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Kropotkin Thinks ... that some things are more important than racing - but not many
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The Comprehensive 2019 MotoGP Season Preview: High Hopes And Realistic Expectations
Submitted by David Emmett on Fri, 2019-03-08 01:19
It is tempting before each season to say that this is going to be the best season ever. It is a phrase that oscillates somewhere between hope and expectation, though more often than not, it is hope which has the upper hand. The 2019 MotoGP season promises to swing the balance back toward expectation, as the sport goes from strength to strength.
The reason MotoGP went from having 17 bikes on the grid in 2010 and the races decided virtually by qualifying position is simple. Thanks to a mixture of coaxing and cajoling, bribing and bullying, Dorna managed to get most of the rule changes they wanted. First, a switch back to 1000cc, bore limited to impose a theoretical rev limit (which has remained theoretical, as revs soar back above 18,000). Next, the adoption of spec electronics, forced through with the threat of CRT bikes, along with a promise by the factories to supply bikes at an affordable price.
Then the introduction of the more user-friendly Michelin tires. The concession system, whereby successful factories have engine designs frozen, giving less successful factories a chance to catch up. And finally, an influx of talent to fill a field of closely competitive bikes.
Close as you like
The fruits of these changes have produced some fantastic racing in recent years, and there is good reason to suspect this year will be even better than ever. Preseason testing saw times closer than ever. At Sepang, the first 12 riders were all within a second of the fastest rider, Danilo Petrucci (and something of a surprise to see Petrucci being fastest in a test). At Qatar, that group had grown to encompass 15 riders.
Even better, rookies finished second at both tests. In Sepang, it was Pecco Bagnaia who blew the rest of the field away. At Losail, it was the turn of Fabio Quartararo to find a turn of speed and nab second spot.
Then there are the factories. With Alex Rins impressing at both preseason tests, Suzuki looks to have joined the trio of Honda, Yamaha, and Ducati, which has dominated MotoGP for the past 15 years. At the Sepang test, Aleix Espargaro finished seventh quickest. In Qatar, it was the turn of Pol Espargaro to take eighth spot, meaning that all six MotoGP manufacturers have finished inside the top ten at a winter test.
Those six manufacturers were represented by nine different teams. Only the Red Bull KTM Tech3 and Reale Avintia Ducati teams didn't make it into the top ten in testing.
In short: the field has never been this close, nor this wide open. It's going to be a good year.
The man to beat
As reigning champion, Marc Márquez remains the man to beat, though the times during the test did not necessarily show that. Then again, he is still coming off shoulder surgery which was far more invasive than he had expected. That limited him to only riding for part of the day at Sepang, though by the Qatar test he was already in much better shape. He even crashed, got back on the bike, and came away from the experience with more confidence that his shoulder is strong enough to survive.
If there is an obstacle to Márquez' supremacy, it is in the shape of the Honda itself. The goal for 2019 was to produce a bike with more horsepower and better power delivery, and HRC have managed that. Bitten by two major engine changes in a row, Honda have focused almost entirely on the engine over the winter. Getting that right is crucial, as once the season starts, it can't be changed.
The changes have come at the price of the chassis, and feeling from the front end. In previous years, that has been the Honda's strength. "We know the Honda has a good front end," Cal Crutchlow explained. "We crash all the time with the front, but as I've said many times it's not that we have a bad front end, it's that we have such a good front end that we take advantage of it too much and that was our weapon."
But that is gone. "I don't think I have the front feeling that I had last year, " Crutchlow continued, echoing comments from Márquez and Jorge Lorenzo.
Speed first
Can that be fixed? Honda's plan was always to get the engine right first - "What we have gained is speed," said Crutchlow, "the engine is very, very good. HRC have done an amazing job with regards to that," - as the chassis can be fixed during the season. Qatar could see HRC bring the first of a series of updates. "Honda will bring something here for Marc and for me," Jorge Lorenzo said, "and also specifically some little details for me also. Unfortunately not everything, but some of them, so for sure we will improve in some areas."
Where will Jorge Lorenzo fit in to Honda's objectives? First, he has to recover from the scaphoid he fractured in a training accident. The Spaniard complained of some pain in his wrist in some corners, and that pain will remain for the first few races. But the parts which Honda have given Lorenzo to relieve some of the physical stresses of riding the bike should make his life easier, and therefore more competitive.
The bigger problem for Lorenzo will be that lack of front end feel. Nobody carries corner speed quite like Jorge Lorenzo, but to do that, he first has to believe that his front tire isn't about to betray him. Lorenzo and HRC will have to share the burden in fixing this: Lorenzo will need more time on the bike to understand the RC213V. Honda will have to work to find a way of regaining some of the front end feel they lost. If they both succeed, Lorenzo could be a real threat.
Team tantrums
If Lorenzo does become as big a threat as many believe, then that puts the can among the pigeons inside the Repsol Honda team. Can Marc Márquez and Jorge Lorenzo play nice when the going gets tough? Lorenzo is known for loudly complaining when other riders get too close. Márquez is known for not being a great respecter of personal space. The two are on a collision course – literally, most likely – and at some point, sparks will fly. That will be half the fun of that team.
The LCR Honda team will be just as fun to watch, but for other reasons. Cal Crutchlow is being drawn in closer to HRC's embrace, effectively a third factory rider (though clearly his status is below the riders in Repsol Honda. The Spanish oil giant doesn't pay all that money to be shown up by satellite riders.) A carbon swing arm has turned up on Crutchlow's bike at Qatar, and he will be hoping to get back to winning ways.
On the other side of the garage, Takaaki Nakagami has impressed on the 2018 spec bike which he now has at his disposal. "When I jumped on that bike it was more than I expected," he said. "I know that last year during the season I always compared to Cal's data and I can see clearly the different potential but this is the data and you cannot imagine it when you jump on the new bike. After the last race in Valencia on that Tuesday when I swapped with the '18 bike I immediately felt much more potential on that bike." Nakagami was fastest at the Jerez test in November, a warning that he might just surprise a few people in 2019.
Ducati doubles down
In the past two seasons, it has been Andrea Dovizioso standing between Marc Márquez and the MotoGP title. There is no reason to suspect 2019 will be any different, albeit Dovizioso's life may get a little more complicated for other reasons. The factory Ducati rider has been quietly fast all through testing, never dominating the timesheets, but often with strong underlying pace. The goal for a rider is always to win the championship, but you get the strong impression that in 2019, Dovizioso and Ducati are going all in on the Italian.
To that end, Ducati have put every means at his disposal. Teammate Danilo Petrucci has moved house to live closer to Dovizioso, and the two train together. Dovizioso has also sent Petrucci to the team of specialists who he works with, including his personal trainer, nutritional expert, and sports psychologist. The goal is to improve Petrucci as a rider, so he will be a better teammate for Dovizioso.
That plan might just backfire, however. Petrucci has grown in confidence and stature all through the preseason, getting quicker and improving the aspects of his riding where he was weakest. His race pace has been strong, as has his work ethic, and Petrucci is developing into a challenger in his own right. He stands taller, is more relaxed, more confident. You can see that in his heart, he believes he can really do this.
"This year I arrived at a point where I have nothing to lose," Petrucci said. "It can be my best season in MotoGP, or not, but I really gave my best this winter and this makes me more confident." All the help Dovizioso and Ducati have given Petrucci might just come back to bite them.
Pretenders to the throne
Then there's the Pramac team, and two predators laying in wait to seize any opening in the factory squad. Jack Miller finally has a Ducati Desmosedici GP19 at his disposal, the same bike as the factory riders. But Miller has also taken on the role previously played by Petrucci, which is testing set up and ideas for the factory squad – or rather, for Andrea Dovizioso. Miller's talent is undeniable, but his patience will be tested in his new role. He wants to win, but Ducati's focus lies elsewhere.
It might even lie on the opposite side of the garage. Pecco Bagnaia is hotly tipped by just about everyone. No matter who you talk to – other riders, rival team managers, crew chiefs and engineers from other teams – they all point to Bagnaia as the rider set to shake up MotoGP. He still has work to do – when he was second quickest at Sepang, his crew chief, Cristian Gabarrini, pointed out that while being fast over a single lap is impressive, being fast over race distance is a different kettle of fish – but nobody doubts he will get there.
Bagnaia's path to the factory team, and potentially, the MotoGP title, has already been roughly sketched out. All it needs is for the young Italian to fill in the blanks, and claim what many believe is his. The reason Danilo Petrucci says that he has nothing to lose is because he knows that Ducati Corse are eyeing Bagnaia and planning his future as a factory rider.
Tech triumphs, sponsorship lows
Ducati Corse boss Gigi Dall'Igna has been busy over the winter, mostly playing with the heads of his rivals. A plethora of highly visible new parts have appeared on the GP19 over the winter: a torque arm, an aerodynamic seat, new triple-decker wings, a mysterious key operating what we believe is a holeshot device, something to help the bike get off the line better, brake disc covers with an aerodynamic function, a larger 'salad box' at the back of the bike for more electronics, or perhaps a different mass damper. We have been kept guessing.
Dall'Igna is perfectly happy to keep it that way. Notoriously secretive, Dall'Igna, like all great MotoGP engineers, has mastered the art of talking for a long time without imparting any actual information, at least not to the media. How his rival engineers feel is hard to imagine.
The one fly in Ducati's ointment is the doubts over the future of the title sponsorship of the factory Ducati team. Mission Winnow – Philip Morris' thinly-veiled project to wean smokers off burning cigarettes and onto electric cigarettes, which heat tobacco sufficiently to vaporize the nicotine without igniting the dried leaves – has already run into trouble in Australia, were they are also the title sponsor of the Ferrari F1 team. There are reports that they are running into problems in Italy as well. There is a non-zero chance that Mission Winnow is gone from the livery before the season is out.
But then again, that will have a host of journalists writing about Mission Winnow, explaining what the project entails, and why it was banned. That's the kind of free publicity which money can't buy. Or rather, it can, if it's clever enough.
Whither Yamaha?
Yamaha are perhaps the embodiment of living between hope and expectation. Both factory riders were happy with the new engines Yamaha brought to the winter tests, eventually settling on the right choice at the end of the Jerez test. The engine improves braking, and appears to be kinder to the tires. Chassis updates and major progress on electronics have helped there.
The trouble is that though the Yamaha M1 is now a much better bike, Yamaha's rivals have made a similar step forward, or perhaps even more. The Yamaha is down on top speed (though that has been the case since 2004, Valentino Rossi said recently), and will have to make up their lap time elsewhere. Horsepower is free lap time, runs the old racing adage. The Yamaha riders will have to make up their lap time elsewhere. And that will mean working a lot harder.
The differing feedback from Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi has made it hard to see where the Yamaha actually stands. Viñales has been fast, both over a single lap and in race pace, and has been happy all throughout the season, not least because he feels that Yamaha are finally starting to listen to his feedback and developing the bike in the direction which he wants.
Valentino Rossi, on the other hand, has been merely respectable, not troubling the top of the timesheets to the same extent as his teammate. Rossi has been far more cautious in his pronouncements on prospects for 2019. Of course, how much is his honest appraisal, and how much an attempt to keep up the pressure on Japan after they failed him so badly for the past couple of years is hard to say.
Where does Yamaha stand? "At this moment I don't know!" Rossi said. "It's difficult also for us to understand because if you have the full day, different riders can work in different ways, use the tires. Maybe we can have a better idea this weekend, but maybe after five or six races because also last year for example we were strong in some races but we suffered in others." Rossi fears the false dawns which have come before.
"Under some points of view the bike has improved, but I think that we still have something to improve for sure," he said. "It's true also that on the last day of the test there were a lot of Yamahas in the top five or six, so I think we are strong with the new tires but after we need to see what happens in the race during 22 laps."
Rossi also has a point. The first three races are not very representative of the season as a whole. Qatar is a unique track, raced in unique conditions, but fast and open. Argentina is a circuit which doesn't see much use, so is invariably dirty when MotoGP turns up, and is fast and flowing in a way which is more akin to Phillip Island than the average European circuit, where the bulk of the races are hosted. Austin is unique in every conceivable way, from the insane uphill braking for Turn 1, to the endless series of turns which follow Turn 2 all the way to Turn 10, to the hairpin at Turn 11 and the hard braking for Turn 12, and so much more.
So we will only really know where the Monster Energy Yamaha riders stand once we return to Europe. We have seen this before, Yamahas being strong at the start of the season, before tailing off once the series returns to Europe. We will know what the future holds for Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi by the summer break.
Rossi may have passed his fortieth birthday, but he shows no signs of slowing down. The Italian is as motivated as ever, showing no inclination of being happy just to be making up the numbers. A tenth title remains the goal, though it grows ever more difficult each year he is in the championship. Not least because the level of competition is so incredibly high. Rossi's ambition drives his willingness to learn, to adapt, to find a way to win. Whether he can find a way to win in 2019 is the question on everyone's lips.
Teammate Maverick Viñales' hunger is driven by the fact that he is yet to win a MotoGP title. There have been major changes inside the team for 2019 – crew chief Ramon Forcada has been set aside, making way for Esteban Garcia – while Julian Simon has been brought in as rider coach, to replace the departing Wilco Zeelenberg. Viñales has been more cheerful and more relaxed since the change, and more positive about Yamaha, and the changes made inside the organization. A happy Maverick is a fast Maverick. Whether he will be fast enough, and stay happy, remains to be seen.
Yamaha have additional help from the Petronas SRT team in 2019. With the departure of Tech3 to KTM, Petronas have stepped in as a new team, under the watchful gaze of team manager Wilco Zeelenberg. The Dutchman has assembled a highly competent team around him, and with strong financial backing from Petronas, and two exceptionally talented young riders, have a lot speaking in their favor.
Franco Morbidelli impressed at the Sepang test, and was not a million miles off at Qatar. The Italian has a full 2019 factory spec machine – Petronas has the budget, so Yamaha had the bikes – and has had a significant role in providing feedback to the factory. He was impressive when he won the Moto2 title, and should do well on the Yamaha, a much easier bike to ride than the customer Honda RC213V from last year.
Teammate Fabio Quartararo is something of an anomaly. Coming into Moto3 as FIM CEV champion, and making a big impression in his first few races in the world championship, he seemed to lose his way after a while. Still only 19, his fortunes have waxed and waned with the support he received from the teams he has ridden in. It is clear that Quartararo needs the right environment to thrive, and second at the Qatar test suggests that this is exactly what he has found at Petronas.
Rins and repeat
Suzuki has been the revelation of testing, Alex Rins showing a consistently fast race pace, both at Sepang and in Qatar. The 2018 Suzuki GSX-RR was already a very good bike, and the 2019 version has addressed most of its weaknesses. The bike accelerates, is much better on braking and turn in, and retains its sweet handling. The only thing missing is a bit of top speed, but even that is not insurmountable. Look at the lap times, and you wouldn't think it was a problem. The role of test rider Sylvain Guintoli should not be underestimated.
Rins, too, has made a step forward. The departure of Andrea Iannone to Aprilia, and the arrival of rookie Joan Mir to replace him as teammate has left Rins as the clear leader in the team. It is a role which has given Rins the room he needed to grow, the Spaniard exuding confidence and calm in equal measure. Rins already has the aura of a winner about him. But can he translate that into results on the track?
Teammate Mir is highly rated, but has been mostly invisible during testing. A couple of fast times, together with periods when he was much further down the timesheets has shown both that Mir has potential, but also a lot still to learn. Being a rookie in a factory team is more complicated than going to a satellite squad. There is not just the bike to learn and understand, there is also the workload of testing to be done.
"Even as a rookie, when you are in a factory team you have to try many things and that takes away a bit of time for yourself to take confidence," Mir said. "It's not like it's a satellite bike from the previous year that has already been well developed and you just have to turn laps. It's a bit more complicated, but I like the bike and I feel comfortable."
Being comfortable is a good start. But Mir should go on to greater heights in 2019. Pecco Bagnaia starts off the year as the favorite to win Rookie of the Year. But Mir may start to give him a run for his money as the season progresses.
Aprilia have taken one step back to take two steps forward, dropping the failed experiment of the 2018 RS-GP in favor of a new design using the 2017 bike as a starting point. The improvement has been immediate, Aleix Espargaro praising the braking stability and feeling of the bike again. The power delivery has been improved, and peak power has also been brought closer to its rivals. The 2019 bike is a pretty good starting point from which to develop.
Organizational changes have also played into this. Ex-Ferrari manager Massimo Rivola has been brought in to run the operational side of the racing team, leaving the technical side to Romano Albesiano. The benefits of that are clear, Albesiano having more time to work with his engineers on improving the bike. Things are slowly being slotted into place, engineers assigned to the right areas, for progress to be made.
What of Aleix Espargaro's new teammate? Andrea Iannone is clearly one of the most talented riders on the grid, as his results attest. Unfortunately, he seems to lack direction when it comes to life. Prone to distraction, he missed most of the Sepang test due to a jaw infection. That jaw infection, paddock scuttlebutt said, was due to cosmetic surgery, though this was never confirmed. If Iannone could focus on racing, he would be a rider to be feared all of the time. At the moment, it depends on which Iannone turns up at the weekend.
In the KTM camp, they are ratcheting up their efforts to be competitive. The addition of the Tech3 team means the Austrian manufacturer will have twice as much data at each racetrack with which to try to figure out the right direction. They have brought back test rider Mika Kallio, and paired him with new signing Dani Pedrosa, though Pedrosa is still recovering from surgery on this collarbone. KTM cannot be accused of not trying.
They may have found a more successful structure for their efforts in 2019. Pol Espargaro stays in the factory team, a known quantity and a proven contender, having bagged KTM's first podium in the rain at Valencia last year. Espargaro has only a single speed – flat out – which is good for finding the limits, but is not always the most productive approach to testing.
Espargaro is paired this year with Johann Zarco, who is the polar opposite of Pol. Calm, focused, and methodical, he is prepared to work through a program, but only if he believes it makes sense. Zarco has brought a slower approach to testing, and KTM have benefited from working through things one at a time.
Zarco himself has struggled from time to time to get to grips with the KTM RC16, but when he finds the right setting which works for him, he can be competitive. But it is his approach, more than anything, which will help push KTM's project ahead.
Zarco has a useful counterpart in the Tech3 team. Miguel Oliveira has consistently been quicker than his teammate Hafizh Syahrin, and on occasion, been almost as fast as factory rider Espargaro. Like Zarco, Oliveira is thoughtful and deliberative, capable of keeping a clear head and working methodically toward improvement. Oliveira's chances of winning Rookie of the Year may be small, but that is mostly down to the fact he rides a KTM. But he is still worth keeping an eye on throughout the season, to see how he compares with the factory riders. You might be surprised.
New horizons for Moto2
MotoGP isn't the only reason to be watching Grand Prix racing this year. Moto2 goes through its most significant change since the inception of the four-stroke intermediate class. The arrival of a Triumph 765cc triple as spec engine is changing the way the riders ride. With bags more torque at lower revs, riders can pick the bike up earlier and try to get more drive. Spec electronics also mean more options for the Moto2 riders, with proper engine braking now available. Electronics are limited, but at least Moto2 has some, where before it has had none.
The picture in Moto2 testing has been of the Kalex chassis working best at every track, the cast of riders changing from test to test. Sam Lowes has been fast everywhere, Luca Marini has impressed early on, while returnee Tom Lüthi took a while to adapt back to riding a Moto2 bike. Lorenzo Baldassarri looks to start giving a return on all the talent he has, while Remy Gardner has also shown good pace. Gardner is being widely tipped as a strong favorite for the race at Qatar, or at least a podium. The Speed Up has also shown good pace, with Jorge Navarro impressing throughout testing.
The KTM, on the other hand, has been rather up and down. When conditions have been right – especially at Jerez, which suits the strengths of the KTM – Brad Binder has looked unstoppable, while rookie teammate Jorge Martin has been impressive. But at Qatar, a track which requires holding a lot of corner speed for a long time, the KTMs have struggled. There will be days where the KTMs are capable of dominating. But overall, the Kalex looks the better, more consistent package, allowing a wider range of riding styles.
Prodigal returns
KTM also look to be in a little bit of trouble in Moto3. Honda brought what is basically an entirely new bike for 2019, and that machine has proven to be capable everywhere. Hondas have consistently topped the timesheets throughout preseason testing, while KTMs have been much more up and down.
At Qatar, it was Romano Fenati who was miles ahead of the rest. The formerly banned Italian is back in the bosom of the Snipers Team, and is immediately at home, both on the bike and in the team. It would be a foolish gambler who bets against Fenati to win at Qatar on Sunday.
Fenati's teammate Tony Arbolino has been a close second. Lorenzo Dalla Porta, John McPhee, and Niccolo Antonelli have been at the front as well. For KTM, Jaume Masia looked dominant until he got injured, while Aron Canet, Andrea Migno, and Albert Arenas have been riders to keep an eye on.
If you needed a reason to watch Grand Prix racing this year, here are three: MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3. It's going to be a good year.
Gathering the background information for detailed articles such as these is an expensive and time-consuming operation. If you enjoyed this article, please consider supporting MotoMatters.com. You can help by either taking out a subscription, by making a donation, or by contributing via our GoFundMe page.
I'll add a fourth reason
reynard11 replied on Fri, 2019-03-08 02:28
and it probably won't be too popular but that is Moto-E. Not so much for the tech though I'm not anti EV's, but rather the competitors. There's some good old faves of mine competing in it so I'm quite excited to watch that as well.
Great preview as always David.
"user-friendly Michelin tires"
TrackSol replied on Fri, 2019-03-08 05:21
Are they really that user-friendly if they have very narrow operating window?
jani_m replied on Fri, 2019-03-08 11:30
Comprehensive indeed.
Apart from this being a
ColonelClaw replied on Fri, 2019-03-08 13:50
Apart from this being a brilliant article on its own, I would like to thank David personally for making bearable a pair of painfully dull tech presentations that I am having to suffer through today as part of my job. If I hadn't had this article with me to read on my phone, I think there's a very real danger I would have died of boredom.
2019 Expectations
seniorbiker replied on Fri, 2019-03-08 17:27
I've just renewed my subscription and I fully expect it will be the best value for money on motorbike racing reporting I shall spend this year.
It will be fun to read of the highs and lows and the thrills and spills presented in an intelligent, readable way. Not an attribute I would assign to many so-called dedicated sites.
doc_al replied on Fri, 2019-03-08 22:36
Is the new jaw homologated or can he change mid-season? Does it pass aero spec?
GP00 replied on Sat, 2019-03-09 13:29
Renewed my subscription a few weeks ago.
Given the prospects for the season, the new tech talk photos and of course David's industry-leading articles (which was referenced in the press conference by other journalists), the value has never been better!
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text:
The complete story of the alleged feud between the Royal couples
By Rachel Monday – May 28, 2019
The Royal Family has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons lately, and it's time to get to the bottom of what is truly going on. There were many theories as to what was causing the trouble between the two royal couples.
Was it all Meghan's fault for breaking protocol and driving a wedge between Prince Harry and Prince William? Was it a natural drifting apart of adult brothers? Was there even a feud to begin with? According to a number of experts, the source of this feud might be entirely different than expected. Stay tuned…
Feud rumors flying
When Meghan Markle was still just Prince Harry's girlfriend, she met his royal family – including Prince William and Kate Middleton. Things seemed to be going well for the couple in the beginning, but rumors soon began flying about a feud between the two couples – and specifically between Meghan and Kate.
While people tend to believe the feud began with the two duchesses, it seems that William and Harry might be the ones who started this whole thing after all. Following their disagreement, tension continued to rise within the Royal Family… but what exactly happened?
The Fab Four
Fans of the Royal Family had long enjoyed watching Prince William, Kate Middleton, and Prince Harry together. William and Harry were quite close growing up, and had forged an even deeper bond following their mother's passing. Nobody knew how their relationship would change once the brothers fell in love and started families of their own, though.
First on the scene, Kate seemed to slide easily into the mix, and even though she was William's wife, she and Harry had a close bond of their own. The three musketeers were always attending events together, goofing around, and making us all smile. So when Prince Harry began a serious relationship with Meghan Markle, everyone hoped that she too would fit right in.
A new addition
Meghan Markle certainly wasn't the usual addition to the Royal Family. For starters, she comes from the United States and wasn't born into the upper class either. She used her intelligence and fierce determination to make her own way in the world, becoming a moderately successful actress when she landed the role of Rachel Zane on the law drama Suits.
As a divorced career woman of mixed heritage, Meghan had a very different life experience than the other members of the Royal Family. From a young age, Meghan was a strong advocate for women's rights, and this outlook is another aspect that doesn't comfortably fit with the old-fashioned monarchy. So perhaps it's not too surprising that all did not go smoothly.ADVERTISEMENT
Dueling Duchesses
After the lavish Royal Wedding in May, 2018, rumors of a feud between Meghan and Kate quickly picked up speed. Kate was pregnant with her third child in the months leading up to the wedding, and did not necessarily have the time or energy to spend on bonding with her soon to be sister-in-law.
Stories came to light about Kate chastising Meghan for the way that she spoke to the staff and of Meghan pushing Kate to tears during a dress fitting for Princess Charlotte. A space appeared to be opening up between the Royal couples. Many people blamed Meghan for tearing William and Harry apart, but that wasn't the whole story.ADVERTISEMENT
Bitter brothers
It wasn't just Meghan and Kate that didn't seem to be getting along – William and Harry had stopped making joint appearances and weren't joking around with each other as they used to. For so long people were sure that the feud was between Meghan and Kate, but now the story seemed to be changing. Was something deeper going on between the Princes?
The couples appeared together on Christmas, looking like one happy family, but as body language experts got involved, it became clear that all was not well between William and Harry. Then, when the announcement came that they were splitting their estates, there seemed to be no question that something was wrong. So what really happened?
William's worries
Apparently, the source of the feud goes back to the first time that Prince William met Meghan Markle. Harry brought his girlfriend home to meet the family, an event that is never easy, especially not when they are Royals.
William saw how smitten William and Meghan seemed to be, and understood that the relationship was headed toward marriage. He was concerned, however, that the new couple was taking things too fast, and he voiced those thoughts to his brother. Needless to say, it didn't go over well.
A protective Prince
When William warned Harry about moving too quickly with Meghan and articulated his doubts about the relationship, Harry was not happy. He saw his brother's words as a slight to Meghan, and felt attacked and insulted.
It's been noted that Harry is extremely protective of Meghan, perhaps because he was not able to protect his mother when he was a child. So when William did not welcome the actress with open arms, Harry felt the need to stand up for Meghan.
According to some reports, Prince Charles had to step in to tell William to be more welcoming to Meghan. When Harry and Meghan announced their engagement in November 2017, William and Kate said that they were thrilled.
The Cambridges even invited Harry and Meghan to spend Christmas with them. And when the Royal Wedding rolled around, William was Harry's best man. However, it was later revealed that Kate was left in tears after a dress fitting for Princess Charlotte. She had just given birth, though, so was understandably emotional.
Less than a year after Meghan and Harry made it official, they were ready to take the next step. In October, 2018, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced that they were expecting a baby, and the whole world turned their attention to Meghan's growing baby bump.
When Kate heard the news, she gushed with excitement, saying that she couldn't wait for her children to have a cousin to play with. Perhaps things weren't so strained between the couples. At least Kate didn't seem to feel animosity toward her sister-in-law.
Moving out
Then, at the end of October, the news broke that Prince William and Prince Harry, who for so long had been a double-act, were splitting their households and going their separate ways.
This was big news, and some people saw it as confirmation that the feud between the Royal couples was progressing. Perhaps the couples were putting space between them to ease the tension. Harry and Meghan would move to Windsor, while William and Kate would remain at Kensington Palace.
Other Royal experts disagreed, saying that the split between William and Harry was a natural part of growing up. When they were young and single, the Princes were happy to conduct business together, leaning on each other for support.
Now, however, they are adults with families of their own. It only makes sense that they should have their own households. In addition, William has a different path than his brother, as he is a direct heir to the throne. The time had simply come for the Princes to become independent.
Breaking protocol
Another cause of tension in the Royal Family was Meghan's constant challenging of tradition and breaking of protocol. From her background to her fashion choices, Meghan Markle wasn't having an easy time fitting into the traditional framework of the Royal Family.
She wore dresses that showed off her shoulders, neglected the mandatory stockings, and wore dark nail polish to events. The tabloids bashed the Duchess, calling her difficult and demanding, too. Adjusting to Royal life was proving to be quite a challenge.
A big adjustment
Even though Meghan was used to the spotlight from her days as an actress, it was nothing compared to the media beating she was taking now. And being a member of the Royal Family comes with a lot of rules, too.
Apparently, Kate helped Meghan adjust to her new life, helping her with fashion decisions and teaching her how she should stand at Royal events. But the women still didn't seem to be friends and some people thought that it was all part of the feud.
Different people
As more stories came out of the Palace, another narrative took the place of the dueling Duchesses tale. Perhaps Meghan and Kate weren't enemies – but they weren't close friends either.
The two women come from very different backgrounds, and have very different ways of seeing the world. The independent, American actress is a far cry from the upper-class British nobility, and it's unlikely that the two will see eye-to-eye on everything. But that doesn't mean that they don't get along.
Visible tensions
The rumors of a feud between Meghan and Kate were soon replaced by tales of discord between William and Harry. Everyone loved thinking of the two Princes as inseparable pals, but the truth is that all brothers fight sometimes, and there's nothing wrong with that.
At times, it seemed that William was acting coldly toward Meghan, and the Fab Four rarely attended joint engagements. But when they were together, Kate and Meghan put on a united front, doing their best to put an end to the rumors.
Another rumor
In the midst of the feud rumors, William and Kate found themselves in the middle of another controversy. There were reports that William had cheated on Kate with one of her best friends.
While these have never been confirmed, people started to think that maybe this was the explanation for the tension between William and Harry. If Harry knew that William had been unfaithful, he likely would have been furious with his brother. That could explain the rift, too.
Sticking together
Throughout these nasty rumors, Meghan was reported to stick up for Kate, and apparently, when Meghan was going through some tough times with her own family before her wedding, Kate was there for her as well.
These two women are the only ones who understand what it's like to marry into British Royalty in this day and age, so it's in their best interest to stick together. As the tabloids continue to print stories about a schism between William and Harry, the Duchesses might even be trying to make peace.
Then, shortly before Meghan and Harry's baby was born, a public appearance by the Princes seemed to confirm that they weren't on good terms. At the family's annual Easter service in April, William and Harry seemed to be actively ignoring each other.
In fact, they weren't seen speaking at all, and they arrived and left separately. At one point, Harry exchanged a smile and words with Kate, but didn't extend the pleasantries to William. It certainly looked awkward, and body language experts agreed that Harry was avoiding his brother.
Harry and Kate
A few days later, Harry and Kate appeared together at the Anzac Day event, since William was overseas and Meghan was heavily pregnant at home. Harry and Kate seemed to be at ease with each other, laughing and smiling as they used to.
This was further confirmation that Kate was not part of the feud going on between the brothers. Many people were hopeful that this was a sign that things were improving between the couples. Perhaps Harry and Kate would be able to make peace.
Making peace
Stories started coming out that Kate was doing all she could to repair the relationship between her husband and her brother-in-law. She is thought to have suggested that Harry extend an "olive branch" to William, and it's possible that he already has.
The Cambridges visited the pregnant Meghan at her and Harry's new home to check in on her and express their support. Now that Meghan and Harry have a baby of their own, everyone hopes the brothers' relationship is on the mend.
Always in the spotlight
It's true that brothers fight, and Royal brothers are no exception. Harry was hurt when William didn't welcome Meghan into the family with the warmth he expected, and it seems that their relationship has been strained ever since.
The constant media attention doesn't help either. What started as rumors of a feud between Kate and Meghan became more reliable tales of a falling out between Princes. Now, the Royal couples have the challenge of making up despite the pressure of the constant spotlight.
There is some hope that Meghan and Harry's small son might help the families reach an agreement as the couples bond over parenthood.
However, reports that Meghan, Harry, and baby Archie might move to Africa for a while worry some fans, since a greater distance between the Cambridges and the Sussexes won't help mend their relationship. Still, we hope that we will soon see Archie playing with Prince Louis while William, Harry, Kate, and Meghan, share a joke nearby.
Another problem brewing between the Royal couples is due to the competition between them. Since they are always in the public eye, their lives themselves have become something of a popularity contest.
Ever since Meghan Markle joined the Royal Family, the attention of the public has turned away from Prince William and Kate Middleton and toward Meghan and Prince Harry. People are always talking about which couple is more popular, and that can't be good for their relationship.
A six-month break
Things between the Royal couples deteriorated so much leading up to Meghan and Harry's wedding that apparently the Cambridges and Sussexes did not see each other for six months following the event.
Six months is a long time for brothers to go without seeing each other, especially because they were living in very close proximity in Kensington. If these rumors are true, it means that the couples were actively avoiding each other. These reports are making people think that the feud was even worse than they previously thought.
Waiting a week
Another interesting episode occurred shortly after the birth of Meghan and Harry's son Archie. Even though William and Kate congratulated the new parents, they didn't meet their new nephew for a whole week after he was born.
Meghan's mother Doria was present for the birth, and the Queen, Prince Charles, and Duchess Camilla all met the baby shortly afterward. Only William and Kate waited the extra time before visiting Meghan, Harry, and Archie. Some people think that this proves that things are not back on track between the couples.
Their joint charity
A recent, surprising move is all the confirmation some people need to announce the end of the "fab four." Harry and Meghan have broken away from The Royal Foundation, a charity that Harry and William founded together ten years ago.
The Sussexes reportedly want more "flexibility" than they are permitted while partnering with Prince William, the future King. Despite this new split, however, sources report that the relationship between William and Harry has indeed improved since their households went their separate ways.
A number of things
The real feud between the Royal couples seems to be, at its core, about a rift between brothers. Princes William and Harry are two different people with different responsibilities who are going to live very different lives.
According to one Royal expert, the brothers had fallen out "over a number of things." These included money, status, and of course, Meghan Markle. In the end, it seems that the Cambridges and the Sussexes are two adult couples who have decided for a number of reasons to go their separate ways.
We live in a world where social media reigns supreme, and it seems as though this is even the case when it comes to the Royal Family. Throughout their relationship and their engagement, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry joined the Kensington Palace Instagram page with Kate Middleton and Prince William.
The profile was dedicated to the two couples, and allowed fans to keep up with their lives respectively. However, this all changed when Meghan and Harry decided to break away and start a new online trend…
Their own profile
In April 2019, Meghan and Harry opted to remove themselves from the Kensington Palace Instagram umbrella, so that they could have their own little slice of the internet. Their former page was transformed into one solely dedicated to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Meghan and Harry adopted a new profile called @sussexroyal.
This led many fans to believe the rumors that their feud had reached boiling point. After all, what's so bad about sharing an Instagram page? It was obviously just too much for the couple to bear.
Reviewing their work
However, it seems as though their social media presence isn't the only thing that the two feuding houses want to keep separate. In June 2019, Kensington Palace reported that the house of Cambridge and the house of Sussex would be reviewing their joint work efforts in terms of their charities and their organizations.
From the sound of it, the couples are trying to avoid working with each other at all. This doesn't bode well for the Royal Family as a whole, as a feud between two of the most important couples could end in disaster.
Going quiet
Now that Markle is on maternity leave, there is a high chance that rumors of their feud could go quiet. After all, Harry and Meghan have taken a leave of absence from their royal duties and are now spending more and more time with their newborn.
In fact, they are now miles away from where Kate and William reside in Kensington Palace. Without any form of direct contact with each other in terms of their media presence, we can't help but wonder if time and distance will make the heart grow fonder – or deepen their feud.
Baby number two?
Although Meghan has only just had her first baby, all eyes are now on the Duchess of Sussex to welcome another royal baby into their brood. This is largely because Meghan and Kate have been pitted against each other throughout their lives in the limelight, and they will always be compared to each other.
In the eyes of many royal fans, Kate will always have the upper hand for as long as she has more children than Meghan. So, will this spur Meghan on to have a few more kids?
Regain their popularity
Meghan and Harry just recently went on their tour of Africa, something that certain members of the Royal Family are obligated to do. Although Meghan once again broke royal protocol by hugging people, the duo seemed to have received extremely high praise from the locals.
This positive feedback seems as though the tides have turned for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The media loves to create drama, but hopefully Harry and Meghan can generate enough positivity in the world that the media will just leave them live their lives.
It is Royal Family policy to never comment on the supposed drama occurring in their family. While everyone seems to love it when the Dukes and the Duchesses are fighting, we hope that one this family can learn to get along.
Adding a new addition to the family, as Harry did with Meghan, is never an easy adjustment. Nevertheless, it seems as though there is definitely reason to hope that things will change for better in the near future.
Who's in the driver's seat?
When Meghan and Harry traveled to Africa, they likely thought it'd allow them some time away from the constant limelight – perhaps to recover from the constant media frenzy around them. That, sadly, turned out not to be the case.
During the trip, they were followed by a film crew for a documentary titled Meghan and Harry: An African Journey. Having watched it, body language experts said it seemed like Meghan was the "driving force" in the relationship, as she both answered questions they were asked first and finished Harry's sentences. Could it be that the Prince, despite his royal-born status, was not in control?
Harry confirms the feud is real
Despite Meghan seemingly leading the way, Harry did answer some questions of his own – and his answers were nothing less than explosive! Asked point blank about his alleged feud with Prince William on the documentary, Harry said that with the pressures of the Royal Family, "inevitably, stuff happens."
While they'll always be brothers, he added, they were on different paths at the moment. While he said the press often made something out of nothing, he did concede that as brothers, they did have good days and bad days. Was this his way of confirming the feud? His father certainly thought so…
Charles reportedly irate
Harry's statements regarding his relationship with William may have been somewhat ambiguous, but they were reportedly enough to make at least one royal lose it. According to reports in the British press, Prince Charles was furious that Harry was airing the Royal Family's dirty laundry so publicly.
Not only that, but he is said to have thought that it served as a distraction, taking attention away from William and Kate's tour of Pakistan and his own visit to Japan. However, he was still his father, and was said to be concerned for him as he was for Diana.
Kate plays peacemaker
It seems like Harry and Meghan's documentary continued making ripples in the Royal Family, with Harry speaking about his strained relationship with William and Meghan about the struggles she's had acclimating to royal life.
One royal touched by all this is Kate, as sources said she hated seeing them both "so miserable." A family-oriented person through and through, the source said she believed life was too short for making enemies – especially out of loved ones. Royal expert Phil Dampier added that Kate was doing her best to bring everyone together and help Meghan along, as she feels sorry for her.
Archie's first Christmas – without the Royal Family
In the wake of the news regarding the alleged rift, more shocking news came our way when news spread that Harry and Meghan decided against spending Christmas with the rest of the Royal Family this year.
Buckingham Palace confirmed that Harry, Meghan, and Archie would be skipping the traditional gathering at Sandringham, and instead spend Christmas in Canada during a six-week break. Of course, this may have only further stoke the flames surrounding the fab four's relationship.
Stepping back
Shortly after arriving back from their holiday break, however, more upsetting news about the Sussexes came our way. The Palace confirmed that Meghan and Harry are stepping back from their roles as senior Royals, and intend on becoming financially independent.
This, of course, only strengthened the belief that the feud between the couples is just getting worse. While the world awaits to see what will happen next, William has allegedly spoken of his "sadness" regarding Harry's decision, calling him and his brother "separate entities" and no longer a "team."Michigan Drivers With No DUI's Getting A Pay DayComparisons.org|SponsoredSponsoredPlay this game for 3 minutes and see why everyone is addictedTotal Battle – Online Strategy Game|SponsoredCPAP Makers Running Scared After New Snoring Solution UnveiledPurch Expert|SponsoredFan's Photo with Jason Momoa Goes Viral for Obvious ReasonsThe Pop Fin|SponsoredHandmade in Switzerland: 24 hours and only one hand. The Slow Watch helps you to live for the moment.slow-watches.com|SponsoredThis New Joint-boosting Dog Chew Has Taken America By StormPetlab Co.|Sponsored
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Byzantine Rite Lutheranism (also known as Byzantine Lutheranism or Eastern Lutheranism) refers to Lutheran Churches, such as those of Ukraine and Slovenia, that use a form of the Byzantine Rite as their liturgy. It is unique in that it is based on the Eastern Christian rite used by the Eastern Orthodox Church, while incorporating theology from the Divine Service contained in the Formula Missae, the base texts for Lutheran liturgics in the West.The Byzantine Lutheran Rite includes the filioque in the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, albeit placing it in brackets.Eastern Lutherans use the Julian calendar for the kalendar and thus observe feast days and liturgical seasons, such as Great Lent, in a fashion similar to Orthodox customs. As such, many Byzantine Lutheran holy days are shared with those of the Eastern Orthodox Church; in addition, Eastern Lutheran churches are constructed in accordance with Byzantine architecture. Posture during worship, such as bowing, is identical to that in other parts of Eastern Christianity. Within Byzantine Rite Lutheranism, the calendar of saints includes persons esteemed in Eastern Christianity, such as John Chrysostom and Nestor the Chronicler, as well as those specific to the Lutheran Church, such as Lucas Cranach the Elder and Martin Luther.The Byzantine Rite was first used in the Ukrainian Lutheran Church. The first published Liturgy of the Eastern Rite was in 1933. The English text of the rite now in use is almost identical to that of the original printing. Some contemporary communities, such as St. Valentine's Fellowship, the Eastern Rite Community (Ostkirchlicher Konvent) in Germany and the Czech Republic, and the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovenia also utilize the Byzantine Rite.In the region of Galicia, Eastern Lutherans were persecuted by the communist régime, which instituted a policy of state atheism. From 1939–1945, many Eastern Lutheran clergy were martyred for their faith. Theodor Yarchuk, a priest who was a major leader in the Ukrainian Lutheran Church of the Augsburg Confession was tortured and killed in Stanislaviv by communist authorities. Many Ukrainian Lutheran laypersons were also sent to the Gulag, where they died. During this time of the persecution of Christians in the Soviet Union, property of the Lutheran Church was expropriated. After the collapse of USSR, the Ukrainian Lutheran Church experienced a revival.
The Feast of Orthodoxy (also knowns as the Sunday of Orthodoxy or the Triumph of Orthodoxy) is celebrated on the first Sunday of Great Lent (six Sundays before Pascha) in the liturgical calendar of the Eastern Orthodox Church and of the Byzantine Rite Eastern Catholic Churches. The Feast is kept in memory of the final defeat of iconoclasm and the restoration of the icons to the churches.
Memory Eternal (Greek: Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη, Aiōnia ē Mnēmē; Arabic: ذِكرُهُ مؤَبَّداً, "Thikruhu muabbadan"; Georgian: საუკუნო ხსენება, "Sauk'uno Khseneba"; Church Slavonic: Вѣчьнаꙗ памѧть, Věčĭnaja pamętĭ, Ukrainian: Вічная Пам'ять (vichnaya pamyat) ), is an exclamation, an encomium like the polychronion, used at the end of an Eastern Orthodox funeral or memorial service. The same exclamation is used by those Eastern Catholic Churches which follow the Byzantine Rite. It is the liturgical counterpart to the Western Rite prayer "Eternal Rest". The "eternal memory" mentioned in the prayer refers to remembrance by God, rather than by the living, and is another way of praying that the soul has entered heaven and enjoys eternal life.
Deacon: In a blessed falling asleep, grant, O Lord, eternal rest unto Thy departed servant (Name) and make his/her memory to be eternal!Choir: Memory eternal! Memory eternal! Memory eternal!It concludes with the line "with the saints, grant her/him rest o Lord, memory eternal!"
Oktōēchos (here transcribed "Octoechos"; Greek: ὁ Ὀκτώηχος Greek pronunciation: [okˈtóixos]; from ὀκτώ "eight" and ἦχος "sound, mode" called echos; Slavonic: Осмогласие, Osmoglasie from о́смь "eight" and гласъ, Glagolitic: ⰳⰾⰰⱄⱏ, "voice, sound") is the eight-mode system used for the composition of religious chant in Byzantine, Syriac, Armenian, Georgian, Latin and Slavic churches since the Middle Ages. In a modified form the octoechos is still regarded as the foundation of the tradition of monodic chant in the Byzantine Rite today.
A Paraklesis (Greek: Παράκλησις, Slavonic: молебенъ) or Supplicatory Canon in the Byzantine Rite, is a service of supplication for the welfare of the living. It is addressed to a specific Saint or to the Most Holy Theotokos whose intercessions are sought through the chanting of the supplicatory canon together with psalms, hymns, and ekteniae (litanies).
If August 1 falls on a Monday through Friday, the cycle begins with the Small Paraklesis. If August 1 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the cycle begins with the Great Paraklesis.
On the eves of Sundays (i.e., Saturday nights) and on the eve of the Transfiguration (the night of August 5) the Paraklesis is omitted.
On Sunday nights, the Great Paraklesis is always used unless it is the eve of Transfiguration.
habitual or established practice; custom.


