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OTTAWA, March 20, 2009
RR-2008-003
Statement of Reasons
Concerning a determination under paragraph 76.03(7)(a) of the Special Import Measures Act respecting
WOOD SLATS ORIGINATING IN OR EXPORTED FROM MEXICO AND THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
On March 6, 2009, pursuant to paragraph 76.03(7)(a) of the Special Import Measures Act, the President of the Canada Border Services Agency determined that the expiry of the findings made by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal on June 18, 2004, in Inquiry No. NQ-2003-003, concerning wood slats originating in or exported from Mexico and the People's Republic of China was likely to result in the continuation or resumption of dumping of the goods into Canada.
For a PDF version of the Statement of Reasons, please click on the following link.
Statement of Reasons (.PDF, 700 KB) [help with PDF files]
Cet Énoncé des motifs est également disponible en français. Veuillez consulter la section "Information".
This Statement of Reasons is also available in French. Please refer to the "Information" section.
PRODUCT DEFINITION
PRODUCT DECRIPTION
CLASSIFICATION OF IMPORTS
PERIOD OF REVIEW
CANADIAN MARKET
INFORMATION USED BY THE PRESIDENT
ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD
PROCEDURAL ISSUES
INFORMATION CONSIDERED AFTER CLOSING OF THE RECORD
POSITION OF THE PARTIES
PARTIES CONTENDING THAT CONTINUED OR RESUMED DUMPING IS LIKELY
POSITION OF THE CANADIAN PRODUCER
PARTIES CONTENDING THAT CONTINUED OR RESUMED DUMPING IS NOT LIKELY
CONSIDERATION AND ANALYSIS
LIKELIHOOD OF CONTINUED OR RESUMED DUMPING
FUTURE ACTION
On November 7, 2008, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (Tribunal) issued a Notice of Expiry Review with respect to its findings concerning wood slats originating in or exported from Mexico and the People's Republic of China (China). As a result, on November 10, 2008, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) began an investigation to determine whether the expiry of the findings is likely to result in the continuation or resumption of dumping of the goods into Canada.
One domestic producer, Store de bois de Montréal inc. 1 (SBM), two importers, Blinds To Go Inc./Le Marché du Store inc. 2 (BTG) and ZMC Metal Coating Inc.3(ZMC), and one Chinese producer, Tieling Excellent Timber Co. Ltd.4 (ETL) provided a response to their respective Expiry Review Questionnaire (ERQ).
SBM provided information in support of the position that if current SIMA measures against Mexico and China expire, continued or resumed dumping of wood slats is likely. All other participating parties did not indicate their positions in this regard.
An analysis of evidence on the record indicates that, during the period of review, Mexican and Chinese wood slats continued to be imported into Canada despite the Special Import Measures Act (SIMA) duty rate of 120%. Exporters continued to produce and compete on the international market at low price levels and could now be under increased pressure to lower prices further as the current recession decreases demand.
For the foregoing reasons, the President of the CBSA (President), having considered the relevant information on the record, determined on March 6, 2009, under paragraph 76.03(7)(a) of SIMA, that the expiry of the findings in Inquiry No. NQ 2003-003 made by the Tribunal on June 18, 2004, concerning wood slats originating in or exported from Mexico and China, was likely to result in the continuation or resumption of dumping of the goods into Canada.
The original dumping investigation pertained to wood venetian blinds and wood slats originating in or exported from Mexico and China. It was initiated by the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (now the CBSA) on November 21, 2003, following a complaint made by SBM.
On February 19, 2004, the President made a preliminary determination of dumping with respect to these goods. The CBSA was satisfied, at that time, that the goods had been dumped, that the margins of dumping were not insignificant and that the volume of dumped goods was not negligible.
On May 17, 2004, the CBSA issued a final determination that the goods had been dumped and that the margins of dumping were not insignificant.5
During the original investigation, the CBSA considered the wood venetian blinds and slats as one class of goods while the Tribunal found that there were three classes of goods: stock wood venetian blinds (stock blinds); custom wood venetian blinds (custom blinds); and wood slats. The Tribunal's definition of the three classes is as follows:
Wood Venetian Blinds
Wood venetian blinds are used to cover windows of varied dimensions. The blind consists of a head rail made of metal, PVC or other material that houses the mechanisms for positioning the wood slats and activating the cords. Then the blind is made up of ladders, any number of wood slats and a bottom rail that contains pins to hold the cords. Finally, a valance covers the head rail to enhance its appearance. The wood slats, the bottom rail and the valance are manufactured from the same kind of wood and then they are dyed and varnished in the same way as the wood slats to offer a uniform finish. The cords that are used to open and close the blind or to change the position of the wood slats have a tassel decoration at each end. Wands are sometimes supplied to control the tilting operation of the wood slats.
Stock Blinds
Stock blinds, also called "ready-made" blinds, are blinds made in large quantities in a process that is highly automated and are only available in a limited range of sizes and colours. Stock blinds are imported only from China. The standard dimensions are 48 and 72 inches in height by 23, 30, 37, 44, 51, 58, 65 and 72 inches in width. Stock blinds are exported from China in container lots.
Stock blinds are maintained in inventory by the importer and may be adjusted at the point of sale, with the use of cut-down machines, to meet the needs of the consumer by reducing their width by up to 3.5 inches at each end. Some retailers offer written instructions to customers so they can adjust the height themselves.
Custom blinds are produced only to customer order. They are not maintained in inventory. Custom blinds are available in widths ranging from 12 to 96 inches and are available up to 120 inches in height. They are produced in a large number of colours, and they offer optional accessories and refinements, such as choice of valances, head rail types, ladders, wand or cord, left or right side controls, etc. Custom blinds are manufactured by Canadian producers and fabricators and imported from Mexico and the United States in small quantities. Custom blinds are sold primarily through specialty shops and interior decorators. They are also offered through design centres of large retailers. Custom blinds usually come with a longer warranty, and they are significantly more expensive than stock blinds.
Wood Slats
Wood slats are the main component of wood venetian blinds. Usually, wood slats are 1 inch or 2 inches wide and 1/8 inch thick.
On June 18, 2004, the Tribunal concluded that:
the dumping in Canada of stock blinds originating in or exported from China had not caused injury, was not threatening to cause injury and had not caused material retardation to the establishment of a domestic stock blind industry;6
the dumping in Canada of custom blinds originating in or exported from Mexico had not caused injury and was not threatening to cause injury to the domestic custom blind industry;7 and
the dumping in Canada of wood slats originating in or exported from Mexico and China had caused injury to the domestic wood slat industry.8
The CBSA completed its last reinvestigation to update the normal values and export prices of wood slats on February 6, 2008. The results of this review were made public in Customs Notice 08-008 on February 22, 20089. No exporters cooperated during the course of this reinvestigation and, as a result, all exports of subject goods are subject to SIMA duties of 120% of the declared export prices in accordance with a ministerial specification.
On August 12, 2008, the Tribunal issued a notice concerning the upcoming expiry of its findings10. Based on the available information including information submitted by interested parties, the Tribunal decided that a review of the findings was warranted.
On November 7, 2008, the Tribunal, pursuant to subsection 76.03(3) of SIMA, initiated an expiry review of its findings issued on June 18, 2004, in Inquiry No. NQ 2003-003, concerning wood slats originating in or exported from Mexico and China11. A decision to renew or rescind the findings must be made by July 15, 2009.
On November 10, 2008, the CBSA commenced an expiry review investigation to determine whether the expiry of the findings is likely to result in the continuation or resumption of dumping of the goods from Mexico and China. The President was required to make a determination no later than March 6, 2009.
The goods subject to this expiry review are defined as:
"wood slats originating in or exported from Mexico and China."
Wood slats are the main component of wood venetian blinds. The terms "strips" and "laths" are synonyms of "slats". The type of wood most commonly used to manufacture wood slats is basswood. Other types of wood, such as cherry, white ash, beech, poplar, ramin, samba, red oak and red cedar, may also be used. The wood can be stained, painted, varnished, film-coated or bare. Usually, wood slats are 1 inch or 2 inches wide and 1/8 inch thick.
The CBSA considers bare wood slats originating in Mexico or China that are stained, painted, varnished or film-coated in another country before being imported into Canada to be subject to the Tribunal's injury findings of June 18, 2004.
Wood slats are manufactured in five steps: (1) the wood planks are put on a planer to size them and cut them to the required size and thickness; (2) the wood planks are cut to make wood blocks of specific widths; (3) a handsaw is used to remove knots and imperfections in the wood; (4) the wood blocks are made into wood slats using a moulding machine; and (5) the wood slats are machine-sanded.
The unfinished wood slats are then dyed, painted or varnished. The wood slats are dyed mechanically and dried quickly, generally with the use of ultraviolet rays. The wood slats can also be dyed by hand when certain finishes or colours are required.
Wood slats are normally imported into Canada under the following Harmonized System (HS) classification numbers:
These two HS codes are for convenience of reference only. Reference should be made to the product definition for authoritative details regarding the subject goods.
The period of review (POR) for the CBSA expiry review investigation in respect of sales and costing data requested from participants was from January 1, 2006 to September 30, 2008.
Only one Canadian producer of wood slats participated in the CBSA expiry review investigation. Despite the fact that the Canadian Producer's ERQ12 was sent to three integrated wood venetian blind producers, i.e., producers that manufacture wood slats and use them in the production of their wood venetian blinds13, only one, SBM, provided a response. Accordingly, it is not known whether the other two firms have any current production capacity of wood slats.
SBM was established in Canada in 1995 and began producing wood slats in 1999. SBM's primary business is the production and sale of custom wood venetian blinds. It also produces and sells plastic and aluminum blinds.
SBM does not sell its wood slats. It simply uses them in the production of its wood venetian blinds14. Wood slats have no purpose or commercial use other than being part of wood venetian blinds15.
The apparent Canadian market for wood slats could not be determined for the following reasons:
The two HS classification numbers used for imported wood slats include other wood products and thus the volume of slat imports could not be accurately established;
Statistics Canada does not produce electronic data on the said imports and therefore, no public information was available on wood slat imports;
The one known Canadian producer does not sell wood slats; and
Limited co-operation was provided by all concerned parties since the findings were in place.
Subject goods were imported into Canada from both Mexico and China during the POR. In this regard, all Mexican wood slats and 74% of the Chinese wood slats were exported from the United States. SIMA duties were assessed on these subject importations.
The Tribunal's notice concerning the expiry review and ERQs were sent to the Canadian producers, importers 16 and exporters 17 of the subject goods.
The ERQs requested information relevant to the consideration of the expiry review factors found under section 37.2 of the Special Import Measures Regulations (SIMR). Any persons or governments having an interest in this investigation were also invited to provide a submission regarding the effect the expiry of the Tribunal's findings would have on the continuation or resumption of dumping.
The Canadian producer, SBM, provided a full response to the ERQ, emphasizing that the dumping is likely to continue or resume should the Tribunal's findings expire. SBM did not provide case arguments or reply submissions.
Two Canadian importers, BTG and ZMC, provided a response to the ERQ. No subsequent case arguments or reply submissions were received from these importers. Both relayed that there is currently a decrease in demand for wood slats in Canada 18 but did not indicate a position as to whether the findings should be allowed to expire.
One Chinese producer, ETL, provided a response to the ERQ. No subsequent case arguments or reply submissions were received from ETL. ETL did not export to Canada during the POR 19 but maintained a commercial relationship with a Canadian importer 20. ETL expressed an interest in supplying the Canadian market in the future and indicated that it did not believe wood slats were being dumped into Canada from China21.
No other person or government provided a submission with respect to this expiry review investigation.
The information used and considered by the President for purposes of this expiry review proceeding is contained on the administrative record. The administrative record includes the exhibits listed on the CBSA's Exhibit Listing. This is comprised of the Tribunal's administrative record at initiation of the expiry review, CBSA exhibits and information submitted by interested persons, including information which they feel is relevant to the decision as to whether dumping is likely to continue or resume, if the findings expire. This information may consist of expert analysts reports, excerpts from trade magazines and newspapers, orders and findings issued by authorities of Canada or of a country other than Canada, documents from international trade organizations such as the World Trade Organization or responses to the ERQs submitted by Canadian producers, importers and exporters. In this case, very little information was available from these sources.
For purposes of an expiry review investigation, the CBSA sets a date after which no "new" information may be placed on the administrative record. This is referred to as the "closing of the record date." This allows participants time to prepare their case briefs and reply submissions based on the information that is on the administrative record as of the closing of the record date.
The closing of the record date for this expiry review was December 29, 2008. In accordance with the CBSA's guidelines on the Conduct of Expiry Review Investigations under the Special Import Measures Act, the President will normally not consider any new information submitted by participants subsequent to the closing of the record date. However, in certain exceptional circumstances, it may be necessary to permit new information to be submitted. The President will consider the following factors in deciding whether to accept new information submitted after the closing of the record date:
the availability of the information prior to the closing of the record date;
the emergence of new or unforeseen issues;
the relevance and materiality of the information;
the opportunity for other participants to respond to the new information; and
whether the new information can reasonably be taken into consideration by the President in making the determination.
Participants wishing to file new information after the closing of the record date, either separately or in case arguments or reply submissions, must identify this information so that the President can decide whether it will be included in the record for purposes of the determination.
On December 30, 2008, the CBSA received a response to the exporter's ERQ from ETL. After due consideration, the CBSA decided to accept the response as the information was considered relevant and could be taken into consideration by the President in making the determination. Participants were then given the opportunity, until January 15, 2009, to review ETL's response.
Although SBM did not submit case arguments, it did express its position in the ERQ response.
SBM believes that it has not been able to sell wood slats on the Canadian market because of the presence of low priced Mexican and Chinese wood slats 22.
Although SIMA measures have been in place in Canada for the last five years, Mexican and Chinese wood slats have continued to enter the country 23.
SBM believes that importers have avoided the payment of SIMA duties on Mexican and Chinese wood slats by purchasing them from the United States. It alleges that these goods have been shipped from Mexico and China as bare wood slats, finished in the United States and then shipped to Canada as American goods 24. Canadian importers have declared the wood slats as American goods and have not indicated that they originated in Mexico and China and are also subject to SIMA duties.
Accordingly, SBM is of the opinion that the Tribunal's findings have not been effectively enforced since the findings have been in place. 25
SBM relayed that the world recession has caused a contraction of new home construction and that this has caused a decrease in the demand for wood slats.26
SBM also indicated that China has a very large production capacity of wood slats. 27
It is of the opinion that if Chinese producers continue to maintain their current production levels, they will have to lower selling prices even further to combat the decrease in demand and that these lower prices will inevitably spill into the Canadian market, be it directly from China or indirectly through the United States.
Consequently, without Canadian SIMA measures in place, SBM believes that Chinese wood slats will enter the country at even lower price levels than they have in the past. 28
SBM is also of the opinion that the lack of cooperation from the Mexican and the Chinese exporters is an indication of their tendency to dump. 29
Should the findings be allowed to expire, SBM is of the opinion that continued or resumed dumping of wood slats originating in or exported from Mexico and China is likely.
No parties participating in the expiry review expressed opinions or submitted arguments contending that resumed or continued dumping is not likely if the findings expire.
On November 7, 2008, the Tribunal's Notice of Expiry Review of Findings was sent to 11 exporters, which represented all potential Mexican and Chinese wood slat exporters known to the CBSA. Information concerning these exporters was obtained from Canadian entry documents for subject importations into Canada and from information taken from previous wood slat investigations. These parties were advised to contact the CBSA to obtain a copy of the ERQ. They were further advised that the information received as a result of this expiry review investigation would allow the CBSA to conclude whether the expiry of the findings would likely result in the continuation or resumption of dumping. A complete response to the questionnaire was requested at the CBSA office in Ottawa, Canada, by December 17, 2008.
None of the 11 exporters provided a submission with regard to this expiry review investigation. However, as mentioned above, one Chinese producer, ETL, who indicated interest in exporting to Canada, provided a response to the ERQ after December 29, 2008.
In deciding whether the expiry of the findings is likely to result in the continuation or resumption of dumping, the CBSA may consider any factor specifically identified in paragraphs (a) to (i) of subsection 37.2(1) of SIMR, as well as any other factors relevant in the circumstances.
The CBSA received very limited co-operation from interested parties with regard to this expiry review investigation. Similarly, on the public domain, the CBSA found very little information concerning the wood slat industry. An explanation for this is that it is too small an industry to justify any specific product coverage in trade and business media publications. Furthermore, wood slats are simply a component of wood venetian blinds.
Based on an examination of the factors found under subsection 37.2(1) of SIMR and on the information included on the administrative record, the ensuing list provides a summary of the factors considered most relevant to the analysis:
There have been continued imports of the subject goods while the findings were in place despite the 120% SIMA duty rate;
It is likely that concerned exporters will continue to produce and sell into the Canadian market at low prices; and
The world recession has caused a decrease in overall demand which could likely increase the pressure upon these exporters to lower prices even more to maintain production levels.
Before presenting a country by country analysis on the issue of likelihood of continued or resumed dumping, one must review how the findings were enforced since the findings were in place.
The Enforcement of the Case
On May 17, 2004, the CBSA made a final determination that wood venetian blinds and wood slats had been dumped. Only one Mexican exporter provided information that could be used in the investigation. Specific normal values for wood venetian blinds and wood slats were determined for this exporter. The normal values of subject goods from the Mexican and the Chinese exporters, who were part of the sampled group of exporters to whom an RFI was sent but who did not respond, were determined in accordance with a ministerial specification, calculated by advancing the export prices by 120%. The margin of dumping of the subject goods from Mexican and Chinese exporters who were not part of the sampled group to whom an RFI was sent, were determined in accordance with subsection 25.2(1) of SIMR, calculated by advancing the export prices by 28%. 30
On June 18, 2004, the Tribunal issued its findings of material injury with respect to only wood slats from Mexico and China. From that day forward, subject goods were monitored for SIMA purposes. Subsequent to a reinvestigation of the normal values and export prices respecting wood slats, specific normal values were determined for the one cooperative Mexican exporter and one cooperative American exporter. All other exporters were advised that subject goods would be assessed SIMA duties at a rate of 120%, in accordance with a ministerial specification under section 29 of SIMA
On November 14, 2007, the CBSA initiated another reinvestigation. Periodic reinvestigations are necessary to ensure that these values reflect current market conditions. However, this time no cooperation was extended from any of the exporters and the CBSA was unable to update case information. Accordingly, on February 6, 2008, at the conclusion of the reinvestigation, all concerned parties were advised that subject goods would be assessed SIMA duties at a rate of 120%, in accordance with a ministerial specification under section 29 of SIMA. 31
As referenced previously, SBM is of the opinion that wood slats from Mexico and China have been entering into Canada through the United States as American goods so as to circumvent the findings. During the period of enforcement, the CBSA was unable to verify whether the findings were being circumvented in this manner.
Subject goods originating in Mexico and China continued to be imported into Canada throughout the POR, be it in small quantities, despite the 120% SIMA duty rate.
According to import documentation, there was only one major importation of Mexican wood slats during the POR. This indicates that commercial relationships between the parties continue to exist.
The fact that a 120% SIMA duty rate was applicable to this importation implies that the wood slats must have been imported at a very low price so that the final products, wood venetian blinds, still remained competitive when sold on the Canadian market.
Mexican wood slats must compete with Chinese wood slats on the world market with regard to price.
With the current world recession, there is now more pressure on Mexican producers to sell at even lower price levels so as to maintain their own production levels and ensure continued viability.
Without SIMA measures in place, wood slat imports from Mexico will likely increase and at lower price levels than in the past.
For the foregoing reasons, the President determined that the expiry of the finding with respect to the dumping into Canada of wood slats from Mexico was likely to result in the continuation or resumption of dumping.
Wood slats originating in China continued to be imported into Canada throughout the POR. This indicates that commercial relationships between the parties continue to exist.
One Chinese producer responded to the ERQ even though it did not ship the subject goods throughout the POR. In its response, this producer specified its interest in selling wood slats to Canada in the future.
The fact that Chinese importations continued throughout the POR even though a 120% SIMA duty rate applied, implies that the wood slats must have been imported at very low prices so that the final products, wood venetian blinds, still remained competitive when sold on the Canadian market.
China has a large production capacity for wood slats and competes on the world market at low price levels.
With the current world recession, there is now more pressure on Chinese producers to sell at even lower price levels to maintain their own production levels and ensure continued viability.
Without SIMA measures in place, wood slat imports from China will likely increase and at lower price levels than in the past.
For the foregoing reasons, the President determined that the expiry of the finding with respect to the dumping into Canada of wood slats from China was likely to result in the continuation or resumption of dumping.
For the purpose of making a determination in this expiry review investigation, the CBSA conducted its analysis within the scope of the factors contained in subsection 37.2(1) of the SIMR. Based on the foregoing consideration of pertinent factors and analysis of evidence on the record, on March 6, 2009, the President of the CBSA determined that the expiry of the findings made by the Tribunal on June 18, 2004, in Inquiry No. NQ-2003-003, concerning wood slats originating in or exported from Mexico and China was likely to result in the continuation or resumption of dumping of the goods to Canada.
On November 7, 2008, the Tribunal initiated an expiry review of its findings made on June 18, 2004, in Inquiry No. NQ-2003-003, to determine whether the expiry of the findings is likely to result in injury or retardation with respect to wood slats from Mexico and China. The Tribunal will make its decision by July 15, 2009.
If the Tribunal determines that the expiry of the findings with respect to the goods from Mexico and China is likely to result in injury or retardation, the findings will be continued in respect of those goods, with or without amendment. If this is the case, the CBSA will continue to levy SIMA duties on dumped importations of wood slats.
If the Tribunal determines that the expiry of the findings with respect to the goods from Mexico and China is unlikely to result in injury or retardation, the findings will be rescinded in respect of those goods. SIMA duties would no longer be levied on importations of wood slats beginning on the date the finding is rescinded.
For further information, please contacted the officer listed below:
Anti-dumping and Countervailing Program
SIMA Registry and Disclosure Unit
100 Metcalfe Street, 11thFloor
K1A 0L8
www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/sima-lmsi/er-rre/menu-eng.html
simaregistry-depotlmsi@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Mary Donais
Original signed by
M.R. Jordan
Trade Programs Directorate
Exhibit 24: SBM's Response to the ERQ
Exhibit 26: BTG's Response to the ERQ
Exhibit 22: ZMC's Response to ERQ
Exhibit 31: ETL's Response to the ERQ
Exhibit 1: Statement of Reasons concerning the Final Determination
Mexico did not export stock blinds to Canada.
China did not export custom blinds to Canada.
Exhibit 2: Tribunal's Findings and Statement of Reasons
Exhibit 3: Customs Notice 08-008
Exhibit 5: Notice of Expiry of Findings
Exhibit 6: Notice of Expiry Review of Findings
Exhibit 7: Canadian Producer ERQ
Exhibit 2: Tribunal's Findings and Statement of Reasons, footnote 9 on page 4
Exhibit 24: SBM's Response to ERQ, pages 4 and 6
Exhibit 2: Tribunal's Findings and Statement of Reasons, page 5
Exhibit 8: Importer ERQ
Exhibit 9: Exporter ERQ
Exhibit 26: BTG's Response to ERQ, page 4 in Part B and Exhibit 21: ZMC's Response to ERQ, page 15
Exhibit 31: ETL's Response to ERQ, pages 16 and 17
Ibid page 17
Exhibit 24: SBM's Response to ERQ, page 7
Ibid, page 9
Ibid, page 7 and 8
Exhibit 3: Customs Notice CN08-008


