x144, 2016 and a time-lapse video depicting the process of making the work. The original work is in private collection, and the reproduction was displayed courtesy of Winston Wächter Fine Art, Seattle WA. Watch a 20 second video of the installation here.
88 Cores, shown for the first time as part of this exhibition, is a film that descends two miles through the Greenland Ice Sheet in one continuous pan going back more than 110,000 years in time. Still images of the ice cores were also on display. The installation was accompanied in the hallway outside by artifacts and media offering context on ice core science and the Arctic.
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The great easter bake Off in P1-3 . . .
Sunflowers – The boys and girls in P1 and P2 planted lots of seeds over the past few weeks. Here they are with their sunflowers shoots.
The children in P1 and P2 have been learning about STRANGER DANGER! JUST SAY NO!
Mrs Johnston, World Champion Bowler called in to be interviewed by the children in P1 and P2. The children were learning about famous people from Bellaghy.


START – Jameis Winston, Buccaneers (vs. 49ers) Believe it or not, Buccaneers quarterbacks rank second to only Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in fantasy production. Winston gets the starting nod this week, facing a 49ers defense that ranks 21st in Football Outsiders' DVOA and 23rd in 4for4's schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed (aFPA) to quarterbacks. Tampa Bay's team total of 30.5 points is the highest on the Sunday slate as well. We know Winston is prone to turnovers, but he gets a great matchup at home with a full complement of weapons. Fire him up.
SIT – Philip Rivers, Chargers (vs. Cardinals) Rivers will be tough to bench, considering he has a great floor in having thrown at least two touchdowns in every game this year, but with the Chargers being 11.5-point home favorites, there's pause for concern on his volume. The Chargers' team total of 27.5 points would have you thinking to go with Rivers, but the Cardinals' weakness is their run defense. They rank fifth in pass DVOA and second in aFPA to quarterbacks, so this could end up being a huge Melvin Gordon spot with Rivers having a modest day.
START – Nick Chubb, Browns (at Bengals) Chubb is coming off of his best game as a pro, shredding the Falcons for 209 total yards and two touchdowns. Now he'll square off against a Bengals defense that ranks dead last in rush DVOA and 30th in aFPA to running backs. We just watched the Bengals surrender 265 rushing yards to the Ravens. Don't let the 21.5-point team total or the road underdog label for the Browns deter you -- Chubb will get his.
SIT – Dion Lewis, Titans (at Texans) We're still awaiting word on quarterback Marcus Mariota's availability for Sunday, and the Titans' offense hasn't fared well when he has been injured. I Dion Lewis, but this matchup in Houston will be a difficult one. The Texans rank second in run DVOA, 10th in aFPA and first in pass DVOA to running backs, making Lewis' path to fantasy points a challenging one. I'm fading Lewis this week.
START – Marquise Goodwin, 49ers (at Buccaneers) Nick Mullens has played well since taking over as the starting quarterback in San Francisco, and that bodes well for Goodwin's production. Traveling to Tampa, they'll do battle with the league's worst defense in multiple categories. The 49ers' passing attack and specifically Goodwin will benefit from the Bucs' 28th-ranked defense in pass DVOA to No. 1 receivers. Tampa Bay also ranks 30th in overall pass DVOA and 25th in aFPA to receivers. While the 49ers are 3.5-point road underdogs, they still carry a 24.5-point team total.
SIT – Allen Robinson, Bears (at Lions) At this moment, we're unsure on whether Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky will suit up Thursday. Beyond the fact that Robinson has been up and down all season, that's going to make him a risky play. His matchup against Lions cornerback Darius Slay will be a difficult one, and Detroit ranks 12th in aFPA to receivers as well.
START – Cameron Brate, Buccaneers (vs. 49ers) O.J. Howard has landed on injured reserve due to an ankle injury, which leaves Brate as the top tight end in Tampa. We know he and Winston have synergy, and the 49ers rank 22nd in pass DVOA to the position. Brate has been a favorite target of Winston's in the red zone and with the Bucs sporting a 30.5-point team total, I'd expect Brate to have his chances and, furthermore, be a TE1 for the remainder of the season.
SIT – Evan Engram, Giants (at Eagles) The Eagles are a tough matchup for tight ends. They rank second in pass DVOA to the position and fourth in aFPA. The best way to attack the Eagles is via the outside receivers, meaning Odell Beckham Jr. should be set up for success. Engram has topped 46 yards just twice in seven games and has only two touchdowns. It's a far cry from his productive 2017 season, when Beckham and Sterling Shepard dealt with injuries.
Other starts: Nick Mullens (at Buccaneers), Matt Breida (at Buccaneers), Keke Coutee (vs. Titans) and Jack Doyle (vs. Dolphins).
Other sits: Matt Stafford (vs. Bears), Jordan Howard (at Lions), Golden Tate (vs. Giants) and Eric Ebron (vs. Dolphins).


