Ivermectin

# Ivermectin

## Abstract

Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug. After its discovery in 1975, its first uses were in veterinary medicine to prevent and treat heartworm and acariasis. Approved for human use in 1987, it is used to treat infestations including head lice, scabies, river blindness (onchocerciasis), strongyloidiasis, trichuriasis, ascariasis and lymphatic filariasis. It works through many mechanisms to kill the targeted parasites, and can be taken by mouth, or applied to the skin for external infestations. It belongs to the avermectin family of medications.

William Campbell and Satoshi Ōmura won the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for its discovery and applications. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, and is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an antiparasitic agent. In 2021, it was the 341st most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 100,000 prescriptions. It is available as a generic medicine.

Misinformation has been widely spread claiming that ivermectin is beneficial for treating and preventing COVID-19. Such claims are not backed by credible scientific evidence. Multiple major health organizations, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the European Medicines Agency, and the World Health Organization have advised that ivermectin is not recommended for the treatment of COVID-19.

## Medical uses

Ivermectin is used to treat human diseases caused by roundworms and a wide variety of external parasites.

### Worm infections

For river blindness (onchocerciasis) and lymphatic filariasis, ivermectin is typically given as part of mass drug administration campaigns that distribute the drug to all members of a community affected by the disease. Adult worms survive in the skin and eventually recover to produce larval worms again; to keep the worms at bay, ivermectin is given at least once per year for the 10 – 15-year lifespan of the adult worms.

The World Health Organization (WHO) considers ivermectin the drug of choice for strongyloidiasis. Ivermectin is also the primary treatment for Mansonella ozzardi and cutaneous larva migrans. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends ivermectin, albendazole, or mebendazole as treatments for ascariasis. Ivermectin is sometimes added to albendazole or mebendazole for whipworm treatment, and is considered a second-line treatment for gnathostomiasis.

### Mites and insects

Ivermectin is also used to treat infection with parasitic arthropods. Scabies – infestation with the mite Sarcoptes scabiei – is most commonly treated with topical permethrin or oral ivermectin. A single application of permethrin is more efficacious than a single treatment of ivermectin. For most scabies cases, ivermectin is used in a two dose regimen: a first dose kills the active mites, but not their eggs. Over the next week, the eggs hatch, and a second dose kills the newly hatched mites. The two dose regimen of ivermectin has similar efficacy to the single dose permethrin treatment. Ivermectin is, however, more effective than permethrin when used in the mass treatment of endemic scabies.

For severe "crusted scabies", where the parasite burden is orders of magnitude higher than usual, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends up to seven doses of ivermectin over the course of a month, along with a topical antiparasitic. Both head lice and pubic lice can be treated with oral ivermectin, an ivermectin lotion applied directly to the affected area, or various other insecticides. Ivermectin is also used to treat rosacea and blepharitis, both of which can be caused or exacerbated by Demodex folliculorum mites.

## Contraindications

The only absolute contraindication to the use of ivermectin is hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any component of the formulation. In children under the age of five or those who weigh less than 15 kilograms (33 pounds), there is limited data regarding the efficacy or safety of ivermectin, though the available data demonstrate few adverse effects. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics cautions against use of ivermectin in such patients, as the blood-brain barrier is less developed, and thus there may be an increased risk of particular CNS side effects such as encephalopathy, ataxia, coma, or death. The American Academy of Family Physicians also recommends against use in these patients, given a lack of sufficient data to prove drug safety. Ivermectin is secreted in very low concentration in breast milk. It remains unclear if ivermectin is safe during pregnancy.

## Adverse effects

Side effects, although uncommon, include fever, itching, and skin rash when taken by mouth; and red eyes, dry skin, and burning skin when used topically for head lice. It is unclear if the drug is safe for use during pregnancy, but it is probably acceptable for use during breastfeeding.

Ivermectin is considered relatively free of toxicity in standard doses (around 300 μg/kg). Based on the data drug safety sheet for ivermectin, side effects are uncommon. However, serious adverse events following ivermectin treatment are more common in people with very high burdens of larval Loa loa worms in their blood. Those who have over 30,000 microfilaria per milliliter of blood risk inflammation and capillary blockage due to the rapid death of the microfilaria following ivermectin treatment.

One concern is neurotoxicity after large overdoses, which in most mammalian species may manifest as central nervous system depression, ataxia, coma, and even death, as might be expected from potentiation of inhibitory chloride channels.

Since drugs that inhibit the enzyme CYP3A4 often also inhibit P-glycoprotein transport, the risk of increased absorption past the blood-brain barrier exists when ivermectin is administered along with other CYP3A4 inhibitors. These drugs include statins, HIV protease inhibitors, many calcium channel blockers, lidocaine, the benzodiazepines, and glucocorticoids such as dexamethasone.

During the course of a typical treatment, ivermectin can cause minor aminotransferase elevations. In rare cases it can cause mild clinically apparent liver disease.

To provide context for the dosing and toxicity ranges, the LD of ivermectin in mice is 25 mg/kg (oral), and 80 mg/kg in dogs, corresponding to an approximated human-equivalent dose LD50 range of 2.02–43.24 mg/kg, which is far in excess of its FDA-approved usage (a single dose of 0.150–0.200 mg/kg to be used for specific parasitic infections). While ivermectin has also been studied for use in COVID-19, and while it has some ability to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 in vitro, achieving 50% inhibition in vitro was found to require an estimated oral dose of 7.0 mg/kg (or 35x the maximum FDA-approved dosage), high enough to be considered ivermectin poisoning. Despite insufficient data to show any safe and effective dosing regimen for ivermectin in COVID-19, doses have been taken far in excess of FDA-approved dosing, leading the CDC to issue a warning of overdose symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hypotension, decreased level of consciousness, confusion, blurred vision, visual hallucinations, loss of coordination and balance, seizures, coma, and death. The CDC advises against consuming doses intended for livestock or doses intended for external use and warns that increasing misuse of ivermectin-containing products is resulting in an increase in harmful overdoses.

## Pharmacology

### Mechanism of action

Ivermectin and its related drugs act by interfering with the nerve and muscle functions of helminths and insects. The drug binds to glutamate -gated chloride channels common to invertebrate nerve and muscle cells. The binding pushes the channels open, which increases the flow of chloride ions and hyper-polarizes the cell membranes, paralyzing and killing the invertebrate. Ivermectin is safe for mammals (at the normal therapeutic doses used to cure parasite infections) because mammalian glutamate-gated chloride channels only occur in the brain and spinal cord: the causative avermectins usually do not cross the blood–brain barrier, and are unlikely to bind to other mammalian ligand-gated channels.

### Pharmacokinetics

Ivermectin can be given by mouth, topically, or via injection. Oral doses are absorbed into systemic circulation; the alcoholic solution form is more orally available than tablet and capsule forms. Ivermectin is widely distributed in the body.

Ivermectin does not readily cross the blood–brain barrier of mammals due to the presence of P-glycoprotein (the MDR1 gene mutation affects the function of this protein). Crossing may still become significant if ivermectin is given at high doses, in which case brain levels peak 2–5 hours after administration. In contrast to mammals, ivermectin can cross the blood–brain barrier in tortoises, often with fatal consequences.

Ivermectin is metabolized into eight different products by human CYP3A4, two of which (M1, M2) remain toxic to mosquitos. M1 and M2 also have longer elimination half-lives of about 55 hours. CYP3A5 produces a ninth metabolite.

## Chemistry

Fermentation of Streptomyces avermitilis yields eight closely related avermectin homologues, of which B and B form the bulk of the products isolated. In a separate chemical step, the mixture is hydrogenated to give ivermectin, which is an approximately 80:20 mixture of the two 22,23-dihydroavermectin compounds.

Ivermectin is a macrocyclical lactone.

## History

The avermectin family of compounds was discovered by Satoshi Ōmura of Kitasato University and William Campbell of Merck. In 1970, Ōmura isolated a strain of Streptomyces avermitilis from woodland soil near a golf course along the south east coast of Honshu, Japan. Ōmura sent the bacteria to William Campbell, who showed that the bacterial culture could cure mice infected with the roundworm Heligmosomoides polygyrus. Campbell isolated the active compounds from the bacterial culture, naming them "avermectins" and the bacterium Streptomyces avermitilis for the compounds' ability to clear mice of worms (in Latin: a 'without', vermis 'worms'). Of the various avermectins, Campbell's group found the compound "avermectin B " to be the most potent when taken orally. They synthesized modified forms of avermectin B to improve its pharmaceutical properties, eventually choosing a mixture of at least 80% 22,23-dihydroavermectin B and up to 20% 22,23-dihydroavermectin B, a combination they called "ivermectin".