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Spanning seven decades and set in China and America against a backdrop of political chaos and social upheaval, this arresting debut novel tells a timeless story of familial devotion undermined by deceit and passion and rebuilt by memory.
In 1931, abandoned after their mother's suicide, the young Junan and her sister, Yinan, make a pact never to leave each other. The two girls are inseparable—until Junan enters into an arranged marriage and finds herself falling in love with her soldier husband. When the Japanese invade China, Junan and her husband are separated. Unable to follow him to the wartime capital, Junan makes the fateful decision to send her sister after him. Inheritance traces the echo of betrayal through generations and explores the elusive nature of trust.


Well, good news/bad news. Something is coming up soon that may seriously get in the way of my hunting/fishing adventures. I've accepted a new job, that's the good news. The bad news is I'll be starting over on vacation leave and it's more responsibility than I currently have and I'll be on call 24/7. So that means less time in the woods this fall and probably a touch less fishing opportunities.
I won't be working all the time, but I'll need to be mindful to stay in cell reception areas, at least, to triage emergencies, which seriously impacts my pig hunting. However, it's bettering my career and the household so that's the positive trade off. I'll still be in OKC, actually working closer to the house, so that's a positive trade off as well.
These things happen, it will get better.
Another congrats on the new job!
Before I retired I was pretty much on call 24/7 for many years. Always found ways to get out hunting and fishing.
You hate to start out with shorter vacations though. Feel your pain on that one.
Last edited by dennishoddy; 04-10-2019 at 11:54 AM.
First of all, welcome to Oklahoma Hunter!
I know the feeling all to well. Haven't had weekends off in almost 2 years. Also worked the midnight shift most of that time. Now a new jobs taking me out of state for good. Sometimes adulting stinks!!
rswink, dennishoddy and Archer22 like this.
The way I see it is that reason you accepted the job is because it's all part of HIS plan for you and it was meant to be. Congratulations and good luck.
dennishoddy, Archer22 and okbob like this.
congrats on the new job. You will find time to get out to hunt and fish.
Thanks everyone. I know I'll find a way to make it work after I transition over there I'm sure. I'm probably just nervous about the change. It's not as drastic as Bullbuster moving up to WY, but I'll be leaving my current position after 6.5 years, the longest I've worked for one employer. Saying my goodbyes the last couple days at work has been difficult, there are some good eggs here. On the bright side I start my new gig on Monday.


The Digital Video Logger (DVL) with embedded software provides user control, data saving and real-time display of the Noggin GPR data.
This carry harness brings a new level of flexibility to Noggin® surveys. The comfortable, hands-free operation of the DVL simplifies data collection in the SmartTow™ and SmartHandle™ configurations.
It weighs only 2.9lbs (1.3 kg) and is a hybrid design of nylon webbing, high-density polymer, and lightweight steel.
This Pelican case provides the DVL 500 with the ultimate protection from hazards on the job site. High-density foam lines the interior of the case to guard against damage from shock or impact.
The large wheel odometer is typically used on rough terrains. It is easily integrated into custom configurations for unique environments or research. The durable optical encoder is fully enclosed allowing it to operate in adverse conditions.
The small wheel odometer is typically used on smooth surfaces like concrete floors. The compact size of this accessory allows it to be integrated into custom deployments of Noggin systems.
These cables connect the Noggin to the DVL. Each end is equipped with a rugged latch to ensure a strong connection, even when the system is deployed in rough conditions. The DVL end of the cable has a power supply cable that is terminated with an XLR connector. The Noggin end of the cable provides a port for odometers.
The belt battery power supply case is a tough fabric belt and pack which holds a 12V 7.2 Ah lead acid gel cell battery. This rechargeable battery is a lightweight power source for Noggin systems. Power connection uses a standard XLR connector.
The standard GPS supplied with Noggin is a TopCon model SG-1GPS. Noggin systems are designed to allow any GPS receiver that outputs NMEA strings across a 9-pin serial cable to connect to the DVL. Various GPS models can be used depending on the accuracy required by your application.
The SmartCart has an optional GPS mount to deploy the GPS receiver right above the Noggin sensor.
1 x 7.05 m string or 21 foot 2-inch string.
Noggin skid plates protect the bottom of the system from abrasion but are also curved to protect the front and back of the system from rocks, sticks and other objects encountered while surveying. The kit comes with instructions and screws for installation.
The skid plates are for Noggin 100, 250, 500 and 1000.
These posts are used to attach a Noggin to the SmartCart. This item comes complete with 2 hex keys.