I have my car within a day whenever they work on it (suspension, fuel system). One hyundai dealer said I needed one thing, another said that it was another. Guys in Carolina Car Care checked both and told me which needed immediate attention. Plus, they have shuttle service. I know I will come back.
Thank you for your feedback Daniel! We really appreciate you taking the time to let us know how we're doing. We hope to see you again soon if you're ever in need.
Went here for an NC state inspection. Nice place with a good lounge area. Very Professional !!! I was in and out in less than 30 min. The staff is very helpful and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend this place. While I was there, I saw how they handled other customers and I am really appreciate their good work. Try to make an appointment before you go.
I had a wonderful experience with Carolina Car Care, from the phone call to a job well done. You get Honest price for Honest work and I plan on coming back fir all my automotive care .
I don't use mechanics for anything but tires, alignments and state inspection. I went to Carolina car care last week to get my 1984 Benz inspected. First place I ever went that actually does a safety inspection. It took about a half hour but hey, they really did look at the car. The service writers were nice as could be and I had a great time talking with them while the tech inspected my old diesel. I also heard them interacting with other customers and as a mechanic and technician I can tell you they were being honest and we're not trying to upsell for no reason.
Thank you for your kind review Nick! We look forward to helping you next time!
I love this place! They held on to my broken down vehicle for a while and it really helped me out!
Added 7/25: second review.These guys did a great job, especially Tannen and Jason. They took care of my normal maintenance at a reasonable price (plus a coupon) and also caught a problem that was barely noticable but was under warranty. They took the time to explain the problem to the Honda dealer who repaired it under the warranty which was soon to expire. They caught a problem and saved me money. The fact that they went out of their way to communicate an issue where they were NOT getting the business went a long way for me.
Thanks Mark, we look forward to your next visit!
Very nice guys. They got me taken care of quickly even though I was was having an emergency mechanical issue!
Thanks for leaving such a positive review! Let us know what we can do to make it even better!
Excellent and truly honest service. They had me in and out very quickly and even ensure that I understood everything. Thank you!
Hi Jaime, We are thrilled you had such a great experience with us and we appreciate you taking the time to give us your feedback! we hoe to see you again soon!
I needed to get a full point inspection in order to pay registration for my vehicle. This is my very first car, and I am admittedly naïve to what is needed to maintain it. The guys at the Spring Garden location were beyond helpful! After receiving a mailer containing promotional coupons, I called to schedule an oil change, tire rotation, and inspection. I had to schedule during my lunch break as they are closed on weekends. I received shuttle service back to my job while they worked on my car, I was picked up by the shuttle after work was completed, and the price I paid was phenomenal (at least 50-100 dollars cheaper than I was quoted anywhere else)!!! All of the employees were extremely kind and helpful. The facility is clean and full of amenities, and the services were actually completed within an hour!! I will definitely be calling Carolina Car Care first as additional maintenance for my car is needed!!!!


