Karpatiosorbus devoniensis

# Karpatiosorbus devoniensis

## Abstract

Karpatiosorbus devoniensis is known by the English name of Devon whitebeam and formally as Broad-leaved Whitebeam. When the fruit was reported as sold at Barnstaple Pannier Market the name French Eagles was used, apart from 1929 when they were reported as eagle-berries. When the trees were reported as seen growing wild on botanical walks they were referred to as French Hails (once each as French hail and French Hales). Broad-leaved white-beam, which was the common name until Devon Whitebeam took over, was used once in 1907.

The term Otmast was used once as a pet name, as its true identity was not known. The term sorb apple has been used recently but completely without foundation, it is another example of a name being attributed to the wrong species. It is a species of whitebeam, trees and shrubs in the family Rosaceae. It is endemic to the British Isles, growing wild in areas of Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and south-east Ireland as a native and north-east Ireland as an introduction.

It probably did not exist before the last ice age, arising from a hybrid between Sorbus torminalis, the wild service tree, and another species of whitebeam. It is a close relative of the Watersmeet whitebeam, Karpatiosorbus admonitor, and two other British natives and around 40 species in Europe.

## Description

It will form a deciduous tree to about 12 metres height.

The leaves are entire, lobed, dark green above, the underside has a dense layer of grey hairs.

It flowers at the end of May, they are white with 5 petals.

The fruits ripen at the end of October. They are orange-brown to brown, and edible.

## Locations found

- along the River Taw and River Torridge

- Roborough Down near Plymouth is where the type specimen was taken

- Little Haldon, at Bishopsteignton along the Postman's Path

- Boyton, Cornwall

- South East and North East Ireland (rarely)

- Halsdon Nature Reserve near Great Torrington managed by the Devon Wildlife Trust - a small tree

- Uppacott Wood Nature reserve between Barnstaple and Bideford also managed by the Devon Wildlife Trust, has a few trees

- Watergate Bridge near Great Torrington, grid ref SS468175. The plant growing on the old platform has been removed

- Leigh Cross, Zeal Monachorum

- Watergate, Horwood

- Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle, WA, USA. Some plants in cultivation are incorrectly named so this should be verified

- Between Martinhoe and Lynton in heath and woodland. Importantly not in the East Lyn valley as those plants are Sorbus admonitor


Akane-banashi

# Akane-banashi

## Abstract

Akane-banashi (Japanese: あかね噺, "Akane's Story") is a Japanese manga series written by Yuki Suenaga and illustrated by Takamasa Moue. It follows teenager Akane Osaki as she aims to reach the highest rank in rakugo, partly to avenge her father, who was expelled from the profession six years earlier. The rakugo in the series is supervised by professional rakugoka Keiki Hayashiya. Akane-banashi has been serialized in Shueisha 's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump since February 2022, with the chapters collected into 13 tankōbon volumes as of September 2024. Viz Media has licensed the series for English release in North America.

Akane-banashi has received a positive reception from reviewers and has been nominated for various awards.

## Plot

Growing up, Akane admired her father and his rakugo, a traditional Japanese form of storytelling where a lone performer, called a rakugoka, depicts a long, complicated, and usually funny story involving multiple characters, who are distinguished by changes in pitch, tone, slight turns of the head, and hand movements, all while sitting in place. But when she was in elementary school, her father and all the other applicants were expelled from the Arakawa School during the promotional test to obtain rakugo ' s third and highest rank of shin'uchi. Six years later, Akane, who had been secretly receiving lessons from her father's former master, sets out to become a shin'uchi of the Arakawa School to avenge her father and prove rakugo is a legitimate profession.

## Characters

## Production

Author Yuki Suenaga stated that Akane-banashi originated with Akane, a character he created but did not know what to do with. A fan of manzai and conte, he was interested in rakugo, but felt it was too difficult to get into. Suspecting there were many people who felt the same way, and that it would be unexpected of the character, he decided to have Akane perform rakugo. Suenaga stated that because he is new to rakugo, he is able to predict the things readers might not know, and can depict them in the manga in a way they will understand. The serialization of Akane-banashi was proposed in the fall of 2021. With the help of rakugoka Keiki Hayashiya, who supervises the rakugo in the manga, Suenaga interviewed more than 20 rakugoka, including Momoka Chokaroh and Miyaji Katsura.

Artist Takamasa Moue said when he first heard about the series he found it interesting, but worried whether readers of Weekly Shōnen Jump would be interested in rakugo. Realizing it was his job to make them interested, he said he tried to get readers emotionally invested in the characters, and to broaden the scope to appeal to those unfamiliar with rakugo. Having previously only had a passing interest in rakugo, Moue said he had fun researching it for Akane-banashi. To draw the rakugo scenes in the manga, Moue listens to a performance of the relevant story and thinks about how to convey the speed and intonation.

Gendai Business columnist Kenichiro Horii wrote that Akane-banashi ' s Arakawa School is clearly modeled after the real-life Tatekawa School of rakugo, whose master, Danshi Tatekawa VII, expelled a group of zenza in 2002, after feeling that they were not showing enough effort to reach futatsume. Although Kazuhiro Ito of Good Life with Books also noted the similarities, he reported that Suenaga stated Issho Arakawa was instead modeled after Enshō Sanyūtei VI. Horii also pointed out that the Rakugo Cafe seen in the series is modeled after a real café with a similar name in Jinbōchō, Tokyo. According to Hayashiya, the Yasaka-tei and Edobashi-tei theaters in the manga were modeled after the Suehiro-tei in Shinjuku and the Oedo Nihonbashi-tei in Nihonbashi, respectively. For the colored title page of chapter 29, Moue was inspired by The Breakfast Club. The Shikisai Festival seen in the manga was modeled after the Rakugo Association's Sharakusai Festival. The story "Giboshi" that is depicted in chapter 87 is a little-known rakugo story that was revived by Kyotaro Yanagiya. Suenaga stated that he received permission to use it in Akane-banashi.

## Publication

Written by Yuki Suenaga and illustrated by Takamasa Moue, Akane-banashi began serialization in Shueisha 's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump on February 14, 2022. The rakugo in the series is supervised by professional rakugoka Keiki Hayashiya. Publisher Shueisha is collecting the individual chapters into tankōbon volumes, with the first released on June 3, 2022.

Both Shueisha and Viz Media began releasing the series in English digitally the same day it began in Japan, the former on its Manga Plus website and application. Viz began publishing Akane-banashi in print in summer 2023.

### Chapters not yet in tankōbon format

These chapters have yet to be published in a tankōbon volume. They were serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump.

- "Really Shaping Up" (様になったな, Sama ni Natta na)

- "I'm Counting On You" (任せたぞ, Makasetazo)

- "A Fully-fledged Rakugoka" (一端の落語家, Ippashi no Rakugoka)

- "Walk the Path" (歩む道, Ayumu Michi)

- "Thanks to Master" (師匠のおかげ, Shishō no Okage)

- "Essence of the Shiguma School" (志ぐま一門らしさ, Shiguma Ichimon Rashisa)

- "Shiguma Onstage" (志ぐまの高座, Shiguma no Kōza)

- "Room for Imagination" (想像の余地, Sōzō no Yochi)

- "The Art of Subtraction" (❝引き算❞の芸, ❝Hikizan❝ no Gei)

- "Afterparty" (打ち上げ, Uchiage)

## Other media

The first chapter of Akane-banashi received a motion comic adaptation, where voice actors, music and sound effects are heard as the manga images appear on screen. It was uploaded to Jump Comics ' official YouTube channel in two parts on June 4 and 5, 2022. Akane and her father are voiced by Akane and Kappei Yamaguchi. In addition to being actual daughter and father, the Yamaguchis are also both rakugoka.

## Reception

By September 2022, the collected volumes of Akane-banashi had over 200,000 copies in circulation and volume one had been reprinted four times. With the release of volume 10 in March 2024, the manga had 1.5 million copies in circulation. The series has been recommended by Eiichiro Oda and Hideaki Anno. It was nominated for the 2022 Next Manga Award in the print manga category and ranked third out of 50 nominees. The series ranked fourth in the 2023 edition of Takarajimasha 's Kono Manga ga Sugoi! list of best manga for male readers. It ranked third in the Nationwide Bookstore Employees Recommended Comics of 2023. Akane-banashi ranked second in the 16th Manga Taishō, losing to Kore Kaite Shine by two points. It was also nominated for the 47th Kodansha Manga Award in the shōnen category in 2023. The New York Public Library included Akane-banashi on its 2023 list of the Best Books for Teens. Anime News Network 's Richard Eisenbeis chose it as the Best New Manga of 2023, while Brigid Alverson of School Library Journal included it as one of the Top 10 Manga of 2023. The Young Adult Library Services Association included the first volume of Akane-banashi on its 2024 list of Great Graphic Novels for Teens. In 2024, Stephen Paul's English translation of the series for Viz Media was nominated for Best Translation at the inaugural American Manga Awards, which is co-organized by Anime NYC and Japan Society.

Steven Blackburn of Screen Rant praised the first chapter of Akane-banashi. He wrote that the sudden shift in protagonists from Shinta, "a stereotypical hero who embodies everything that makes a successful shonen ", to Akane, an unconventional hero who is essentially a wunderkind, already makes the latter character compelling. "That's a difficult dynamic to achieve, but Akane-banashi has somehow succeeded before it's even begun". In a review for Multiversity Comics, Zach Wilkerson gave the "immensely charming and well crafted" first chapter an 8.5 rating, with particular praise for Moue's art. Robbie Pleasant of the same website strongly praised the series and its art for successfully conveying how a performer's demeanor and voice changes as they perform different characters, despite manga being a static and soundless medium.