The discovery of ivermectin has been described as a combination of "chance and choice." Merck was looking for a broad-spectrum anthelmintic, which ivermectin is indeed; however, Campbell noted that they "...also found a broad-spectrum agent for the control of ectoparasitic insects and mites."

Merck began marketing ivermectin as a veterinary antiparasitic in 1981. By 1986, ivermectin was registered for use in 46 countries and was administered massively to cattle, sheep and other animals. By the late 1980s, ivermectin was the bestselling veterinary medicine in the world. Following its blockbuster success as a veterinary antiparasitic, another Merck scientist, Mohamed Aziz, collaborated with the World Health Organization to test the safety and efficacy of ivermectin against onchocerciasis in humans. They found it to be highly safe and effective, triggering Merck to register ivermectin for human use as "Mectizan" in France in 1987. A year later, Merck CEO Roy Vagelos agreed that Merck would donate all ivermectin needed to eradicate river blindness. In 1998, that donation would be expanded to include ivermectin used to treat lymphatic filariasis.

Ivermectin earned the title of "wonder drug" for the treatment of nematodes and arthropod parasites. Ivermectin has been used safely by hundreds of millions of people to treat river blindness and lymphatic filariasis.

Half of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded jointly to Campbell and Ōmura for discovering ivermectin, "the derivatives of which have radically lowered the incidence of river blindness and lymphatic filariasis, as well as showing efficacy against an expanding number of other parasitic diseases".

## Society and culture

### COVID-19 misinformation

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, laboratory research suggested ivermectin might have a role in preventing or treating COVID-19. Online misinformation campaigns and advocacy boosted the drug's profile among the public. While scientists and physicians largely remained skeptical, some nations adopted ivermectin as part of their pandemic-control efforts. Some people, desperate to use ivermectin without a prescription, took veterinary preparations, which led to shortages of supplies of ivermectin for animal treatment. The FDA responded to this situation by saying "You are not a horse" in a Tweet to draw attention to the issue, for which they were later sued.

### Economics

The initial price proposed by Merck in 1987 was US$ 6 per treatment, which was unaffordable for patients who most needed ivermectin. The company donated hundreds of millions of courses of treatments since 1988 in more than 30 countries. Between 1995 and 2010, using donated ivermectin to prevent river blindness, the program is estimated to have prevented seven million years of disability at a cost of US$ 257 million.

Ivermectin is considered an inexpensive drug. As of 2019, ivermectin tablets (Stromectol) in the United States were the least expensive treatment option for lice in children at approximately US$ 9.30, while Sklice, an ivermectin lotion, cost around US$ 300 for 120 mL (4 US fl oz).

As of 2019, the cost effectiveness of treating scabies and lice with ivermectin has not been studied.

### Brand names

It is sold under the brand names Heartgard, Sklice and Stromectol in the United States, Ivomec worldwide by Merial Animal Health, Mectizan in Canada by Merck, Iver-DT in Nepal by Alive Pharmaceutical and Ivexterm in Mexico by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International. In Southeast Asian countries, it is marketed by Delta Pharma Ltd. under the trade name Scabo 6. The formulation for rosacea treatment is sold under the brand name Soolantra. While in development, it was assigned the code MK-933 by Merck.

## Research

### Parasitic disease

Ivermectin has been researched in laboratory animals, as a potential treatment for trichinosis and trypanosomiasis.

Ivermectin has also been tested on zebrafish infected with Pseudocapillaria tomentosa.

### Tropical diseases

As of 2016 ivermectin was studied as a potential antiviral agent against chikungunya and yellow fever. In chikungunya, ivermectin showed a wide in vitro safety margin as an antiviral.

Ivermectin is also of interest in the prevention of malaria, as it is toxic to both the malaria plasmodium itself and the mosquitos that carry it. A direct effect on malaria parasites could not be shown in an experimental infection of volunteers with Plasmodium falciparum. Use of ivermectin at higher doses necessary to control malaria is probably safe, though large clinical trials have not yet been done to definitively establish the efficacy or safety of ivermectin for prophylaxis or treatment of malaria. Mass drug administration of a population with ivermectin to treat and prevent nematode infestation is effective for eliminating malaria-bearing mosquitos and thereby potentially reducing infection with residual malaria parasites. Whilst effective in killing malaria-bearing mosquitos, a 2021 Cochrane review found that, to date, the evidence shows no significant impact on reducing incidence of malaria transmission from the community administration of ivermectin.

One alternative to ivermectin is moxidectin, which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in people with river blindness. Moxidectin has a longer half-life than ivermectin and may eventually supplant ivermectin as it is a more potent microfilaricide, but there is a need for additional clinical trials, with long-term follow-up, to assess whether moxidectin is safe and effective for treatment of nematode infection in children and women of childbearing potential.

There is tentative evidence that ivermectin kills bedbugs, as part of integrated pest management for bedbug infestations. However, such use may require a prolonged course of treatment which is of unclear safety.

### NAFLD

In 2013, ivermectin was demonstrated as a novel ligand of the farnesoid X receptor, a therapeutic target for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

### COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, ivermectin was researched for possible utility in preventing and treating COVID-19, but no good evidence of benefit was found.

## Veterinary use

Ivermectin is routinely used to control parasitic worms in the gastrointestinal tract of ruminant animals. These parasites normally enter the animal when it is grazing, pass the bowel, and set and mature in the intestines, after which they produce eggs that leave the animal via its droppings and can infest new pastures. Ivermectin is only effective in killing some of these parasites, because of an increase in anthelmintic resistance. This resistance has arisen from the persistent use of the same anthelmintic drugs for the past 40 years. Additionally, the use of Ivermectin for livestock has a profound impact on dung beetles, such as T. lusitanicus, as it can lead to acute toxicity within these insects.

In dogs, ivermectin is routinely used as prophylaxis against heartworm. Dogs with defects in the P-glycoprotein gene (MDR1), often collie-like herding dogs, can be severely poisoned by ivermectin. The mnemonic "white feet, don't treat" refers to Scotch collies that are vulnerable to ivermectin. Some other dog breeds (especially the Rough Collie, the Smooth Collie, the Shetland Sheepdog, and the Australian Shepherd), also have a high incidence of mutation within the MDR1 gene (coding for P-glycoprotein) and are sensitive to the toxic effects of ivermectin. For dogs, the insecticide spinosad may have the effect of increasing the toxicity of ivermectin.

A 0.01% ivermectin topical preparation for treating ear mites in cats is available. Clinical evidence suggests 7-week-old kittens are susceptible to ivermectin toxicity.

Ivermectin is sometimes used as an acaricide in reptiles, both by injection and as a diluted spray. While this works well in some cases, care must be taken, as several species of reptiles are very sensitive to ivermectin. Use in turtles is particularly contraindicated.

A characteristic of the antinematodal action of ivermectin is its potency: for instance, to combat Dirofilaria immitis in dogs, ivermectin is effective at 0.001 milligram per kilogram of body weight when administered orally.


The Nest (1988 film)

# The Nest (1988 film)

## Abstract

The Nest is a 1988 American science-fiction horror film directed by Terence H. Winkless in his directorial debut. Based on the 1980 novel of the same name by Eli Cantor (published under the pseudonym Gregory A. Douglas), the film's screenplay was written by Robert King. The film was produced by Julie Corman and stars Robert Lansing, Lisa Langlois, Franc Luz, and Terri Treas.

The Nest takes place in a small New England town that is overrun by genetically engineered killer cockroaches. The local sheriff (Luz) joins forces with his former girlfriend (Langlois) and a pest control agent (Stephen Davies) to defeat the carnivorous insects. The film was released in the United States on May 13, 1988, by Concorde Pictures, and received mixed reviews from critics.

## Plot

Richard Tarbell, the sheriff of a small island town called North Port, wakes up one morning to find several cockroaches in his house. He goes to the airport to pick up Elizabeth Johnson, the daughter of town mayor Elias Johnson and a former girlfriend of Richard, who is returning from a four-year absence in time for her father's birthday. Strange occurrences happen around the town—the bindings of every book in the local library have been damaged, and several dogs have been reduced to bloody carcasses.

