2000-05-08 Assigned to KARL STORZ GMBH & CO KG reassignment KARL STORZ GMBH & CO KG ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: IRION, KLAUS M.
An endoscopic instrument, comprises a shaft, a handle arranged at a proximal end of said shaft, at least one working part arranged at a distal end of said shaft, and at least one marking having a fluorescing substance that can be excited to fluoresce by a light source, said marking is provided at a distal end section of said instrument. Said fluorescing substance is selected in such a way that its exciting range lies in an excitation range of a tumor-specific photosensitizer or in an excitation range of a tissue autofluorescence.
This application is a continuation of pending international application PCT/EP 98/04575 filed on Jul. 21, 1998.
The present invention relates to an endoscopic instrument for performing endoscopic procedures or examinations, having a shaft, a handle arranged at the proximal end of the shaft, and at least one working element arranged at the distal end of the shaft, in particular mouth parts.
The invention further relates to an endoscopic instrument suite that contains such an endoscopic instrument and also a light-supplying apparatus and an endoscopic observation instrument, in particular an endoscope, that is connected to a light source.
Endoscopic instruments and endoscopic instrument suites of this kind are commonly known, and are used in the increasingly widespread practice of minimally invasive surgery.
The methods of photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) are increasingly being used in endoscopy to detect and treat tissue changes. The offprint from Endo World, URO No. 17/1-D, 1997, "Photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) for early detection of bladder carcinoma" [Photodynamische Diagnose (PDD) zur Früherkennung des Harnblasenkarzinoms] of Karl Storz GmbH & Co., Tuttlingen, Germany, discloses a system used, in conjunction with a photosensitizer that accumulates in tumor-specific fashion and exhibits fluorescence under specific excitation light, to detect tumors or malignant tissue changes. Aminolevulinic acid (ALA), for example, is used successfully as a precursor of a photosensitizer of this kind.
It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,996 to detect malignant tissue endoscopically by causing fluorescence of a marking substance conveyed to the tissue.
Tissue changes can also be detected on the basis of "autofluorescence" triggered by natural fluorescent substances occurring superficially in external tissue layers.
In all these methods, light (called "excitation light") in a specific wavelength range is coupled into the tissue region containing the fluorescent substance, and that fluorescent substance is thereby excited to fluoresce. The fluorescence wavelength range is always of longer wavelength than the excitation range. When ALA is used as the precursor for the tumor-specific photosensitizer photoporphyrin, excitation is performed in the blue (380 to 340 nm), and fluorescence occurs in the red (635 nm). The manner in which fluorescent excitation, as opposed to normal or so-called "white" light, can make a tumor visible in clearly defined fashion is strikingly evident from page 5 of the aforementioned "Endo World" brochure. Even tiny satellite tumors of a fluorescing papillary tumor can be detected in a manner clearly differentiated from the principal tumor, and can be appropriately treated or removed in a surgical endoscopic procedure.
In autofluorescence examinations, the excitation can also occur in the blue and the fluorescence appears principally in the green and red spectral region. Excitation can also be performed in the UV range.
Since the fluorescence intensity is much lower than the excitation intensity, the spectral region of the excitation light is almost completely blocked out in the receiving observing system by filters, to allow detection of the fluorescent emission. Only the fluorescing areas are clearly visible.
This has the disadvantageous consequence that when instruments are introduced into the region illuminated and imaged by the endoscope, these instruments are difficult or in fact impossible to detect when the illumination system is operating in fluorescence mode. In other words, a surgeon watching the surgical procedure via an endoscope, cannot see the instrument in the fluorescence illumination mode. It has therefore hitherto been necessary to switch over continually from fluorescence mode to white-light mode, and vice versa, in order to bring an instrument accurately to the tissue area that is to be examined or treated. This is cumbersome, extremely laborious and irritating to the surgeon, and most of all hazardous or critical in terms of the procedure.
These instruments can be of many different kinds. They can be instruments used in examinations (diagnosis) or also in surgical procedures (therapy).
It is fundamentally known from DE 39 33 199 C2 to equip the distal end piece of a flexible endoscope with a marking which makes it possible to view the end piece in the context of X-ray examinations.
It is the object of the present invention to create an endoscopic instrument that is clearly detectable even in fluorescence mode, and to create an endoscopic instrument with which endoscopic surgical procedures or examinations can be performed under fluorescence conditions.
According to the present invention, the endoscopic instrument is provided with at least one marking having a fluorescing substance that can be excited to fluoresce by a light source, said marking is provided in the distal end section at the instrument.
In one embodiment, the fluorescing substance is selected in such a way that its excitation range lies in the excitation range of a tissue autofluorescence.
It is preferred in this context if the fluorescing substance can be excited in a range from 400 nm to 500 nm.
The considerable advantage of this feature is that because, as mentioned earlier, tissue autofluorescence is extremely weak, the excitation frequency used is not a different one that interferes with that autofluorescence but instead precisely the same excitation range, so that then the corresponding fluorescence is obtained in the same way as the autofluorescence.
In another embodiment, the fluorescing substance is selected so that its excitation range lies in the excitation range of a tumor-specific photosensitizer.
In the context of this embodiment, it is particularly preferred to perform excitation in an excitation range from 370 nm to 440 nm.
This feature has the general advantage that excitation is performed only with a very specific excitation range, and fluorescence is produced both in the tumor and also on the marked instrument. Mutual interfering influences upon excitation of the tumor-specific photosensitizer on the one hand and of the fluorescing substance of the marking on the other hand are then no longer possible, and are thus inherently ruled out by the system. The aforementioned wavelength range in the range from 370 nm to 440 nm is an excitation range for exciting the photosensitizer induced by ALA that is usable for marking tumors.
A "light source" for the purposes of the present invention is understood to be a radiation source that radiates light in the UV, visible, and/or IR range. Unlike X-ray light, light in this wavelength range does not adversely affect or even damage the tissue of the body being examined or treated, or the observer, so that even extended operations, or numerous surgical procedures performed by the surgeon in fluorescence mode, can be carried out without radiation damage.
Because of the fluorescent marking, it is now possible to clearly recognize an instrument in fluorescence mode and moreover to determine unequivocally its position relative to the tissue that is to be examined or removed. As a result it is easily possible, under fluorescent diagnostic light conditions, to bring, for example, a biopsy forceps or another instrument, for example a laser fiber, to the fluorescing tumor area under endoscopic observation and, for example, to take a tissue sample, with no need to switch over to standard endoscopic white-light illumination. It is thus possible to work continuously during the procedure in fluorescence mode, in which both the tumor to be treated and the instrument used for the purpose, or its working elements, are clearly and unequivocally recognizable. This thus creates the possibility of performing both photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) under consistent light conditions for the surgeon, i.e. with no switching between white light and fluorescence mode.
In the case of the endoscopic instrument suite, the light source is selected in such a way that the fluorescing substance on the endoscopic instrument can be excited thereby.
Provision can be made for both the fluorescing substance on the endoscopic instrument and the fluorescing substance in the tissue to be excitable by one and the same light source and for each to exhibit fluorescence of the same color; provision can also be made for operating it with different wavelengths, and accordingly achieving different fluorescence phenomena. The fluorescing substance can be applied directly onto the instrument or can be incorporated into it. It is, of course, always applied at a point that is located in the observation region of an endoscope.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the marking is configured as a marking element applied on the instrument.
The advantage of this feature is that the endoscopic instrument is manufactured in the usual manner and then, if that instrument is intended for fluorescence mode, the marking element with the desired fluorescing substance can be applied.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the marking element is applied removably.
The advantage of this feature is that the marking element can be removed, for example for cleaning purposes or if the endoscopic instrument is also to be used in nonfluorescing mode. This also creates the possibility of applying correspondingly selected or suitable marking elements to the endoscopic instrument for different kinds of operations, or if different tissues are to have different photosensitizers added to them.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one distal working element is equipped with a marking.
The considerable advantage of this feature is that by providing the marking on the working element, the surgeon can detect with particular precision the point at which the working element is currently located, for example in order to begin and perform a surgical procedure precisely.
In a further embodiment in which the working elements are configured as two mouth parts, provision is made for them each to be equipped with a marking.
The considerable advantage of this feature for the surgeon is that he or she can bring, for example, the piece of tissue that is to be detached precisely between the two spread mouth parts, i.e. can accurately establish the position of the spread mouth parts relative to the piece of tissue (also marked) that is to be detached, and can then detach the tissue at a precisely determined and appropriate point.
In a further embodiment of the invention, both the working element and the proximal end section of the shaft are each equipped with a marking.
This feature offers the advantage for the surgeon not only that he or she can determine the position of the shaft relative to the working elements, e.g. mouth parts, but also that this embodiment can be utilized in particularly favorable fashion for "instrument tracking." In instrument tracking, the endoscopic imaging system (endoscope, camera) or the endoscopic image always tracks the manipulating instrument. It is known from DE 195 29 950 C1 to perform instrument tracking on the basis of large-area color markings on instruments. In the body itself, however, all possible colors of the visible region can occur, and it is therefore impossible for a color datum acquired by the endoscope to be assigned unequivocally to the instrument.
At present, an assisting surgeon guides the camera with the proximally-mounted camera. The disadvantage associated with this is that in long operations, manual tracking of the endoscope is no longer performed with the necessary accuracy because the assistant exhibits symptoms of fatigue, so that for brief periods the surgeon is temporarily unable to see the surgical field. The endoscope may move back and forth due to fatigue symptoms, so that image quality is decreased by blurring. In this configuration, "solo surgery" cannot be performed with the instrument suite. The provision of multiple markings, or of markings that extend over a larger surface region, now creates the possibility of accomplishing automatic tracking by way of the fluorescent markings, since the particular three-dimensional position can be exactly determined by the equipment. If the position of the instrument having the markings is then changed by the surgeon, the image sensing system can detect this change in position and the observation system, for example the endoscope, can be correspondingly shifted, i.e. "tracking" can be performed. For example, external 3-D sensors which continuously sense the position of the instrument can be employed so that via an endoscope control device, the working area of the instrument is always automatically made to coincide with the endoscope image.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the marking element is configured as a tubular bushing that can be slid onto a tubular shaft.
The advantage of this feature is that the marking element can easily be slid onto the shaft. If this tubular bushing already has a specific geometric extent, multiple definition points (for example its beginning and its end) can already be utilized for spatial positioning with respect to a fixed reference point.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the marking element has a coating made of transparent glass, or a transparent plastic coating, that covers the fluorescing substance.
The advantage of this feature is that the actual fluorescing substance is hermetically isolated from the surgical field, but nevertheless can be excited to fluoresce through the transparent coating. As a result, it is then also possible to use fluorescing substances that are not intended to come into contact with bodily fluids, either because their fluorescence properties are thereby changed or because those substances can be damaging to the tissue. The selection of fluorescing substances usable in the medical field is also substantially broadened thereby.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the marking element is configured such that it can be inserted into the body on which the endoscopic procedure is being performed, and can be anchored there.
The advantage of this feature is that, for example in an initial diagnostic step, a marking can be left behind or anchored so that the location can be immediately recognized again in a subsequent surgical procedure. In a surgical procedure that is possibly performed by a surgical team other than the one performing the diagnostic step, fluorescent excitation can be used for immediate detection of the specially shaped marking and consequently also of the tissue, marked with that marking, that is to be treated.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the fluorescing substance is selected from the group comprising fluorescein, Acridine Orange, the tetracyclines, eosin, cadmium sulfide, aminolevulinic acid, aminolevulinic acid hydrochlorides, porphyrins, rhodamine B, rhodamine G, auramine, auramine Carbol Fuchsin, and Nile Blue sulfate.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the fluorescing substance is selected so that it can be excited to fluoresce in the wavelength range from 200 to 900 nm.
This wavelength range, which extends on either side beyond the visible light wavelength range from 400 nm to 750 nm, offers a wide range of applications. For example, excitation can occur in the invisible UV range, thus achieving fluorescence in the visible range. This feature has the advantage, for example, that the excitation light is not perceptible and not disturbing to the surgeon, who perceives only the fluorescence in the visible range.
This also creates the further possibility of performing excitation, for example, in the invisible UV range and achieving fluorescence in the (also invisible) infrared range. This will be advantageous if, for example, automatically monitored actions are taking place, for example instrument tracking, which can take place without influencing the surgeon's eye.
In this kind of embodiment of the invention the fluorescing substance is selected, for example, so that it can be excited to fluoresce in the wavelength range from 320 to 380 nm, i.e. by invisible UV light, and fluorescence can then occur in the visible range.
In a further embodiment of the invention, multiple markings with differently excitable fluorescing substances are provided.
The considerable advantage of this feature is that an instrument of this kind can be used flexibly for different diagnostic or surgical procedures or in conjunction with different tumor-specific photosensitizers, since because of the presence of the differently excitable fluorescing substances, at least one substance that is excitable for the specific purpose is then always present.
This capability can also advantageously be used in "instrument tracking". For example, one or more markings that can be excited outside the visible range and that optionally fluoresce outside the visible range can be utilized for tracking, and a further marking can be used as a marking visible to the surgeon.
In a further embodiment of the invention, multiple markings, which contain different concentrations of fluorescing substances, are present.
The advantage of this feature is that depending on local conditions and the fluorescence intensity of the tumor, it is possible to work in correspondingly compensated fashion, i.e. at high or low intensity.
Marking in this fashion with differently excitable fluorescing substances also makes it possible, when setting up an endoscopic instrument suite with, for example, an endoscope and a video camera, to establish an optimum irradiation intensity by way of the excitation light source at the beginning of the operation.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the marking has a fluorescing substance corresponding to that of a marking element inserted into the body.
This feature, in combination with the previously mentioned feature of the marking element inserted into the body, has the advantage that it is possible to work with one and the same excitation system, so that both marking elements already inserted into the body, and the endoscopic instrument equipped with the corresponding marking, are clearly recognizable by the surgeon and, for example, the inserted element can also easily be grasped and removed again with the medical instrument.
In the case of the endoscopic instrument suite, which has in addition to the endoscopic instrument a light-supplying apparatus and an endoscopic observation instrument, in particular an endoscope, that is connected to an light source, it is furthermore advantageous that at least one endoscopic manipulation instrument, in particular a trocar, is provided, through which the observation instrument can be introduced into the body, at least one marking with a fluorescing substance corresponding to the endoscopic instrument being provided on the inner side of the manipulation instrument.
The considerable advantage of this feature is that the functionality of a PDD or PDT system can be tested in vivo using an intracorporeal reference. When the instrument, coated with the fluorescing substance, is slid into the trocar, the functionality of the system can be checked by way of the fluorescing substance distributed over the inner side surface. It is in fact additionally possible to adjust various parameters—for example sufficient power density of the excitation light or the spectral composition of the excitation light—optimally for the particular application. In addition, an optimum color adjustment for a camera sensing the endoscopic image can be performed.
In the case of an endoscopic instrument suite of this kind, it is further advantageous that the observation instrument is an endoscope that is equipped with an endoscopic camera.