Taylor Seville-Thread Magic Round. This tool is designed to make thread more manageable. It reduces friction when sewing, protects against UV rays, mold and mildew and helps reduce tangling and knotting. Can be used for hand or machine sewing. This 4-3/4x3- 1/2x1 inch package contains one thread conditioner. Non-toxic. Acid free. Made in USA.
Cutting the ever popular hexagon shape just got easier! Use the You Hexie Thing slotted ruler to aligh and cut perfect hexagon shapes in nine different sizes quickly and easily. Ruler is marked with alignment guides and indicates starting strip size needed. 1-1/2in to 6in Hexagons.


A ploy to loosen restrictions on campaign contributions that was passed on a bipartisan vote in the state Assembly appears to be attracting support from both parties in the Senate. The proposed legislation helps lobbyists and wealthy political donors, that much is clear. Testifying against Assembly Bill 225 at Wednesday's public hearing, Democracy Campaign director Mike McCabe called it a "gift to the four one-thousandth of 1% whose style is cramped by Wisconsin's limits" and a "kick in the gut for everyone else." You can watch Mike's testimony here.
Tell your senator AB 225 is the last thing Wisconsin needs, and urge support for a statewide referendum on money in politics instead.
An online news service called Wisconsin Reporter has been about the only media organization reporting much of anything about a second John Doe investigation into possible political wrongdoing in Wisconsin. The web-based service has been passing along to its readers juicy accounts from anonymous sources about the supposed inner workings of the criminal probe, all the while savaging the investigators and impugning their motives. Meanwhile, Republican political operatives Eric O'Keefe told the Wall Street Journal that he has been subpoenaed in the case and gave Rupert Murdoch's newspaper his take on the scope of the investigation and its targets.
As politicians scheme to increase the clout of the lobbyists and the wealthiest political donors, and as a well-funded propaganda machine masquerading as a news organization seeks to skew public impressions of an investigation into whether political crimes have been committed in Wisconsin, the public needs light shined on such shenanigans. In this season of giving, give the gift of truth telling to the state of Wisconsin by becoming a Democracy Campaign sustainer and signing up to make automatic monthly or quarterly gifts.
We call these sustainers who provide us with a steady and reliable flow of income our "Democracy Defenders." To join their ranks, you can use our online donation form. On the form, choose a donation amount. Under "donation type" switch from the default option of "one-time donation" to "recurring donation." Then use the drop-down menu to designate whether you want to make your automatic credit card donation each month or every three months. Thanks for considering taking this step to help provide the Democracy Campaign an ongoing flow of funding that we can count on.


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Pakistan's Shi'ite Minority Protests Against Forced Disappearances
In the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi, activists and relatives of victims of forced disappearances are participating in a nearly two-week sit-in protest to demand that authorities release or find scores of missing Shi'a.
The Young Afghan Amputee Who Loves To Dance
Five-year-old Sayeed Abdul Rahman was just 8 months old when he was shot during fighting between Afghan forces and Taliban militants. His leg was subsequently amputated. Now, thanks to support from a Red Cross hospital in Kabul, he can walk and dance on a prosthetic limb.
Afghan Women Activists Fear Return Of Taliban-Era Repressions
An Afghan woman who secretly studied literature in Herat under the Taliban's rule fears the ongoing peace process with the militant group could open a floodgate for "radical Islamists."
Christian Woman Leaves Pakistan For Canada After Blasphemy Acquittal
Pakistani officials said a Christian woman who was acquitted of blasphemy after spending eight years on death row has left for Canada to be reunited with her daughters.
Pakistan Arrests 10 Chinese Suspected Human Traffickers
Authorities in Pakistan have arrested a group of 10 Chinese nationals for allegedly arranging fake marriages with young Pakistani girls before forcing them into prostitution in China.
Afghanistan Still Facing Aftershocks Of 1978 Communist Coup
HIV Infections On The Rise In Balochistan
Physicians in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan say HIV infection rates are rapidly rising in the impoverished region reeling from violence and poor healthcare.
'Trendy' Pakistan: Influencers Slammed For Ignoring Travel Risks
Pakistan has embraced social media influencers to boost tourism, but critics say young, Western vloggers paint a naive picture of the country ignoring its conservative culture and the dangers of militancy.
Afghan Women Push For Peace
Women participants hope that the Loya Jirga provides an appropriate platform to convey their desire for peace in Afghanistan.
Mass Panic, Propaganda, And Mobs: How An Anti-Polio Drive Came To A Screeching Halt In Pakistan
A mass panic thwarted a campaign to eradicate the deadly polio virus in a Pakistani province.
Police To Allow Transgender Recruits In Pakistan Province
In Push For Afghan Peace, Society Weighs Tradition And Modernity