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(-) Remove Cai, Zhiyong filter Cai, Zhiyong
(-) Remove Evans, James filter Evans, James
Improved fatigue performance for wood-based structural panels using slot and tab construction
This paper presents static and fatigue bending behavior for a wood-based structural panel having a slot and tab (S/T) construction technique. Comparisons were made with similarly fabricated panels without the S/T construction technique. Experimental results showed that both types of panels had similar bending properties in the static tests. However, the panels with S/T...
https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/search?keywords=%22construction%22&%3Bamp%3Bf%5B0%5D=author_facet%3A%22Collins%2C%20Brandon%22&%3Bf%5B0%5D=nrt_combined%3A%22Forest%20%26%20Plant%20Health%21Animal%20damage%22&f%5B0%5D=author_facet%3A%22Cai%2C%20Zhiyong%22&f%5B1%5D=author_facet%3A%22Evans%2C%20James%22
Jinghao Li; John F. Hunt; Shaoqin Gong; Zhiyong Cai
Biocomposite, Fatigue, Mechanical testing, Joints/joining
Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing. 82: 235-242.
Influence of board density, mat construction, and chip type on performance of particleboard made from eastern redcedar
The purpose of this study was to investigate mechanical and physical performances of particleboard made from low-value eastern redcedar trees. The properties evaluated included bending strength and stiffness, swelling, surface hardness, and screw holding capacity as a function of processing variables (i.e., density, chip type, and board construction). Two types of...
Zhiyong Cai; Qinglin Wu; Jong N. Lee; Salim Hiziroglu
Board density, mat construction, and chip type, particleboard, eastern redcedar
Testing and evaluation of a slot and tab construction technique for light-weight wood-fiber-based structural panels under bending
This paper presented construction and strain distributions for light-weight wood-fiber-based structural panels with tri-grid core made from phenolic impregnated laminated paper composites under bending. A new fastening configuration of slots in the faces and tabs on the core was applied to the face/core interfaces of the sandwich panel in addition to epoxy resin. Both...
Sandwich panel, tri-grid core, Wood-fiber-based laminated paper, Tab and slot configuration, Strain gage, Strain distribution, Bending testing, Failure mode
Journal of Testing and Evaluation. 44(1). 11 p.
Opportunity and development of bio-based composites
Our forests are a naturally renewable resource that has been used as a principal source of bio-energy and building materials for centuries. The rapid growth of world population has now resulted in substantial increases in demand and in consumption of all raw materials. This now provides a unique opportunity of developing new bio-based composites. The 100-year history...
Zhiyong Cai; Jerrold E. Winandy
Plywood, history, building materials, composite materials, value added, renewable natural resources, sustainable forestry, economic aspects, softwoods, biocomposites
Proceedings of International Workshop on Prefabricated Bamboo Panel Module Housing, Nov. 24-25, 2005, Beijing, China. [S.l. : s.n.], 2005: 11 pages.
Development and application of wood adhesives in China
Rapid economic development and growth in China has resulted in a substantial increase in the demand for utilization of bio-based composites. This provides a unique opportunity for developing wood adhesives. This study reviews research development and major accomplishments in wood adhesives and technology in China over the last 50 years. It also discusses the...
Jiyou Gu; Zhiyong Cai
Adhesives, glue, urea-formaldehyde resins, gluing, adhesion, research projects, technological innovations, forest products industry, economic aspects, China, forest products, supply balance, utilization, renewable natural resources, natural resources, market surveys, forest products research, forest resources, biocomposites
Wood Adhesives 2009 [electronic resource]. FPS proceedings no. 7216-09. Madison, WI : Forest Products Society, c2010 [1 CD-ROM]: p. 3-6: ISBN: 9781892529572: 1892529572.
Framing Lumber from Building Removal: How do We Best Utilize This Untapped Structural Resource?
Compared with other construction materials, wood products are environmentally attractive because they sequester carbon, are renewable, and are low in embodied energy. Lumber salvaged from building removal possesses these same qualities but with additional environmental attributes. In spite of the environmental attractiveness of reclaimed lumber, its widespread...
Robert H. Falk; Steven Cramer; James Evans
Wood, recycling, reuse, recovery, salvage, deconstruction, lumber
FOREST PRODUCTS JOURNAL Volume 62, Number 7/8, 2013; pp.492-499.
Long-term effects of elevated carbon dioxide concentration on sour orange wood specific gravity, modulus of elasticity, and microfibril angle
The carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration of Earth?s atmosphere continues to rise. Plants in general are responsive to changing CO2 concentrations, which suggests changes in agricultural productivity in the United States and around the world. The ability of plants to absorb CO2 during photosynthesis and then store carbon in their structure or sequester it in the soil has...
David Kretschmann; James Evans; Mike Wiemann; Bruce A. Kimball; Sherwood B. Idso
Elevated CO2 exposure, sour orange, properties, MOE, fibril angle, specific gravity
Research Note FPL-RN-0307. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. 9 pages.
Effect of prestain on the release rate of copper, chromium, and arsenic from western hemlock
To enhance appearance, stains are often sprayed onto western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) lumber prior to treatment with chromated copper arsenate (CCA-C). Recently, concerns have increased that prestaining may affect the rate of leaching of CCA-C components from the treated wood and that leaching data generated with prestained material may not reflect...
Stan T. Lebow; James W. Evans
Tsuga heterophylla, Copper chrome arsenates, Copper, Chrome, Arseni, Stains, Wood preservatives, Release
(Research note FPL ; RN-0271):6 p. ill. ; 28 cm.
Opportunities of using bio-based materials for value-added composites
Our forests are a naturally renewable resource that has been used as a principal source of bio-energy and building materials for centuries. The growth of world population and affluence has resulted in substantial increases in demand and in consumption for all raw materials. Resulting increases in demand for wood products provides a unique opportunity for developing new...
Zhiyong Cai
Value added, forest products industry, marketing, forest products, economic aspects, composite materials, building materials, sustainable forestry, sustainability, market surveys, plywood, supply, demand, renewable natural resources, research, consumption, laminated wood, veneers, veneering, plywood, history, biocomposites, softwoods, utilization, review article
2009 Wood and Fiber Product Seminar : VTT and USDA joint activity, September 22-23, 2009. VTT symposium ; 263. [Helsinki], Finland : VTT, c2010: p. 43-51: ISBN: 9789513875893 (soft back ed.): 951387589X (soft back ed.): 9789513875909 (electronic ed.): 9513875903 (electronic ed.)
Wood-based composite materials : panel products, glued-laminated timber, structural composite lumber, and wood-nonwood composite materials
This chapter gives an overview of the general types and composition of wood-based composite products and the materials and processes used to manufacture them. It describes conventional wood-based composite panels and structural composite materials intended for general construction, interior use, or both. This chapter also describes wood?nonwood composites. Mechanical...
Nicole M. Stark; Zhiyong Cai; Charles Carll
Composite materials, wood-plastic composites, particle board, panels, plywood, standards, adhesives, glue, fiberboard, performance standards, laminated wood, veneers, veneering, thermoplastic composites, hardboard, composite wood, wood-plastic materials, oriented strandboard, OSB, gluing, glulam timbers, bonding, parallel strand lumber
Wood handbook : wood as an engineering material: chapter 11. Centennial ed. General technical report FPL ; GTR-190. Madison, WI : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, 2010: p. 11.1-11.28.
Maleic anhydride polypropylene modified cellulose nanofibril polypropylene nanocomposites with enhanced impact strength
The unique aspect of polymer composites reinforced by various fillers or additives is that the mechanical properties of the material can be tailored to fit a variety of uses: construction, transportation, industrial, and consumer applications. By selecting a specific reinforcement or designing a particular manufacturing process a material with desired properties can be...
Yucheng Peng; Sergio A. Gallegos; Douglas J. Gardner; Yousoo Han; Zhiyong Cai
Cellulose nanofibrils, polypropylene, maleicanhydride, extrusion, composites
Polymer Composites
Durability of structural lumber products at high temperatures. Part I, 66C at 75% RH and 82C at 30% RH
The effect of temperature on properties can be separated into reversible and permanent effects. The National Design Specification (NDS) provides factors (Ct) for reducing properties for reversible effects but provides little guidance on permanent effects. The primary objective of this paper is to evaluate the effect of prolonged heating (permanent effect) on the...
David W. Green; James W. Evans; Bruce A. Craig
Lumber, laminated veneer lumber, laminated strand lumber, modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, long-term temperature exposure.
Wood and fiber science. Vol. 35, no. 4 (2003): Pages 499-523.