The advantage of this feature is that the surgeon need not work directly at the endoscope, but that instead the image is acquired via an endoscopic camera, so that is it thus possible to store that image information, for example in order to identify changes upon subsequent examinations or to convey the image information to an image processing system for better processing. For example, information that was obtained in a diagnostic procedure can be compared, at the beginning of an operation, to the data acquired at that time and, for example, progression of the tumor or perhaps even shrinkage as a result of other chemical treatments can be detected. This also makes it possible to sense the decrease in fluorescence during a PDT treatment (PDT dosimetry), for example by way of marked elements left in the body.
In a further embodiment of the invention, there is provided downstream from the endoscopic camera an image processing system that continuously detects the fluorescing markings in the endoscopic image.
The advantage of this feature is that because of the image processing system, it is possible by way of suitable filters to suppress interfering or undesired fluorescence phenomena or to amplify weak signals. so that the surgeon is provided with an optimal image of both the tissue and the marked instrument.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the light source emits pulsed light at least in the spectral excitation range of the fluorescing substance, the pulse frequency corresponding to the video image frequency or video frame frequency of the endoscopic camera.
The advantage of this feature is that precise instrument tracking can be performed with this pulsed technique and that even very small changes in position, which cannot be perceived by the human eye, can be sensed. The PAL standard is 25 and 50 Hz, and the NTSE standard 30 and 60 Hz. The pulsed technique allows instrument tracking without thereby influencing or disturbing the human eye, since at the image frequencies usual in video technology, the human eye is too slow-reacting to perceive differences.
In a further embodiment of the instrument suite, provision is made for the observation instrument to have, at the distal end, a transparent element having a fluorescing substance.
The considerable advantage of this embodiment is that reflected light received by the observation instrument, which lies in the nonvisible region, can be converted into a visible fluorescence phenomenon by the fluorescing substance that is excited in that region.
It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respective combinations indicated, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without leaving the context of the present invention.
The invention will be explained and described in more detail below with reference to a selected exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 2 shows a greatly enlarged partial perspective view of the distal end section of the endoscopic instrument that is used in this operation.
In FIG. 1, an endoscopic instrument suite is labeled in its entirety with the reference number 10.
Endoscopic instrument suite 10 has an endoscopic instrument 12 and an endoscope 14.
Endoscopic instrument 12 is a grasping forceps that has an elongated tubular shaft 16. At the proximal end, shaft 16 is equipped with a handle that comprises two scissor-like handle elements interconnected via a hinge. A working element 20, in the form of two mouth parts 22 and 24, is arranged at the distal end.
Mouth parts 22 and 24 are connected to the handle via an actuating element 19, so that pivoting of the movable handle element causes a linear movement of actuating element 19 along shaft 16, and mouth parts 22 and 24 are spread or closed depending on the direction of movement.
As is evident from the enlarged partial presentation of FIG. 2, each mouth part 22 and 24 is equipped with a marking 26 and 28. In addition, a further marking 30 is provided in the region of the distal end of shaft 16.
Markings 26 and 28 of mouth parts 22 and 24 comprise separately attachable marking elements 32 and 34.
Marking elements 32 and 34 are of semicircular configuration, and can be clipped in immovably adhering fashion from the outside onto mouth parts 22 and 24.
Each marking element 32 and 34 comprises a transparent plastic double film between which a fluorescing substance is embedded. A "fluorescing substance" is understood to be a substance that exhibits fluorescence following excitation with light of a specific wavelength range. The wavelength range of the excitation light lies in the range from 200 nm to 900 nm, i.e. encompasses the range of visible light (approximately 400 nm to 750 nm) as well as the invisible UV and IR regions.
Marking 30 comprises a tubular bushing 36 that is slid onto the outer side of shaft 16 and has a respective marking ring 38 and 40 at its opposite ends.
Marking rings 38 and 40 also contain a fluorescing substance, which can be the same as the fluorescing substance of marking elements 32 and 34 or can also be a different fluorescing substance, for example a substance that can be excited in the UV range and exhibits fluorescence in the IR range.
Endoscope 14 has an endoscope shaft 46 that is introduced, through a manipulation instrument 42 in the form of a trocar 44, into a body cavity through an abdominal wall 60 of a human body.
Endoscope shaft 46 is joined proximally, via a lateral extension, to a light source 48. Light source 48 can radiate ultraviolet (UV), visible, and/or infrared (IR) light; very specific wavelength ranges, and multiple defined wavelength ranges, can also be radiated. Endoscope shaft 46 contains light guides in the form of a glass-fiber bundle which delivers at the distal end of endoscope shaft 46 the light proceeding from light source 48, as indicated by arrows 49.
Also received in endoscope 14 is an optical system 50 that comprises a rod lens system, arranged in endoscope shaft 46, which ends at the proximal end in an eyepiece equipped with an eyepiece cup 52. Fluorescent light incident at the distal end of endoscope shaft 46, as indicated by an arrow 51, can thus be guided through the optical system to the distal end of endoscope 14.
If, for example, a tissue sample is to be taken from a tissue 62 present in the body, both endoscopic instrument 12 and endoscope 14 are introduced, in a manner known in the minimally invasive surgical technique, through small body openings, e.g. through abdominal wall 16. These body openings are usually created by way of trocars or their trocar mandrels. Following insertion of both endoscopic instrument 12 and endoscope 14, the surgeon can place his or her eye against eyepiece shell 52 and observe the regions visible in the abdominal cavity beneath abdominal wall 16. In the above-described technique of photodynamic diagnosis (PDD), a precursor of a photosensitizer, e.g. aminolevulinic acid (ALA), has previously been administered to the patient. If a tumor 64 is present in the region of tissue 62 being examined, the ALA photosensitizer precursor accumulates in it, and the accumulated fluorescing substance can be excited by a corresponding excitation light, in this case in the blue (380 nm to 430 nm), to fluoresce via a specific conversion process, this fluorescence occurring in the red (635 nm). If the tissue 62 shows autofluorescence one can excite to autofluorescence in the respective excitation range of the tissue, for example in the range from 400 nm to 500 nm. As described earlier, light source 48 is configured such that it emits either white light or a special light in the ALA excitation range, i.e. blue light from 380 nm to 430 nm. If a medical instrument were made of medical steel, as is usual for endoscopic instruments 12 in the form of a grasping forceps for removing a tissue sample, this forceps would be very difficult to detect. Because endoscopic instrument 12 is now equipped with markings 26, 28, and 30, these markings are also excited to fluoresce. In the simplest case, the marking is selected so that it contains a fluorescing substance that can also be excited with blue light and exhibits fluorescent phenomena in red light. The surgeon can thus detect, via optical system 50 of endoscope 14, both fluorescing tissue 62 and also fluorescing markings 26, 28 and optionally also 30 of endoscopic instrument 12, and thus can remove the tissue sample precisely using endoscopic instrument 12. In the case of a surgical procedure, endoscopic instrument 12 can be configured as a cutting forceps that detaches, for example, a tissue area affected by a tumor 64.
In FIG. 1, the dot-dash line indicates an endoscopic camera 54 that is placed onto eyepiece shell 52 of endoscope 14. Endoscopic camera 54 is connected to an image processing system 56 that generates a video image 58 on a monitor.
In this instance the surgeon can observe the surgical region by way of the monitor. It is evident from video image 58 that at the aforementioned excitation frequency at which the precursor ALA exhibits fluorescence by conversion into photoporphyrin, this occurs to a greater extent in the region of a tumor 64 on tissue 62. Also visible on video image 58 is the distal end region of endoscopic instrument 12, or at least the markings of mouth parts 22 and 24. It is thus possible to remove in very specific fashion, for example, a tissue sample in the region of tumor 64.
The interposition of an image processing system 56 makes it possible to perform instrument tracking, i.e. endoscope 14 can be displaced via an actuating drive (not shown here in further detail). For this purpose, light source 48 radiates pulsing light that specifically excites marking 38, and also optionally markings 26 and 28 on mouth parts 22 and 24, to fluoresce. With these three location parameters, the three-dimensional position of endoscopic instrument 12 relative to endoscope 14 can be sensed via external 3-D sensors, and can be coupled to the actuating drive for the endoscope. If the position of endoscopic instrument 12 is then changed, this is sensed by image processing system 56 which sends a corresponding signal to the actuating drive, which then brings endoscope 14 into a position such its optical sensing region at the distal end once again senses the distal end of endoscopic instrument 12. Thus as the surgeon, for example, approaches tumor 64 of tissue 62 with endoscopic instrument 12, the control system is such that mouth parts 22 and 24, and marking 38 on the distal end section of shaft 38, are always within the optical field of view of optical system 50.
Present on the inner side of trocar sleeve 44 are markings with numerous fluorescing substances, for example including the fluorescing substances that are present on mouth parts 22 and 24 and on marking 38; ALA is optionally also present as a reference substance. When the distal end of endoscope shaft 46 is slid in through trocar 14, it is thereby possible to put light source 48 and image processing system 56 into service even before the distal end has penetrated into the body cavity, in order to ascertain whether the system is working; image compensation can also be performed at the same time. If the pulsing is performed, for example, at the video frequency of the camera system (50 Hz for PAL, 60 Hz for NTSC), the marked point can then be determined very easily by referencing the color values of successive frames. Because of the relatively high frequency, a human observer cannot resolve the color differences in time, and therefore does not perceive the disruptive difference. The same applies in the case of an excitation in the visible and a specific fluorescence in the IR region.
Using sensing by way of at least two spatially associated image sensors, instruments marked with fluorescent substances make possible position detection, i.e. localization of the spatial instrument coordinates or direction. Because these points are marked with fluorescing substances that radiate differently in terms of wavelength and/or are marked differently in terms of surface extent, no ambiguity in allocation occurs in the image sensing chips. This also creates the possibility for image processing system 56 to detect not only where endoscopic instrument 12 is located, but also whether the correct instrument is being used.
wherein said fluorescing substance is selected in such a way that its excitation range lies in an excitation range of a tumor-specific photosensitizer applied to tissue surrounding said endoscopic instrument, said light source is selected in a way that it only emits light of specific wavelength ranges matching excitation ranges of both said fluorescent marking of said instrument and the tissue surrounding said endoscopic instrument to which said tumor specific photosensitizer has been applied, therefore said same light source can excite both fluorescence phenomena.
2. The endoscopic system of claim 1, wherein said fluorescing substance is selected to be excited in a range from 370 nm to 440 nm.
3. The endoscopic system of claim 1, wherein said marking is configured as a marking element applied on said endoscopic instrument.
4. The endoscopic system of claim 3, wherein said marking element is applied removably.
5. The endoscopic system of claim 1, wherein said at least one distal working element is equipped with said marking.
6. The endoscopic system of claim 5, wherein two working elements are present and are configured as two mouth parts that are each equipped with a marking.
7. The endoscopic system of claim 1, wherein a marking is respectively provided both on said at least one working element and in a distal end section of said shaft.
8. The endoscopic system of claim 1, wherein said shaft is configured as a tubular shaft, and wherein said marking is configured as a tubular bushing that can be slid onto said tubular shaft.
9. The endoscopic system of claim 1, wherein said marking is provided with a coating, made of a transparent material, that covers said fluorescing substance.
10. The endoscopic system of claim 1, wherein said marking is configured as a marking element applied on said endoscopic instrument, said marking element can be inserted into a body on which an endoscopic procedure is being performed, and said marking element can be anchored there.
11. The endoscopic system of claim 1, wherein said fluorescing substance is selected from the group consisting of fluorescein, eosin, the porphyrins, cadmium sulfide, aminolevulinic acid, aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride, Acridine Orange, tetracyclines, auramine, rhodamine B, rhodamine G, auramine Carbol Fuchsin, and Nile Blue sulfate.
12. The endoscopic system of claim 1, wherein multiple markings with differently excitable fluorescing substances are provided.
13. The endoscopic system of claim 1, wherein multiple markings containing different concentrations of said fluorescing substance are present.
14. The endoscopic system of claim 1, wherein said marking is configured as a marking element that can be inserted into a body on which an endoscopic procedure is being performed, and can be anchored there, and wherein said marking element has a fluorescing substance corresponding to said of a further marking element inserted into said body.
15. The endoscopic system of claim 1, further containing a light-supplying apparatus and an endoscopic observation instrument that is connected to a light source, selected in such a way that said fluorescing substance can be excited to fluoresce by said light source.
16. The endoscopic system of claim 15, wherein said observation instrument is an endoscope.
17. The endoscopic system of claim 16, wherein said endoscope is equipped with an endoscopic camera.
18. The endoscopic system of claim 17, wherein there is provided downstream from said endoscopic camera an image processing system that continuously detects said fluorescing markings in an endoscopic image.
19. The endoscopic system of claim 1, wherein at least one endoscopic manipulation instrument is provided, through which an observation element can be introduced into a body, and at least one marking with a fluorescing substance corresponding to the marking of said endoscopic instrument is provided on an inner side of said manipulation instrument.
20. The endoscopic system of claim 19, wherein said manipulation instrument is a trokar and said observation element is an endoscope.
21. The endoscopic system of claim 18, wherein said light source emits pulsed light at least in a spectral excitation range of said fluorescing substance, and a pulse frequency corresponds to a video image frequency of said endoscopic camera.
22. The endoscopic system of claim 20, wherein said observation instrument has, at a distal end thereof, a transparent element having a fluorescing substance.
wherein said fluorescing substance is selected in such a way that its excitation range lies in an excitation range of a tissue-autofluorescence of tissue surrounding said endoscopic instrument, said light source is selected in a way that it only emits light of specific wavelength ranges matching excitation ranges of both said fluorescent marking of said instrument and said tissue auto-fluorescence of the tissue surrounding said endoscopic instrument, therefore said same light source can excite both fluorescence phenomena.
24. The endoscopic system of claim 23, wherein said fluorescing substance can be excited in a range from 400 nm to 500 nm.
25. The endoscopic system of claim 23, wherein said marking is configured as a marking element applied on said endoscopic instrument.
26. The endoscopic system of claim 25, wherein said marking element is applied removably.
27. The endoscopic system of claims 23, wherein said at least one distal working element is equipped with a marking.
28. The endoscopic system of claim 27, wherein two working elements are present and are configured as two mouth parts that are each equipped with a marking.
29. The endoscopic system of claim 23, wherein a marking is respectively provided both on said at least one working element and in a distal end section of said shaft.
30. The endoscopic system of claim 23, wherein said shaft is configured as a tubular shaft, and wherein, said marking is configured as a tubular bushing that can be slid onto said tubular shaft.
31. The endoscopic system of claim 23, wherein said marking is provided with a coating, made of a transparent material, that covers said fluorescing substance.
32. The endoscopic system of claim 23, wherein said marking is configured as a marking element applied on said endoscopic instrument, said marking element can be inserted into a body on which an endoscopic procedure is being performed, and said marking element can be anchored there.
33. The endoscopic system of claim 23, wherein said fluorescing substance is selected from the group consisting of fluorescein, eosin, the porphyrins, cadmium sulfide, aminolevulinic acid, aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride, Acridine Orange, tetracyclines, auramine, rhodamine B, rhodamine G, auramine Carbol Fuchsin, and Nile Blue sulfate.
34. The endoscopic system of claim 23, wherein multiple markings with differently excitable fluorescing substances are provided.
35. The endoscopic system of claim 23, wherein multiple markings containing different concentrations of said fluorescing substance are present.
36. The endoscopic system of claim 23, wherein said marking is configured as a marking element that can be inserted into a body on which an endoscopic procedure is being performed, and can be anchored there, and wherein said marking element has a fluorescing substance corresponding to said of a further marking element inserted into said body.
37. The endoscopic system of claim 23, further containing a light-supplying apparatus and an endoscopic observation instrument that is connected to a light source, selected in such a way that said fluorescing substance can be excited to fluoresce by said light source.
38. The endoscopic system of claim 37, wherein said observation instrument is an endoscope.
39. The endoscopic system of claim 38, wherein said endoscope is equipped with an endoscopic camera.
40. The endoscopic system of claim 39, wherein there is provided downstream from said endoscopic camera an image processing system that continuously detects said fluorescing markings in an endoscopic image.
41. The endoscopic system of claim 23, wherein at least one endoscopic manipulation instrument is provided, through which an observation element can be introduced into a body, and at least one marking with a fluorescing substance corresponding to the marking of said endoscopic instrument is provided on an inner side of said manipulation instrument.
42. The endoscopic system of claim 41, wherein said manipulation instrument is a trokar and said observation element is an endoscope.
43. The endoscopic system of claim 40, wherein said light source emits pulsed light at least in a spectral excitation range of the fluorescing substance, and a pulse frequency corresponds to a video image frequency of said endoscopic camera.
44. The endoscopic system of claim 42, wherein said observation instrument has, at a distal end thereof, a transparent element having a fluorescing substance.