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Q: How do you order by column within a row in sql? Say I have a table that looks something like this
ATT A | ATT B
-------------
A     | B
D     | C
E     | F
H     | G

and instead I want a table that looks like:
ATT A | ATT B
-------------
A     | B
C     | D
E     | F
G     | H

How would I go about doing that? I'm using SQLite.

A: SQL Server has a case .. end expression that you can use inline in the SQL statement.  I think SQLite uses the same syntax.  This does what you asked for in SQL Server:
create table #temp (AttA char(1), AttB char(1))

insert into #temp valueS ('A', 'B'), ('D', 'C'), ('E', 'F'), ('H', 'G')

select * from #temp

select case when AttA < AttB then AttA else AttB end as AttA,
       case when AttB > AttA then AttB else AttA end as AttB
from   #temp

drop table #temp

A: Supposing the columns have the same type and you just have 2 columns to reorder, you can rely on the min/max functions. With sqlite, when provided with multiple parameters, these functions do not aggregate data from multiple rows.
create table mytable( ATTA char, ATTB char );
insert into mytable values ('A', 'B');
insert into mytable values ('D', 'C');
insert into mytable values ('E', 'F');
insert into mytable values ('H', 'G') ;

select min(ATTA,ATTB),max(ATTA,ATTB) from mytable order by 1,2 ;
A|B
C|D
E|F
G|H

The min/max functions reorder the values in the columns. The order by clause reorders the rows. I think it cannot be generalized to more than 2 columns, except by writing a user defined C function to be called from sqlite.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Los Angeles school district's iPad program running grossly over budget
AppleInsider Staff | Oct 25, 2013
The Los Angeles Unified School District's $30 million program to outfit 47 campuses with iPads is running substantially richer than planned, with the system paying nearly $100 more per tablet than originally budgeted.
According to the district's latest budget disclosure, L.A. Unified is paying some $770 per iPad, about $100 more than the $678 per iPad figure quoted when the program was announced in June, the Los Angeles Times reported on Tuesday.
The discrepancy stems from confusion regarding the bulk purchase discount Apple agreed to supply with the iPad buy, which is part of the school system's $1 billion educational technology initiative. L.A. Unified is still eligible for the discounted pricing of $678 per device, but only after the district spends $400 million, worth 520,000 iPads.
As reported in July, the public school system planned to distribute 31,000 iPads across 47 schools in what Superintendent John Deasy called a "pilot test."
Originally, a $50 million budget was drawn up using an early estimated iPad price of $650, which allotted $20.3 million for the tablets and the rest for training and infrastructure expenses. In the latest budget, the district made an over $4 million adjustment to account for the additional iPad cost.
The publication noted that cost-per-unit is higher for the schools as each device comes with a protective case, three-year warranty, training and one Apple TV for every 20 students.
While L.A. Unified anticipates that it will reach the $400 million goal, not doing so would nullify the Apple contract, meaning the system would pay even more for the iPads.
The program came under scrutiny in September after a number of students bypassed the school-installed security safeguards, allowing them to browse the web and visit banned sites like Facebook and YouTube. The district consequently halted iPad home use, while some schools opted to repossess the devices.
For now, the program is still a go, though some aspects have been delayed, while others borrow money from the general school fund.
maruthihey
Elops goal has been achieved finally.See this picture how Nokia sales has come down in previous years ::http://bit.do/NOKIASALES-ELOP
kpluck
I am guessing the people that approved the budget for the program obtained their math skills from somewhere within the LAUSD. -kpluck
applesauce007
Lots of things run over budgets in this country. ( Wars, Constructions etc... )
While it is good to stay within budget, education is not a bad thing to spend money on.
Apple should help them as much as possible because it is important that this program succeeds in a big way.
This program will pay off in the long term and without a doubt greatly improve education for a lot of kids who would never have had the opportunity otherwise, not to mention many adults who did not have the opportunity as children.
The trick now is to maximize the learning and the communication for everyone. LA must take full advantage of the system by finding innovative ways to put the iPads to use for children and adults for their tax money. Apple can help a lot with iCloud. Life in the entire community can be greatly improved by this.
rayz
Originally Posted by AppleSauce007
Yup, Apple is swimming in cash, so I hope exercise a little leniency in return for good press.
Maybe the contract was written in English, so school admin officials did not really understand the fundamental terms Like the very basic one of having to meet a volume target to get a discount I know, it's so complicated
Competing rumor says no folding iPad in 2024
A new rumor by Mark Gurman contradicts earlier reports of a folding iPad coming in 2024 while doubling down on a "light year" for iPads in 2023.
Crime blotter: iPhone thefts at Disney World, Ohio Apple Store update
In the latest Apple Crime Blotter, a police update on an Ohio Apple Store theft, Find My iPhone catches criminals, and the "Phantom Pooper" strikes.