Dr. Morgan Hubbard arrives in town to investigate the dog deaths. She places a trap containing a live cat as bait; a number of cockroaches are lured to the trap, wherein they attack and devour the cat. While Hubbard studies the insects, Elizabeth visits the local diner, owned by Richard's current girlfriend, Lillian. Homer, the local pest control agent, attempts to exterminate some cockroaches inside the establishment.

Hubbard notes that the cockroaches can reproduce asexually, and her hand is wounded by cockroach bites as she studies them. She sprays the insects with rotenone, but is only able to kill them using a dosage also lethal to humans. Elias suggests they evacuate the island, but Hubbard persuades him not to. Meanwhile, Richard shows a number of small objects found on a dog carcass to Homer, who identifies them as Periplaneta droppings. Richard's secretary Millie informs him that Hubbard worked in genetics at MIT, and that she performed illegal experiments.

Elizabeth ventures into a cave and discovers equipment belonging to INTEC, a corporation with whom Elias made a deal to develop the island. After being chased from the cave by flesh-eating cockroaches, she and Richard confront Elias and Hubbard. When Elias demands that Richard cease his investigations, Richard resigns from his position as sheriff. At the diner, an employee named Church is eaten alive by cockroaches. Elsewhere, Homer finds his friend Jake dead, with cockroaches crawling on his corpse. At Richard's house, Richard and Elizabeth find the bathroom toilet swarming with cockroaches. The local librarian, Mrs. Pennington, is attacked in bed by the insects. This goes unnoticed by her niece, who was staying with her for the summer, as her headphones cancel the screams of Mrs. Pennington.

Elias calls Mr. Hauser, a representative at INTEC, and demands that they take action against the cockroaches, or else he will reveal information to the national media. Hauser agrees to spray the island with lethal insecticide at 5 a.m. Elias adds that if residents are unable to evacuate, they will turn on the local lighthouse beam; if the beam is on, they are not to spray the island. Hubbard notices that cockroach egg capsules which survived the rotenone have hatched, and are now immune to the chemical.

Richard finds both Millie and Lillian dead. Homer, in an attempt to kill cockroaches, accidentally sets a flammable insecticide aflame, causing his own house to explode. Richard and Homer confront Hubbard, who reveals that INTEC created a species of cockroach designed to eat other cockroaches and then die after one generation; however, the engineered cockroaches did not die after one generation. In order to prevent INTEC from spraying the island and thereby making the eggs located in a nest in the cave immune to the spray, Richard and Homer set out to turn the lighthouse beam on.

Elias and Elizabeth are attacked by cockroaches in Elias's home. Richard, Homer, and Hubbard find a cat-cockroach hybrid that attacks Richard and is crushed by Homer. Here it is revealed that cockroaches after a while genetically mutate into whatever mishmash forms of preys they ate. Elias is killed by the cockroaches and returns as a human-cockroach hybrid, which Elizabeth kills using a shotgun. Elizabeth and Hubbard drive to the cave and find the insects' nest. Richard follows them there, while Homer heads to the lighthouse. In the cave, Hubbard is killed by a queen cockroach-human hybrid. Elizabeth and Richard detonate an explosive inside the cave, incinerating all killer insects lured into the cave and Homer turns on the lighthouse beam, stopping INTEC from spraying the island.

However, before the screen fades to black one cockroach is seen in close-up, indicating that one mutant cockroach survived and the cycle of terror will start over again in time.

## Cast

- Robert Lansing as Elias Johnson

- Lisa Langlois as Elizabeth Johnson

- Franc Luz as Richard Tarbell

- Terri Treas as Dr. Morgan Hubbard

- Stephen Davies as Homer

- Diana Bellamy as Mrs. Pennington

- Jack Collins as Shakey Jake

- Nancy Morgan as Lillian

- Jeff Winkless as Church

- Steve Tannen as Mr. Perkins

- Heidi Helmer as Jenny

## Production

The filmmakers used 2,000 flying cockroaches during filming at Quicksilver Studios in Venice, Los Angeles. When some of the insects escaped into nearby dressing rooms, the American Humane Association were unable to assist them as the organization must be contacted prior to shooting on matters concerning insects. The cockroaches had been provided by World of Animals.

The pick up truck explosion and the exterminator's house explosion in the movie are both taken from footage from Humanoids from the Deep, a 1980 science fiction film starring Doug McClure and Vic Morrow.

Lead actress, Lisa Langlois afterwards expressed her disdain for the movie poster used for The Nest, which showed a woman in underwear being ravaged by a giant cockroach, and pointed out that her character appeared in no such scene. She complained that the poster made it look like she was being seduced by a giant cockroach. "I think as a woman," she said, "I was feeling really exploited. But now...I can laugh at it."

## Release

### Critical response

The film received a mixed response from film critics. Candice Russell of the Sun-Sentinel wrote: "Fulfilling the promise of The Hellstrom Chronicle, The Nest is a roach rout. It's no masterpiece, but in the last 40 minutes, fans of the genre get their money's worth." The Los Angeles Times ' Leonard Klady praised Winkless' direction and King's screenplay, noting that the film "hatches its clever plot extremely successfully." Writing for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Michael H. Price gave the film a score of seven out of ten, commending its special effects and calling it an "unusually well-made cheapo shockeroo" that "pumps enough vigor into a tired subgenre to make the old nature-gone-haywire premise seem fresh."

Ed Bank of The Pittsburgh Press awarded the film one-and-a-half stars, criticizing its storyline as being "too familiar." A reviewer for the New York Daily News wrote that the film "broke little in the way of new bug-movie ground."

In 2013, Jon Abrams of Daily Grindhouse thought the film was enjoyable, though not inventive; he wrote, " The Nest is neither the first nor the best horror film about killer cockroaches, and it doesn't rank with the likes of the final segment of Creepshow or Jeannot Szwarc 's Bug in terms of 'ew' factor, but it's still an enjoyable little flick even if it doesn't do much to forward the genre."

## Home media

The Nest was first released on VHS by MGM/UA Home Video in 1989. It was released on DVD for the first time by New Concorde Home Entertainment on August 28, 2001, now out of print. Scream Factory, a subsidiary of Shout! Factory, released the film on Blu-ray and DVD as a combo pack on February 19, 2013.


Waray people

# Waray people

## Abstract

The Waray people (or the Waray-Waray people) are a subgroup of the larger ethnolinguistic group Bisaya people, who constitute the 4th largest Filipino ethnolinguistic group in the Philippines. Their primary language is the Waray language (also called Lineyte-Samarnon or Binisaya), an Austronesian language native to the islands of Samar, Leyte and Biliran, which together comprise the Eastern Visayas Region of the Philippines. Waray people inhabit most of Samar where they are called Samareños / Samarnons, the northern part of the island of Leyte where they are called Leyteños, and the island of Biliran. In Leyte island, the Waray-speaking people are separated from the Cebuano -speaking Leyteños by the island's mountain range at the middle.

In the island-province of Biliran, Waray-speaking people live in the eastern part facing Samar island, and Maripipi Island; their Waray dialect is commonly referred to as Biliranon. In Ticao island, belonging to Masbate province, Bicol Region, Waray-speaking people dwell in most of the island; who are commonly referred to as Ticaonon. Although, Ticaonons identifies more with the Masbateño-speaking people of Masbate, being their province-mates. The Bicolano language has more common vocabulary with the Waray language than with other Visayan languages (i.e. Cebuano or Ilonggo).

## Demographics

The Waray people form the majority of the population in the provinces of Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, and Samar while they form a significant population in Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, and Sorsogon, as well as few parts of Mindanao. According to the Philippine census of 2010, the Waray population is 3,660,645. Encyclopædia Britannica estimates that the Waray people's population reached 4.2 million in early 21st century. Although, an updated 2020 Philippine census reveals that Warays only constitute around 4.1 million only, about 100,000 short of the Encyclopædia Britannica estimate.

Most Warays are Catholic, with a minority professing Protestantism, Islam, traditional Waray beliefs, or having no religion. Christianity amounts to 99% of the Warays, 4.69% of which are Evangelicals.

## History

According to historian and Filipinologist William Henry Scott, evidence of the first humans in the Eastern Visayas region can be found at Sohoton Caves in Basey, Samar, dating around 8,550 BC. Flake tools made of stone were found in the caves along the Basey River as proof of human existence during those times. These tools were used by hunter-gatherers until the 13th century.