In May 2022, Kota Mukaihara of Real Sound wrote that Akane-banashi was poised to be a breakout hit. He felt that although Akane's progress in rakugo seemed to be going unusually fast and smooth, with her not yet being confronted by a tough challenge or failing at something, this allows readers to follow her growth without unnecessary stress. Mukaihara speculated that, while this could simply be because the manga was still new and needed to develop quickly in order to gain momentum, it emphasizes Akane's cleverness and the depth of her determination and is a testament to the charm of the characters and the skill with which the story is written. He also wrote that while Akane's outgoing personality and unprecedented skill make her seem like a maverick, her positivity and down-to-earth nature make her a likable character. Blackburn's colleague Ben Sockol praised later chapters of the series for "subverting the classic tournament arc trope", writing that Akane-banashi feels fresh and different from anything else in Weekly Shōnen Jump and is one of the most exciting manga currently running in the magazine as of June 2022.


Toad's Place

# Toad's Place

## Abstract

Toad's Place is a concert venue and nightclub located in New Haven, Connecticut.

## History

The building, located on York Street down the street from Ashley's Ice Cream and across an alley from Mory's Temple Bar, was the original location of the Yale Co-op. During the 1960s, it was a popular restaurant called Hungry Charlie's and then the location of Caleb's Tavern.

In 1974, Mike Spoerndle, formerly a student at the Culinary Institute of America, rented the building for a French and Italian restaurant, which opened in March 1975. He named it Toad's Place, after a childhood joke. He said, "When my parents were going out to dinner, they would tell me they were going to such-and-such, and I thought it would be funny if they said, 'We're going to Toad's Place.' Plus, people who didn't go out and stayed at home, we'd call them 'toads.' It was the equivalent of a couch potato."

In 1976, Spoerndle turned the restaurant into a live music venue, working with a local musician named Peter Menta to bring in bands. Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker and Koko Taylor were some of the first performers. In 1976, Brian Phelps joined as manager and eventually co-owner. Phelps took control in 1995, after Spoerndle's numerous problems with alcohol and drug addiction. Spoerndle died on May 6, 2011.

In 1983, a second location opened in Waterbury, Connecticut, although it lasted only three years. In 2007, a franchise location in Richmond, Virginia opened with a concert by the Squirrel Nut Zippers. It included a restaurant and club for up to 1,500 visitors. The principal owner was Charles Joyner, a local physician who was a disc jockey at Toad's Place while he was a Yale undergraduate in the 1980s. On 9 March 2009, Toad's Place Richmond was closed. All scheduled shows were canceled and/or moved to The National, another venue in Richmond. A third location was planned for Trenton, New Jersey.

Jeff Lorber, a jazz keyboardist, included an instrumental piece called Toad's Place on his album Water Sign. Through mutual friends, singer Rob Zombie met future wife, actress Sheri Moon, at Toad's in 1989. They married on Halloween of 2002.

## Incidents with under-age drinking

In September 2002, Toad's Place was fined $25,000 and closed for a week after underage drinkers were found on the premises. In May 2007, it closed for ninety days, after a November 5, 2005 inspection by the state Liquor Control Commission found 142 underage drinkers were present. The owner paid a fine of $90,000 in addition to the ninety-day closure. It reopened on August 4, 2007, with a concert by Badfish, a Sublime tribute band.


American Pie Presents: Band Camp

# American Pie Presents: Band Camp

## Abstract

American Pie Presents: Band Camp is a 2005 American sex comedy film released by Universal Pictures. It is the first installment in American Pie Presents film series, a spin-off of the American Pie franchise. Tad Hilgenbrinck stars as Matt Stifler, a troubled student sent to band camp to change his ways. Chris Owen and Eugene Levy reprise their roles from previous American Pie films.

American Pie Presents: Band Camp was released direct-to-DVD internationally on October 31, 2005, and in the United States on December 26, 2005.

## Plot

Matt Stifler, the younger brother of Steve Stifler, is eager to enter a family business of making pornographic films to prove his "Stifmeister" behavior to his older brother, Steve. After Matt pulls a prank on the school band that goes too far, the school's guidance counselor Chuck "The Sherminator" Sherman, who attended high school with Steve, decides to punish Matt by sending him to band camp. Matt is initially dismissive of the idea, but is soon persuaded to agree, his interest piqued by the purportedly notorious sexual behavior of band camp girls.

Upon arrival, Matt is extremely disrespectful of the rules, and to everyone at Tall Oaks and even gets his school's band in trouble. Jim's dad, Noah Levenstein, the camp's MACRO (Morale and Conflict Resolution Officer), recommends he try to fit in for the band's trust. Matt conspires with his nerdy roommate, Ernie, to film the other band members in a bid called 'Bandeez Gone Wild' by using hidden cameras.

During a scuffle in lunch, Matt accepts a duel with the rival band leader Brandon, wherein the performers show off their music skills, with Brandon playing the snare drum, and Matt playing the triangle. When it seems Matt has lost, he leaves the stage and comes back playing the bagpipes, also wearing a kilt, to the tune of " Play That Funky Music " to win the duel. Matt befriends Elyse; they are later attracted to each other and share a kiss while watching the clouds in the sky.

A day before the finals, the cheerleading squad of East Great Falls arrives and catches Matt in a band camp uniform. They tease him, taking a photo and plan to share it on the internet. Matt later offers a deal of showing them his film 'Bandeez Gone Wild' in exchange for deleting the photo. While showing them his video, Elyse turns up after he's unintentionally stood her up. Disappointed with Matt after seeing the video, she leaves.

The various school bands compete for points throughout camp with East Great Falls leading on the last day, but an ill-fated prank Matt meant for the rival team causes the band to lose and Elyse to possibly lose her opportunity for a scholarship. Once the new term starts, Matt visits Chuck, who reveals that he and the rest of Steve's friends really could not stand him.

Matt soon begins to fix his mistakes by deleting the naked videos he took of others at band camp, reconcile with his band camp buddies, and then persuade the school band to play Elyse's piece, Instrumental of Tal Bachman's Aeroplane, for the Conservatory head. Due to blatant plagiarism, Brandon has been disqualified and Elyse wins the scholarship, while Matt successfully wins her affection.

## Cast

- Tad Hilgenbrinck as Matthew "Matt" Stifler, a delinquent who is sent to band camp as punishment for a prank

- Eugene Levy as Noah Levenstein, the camp's Morale and Conflict Resolution Officer (MACRO) who tries to help out Stifler

- Arielle Kebbel as Elyse Houston, the band director

- Jason Earles as Ernie Kaplowitz, a first-time band camp attendee who assists Stifler

- Matt Barr as Brandon Vandecamp

- Jun Hee Lee as James Chong

- Crystle Lightning as Chloe

- Omar Benson Miller as Oscar

- Chris Owen as Chuck Sherman, the guidance counselor for East Great Falls High School

- Lauren Mayhew as Arianna

- Angela Little as Sheree

- Rachel Veltri as Dani

- Dossett March as Andy

- Lily Mariye as Dr. Susan Choi

- Ginger Lynn as Nurse Sanders

- Richard Keith as Trading Card Bandie

- Jennifer Walcott as Bathroom Girl

- Kathleen LaGue as Receptionist

## Soundtrack

- Andrew W.K. – " She Is Beautiful "

- Breaking Benjamin – "Forget It"

- Snow Patrol – " How to Be Dead "

- Matt Nathanson – " Laid "

- Treble Charger – " American Psycho "

- Good Charlotte – " The Anthem "

- Paul Locke – "Paul's Drums"

- Jimmy Eat World – " The Middle "

- Jimmy Eat World – "The Authority Song"

- Courtesy of Associated Productions Music – "Dracula Plays"

- Courtesy of Associated Productions Music – "Pom Pom"

- Courtesy of Associated Productions Music – "Piano Sonata"

- Cage9 – "Breaking Me Down"

- Linda Perry – " Get the Party Started "

- D.O.R.K – "Jaime"

- The Penfifteen Club – "Disco MF"

- The City Drive – "Defeated"

- Wild Cherry – " Play That Funky Music "

- The City Drive – "Bring Me Everything"

- Christian B – " Baby Got Back "

- Steppenwolf – " Born to Be Wild "

- Tal Bachman – "Aeroplane"

- Chris Rash and Jean-Paul DiFranco – "Bonfire Etude"

- Ash – "Vampire Love"

## Reception

### Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, it has an approval rating of 17% based on 6 reviews, with an average rating of 3.4/10. Common Sense Media described the film as a "crass and unnecessary sequel with lots of cursing, sex."

### Sales

Variety reported that the film sold more than one million copies in a week.


Bakhyt Akhmetov

# Bakhyt Akhmetov

## Abstract

Bakhyt Beshimbekovich Akhmetov (Kazakh: Бахыт Бешимбекович Ахметов, Bahyt Beşimbekovich Ahmetov; born March 27, 1979, in Shymkent) is a Kazakhstani weightlifter. He is a three-time Olympian and a two-time medalist for the 94 and 105 kg classes at the Asian Games.

Formerly a member of the Kyrgyzstan team, Akhmetov made his official debut for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, where he hauled 367.5 kilograms in total for a fifteenth-place finish in the men's middle heavyweight class (94 kg). In 2002, Akhmetov achieved his early success by capturing the gold medal in the same category at the Asian Games in Busan, South Korea.

Akhmetov was also considered a top medal contender, when he competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, representing his birth nation. He lifted a total of 390 kg in the men's 94 kg class, finishing only in seventh place by five kilograms short of the clean and jerk record from Turkey's Hakan Yılmaz.

At the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, Akhmetov switched to a heavier class by competing in the men's 105 kg class, where he claimed the bronze medal, with a total of 388 kg.

At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Bakhmetov competed this time for the men's heavyweight class (105 kg), against several top-class weightlifters, including world record holders Marcin Dołęga of Poland Andrei Aramnau of Belarus. During the competition, he successfully lifted 190 kg in the single-motion snatch, and hoisted 225 kg in the two-part, shoulder-to-overhead clean and jerk, for a total of 415 kg. Bakhmetov finished the event in fifth place by five kilograms short of Dołęga's overall record (420 kg). For being the most experienced member, Bakhmetov also became Kazakhstan's flag bearer in the opening ceremony.