As a result of today's technology, enormous levels of people are spending most of these working hours behind a table in an uncomfortable office chair. Because of this deskbound lifestyle, more and more individuals are becoming overweight, out of shape, and developing other health problems. Mesh office chairs are lightweight and breathable chairs that may increase convenience in the office. They're growing in popularity nowadays for not only are they functional, in addition they make affordable and practical choices. You will find so many sellers and manufacturers of mesh chairs today that a buyer must be informed of his choices and fully aware of his needs. When taking a look at mesh chairs, some of the things you will need to look at would be the adjustment capabilities, proportions, and ergonomics.
Although a sedentary lifestyle causes health problems alone, an unpleasant office chair causes a new arena of problems. Hours upon hours in an unpleasant chair brings about back problems, neck pains, and just overall body aches from bad posture. Mesh office chairs might be equipped with all the current features within your basic task chair, including casters, swivels, tilts, and so on. Not totally all available features may suit every user so the buyer must take careful consideration in browsing through options in the market.
Buying an office chair is comparable to buying a car. Would you buy an automobile without test-driving it? The same pertains to selecting your chair, you will need to take a seat and feel it out. Again, just like your car or truck, you want comfort; you will spend numerous hours in your car or truck commuting, shopping and running errands. Exactly the same philosophy applies to your workplace furniture. You is likely to be spending numerous hours in that chair so choose wisely. Be warned however, that low-priced mesh chairs aren't designed for extended hours of use. They help you well if you're trying to find task chairs that you will use for only three hours a day. But when you intend to use the chair for longer than that, there are sturdier mesh chairs available as well.
Back support Your brand-new chair should provide adequate back support. The back support of the chair also needs to be adjustable to suit properly to your back. The trunk support of the chair should remain the same as you move and recline in your chair. An excellent office chair with proper back support will enhance your posture and therefore eliminate or reduce back pain and stiffness. Selecting an office chair without adequate back support may cause back problems that might stay with you your entire life. Ergonomics Watching ergonomics reduces work injuries. You should buy a chair that's easy to modify especially when it comes to height. For ideal results, select one that will go as much as 16 inches. To make reclining possible, go for a chair that it is possible to move forward and backward. Also, focus on the armrests. When possible, choose a chair whose armrests you can even adjust.
Seating. The padding and design of the seat should really be considered. The front of the seat must have a rounded edge. A direct horizontal front will cut off circulation on the backside of the knees. An excellent tip is that you need to be in a position to slide your fingers between the inside of legs and the leading edge of the seat. Comfort of the chair You should note that even in case a chair has all of the ergonomic features it's comfortable to sit on. To ensure you are buying a unit you will soon be comfortable sitting on, test before making the purchase. This calls for you to visit your furniture store and take a seat on the chair.
Width of the seat and armrests. You need to match in to the chair. When you yourself have to squeeze to the chair then it doesn't fit, no matter how comfortable it could seem once you are seated. There must be room between the armrests and your body. Additionally, the armrests need to communicate with the desk. A great office chair could have adjustable armrests. What good are armrests if they are not useable or uncomfortable to use. Quality armrests can help with tasks like reading and writing, and taking pressure and tension off the neck and shoulders. Size of the chairOffices are of different sizes thus can accommodate chairs of different sizes. To be comfortable in your working environment you need to choose a chair of the right size. When coming up with the purchase, go for one that's 15-17 inches from the trunk to the leading edge. As it pertains to the width, the machine must be wide enough. You ought to be able to match easily without touching the armrest bases.
Height Adjustments. People aren't the same height; therefore, your working environment chair should have a height adjustment. The specifications to adjust your office chair and to promote good posture are the following: thighs must certanly be horizontal to the bottom while both feet are on the ground and wrists must certanly be straight while typing. Base stability It's rare for folks to take into account the stability of any office chair which really is a big mistake. Chair stability is vital at ensuring that you're comfortable thus your output is high. To easily move from spot to one other choose a chair with wheels. For the chair to be stable, go for wheels made from a solid material. The very best units are those created from steel because they are more stable and durable.
If you fail to find a company chair height that enables both of the above, you may want to discover a way to improve the height of one's keyboard to ensure that you can have straight wrists while typing and your system is aligned properly with the chair and the floor. Fabric Most people only consider how a material looks in the office. While there's nothing wrong with choosing a material that matches your working environment décor, also consider the grade of the material and whether the material is easy to clean and breathable. You can find various kinds of fabrics you are able to go for. Vinyl and leather are the most common but they tend to trap heat and reduce air circulation. The cloth can be a well known material that's cheap. Unfortunately, it's usually of poor quality.
Stability. Your chair must certanly be stable. Your chair tipping over if you are in it is not funny. Serious and permanent injury can occur. Locate a chair on wheels that swivels and a five-point base that will not flip you over on your head whenever you recline. ConclusionThey're a number of the factors you should look at when buying a company chair. To get a top quality unit, buy from a respected store.