The Waray people descend from Austronesian-speaking seafarers who settled the Philippine archipelago starting in the Iron Age. Before the Spaniards came in the region, the Warays already had complex cultural and socio-political systems, and trading with the Chinese, Borneans and Malays. In 1521, the Warays of the east coast of Samar, who called themselves Ibabaonon, were the first people from the Philippine islands that were seen by the Europeans in the expedition led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. According to Magellan's documenter, Antonio Pigafetta, they first came across with this native group at sea close to Suluan Island.

The Warays were among the first indigenous groups from the Philippine archipelago who converted to Christianity. Paradoxically, they are also among the last Filipino ethnicities to retain indigenous practices alongside Roman Catholicism.

Due to the creation of the Philippine State and the Tagalogization of the Visayas islands. Attempts to “Filipinize” Warays and other Bisayan ethnicities into assimilating into the Philippine State. The Waray language of Waray-Waray is not nationally considered a language in the Philippines but a dialect except in the islands of Samar and Leyte.

### "Waray Waray" and Eartha Kitt

The folk song, “Waray Waray” came to international attention in the 1960s when the American entertainer, Eartha Kitt, performed and recorded her own version of the song. Kitt sings the song in a mix of Tagalog and Visayan with some English interludes. Eartha Kitt's version of "Waray-Waray" differs significantly from her songs in other languages like French and Spanish. Her rendition is marked by noticeable mispronunciations, misplaced emphasis on certain words, and the inclusion of a few invented words. This rough delivery contrasts with the smoother performances she typically provides in other non-English songs.

The folk song "Waray-Waray" was composed by Juan Silos, Jr., with lyrics by Levi Celerio. It centers on Waray women and perpetuates stereotypes about them. Lyrics such as "Waray women will never flee, even in the face of death" and "But Waray women are different, we do not fear anyone" reinforce the portrayal of Waray people as strong and combative. The song depicts Waray women as tough, thuggish, and grumpy. Eartha Kitt performed "Waray-Waray" internationally, including in the Philippines, where it became part of the broader discourse on Filipina identity.

## Stereotypes

### Martial Culture

The Waray-Waray are often stereotyped as brave warriors, as in the popular phrase, Basta ang Waray, hindi uurong sa away, meaning "The Waray would never back down from a fight". Most of the negative connotation of this stereotype however, which depicted Warays as violent and callous, were caused by the notorious Waray-Waray gangs.

The ongoing New People Army Rebellion's main stronghold is held within Northern Samar, due to the region's history of resistance against colonialism and its strong cultural ties to their former warrior culture in their pre-colonial days as many NPA fighters are predominantly of Waray & Cebuano descent.

### Contentment Culture

They are also known as contented people, so much so that, during the Spanish era, they were often called lazy, for being contented to live in simplicity as farmers, and for making tuba palm wine from coconut nectar. Warays are also known for their love of music, in particular the Kuratsa, a courtship dance. Local artists often create Waray versions of popular songs, such as "An Bahal nga Tuba" that was based on a Mexican song.

## Culture and traditions

### Language

The Waray people speak Waray, a major Visayan language. Many also speak English, Tagalog, Bicolano and/or Cebuano as their second languages. Some people of Waray descent speak Waray as their second or third language, especially among emigrants to Metro Manila, other parts of the Philippines (especially in Mindanao), and elsewhere in the world.

The term "Waray" refers both to the people and the language of Samar and Leyte, and means "nothing" in the Waray language. It is unclear how it became the language's name. According to the Sanghiran sang Binisaya (Council for the Visayan Language), the formal name of the language is Lineyte-Samarnon or Binisaya. Although, the colloquial term "Waray" eventually became the official term.

Waray is predominantly spoken on Samar Island with Cebuano spoken in some areas of the island. Each province in Samar Island has a distinct variant of Waray that can be distinguished by its vocabulary, tone, and accent variations. Each variant has its own name; estehanon refers to Eastern Samar Waray, nortehanon refers to Northern Samar Waray, and westehanon (also called Kinalbayog / Calbayognon) refers to (Western) Samar Waray. Warays who live in these provinces may also be identified with those names.

### Traditions

Many Waray traditions can be traced to pre-colonial times. For example, Waray-Waray Cha-Cha from the Old Spanish Cabecera, the Kuratsa Dance, or Kuratsa de Mayor is a very popular traditional dance of the Waray-Waray at many social gatherings, especially weddings. It is very common throughout Samar. Initially thought to have originated from the la cucaracha (cockroach dance) of Mexico, it was later confirmed by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts that the dance was indeed indigenous Waray in origin, not Mexican. The dance depicts a courtship dance which exemplifies the movements of the rooster and the hen, which were prized commodities for the indigenous Waray people. Traditionally, the dance is played together with a rondalla or a live string band. The music used for the dance is complex, having a wide variety depending on the wishes of the musicians. In some cases, the rondalla also sings while the performers dance to the music.

In Waray tradition, a sarayaw or social dancing event is never complete without the kuratsa. The dance is so integral to Waray culture that it is also exhibited in birthdays, weddings, baptisms, and even political and sports events. Traditionally, the dance area for the dancers are leveled, and not elevated, so that the spectators may surround them, whether the location is indoor or outdoor. To begin the dance, the parag-adu (the person who pairs the dancers) calls out the dancers first. The pairs then proceed to the paseo. The first dance move begins with the siki-siki (foot steps) or the tinikud-tikud (heel steps). Both of which are extremely rapid steps that keep both foot near each other. The couple who dances the Kuratsa are showered with money by the people around them. Both dancers afterwards wave their arms sideways or a little overhead, arms together or in alteration. Afterwards, the men will perform the sarakiki step, a rapid vibrating step performance that depicts the agility of the rooster.

It includes mincing, skipping, hopping, and jumping combinations. Despite being brisque and rapid, the men are expected to execute the steps in a graceful manner where they seem to glide in space. For the women, they are expected to perform that languorous and wavy mabalud-balud steps. The basic format of the women's steps is based on a sub-step known as duon, which means 'to put weight on'. The usage of the duon makes the dancers of the mabalud-balud bounce with grace, if properly done. The best dancers of the mabalu-balud should be light, fluid, and fine in execution. As partners, the pairs should be synchronized with the moves that are designated as dual in nature. The pair dramatize the romantic palanat, a chasing pair step. The palanat depicts the man as chasing the women in pursue of love. The women are seen to reject the man initially, as to test if the man is serious in his pursuit. Once the man is rejected, it is expected for the man to turn back in grief, while the women will follow the man as if looking if the man is really in grief, all while executing the palanat. Once the grief has been proven, the dance proceeds to the dagit (swoop down steps) and wali (lift steps). The man afterwards will kneel and roll around while the woman manifests her prestige with poise as she sways and circles towards her partner. To make it more elaborate, there is also a gapus-gapusay or tying steps.

In gapus-gapusay, the dancers are tied with kerchief at separate times. The tied partner is only released once the free partner immobilizes the sabwag, or dropping money on the scarf laid at the center of the ground. The sabwag notably depicts the dowry. Afterwards, both partners woo each other through steps that differentiate the man and the woman. The man uses the parayaw (showing off steps), while the woman uses the flirtatious lubay-lubay (hip sway steps). The dance traditionally ends with all dancers expected to exhibit finesse in the art form. The kuratsa is notably used in the Waray wedding ritual known as bakayaw. The bride and the groom are expected to dance the kuratsa, followed by the ninang and ninong (the principal sponsors of the marriage). During a bakayaw, people are mandated by tradition to throw money towards the dancing bride and groom. The thrown money is known as gala, and is collected and offered by the groom to the bride as the precursor of a married life. The friends and family of the couple usually throws a lot of money towards the couple as the Warays believe that the more money showered upon them, the more blessings shall arrive for the couple. In 2011, the performing art was cited by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts as one of the intangible cultural heritage of the Philippines under the performing arts category that the government may nominate in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.

## Education

Tacloban City in Leyte is home to a campus of the University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College, Leyte Colleges, and Leyte Normal University. There are numerous state universities serving the region, including Eastern Samar State University, Eastern Visayas State University, Samar State University and the largest both in terms of land area and curricular offerings in the whole region, the University of Eastern Philippines located in Catarman, Northern Samar. There are also other colleges in (Western) Samar like St. Mary's College of Catbalogan, formerly Sacred Heart College and Samar College. Northwest Samar State University, formerly Tiburcio Tancinco Memorial Institute of Science and Technology and Samar State College of Agriculture and Forestry, offer courses that are needed in technology and business community.