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2004: January
These featured pictures have previously appeared (or will appear) as picture of the day (POTD) on the Main Page, as scheduled below. You can add the automatically updating picture of the day to your userpage or talk page using {{Pic of the day}} (version with blurb) or {{POTD}} (version without blurb). For instructions on how to make custom POTD layouts, see Wikipedia:Picture of the day.
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March 1 – Thu
The Eastern Barred Bandicoot (Perameles gunni) is a small, rabbit-sized marsupial native to Australia and Tasmania. It weighs less than 1 kg (2.2 lb) and has a short tail and three to four whitish bars across the rump. It is classified as Near Threatened, with one subspecies listed as Critically Endangered.Photo: JJ Harrison
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March 2 – Fri
Diatomaceous earth – a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock made up of the cell walls/shells of single cell diatoms – as viewed under bright field illumination on a light microscope. The primary uses of diatomaceous earth are for cleaning (scouring), filtration, heat-resistive insulation and as an inert absorbent substrate.Photo: Richard Wheeler
March 3 – Sat
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a sculpture carved into the granite face of Mount Rushmore near Keystone, South Dakota, United States. Sculpted by Danish-American Gutzon Borglum and his son, Lincoln Borglum, it features 60-foot (18 m) sculptures of the heads of former United States presidents (in order from left to right) George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.Photo: Dean Franklin
March 4 – Sun
The skyline of Chicago, the third most populous city in the United States. Chicago was incorporated on March 4, 1837, near a portage between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River watershed. This panorama of the Near South Side, Loop and Near North Side community areas, taken from the Museum Campus, includes some of the tallest buildings in the city and the world.Photo: Daniel Schwen
March 5 – Mon
Tungsten rods with evaporated crystals, partially oxidized with colorful tarnish, as well as a 1 cm3 tungsten cube for comparison. Tungsten is a hard, rare metal under standard conditions when uncombined and is found naturally on Earth only in chemical compounds. Its chemical symbol is W, which represents its alternative name, "wolfram".Photo: Alchemist-hp
March 6 – Tue
The Alamo is a Roman Catholic mission located in San Antonio, Texas, United States. It was the site of the Battle of the Alamo during the Texas Revolution, in which almost all the Texian Army defenders were killed. Today, it is one of the most popular historic sites in the US.Photo: Daniel Schwen
March 7 – Wed
The Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) is a carnivorous bird in the kingfisher family. Native to eastern Australia, it has also been introduced to parts of New Zealand, Tasmania and Western Australia. Male and female adults are similar in plumage, which is predominantly brown and white. A common and familiar bird, this species of kookaburra is well known for its laughing call.Photo: JJ Harrison
A human eye displaying partial heterochromia iridum, where part of one iris is a different color from its remainder. Eye color, specifically the color of the irises, is determined primarily by the concentration and distribution of melanin. Shown here is an example of central heterochromia, where there are two colors in the same iris.Photo: Adam Cuerden
The Collaroy, one of the ships that comprise the fleet of the Manly ferry services, connecting Manly, New South Wales, Australia, to Circular Quay in Sydney. The services are provided by Sydney Ferries, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. Ferry services began in Manly in 1855 and have been instrumental in promoting the development of Manly.Photo: David Iliff
March 10 – Sat
The Peacock butterfly (Inachis io) is a widespread butterfly species, found in Europe and temperate Asia, as far east as Japan. It has a wingspan of 50–55 mm (2.0–2.2 in). The base-colour of the wings is a rusty red, and at each wingtip it bears a distinctive eyespot, which has been much studied for its role as an anti-predator mechanism.Photo: Korall
March 11 – Sun
Mycena inclinata, commonly known as the clustered bonnet, is a widespread species of mushroom in the Mycenaceae family. It is found in Europe, North Africa, Asia, Australasia, and North America, where it grows in small groups or tufts on fallen logs and stumps, especially of oak.Photo: Stu Phillips
March 12 – Mon
Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor, is represented in this anonymous portrait as a young archduke in his native Spain. He left Spain in his early twenties, to start his life as future King of the Romans and successor to his grandfather, Maximilian I. His older brother Charles eventually succeeded as Holy Roman Emperor, but Ferdinand was elected after Charles's abdication. Philip, Charles's son, inherited Spain and became King Philip II of Spain. Ferdinand ruled between 1558 and 1564, for nearly six years.Artist: Unknown
March 13 – Tue
Alitta succinea is a species of marine annelid that has been recorded throughout the North Atlantic and European seas, as well as in the Gulf of Maine and South Africa. It can reach up to 15 cm (6 in) in length, but most specimens are smaller than this. It has an identifiable head with four eyes, two sensory feelers or palps, and many tentacles.Photo: Hans Hillewaert
March 14 – Wed
The eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi) is a marsupial whose natural range includes south-eastern Australia (where it has been extirpated) and the eastern part of Tasmania. Sometimes referred to as a "rat-kangaroo", it is relatively small, rarely exceeding 2 kg (4.4 lb), but will travel up to 1.5 km (0.93 mi) from its nest to find food.Photo: JJ Harrison
March 15 – Thu
A cast of the extinct hominid species Sahelanthropus tchadensis holotype cranium, dubbed "Toumaï", in facio-lateral view. The original cranial fragment is dated to about 7 million years ago and was discovered in Chad. Other than Toumaï, the only Sahelanthropus remains to be discovered are five pieces of jaw and some teeth.Photo: Didier Descouens
March 16 – Fri
The Atlantic spadefish is a species of marine fish endemic to the shallow waters off the coast of the southeastern United States and in the Caribbean Sea. They are similar in appearance to fresh water angelfish, but much larger, reaching up to three feet (0.9 m) in length. Due to their reputation as strong fighters, they are popular game fish, especially during the summer months when they are most active.Photo: Matthew Hoelscher, Papa Lima Whiskey
The Eastern Great Egret (Ardea alba modesta) is a subspecies of the Great Egret found throughout Asia and Oceania. Measuring 83–103 cm (33–41 in) in length and weighing 0.7–1.2 kg (1.5–2.6 lb), the Eastern Great Egret is a large heron with all-white plumage. Its bill is yellow in the breeding season and black at other times, and its long legs are red or black. It can be distinguished from other white egrets and herons in its range by its very long neck, one and a half times as long as its own body.Photo: JJ Harrison
A 360° panoramic view of Freiburg im Breisgau, a city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. In the extreme south-west of the country, it straddles the Dreisam river, at the foot of the Schlossberg. Historically, the city has acted as the hub of the Breisgau region on the western edge of the Black Forest in the Upper Rhine Plain. One of the famous old German university towns, and an archiepiscopal seat, Freiburg was incorporated in the early 12th century and developed into a major commercial, intellectual, and ecclesiastical centre of the upper Rhine region.Photo: Armin Hornung
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel through arch bridge across Sydney Harbour that carries rail, vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic between the central business district and the North Shore. There had been plans to build a bridge as early as 1815, but nothing was put into action until after World War I. The bridge officially opened on 19 March 1932.Photo: JJ Harrison
Papilio demoleus, the Common Lime Butterfly, is a common and widespread Swallowtail butterfly. It gets its name from its host plants which are usually citrus species such as the cultivated lime.Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim
Three samples of yttrium, a silvery rare earth metal. The left and the middle sample are sublimed dendritic and the cube on the right was created by argon arc remelting. Yttrium is named after the town of Ytterby, Sweden, where it was first discovered, and is used industrially in making phosphors such as those in cathode ray tubes and LEDs.Photo: Alchemist-hp
Noctilucent clouds are the highest clouds in Earth's atmosphere, being bright polar mesospheric clouds illuminated by the Arctic sun from below the horizon, between latitudes of 50° and 70°. They are composed of water ice crystals up to 100 nm across, forming most frequently in the northern summer at altitudes of 76 to 85 km (47 to 53 mi).Photo: Martin Koitmäe
An illustration of Humpty Dumpty by American artist William Wallace Denslow, depicting the title character from the nursery rhyme of the same name. He is typically portrayed as an egg, although the rhyme never explicitly states that he is, possibly because it may have been originally posed as a riddle. The earliest known version is in a manuscript addition to a copy of Mother Goose's Melody published in 1803.Restoration: Jujutacular
Squilla mantis, a species of mantis shrimp, for sale at the fish auction of l'Ametlla de Mar in Catalonia, Spain. It is native to the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent warm parts of the Atlantic Ocean, where it burrows into muddy and sandy seabeds. It is the only native stomatopod to be fished for on a commercial scale in the Mediterranean.Photo: Hans Hillewaert/Greg L/PLW
Jari-Matti Latvala, winner of the 2010 Rally Finland, drives his Ford Focus RS WRC 09 during shakedown in Muurame. The model is built for the Ford World Rally Team by Ford and M-Sport, and is based on the Ford Focus Climate 2-litre production hatchback. It was in competition from 1999 to 2010, winning 44 world rallies and two manufacturers' world titles.Photo: Kallerna
A simulation of the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability, a phenomenon that can occur when velocity shear is present within a continuous fluid, or when there is sufficient velocity difference across the interface between two fluids. One example is wind blowing over a water surface, where the wind causes the relative motion between the water and air.Video: Bdubb12/Raeky
The Southern Red Bishop (Euplectes orix) is a small passerine bird in the weaver family native to wetlands and grassland in Africa south of the Equator. It is 10–11 cm (3.9–4.3 in) long and has a thick conical bill. Breeding males are brightly coloured with red or orange and black plumage. The non-breeding male and female have streaky brown plumage, paler below.Photo: JJ Harrison
The Space Shuttle Atlantis launches to begin the STS-132 mission in May 2010. STS-132 was initially scheduled to be the final flight of Atlantis, but it later flew on STS-135—the last mission of the Space Shuttle program—in July 2011.Video: NASA
Several shells of the giant spider conch (Lambis truncata), a species of sea snail in the true conch family found in the Indian Ocean. At up to 16 inches (40 cm), it is the largest and heaviest of spider shells.Photo: H. Zell
Messier 81, also known as NGC 3031 or Bode's Galaxy, is a spiral galaxy about 12 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Ursa Major. Due to its relative proximity, large size and active galactic nucleus, Messier 81 has been studied extensively by professional astronomers. Its relatively high brightness also makes it a popular target for amateur astronomers.Photo: NASA, ESA, STScI/AURA
Atelopus certus is a species of toad endemic to the Darién Province of eastern Panama. Much of its range falls within the Darién National Park, a protected area and World Heritage Site. It is classified as endangered, primarily due to the advancing wave of chytridiomycosis moving through Central America.Photo: Brian Gratwicke
Today is Monday, July 15, 2019; it is now 18:26 UTC

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: Spring boot embedded jettty thread pool maximum size I want to configure Thread pool size for my application which is using spring boot embedded jetty server. Below is the code snippet i am using.
I want to know what is the maximum thread pool size I can set for the embedded jetty server and is it the correct way of configuring it?
@Bean
   public EmbeddedServletContainerFactory jettyConfigBean() {
      JettyEmbeddedServletContainerFactory jef = new JettyEmbeddedServletContainerFactory();
      jef.addServerCustomizers(new JettyServerCustomizer() {

         public void customize(org.eclipse.jetty.server.Server server) {
            final QueuedThreadPool threadPool = server.getBean(QueuedThreadPool.class);
            server.setHandler(handlers);
         }
      });
      return jef;
   }

A: Speaking for spring-boot 2.0.0-SNAPSHOT:
This is for jetty and tomcat and undertow configurable via
server.jetty.acceptors
server.tomcat.max-connections
server.undertow.io-threads

See https://docs.spring.io/spring-boot/docs/current-SNAPSHOT/reference/htmlsingle/#common-application-properties for a complete reference.