Propagation constant

# Propagation constant

## Abstract

The propagation constant of a sinusoidal electromagnetic wave is a measure of the change undergone by the amplitude and phase of the wave as it propagates in a given direction. The quantity being measured can be the voltage, the current in a circuit, or a field vector such as electric field strength or flux density. The propagation constant itself measures the dimensionless change in magnitude or phase per unit length. In the context of two-port networks and their cascades, propagation constant measures the change undergone by the source quantity as it propagates from one port to the next.

The propagation constant's value is expressed logarithmically, almost universally to the base e, rather than base 10 that is used in telecommunications in other situations. The quantity measured, such as voltage, is expressed as a sinusoidal phasor. The phase of the sinusoid varies with distance which results in the propagation constant being a complex number, the imaginary part being caused by the phase change.

## Alternative names

The term "propagation constant" is somewhat of a misnomer as it usually varies strongly with ω. It is probably the most widely used term but there are a large variety of alternative names used by various authors for this quantity. These include transmission parameter, transmission function, propagation parameter, propagation coefficient and transmission constant. If the plural is used, it suggests that α and β are being referenced separately but collectively as in transmission parameters, propagation parameters, etc. In transmission line theory, α and β are counted among the "secondary coefficients", the term secondary being used to contrast to the primary line coefficients. The primary coefficients are the physical properties of the line, namely R,C,L and G, from which the secondary coefficients may be derived using the telegrapher's equation. In the field of transmission lines, the term transmission coefficient has a different meaning despite the similarity of name: it is the companion of the reflection coefficient.

## Definition

The propagation constant, symbol γ, for a given system is defined by the ratio of the complex amplitude at the source of the wave to the complex amplitude at some distance x, such that,

Inverting the above equation and isolating γ results in the quotient of the complex amplitude ratio's natural logarithm and the distance x traveled:

Since the propagation constant is a complex quantity we can write:

where

- α, the real part, is called the attenuation constant

- β, the imaginary part, is called the phase constant

- i ≡ j ≡ − 1 ; {\displaystyle i\equiv j\equiv {\sqrt {-1\ }}\ ;} more often j is used for electrical circuits.

That β does indeed represent phase can be seen from Euler's formula:

which is a sinusoid which varies in phase as θ varies but does not vary in amplitude because

The reason for the use of base e is also now made clear. The imaginary phase constant, i β, can be added directly to the attenuation constant, α, to form a single complex number that can be handled in one mathematical operation provided they are to the same base. Angles measured in radians require base e, so the attenuation is likewise in base e.

The propagation constant for conducting lines can be calculated from the primary line coefficients by means of the relationship

where

### Plane wave

The propagation factor of a plane wave traveling in a linear media in the x direction is given by P = e − γ x {\displaystyle P=e^{-\gamma x}} where

- γ = α + i β = i ω μ (σ + i ω ε) {\textstyle \gamma =\alpha +i\ \beta ={\sqrt {i\ \omega \ \mu \ (\sigma +i\ \omega \varepsilon)\ }}\ }

- x = {\displaystyle x=} distance traveled in the x direction

- α = {\displaystyle \alpha =\ } attenuation constant in the units of nepers /meter

- β = {\displaystyle \beta =\ } phase constant in the units of radians /meter

- ω = {\displaystyle \omega =\ } frequency in radians/second

- σ = {\displaystyle \sigma =\ } conductivity of the media

- ε = ε ′ − i ε ″ {\displaystyle \varepsilon =\varepsilon '-i\ \varepsilon ''\ } = complex permitivity of the media

- μ = μ ′ − i μ ″ {\displaystyle \mu =\mu '-i\ \mu ''\;} = complex permeability of the media

- i ≡ − 1 {\displaystyle i\equiv {\sqrt {-1\ }}}

The sign convention is chosen for consistency with propagation in lossy media. If the attenuation constant is positive, then the wave amplitude decreases as the wave propagates in the x direction.

Wavelength, phase velocity, and skin depth have simple relationships to the components of the propagation constant: λ = 2 π β v p = ω β δ = 1 α {\displaystyle \lambda ={\frac {2\pi }{\beta }}\qquad v_{p}={\frac {\omega }{\beta }}\qquad \delta ={\frac {1}{\alpha }}}

## Attenuation constant

In telecommunications, the term attenuation constant, also called attenuation parameter or attenuation coefficient, is the attenuation of an electromagnetic wave propagating through a medium per unit distance from the source. It is the real part of the propagation constant and is measured in nepers per metre. A neper is approximately 8.7 dB. Attenuation constant can be defined by the amplitude ratio

The propagation constant per unit length is defined as the natural logarithm of the ratio of the sending end current or voltage to the receiving end current or voltage, divided by the distance x involved:

### Conductive lines

The attenuation constant for conductive lines can be calculated from the primary line coefficients as shown above. For a line meeting the distortionless condition, with a conductance G in the insulator, the attenuation constant is given by

however, a real line is unlikely to meet this condition without the addition of loading coils and, furthermore, there are some frequency dependent effects operating on the primary "constants" which cause a frequency dependence of the loss. There are two main components to these losses, the metal loss and the dielectric loss.

The loss of most transmission lines are dominated by the metal loss, which causes a frequency dependency due to finite conductivity of metals, and the skin effect inside a conductor. The skin effect causes R along the conductor to be approximately dependent on frequency according to

Losses in the dielectric depend on the loss tangent (tan δ) of the material divided by the wavelength of the signal. Thus they are directly proportional to the frequency.

### Optical fibre

The attenuation constant for a particular propagation mode in an optical fiber is the real part of the axial propagation constant.

## Phase constant

In electromagnetic theory, the phase constant, also called phase change constant, parameter or coefficient is the imaginary component of the propagation constant for a plane wave. It represents the change in phase per unit length along the path travelled by the wave at any instant and is equal to the real part of the angular wavenumber of the wave. It is represented by the symbol β and is measured in units of radians per unit length.

From the definition of (angular) wavenumber for transverse electromagnetic (TEM) waves in lossless media,

For a transmission line, the telegrapher's equations tells us that the wavenumber must be proportional to frequency for the transmission of the wave to be undistorted in the time domain. This includes, but is not limited to, the ideal case of a lossless line. The reason for this condition can be seen by considering that a useful signal is composed of many different wavelengths in the frequency domain. For there to be no distortion of the waveform, all these waves must travel at the same velocity so that they arrive at the far end of the line at the same time as a group. Since wave phase velocity is given by

it is proved that β is required to be proportional to ω. In terms of primary coefficients of the line, this yields from the telegrapher's equation for a distortionless line the condition

where L and C are, respectively, the inductance and capacitance per unit length of the line. However, practical lines can only be expected to approximately meet this condition over a limited frequency band.

In particular, the phase constant β {\displaystyle \beta } is not always equivalent to the wavenumber k {\displaystyle k}. The relation

applies to the TEM wave, which travels in free space or TEM-devices such as the coaxial cable and two parallel wires transmission lines. Nevertheless, it does not apply to the TE wave (transverse electric wave) and TM wave (transverse magnetic wave). For example, in a hollow waveguide where the TEM wave cannot exist but TE and TM waves can propagate,

Here ω c {\displaystyle \omega _{c}} is the cutoff frequency. In a rectangular waveguide, the cutoff frequency is

where m, n ≥ 0 {\displaystyle m,n\geq 0} are the mode numbers for the rectangle's sides of length a {\displaystyle a} and b {\displaystyle b} respectively. For TE modes, m, n ≥ 0 {\displaystyle m,n\geq 0} (but m = n = 0 {\displaystyle m=n=0} is not allowed), while for TM modes m, n ≥ 1 {\displaystyle m,n\geq 1}.

The phase velocity equals

## Filters and two-port networks

The term propagation constant or propagation function is applied to filters and other two-port networks used for signal processing. In these cases, however, the attenuation and phase coefficients are expressed in terms of nepers and radians per network section rather than per unit length. Some authors make a distinction between per unit length measures (for which "constant" is used) and per section measures (for which "function" is used).

The propagation constant is a useful concept in filter design which invariably uses a cascaded section topology. In a cascaded topology, the propagation constant, attenuation constant and phase constant of individual sections may be simply added to find the total propagation constant etc.

### Cascaded networks

The ratio of output to input voltage for each network is given by

The terms Z I n Z I m {\displaystyle {\sqrt {\frac {Z_{In}}{Z_{Im}}}}} are impedance scaling terms and their use is explained in the image impedance article.

The overall voltage ratio is given by

Thus for n cascaded sections all having matching impedances facing each other, the overall propagation constant is given by


Jamia Masjid, Shopian

# Jamia Masjid, Shopian

## Abstract

Jama Masjid is a mosque in Shopian is a historic mosque located in the district of Shopian, in the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. This mosque is said to have been built during the Mughal period and is very beautiful from both inside and outside. It's considered one of the best mosques in the Shopian district.

## In history

The mosque was an important stop on the Mughal road through Pir Panjal, where the Mughals used to stop and rest. The mosque was built by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir, making it a significant historical site.

## Architecture

The Jamia Masjid in Shopian, Jammu and Kashmir, is a historic mosque with a notable architectural heritage. Although the specific architectural details of the mosque are not outlined in the data provided, it is mentioned that the mosque was built during the Mughal period and later reconstructed in the 1940s. Mughal architecture has been noted for its designs, domes, and minarets, which could be features of this mosque as well.

The mosque's construction was supervised by Ustab Habib Ullah Mast, a carpenter from Srinagar, and it was built using local stones. The foundation stone of the modern Jamia Masjid at Shopian was laid in 1944, and the construction was completed over a few years. It's also mentioned that the mosque underwent renovation, indicating that efforts have been made to preserve its historical and architectural value.


Arvo Ala-Pöntiö

# Arvo Ala-Pöntiö

## Abstract

Arvo Ala-Pöntiö (20 September 1942 – 7 October 1997) was a Finnish weightlifter. He competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics and the 1976 Summer Olympics.