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Vista Higher Learning, Inc. acquires Santillana USA...
Vista Higher Learning, Inc. acquires Santillana USA, creating the only specialized Pre-K – 20 world language publisher in the United States
The company announces major new strategic partnership with Santillana
for U.S. and Canadian markets
The agreement makes Vista Higher Learning (VHL) the only world language publisher specialized in preschool, primary, and secondary, and post-secondary levels in the U.S. and Canadian markets.
With this strategic agreement, VHL will distribute Santillana's portfolio of learning projects in the U.S. and Canada.
SANTILLANA will focus entirely on the development and expansion in Latin America and Spain of new educational projects with a high degree of pedagogical transformation and technological innovation.
BOSTON, MA, June 12, 2018.
Vista Higher Learning, Inc. (VHL) the leading educational publisher of world language products in the United States, has announced an agreement with the PRISA education subsidiary SANTILLANA, the main educational company of content and services in Latin America and Spain, for the acquisition of SANTILLANA USA's operations. SANTILLANA USA is a leading company for the learning of Spanish at all levels in the U.S. market.
This new strategic partnership will significantly increase the impact and scope of language learning by combining the experience and expertise of both companies. This agreement sees Vista Higher Learning take over the distribution of Santillana's educational portfolio in the United States and Canada-it does not include the businesses of SANTILLANA USA in Puerto Rico, which will remain within the perimeter of SANTILLANA.
"SANTILLANA is a perfect partner for us," said José Blanco, founder and creative director of Vista Higher Learning. "The acquisition of Santillana USA greatly enhances our mission to raise the teaching and learning of world languages to a higher level across the U.S. and Canada."
The CEO of SANTILLANA, Miguel Ángel Cayuela, stated "We are very satisfied with the agreement we've reached with Vista Higher Learning, with whom we share experience and a commitment to language learning in the U.S. educational community. Moving forward, our users will enjoy access to a wider range of cutting-edge products and services. Meanwhile at SANTILLANA, we will be focusing even more on market growth in Latin America and Spain."
Vista Higher Learning is the leading language-learning publisher in the U.S. market for higher education, with a strong presence in the secondary education market. With the addition of SANTILLANA USA's product portfolio, VHL expands its solutions for Spanish-language learning to both private and public preschool learning centers, as well as bilingual literacy programs for primary and secondary schools. VHL will immediately be offering educators a variety of learning resources from SANTILLANA USA, including language programs, as well as hundreds of award-winning titles in Spanish for children and young adults by authors from the U.S. and across the Spanish-speaking world.
What's New on vhlcentral for Academic Year 2019-2020
Descubre el Español - Resources
Virtual Chat Grading Improvements (January 2019)
Check Out the Descubre el español con Santillana Materials


To make the background, cut a square of purple card, about an inch smaller than your card blank. Stamp using Black Memento, the small butterfly, the flight sentiment and the butterfly script randomly all over. Stamp in Victorian Velvet the small leaves and flower. Take the Daisy Daisy mask and place in the centre of the purple card and run through an embossing machine. Then using a white detail pen add markings to the butterfly and stitch detail around where the edge of the mask was. Distress the edges and curl the corners, then stick it to the card blank. Add 4 die cut corners.
For the topper use a smaller piece of white card, curl and distress the edges as before. Stamp the large butterfly in Black Versafine and use clear embossing powder. Paint it with Vintage Photo distress ink. On another piece of card, stamp the butterfly again and paint it with Dusty Concord, Milled Lavender and Vintage Photo. Cut out just the body and the wings and stick it to the topper. Glue just the body so the wings lift up. Stamp and emboss the sentiment using the Stitched Alphabet set, cut out and add it to the card. Finish with a ribbon.
Firstly I never thought of leaving a comment on the blog before but I just want to say how lovely all the cards are that are put on. I really like this one the colours are different. Thank you caroline for all the instructions you leave for us to try. Keep up the good work.