A: The maximum number of threads you can set is dependent on your machine, not so much on the hosting software. If you have a monster machine you can probably have hundreds of threads, whereas a regular laptop would probably only be able to handle tens of threads. You need to tune your configuration by testing. A good way is to setup a load test, for example see if 50 threads with 50 req/sec will crash your service, then check if increasing/decreasing the number of threads will help. You can find the limits of your application and machine with such a technique.
Regarding the correctness of the configuration, you can read this blog post which explains it very well: http://jdpgrailsdev.github.io/blog/2014/10/07/spring_boot_jetty_thread_pool.html

A: This is what you can do:
While working on newer versions, you need to create a server factory bean in a configuration file. I tested this on Spring Boot version 2.1.6 while the document I referred to is for version 2.3.3

    @Bean
    public ConfigurableServletWebServerFactory webServerFactory() {
        JettyServletWebServerFactory factory = new JettyServletWebServerFactory();
        factory.setPort(8080);
        factory.setContextPath("/my-app");
        QueuedThreadPool threadPool = new QueuedThreadPool();
        threadPool.setMinThreads(10);
        threadPool.setMaxThreads(100);
        threadPool.setIdleTimeout(60000);
        factory.setThreadPool(threadPool);
        return factory;
    }

Following is the link to Spring Docs: customizing-embedded-containers

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The quest to find a learning, training and respite facility for people with autism in Port Stephens has almost totally consumed the lives of Nelson Bay parents Les and Judy Merrett. In 2010 the couple, whose 15-year-old son Dylan has autism, established the charity Autism Action with an aim to assist Port Stephens families impacted by autism and other intellectual disabilities. "The charity has been in recess due to a lack of committee numbers. It aims to provide resources such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioural interventions, respite accommodation and life skills for children on the autism spectrum," he said. ALSO READ: Push for autism rehabilitation centre on Tomaree Peninsula Mr Merrett, who operates Nelson Bay Breeze and the resort's Mexican restaurant, said they were in need of new committee members to re-establish the charity and begin fundraising events. There are two annual general meetings scheduled for Thursday, September 20 at the Bay Breeze resort from 11am and 7pm.
"The charity has been in recess due to a lack of committee numbers. It aims to provide resources such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioural interventions, respite accommodation and life skills for children on the autism spectrum," he said.
Mr Merrett, who operates Nelson Bay Breeze and the resort's Mexican restaurant, said they were in need of new committee members to re-establish the charity and begin fundraising events.
There are two annual general meetings scheduled for Thursday, September 20 at the Bay Breeze resort from 11am and 7pm.
SUPPORT: Nelson Bay's Les Merrett is looking to establish a learning facility for children with autism.
Discuss "Autism learning centre for Nelson Bay"