William Kelsey Fry

# William Kelsey Fry

## Abstract

Sir William Kelsey Fry (18 March 1889 – 26 October 1963) was a British dental surgeon and an importantfigure in the development of oral and maxillofacial surgery during World War I.

He was born in 1889 in Greenwich, the son of Kate née Kelsey and Edmund Fry, a stone merchant. He was educated at Hurstpierpoint College and Guy's Hospital where he qualified as a doctor and a dental surgeon. During World War I he served in the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) and was a regimental medical officer attached to the Royal Welch Fusiliers, landing in France with the 7th Division in October 1914. He was wounded during the Battle of Festubert in May 1915 while carrying out his work under heavy fire and was awarded the Military Cross. He was wounded again on 26 August 1916. Fry spent two years at the Front and tended the wounded at Neuve Chapelle, Aubers Ridge, Festubert and the Somme. Later he worked with Harold Gillies, initially at the Cambridge Military Hospital in Aldershot in 1916 where they pioneered the development of Oral and maxillofacial surgery. In 1917 they continued this work at the newly-established Queen Mary's Hospital in Sidcup, where Fry was appointed Chief Dental Surgeon. Fry's experience at this time led to his essay on "Treatment of injuries of the jaws" which was awarded the Cartwright Prize of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

https://www.nature.com/articles/bdjteam201910

https://www.bapras.org.uk/media-government/news-and-views/view/plastic-surgery-the-surgical-specialty-of-world-war-one

https://www.bmj.com/content/2/5366/1206

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/spotlight/rescuing-facial-injuries-from-no-mans-land

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38637/page/2906/data.pdf

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/39104/supplement/1/data.pdf


Valerie Azlynn

# Valerie Azlynn

## Abstract

Valerie Azlynn (born November 25, 1980) is an American actress. She has appeared in several television shows and movies, notably starring in the TV comedy Sullivan & Son.

## Early life

Azlynn was born Valerie Asselin and raised in New London, Connecticut. She attended The Williams School and Waterford High School, and had open-heart surgery to repair an atrial septal defect at age 13.

On March 4, 1993, Azlynn's successful open heart surgery was performed, and it changed her life and her appearance forever. She started working with the Mended Little Hearts non-profit as their national spokesperson in 2013, where she works to help kids who had open heart surgery get beyond the stigma that comes from the unsightly scars.

Valerie moved to New York City after high school at the age of 17. She studied acting for two years at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts (formerly the School for Film and Television).

## Career

Azlynn moved to New York City at age 17 to pursue a career as an actress, building her résumé by performing in the theater and singing with an opera company in Manhattan, New York. She later moved to Los Angeles.

In 2004, Azlynn landed a supporting role in The Joe Schmo Show as Piper "The Bachelorette." She has since appeared in episodes of Hot in Cleveland, Cold Case, CSI: NY, The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, Rules of Engagement, How I Met Your Mother, Joey, iCarly, The Loop, Mr. Sunshine, and many others. From 2012 through 2014, Azlynn starred as Melanie on the TBS comedy Sullivan & Son.

Azlynn has appeared in roles on the big screen, including in Poseidon and Tropic Thunder, among others. In some early movies, Azlynn appeared under the name Valerie Asselin.

## Filmography


Vampire Knight

# Vampire Knight

## Abstract

Vampire Knight (Japanese: ヴァンパイア 騎士 （ ナイト ）, Hepburn: Vanpaia Naito) is a Japanese manga series written by Matsuri Hino. It was serialized in Hakusensha 's shōjo manga magazine LaLa from 2004 to 2013, with its chapters collected in nineteen tankōbon volumes. The manga series is licensed in English by Viz Media, which has released all nineteen volumes. The English adaptation premiered in the July 2006 issue of Viz's Shojo Beat magazine, with the collected volumes being published on a quarterly basis.

The story takes place in the prestigious Cross Academy, which is home to two distinct classes: The Day class, which applies to only humans, and the Night Class, which applies to only vampires, of which the day class is unaware. Much of the plot revolves around Yuki Cross, the headmaster's adopted daughter, as she is being drawn into a conflict concerning the overall coexistence between humans and vampires and the twisted reality concerning her childhood friend Zero Kiryuu, who, despite having a hatred for vampires, is revealed to be slowly turning into one of their kind.

Two drama CDs were created for the series, as well as a twenty-six episode anime adaptation based on the first two sagas. Produced by Studio Deen, the anime series' first season aired in Japan on TV Tokyo between April and July 2008. The second season, aired on the same station from October to December 2008. The anime uses many of the same voice actors as were used for the drama CDs. The anime adaptation was licensed for release in North America by Viz Media.

## Plot

Yuki's earliest memory is of a stormy night in winter, where she was attacked by a rogue vampire and rescued by Kaname Kuran, a Pureblood vampire. Ten years later, Yuki is the adopted daughter of the headmaster of Cross Academy, Kaien Cross, and has become a guardian of the vampire race, protecting her childhood crush, Kaname, from discovery as he leads a group of vampires at the elite boarding school.

At her side is Zero Kiryu, a childhood friend whose hatred for the creatures that destroyed everything he held dear leaves him determined never to trust them. This coexisting arrangement seems all well and good, but have the vampires truly renounced their murderous ways, or is there a darker truth behind their actions? In this world of secrets, nothing is as it seems. The price of misplaced trust may even be worse than death. Should Yuki truly find out what was in her past, is the truth going to hurt her worse than not knowing?

## Media

### Manga

Written and illustrated by Matsuri Hino, Vampire Knight was serialized in Hakusensha 's shōjo manga magazine LaLa from November 24, 2005, to May 24, 2013. The individual chapters were collected and published in nineteen tankōbon volumes, released from July 10, 2005, to November 5, 2013.

In North America, the manga was licensed for English release by Viz Media. The series ran in the publisher's Shojo Beat manga anthology from the July 2006 issue until the July 2009 issue; the magazine's final issue. The nineteen volumes were released from January 2, 2007, to October 14, 2014. In Australia and New Zealand the manga was licensed by Madman Entertainment.

#### Sequel

Since the manga's conclusion, Hino began releasing a series of special chapters, which take place after the end of the final volume. On November 8, 2013, Hino released the first special chapter titled "Life" (命, Inochi) in LaLa Fantasy, which was licensed and released digitally by Viz Media on December 9, 2014. Following chapters were released in LaLa DX. The second special chapter, titled "I Love You" (あなたのことが好きです, Anata no Koto ga Sukidesu), was released on February 10, 2015. On December 10, 2015, the third special chapter, titled "Love's Desire" (愛の望み, Ai no Nozomi), was released. On February 10, 2016, the fourth and final special chapter, "Between Death and Heaven" (命の終わりと天国の間, Inochi no owari to tengoku no aida), was released. The chapters were collected as the first volume of a sequel manga Vampire Knight: Memories, released on June 3, 2016. Vampire Knight: Memories itself officially launched in LaLa DX on June 10, 2016. Nine volumes have been published as of October 2023. The series is also licensed for English release by Viz Media.

### Anime

Vampire Knight was adapted into a thirteen episode anime television series by Studio Deen, which was broadcast on TV Tokyo from April 8 to July 1, 2008. A second thirteen-episode season, Vampire Knight Guilty, was broadcast from October 7 to December 30, 2008.

The series uses four pieces of theme music. The opening themes of both the first and second season are performed by the duo On/Off, with "Futatsu no Kodō to Akai Tsumi" (ふたつの鼓動と赤い罪) as the opening for the first season, and "Rinne Rondo" (輪廻 -ロンド-, Rinne) as the opening for the second one. Kanon Wakeshima performs the first season ending theme, "Still Doll", and also the second season's ending theme "Suna no Oshiro" (砂のお城). The soundtrack is composed by Takefumi Haketa and consists of 30 tracks (including the opening theme and ending theme).

In North America, the series was licensed by Viz Media. In the UK, the first volume was officially released on DVD via Manga Entertainment on November 22, 2010. In Australia, ABC3 aired the series in 2011.

### Light novels

Three light novels created by Matsuri Hino and Ayuna Fujisaki were published in Japan by Hakusensha in 2008 (the first two novels) and 2013 (the third), respectively. The novels feature side-stories that use the characters of the manga, but are not specifically based on chapters from the series. The first novel, Vampire Knight: Ice Blue Sin (ヴァンパイア騎士 憂氷の罪, Vanpaia Naito: Aisu Burū no Tsumi), was published on April 5, 2008. The first story within the novel looks at an incident that occurred at Cross Academy in the year preceding Yuki's arrival about a Day Class student named Fuka Kisaragi, while the second story details an incident that occurred while Zero was still in training to be a vampire hunter alongside Kaito Takamiya, another boy training under Toga Yagari to be a vampire hunter.

The second novel, Vampire Knight: Noir's Trap (ヴァンパイア騎士 凝黒の罠, Vanpaia Naito: Nowāru no Wana), was published on October 3, 2008. The story focuses on two minor characters, Nadeshiko Shindo and Kasumi Kageyama, from the manga, following their respective unrequited love at Cross Academy, as well as detailing a case that happened when Akatsuki Kain and Ruka Souen go to visit Senri Shiki and Rima Toya's modeling studio.

The third novel, Vampire Knight: Fleeting Dreams (ヴァンパイア騎士ト 煌銀の夢, Vanpaia Naito: Flail no Yume), was released in 2014, featuring side-stories about Rido Kuran, Sara Shirabuki, and Yuki's and Zero's activities during the timeskip. The third novel is the only novel thus far to have been licensed by Viz Media and released in North America.

### Other media

A drama CD, titled LaLa Kirameki Drama CD (LaLa キラメキ★ドラマCD), which features audio dramas for five LaLa titles, including Vampire Knight, was included with the magazine's September 2005 issue, released on July 23 of that same year. Three drama CDs based on the series have been produced: Midnight CD-Pack; Moonlight CD-Pack; and Pureblood CD-Pack.