text:
Image Credit: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University
The Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission ended on 17 December 2012 at 14:28 PST (-8 hrs. relative to Universal Time) when the two spacecraft GRAIL A (Ebb) and GRAIL B (Flow) impacted the Moon.
GRAIL A site seen before and after the impact event. Crater center is located at 75.609°N, 333.407°E [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University]
Both impact sites lie on the southern slope of an unnamed massif (mountain) that lies south of the crater Mouchez and northeast of the crater Philolaus. The massif stands as much as 2500 m above the surrounding plains. The impact sites are at an elevation of about 750 m and 1040 m, respectively, about 460-750 m below the summit. NASA named the GRAIL impact site after America's first woman in space – Sally Ride.
The two GRAIL spacecraft were relatively small – cubes about the size of a washing machine with a mass of about 200 kg (441 lbs) at the time of impact. When they arrived at the Moon their mass was closer to 278 kg (619 lbs), but about 78 kg (172 lbs) of that was fuel consumed during lunar operations.
Both spacecraft impacted at very low angles (~2° to the horizontal) at about 1600 m/s (faster than a speeding bullet) into a fairly steep slope! LROC images reveal that both spacecraft formed craters about 5 m (15 ft) in diameter. Surprisingly, the ejecta around both craters is dark and irregularly distributed around the crater; there is little ejecta to the south – the direction from which the spacecraft were traveling.
GRAIL B site seen before and after impact event. Crater center is located at 75.651°N, 333.168°E [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University]
Typically ejecta from craters has a higher reflectance than the target material (think of the rays of Tycho). This normal contrast is due to the excavation of fresh (or immature) soil from beneath a more mature, weathered layer. As the lunar regolith is exposed to the vacuum of space, it suffers exposure to cosmic radiation, solar wind bombardment, and micrometeorite impacts. Slowly over time, these processes tend to darken the soil. Thus, if you dig down beneath the surface you will find higher reflectance soil.
So why do both GRAIL craters exhibit low reflectance rays? Perhaps we are seeing carbon from the spacecraft. The structure was made of a cyanate ester composite (carbon rich) and other materials also had carbon as primary compounds. Additionally, there was about 0.5 kg (1.1 lbs) of fuel remaining in each spacecraft. Due to the energy of impact, the carbon from these varied sources may have been released and mixed with and coated the ejecta. It takes only a very small amount of carbon to darken a material, recall in art class when you put just a few drops of black paint into a lighter color and it went all muddy. But right now we do not know for sure the cause of this interesting anomaly!
On 28 February 2013 the LROC obtained a stereo pair for the impact area and from these images the LROC team produced a controlled preliminary topographic map.
From the stereo model latitude, longitude and elevation were derived for each impact crater: GRAIL A 75.609°N, 333.407°E, 750 meters and for GRAIL B 75.651°N, 333.168°E, 1040 meters. The local slope of the mountain at the point of impact was 23° for GRAIL A and 19° for GRAIL B. The two impact craters are about 2210 m apart; GRAIL B impacted about 20 seconds after GRAIL A at a site to the northwest of GRAIL A.
LROC NAC stereo derived topographic map of the GRAIL Impact area, map is 8400 meters wide, north is up [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University]
GRAIL-A Impact GIF
GRAIL-B Impact GIF
Topographic Map of Impact Site
The central peak in the Moon's Copernicus crater reveals the complexity of the lunar crust through distinct layering and patchy surface brightness. The area shown here is about 1.8 miles (3 kilomet...
Copernicus Central Peak: Another Layered Target
The Apollo 17 spacecraft, containing astronauts Eugene A. Cernan, Ronald E. Evans, and Harrison H. Schmitt, glided to a safe splashdown at 2:25 p.m. EST on Dec. 19, 1972, 648 kilometers (350 nautic...
Apollo 17 Splashdown
Not everyone gets to become a part of history, but mathematician Billie Robertson is one of the lucky ones.
Running a Real-Time Simulation of Go-No-Go for Apollo 17
The Apollo 14 Lunar Module ascent stage lifts off the lunar surface.
Lunar Liftoff
Mrs. Mary Haise receives an explanation of the revised flight plan of the Apollo 13 mission from astronaut Gerald P. Carr in the viewing room of the Mission Control Center (MCC), Building 30, at th...
Mrs. Haise in Viewing Room Overlooking FCR
The Apollo 14 crew men show off some of the largest of the lunar rocks which they brought back from the moon during a through-the-glass meeting with news men in the Crew Reception Area of the Lunar...
Apollo 14 Crewmen Show Off Lunar Rocks During Meeting With Newsmen
This oblique photograph was taken looking south across Mare Imbrium by the Apollo 17 crew in 1972.
Copernicus Crater
A view of the Apollo 9 Lunar Module (LM), "Spider", in a lunar landing configuration, as photographed from the Command and Service Modules (CSM) on the fifth day of the Apollo 9 Earth-orbital missi...
The Moon is seen as it sets behind the National Capitol Columns at the US National Arboretum on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018 in Washington.
Apollo 17 astronaut Eugene Cernan standing near the lunar rover.
Gene Cernan on the Moon
The Moon's Giordano Bruno crater, as seen by Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.
Giordano Bruno Crater
Apollo 8 astronauts and commanding officer of the recovery ship U.S.S. Yorktown walk the red carpet of the flight deck after splashdown recovery in the Pacific Ocean.
The expended Saturn IVB stage as photographed from the Apollo 7 spacecraft during transposition and docking maneuvers.
Apollo 7/S-IVB Rendezvous in Space
Photomosaic of lunar panorama near the Tycho crater taken by Surveyor 7. The hills on the center horizon are about eight miles away from the spacecraft.
Photomosaic of Tycho Crater - Surveyor 7