text:
Issue Supplement/2016 1. Apr. 2016
Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent 36 (2016), Supplement
Supplement, Page 7-8
Editorial: Real-Time Assessment of Osseous Tissue Changes After Guided Bone Regeneration
Al-Hezaimi, Khalid
Supplement, Page 10-20
Guided Bone Regeneration Using Biphasic Calcium Phosphate With Adjunct Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 With and Without Collagen Membrane in Standardized Calvarial Defects in Rats: A Histologic and Biomechanical Analysis
Al-Qutub, Montaser N. / Ramalingam, Sundar / Al-Kindi, Mohammad / Ar-Rejaie, Aws / Aldahmash, Abdullah / Nooh, Nasser S. / Wang, Hom-Lay / Al-Hezaimi, Khalid
This study aimed to assess the efficacy of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) with adjunct recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2), with and without collagen membrane (CM), in regeneration of standardized rat calvarial defects. Thirty female Wistar albino rats with a mean age of 12 weeks and mean weight of 300 g were used. The skin over the calvaria was exposed using a full-thickness flap. A standardized defect measuring 4.6 mm in diameter was created in the parietal bone. The defects were randomly divided into the following groups: (1) no treatment (control group); (2) BCP soaked in rhBMP-2 and then covered with a resorbable CM; and (3) BCP soaked in rhBMP-2. Following euthanasia, histologic, histomorphometric, and biomechanical assessments of the calvarial specimens were performed to assess bone regeneration. The results showed islands of newly formed bone (NFB) between the defect edges in the control group. NFB was observed bridging the defect edges and around the remnants of BCP in the rhBMP-2 + BCP + CM group and only around the BCP remnants in the rhBMP-2 + BCP group. Histomorphometric analysis revealed a significantly higher mean ± standard deviation (SD) percentage of NFB per defect in the rhBMP-2 + BCP + CM group (46.12 ± 2.56) compared with the control (11.79 ± 0.75) and rhBMP-2 + BCP (26.65 ± 1.48) groups. Although no differences were found in the hardness and elastic modulus (EM) of NFB between the rhBMP-2 + BCP + CM (hardness: 687.78 ± 4.74 MPa; EM: 27.71 ± 0.063 GPa) and the rhBMP-2 + BCP (hardness: 637.65 ± 6.32 MPa; EM: 21.49 ± 0.095 GPa) groups, the biomechanical parameters of NFB in the control group (hardness: 286.17 ± 9.49 MPa; EM: 12.62 ± 0.048 GPa) were significantly less. The experiment demonstrated the efficiency of rhBMP-2 + BCP in GBR, wherein the presence of CM leads to a greater percentage of new bone formation within standardized calvarial defects.
Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stem Cells as Adjunct to Guided Bone Regeneration in Standardized Calvarial Defects in Rats: An In Vivo Microcomputed Tomographic and Histologic Analysis
Al-Rasheed, Abdulaziz / Al-Ahmari, Fatemah / Ramalingam, Sundar / Aldahmash, Abdullah / Nooh, Nasser / Wang, Cun-Yu / Al-Hezaimi, Khalid
The aim of the present in vivo microcomputed tomographic (μCT), histologic, and biomechanical study was to assess the efficacy of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) for promoting guided bone regeneration (GBR) in a standardized rat calvarial defect model. Forty female Wistar albino rats with a mean age of 7.5 months and mean weight of 275 g were used. Following calvarial exposure under general anesthesia, a full-thickness standardized calvarial defect (4.6 mm in diameter) was created. The study animals were randomly divided into four groups based on biomaterials used for GBR: (1) no treatment (negative control); (2) bone graft alone; (3) bone graft placed in the defect and covered with a collagen membrane (CM); and (4) bone graft soaked in BMSCs and covered with a CM. Bone volume and bone mineral density (BMD) of newly formed bone (NFB) and remnant bone particles were determined at baseline and at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 24 weeks postoperative using real time in vivo μCT. Histologic and biomechanical analyses of calvarial specimens were performed at 24 weeks, when the rats were euthanized. Statistically significant differences in volume and BMD of NFB were observed between and within the groups at different data collection periods. Significant increases in volume and BMD of NFB occurred as early as week 2 in all groups except the negative control. While the greatest volume of NFB was observed in the bone graft + BMSC + CM group, BMD of NFB was significantly higher in the bone graft + CM group. Statistically significant decreases in volume and BMD of remnant bone particles were also observed between the groups. Histologic analysis revealed NFB in all groups. The hardness and elastic modulus of NFB in the bone graft + BMSC + CM group were significantly higher than that in the other groups and also similar to adjacent natural bone. This study shows that using adjunct BMSCs with bone graft and CM for guided bone regeneration in standardized rat calvarial defects resulted in the highest quality and quantity of NFB.
Cell Response to Surfaces: A Concise Summary
Ricci, John / Alexander, Harold
Surface nano- and microtexturing techniques have been used to enhance osseointegration, but how these surfaces work is not well understood. Using the knowledge gained from the cell and molecular biology fields, tissue engineering studies, and their own work, the authors and other researchers have developed surfaces for in vitro and in vivo control of the function of cells and tissues. In the present article, the authors summarize what they know about the process of cell response to surfaces, and what they have done and can do to develop surfaces that control hard- and soft-tissue formation and integration of implants. This article is intended to add to the clinician's understanding of cell and surface interactions, explain why certain surfaces are currently used, and describe what surfaces clinicians may see in the future.
Evaluation of Different Combinations of Biphasic Calcium Phosphate and Growth Factors for Bone Formation in Calvarial Defects in a Rabbit Model
Chung, Sung-Min / Jung, In Kwon / Yoon, Byung-Ho / Choi, Bok Ryul / Kim, David M. / Jang, Jung Sun
The aim of the present preclinical study was to investigate the capability of a new formulation of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) in achieving new bone formation either by itself or in combination with different concentrations of growth factors. Twentyfour 3-month-old male New Zealand white rabbits (weight range, 2.5 to 3.0 kg) that had been bred exclusively for biomedical research purposes and obtained from a licensed vendor were used. Four calvarial defects were created in each animal, for a total of 96 defects. Each defect received alloplastic BCP (Osteon III, Genoss) that was composed of 60% hydroxyapatite and 40% β-tricalcium phosphate) (porosity, ~80%; macropore size, 200 to 400 μm; crystallinity, 95%) combined with different concentrations of recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor BB (rhPDGF-BB), human recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor-2 (rhFGF-2), or recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2). A custom-made polycarbonate tube was fixed to each defect site by applying slight pressure, and a mixture of bone graft and growth factor was implanted into the tubes. Data were collected 2, 4, and 8 weeks after creation of the defects to assess early and late healing. Various amounts of newly formed bone and remnant BCP particles formed inside of the tube throughout the study period. The BCP + 0.5 mg/mL rhBMP-2 group exhibited the most bone formation. At 8 weeks, more new bone formation was noted in the Osteon III + rhBMP-2 combined group than in other groups. The present study results indicate that BCP can be combined with different concentrations of rhBMP-2, rhFGF-2, and rhPDGF-BB to produce new bone formation within a polycarbonate tube in calvarial defects in a rabbit model.
Guided Bone Regeneration in Standardized Calvarial Defects in Rats Using Bio-Oss and β-Tricalcium Phosphate with Adjunct Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Therapy: A Real-Time In Vivo Microcomputed Tomographic, Biomechanical, and Histologic Analysis
Al-Hezaimi, Khalid / Al-Hamdan, Khalid S. / Al-Askar, Mansour / Ramalingam, Sundar / Aldahmash, Abdullah / Nooh, Nasser / Al-Rasheed, Abdulaziz
The objective of the present real-time in vivo experiment was to assess guided bone regeneration (GBR) in standardized calvarial defects using particulate graft material (Bio-Oss) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) with adjunct recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor (rhPDGF) therapy. Eighteen female Sprague-Dawley rats with a mean age and weight of 8 ± 0.53 weeks and 250 ± 0.49 g, respectively, were used. Following surgical exposure, a full-thickness standardized calvarial defect was created on the parietal bone using a trephine drill with an outer diameter of 4.6 mm. For treatment, rats were randomly divided into three groups (six rats per group): (1) control; (2) rhPDGF + Bio-Oss, and (3) rhPDGF + β-TCP. Volume of newly formed bone (NFB), bone mineral density (BMD) of NFB, volume of remnant bone particles, and BMD of remnant bone particles were assessed using in vivo microcomputed tomography. Measurements were made at baseline and at 2, 4, 6, and 10 weeks after the surgical procedures. At 10 weeks, all animals were sacrificed and calvarial tissues were assessed histologically. In the control group, a significant increase in BMD of NFB was observed at 6 weeks (mean ± standard deviation [SD], 0.32 ± 0.002 g/mm3) (P < .01) from baseline, and the defect did not regenerate completely. In the rhPDGF + Bio-Oss group, mean ± SD volume (2.40 ± 0.25 mm3) (P < .01) and BMD (0.13 ± 0.01 g/mm3) of NFB significantly increased at 4 weeks and 6 weeks, respectively, from baseline (P < .001). In the rhPDGF + β-TCP group, mean ± SD volume (2.01 ± 0.7 mm3) and BMD (0.12 ± 0.02 g/mm3) of NFB significantly increased at 4 weeks from baseline (P < .01). In the rhPDGF + Bio-Oss and rhPDGF + β-TCP groups, mean ± SD BMD of remnant bone particles (0.31 ± 0.11 g/mm3 and 0.23 ± 0.01 g/mm3) showed significant reduction at 6 and 10 weeks, respectively, compared with baseline values (1.12 ± 0.06 g/mm3 and 0.92 ± 0.01 g/mm3, respectively) (P < .001). Histologic results at 10 weeks showed NBF in the rhPDGF + Bio-Oss and rhPDGF + β-TCP groups. In real time assessment, when rhPDGF was added to β-TCP, BMD and bone hardness significantly increased compared with the other two groups.
Choukroun Platelet-Rich Fibrin as an Autogenous Graft Biomaterial in Preimplant Surgery: Results of a Preliminary Randomized, Human Histomorphometric, Split-Mouth Study
Du Toit, Jonathan / Siebold, Andreas / Dreyer, Andries / Gluckman, Howard
This study aimed to test the null hypothesis that platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), as an immediate postextraction graft material, produces bone that is histomorphometrically no different than bone derived from healing without intervention. The authors compared split-mouth human bone biopsy specimens derived from PRF with bone that had healed without intervention. Eight human bone biopsies were successfully harvested from four patients. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) percent of newly formed osteoid was 9.9% ± 5.9% for specimens derived from PRF, and 4% ± 2.1% for specimens derived from the control sites (P = .089; 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.5-18.1 and 1.6-6.6, respectively). Mean ± SD percent of new mineralized bone was 40.8% ± 10.3% for the PRF specimens and 43.9% ± 16.8% for the control specimens (P = .72, 95% CI, 33.4-55.6 and 19.3-55.5, respectively). Newly formed bone to fibrovascular tissue ratios for specimens in the PRF and control groups were 51%:49% and 48%:52%, respectively. Within the limitations of this study, the null hypothesis could not be rejected. Bone derived from PRF histologically did not differ from bone that healed without intervention.
Survival and Success Rates of Dental Implants Placed Using Osteotome Sinus Floor Elevation Without Added Bone Grafting: A Retrospective Study with a Follow-up of up to 10 Years
French, David / Nadji, Nabil / Shariati, Batoul / Hatzimanolakis, Penny / Larjava, Hannu
This retrospective study with a follow-up period of 4 months to 10 years evaluated survival, success, and complication rates of implants placed using osteotome sinus floor elevation (OSFE) without added bone grafting. A total of 926 implants were placed, including 530 short implants (6 mm to 8.5 mm) and 209 implants in low residual bone height (RBH) (< 5 mm). Bone levels were evaluated at approximately 3 months and at 1, 3, and 5 years, and in some cases up to 10 years after implants were placed. The implant survival rate was 98.3% at the 5-year follow-up. Twelve of the 926 implants failed (6 preprosthetic, 6 postprosthetic). The success rate was 95.4% at a threshold of less than 1 mm of bone loss for combined systems (Straumann; Nobel Biocare). Short implant survival and success rates were statistically comparable to conventional-length implants. Low-RBH implants had a lower but acceptable survival rate of 95.7%. Adverse events were rare, with one case of infection and zero cases of vertigo reported. The findings of this study indicate that implant placement with OSFE without added bone graft is highly successful, even when short implants are used in low RBH.
Supplement, Page 98-107
Efficacy of Mucograft vs Conventional Resorbable Collagen Membranes in Guided Bone Regeneration Around Standardized Calvarial Defects in Rats: A Histologic and Biomechanical Assessment
Ramalingam, Sundar / Babay, Nadir / Al-Rasheed, Abdulaziz / Nooh, Nasser / Naghshbandi, Jafar / Aldahmash, Abdullah / Atteya, Muhammad / Al-Hezaimi, Khalid