text:
We've got the best games known as German-style board games right here!***Read more on GERMAN BOARD GAMES below!***
Lancaster Multi Language Board Game
Zoch 601121800 "Zicke Zacke Huhnerkacke Board Game
Schmidt Spiele Sp-Sammlung 100 Möglichk.
HABA Game - Tier auf Tier (German Version of...
Mensch argere Dich nicht St. [German Version]
Pegasus Spiele 54541G -Camel Up Board Game -...
Queen Games Locomotive Werks Multi Language Board...
Our Top Recommendation
Pegasus Spiele 54541G -Camel Up Board Game - German Version
2014 Spiel des Jahres
Enter the world of the craziest camel race ever
Looking for German-style board games? German-style games are may sometimes have strange German board game titles, but these board games are a great way to learn German. If you need a board with information on German-style games (has not been updated in some time) look elsewhere! Our German board games are your preis ("German game prize")! Order now!
#1: Spielesammlung
Spielesammlung includes several different board games that can be played in the German language. Among these games are some classic favorites, such as Othello, Backgammon, and more. This is a great choice for anyone looking to stock up on some traditional board games that the whole family can enjoy together.
The box includes several games and all the pieces required to play each one of them.
These German board games come with detailed directions in the German language.
The game pieces are all made of plastic instead of wood.
Some of the games may be a little too complicated for younger kids to figure out on their own.
#2: Tier auf Tier
Let your little ones get in on the fun with a game of Tier auf Tier . This is a stacking game that encourages motor skills development, turn-taking, and recognition of simple animal words and phrases in the German language. Children must stack their animal pieces together before the stack collapses in this simple and easy to learn German board game.
This German board game includes high-quality wooden pieces that are well-painted and durable.
This game is fun for little ones to play over and over again, all while learning.
Very rarely, this German board game may arrive missing pieces, but this is not very common.
The pieces may slide around on smooth surfaces too easily.
#3: Locomotive Werks
Locomotive Werks is a game about making a profit. In this game, players must work to spread the technology of locomotives further than their competitors and make the most money by the end. The game is available in several languages, including German.
This game lasts a couple of hours, so it's great for longer game nights.
This German board game can be enjoyed by older kids, teens, and adults alike.
This is a tricky German board game that can take some time to master.
The game has an element of randomness and luck that may not work for everyone.
#4: Mensch ärgere Dich nicht
Mensch ärgere Dich nicht plays a lot like Parcheesi, so anyone who already knows how to play Parcheesi is sure to have no trouble learning to play this game as well. This German board game is also available as an app for those who are interested in playing it on the go more often, and there are many other variations of the base game available too.
This German board game teaches counting, numbers, and the German words for numbers as well.
The game hasn't changed much over the years and is much like the original version.
This German board game can be a little tricky to learn for the first time.
The game is luck-based and can be frustrating.
#5: Zicke Zacke Hühnerkacke
Zicke Zacke Hühnerkacke is a Memory-style game intended for younger children. This German board game is based on chickens and farms and encourages creative thinking, memory skills, and motor skills in younger kids as well. It can be played by two to four players, so adults can enjoy encouraging their little ones to play it together.
The product includes high quality wooden chickens that are cute, colorful, and sure to get kids interested.
This German board game is easy to learn fast.
This German board game may arrive with some damage in rare instances.
The game doesn't teach as much language as some others listed here.
#6: Lancaster
Lancaster is a strategy board game that is best played by advanced players. It involves auction and bidding mechanics as well as strategizing and is played on a board. It comes in a variety of different languages, including German, and is sure to please any large group of board game fans who are interested in more detailed and deep games.
This German board game lasts anywhere from one to two hours in most instances.
The game can be played differently with two players for a more intimate experience.
This German board game may take a long time to learn.
The product may arrive missing pieces.
#7: Camel Up
Camel Up is a fast-paced game designed for kids , although adults are sure to enjoy it on family game night too. This German board game is partly about luck and randomness, but it's also about strategizing and playing the right cards at the right time to win the race, too. The game doesn't take long to complete and is sure to be a hit among the kids in the family.
This German board game is ideal for ages eight and up and for 2 to 8 players.
The game is easy to learn and can be played in 20 to 30 minutes.
The game may get old fast for adults who figure out the strategy quickly.
The setup for this German board game can take a little while.
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