text:
Type: brachiosaurus
Age: 9 years old
He likes: eating!
He doesn't like: running risks. And just running, full stop. Though it's got to be said he's quite good at it when he has to avoid Giganto's unwanted attention!
His strength: His long neck, perfect for being the lookout!
His weakness: He's a complete chicken… So instead of keeping watch, he tends to stick his head in the sand, like some kind of prehistoric ostrich.
He dreams of: growing up as quickly as possible so he doesn't have to be afraid anymore.
Not much happens when you're 12 metres high. But of course, that's only true for grown-ups brachios. When you're still small and your name is Bill, it's only natural that you should be such a chicken!
For Bill, Gigantosaurus represents Danger with a capital D! The simple mention of his name is enough to make his blood run cold. He doesn't want to have to deal with him. He doesn't want to see him. He doesn't want his name pronounced in front of him…
And his nightmares are more often than not populated by visions of Gigantosaurus.
But he wants to grow and see the world with his friends! So what's the way forward for Bill?
1/ Stay with great friends he admires,
2/ Jump into the first hiding place he comes across,
3/ Look under every rock, because "you never know where Gigantosaurus might be hiding".
And finally,
4/ EAT. Because eating is the only way he will ever get big.
Besides, when he grows up, Bill will be "a chef": he wants to taste absolutely everything! For Bill, food really is the only thing, along with his friends of course, which he's prepared to go all out for.
The others characters
See all the characters
Cror and Totor
Ignatus
The TV series
© CYBER GROUP STUDIOS 2018