Rika Izumi (Sailor Mercury) makes Singer Debut!
Model & Actress Rika Izumi who is known for playing Sailor Mercury in Live Action Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon and also Kota Kazuraba / Kamen Rider Gaim's Elder Sister Akira Kazuraba will be making Singer Debut this month. Her First Single titled "Kimi no Hitomi wa 10000 Bolt" (Your Eyes are 10000 Bolts) is the cover of a Popular Song of same title from 70's.
Jun Shison who had played Right / ToQ 1gou and now appearing in the movie "Teiichi no Kuni" starring Masaki Suda (Philip / Kamen Rider W Cyclone). Jun Shison, Masaki Suda & Shotaro Mamiya had appeared on Nippon TV's Variety "Waragami ga Totsuzen ni..." for promoting their movie "Teiichi no Kuni". In this variety show Masaki Suda had prepared a corner where they will challenge Cosplay. Jun Shison is turned his original character Pretty Guardian Reika (well let's consider it to be the Parody of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon).


TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire - April 12, 2011) -Lundin Mining Corporation ("Lundin Mining" or the "Company") (TSX:LUN)(OMX:LUMI) today commented on the retraction by Equinox Minerals Limited ("Equinox") of material information on its Lumwana project that Lundin Mining believes fundamentally undermines Equinox's rationale for, and risks inherent, in its unsolicited bid for Lundin Mining.
On April 8, 2011 Equinox issued a news release which attempted to address deficiencies in the disclosure in its Take-over Bid Circular dated March 7, 2011. As part of this news release, Equinox retracted material information regarding previously disclosed expansion plans at the Lumwana mine that affected Equinox's share price prior to the announcement of the unsolicited bid. Lumwana is Equinox's only operating mine.
Commenting on the retraction, Mr. Phil Wright, Chief Executive Officer of Lundin Mining, said, "It is clear that the Board's concerns were well founded. I do not see how you can retract information as fundamental as a life of mine statement that had a material effect on your share price without considering withdrawal of your bid.
"Nor do I see how Equinox can continue to justify using an unsupported and speculative projection of 500,000 tonnes of copper per annum as their growth forecast," Mr. Wright said.
On February 2, 2011 Equinox issued a news release entitled "Equinox provides update on Lumwana expansion strategy". According to Equinox's Take-over Bid Circular dated March 7, 2011, it was considering a transaction with Lundin Mining prior to making the expansion disclosure. Equinox's share price increased 10.3% on the day of the announcement and Equinox then traded at record highs prior to announcing the unsolicited bid for Lundin Mining. In that news release Equinox stated that based on assumed future mineral resource exploration success they were increasing the size (20 to 45 million tonnes per annum) of the planned Lumwana expansion, with the expected mine life extended to be in the range of 27 to 37 years and annual copper production increased significantly to 260,000 tpa copper production beginning in 2015.
In other words, on the basis of the assumed mining inventory, Equinox announced it expected to approximately double Lumwana production. Under applicable Canadian securities laws, the assumed mining inventory is a conceptual exploration target which cannot form the basis for an economic analysis.
This assumed mining inventory underlies Equinox's claim that a combined Equinox and Lundin Mining is expected to produce 500,000 tonnes of copper per annum by 2016. This claim is central to Equinox's assertion that the combined company will have a superior growth profile, a key purported benefit of the transaction identified by Equinox.
In addition to disregarding Equinox' statements on the life of mine, Lundin Mining does not believe that its shareholders should rely on Equinox's claim that it will double Lumwana production on an assumed mining inventory.
In addition to the foregoing retraction, Equinox also provided corrective and supplemental disclosure relating to the impact of the acquisition debt on the financial position of a combined Lundin Mining/Equinox entity.
This supplemental disclosure confirms many of the concerns regarding the highly leveraged capital structure of Equinox following the acquisition that the Board of Lundin Mining highlighted in its Directors' Circular of March 20, 2011.
For example, the restated proforma financial statements show annual net income of Equinox following the acquisition of $68.2 million versus the net income of $324 million (nine month period) that was disclosed in the pro forma financial statements included with the first version of Equinox's Takeover Bid Circular.
These revised pro forma financial statements also show total annual expenses of $665 million versus $46 million (nine month period) in the previous pro forma statements. These expenses include $328 million in annual interest costs on the acquisition debt; an amount that was not previously disclosed and which represents an effective annual interest rate of 10.25% on debt of $3.2 billion.