Guided bone regeneration (GBR) using a porcine-derived collagen matrix (Mucograft [MG], Geistlich) has not yet been reported. The aim of this histologic and biomechanical study was to compare the efficacy of MG versus resorbable collagen membranes (RCMs) in facilitating GBR around standardized rat calvarial defects. Forty female Wistar albino rats with a mean age and weight of 6 to 9 weeks and 250 to 300 g, respectively, were used. With the rats under general anesthesia, the skin over the calvaria was exposed using a full-thickness flap. A 4.6-mm-diameter standardized calvarial defect was created in the left parietal bone. For treatment, the rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 per group): (1) MG group: the defect was covered with MG; (2) RCM group: the defect was covered with an RCM; (3) MG + bone group: the defect was filled with bone graft particles and covered by MG; and (4) RCM + bone group: the defect was filled with bone graft particles and covered by an RCM. Primary closure was achieved using interrupted resorbable sutures. The animals were sacrificed at 8 weeks after the surgical procedures. Qualitative histologic analysis and biomechanical assessment to identify hardness and elastic modulus of newly formed bone (NFB) were performed. Collected data were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. Histologic findings revealed NFB with fibrous connective tissue in all groups. The quantity of NFB was highest in the RCM + bone group. Statistically significant differences in the hardness (F = 567.69, dfN = 3, dfD = 36, P < .001) and elastic modulus (F = 294.19, dfN = 3, dfD = 36, P < .001) of NFB were found between the groups. Although the RCM + bone group had the highest mean ± standard deviation (SD) hardness of NFB (531.4 ± 24.9 MPa), the RCM group had the highest mean ± SD elastic modulus of NFB (18.63 ± 1.89 GPa). The present study demonstrated that RCMs are better than MG at enhancing new bone formation in standardized rat calvarial defects when used along with mineralized particulate graft material.
Supplement, Page 108-121
Efficacy of Mucograft vs Conventional Resorbable Collagen Membranes in Guided Bone Regeneration Around Standardized Calvarial Defects in Rats: An In Vivo Microcomputed Tomographic Analysis
Babay, Nadir / Ramalingam, Sundar / Basudan, Amani / Nooh, Nasser / Al-Kindi, Mohammed / Al-Rasheed, Abdulaziz / Al-Hezaimi, Khalid
The aim of this in vivo microcomputed tomographic (μCT) study was to compare the efficacy of Mucograft (MG) vs resorbable collagen membranes (RCMs) in facilitating guided bone regeneration (GBR) around standardized calvarial defects in rats. Forty female Wistar albino rats with a mean age and weight of 6 to 9 weeks and 250 to 300 g, respectively, were used. With the rats under general anesthesia, the skin over the calvaria was exposed using a full-thickness flap. A standardized calvarial defect with a 4.6-mm diameter was created in the left parietal bone. For treatment, the rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 per group): (1) defects covered with MG (MG group); (2) defects covered with an RCM (RCM group); (3) defects filled with xenograft bone particles and covered by MG (MG + bone group); and (4) defects filled with xenograft bone particles and covered by an RCM (RCM + bone group). Primary closure was achieved using interrupted resorbable sutures. The animals underwent high-resolution, three-dimensional μCT scans at baseline and at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after the surgical procedures. Data regarding volume and bone mineral density (BMD) of newly formed bone (NFB) and bone particles revealed an increase in the volume of NFB in all the groups from baseline to 8 weeks. The MG group had the lowest volume of NFB (mean ± standard deviation [SD], 1.32 ± 0.22 mm3). No significant differences in mean ± SD values for volume of NFB were observed between the RCM (3.50 ± 0.24 mm3) and MG + bone (3.87 ± 0.36 mm3) groups, but their values were significantly lower than that of the RCM + bone group (2.95 ± 0.15 mm3, F = 131.91, dfN = 2, dfD = 27, P < .001). Significant differences in BMD of NFB between the groups (F = 332.46, dfN = 3, dfD = 36, P < .001) and during different data collection periods (F = 97.04, dfN = 3, dfD = 36, P < .01) were observed, with the RCM group having the highest mean ± SD BMD of NFB (0.42 ± 0.05 g/mm3). Significant differences in the bone particle volume between the RCM + bone and MG + bone groups (F = 91.04, dfN = 1, dfD = 18, P < .05) and at different data collection periods (F = 314.12, P < .01) were observed, with the RCM + bone group displaying greater reduction in both volume (36.8%) and BMD (19.7%) of bone particles. The present in vivo μCT study demonstrated that RCM is better than MG in enhancing new bone formation in rat calvarial standardized defects when used in combination with mineralized particulate graft material.
Effect of Corticotomies with Different Instruments on Cranial Bone Biology Using an Ex Vivo Calvarial Bone Organ Culture Model System
Dibart, Serge / Alasmari, Abeer / Zanni, Oreste / Salih, Erdjan
Different corticotomy surgical procedures have been developed to shorten orthodontic treatment times by stimulating bone remodeling. Although all corticotomy procedures involve physical injury to the bone, the clinical outcomes can vary. Using an ex vivo calvarial bone organ culture model system, the authors evaluated the biologic response of bone to different corticotomies. Bone injuries were generated in 276 calvaria dissected from 5- to 7-day-old neonatal mice using a piezoelectric knife, a bur, and a handheld screw device. The responses were evaluated using chemical, biochemical, and global histomorphometric analyses. Injuries generated by the three approaches induced varying degrees of bone remodeling activities; however, the piezoelectric knife led to the most extensive impact in both bone resorption and formation models.
Real-Time Assessment of Guided Bone Regeneration in Standardized Calvarial Defects in Rats Using Bio-Oss With and Without Collagen Membrane: An In Vivo Microcomputed Tomographic and Histologic Experiment
Nooh, Nasser / Ramalingam, Sundar / Al-Kindi, Mohammed / Al-Rasheed, Abdulaziz / Al-Hamdan, Khalid S. / Al-Hezaimi, Khalid
In vivo microcomputed tomography (μCT) enables real-time assessment of bone regeneration. The aim of this μCT and histologic experiment was to assess guided bone regeneration (GBR) around standardized calvarial defects in rats using particulate graft material (Bio-Oss) with and without collagen membranes (CMs). Eighteen female Sprague- Dawley rats aged 6 weeks and weighing 300 g were used. With the rats under general anesthesia, calvaria were exposed and a full-thickness standardized defect was created on the parietal bone. For treatment, rats were randomly assigned to the following three groups: (1) CM group; (2) Bio-Oss group; and (3) Bio-Oss + CM group. Bone volume and bone mineral density (BMD) of newly formed bone (NFB) and remnant bone particles were measured at baseline and 2, 4, 6, and 10 weeks after the operations using real-time in vivo μCT. At 10 weeks, all animals were sacrificed and calvarial tissues were assessed histologically. In the CM group, a significant increase in mean ± standard deviation (SD) BMD of NFB was observed at 6 weeks (0.32 ± 0.02 g/mm3) (P < .01) compared with baseline. In the Bio-Oss group, mean ± SD volume (3.03 ± 0.14 mm3) (P < .05) and BMD (0.14 ± 0.01 g/mm3) of NFB significantly increased at 6 weeks compared with baseline (P < .01). In the Bio-Oss + CM group, mean ± SD volume (0.98 ± 0.19 mm3) and BMD (0.13 ± 0.01 g/mm3) of NFB significantly increased at 4 weeks compared with baseline (P < .01). In th Bio-Oss + CM group, mean ± SD volume (3.5 ± 0.7 mm3) and BMD (0.44 ± 0.03 g/mm3) of remnant bone particles were significantly reduced at 10 weeks compared with baseline values (5.8 ± 0.96 mm3 and 1.3 ± 0.02 g/mm3) (P < .05). Although histologic analysis revealed NFB in all the study groups, the Bio-Oss + CM group exhibited the most. The results of this study revealed that, in real time, new bone formation starts as early as 4 weeks in standardized calvarial defects undergoing GBR with Bio-Oss + CM, compared with new bone formation at 6 weeks in defects undergoing GBR with Bio-Oss alone.
Radiographic and Histologic Evaluation of a Bone Void that Formed After Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2-Mediated Sinus Graft Augmentation: A Case Report
Kang, Hyun-Joo / Jun, Choong-Man / Yun, Jeong-Ho
In the present case report, the authors describe radiographic and histologic observations of a bone void that formed after a sinus augmentation using a graft material that contained recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) and discuss clinical and histologic implications of their findings. Sinus augmentation was performed using a graft material comprising 1 g of hydroxyapatite/β-tricalcium phosphate, which contained 1 mg of rhBMP-2. Radiographic evaluation was conducted with panoramic radiographs and computed tomography images of the augmented maxillary sinus, which were analyzed using a three-dimensional image-reconstruction program. Histologic evaluation was also performed on a biopsy specimen obtained 6 months after the sinus augmentation. The total augmented volume increased from 1,582.2 mm3 immediately after the sinus augmentation to 3,344.9 mm3 at 6 months after the augmentation because of the formation of a bone void. Twenty-six months after the sinus augmentation, the bone void remained but had reduced in volume, with the total augmented volume reduced to 2,551.7 mm3. Histologically, new bone was observed to be in contact with the grafted particles, and a fatty marrow-like tissue was present in the area of the bone void. This case report shows that the bone void that had formed after sinus augmentation resolved over time and seemed to be partially replaced with new bone. Furthermore, none of the implants failed, and clinical adverse events were not observed during the follow-up period.
Bone Regeneration Using Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 and Biphasic Calcium Phosphate With and Without Collagen Membrane in Calvarial Standardized Defects: An In Vivo Microcomputed Tomographic Experiment in Rats
Al-Qutub, Montaser N. / Al-Omar, Nuha A. / Ramalingam, Sundar / Al-Kindi, Mohammad / Nooh, Nasser / Ar-Rejaie, Aws / Wang, Hom-Lay / Al-Hezaimi, Khalid
The aim of this in vivo microcomputed tomographic (μCT) experiment was to assess in real time the efficacy of a combination of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) and biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP), with and without resorbable collagen membrane (CM), in regeneration of standardized calvarial defects (SCDs) in rats. A total of 30 female Wistar albino rats (n = 10/group) with a mean age and weight of 7.5 months and 275 g, respectively, were used. With the rats under general anesthesia, the calvaria were exposed using full-thickness periosteal flaps and unilateral SCDs of 4.6 mm diameter were created on the left parietal bone. Defects were left untreated (control group) or randomly filled with either BCP soaked in rhBMP-2 and then covered with CM (BMP + BCP + CM group) or BCP soaked in rhBMP-2 alone (BMP + BCP group). In vivo μCT scans were done at baseline and 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. Newly formed bone (NFB) and remaining BCP particles were assessed for their volumes (NFBV, BCPV, respectively) and mineral densities (NFBMD, BCPMD, respectively). In vivo μCT results showed scanty amounts of new bone at the peripheries of the defect in the control group. In the other two groups, near complete defect closure was evident at 8 weeks. The mean NFBV after 8 weeks was 4.63 ± 0.96 mm3, 11.82 ± 1.17 mm3, and 13.85 ± 1.89 mm3 for the control, BMP + BCP + CM, and BMP + BCP groups, respectively. After 8 weeks, the mean NFBMD was 0.38 ± 0.03 g/mm3, 0.24 ± 0.07 g/mm3, and 0.35 ± 0.03 g/mm3 for the control, BMP + BCP + CM, and BMP + BCP groups, respectively. After 8 weeks, the mean BCPV and BCPMD values for the BMP + BCP + CM and BMP + BCP groups were 2.73 ± 0.65 mm3, 0.33 ± 0.08 g/mm3, 2.49 ± 0.71 mm3, and 0.28 ± 0.03 g/mm3, respectively. The present real-time in vivo μCT experiment demonstrated that BMP + BCP, either with or without CM, was effective in promoting bone regeneration within rat SCDs and enabled new bone formation starting as early as 2 weeks.
Real-Time Assessment of Guided Bone Regeneration in Standardized Calvarial Defects Using a Combination of Bone Graft and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor With and Without Collagen Membrane: An In Vivo Microcomputed Tomographic and Histologic Experiment in Rats
Alrasheed, Abdulaziz / Al-Ahmari, Fatemah / Ramalingam, Sundar / Nooh, Nasser / Wang, Cun-Yu / Al-Hezaimi, Khalid
The aim of the present in vivo microcomputed tomography (μCT) and histologic experiment was to assess the efficacy of guided bone regeneration (GBR) around standardized calvarial defects using recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor (rhPDGF) with and without resorbable collagen membrane (RCM). A total of 50 female Wistar albino rats with a mean age of 7.5 months and mean weight of 275 g were used. The calvarium was exposed following midsagittal scalp incision and flap reflection. A full-thickness standardized calvarial defect (4.6 mm diameter) was created. Study animals were randomly divided into five groups based on biomaterials used for GBR within the defect: (1) no treatment (negative control), (2) bone graft alone (BG), (3) bone graft covered by RCM (BG + RCM), (4) bone graft soaked in rhPDGF (BG + rhPDGF), and (5) bone graft soaked in rhPDGF and covered with RCM (BG + rhPDGF + RCM). In vivo μCT for determination of newly formed bone volume (NFBV) and mineral density (NFBMD) and remnant bone particles volume (RBPV) and mineral density (RBPMD) was done at baseline and at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks postoperatively. Eight weeks following surgery, the animals were sacrificed and harvested calvarial specimens were subjected to histologic and biomechanical analysis. There was an increase in NFBV and NFBMD associated with a corresponding decrease in RBPV and RBPMD in all the study groups. Two-way analysis of variance revealed significant differences in the measured values within and between the groups across the timelines examined during the study period (P < .05). While the NFBV was significantly higher in the bone graft, BG + RCM, and BG + rhPDGF + RCM groups, the NFBMD was similar in all the groups except negative control. The greatest decreases in RBPV and RBPMD were observed in the BG + rhPDGF + RCM group in comparison to the other groups. Similarly, BG + rhPDGF + RCM groups had hardness and elastic modulus similar to that of natural bone. The in vivo μCT results were validated by the qualitative histologic findings. In real time, new bone formation starts as early as 2 weeks in rat calvarial defects treated with bone graft and rhPDGF, irrespective of the presence or absence of RCM.