## Livelihood

### Crops

The most important crop and major source of income for many is the coconut. Other major agricultural products include rice and corn, while sugarcane, abaca, and tobacco are also grown. Cassava and camote (sweet potato) are grown as supplementary staple crops. Pineapple, banana, mangoes, and other fruit are grown year round, as are many vegetables and peanuts. A root crop known as palawan is also widely known in Samar and Leyte. Leyte is a big producer of bananas.

### Farming and fishing

Farming and fishing provide much of the livelihood of the Waray-Waray. There is an impressive variety of seafood available.

Native wines are produced in the area, as in many places in the Philippines. The most common of these wines are tuba extracted from the coconut palm, "manyang" extracted from palm tree (common in the province of Northern Samar) and pangasi, made from fermented rice.


Tian Tonghe

# Tian Tonghe

## Abstract

Tian Tonghe (Chinese: 田 桐 赫; pinyin: Tián Tónghè; born 6 August 2008) is a Chinese figure skater. He is the 2022–23 Chinese National senior bronze medalist, the 2023–24 Chinese National Junior champion, and the 2024 Junior Grand Prix Thailand bronze medalist.

## Personal life

Tian was born on August 6, 2008 in Changchun, China. As a hobby, he enjoys playing basketball.

His figure skating idol is Yuzuru Hanyu.

## Career

### Early career

Tian began figure skating in 2012. He made his national debut at the 2019–20 Chinese Championships, where he finished fourth on the senior level. That same year, he won gold on the advanced novice level at the 2019 Asian Open Trophy.

### 2022–23 season

Tian debuted on Junior Grand Prix circuit, finishing tenth at 2022 JGP Czech Republic, where he finished tenth. He would go on to win bronze on the senior level at the 2022–23 Chinese National.

### 2023–24 season

Competing on the 2023–24 ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit, Tian finished fourth at 2023 JGP Austria. He went on to win gold at the 2024 Chinese Junior Championships and silver on the junior level at the 14th Chinese Winter Games.

Selected to compete at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics in Gwacheon, South Korea, Tian finished eighth in the men's individual event and third in the team event, helping Team China finish fourth overall.

### 2024–25 season

Tian began the season by competing on the 2024–25 ISU Junior Grand Prix series, winning silver at 2024 JGP Thailand.

## Competitive highlights

JGP: ISU Junior Grand Prix

## Detailed results

Personal best highlighted in bold.


Cristina D'Avena

# Cristina D'Avena

## Abstract

Cristina D'Avena (born 6 July 1964) is an Italian actress, singer and television personality. She has sold nearly 7 million copies of her albums.

D'Avena was selected to join the prestigious Institute of Antoniano choir, following her debut, Lo Zecchino d'Oro, at age three. In the early 1980s, she sang numerous anime theme songs, which were compiled into several successful albums. Around the same time, D'Avena made her debut as an actress. In 1986, she appeared in Love me Licia, an Italian adaption of the Japanese manga Ai Shite Knight. D'Avena has been performing concerts in Italy since the late 1990s.

In 1987 D'Avena recorded the French version of the Italian theme song "Lovely Sara" (which she performed a few months earlier), intended to accompany the broadcast of Princesse Sarah, the first cartoon produced in Japan to be broadcast on La Cinq.

From the end of the 80s D'Avena began a more than ten-year and practically uninterrupted series of live performances in numerous places, from large arenas to shopping centers to street parties and small venues. In November 1989 and 1990 he held two concerts at the PalaTrussardi in Milan which were attended by a total of around 20,000 spectators, while the one in 1992 at the FilaForum in Assago brought together 13,000 people in the room and 3,000 outside.

In 1989 she also began working as a television and radio presenter with the Saturday night variety show on Canale 5 Sabato al Circo, which won the Telegatto in the Children's Programs category. The program continued for four years, until 1992, when it changed title, network and programming day and became Il grande circo di Rete 4. Together with Gerry Scotti, Cristina D'Avena presented the 1989 New Year's Eve special on Canale 5, "L'allegria fa novanta", and the one from 1990, Long live cheerfulness.

Thanks to the success of her first tests as a presenter, in the early 1990s Cristina D'Avena was chosen for numerous programs. Since 8 November 1992 he has hosted the children's version of Fiorello 's Karaoke on Italia 1, Cantiamo con Cristina, broadcast at 8pm on Sundays: in each episode two teams compete to the tune of his theme songs. In the 1993/1994 season he participated in the sixth edition of Buona Domenica alongside Gerry Scotti and Gabriella Carlucci, hosting Radio Cristina, the commentary column on letters and faxes sent by children, and performing in some musical and dance numbers (in these spaces he also has the opportunity to perform the songs from the newly released Cristina Canta Disney album). In the fifth edition of La sai l'ultima?, broadcast on Canale 5 in the 1995/1996 television season hosted by Gerry Scotti and Paola Barale, she obtained the role of special correspondent traveling around Italy. Starting from 15 September 1996, for two years in a row, alternating weekly with Pietro Ubaldi, he hosts the program of cartoons and telephone games Game Boat broadcast every day in the early evening on Rete 4; in this period the fourteenth chapter of Fivelandia was also published, one of the singer's greatest successes, awarded platinum for over 100,000 copies sold.

While continuing her activity as a singer for the Mediaset networks, since 1998 Cristina D'Avena has worked as a presenter in Rai, first at the Zecchino d'Oro for three years until 2000 as co-presenter alongside Cino Tortorella and Milly Carlucci, and then from autumn 1998 with Andrea Pezzi he hosts the Friday night variety show on Rai 2 Serenate, created by Fabio Fazio who was initially supposed to be the host. In 1999 and 2000 he hosted two editions of Concerto di Primavera in April and Buon Natale a tutto il Mondo in December on Rai 1.

Furthermore, in this decade, D'Avena's fame went beyond the confines of television. In 1994 Mina included in her album Canarino mannaro a cover of a song written by her son Massimiliano Pani and originally sung by Cristina D'Avena in 1988 with the title Always attentive to the regulation; for the occasion, the title and lyrics were changed and the song became "Tu dimmi che città".

On 13 February 2016 Cristina D'Avena took part as a super guest in the final evening of the Festival di Sanremo singing a medley of hits.

In 2017, after 35 years of career with the Five Record/RTI Music label, Cristina D'Avena moved to the Warner Music Italy record company taking a more general artistic direction: on 10 November 2017 the album Duets - Tutti cantano Cristina was released with some of his songs rearranged and recorded in duets with 16 big names in Italian music; the operation was highly commercially successful and reached the top of the best-selling albums chart, obtaining gold status (25,000+ copies) after three weeks and platinum (50,000+ copies) on 2 January 2018; Duets made Cristina D'Avena the only woman in the top 20 best-selling albums in Italy in 2017.

On 8 February 2019 the singer was a guest on the fourth evening of the Festival di Sanremo as a duet with Shade and Federica Carta in Senza farlo apposta, while on 8 March " Centouno Dalmatian Street " was published, the artist's first theme song for a Disney animated series. In the summer, Netflix entrusted Cristina with "My Life Is Going On", the theme song for the TV show Money Heist, in which the singer makes a brief cameo dressed like the characters from the series.

## Career

### Music career and theme songs for animated series

D'Avena's main line of work is recording theme songs for animated series. Overall, she has sung 743 songs, including theme songs for Miracle Girls, Sailor Moon, Kimagure Orange Road, Ai Shite Knight, Marmalade Boy, Ace o Nerae!, Touch, Pokémon, Attack No. 1, One Piece, Candy Candy, La Seine no Hoshi, Magic Knight Rayearth, Dr. Slump, Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, Himitsu no Akko-chan, Little Women, Wedding Peach, Attacker You!, Glass Mask, Cardcaptor Sakura, Princess Sarah and Rose of Versailles. Cristina has also recorded songs for other television programs. The dubbed Italian songs she sings are not covers of the Japanese songs but newly written songs for the Italian dub of the anime. For the Italian dub of Mahou no Tenshi Creamy Mami, D'Avena both performed the theme songs and dubbed the singing voices of character Creamy Mami and her rival Megumi Ayase. D'Avena has performed themes for live-action TV series and Western cartoon series such as Batman: The Animated Series, Count Duckula, The Mask, My Little Pony and Friends, The Smurfs, The Magic School Bus, The Snorks, Totally Spies, and Jem.