Posted on Jan 02, XP drivers are generally NOT recommended unless there's no other option. Go to Device Manager and see if it as detected your Modem; if it as then you will be able to use Microsoft up wij7 date search from there, or download Vista Drivers for it!
Helpful 3 Not Helpful Flag. Best thing about this new service is that you are never placed on hold and get to talk to real repairmen in the US.
The "Green" status of PVC0 status indicated that you are now connected. We can only provide you with an accurate, timely response. Please don't "shoot the messenger" – in other words, we obviously can't do anything to correct a situation like this. Installation Manager Success Stats: Please assign your manual to a product: To achieve a Gold competency level, Solvusoft goes through extensive independent analysis that looks for, amongst other qualities, a high level of software expertise, a successful customer service track record, and top-tier customer value.
Run the instalation 4. This option requires no OS understanding.
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You also gain the extra benefit of an extra firewall between yourself and the Internet. Posted by vibish on Nov 26, The email address entered is already associated to an buawei. This tool will download and update the correct Huawei MTa driver versions automatically, protecting you against installing the wrong MTa drivers.
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Not an IT pro? Huawei Mta driver installation manager hiawei reported as very satisfying by a large percentage of our reporters, so it is recommended to download and install.
Using outdated or corrupt Huawei MTa drivers can cause system errors, crashes, and cause your computer or hardware to fail. Select Your Operating System, download zipped files, and then proceed to manually install them. Is the firmware of the Wi7n compatible with the MT?