Vampire Knight DS (ヴァンパイア騎士 DS, Vanpaia Naito Dīesu) is a Japanese dating simulator based on the series that was released by D3 Publisher in Japan in January 2009.

In November 2008, the official Vampire Knight, titled Vampire Knight Fanbook: Cross (ヴァンパイア騎士 ファンブックX, Vanpaia Naito Fanbukku Kurosu), was published in Japan. In addition to providing additional information about the series characters and story, it includes images and details from Hino's storyboard. The fanbook has been licensed by Viz Media and was released on October 19, 2010.

An 94-page artbook, titled The Art of Vampire Knight: Matsuri Hino Illustrations (樋野まつりイラストレーションズ―ヴァンパイア騎士―), was released on July 5, 2010. The artwork included one original double page spread and a compilation of 111 previously released Vampire Knight color artworks. It was licensed by Viz Media and released on September 6, 2011.

A musical adaptation was announced and staged at the Hakuhinkan Theater in Tokyo from January 21–25, 2015. Another musical took place July 1–5, 2015.


Aposthia

# Aposthia

## Abstract

Aposthia is a rare congenital condition in humans, in which the foreskin of the penis is missing.

Toward the end of the nineteenth century, E. S. Talbot claimed that aposthia among Jews was evidence for the now-discredited Lamarckian theory of evolution. In his work The Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication, Charles Darwin also mentioned cases of "born circumcised" babies as "conclusive evidence" for the now-discredited blending inheritance.

It is likely that the cases he described were actually hypospadias, a condition in which the urinary meatus is on the underside of the penis.

## Aposthia in Judaism

The Midrash of Ki-Tetze claims that Moses was born aposthic. Other sources that Jacob, his son Gad and King David were also born aposthic.The book Abot De-Rabbi Natan (The Fathers According to Rabbi Nathan) contains a list of persons from the Israelite Scriptures that were "born circumcised":Adam, Seth, Noah, Shem, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, the wicked Balaam, Samuel, David, Jeremiah and Zerubbabel. Jewish law requires males born without a foreskin or who lost their foreskin through means other than a formal circumcision ceremony (brit milah ברית מילה) to have a drop of blood (hatafat-dam, הטפת דם) let from the penis at the point where the foreskin would have been (or was) attached. The Talmud (Shabbat 135A) records a discussion of whether the importance of this letting of blood supersedes Shabbat, on which only a boy who was born the previous Shabbat can be circumcised. If a regular circumcision is delayed, there is no disagreement that this may not be performed on Shabbat. However, in the case of aposthia, there are two schools of thought.

R. Elazar Hakappar said that the school of Shamai and Hillel do not differ as to a boy that is born without a foreskin. Both agree that the blood of the covenant must be drawn from the glans. The school of Shamai, however, contends that this may be done on the Sabbath, while the other holds that the Sabbath must not be desecrated on that account.

David Levy, former Israeli Foreign Minister and member of Knesset, was born aposthic. Arye Avneri 's authorized 1983 biography of Levy notes this:

When David Levy was born... his mother Sima noticed at once that he was different from other baby boys. He had been born already circumcised, for the foreskin was entirely missing.

The rabbis in Rabat proclaimed that this foretold that Levy would grow up to be a "leader of Israel", even though the State was not founded until Levy was 11, in 1948. This proclamation was not necessarily prophetic of the founding of Israel, for "Israel" is a term that can be used to refer to "the Jewish people".

## Aposthia in literature

Lazarus Long, principal protagonist in several of Robert Heinlein 's novels, was born aposthic.


Black Myth: Wukong

# Black Myth: Wukong

## Abstract

Black Myth: Wukong is a 2024 action role-playing game developed and published by Game Science. The game is inspired by the classical Chinese novel Journey to the West and follows an anthropomorphic monkey based on Sun Wukong from the novel.

Black Myth: Wukong was released for PlayStation 5 and Windows on August 20, 2024, with an Xbox Series X/S version and an expansion planned for release. The game received generally favorable reviews from critics. It sold 18 million units within two weeks, making it one of the fastest-selling games of all time.

## Gameplay

Black Myth: Wukong is an action role-playing game, with Soulslike elements. It is a single-player game, which is played from a third-person perspective.

The player controls a monkey protagonist referred to as the Destined One, who is based on Sun Wukong from the Journey to the West. The protagonist's weapon is a staff, which is based on the Ruyi Jingu Bang from the novel. The staff can extend and shrink in size during combat. The three staff stances, which are the smash stance, the pillar stance, and the thrust stance, provide versatility in fights. The combat mechanics involve resource management. Focus can be accumulated by landing light attacks, executing well-timed dodges, and other means. A focus point is gained when the meter for focus is filled up. These points can be used to initiate a varied combo, chained to light attacks, or to charge a heavy attack on its own. Stamina is depleted by sprinting, dodging, and attacking.

Spells have cooldowns and consume mana. They are categorized in mysticism, alteration, strand, and transformations. The protagonist uses transformations to shapeshift into a different creature or being. An example is the transformation Red Tides, which takes the form of Guangzhi, a wolfman who wields a flaming glaive. The transformations come with their own movesets and health. They are available on cooldown, but do not cost mana. They last until their might, which is depleted by attacking, or health runs out.

Spirits provide a skill and passive effect if they are equipped. Defeated yaoguai chiefs may leave behind their spirits, which can be acquired if they are absorbed into a gourd. Spirit skills function as transformations to do a unique attack. Qi is used to activate spirit skills. An example of a spirit is the Wandering Wight, who does a headbutt attack.

The game follows a mostly linear progression interspersed with expansive areas. There are keeper's shrines, which act as checkpoints for the player, along the way. Throughout the world, the protagonist encounters various yaoguai as enemies. The game's difficulty cannot be changed by players, but it does not remain the same throughout a playthrough.

## Synopsis

### Setting

Black Myth: Wukong is inspired by the classical Chinese novel Journey to the West. The game spans six chapters, each focusing on the journey through a specific fictional location: Black Wind Mountain, Yellow Wind Ridge, Little Western Paradise, The Webbed Hollow, Flaming Mountains, and Mount Huaguo. It introduces cultural and natural landmarks derived from the real world into its setting. It features, for example, several locations from Shanxi Province, such as the Yungang Grottoes, Little Western Paradise, Nanchan Temple, Iron Buddha Temple, Guangsheng Temple, and Stork Tower, as well as locations from other provinces, such as the Kaiyuan Temple in Fujian Province.

Each chapter concludes with an animated cutscene providing a reflection and exploration of the narrative and thematic elements of Black Myth Wukong.

### Plot

After escorting his master Tang Sanzang and retrieving Buddhist scriptures in a perilous pilgrimage to the West, Sun Wukong ascends to Buddhahood. Yet, he rejects life in the Celestial Court and chooses the simple joys of life on Mount Huaguo instead. The Court grows mistrustful of his choice to forgo the life above and sends an army led by Erlang Shen to force him to submit. Sun Wukong duels Erlang Shen, but he is incapacitated by the circlet that binds him to the Court and sealed in stone on the mountain. He is severed from his six senses, corresponding to six relics scattered across the mortal realm. Over the next few centuries, the monkeys of the mountain send out young warriors to recover the relics in order to revive Sun Wukong. A monkey referred to as the Destined One sets out on this path.

The Destined One traverses through Black Wind Mountain. He meets the Keeper of Black Wind Mountain, who helps and guides him through the place. Along the way, he passes through Guanyin Temple, which was devastated by fire and later rebuilt. The Destined One defeats the Black Bear Guai, who has the "Craving Eyes" relic enshrined atop a pagoda at the mountain's summit, and takes the relic, while the Black Bear Guai reveals that he was just a pawn of the Celestial Court, begs for mercy, and promises to return to Guanyin for atonement.

The Destined One proceeds to the desolate Yellow Wind Ridge. Occasionally, a mysterious Headless Monk, who sings and plays a sanxian, appears and provides help. The Destined One defeats the Yellow Wind Sage, who uses Bodhisattva Lingji 's severed head to contain the "Fuming Ears" relic. The Headless Monk, who turns out to be Bodhisattva Lingji, places his head back on his body and hands over the relic to the Destined One.

The Destined One continues to The New West, a cold mountainous place. Yellowbrow, who possesses the "Hubris Nose" relic and has taken the guise of Maitreya, sends Kang-Jin Star after the Destined One. In their last battle, the Destined One causes her to crash into and separate the Gold Cymbals imprisoning Zhu Bajie, an old friend of Sun Wukong and a banished admiral of the Celestial Court. Zhu Bajie joins his quest to gather the relics. The Destined One defeats Yellowbrow at New Thunderclap Temple, but Yellowbrow flees toward the relic kept in a frozen lake and falls into the lake. Maitreya fishes the relic out of the lake for the Destined One.

The Destined One and Zhu Bajie are transported, hidden in a chest, by pig guais to The Webbed Hollow. The guais become alerted by Zhu Bajie, so the Fourth Sister kills the guais. She continues to watch over and aid the Destined One. She is from the Zhu family, composed of spider guai sisters and matriarch. Their Second Sister captures Zhu Bajie and brings him to the matriarch, the Violet Spider, but the Destined One goes to rescue him. The Violet Spider is defeated by the Destined One and flees to the Hundred-Eyed Daoist Master. The Daoist Master, who gave the "Envious Tongue" relic to her, violently takes it back from her. The spider sisters and the Destined One attack and defeat him. Zhu Bajie and the injured Violet Spider share a last glance at each other before he sorrowfully walks away toward the relic. They fell in love a long time ago, were an admiral and maiden of the Celestial Court once, and tragically became yaoguais in the mortal realm.