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15618 Niagara Pky Parkway Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
CountyNIAGARA
CityNiagara-on-the-Lake
Area1 - Niagara-on-the-Lake
Neighborhood103 - River
ZipL0S 1J0
Style3 Storey
Full Bathrooms10
MCGARR REALTY CORP, BROKERAGE
Exclusive opportunity to own one of Niagara-on-the-Lake's landmark estates, located on the prestigious Niagara Parkway. Built in the early 1860's, the style of the residence is from the Victorian Era of Architecture, maintaining Queen Anne Revival influence and handcrafted details indicative of the Eastlake Movement. Lovingly known as the Grand Victorian to locals and visitors from around the world, this unparalleled property, previously operated as a Country Inn, is nestled amongst the vineyards and truly encapsulates the phrase "The Heart of Wine Country". This 10,000 sq ft masterpiece is bursting with grandeur and nostalgia of days past, attention to detail is evident at every turn, from dramatic 12 foot paneled ceilings, original Ponderosa pine floors. The eight Rumford fireplaces with exquisite 'old growth' hand carved mantles, the grand Chippendale staircase, stained glass detail and perhaps the most grand feature, the expansive 1200 square foot verandah that wraps around the front of the home lending itself to frame the picturesque views. The Estate rests peacefully on 1.5 acres of land and is situated adjacent to the Niagara River, the magnificent grounds feature breathtaking gardens. The location adds to the property's appeal, minutes from the Historical District of the prettiest town in Canada. The estate is close to all that Niagara has to offer, wineries, world class theatre and two international airports. Whether you are searching for your dream home, vacation retreat or looking to embark on a business venture….the Grand Victorian is truly the rare find that you seek.
Property vs Zip Code Average in L0S 1J0
St. Anns
Davids & DeLaat : RE/MAX Niagara Ltd Brokerage
261 Martindale Road
St Catharines, L2W 1A2
261 Martindale Road, Unit 14C
St Catharines, Ontario L2W 1A2
Should you require assistance in navigating our website or searching for real estate, please contact our offices at 261 Martindale Road, St Catharines, L2W 1A2.
I have a question about MLS# 40045945 at 15618 Niagara Pky Parkway
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Take an EFT Pause in order to really experience what you are feeling!
A Pause brings into our awareness qualities that support psychological and spiritual growth and connection. In Recovery from any life challenge we learn to pause before speaking or reacting. This pause helps us heal and begin to change reactionary habits.
Upon learning the benefits of "making a difference" with self and others through pausing I invite you to expand the benefits. Continue to grow!
Emotional Freedom Technique, affectionately known as tapping, decreases intensity so that we can explore what's underneath, inside and around us that is beautiful and connective; all the while not hurting self and others with intense reactions.
This simple Emotional Freedom Technique can make change happen. An example is better communication with ourselves and those we love. This communication often brings up intense feelings for all of us. Emotional Freedom Technique is amazing, decreasing intensity of feelings while increasing awareness, a tool effective for those who are in touch with feelings and those who have stuffed feelings forever.
We are meeting April 14th and 21st from 6:30 and 8:00 at People House East. Join us for one or both meetups to tap away your stress and concerns. People House East is several blocks from I-225 and Iliff in Aurora.
Join us on Meetup for more information!