Home Entertainment Teaser of Shankar's I starring 'Chiyaan Vikram – The wait is over!
Teaser of Shankar's I starring 'Chiyaan Vikram – The wait is over!
The wait is over! Watch the scintillating teaser of Shankar's I starring 'Chiyaan Vikram', as the audio for the A.R.Rahman musical releases today.
Banner – Aascar Film (P) Ltd.
10 Strangest Ocean Phenomena You Won't Believe!


Overstock Clearance Items – Visit our overstock inventory for the best deals that could be the perfect fit for you!
WINTER SPECIAL – Our Personalized Teacher Stool is the perfect gift for any teacher.
Overstock Sale: On Friday, September 30th, and Saturday, October 1st, Select hardware, glass, mirrors, cabinets, boards, and more available at discount prices.
Check out one of our newest products: Benee's Standing Desk gives you the flexibility to quickly use your classroom in a variety of different ways. Click for more info.


Transitional weather tends to produce lackluster, confused, ADD skin. One minute, it's hot and humid and our complexion looks slick and greasy, the next, it's cold and windy and our skin is dry and irritable. While we'll dedicate an entire post to tackling transitional skincare, today I want to let you in on a little complexion corrector: GlamGlow mud masks.
The truth is, you kind of need all of these masks — and you can create specific concerns, like dryness, t-zone oiliness and blackheads, and dull areas, with a different mask for each targeted spot. Sure, your face may look a bit blotchy when the masks are applied, but the beauty of combining the masks is that you can literally customize it to your personal concerns.
When experiencing a heatwave like the West Coast currently is, and no amount of face wash or astringent can stop my oil glands from literally bleeding out sweat, I turn to the Supermud Clearing Treatment. When the weather shifts and nights become cooler, I usually need extra hydration around my eyes and mouth and chest… that's when I use Thirstymud (yes, a chest mask is essential for youthful skin!). And when my complexion has an overall blahness to it – usually a result of heat, air conditioning, sun, and swim, Flashmud brings everything back to a harmonious balance, exfoliating and brightening the skin.
GlamGlow makes a slew of other magical masks for specific skincare concerns (peruse here), so mix and match as you see fit! But definitely invest in some mud to get your mug back into top shape this fall.


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Suicide: A Global, Local Crisis
December 17, 2014 Fred McClimans	Leave a comment
This post is part of a month-long series on suicide, written by friends of Sam Fiorella, and dedicated to his son Lucas, who was lost to suicide earlier this year. You can read his story here.
The reality and pain of suicide (or severe depression) is something most everyone will encounter at some point in their lives. It can take the media by storm, when it involves a celebrity or famous person. But more often it's the childhood friend who never made it to graduation. Or the colleague whose inner pain was too much to bear, despite the cheerful smile around the office. Or perhaps it hits closer to home — a family member or relative you thought you understood a bit better than you did. Suicide is all too common.
IT'S A GLOBAL ISSUE THAT STRIKES LOCALLY
The World Health Organization has published some staggering data on the global suicide problem:
It Strikes Often
Every 40 seconds, somebody dies by suicide somewhere in the world (source: WHO Suicide Prevention Report, 2014).
It's a Global Concern
Globally, suicide accounts for 1.4% of all deaths, making it the 15th leading cause of death worldwide, ahead of SIDS, Cancer (of the liver, stomach or colon), and Alzheimer's disease (Source: World Health Report, WHO, 2003 and Disease and Mortality Estimates, WHO, 2012 [xls]).
That Strikes Locally
Suicide is the 2nd most common cause of death among 15-29yr olds (source: Suicide Prevention Overview, WHO, 2014), and when it strikes (at any age), the impact on a family or community can be devastating.
We might like to think that in the US and Canada we're a bit insulated, as 75% of all suicides occur in low- and middle-income nations. But we aren't. We rank 33rd and 34th respectively on the global map.
Our suicide rates are higher – in some cases over 10x higher – than over half the world's nations, including Germany, United Kingdom, Cuba, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Argentina, Australia, Spain, Italy, Venezuela, Armenia, and Azerbaijan (source: Business Insider repub of WHO Suicide Map, 2014).
World Health Organization Suicide Map, 2014
I've lost that close childhood friend. I've seen the toll suicide can take on a family. And I've wondered aloud what could've been done to help that colleague that none of us realized needed help.
But I've never been through anything like the loss of a child. It's unimaginable. It's frightening. And yet it's real. It forces us to rethink, and question, what we know about suicide. Thinking we know all the answers, or that it will never happen to us, may make us feel better but it doesn't even begin to solve the problem.
My own kids range from the early teens to the twenties. I'd like to think I understand everything they are going through, and that they'd come to me with their problems and concerns. But as a parent, I know that's not always going to be the case. But we can help. For me personally, that means starting (but certainly not stopping) with these steps:
1. Actively Listen
Research shows that many if not most suicide attempts include a cry for help. Sometimes it's obvious, other times it can be nothing more than a whisper or a subtle change in behavior. Listening isn't always passive. By actively listening, by engaging, interacting and questioning, we can hear and see things we wouldn't have otherwise. And it doesn't stop with the person we feel is at risk – talk to their friends, look at their behavior and the behavior of those around them (our friends often react to or amplify our own actions and feelings). Don't wait for somebody to bring their problem to you, be there when you believe they have a problem.
2. Understand the Crisis
Understanding comes from knowledge. There are many good resources out there designed to help people in need, as well as family members and friends of those in need. Know what factors might put a person at risk. Learn to recognize the warning signs. Be comfortable with the steps you may need to take to help that person in need. The more we know about the causes and cures of depression (and there is no shortage of myths around the topic of suicide), the better prepared we will all be to spot the warning signs before it's too late.
3. Adapt
Depression and suicide may be personal, but it often takes a larger group effort to understand and deal with the problem, especially when underlying issues can be difficult to spot, let alone accept. There are many varied factors that shape depression, including stress, genetics, mood disorders, substance abuse and biochemical imbalances. We must all be willing to change our own behavior to help those in need. Rather than pointing them in the right direction, walk with them, at their pace, and arrive together.
Depression and suicide are global crisis that strike locally. Take a moment to think about how you listen for signs that a friend, a colleague or a family member might be at risk. Do you know the real warning signs? Or where to even look? And how will you change your behavior to help them overcome their pain? It's worth a moment of thought. Perhaps even two. Here are some resources to may help you stay informed and ahead of this crisis. They are a starting point.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US)
SAMSA leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.
http://www.samhsa.gov/suicide-prevention
Preventing Suicide: A Global Imperative (published by the WHO, 2014) [pdf]
An official World Health Organization report outlining the global suicide crisis.
http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/131056/1/9789241564779_eng.pdf
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
http: //www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
SPRC is the nation's only federally supported resource center devoted to advancing the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
http://sprc.org
Mayo Clinic Guide to Teen Depression
An in-depth resource to help guide teens and their families through the issue of depression.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/teen-depression/basics/definition/con-20035222
U.S. Surgeon Generals Report: 2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention [pdf]
A report of the U.S. Surgeon General and of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/reports/national-strategy-suicide-prevention/full_report-rev.pdf
A look at the realities of suicide.
http://www.suicide.org/suicide-myths.html
15 Myths and Facts about Suicide and Depression
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20507781,00.html
7 Myths about Suicide and 11 Warning Signs of Depression
Savvy Psychologist, Ellen Hendriksen, PhD
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/mental-health/7-myths-about-suicide
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/prevention/medical-conditions/11-little-known-signs-of-depression
Myths and Misconceptions of Teen Suicide
End Teen Suicide, a Colorado-based program to assist teens in need.
http://www.endteensuicide.org/prevent.html
Features Image "Suicide Safety" courtesy Dark Cloud Silver Moon [original]
#depression#notalone#suicide#usguysWorld Health Organization
A little iPhone repair w/ Pink Floyd on Vimeo
Would you buy KLM a beer?
PERSPECTIVES 004: Shortcuts to Relationships w Chris Heuer
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Lena Verdeli
Organisation(s)
Lena Verdeli, Ph.D., M.Sc.
Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology and Director of the Global Mental Health Lab, Teachers College, Columbia University
Lena Verdeli, Ph.D, MSc, is the Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, Director of Clinical Training at Teachers College, Columbia University, and the Founder and Director of the Teachers College Global Mental Health Lab. Over the years, Dr. Verdeli has received funding from governments (US- NIMH; Canadian government- Grand Challenges Canada; UK- Medical Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council); intergovernmental agencies (WHO, UNHCR); and foundations (NARSAD, Eleanor Cook Foundation, etc.) to test psychotherapy for prevention and treatment of mood disorders. In the past fifteen years, Lena Verdeli has played a key role in landmark studies involving adaptation, training, and testing of psychotherapy protocols used by both specialists and non-specialists around the globe (psychologists, psychiatrists, primary care staff, community health workers, etc.). She collaborated internationally with academic groups, ministries of health, local NGOs and international agencies to alleviate the suffering of adults locally defined as depressed in southern Uganda; war-affected adolescents in IDP camps in northern Uganda; traumatized IDP women in Colombia; distressed patients in primary care in Goa, India; depressed community members in Haiti; war-affected Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
Lena Verdeli is a Scientific Advisory Council member of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and the Scientific Advisory Board of Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. She received the Klerman Young Scientist award; the APA Division 52 Mentoring Award; and chaired the research workgroup of the Family NGO at the UN. She is the first author of the manual on Group Interpersonal Psychotherapy which has been disseminated globally online by WHO (http://www.who.int/mental_health/mhgap/interpersonal_therapy/en/).
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Q: Could C# delegate point to another class/object's method? Here, I wish to gain a delegate like function pointer, to point to a class method that's in another class (named Inner), and then pass it to a static function, like below:
public class Inner
{
    public int M = 3;
    public void F() { Console.WriteLine("f"); }
    public void G() { Console.WriteLine("g"); }
}
class Program
{
    public static void Caller(Action a)
    {
        a();
    }
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        var i = new Inner();
        var f = i.F;
        var g = i.G;
        f();//error
        g();//error
        Program.Caller(f);
        Console.WriteLine("Hello World!");
    }
}