The Destined One and Zhu Bajie fight their way to Flaming Mountains. The Bull King, a sworn brother of Sun Wukong, keeps the "Grieved Body" relic hidden in his stomach. The Destined One and Zhu Bajie find someone who claims to be Pingping, the daughter of the Bull King and Princess Fair Fox, and asks for help to save her father. However, the Bull King could tell that his son Red Boy disguised himself as his daughter Pingping to deceive them. Red Boy takes the relic by feigning defeat through a death talisman, while the Bull King tries to give the relic to the Destined One, and consumes it for power, but is defeated by the Destined One and Zhu Bajie. His mother Rakshasi begs mercy for him and offers her Plantain Fan, but Red Boy refuses to submit and kills himself. With his death, the relic appears for them to take.

The ending is determined by the following optional storyline: In the Great Pagoda located in The New West, Maitreya guides both Erlang Shen and the Destined One to Mount Mei, where they confront each other. Here, the Destined One battles Erlang Shen and the Four Heavenly Kings. Upon their defeat, Erlang Shen, who has Sun Wukong 's mind contained in his Third Eye, unleashes Sun Wukong's memories to the Destined One and shares his realization that his fight a long time ago allowed Sun Wukong to set a path to break free through a mortal death.

#### Endings

The Destined One and Zhu Bajie return to Mount Huaguo. They retrieve Sun Wukong 's armor and Jingubang. They reach the summit and enter the stone, which contains a place shaped by Sun Wukong's lingering memories. The Old Monkey ferries them through its waters. In this place, however, they come across their current selves on the ferry, which represents the last memory of the Destined One's mind. The Old Monkey explains that Sun Wukong's mind is lost, as the mind is an essence unique to every life and therefore destined to fade away at life's end, so Sun Wukong will never return and the journey was meant for the Destined One to be forged into a worthy successor who inherits the name and nature of Sun Wukong. At the end, the Destined One fights Sun Wukong's broken shell stripped from his six senses. Sun Wukong's broken shell is defeated and dissipates, while his circlet appears on his head and falls into the water. The Old Monkey picks up and puts the circlet on the Destined One, who remains trapped inside the stone, in one ending. However, if the Destined One regained Sun Wukong's memories, he does not wear the circlet. The latter ending provides the "Freed Mind" relic in a New Game Plus.

## Development

Black Myth: Wukong is a game developed and published by Game Science. The decision to make a single-player game was made on February 25, 2018. The development team moved from Shenzhen to Hangzhou in December 2018. They wanted to create a single-player game in their own style with a focus on traditional cultural themes. They discussed themes such as xianxia and wuxia, but were most enthusiastic about the Journey to the West. The team chose to use Unreal Engine 4 and familiarized themselves with it in the level for Mount Huaguo, which briefly appeared in the announcement trailer, before they put work on it down and started on the level for Black Wind Mountain.

Black Myth: Wukong was first announced with a trailer showcasing gameplay in its pre-alpha build on August 20, 2020. The trailer demonstrated the game built on Unreal Engine 4. It showed the protagonist exploring the environment and fighting various foes in a location known as Black Wind Mountain. Within one day, the trailer had nearly two million views on YouTube and ten million views on Bilibili. As Game Science's development team was small, the trailer was released to attract people to the studio to help build the game. Therefore, the principle of the trailer was to show the level for Black Wind Mountain in its current state, rather than make adjustment for the sake of the demonstration. The team started with seven people and had thirty people around the time of the announcement. In the past, they would recruit within their own personal network, but they realized that this was not enough for the project. The popularity of the trailer far exceeded their expectations and had resulted in over 10 thousand applicants, but they maintained their plans to recruit between ten and fifteen people for the time being to not expand too quickly and lose their original vision.

Black Myth: Wukong is developed on Unreal Engine 5. It was initially developed on its previous iteration, Unreal Engine 4. The move to the newer version was revealed through a trailer on August 20, 2021. Game Science explained that, in 2021, they had switched to Unreal Engine 5 as this would help with their pursuit for realism in the style. In designing the environment, the development team conducted on-site studies of various locations. They made scans of many buildings and statues to recreate them or use them as a basis in the design. Motion capture performed by several actors was used for the movement of different characters. The actor Yin Kai provided the motion capture for the Destined One and several other characters. He, a practitioner of martial arts, remarked that most of his performances were for actions done by the protagonist during combat. The sound, including the music and voices, was co-produced by 8082 Audio. The game features an adaptation of the theme song " Yungong Xunyin ", originally composed by Xu Jingqing, from the 1986 television series Journey to the West. The game's end credits listed 140 people for the development team.

Black Myth: Wukong had a budget of $70 million throughout its six years of development, as reported by Bloomberg. This was partly contributed by the investor Hero Games. Feng Ji stated that they could not undertake such a project at the beginning, so they made two mobile games before they cautiously began the project, as they previously worked at Tencent and thus knew the possible risks from experience. Yang Qi stated that they considered the cost for research and development to be high as early as the start, so they did not have high expectations for profitability initially.

Feng Ji revealed that they planned Black Myth: Wukong to be the first installment in a Black Myth series, which would explore different stories in Chinese mythology. The game was internally referred to as B1, meaning Black Myth One, in reference to its status as the first work in the series. They already have ideas for two other titles in the series, but have not publicly revealed them.

Hero Games' Daniel Wu confirmed that an expansion for the game is in the works.

## Release

Black Myth: Wukong was released for PlayStation 5 and PC (Windows) on August 20, 2024, at 10 AM (UTC+8). An Xbox Series X/S version is planned, although the release date has not been announced.

In January 2023, Game Science published a promotional short film celebrating the upcoming Year of the Rabbit which revealed that Black Myth: Wukong would be released in the summer of 2024. During The Game Awards in December 2023, they released a trailer announcing the release date as August 20, 2024. In June 2024, they disclosed that the Xbox Series X/S version of the game was delayed for optimization to meet their quality standards. Reports suggested that this may be due to the technical limitations of Xbox Series S; some sources suggested a memory leak on Xbox as the possible issue. IGN reported that the delay was, according to an unnamed source, because of an exclusivity deal with Sony and not technical issues. Microsoft responded that the delay was not due to Xbox limitations "that have been raised to us." Giant Bomb ' s Jeff Grubb stated, after speaking to his sources, that Sony had no marketing deal in place to keep the game as an exclusive.

Black Myth: Wukong received four editions: Digital Standard Edition, Digital Deluxe Edition, Deluxe Edition, and Collector's Edition. The Digital Standard Edition contains the base game. The Digital Deluxe Edition, additionally, provides in-game bonus content and a selected digital soundtrack. The content consists of the weapon Bronzecloud Staff; the equipment Folk Opera Mask, Folk Opera Almsgiving Armor, Folk Opera Leather Bracers, and Folk Opera Buskins; and the curio Wind Chimes. The two physical editions, the Deluxe Edition and the Collector's Edition, contain an activation code for the Digital Deluxe Edition on WeGame for JD.com purchases or Steam for overseas purchases. The Deluxe Edition comes with the physical collectibles: Steel Case, The Constricting Headband, Chaos at the Peach Banquet (color print on silk scroll), Wind Chime (necklace), Thunderstone (ring), Gold Sun Crow (pin), Stamps and Postcard, and Warranty Certificate. For the Collector's Edition, these are: Steel Case, Confront Destiny (protagonist figurine), Teaching of the Heart Sutra (color print on silk scroll), Wind Chime, Thunderstone, Gold Sun Crow, Stamps and Postcard, and Warranty Certificate. A physical disc is not included in any edition. Game Science stated that they are exploring options to offer physical discs, but that limitations in offline resources have made it difficult to offer physical discs simultaneously with the release.

Black Myth: Wukong was the most-wishlisted game on Steam from May 2024. Pre-orders for the game launched on June 8, 2024. This came with the in-game content Trailblazer's Scarlet Gourd, which is also obtainable through in-game progression. As reported in early August, the game ranked first on Steam 's global top sellers chart. When the game's preload went live shortly before release, the download bandwidth usage on Steam reached its highest-ever peak at 70 terabytes per second, superseding the previous record held by Cyberpunk 2077 in 2020. Hero Games, a marketing partner, reportedly sent some content creators an email with an activation code for the game and guidelines to not discuss topics including politics, feminism, and other things in their coverage of the game at launch.

## Reception

Black Myth: Wukong received "generally favorable" reviews on PC and PlayStation 5 from critics, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.

The game won "Best Visuals" and was nominated for "Most Epic" at Gamescom in 2023.

### Sales

On the day of release, Black Myth: Wukong reached over 2.2 million concurrent players on Steam, which placed it as the second highest game of all time by this metric, surpassing other popular games such as Elden Ring and Cyberpunk 2077. Within hours, it became the single-player game with the most concurrent players of all time on Steam. Bloomberg reported that this ascent could help the game "seal its place in industry lore." On August 22, the game reached its all-time peak of over 2.4 million concurrent players on Steam, only following PUBG: Battlegrounds.

Game Science announced that Black Myth: Wukong had sold 10 million units, derived from data as of August 23, 2024, at 9 PM (UTC+8), and had reached 3 million concurrent players across all platforms. The game is one of the fastest-selling of all time. The physical editions were in high demand, with 700 thousand people signed up to purchase a supply of only 30 thousand units on the retailer JD.com for example.

Hero Games' Daniel Wu, an investor, shared to Bloomberg that Black Myth: Wukong had sold 18 million units within two weeks. Bloomberg described this as "one of the fastest starts the global gaming industry has seen." Sony revealed that it was the most-downloaded PlayStation 5 game in North America (United States and Canada), Europe, and Japan during August 2024.

### Impact

Nikkei Asia reported that Black Myth: Wukong is regarded as a new standard bearer for games in the Chinese video game industry, which undergoes a gradual shift from mobile games toward console games, and could inspire Chinese developers to undertake ambitious projects that draw international audiences. During the pre-release, Soulframe Liang, the director of Phantom Blade Zero, commented that, if Black Myth: Wukong succeeds in the domestic and international market, people would be confident about other games in their industry and that he thought that it would indeed be a large success.

The popularity of the game managed to boost sales of PlayStation 5, which reached the top for video game hardware and had twice the sales from the same period last year on Alibaba 's Tmall in the week before the game's launch for example, in the Chinese market. The game led to a substantial increase of tourism to the real-world locations of scenes in the game.