At PEN America, our mission is to champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of words to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers of all kinds, including screenwriters, poets, novelists, essayists, journalists, and bloggers, to celebrate creative expression. Of course, we defend the democratic liberties that make free expression possible, so that all of us, each one of us, can choose our words with care—and also have them heard.
In February 2019, the Government of Georgia hit a new low when news of its "attack" on TBC Bank, one of the biggest banks in the country, became public. The National Bank of Georgia and the Prosecutor's Office confronted TBC Bank, a member of FTSE 250 and one of the most successful business projects in Georgia since its independence, and its founder Mamuka Khazaradze. Khazaradze is also a founder of the Anaklia Development Consortium, which is constructing the first deep sea port in Georgia. The achievements of the TBC group epitomize the success of market economy in post-Communist Georgia. However, the government accuses the bank of financial misconduct and possible money laundering.
Trump and Kim Still Want to Talk. The Important Question Is: About What?
At the time of writing, things appear to look bleak from Pyongyang's vantage point. Though North Korea is hypothetically involved in negotiations with South Korea and the U.S. at the same time, the talks with the U.S. are the most important at the moment. After all, as former UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon acknowledged the other day, without progress between the U.S. and North Korea, not much can happen in practice between South and North Korea. Both countries' governments want to get to work on economic exchanges, but none of that can happen until the U.S. and North Korea exit their current stalemate. As of now, there seems to be little in terms of a consistent policy trajectory for either party. Still, both—that is, Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump—want to keep talking.
Donald Trump does not have a foreign policy; he has moods regarding international affairs. Underneath the volatility of his moods, however, are some convictions: namely that other countries are robbing the U.S. through trade; U.S. allies are at best incapable of defending themselves and unwilling to spend resources in order to do so; multilateralism is for the weak; and widespread application of U.S. military power to underpin the prevailing international order is a wasted and failed endeavor. In many respects, these convictions are fundamentally wrong: over the long term, the U.S. has benefited enormously from commitment to open trade, alliances beyond immediate transactional quid-pro-quo, multilateral international order, and U.S. global power projection.
France and Germany recently decided to share the presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), and jointly do the agenda-setting and public communication tasks it involves, over the next two months. What could be an important symbol appears, however, more like a smokescreen to conceal the two partners' skirmishes over their respective UN seats. France is one of the five permanent members of the UNSC, with all the privileges that brings, including a veto on any decisions it opposes. Germany has recently been elected to a two-year, non-permanent seat on the Council, with no special privileges. The Germans wish to see France's permanent member status Europeanized—in other words, transferred to the European Union as a whole. Paris continues to respond to such suggestions with a resounding non. At first glance, this disagreement might look like French national "egoism" standing in the way of Germany's splendid ambitions for Europe. On closer inspection, however, it is rather the other way around.
That sound you hear is the clock ticking. The United Kingdom will cease to be a member of the European Union on March 29. Or maybe not. Perhaps with a formal Withdrawal Agreement. Or maybe not.
On a recent research to Taiwan, I made several visits to one of the premiere tourist attractions in Taipei: the Chiang Kai-shek (CKS) Memorial Hall, which memorializes the "Generalissimo" who ruled (in various forms) the Republic of China from 1928-1975. The Hall would remind Americans of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., due to its grandiose style and architecture and the presence a large statue of the titular leader sitting in a chair. I visited the location many times because I am undertaking a research project on the Tsai Ing-wen administration's transitional justice (TJ) initiatives to address Taiwan's authoritarian past under the Kuomintang, and the Hall is one of the major points of controversy since as a part of the TJ efforts, the government is reviewing the status of statues of CKS and debating what to do with them.
Yes, Hanoi Ended Pretty Badly. But Trump and Kim Are Not Done.
Among the range of possible outcomes discussed before the summit, ending with nothing at all was something few, if any, had bet on. It seemed much more likely that Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un would agree to measures that were relatively minor in scope but big on symbolism, such as a declaration ending the Korean War. In terms of concessions and gains, the U.S., seemed perhaps likely to get the dismantling of at least some parts of the Yongbyon plant or other facilities. North Korea may have expected specific and limited sanctions relief, perhaps a measure that would have allowed it to move ahead on economic exchanges with South Korea. The summit abruptly ended with neither, and, at the time of this writing, the North Korean and U.S. versions of what happened differ quite significantly.