I'm from c/c++, and in c/c++, function pointer like this is very straight forward, but this C# code fail to compile. I googled and found almost all delegate explanations talks about delegate that points to class method inside itself.
My question is, how to fix the code to make it work?

A: Coding Seb's answer highlight's the cause of the issue, but doesn't really explain why.
It is because i.F is a method group, and not a specific method pointer. For example, imagine Inner was defined as so:
public class Inner
{
    public void F() { Console.WriteLine("f"); }
    public void F(string name) { Console.WriteLine(name); }
}

Which method would i.F refer to? F() or F(string)?
For that reason, you need to define the variable type explicitly, or cast the pointer:
Action f = i.F;

Or:
var f = (Action)i.F;

A: You can not set methods group in implicit variables in C# so if you just change 2 var in Action it's working
public class Inner
{
    public int M = 3;
    public void F() { Console.WriteLine("f"); }
    public void G() { Console.WriteLine("g"); }
}
class Program
{
    public static void Caller(Action a)
    {
        a();
    }
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        var i = new Inner();
        Action f = i.F;
        Action g = i.G;
        f();
        g();
        Program.Caller(f);
        Console.WriteLine("Hello World!");
    }
}

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text:
Rupert Earle
Partner and Head of Media Litigation
Email Rupert
"Extremely well regarded" for his longstanding experience acting for and against public authorities, as well as advising public bodies on regulatory proceedings.
Chambers UK 2021
Rupert Earle is a brilliant mind, strategic and calm under pressure. He knows the industry inside out as a regulator and we are able to count on his team at Bates Wells to consistently provide excellent service and results.
Rupert's strengths lie in his ability to predict accurately where a matter is headed. He is the right person with the right advice at the right time. His advice is unerringly practical and strategic.
Vastly experienced, intelligent and unflappable
Best Lawyer - Defamation
Best Lawyers 2021 9th Edition
Rupert Earle has been consistently excellent. He has always been available to advise fully regardless of the hour or the day
An amazing lawyer who is doing really important work. An expert in his field and a statesman... respected and very knowledgeable.
He is dedicated, thorough and always puts the client's best interests first
He is very client-focused, dedicated, thorough and always puts the client's best interests first
A well-respected figure in the advertising and marketing space
"A good choice for business and individuals seeking defamation expertise"
"Calm, unflappable, experience and clever"
"Professional and friendly, easy to talk to, helpful and contributes practical alternative options"
"He's superb – seeing him in action against other lawyers really puts his quality into perspective"
Knowledgeable, calm, careful, thorough and displays good judgement.
"He's excellent, experienced, level-headed, calm, pragmatic and practical"
"He has unrivalled experience on advertising related matters, is incredibly good on the details and has very sensible judgement"
Leading individual
Practice head and 'consummate professional' Rupert Earle provides 'balanced and realistic advice'
[Rupert is] 'an excellent communicator and deals well with clients', who is noted for his advertising and marketing expertise
Praised for his 'subject knowledge' and 'calm and collected approach'.
I have for some 30 years specialised in media, public/regulatory, advertising and consumer law issues, both in and out of court.
I have advised on a full range of media disputes, including up to the Supreme Court and European Court of Human Rights. This covers defamation (eg Ashcroft v. Times Newspapers, Chohan v. Oxford University Press, Sovcomflot v. Lloyds Fairplay, Hardcash Productions v. Crown Prosecution Service, Prince Turki v. Hachette Filipacchi, Prince Nayef v. Independent, Cruddas v. Times Newspapers, Flood v. Times Newspapers (including in the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human rights); third party disclosure applications to identify anonymous postings and false profiles on social media (eg against Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft, Yahoo, BT); clearance work (eg biographies of Prince Charles and Jann Wenner, reports of inquiries into racism and sexual abuse in football; and advising on compliance with regulatory codes (eg IPSO and Ofcom Broadcasting Code).
My regulatory work has focused on advertising (including advising the Advertising Standards Authority and Committee of Advertising Practice on UK and EU advertising law); airports/airlines (advising on slot allocation at UK airports); and alcohol (acting for the Portman Group in relation to the regulation of the marketing of alcoholic drinks) – advising on regulatory codes, procedures and guidance. I have also acted in judicial review challenges to regulatory decisions, for example by Transport for London and by the Charity Commission. My information law work has included acting for Jonathan Ungoed-Thomas, the Sunday Times journalist, in the information tribunal and High Court action to obtain disclosure of details of MPs expense claims; and for Dominic Kennedy, the Times journalist up to the Supreme Court in relation to access to Charity Commission statutory inquiry information; advising public authorities on FOIA and environmental information issues; and advising political parties and referendum campaigners on data privacy issues.
My information law work has included acting for Jonathan Ungoed-Thomas, the Sunday Times journalist, in the information tribunal and High Court action to obtain disclosure of details of MPs expense claims; and for Dominic Kennedy, the Times journalist up to the Supreme Court in relation to access to Charity Commission statutory inquiry information; advising public authorities on FOIA and environmental information issues; and advising political parties and referendum campaigners on data privacy issues.
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Acting for a national newspaper in defence of a threatened claim for defamation arising out of an article about the miss-selling of mini bonds.
Acting for a historian in contested freedom of information challenges to the Cabinet Office and a University in relation to refusal to provide access to an archive containing important historical information.
Successfully defending rulings of the Advertising Standards Authority against claims for judicial review by City Fibre (challenging the advertising as "fibre" of broadband services which were not fully fibre optic) and Actegy (seeking to continue to advertise a medical device as effective for relieving symptoms of arthritis, diabetes etc).
Public/regulatory law
Defending Airport Coordination against proceedings by the administrators of Monarch Airlines concerning whether the airline's take-off and landing slots at Gatwick, Manchester and Luton airports could, on insolvency, be sold, or should fall into the slot pool for re-allocation.
I worked on the copy clearance for the biographies of Prince Charles (the Rebel Prince, Harper Collins) and Jann Wenner (Sticky Fingers, Canongate).
I have advised on risk intelligence databases.
I have also contested FOI cases involving DfID, the Cabinet Office, and a University.
I have acted for the Advertising Standards Authority in numerous investigations (including re property mis-descriptions, planning battles) and judicial reviews (eg Coys of Kensington v ASA 2012, Sainsbury's v ASA 2014);
I challenged Transport for London's ban on advertising for North Cyprus,
I worked on challenging Ofcom's procurement process for the telephone preference service as well as challenging for the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust the Charity Commission's press releases concerning the funding of CAGE;
I acted for the regulator of the marketing of alcoholic drinks;
I advised broadcasters in Ofcom investigations concerning compliance with the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.
I advised Britain Stronger In Europe in the 2016 EU referendum, and other participants in the 2017 general election.
Qualifications and career
Cambridge University, BA History, 1982
Admitted as a Solicitor in 1988
Solicitor and partner, Theodore Goddard and Addleshaw Goddard, 1988
Partner, Bates Wells, 2007
Pro bono, memberships, and appointments
Adviser, South West London Law Centre (SWLCC)
Co-editor and author, Crown, Bray and Earle, Advertising Law & Regulation, Bloomsbury Professional 2010
Contributing author, Institute of Practitioners in Advertising's guide to advertising law, Ad Law, 2016
Radio and TV appearances on libel and adverting law issues, numerous press and journal articles
Lecturing for C5, Lexis Nexis Butterworths, Informa
Member of the Administrative Law Bar Association
Member of the Advertising Law Group
Member of the Society for Computing and the Law
FAQs on the UK Government's coronavirus quarantine rules
Bates Wells wins case for the Advertising Standards Authority
Bates Wells advises ASA in CityFibre judicial review case
Cliff Richard, the BBC and press freedom: Rupert Earle writes for The Times
Bates Wells partners recognised in Legal 500 Hall of Fame
Sky News: Rupert Earle comments on Martin Lewis defamation case
Election advertising
Reputation and privacy at election time
General Election 2017 – a legal perspective
Rupert Earle and Andrew Wheelhouse write for Law Society Gazette
The dangers of personal email
Charity & Social Enterprise Update | Spring 2017