The character Fourth Sister has become a popular subject for cosplay on Bilibili, Douyin, and other platforms.


Vladislav Kara

# Vladislav Kara

## Abstract

Vladislav Kara (born 20 April 1998) is a Russian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for HC Sibir Novosibirsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the fourth round, 124th overall, in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

## Playing career

Kara played as a youth and later made his professional debut with Ak Bars Kazan in the 2017–18 season. Following his third KHL season within Ak Bars, unable to cement a full-time role on the roster, Kara was traded to fellow KHL club Severstal Cherepovets in exchange for financial compensation on 17 July 2020.

In the following 2020–21 season, Kara made 17 appearances with Severstal, posting 1 goal and 3 points. He was also assigned to VHL farm club, Molot-Prikamye Perm, collecting 4 points through 14 games. On 27 December 2020, Kara brief tenure with Severstal ended as he was mutually released from his contract to sign a two-way contract with HC Spartak Moscow for the remainder of the season.

Following a full season in the VHL with HC Yugra, Kara returned to the KHL for the 2022–23 season in securing a contract with former club, Severstal Cherepovets, on 5 May 2022. Before re-joining Severstal, Kara was again on the move after he was traded to HC Vityaz in exchange for financial compensation on 13 July 2022.

After opening the 2024–25 season with Vityaz, Kara was traded by Vityaz to HC Sibir Novosibirsk in exchange for the rights to Pavel Jenyš on 11 September 2024.


Diyanet Center of America

# Diyanet Center of America

## Abstract

Diyanet Center of America (DCA) is a non-profit organization funded by the Turkish government that is based in Lanham, Maryland, serving the needs of the Muslim community in the Washington metropolitan area. The center holds regular Friday congregational prayers, Ramadan dinners, religious holiday celebrations – including Mawlid – and various other social, cultural, and religious activities.

The center benefits from its proximity to the nation's capital, various federal and state institutions, and schools.

The complex consists of five main buildings, an underground parking garage, and a geothermal well field on a 15-acre site. The five buildings are a mosque constructed using 16th century classical Ottoman architecture, a cultural center building, a guest house, a fellowship hall with a restaurant and shops, and a recreational building housing a Turkish bath, an indoor pool, and a sports center.

## History

The organization was established as the Turkish American Islamic Foundation in 1993, and as the scope of services expanded it was renamed to the Turkish American Community Center (TACC) in 2003. After the completion of a comprehensive construction project, the center was renamed to its assumed business name of Diyanet Center of America, which receives major support from Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), an institution of the Government of Turkey. The result of the construction project is a small village that will be an important cultural hub for all visitors and residents of Washington D.C. area.

## Affiliated mosques

- Murat Mosque, Upper Pittsgrove, NJ

- Turkish Islamic Cultural Center of Queens, Sunnyside, NY

- Ulu Mosque of Paterson, Paterson, NJ

- Springfield Imam Buhari Mosque, Indian Orchard, MA

- Eyüp Sultan Mosque, Brooklyn, NY

- Delaware Diyanet Camii, New Castle, DE

- Ahıska Turks Community Center of Kentucky, Louisville, KY

- NJ Burlington County Muslim Association, Burlington, NJ

- Bergen Diyanet Mosque and Cultural Center, Cliffside Park, NJ

- Turkish Society of Rochester Mosque, Rochester, NY

- Long Island Mevlana Mosque, Port Jefferson Station, NY

- Paterson Mevlana Mosque, Paterson, NJ

- Hamidiye Mosque, Willingboro, NJ

- Diyanet Dallas Mosque, Dallas, TX


G.E.M.

# G.E.M.

## Abstract

Gloria Tang Sze-wing (born 16 August 1991), known professionally as G.E.M. (backronym of Get Everybody Moving) or Tang Tsz-kei, is a Chinese-born Hong Kong singer-songwriter and producer. Born in Shanghai and raised in Hong Kong, G.E.M. made her debut in 2008 with the release of her self-titled Cantonese extended play G.E.M. The release won her the gold award for best newcomer at three major music awards ceremonies in Hong Kong. Her debut studio album, 18... (2009), was named one of the top ten best-selling records in the territory in 2009.

G.E.M.'s third studio album, Xposed (2012), was named the best-selling Mandarin album of the year at the IFPI Hong Kong Record Sales Awards. It also brought G.E.M. her first Best Female Mandarin Singer nomination at Golden Melody Awards in Taiwan, making her the youngest nominee in the history of the category. In 2014, her appearance on the Chinese singing competition I Am a Singer 2 gained her immense popularity in Greater China. Throughout 2015, G.E.M. released a series of singles including " Long Distance ", " Goodbye ", and " Away ", which led up to the release of her first studio album recorded entirely in Mandarin, Heartbeat (2015).

In 2016, G.E.M. became the only Asian artist featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. That same year, she released the single " Light Years Away " as the Chinese theme song for the film Passengers, which remains the most viewed music video by a Chinese artist on YouTube. In March 2019, G.E.M. departed from Hummingbird Music after 11 years following a contractual dispute, and subsequently launched her own management company G-Nation. She continued to see success with her next two studio albums, both of which reached number one on the Hong Kong album charts. G.E.M. embarked on her I Am Gloria World Tour in 2023, which grossed over US$70 million within six months alone.

G.E.M. has won numerous accolades throughout her career, including sixteen IFPI Hong Kong Sales Awards, twelve RTHK Top 10 Gold Songs Awards, thirteen Metro Radio Mandarin Music Awards, one Golden Melody Award, and one MTV Europe Music Award. In 2018, she was included at number 34 on BBC's 100 Women list of influential women from around the world.

## Early life

Tang Sze-wing was born on 16 August 1991, in Shanghai, China; she was given the English name Gloria by her father. Her father is from Hong Kong, and her mother is from Shanghai. She has a younger sister, four years younger than her. G.E.M. spent her childhood at Caoyang New Village and lived with her maternal grandmother who died in March 2011. She moved to Hong Kong with her parents at the age of four. She attended Christian schools for her education.

G.E.M. grew up with a musical background, her mother from Vocal Music department of Shanghai Conservatory of Music, her grandmother was a vocal coach, her grandfather was a saxophonist in an orchestra, and her uncle was a violinist. G.E.M. started to write songs at the age of five. She would play a few practice songs and improvise them herself. She was featured in a performance on Hong Kong's Educational Television at the age of seven. She achieved ABRSM 's piano grade 8 at the age of thirteen. G.E.M. names Christina Aguilera, Beyoncé, and Mariah Carey as her influences.

In 2006, G.E.M. won the champion in the singing competition titled Spice It Up, and caught the attention of Chang Tan (張丹), who offered her a recording deal with Hummingbird Music. She then became a professional singer at the age of 16. She graduated from Heep Woh Primary School and True Light Girls' College with a score of 21 points in HKCEE. In 2008, she attended Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, but dropped out in 2009 due to her decision to focus on her singing career.

## Career

### 2008–2010: G.E.M., 18..., and MySecret

In October 2008, G.E.M. released her debut self-titled EP G.E.M. which included two Mandarin songs and three Cantonese songs. She won a series of awards for the album, and was dubbed the "Girl with Giant Lungs" and "Young Diva with Giant Lungs" for her vocal range. In May 2009, G.E.M. travelled to Los Angeles to record her first studio album, 18..., which was released in October 2009. In November 2009, she held her first concert G.E.M. 18 Live 2009 at Hong Kong International Trade and Exhibition Centre, and the concert featured special guests including Jan Lamb and Justin Lo. In the same year, she also held a concert in Toronto. In 2010, G.E.M. went to Taiwan to promote the album 18... and then returned to Los Angeles to record her next studio album, MySecret, which was released in October 2010.

### 2011–2012: Get Everybody Moving Tour and Xposed

In May 2011, G.E.M. performed a three-day concerts titled Get Everybody Moving Tour in Hong Kong Coliseum, and became the youngest Hong Kong female artist to perform in the venue. She then performed another five concerts in the same venue in September and embarked a concert tour in eight countries.

In June 2012, she performed alongside Jason Mraz and Khalil Fong at the iTunes Live in Hong Kong, and sang " Lucky " with Jason Mraz. Her third studio album, Xposed, was released in July 2012. The lead single, "What Have U Done", peaked number one on all four pop music charts in Hong Kong.

### 2013–2015: X.X.X. Live Tour, I Am a Singer, and Heartbeat

G.E.M. embarked on her X.X.X. Live World Tour in April 2013, in support of her third studio album, Xposed. The tour started with five shows in Hong Kong Coliseum, and ended with a show at Wembley Arena in London, which is also her debut show in Europe. There was a total of 73 shows in 4 continents. In May, she became the youngest nominee ever of Golden Melody Award for Best Female Vocalist Mandarin, with her album Xposed. In June, she released a cover of Chinese smash hit Intoxicated, which was played for 15 million times on QQ Music within a week.

In January 2014, she appeared in the second season of Hunan TV's I Am a Singer 2 alongside Han Lei, Zhou Bichang, Phil Chang, Gary Chaw and others, which was broadcast to over 200 million people. Her second-place finish gained her immense popularity and fame in Greater China. In the same year, she earned a World Music Award nomination for World's Best Female Artist and an MTV Europe Music Award nomination for Best Mainland China & Hong Kong Act. In December 2014, G.E.M.'s wax figure at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong was unveiled. On 10 February 2015, JJ Lin published the official music video for his song "Beautiful" (手心的薔薇) featuring G.E.M..

In September 2015, she was selected to be the team advisor for team Wang Feng at The Voice of China 4. In November 2015, she appeared on the cover of China's Apple Music, and released her studio album Heartbeat with music videos of all ten tracks in the album. The album topped the iTunes chart in China.