In December 2009, D'Avena released her Magia di Natale album, which includes 12 traditional Christmas songs, all arranged by Valeriano Chiaravalle. In this album, she sang in English for the first time. She also paid homage to the recently deceased Michael Jackson by including a cover of his song " Childhood ". She later released another album dedicated to Christmas as well as special albums commemorating her 30th year in the music industry.

D'Avena has presented stories and created fairy tales through VHS tapes, and audio CDs for De Agostini and other editions.

On 10 November 2017, following her contract with Warner Music Italy, she released her 76th album, Duets – Tutti cantano Cristina, which includes songs with Italian artists including Loredana Bertè, Emma Marrone, J-Ax, Giusy Ferreri, Annalisa, Francesca Michielin, Arisa and Michele Bravi. The album became her first number one album and received the platinum certification by Fimi.

On 23 November 2018, her 77th studio album Duets Forever – Tutti cantano Cristina was released, containing 16 duets with many singer-songwriters of Italian music, such as Il Volo, Elisa, Patty Pravo, Carmen Consoli, Federica Carta, Elodie, Max Pezzali and Alessandra Amoroso. The album reached number three on the Italian Albums Chart, and is certified gold.

On 14 April 2023, Cristina was contacted by HoYoverse to sing the song "Ti cercherò" for Italy, the theme song for the video game "Genshin Impact".

### Acting and television programs

D'Avena performed the Italian theme song for the anime series, Ai Shite Knight (known in Italy as Kiss Me Licia). She also starred as the female lead, Licia (Yakko-chan), in four live-action drama sequels: Love me Licia, Licia, dolce Licia, Teneramente Licia, and Balliamo e cantiamo con Licia.

A four-season telefilm was created about D'Avena: Arriva Cristina, Cristina, Cri Cri and Cristina, l' Europa siamo noi. They were also hugely successful in the 1990s.

Cristina has been the presenter and the special guest of many TV programs for children, such as Holyday on Ice, Sabato al Circo, Luna Party, L' Allegria fa '90, Bim Bum Bam, Buona Domenica, I Fatti Vostri, Lo Zecchino d' Oro, Game Boat, and Matricole e Meteore.

After co-hosting the TV program Matricole e Meteore for Canale 5, from 2012 to 2013 D'Avena hosted two music-themed programs on the TV channel Super!. In 2014, she was the voice of Beatrice in the Italian dub of Over the Garden Wall. She was a special guest in the 2016 edition of the Festival of Sanremo and was cast for the comedy TV program Colorado. On 16 February 2018, D'Avena returned to television as a member of the jury on the first edition of Sanremo Giovani, a teenage talent show hosted by Antonella Clerici.

On 25 October she won the Telegatto for her 40-year career and on the occasion of her forty-year career, a compilation titled 40 - The dream continues on 25 November, which includes the original versions of her theme songs, unreleased singles and six new duets including Elettra Lamborghini, Lorella Cuccarini, Orietta Berti and Cristiano Malgioglio.

On 15 December 2022, she is among the guests who take the stage of a celebratory public event organized in Rome for the tenth anniversary of the political party Fratelli d'Italia. Her presence arouses bitter controversy among her fans, who consider the values usually communicated by D'Avena to be incompatible with those that characterize the political party, particularly in the field of civil rights, or accuse her of having used the label of "gay icon" without real merit. On stage the singer performs with a skirt in the colors of the rainbow flag and pronounces words in support of universal love, but at the end of the performance she receives and exhibits the sweatshirt of the political party.

## Discography

## Filmography


Trace McSorley

# Trace McSorley

## Abstract

Richard Thomas " Trace " McSorley III (born August 23, 1995) is an American professional football quarterback. He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, where he holds school records in single-season passing yards and touchdowns and career total yards. McSorley was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL draft.

## Early years

McSorley attended Briar Woods High School in Ashburn, Virginia from 2010 to 2014. He played high school football and started as a freshman. In his freshman year, he led the team to a 13–2 record and a state championship. Two seasons later in his junior year, he led the team to a 15–0 record and its third consecutive state title. He was named First-team All-State by the Virginia Coaches Association and Virginia Preps. As a junior, he was awarded All-Dulles District First Team; Dulles District Offensive Player of the Year; and Second-team All-Region quarterback.

## College career

### 2015 season

During McSorley's redshirt freshman year, he appeared in a total of six games, five of them when the game was in hand and McSorley was only in for a few plays. In the 2016 TaxSlayer Bowl against the Georgia Bulldogs, after starter Christian Hackenberg went out with an injury, McSorley was brought in with Penn State down 24–3. He nearly led a comeback, finishing the game 14 for 27 with 142 yards and two touchdowns, but Penn State fell short 24–17.

### 2016 season

With the early departure of quarterback Christian Hackenberg, who was drafted in the 2016 NFL draft by the New York Jets, McSorley and redshirt freshman Tommy Stevens competed for the job. On McSorley's birthday, August 23, 2016, head coach James Franklin announced that McSorley would be the starter. In his first start on September 3, against the Kent State Golden Flashes, he went 16 of 31 for 209 yards and two touchdowns in a 33–13 win. In McSorley's second game, he threw for 332 yards and a score in the loss at Pitt. Later in the season when the Nittany Lions played Minnesota, McSorley put up career high yardage numbers when he threw for 335 yards in a 29–26 OT win.

On October 22, 2016, Penn State and McSorley played Big Ten rival Ohio State. McSorley struggled with accurately throwing the ball, completing 8 of 23 passes for 153 yards. However, he scored two touchdowns, one passing and one rushing, en route to a stunning upset of #2 Ohio State by unranked Penn State. The win gave PSU a #24 ranking in the AP Poll, PSU's first ranking in the top 25 since the 2011 season. The next week at Purdue, McSorley completed 12 of 23 passing for 228 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. The Nittany Lions won in a 62–24 rout and cemented their place in the AP Top-25 with a #20 ranking.

On November 1, 2016, Penn State was named #12 in the first official College Football Playoff rankings of the season.

On November 26, against rival Michigan State, McSorley threw for a career-high 376 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. He went 17 of 23 with a completion percentage of 73%, and led Penn State to the 45–12 win, earning a berth to the Big Ten Championship game against Wisconsin. On November 30, 2016, McSorley was named Second Team All-Big Ten by the coaches and media. With a third quarter completion to DaeSean Hamilton, McSorley broke the Penn State single-season record for passing yards. The sophomore started the night fourth on the single-season list, but passed Christian Hackenberg, Daryll Clark and Matt McGloin ’s to retain the top spot.McSorley finished the game with 384 yards, 22 of 31 passing, and four touchdowns in an MVP, Big Ten Championship winning performance.

"Trace has been dynamic all year long," head coach James Franklin said after the game. "I'm really proud of him, you know, his attitude, his demeanor, the type of teammate he is, the type of leader he is. Obviously he made plays tonight."

McSorley led the Nittany Lions back from a 28–7 deficit and broke the Big Ten Championship Game record for passing yards, set by Michigan State’s Connor Cook back in 2013, and touchdowns. His 364 total yards was also a championship game record.

On December 5, 2016, it was revealed that McSorley was on multiple Heisman ballots, some even as high as two, just behind Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson. McSorley became the first Nittany Lion to be on a Heisman ballot in over ten years.

After the Big Ten Championship game, McSorley ranked third in FBS in passing yard on throws over 20 yards with 1,491.

In the 2017 Rose Bowl, McSorley went 18 for 29 with 254 yards and four touchdowns and three interceptions. He also rushed for 13 yards in a 49–52 loss to the USC Trojans.

### 2017 season

[[File:Penn State versus Pitt (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|150px|McSorley vs Pitt in 2017.McSorley and the Nittany Lions entered the 2017 season ranked sixth by the AP Poll. In the Nittany Lions’ season opener McSorley passed for 280 yards and two touchdowns in a 52–0 rout over Akron. He helped lead the team to a remarkable 7–0 start (with a 3–0 mark in conference play), outscoring opponents by a combined 213 points over that span. Through the first seven games McSorley had passed for 1,879 yards and thrown 14 touchdowns passes.