The Houston Ship Channel, part of the Port of Houston, is the conduit for oceangoing vessels between Houston-area terminals and the Gulf of Mexico, and serves an increasing volume of inland barge traffic. According to retired U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Bill Diehl, president of Greater Houston Port Bureau, the Houston Ship Channel currently leads all other U.S. ports in both volume and business.
Diehl, who recently spoke about U.S. port activity and commerce at an Economic Alliance Houston Port Region meeting, said Houston accounts for roughly 10 percent of national trade in regard to imports.
"We are the energy capital of America," he said. "We can transport that energy out of here and into here, and that's something people should be proud of. On the import side, Houston has about 10 percent of the national trade. Los Angeles is second with about 7 percent and New Jersey is third.
From 2000 to 2010, Houston Ship Channel vessel movements doubled, Diehl said.
"We were at about 10,000 vessel movements a year and now we're at more than 20,000 vessel movements a year," he said. "There are about 8,000 arrivals. They come in and go out, and get you 16,000 vessel movements. They move around within the port, which gets you another 4,000.
According to Diehl, Houston sits on the onramp of global trade.
"We have a great port in our backyard," he said. "Breaking down the vessels that move, you can see we are about two-thirds petrochemical. Because we're the energy capital, we're going to move a lot of oil products and chemical products.
For more information, visit www.txgulf.org or call (713) 678-4300.


Velour insert cloth is a traditional fabric previously used on OE automotive seating. It features a durable construction and is finished with a 3.5mm foam and denier backing for ease of fabrication. Velour insert cloth is versatile and can be used on other general purpose upholstery applications.


text:
SAIPA (, ) — іранський автовиробник зі штаб-квартирою в Тегерані.

Історія

SAIPA (акронім з французької Société Anonyme Iranienne de Production Automobile) була створена в 1966 році , з 75% часткою в капіталі Ірану для складання автомобілів Citroen за ліцензією для іранського ринку. В даний час компанія виробляє в основному корейські автомобілі, але розробила власний двигун і модельний ряд автомобілів. Виконавчим директором Saipa є Mehdi Jamali, попередником якого був Nematollah Poustindouz. Основні дочірні компанії SAIPA Group є Saipa , Pars Khodro і Zamyad Co.

Персонал компанії на лютий 2013 року становив 39,304 особи. На цей же час компанія входила в список найбільших компаній Ірану на 2-му місці.

Примітки

Посилання
 Sales of top 100 Iranian companies amount to $ 215 billion in fiscal year
 Citroën s'implante en Iran à travers une coentreprise avec Saipa
 Iranian Car Maker Wins Euro Standards

Автомобілі за маркою
Автобудівні підприємства
Автомобілі Ірану
Підприємства Ірану
Підприємства, засновані 1966

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
A rare disease of the bile ducts that affects only infants
Stats and Inheritance
Current Treatments
Treatments in Research
1-9 / 100,000
Autosomal dominant
Mitochondrial/Multigenic
X-linked dominant
X-linked recessive
Rare View
Biliary atresia, also known as extrahepatic ductopenia and progressive obliterative cholangiopathy, is a childhood disease of the liver in which one or more bile ducts are abnormally narrow, blocked, or absent. This congenital condition occurs when the bile ducts inside or outside the liver do not develop normally. Initially, the symptoms of biliary atresia are indistinguishable from those of neonatal jaundice, a usually harmless condition commonly seen in infants. However, infants with biliary atresia develop progressive conjugated jaundice, pale white stools, and dark urine.†
It is a progressive idiopathic, necroinflammatory process that may involve a segment or the entire extrahepatic biliary tree.
Presentation may include jaundice, pale stools, or hepatomegaly.
The most common complications or sequelae are growth failure, portal hypertension, cholangitis, and ascites.
Biliary atresia should be excluded in any baby with jaundice associated with pale stools, with jaundice persisting beyond 14 days of age.
Biliary atresia is most common in East Asia, with a frequency of one in 5,000.
Interest Over Time
Google searches
Biliary atresia is also known as
Non-syndromic biliary atresia; Isolated atresia of bile ducts; Isolated Biliary atresia
What's your rare IQ?
Which of the following countries has the highest reported incidnce of biliary atresia?
Common Signs & Symptoms
Acholic stools
Atretic gallbladder
Conjugated hyperbilirubinemia
Dark yellow urine
Decreased liver function
Elevated alkaline phosphatase
Greatly elevated alkaline phosphatase
High serum alkaline phosphatase
Increased alkaline phosphatase
Increased serum alkaline phosphatase
Elevated gamma-glutamyltransferase level
High liver enzymes
Fat malabsorption
Enlarged liver
Prolonged neonatal jaundice
Prolonged yellowing of skin in newborn
Prolonged prothrombin time
Severe failure to thrive
Severe faltering weight
Severe weight faltering
Top Clinical Trials
N-Acetylcysteine in Biliary Atresia After Kasai Portoenterostomy In this study, the investigators test whether intravenous N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can improve bile flow after KP. The rationale is that NAC leads to synthesis of glutathione, which is a powerful stimulator of bile flow. The primary objective is to determine whether NAC normalizes total serum bile acid (TSBA) concentrations within 24 weeks of KP. Achieving normal TSBAs is uncommon with current standard-of-care, and is predicted to be associated with better long-term outcomes. The secondary objectives are to describe how other parameters commonly followed in BA change with NAC therapy, as well as report adverse events occurring with therapy and in the first two years of life. This study follows the "minimax" Phase 2 clinical trial design.
Phase 2 Active, not recruiting Drug: N-Acetyl cysteine Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States More Information
Pentoxifylline Therapy in Biliary Atresia The purpose of this study is to determine whether pentoxifylline reduces liver damage in infants with biliary atresia. The trial's objective is to determine whether PTX has sufficient biological activity against BA to warrant further study. PTX will be administered orally for 90 days as an adjunct to standard therapy (i.e. KP if appropriate). The primary outcome will measure the change in serum conjugated bilirubin levels after 90 days. Secondary outcomes include changes in body weight, serum markers, liver imaging, and time to liver transplant in infants with BA.
Phase 2 Recruiting Drug: Pentoxifylline Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States More Information
Treating Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Biliary Atresia With Vancomycin The purpose of this study is twofold. First, is to determine whether vancomycin is effective in the early treatment of Biliary Atresia (BA) and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), and if so, by what mechanism. Secondly, to characterize human intestinal microbial communities and their interactions with the host. Phase 1 Recruiting Drug: Oral Vancomycin Sacramento Pediatric Gastroenterology, Sacramento, California, United States More Information
Efficacy and Safety of Odevixibat in Children With Biliary Atresia Who Have Undergone a Kasai HPE (BOLD) Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 study to investigate the efficacy and safety of odevixibat compared to placebo in children with biliary atresia who have undergone a Kasai hepatoportoenterostomy. Phase 3 Recruiting Drug: Odevixibat|Drug: Placebo Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States|Stanford Children's Health, Palo Alto, California, United States|Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California, United States|UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States|Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, United States|Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware, United States|University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States|Children's Healthcare of Atlanta - Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States|Indiana University school of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States|Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Baltimore, Maryland, United States|Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States|University of Michigan Children's Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States|Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri, United States|The Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, New York, United States|Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States|NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, New York, New York, United States|Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States|Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States|The Children´s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States|UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States|UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States|University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States|Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, United States|Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States|Women's Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, Australia|Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia|The Children´s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia|Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium|UZ Gent, Gent, Belgium|CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Canada|The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada|Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Bron, France|Bicêtre Hospital, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France|Jeanne de Flandre Hospital, Lille, France|Necker University Hospital - Enfants malades, Paris, France|Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany|Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany|Dr. von Hauner Children´s Hospital LMU, Munich, Germany|University Children´s Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany|Semmelweis Egyetem I.sz Gyermekgyógyászati Klinika, Budapest, Hungary|Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel|Schneider Children´s Medical Center of Israel, Petah tikva, Israel|ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy|Meyer Children´s University Hospital, Florence, Italy|University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy|Regina Margherita Children´s Hospital, Turin, Italy|Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, Republic of|Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul, Korea, Republic of|Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II, Kota Bharu, Malaysia|University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia|University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands|Starship Child Health, Auckland, New Zealand|Instytut Pomnik-Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka, Warsaw, Poland|Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain|National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan|Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan|Hacettepe University Ihsan Dogramaci Childrens Hospital, Ankara, Turkey|Akdeniz University Medical Faculty, Antalya, Turkey|Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey More Information
Evaluation of Maralixibat in Biliary Atresia Response Post-Kasai A study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of maralixibat in infants with Biliary Atresia (BA) after Hepatoportoenterostomy (HPE, also known as the Kasai procedure). Phase 2 Recruiting Drug: Maralixibat|Other: Placebo Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, United States|Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States|Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, United States|UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States|Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany|Instytut Pomnik-Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka, Warsaw, Poland|King's College Hospital NHS, London, United Kingdom More Information
Top Treatments in Research
Class/Mechanism of Action
BylvayTM (odevixibat) odevixibat is a potent, non systemic ileal bile acid transport inhibitor (IBATi) Phase 3 Albireo Pharma, Inc. 1 (857) 378-2035 medinfo@albireopharma.com
More Info More Information
Maralixibat Maralixibat works by blocking an important bile acid transport protein on the surface of the small intestine. This results in more bile acids being excreted in the feces. This leads to lower levels of bile acids systemically, thereby potentially reducing bile acid mediated liver damage and the related effects and complications.
Maralixibat inhibits the apical sodium dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT), thereby preventing bile acids from accumulating in the liver. Phase 2/3 Mirum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Clinical Trials Mirum 1650667-4085 clinicaltrials@mirumpharma.com
Medinfo Mirum medinfo@mirumpharma.com More Info More Information
N-Acetyl cysteine N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is used by the body to build antioxidants. Antioxidants are vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that protect and repair cells from damage. Phase 2 Clinical study sponsored by Baylor College of Medicine Sanjiv Harpavat, MD PhD 832-824-2099 ext 2144 harpavat@bcm.edu More Info More Information
Pentoxifylline Pentoxifylline belongs to a class of drugs known as hemorrheologic agents. It works by helping blood flow more easily through narrowed arteries. This increases the amount of oxygen that can be delivered by the blood when the muscles need more (such as during exercise) thereby increasing walking distance and duration. Phase 2 Clinical study sponsored by Baylor College of Medicine Sanjiv Harpavat, MD PhD 832-824-2099 ext 2144 harpavat@bcm.edu
Ross Shepherd, MD 832-824-2099 ext 1223 Ross.Shepherd@bcm.edu More Info More Information
† Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) - PO Box 8126, Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126 https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov


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text:
Internal inspection clarifies
North Sea riser analysis
Engineers working on the initial wave of UK offshore field de- velopments from the late 1960s onwards had to make do with pen, paper, drawing boards, slide rules, and limited computer availability to calculate stresses, fatigue life, wave, and weather effects on platforms.
Nevertheless, the resultant designs proved extremely robust, with high factors of safety. These early platforms and infrastructure originally had a 25-year design life, but in some cases have operated for more than 40 years, with further years of service in prospect. However, the full potential of these aging assets can only be realized if they are adequately inspected, assessed, and maintained.
The first-generation platforms, and most since, were designed with future expansion and enhancements in mind, and therefore included many spare risers to cope with future process requirements. In the North Sea and other regions entering the life extension phase, these unused risers can be decades old, with most having received minimal maintenance or routine inspections during their lifetime. This is now changing. As operators look to increase or sustain production via field extension work or associated tiebacks, the need to establish the condition of the spare risers is becoming more pressing.
Risers extend from the topsides, through the splash zone, to the sea-floor. It is extremely challenging to fully examine risers externally due to the different conditions the system passes through and any marine growth that may be present on the riser. For topsides inspection, a rope access team would normally be required, while a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) or divers would be needed to complete a subsea inspection.
An internal study can be a more effective way of fully understanding the condition of the riser, as the full length can be inspected with no obstacles to overcome when full bore access is provided.
If the riser has been capped and has been sitting dormant since installation, it may still be in a useable condition. However, even capped, other factors come into play in different geographic locations, with temperatures in warmer regions for example providing greater internal humidity to the riser and potentially more corrosion than colder climates.
Deploying a camera is the first step in performing an internal study. The initial inspection identifies the as-found condition of the riser and allows assessment of the levels of marine growth, areas of corrosion, and any blockages encountered. The result of the visual inspection often dictates what follows: Some operators may be satisfied with confirming no signs of blockages, damage, or substantial corrosion, and will therefore use the riser, typically for an umbilical pull-through, without any further examination.
For a recent campaign in the UK North Sea, AISUS Offshore was called in after an ROV had recorded four rectangular cut-outs in a 508-mm (20-in.), 35-year-old riser that had been unused for several years. The reason for the holes was not known and the blind flange at the riser termination was also not in place.
This was one of two risers under consideration to protect an um-
bilical which would have run internally along its length. Initial cam-
era footage revealed significant marine growth that had reduced the
riser's internal diameter from 483 mm (around 19-in.) to roughly 350
mm ( 13.5-in.) in places.
Normally the use of high-pressure (HP) water jetting will remove
marine growth and scale build-up, clearing the riser wall. In this case,
after several HP passes were made, the bulk of the build-up had been
eliminated with only minimal marine growth remaining at the cut-outs.
After cleaning, a further detailed internal visual inspection was conduct-
ed to build a comprehensive picture of the riser's condition followed by
ultrasonic corrosion mapping and, lastly, ultrasonic inspection.
The purpose of ultrasonic inspection is to measure wall thickness
loss and to pinpoint the location of defects, corrosion hotspots, or
other degradation mechanisms. It can also help determine whether
wall loss is external or internal. For this campaign, ultrasonic wall
thickness mapping was applied over the full length at 10-by-10-mm
mapping resolution. A general wall loss of 1-2 mm was observed
throughout the length of the riser with pit depths ranging from 2-4
mm. The minimum wall thickness recorded was 8. 5 mm, attributed
to the observed pitting, the nominal thickness being 12. 7 mm.
In the case of this North Sea riser, no further significant damage
was recorded beyond the pre-identified holes, although pitting was
observed where the parent material had been exposed. The infor-
mation provided on the riser's condition assisted the client in deter-
mining how to proceed with the project, and whether the riser would
be adequate for protecting the umbilical to be run along its length.
This exercise shows that establishing the condition of unused capacity on aging offshore platforms is an essential component of prolonging these facilities' future service. •
Stuart Lawson, managing director and co-founder of AISUS Offshore, has over 10 years' experience in delivering remote inspection solutions to the global oil and gas industry. He has a degree in Artificial Intelligence & Robotics from the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. From 2007 to 2012, he held positions at iicorr Ltd. and Stork, progressing from graduate engineer to senior inspection engineer and latterly senior inspection coordinator.
Stuart Lawson
AISUS Offshore
Flanged tops of the inspected riser. (Photo courtesy AISUS Offshore)


Oakland, CA, August 2, 2011 — Tom Sawyer Software, the premier provider of software for building high-performance data visualization and social network analysis applications, announces Tom Sawyer Perspectives, Version 3.0. This release introduces game-changing technology involving the integration of visualization and analytics to enable organizations to gain faster insights into their large and complex data sets.
In response to growing demand in the market for building more advanced visual data analysis applications, Tom Sawyer Perspectives, Version 3.0, introduces the foundational architecture for agile expansion in future releases. This release includes the first of a series of new features to help organizations go beyond pure data visualization. With key new features such as the Resource Description Framework (RDF) data integrator and Social Network Analysis (SNA) capabilities, users can quickly build advanced visual data analysis applications that involve larger, more complex, and disparate data sets. This release is focused on enabling the end-user to visually analyze very large data sets faster and more intuitively.
The new RDF data integrator is available as part of the data and model integration capabilities in Tom Sawyer Perspectives, Version 3.0. This feature is targeted at organizations that are building visual data analysis applications using RDF data sources as part of their semantic web initiatives or as part of their composite data suite for social network analysis. The SNA feature is designed to enable organizations to tightly integrate sophisticated centrality analysis capabilities into their visual data analysis applications.
"For the last few years, we have seen a growing demand from organizations needing to leverage their data assets for quickly building more sophisticated applications that go beyond simple data visualization. There has been an increasing emphasis on applications requiring tighter integration of social network analysis functions with advanced visualization across a wider range of data sources," said Brendan Madden, Chief Executive Officer of Tom Sawyer Software. "In response to this demand, we have been working to fundamentally expand the Tom Sawyer Perspectives architecture to enable us to rapidly introduce exciting new capabilities to quickly address this demand. Tom Sawyer Perspectives, Version 3.0, is another major step in helping organizations maximize the value of their data assets."
Tom Sawyer Perspectives is an advanced graphics-based software for building enterprise-class data visualization and social network analysis applications. It is a complete Software Development Kit, purpose-built around a rule-based design methodology to enable developers to focus on business issues around visualization and analysis rather than data details. Tom Sawyer Perspectives enables teams to quickly develop applications without sacrificing performance or quality.


text:
Edmund Stawiski (ur. 16 listopada 1813 w Russowie, zm. 9 lipca 1890 w Podłężycach) – ekonomista, agronom, polityk, członek Rady Stanu Królestwa Polskiego oraz współzałożyciel Towarzystwa Rolniczego.

Od 1857 r. współredaktor "Roczników Gospodarstwa Krajowego". W 1858 r. opublikował Poszukiwania do historii rolnictwa krajowego. Był też znanym archeologiem amatorem, ogłaszającym wyniki swych badań w "Wiadomościach Archeologicznych". Jako kolekcjoner zgromadził zbiór znalezisk z czasów przedrzymskich i okresu lateńskiego. Odkrył na nadwarciańskich łąkach w  Podłężycach grodzisko z XV wieku.  Zgromadzone znaleziska po jego śmierci wraz z majątkiem przeszły na syna Edwarda i uległy rozproszeniu.

Mieszkał w majątku rodzinnym w Podłężycach.

Linki zewnętrzne
Henryk Rutkowski, Edmund Stawiski, Internetowy Polski Słownik Biograficzny
 Edmund Stawiski: Poszukiwania do historyi rolnictwa krajowego (1857) w bibliotece Polona

Polscy kolekcjonerzy
Członkowie Rady Stanu Królestwa Kongresowego
Członkowie Towarzystwa Rolniczego w Królestwie Polskim (1858–1861)
Urodzeni w 1813
Zmarli w 1890