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Ryan Hills
I am a Sports Journalism graduate from the University of Huddersfield, currently working full-time in Marketing & Communications as well as freelancing for a range of companies. I am as happy writing GIF based articles and tweets as creating more serious pieces. I also enjoy the visual side of journalism, having previously produced video packages and radio commentary.
Articles by Ryan Hills
10 Superstars You Forgot Defeated Triple H
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15 PPV Main Events You Completely Forgot Happened
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15 Wrestlers Who Tried Their Hand At Becoming Musicians
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15 Future WWE Hall Of Famers That We Really Don't Want To See
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Top 15 Things The Rock Has Never Accomplished
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20 Of The Worst WWE Stars: Where Are They Now?
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February 2009 is still crystalized in the minds of the automotive industry as a time when a dramatically slowing automotive market reached its lowest production in modern history. Only 9 million vehicles were produced and dealer inventories skyrocketed; it was the fourth consecutive month with an excess of 100 days' supply. Despite a fragile economy with slow growth, the U.S. automotive industry then witnessed positive growth through most of 2015, peaking at over 18 million units before hovering near 17.5 million units for most of 2016. Thus far in 2017, production has settled to just over 16.6 million units. As the industry has now moved beyond its peak, the duration of time over which the industry will continue to maintain its overall strength is now being called into question as dealer inventory levels are noticeably rising.
One measure of particular concern has been days' supply. The industry has averaged 69 days of inventory supply on hand for the 12 months ending June 30, 2017―well in excess of the industry's manageable inventory sweet spot of 65 days, which the industry maintained for the same period just one year ago. Detroit's Big Three car inventory is 100 days; Detroit's Big Three car and truck combined inventory is 86 days.
What is striking about the days' supply data is that the 12-month average has largely approximated 65 days since 2010. While manufacturers and dealers have thus far been relatively successful at enticing consumers to purchase new vehicles via various forms of dealer incentives, financing arrangements, new products and technologies, these have not yet been sufficiently effective at returning inventory supply to historically manageable levels as OEMs continue to saturate the market with new vehicles.
Should there be apprehension regarding current inventory levels? In the near term, OEMs will continue to look for cost optimizations and efficiencies that will allow them to maintain profitability as demand continues to stabilize, but with record-level highs in consumer confidence and low unemployment, coupled with continued strong market investment returns, we anticipate that consumer demand will continue to sustain the industry well into 2018. In the meantime, current average vehicle incentives, which are currently approaching $4,000, are expected to continue to grow in order to move products from dealer lots, but at the same time reducing OEM profitability.
This issue has not gone unnoticed by OEMs and dealers alike, who recognize the effect that both excessive new vehicles and nearly new vehicles entering the secondary market are having. As the industry looks to the future, it will need to continue to challenge its decisions on vehicle supply rather than ongoing incentives and longer-term financing arrangements―many of which extend as long as 84 months―to fuel new sales. With over 50 new vehicles expected between 2018 and 2021, the success of these new product launches will be an integral component in keeping automotive industry demand invigorated.
The future of untaxed non-U.S. earnings legislation appears uncertain, but U.S. multinationals should analyze its potential impact.


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Bailly Lectures
Bailly Lectures on Art, History, & Travel
Roma: Appia Antica
View from the Appian Way (Photo by JW Bailly CC BY 4.0)
APPIA ANTICA / APPIAN WAY By John William Bailly and Corey Ryan, 02 January 2016
"On a later occasion, as he (Augustus) sat lunching in a copse beside the Appian Way, close to the fourth mile-stone, an eagle, to his great surprise, swooped at him, snatched a crust from his hand, carried it aloft — and then, to his even greater surprise, glided gently down again and restored what it had stolen." -Suetonius, The Twelve Caesars
DESCRIPTION Complement your time in urban Rome with a day trip to the green Regional Park Appia Antica/Appian Way. The Roman poet Statius wrote, "the Appian Way is queen of the long roads," and its contemporary offerings of hiking, cycling, and solitary time leads one to agree. Begun in 312 BC by Roman censor Appius Claudius Caecus, the Appian Way eventually spanned 360 miles and traversed the country from Rome to Brindisi. It is of great significance to Romans, Christians, and all historians.
LOCATION South of Rome. Take bus 118 from the Circo Massimo (Line B) metro station or bus 218 from the bus stop across the street from San Giovanni in Laterano. Get off at Domine Quo Vadis Church and find Punto Informativo Appia Antica.
BEST THINGS TO DO
Rent a bike from EcoBike – Find Marco and his team at Punto Informativo Appia Antica at Via Appia Antica 58. Bikes can be rented by the hour, but we suggest renting for the whole day. The Punto also sells maps, bus tickets, and can arrange a guided tour if contacted ahead of time. This is a Cabeza must. Having a bike will not only allow you to access the rest of the places on this Cabeza 10 list, but will also give you a chance to explore Ancient Roman roads, as well as take in the picturesque, Roman landscape.
Domine Quo Vadis Church – As Peter left Rome to escape Nero's persecution of Christians, Christ, bearing his cross, appeared to him on Appia Antica. "Domine, quo vadis," asked Peter of Jesus, meaning, "Lord, where are you going?" "Eo Romam iterum crucifigi," responded Christ. "I am going to Rome to be crucified again." Inside the church is a set of two footprints, purported to be the footprints of Jesus Christ. You can find this small church where the Via Ardeatina branches off the Appian Way.
Christian Catacombs – Romans cremated the dead; Christian buried them. Romans did not permit human remains within the walls of their cities. Thus developed the Christian catacombs. There are three Christian catacombs along the Appian Way, with the Catacombs of St. Sebastian perhaps the most well known.
Villa of Maxentius – Maxentius was the emperor defeated by Constantine. These are the remains of his once magnificent villa, complete with his own private Circus (Roman racing track).
Tomb of Cecilia Metella – The best-preserved Roman, large-scale tomb on the Appian Way. Cecilia Metella was the daughter of Quintus Caecilius Metellus Creticus and wife of Marcus Licinius Crassus, son of the famed Marcus Crassus who served under Julius Caesar.
Appian Tombs – Roman law forbade human remains within the walls of a city. Therefore, wealthy Romans built tombs to the dead along roads. A few remain on the Appian Way.
Sacred Forest and Cafarella Valley – The Cafarella Valley is a rich national park just outside of Rome. On the mound of the Sacred Forest, families can plant trees in honor of their newborn children. Look for the nametags hanging from the trees.
Villa dei Quintili – Two famous, Roman brothers built one of the best villas near Rome. By were murdered by an Emperor so that he could steal their villa.
Horatti Burial Mounds – Disputes between Romans and other cities were sometimes settled by duels instead of armies. The Horatii family, representing Rome, is famous for partaking in one of these duels with the Curiatti, a family from Alba Longa, with each family sending three brothers to fight each other. Two of the Horatii brothers are killed in the battle, but the third brother is able to chase the three Curiatti brothers, causing them to separate, before killing them. This story is immortalized by Jacques-Louis David's painting in Le Louvre, aptly titled, "Oath of the Horatii."
Parco degli Acquedotti – To get an idea of the monumental scale of Roman engineering, and to enjoy the natural beauty of the Roman landscape, visit the Aqueduct Park. Access through the Line A from Rome, getting off at the Lucio Sestio or Giulio Agricola metro station. Plenty of places to find food, coffee, and, of course, wine to enjoy a day outside with other Roman families. If you're able to, walk along the stretch of aqueducts until you reach a road. Across the street you will find Rocco Vino, a local winery selling inexpensive and incredible Italian wine.
HIDDEN TREASURE Fosse Ardeatine Monument – a short bike ride from the Appian Way is the Fosse Ardeatine Memorial Cemetery and National Monument. Here you will find caves where 335 Italian political prisoners and Jewish civilians were murdered by Fascists during World War II. Observe the Cemetery.
ADDITIONAL NOTES Notice the beautiful trees that line the Appia Antica. Once defeated, Spartacus' rebel gladiators were crucified to those trees and left on display to discourage others from challenging the authority of Rome.
REFLECTION This is one of our favorite activities in Rome. Rarely do you get to combine nature and such a wealth of history. We most definitely recommend a full day.
SOURCES/LINKS
Appia Antica Park http://www.parcoappiaantica.it/en/
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