Bolstered by that strong start, the Lions were ranked #2 in the country coming into a rivalry match at #6 Ohio State. In the primetime matchup, McSorley threw for 192 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also rushed for 49 yards and another touchdown. However, a 19-point fourth quarter by the Buckeyes propelled them to a 39–38 comeback win, ending a potential perfect season for the Nittany Lions.

The next week against the Michigan State Spartans, McSorley threw for a season-high 381 yards and three touchdowns. However, after a 3 and a half hour delay due to weather the Nittany Lions were upset by the Spartans on a game winning field goal 27–24. The Nittany Lions and McSorley responded to the two-game losing streak however. The team finished the regular season 3–0 and McSorley threw for 776 yards and seven touchdowns with no interceptions in his final three contests.

The 10–2 Nittany Lions faced the 10–2 Washington Huskies in the 2017 Fiesta Bowl. McSorley struggled early and threw two interceptions in the first quarter however he finished the game 342 yards and two touchdown passes and also rushed for 60 yards. McSorley was named offensive MVP for the Nittany Lions.

After the season, it was speculated whether McSorley would declare for the 2018 NFL draft. After the bowl game, McSorley announced he was returning to Penn State for his senior season.

### 2018 season

McSorley helped lead the Nittany Lions to a 4–0 start. In that stretch was a game against Kent State, where he passed for two touchdowns and ran for three touchdowns. In the next game, a 27–26 loss to Ohio State, he had 286 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and 25 carries for 175 rushing yards. After a loss to Michigan State in the next game, he had 220 passing yards, 107 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns in a victory over Indiana. After a victory over Iowa and a loss to Michigan, he helped lead the Nittany Lions to three consecutive wins over Wisconsin, Rutgers, and Maryland to close out the regular season. The Nittany Lions qualified for the Citrus Bowl, where they lost 27–24 to Kentucky. McSorley finished his final season with 2,530 passing yards, 18 passing touchdowns, and seven interceptions to go with 798 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.

### Honors and awards

- Fiesta Bowl Champion – 2017

- Fiesta Bowl Offensive MVP – 2017

- Big Ten Champion – 2016

- Big Ten Championship game MVP – 2016

- Second team All-Big Ten – 2016, 2017

#### Records

- Penn State Most single-season passing yards – 3,360 yds (as of December 2016) Most single-season total yards – 3979 yds (as of December 2016) Most single-season passing touchdowns – 29 (as of December 2016) Most single-season 300-yard passing games – 5 (as of December 2016) Most consecutive games with touchdown pass – 27 Most total offensive yards in a single game – 461 (as of September 2018)

- Most single-season passing yards – 3,360 yds (as of December 2016)

- Most single-season total yards – 3979 yds (as of December 2016)

- Most single-season passing touchdowns – 29 (as of December 2016)

- Most single-season 300-yard passing games – 5 (as of December 2016)

- Most consecutive games with touchdown pass – 27

- Most total offensive yards in a single game – 461 (as of September 2018)

## Professional career

### Pre-draft

McSorley was automatically eligible for the 2019 NFL draft as he was a graduating senior.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, McSorley posted a quarterback-best 4.57-second 40-yard dash, a vertical jump of 33 inches, as well as a 115-inch broad jump. NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that some teams asked McSorley to perform workouts with defensive backs, which he declined.

### Baltimore Ravens

#### 2019 season

McSorley was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round with the 197th overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft.

McSorley was the third-string quarterback behind Lamar Jackson and Robert Griffin III and made his debut in Week 17 of the 2019 season against the Pittsburgh Steelers. His sole snap was a quarterback draw which went for one yard. The Ravens won 28–10.

#### 2020 season

McSorley remained the third-string quarterback heading into the 2020 season. He was placed on the reserve/ COVID-19 list by the team on November 20, 2020, and activated on December 1. On December 2, 2020, McSorley came in during the fourth quarter of a rare Wednesday afternoon game against the Steelers after backup Griffin left the game with a hamstring injury. McSorley completed two out of six attempts for 77 yards and his first career touchdown, which was a 70-yard pass to Marquise Brown. He also carried the ball three times for 16 yards, including a seven-yard run for a fourth-down conversion. However, the Ravens lost 19–14. McSorley played two games later against the Cleveland Browns when starting quarterback Lamar Jackson suffered cramps and was pulled from the game in the third quarter. McSorley completed one of four passes for 13 yards and rushed twice for one yard. However, he suffered a left knee sprain on a quarterback draw and had to be pulled from the game in favor of a recovered Jackson. The Ravens came back and won the game 47–42. McSorley was placed on injured reserve the following day, causing him to miss the remainder of the regular season.

#### 2021 season

On August 31, 2021, McSorley was waived by the Ravens; however, he was re-signed to the practice squad the next day. On November 20, 2021, McSorley was activated to the Ravens' active roster, as Jackson was unable to play due to an illness, and backup quarterback Tyler Huntley had to act as the starter.

### Arizona Cardinals

#### 2021 season

On November 22, 2021, McSorley was signed off the Ravens practice squad by the Arizona Cardinals.

#### 2022 season

On August 30, 2022, McSorley was waived by the Cardinals and signed to the practice squad the next day. On September 7, he was promoted to the active roster. On December 21, after starter Kyler Murray tore his ACL in Week 14 and backup Colt McCoy suffered a head injury against the Denver Broncos in Week 15, McSorley was named the starter for the Cardinals in Week 16 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Passing 24-for-45 with one interception, McSorley netted 217 yards in the Cardinals' 19-16 loss in overtime. Prior to the Week 17 match-up against the Atlanta Falcons he was benched in favor of David Blough.

### New England Patriots

On April 13, 2023, McSorley signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots. He was released on August 28, 2023.

### Chicago Bears

On October 17, 2023, the Chicago Bears signed McSorley to their practice squad. He was released on November 21.

### Pittsburgh Steelers

On December 4, 2023, the Steelers signed McSorley to their practice squad. He was released on January 10, 2024.

### Washington Commanders

On August 14, 2024, McSorley signed with the Washington Commanders. He was released on August 27, 2024.

## Personal life

Trace is the son of Rick and Andrea McSorley, and he has one younger sister, Micaela. His father played football at the University of Richmond and an uncle, Jeff McSorley, played football at Marshall University. He enjoys playing organized and pick-up sports and video games. McSorley graduated from Penn State in May 2018 with a degree in accounting and is working on a second degree in journalism. In October 2020, McSorley was the subject of a viral trend on the app TikTok. The song featured in the video, Trace McSorley by Matty Fresh, was originally uploaded in August 2018.

McSorley is a Christian. McSorley has a tattoo on his left biceps consisting of a cross with the Bible verses Philippians 4:13 and Psalms 23:4. He has said that the message behind the tattoo is "always pulling me in the right direction" and keeps him grounded and true to his roots.

He married Kasey Morano, his longtime girlfriend whom he met at Penn State, on March 25, 2023, in Philadelphia.


# List of contraltos in non-classical music

## Abstract

The contralto singing voice has a vocal range that lies between the F below " middle C " (F) to two Fs above middle C (F) and is the lowest type of female voice. In the lower and upper extremes, some contralto voices can sing from two Bs below middle C (B) to two B ♭ s above middle C (B ♭).

The term contralto was developed in relation to classical and operatic voices, where the classification is based not merely on the singer's vocal range but also on the tessitura and timbre of the voice. For classical and operatic singers, their voice type determines the roles they will sing and is a primary method of categorization. In classical music, a "pure" contralto is considered the rarest type of female voice. In non-classical music, singers are primarily defined by their genre and their gender, not their vocal range. When the terms soprano, mezzo-soprano, contralto, tenor, baritone, and bass are used as descriptors of non-classical voices, they are applied more loosely than they would be to those of classical singers and generally refer only to the singer's perceived vocal range. Contemporarily, the informal term alto is sometimes used interchangeably with contralto.

The following is a list of singers in country, popular music, jazz, and musical theatre who have been described as contraltos.

## List of names

## Works cited


The Oregonian (film)

# The Oregonian (film)

## Abstract

The Oregonian is a 2011 horror film directed by Calvin Reeder. The movie premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and was given a limited release beginning on June 8, 2012, partially as a result of a successful Kickstarter campaign. The Oregonian received a DVD release in early 2013.

The film stars Lindsay Pulsipher as a young woman who, after waking up from a car crash with no recollection of what happened, journeys through a surreal landscape and meets multiple bizarre characters.