### 2016–2018: G-Force and Queen of Hearts Tour

In 2016, she appeared on the list of Forbes 30 Under 30 (Music), being the only Asian musician on the list. In the same year, she was asked to voice a lead role in the animated film Charming, alongside Demi Lovato, Ashley Tisdale, and Avril Lavigne. She also performed at Heroes of Remix that same year, singing EDM versions of songs such as "Like You" (喜歡你) and "The Brightest Star In The Night Sky" (夜空中最亮的星), among others. In September 2016, she released her photobook 25 Looks and an EP, which includes four remix songs. In November 2016, she earned an MTV Europe Music Award for Best Mainland China & Hong Kong Act. On 29 December 2016, G.E.M. released the Chinese theme song for the science fiction film Passengers titled " Light Years Away ", which she also performed on several occasions, including NASA 2019 Breakthrough Prize. Lyrically, similar to the plot of the film itself, it speaks of a doomed love.

In May 2017, G.E.M released her first documentary G-Force, which was directed by Nick Wickham. In April 2017, she embarked on her Queen of Hearts World Tour. On 21 October 2017, Chinese-Malaysian hip hop artist Namewee published a video featuring her in a cover of his song "Stranger in the North (KTV Version)" (漂向北方), which had received widespread popularity, where she sings the chorus which was originally performed by Taiwanese-American singer-songwriter Wang Leehom.

At the 13th Annual KKBox Music Awards on 21 January 2018, G.E.M. and Namewee together sang "Stranger in the North" immediately after she sang "Goodbye" (再見) and " Light Years Away " for her 2018 KKBox Artist of the Year award-winner performance. On April, she was invited to be the duet partner for Hua Chenyu in the finals of Singer 2018 and sang "Light Years Away". On 18 August 2018, her Queen of Hearts World Tour has called for an end for part 1 of the tour and she announced the part 2 tour will hold in 2019 with more new songs.

### 2018–2021: Fairytale Trilogy project, Queen of Hearts Tour Part 2, and City Zoo

In 2018, G.E.M announced that she would be working on a project, Fairytale Trilogy, where each of the three EP's will feature three new songs written by herself, and produced by Lupo Groinig. The first EP, My Fairytale, with the lead single "Tik Tok" was released digitally on Chinese streaming platforms on 16 August and officially released worldwide on the 30th. On 4 November, G.E.M. was invited to perform the song "Light Years Away" and served as on-stage presenter in the Breakthrough Prize, being the first ever Chinese singer to perform at the ceremony. On 19 November, she was selected as one of the BBC 100 Women, being the only Chinese on the list. On 22 November, the number of subscribers of her official YouTube channel "GEMblog" exceeded 1 million. On 26 October, the second EP, Fearless, with the single "Woke", was released digitally on Chinese streaming platforms and worldwide on 9 November. On 14 December, the third and final EP from the project, Queen G, with the lead single "Love Finds a Way", was released on Chinese streaming platforms and worldwide on 28 December. After gaining some more new commercial endorsements, G.E.M. composed and recorded new commercial songs in Los Angeles in early 2019. Then beginning March 2019, she resumed her Queen of Hearts World Tour with concerts across Canada, US and Eastern Asia.

On 3 May 2019, G.E.M. released her sixth and last studio album with Hummingbird, Happily Ever After, which is a compilation of three EPs she released in late 2018 as part of the Fairytale Trilogy. G.E.M. released her seventh studio album City Zoo on 27 December 2019. Following, she appeared on the Bilibili New Year's Eve event and Jiangsu TV's New Year's Eve event simultaneously on 31 December 2019, performing her hit singles Light Years Away, Tik Tok and Full Stop.

On 3 January 2020, G.E.M. was invited to host by Taiwanese singer Jolin Tsai fifth concert tour Ugly Beauty World Tour at Taipei Arena in Taipei. They are singing " Say Love You " and "Light Years Away" with each other. In February 2021, G.E.M. released new single "Parallel" (平行世界). In November 2021, G.E.M. released new single "Double You" (兩個你 / 兩個自己).

### 2022–present: Revelation

...the inspiration for the entire Revelation album came from a supernatural experience she encountered. One day, overwhelmed by sadness, she was crying and praying in the bathroom. When she began humming a melody unconsciously in the shower, she began to feel it bringing her peace, transcending her circumstances. The inspiration for an album emerged: She wanted to use her new song to speak of her struggles, heartbreaks, and prayers, and to remember how God answered prayers to redeem and bless her.

Christianity Today

On 16 July 2022, G.E.M. announced her new album Revelation would be released soon. The 14-track album is to be released by Warner Music China. "Gloria", the first single from the album was released on 9 August 2022, G.E.M. spoke of the inspiration behind Revelation. On 8 December 2022, G.E.M. released her single "Wallfacer" (面壁者).

On 10 July 2023, G.E.M. released her first Spanish language album, Revelación, making her the first Mandopop singer to release a full Spanish album. On 7 November 2023, G.E.M. announced her fourth concert tour I am Gloria World Tour. It started on 9 December 2023 at Guangdong Olympic Stadium in Guangzhou, China. In February 2024, G.E.M. served as a guest performer at the iconic event "TATLER XFEST: Hong Kong Team vs Inter Miami CF " at Hong Kong Stadium.

## Personal life

G.E.M. is a devout Christian and several of her songs reflect Christian themes, including Gloria, Heartbeat, and Walk on Water. Her Revelation album is inspired by a "supernatural experience she encountered." She has stated that her field has been stressful, but that it has been "her faith in God that kept her through the hardships of her career and allowed her to grow in trials."

## Contractual issues and lawsuit

On 7 March 2019, she announced that she would no longer be represented by Hummingbird after three months of negotiations on her contract and allegedly being pressured to work. Hummingbird replied saying that there was no such pressure or unfair practices. G.E.M. continued on The Queen of Hearts World Tour until April 2019 so as not to disappoint her fans. As "G.E.M." and "Tang Tsz-kei" are trademarks held by Hummingbird, it was speculated that she may have to give up using the stage name. However Hummingbird explained that the copyright was to prevent piracy, and a lawyer is being consulted before an appropriate course of action is carried out. A spokesperson added that "a lawyer has been assigned to make sure that will receive all the basic rights that she deserves".

On 29 March 2019, Hummingbird filed a court case claiming that G.E.M. has three more years on her contract, ending in 2022, and is looking to validate the contracts signed in 2014, with no start date indicated on the documents, as to be taken in effect only in March 2017. Should their case succeed and she leaves the company, she may have to pay HK$ 120,000,000 (approximately US$15 million) as compensation for losses. G.E.M. maintained that the 2014 contract was signed under the pressure of not being able to participate in the finals of I Am a Singer if she did not sign the contract. G.E.M. had since filed a counter-suit for unspecified damages, claiming that the company had failed in fulfilling their contractual duties. Both parties seek exclusive rights to her copyrighted works, including the stage name.

On a Shende Wisdom Talents (捨得智慧人物) episode aired on 27 October 2020, G.E.M. alleged that she had suffered "mental abuse" at Hummingbird.

## Discography

- 18... (2009)

- MySecret (2010)

- Xposed (2012)

- Heartbeat (2015)

- Happily Ever After (2019)

- City Zoo (2019)

- Revelation (2022)

## Filmography

## Concert tours

- Get Everybody Moving Concert (2011–2012)

- X.X.X. Live Tour (2013–2015)

- Queen of Hearts World Tour (2017–2019)

- I Am Gloria World Tour (2023–2025)


Stephan Thernstrom

# Stephan Thernstrom

## Abstract

Stephan Thernstrom (born November 5, 1934) is an American academic and historian who is the Winthrop Research Professor of History Emeritus at Harvard University. He is a specialist in ethnic and social history and was the editor of the Harvard Encyclopedia of American Ethnic Groups. He and his wife Abigail Thernstrom are prominent opponents of affirmative action in education and according to the New York Times, they "lead the conservative charge against racial preference in America."

## Early life and education

Thernstrom was born and raised in a working-class family in Port Huron, Michigan. His father was the son of a Swedish-born immigrant laborer and worked on the railroad. Thernstrom was raised a Christian Scientist, but was disillusioned with the faith. His family later moved to Battle Creek, Michigan. Thernstrom received his bachelor's degree from Northwestern University and his Ph.D. from Harvard University, working with Oscar Handlin.

## Career

Thernstrom held faculty appointments at Harvard University, Brandeis University and the University of California, Los Angeles. He returned to Harvard with an appointment as full professor in 1973. From 1978 to 1979 Thernstrom was Pitt Professor of American History and Institutions at the University of Cambridge.

He is the author of several prize-winning books including Poverty and Progress: Social Mobility in the 19th Century and The Other Bostonians: Poverty and Progress in the American Metropolis, 1880-1970, which won the Bancroft Prize in American History and was described by The New York Times Book Review as "the best piece of quantitative history yet published." Thernstrom has served as an expert witness for the defense in more than two dozen federal cases involving claims of racial discrimination in schools. He is the co-author of a brief in "Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle," challenging the constitutionality of Seattle's racial balancing plan.

He co-authored with his wife Abigail Thernstrom No Excuses: Closing the Racial Gap in Learning, named by both the Los Angeles Times and the American School Board Journal as one of the best books of 2003 and the winner of the 2007 Fordham Prize for Distinguished Scholarship. They also co-authored America in Black and White: One Nation, Indivisible, a comprehensive history of race relations which the New York Times Book Review named as one of the notable books of 1997. Their writings have been awarded the Waldo G. Leland Prize, R.R. Hawkins Award, and the Fordham Foundation Prize, 1997 Bradley Foundation prizes for Outstanding Intellectual Achievement, and the 2004 Peter Shaw Memorial Award given by the National Association of Scholars, an organization of conservative scholars. Their work criticizes affirmative action programs.

According to the New York Times, "The couple are much in demand on the conservative talk-show circuit, where they forcefully argue that racial preferences are wrong, divisive and, as a tool to help minorities, overrated. They serve on the boards of conservative and libertarian public-policy institutes."

## Personal life

Thernstrom married Abigail in 1959. They have two children, Melanie Thernstrom of Palo Alto, CA, a writer, and Samuel Thernstrom.