Meanwhile, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) says it is working with the Nigerian government to address systemic bottlenecks that impede birth registration, with a view to achieving birth registration for all children in Nigeria.
UNICEF Deputy Representative in Nigeria, Pernille Ironside, who stated this at the launch of birth registration impact evaluation yesterday in Abuja, noted that birth registration, which is the official recording of a child's birth by the government, establishes the existence of a child under law and provides the foundation for safeguarding many of a child's civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. Article 7 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child specifies that every child has the right to be registered at birth without any discrimination.
She stated that the recording of births and deaths is essential for a modern administrative system as it helps to create an inclusive society, protecting human rights, ensuring proper delivery of public services and tackling inequalities.
According to her, Nigeria's rapid population growth requires stronger efforts to ensure that birth registration can keep pace with that growth, especially in the under-five population. She, therefore, pledged UNICEF's continued commitment to support inter-agency collaboration to achieve accelerated birth registration so that no child is left behind.


text:
package com.v5ent.game.pfa;

import java.util.Iterator;

import com.badlogic.gdx.utils.Array;

/** Default implementation of a {@link MyGraphPath} that uses an internal {@link Array} to store nodes or connections.
 *
 * @param <N> Type of node
 *
 * @author davebaol */
public class DefaultGraphPath<N> implements MyGraphPath<N> {
	public final Array<N> nodes;

	/** Creates a {@code DefaultGraphPath} with no nodes. */
	public DefaultGraphPath () {
		this(new Array<N>());
	}

	/** Creates a {@code DefaultGraphPath} with the given capacity and no nodes. */
	public DefaultGraphPath (int capacity) {
		this(new Array<N>(capacity));
	}

	/** Creates a {@code DefaultGraphPath} with the given nodes. */
	public DefaultGraphPath (Array<N> nodes) {
		this.nodes = nodes;
	}

	@Override
	public void clear () {
		nodes.clear();
	}

	@Override
	public int getCount () {
		return nodes.size;
	}

	@Override
	public void add (N node) {
		nodes.add(node);
	}

	@Override
	public N get (int index) {
		return nodes.get(index);
	}

	@Override
	public void reverse () {
		nodes.reverse();
	}

	@Override
	public Iterator<N> iterator () {
		return nodes.iterator();
	}

	@Override
	public void swapNodes (int index1, int index2) {
// x.swap(index1, index2);
// y.swap(index1, index2);
		nodes.set(index1, nodes.get(index2));
	}

	@Override
	public void truncatePath (int newLength) {
		nodes.truncate(newLength);
	}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Ola Toivonen to sign with Malmö FF - Reports
By Joey Lynch May 18 2020 11:47AM
By Joey Lynch
May 18 2020 11:47AM
Ola Toivonen is set to sign with Swedish side Malmö FF, according to reports from the Melbourne Victory captain's homeland.
Swedish newspaper Expressen has reported that, despite interest from Stockholm based clubs, Toivonen and his agent Daniel Andersson are set to agree to terms Malmö in the coming weeks.
Toivonen spent the 2007 and 2008 seasons in Skåne, with his 2008 campaign in which he scored 14 goals and netted seven assists earning him a move to PSV Eindhoven and marking the last time the Swede played domestic football in his homeland.
Traditionally running from late March or early April to the beginning of November, the Swedish Allsvenskan's mooted April 4 start has been delayed due to COVID-19, with the competition targeting a June 14 start according to Expressen.
The 33-year-old previously confirmed in December he was considering a return to his homeland following the conclusion of the campaign and at one time was even briefly linked with a move to A-League newcomers Macarthur FC.
In early April the 64-time Swedish international said that he would be returning to Sweden no later than June, with the timelines dependant on what would be best for he and his wife's two children, but remained non-committal on his next footballing move – albeit with it sounding all-but-certain it wouldn't involve the A-League.
Signing with Victory ahead of the 2018/19 season, Toivonen has scored 25 goals in 40 A-League games during his time in Melbourne and was named captain of the club ahead of what has been a disappointing 2019/20 season.
Victory sat 10th on the 11-team table at the time of the season's suspension, having lost 11 games and just five wins and five draws to its name. With the club beset by injuries, Head Coach Marco Kurz was sacked by the club after just 13 games in charge – the third-fastest sacking in A-League history.
An assistant under both Kevin Muscat and Kurz, Carlos Salvachúa was named as interim boss in the wake of the sacking and did taste some success in Asia – including the club's first-ever away win in the Asian Champions League – but was unable to pull them out of the league mire.
Melbourne Victory were contacted for comment.
a-leaguemelbourne victoryola toivonen
Victory down Wanderers for A-League Women win