## Plot

The movie follows a young woman from Oregon (Lindsay Pulsipher), who gets into a car accident and as a result, finds herself in a surreal landscape. She has complete amnesia and cannot remember what has happened or even who she is. As she wanders around in an attempt to find help and safety, she comes across several increasingly bizarre people.

## Cast

- Lindsay Pulsipher as The Oregonian

- Robert Longstreet as Herb

- Matt Olsen as Blond Stranger

- Lynne Compton as Red Stranger

- Roger M. Mayeras Omelette Man

- Barlow Jacobs as Bud

- Tipper Newton as Julie

- Chadwick Brown as Ronnie

- Jed Maheu as Murph

- Zumi Rosow as Carlotta

- Scott Honea as James

- Christian Palmer as Handsome Deadman

- Christo Dimassis as Bud's Friend

- Mandy M Bailey as Stranger

- Meredith Binder as Stranger

## Reception

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, The Oregonian holds an approval rating of 44%, based on 9 reviews, and an average rating of 4.94/10. On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 46 out of 100, based on 4 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".

Michael Nordine from Slant Magazine rated the film one and a half out of four stars, calling the film "a jumbled mess that can’t make its deliberate incoherence interesting". Dennis Harvey of Variety offered the film similar criticism, writing, "Reeder shows a knack for unsettling audiovisual textures, but once it’s clear The Oregonian will offer no real storyline or explanations, viewer patience wears thin".

The film was not without its supporters'David D'Arcy from Screen Daily commended the film's atmosphere, soundtrack, and Pulsipher's performance. David Fear of Time Out rated the film three out of five stars, writing, "though Reeder’s attempts to unnerve sometimes veer close to enfant terrible posturing, The Oregonian knows how to work its unpleasantness to primo psychotronic effect". Eric Kohn from IndieWire awarded the film a score B+, writing, "Alternately creepy, puzzling and assaulting on the senses, at best The Oregonian functions as a nightmarish headtrip with ample doses of dark comedy". Kohn, however, criticized the film's third act, which he felt 'failed to put its compelling fragments together'.


Louis Semple Clarke

# Louis Semple Clarke

## Abstract

Louis Semple Clarke, or Semple Clarke or simply LS, (1866–1957) was a pioneering businessman and engineer in the American automotive industry. One of the central founders of The Autocar Company, Clarke was also an inventor who made numerous contributions to the development of modern motor vehicles, including innovations in the use of the drive shaft, circulating motor oil, sparkplugs, and the American convention of placing a vehicle's steering wheel on the left.

## Family

Thomas Shields Clarke started out with a single river boat the “Beaver” in 1832, then by 1842 he and his brother in law William Thaw started Clarke and Co and by 1855 his son Charles joined the firm. Originally the firm was called Clarke and Thaw and over 15 years operated a fleet of steam boats which traveled all the way to New Orleans and was the designate shipping firm for all shipping west of Pittsburgh for the Pennsylvania Railroad.

Louis was born into an influential family at an influential time in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, a time of great economic expansion and innovation for the region and country. The names with which the Clarkes associated themselves were Andrew Carnegie, Andrew Mellon and Henry Clay Frick all of whom were also members of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club. The club's dam broke in May 1889 causing the largest man-made disaster in US history at the time, the Johnstown flood.

Louis was inspired at this time of innovation and took a keen interest in new inventions and technologies. Louis's inventive nature propelled him to build a handmade camera, with which he took many of the photos which are now part of the county's historical treasure trove. As an avid photographer he was the primary person who documented the SFFHC activities prior and after the dam's collapse in May 1889. The glass plates used to take the pictures surfaced 100 years later when his granddaughter in 1991 found them in the attic. At the time she called Charles Guggenheim who had just finished a documentary on the Johnstown flood and would win an Academy Award for short documentary in 1991. Additionally, the film was narrated by David McCullough who had also written a book The Johnstown Flood in 1968 with various pictures including a picture of Louis.

Louis was probably the last man at the age of 22 to join the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club, as his membership stock certificate is dated April 1889, although he attended the club under his father's membership since his father and various other members had founded the club in May 1879. He and other younger members were energetic about all things mechanical and given the times they placed a small steam engines on boats to cruise across Lake Conemaugh and often LS would dress up as a sailor and “man” his station.

## The Autocar Company

LS was an educated engineer and in the 1890s started working with his brother Charles developing motorized vehicles resulting in the Pittsburgh Motor Vehicle Company supported by brothers, John S. and James K. Clarke along with their father Charles and friend William Morgan in 1897. Initial production included a motorized tricycle and a small car, which the brothers called “The Pittsburgher.”

In 1899, the name of the company was changed to “The Autocar Company,” and operations were relocated to Ardmore, Pennsylvania, a western suburb of Philadelphia. In 1901 they produced what is considered to be this country's first multi-cylinder, shaft driven car. Initial sales brochures touted that it “cannot blow up or burn up” as well as its ease of control, to the point he taught his wife to drive, making her the first known woman driver in the county.

The new design was driven from Ardmore to the Madison Square Garden, New York City, in six hours and fifteen minutes, where it was exhibited in the New York Automobile Show of December 1901. The first eight hundred cars were equipped with steering levers, but new innovations helped the Autocar to generate another revolution in innovative design, placing the steering wheel on the left hand side of the car thus establishing the reason we currently drive on the right hand side of the road. Under the Clarke brothers, the company was an early innovator, developing the first American porcelain-insulated spark plugs – a process patented and later sold to Champion, and which still remains the basis for today's spark plugs. Other early developments included the first American shaft-driven vehicle, double-reduction gear drives, and the recirculating lube–oil system. They Clarkes contributed their engineering abilities toward the war effort as Louis also designed a naval bomb fuse which was adopted as standard and also adapted for army use. His son Louis Phillips, or LP, during the war was responsible for detonating bombs in the US and France. “For approximately the first ten years of the Autocar company's existence Clarke was president and chief engineer of the company. In later years he served the company as vice-president and consulting engineer. He sold his interest in the Autocar Co. in 1929 and retired at that time.”

## Palm Beach

Charles John Clarke (1833–1899) was one of the pioneers of Palm Beach, where he established a winter residence in the early 1880s. Louis's father may have been a winter visitor to the Lake Worth area as early as 1885 when he appeared in a photo with hunting and fishing party near Jupiter lighthouse. He was from Pittsburgh, where he operated a fleet of boats providing transportation between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with his partner and brother-in-law, William Thaw. Charles liked the area so much from his first visit that he and Louisa spent the winter of 1890 - 1891 at Elijah N. Dimick's “Cocoanut Grove House” Palm Beach's only hotel at the time. The following winter, Clarke bought the hotel along with about 50 acres (200,000 m) of land from the Lake Trail to the ocean beach. He also bought 10 acres (40,000 m) more on the South Lake Trail, where the Society of the Four Arts stands today. This estate he named "Primavera" ('Springtime'). He then had constructed Palm Beach's first non-wooden residence, the first to have a genuine tile roof instead of wooden shingles, with white stucco outer walls instead of the usual shingles or clapboard. When the house was completed and landscaped at No. 8 South Lake Trail, he and Louisa moved in.

Louis also bought property in Palm Beach in 1892. Located on his father's estate, he named it “Dulciora", located on Lake Trail South, which is one of the most attractive estates at Palm Beach. His kept his summer home in Haverford, Pennsylvania. Additionally, his brother's Thomas Shields Clarke a famous artist of the time, John and James also purchased property and helped to establish the new community of West Palm Beach where they entertained their affluent friends from Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. By the 1920s West Palm had become the oasis of the East for the wealthy including the Kennedys.

## Late life

After retirement LS lived and died in West Palm Beach on January 6, 1957, survived by his two children and a multitude of grand and great-grandchildren.

## Sources

- https://web.archive.org/web/20070803161623/http://www.goldenagetruckmuseum.com/f.eSon ed_truck.shtml

- hassan web.archive.org/web/20080509095109/http://www.jaha.org/FloodMuseum/club.pdf

- https://web.archive.org/web/200816 numerous significant ttp://www.pennhighlands.edu/library/digital/clark.htm

- http://www.nps.gov/archive/jofl/home.htm

- https://web.archive.org/web/20090108233543/http://americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/1992/7/1992_7_120.shtml

- http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthemove/collection/object_1273.html

- http://www.lwpa.org/pioneer_charles_john_clarke.html

- https://web.archive.org/web/20080627020450/http://graylocke.tripod.com/tsclarke/id12.html