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Wauconda investigates outsourcing the 9-1-1 call center (more)
The Daily Herald has an updated article on the discussions of outsourcing the Wauconda 9-1-1 Center.
For the third time in less than a year, a controversy in Wauconda is pitting concerned residents against village hall. This time it's a proposal to close the police department's dispatch center and outsource the service to nearby Lake Zurich.
On Tuesday, Village Administrator Doug Maxeiner will talk to the board and the community about why he thinks outsourcing is a good idea. The session is set for 7:15 p.m. at Wauconda High School.
No vote is planned after the discussion. That could come in March at the earliest.
Ahead of the meeting, we've tried to answer questions about the plan and its potential impact on the community.
Q. Why has outsourcing been proposed?
A. The dispatchers are represented by a labor union, and they've been working without a contract since April 2013. Village officials investigated outsourcing as a way to save money on the cost of dispatching.
Q. How much money will it save?
A. Maxeiner has said contracting with Lake Zurich could save $2.1 million over five years.
Q. If this is a money issue, is the village in trouble financially?
A. Not right now. But it could face deficit spending within a year or two, officials said last week.
Q. Did this idea originate with Mayor Frank Bart?
A. Bart has said the inquiries started before he took office in May 2013. At a June 4 board meeting, however, Bart said running the 911 center is too costly to be sustainable. He said eliminating the service could save $600,000 annually, the official minutes for the meeting show. They certainly were under way before Maxeiner started as village administrator in November 2013, although he acknowledged it was one of the projects he was handed upon being hired.
Q. Why was Lake Zurich chosen to provide the service?
A. In a news release, Maxeiner said Lake Zurich's dispatchers are "highly professional" and proficient in assessing emergency situations and getting the right personnel and equipment to scenes. The center also is part of an accredited police department, he said, and the dispatchers have served as Wauconda's backup for years.
Q. Have other towns or agencies bid for the service?
A. Village officials gathered pricing information from dispatch centers in Mundelein, Fox Lake and Round Lake, as well as a private company that offers the service, Maxeiner said Monday. He's also personally spoken with officials from three of the agencies. "Based strictly on cost, it appears that Lake Zurich would be the preferred choice," he told the Daily Herald.
Q. Will the Wauconda Police Department be the only agency affected?
A. No. The Wauconda Fire Protection District — an independent government agency — also uses the police department's dispatchers for emergency calls, as do the Lakemoor and Tower Lakes police departments. All would have to find new 911 providers.
Q. What will happen to Wauconda's current dispatchers if the village shuts down the center?
A. Ten full-time and two part-time dispatchers will be laid off.
Q. What will happen to the dispatch center and its equipment if the board approves outsourcing?
A. The village could sell the equipment, Maxeiner said. Officials also could try to reduce the cost of outsourcing by negotiating the use of the gear, he said. Or, they could keep the equipment for uses that haven't yet been made public.
Q. Were voters promised dispatch services wouldn't be outsourced if they approved a tax increase for the fire protection district in 2010?
A. Yes. But Bart has repeatedly criticized that referendum and the promises made to the community. Last week, when someone pointed out the pledge not to outsource was a big selling point, Bart said: "That was back in 2010. It's a different time."
Q. Is outsourcing a done deal?
A. No. Maxeiner's preliminary recommendation is just that — a recommendation. It'll be up to the six members of the village board to vote on the proposal. Bart would be asked to break a tie if the vote comes down 3-3.
Tags: Doug Maxeiner, Wauconda Fire District, Wauconda Fire Protection District, Wauconda looks into outsourcing 9-1-1 call center, Wauconda Police Department, Wauconda's 911 center
New aerials for CFD (more)
Posted by Admin in Fire Department News, New Apparatus Order | 3 Comments
here are some pictures from the spartan erv website displaying the chassis and ladder for one of the new aerials for Chicago. Needless to say…its not a tower ladder. What I'm assuming, Spartan calls a rear mount aerial a "rear mount platform."
Spartan photo
Tags: Chicago Fire Departemnt, Chicago Spartan ERV aerial, fire truck being built, new aerial for Chicago, new aerial ladder being built for the Chicago Fire Department
Antioch renews contract with Superior
The Lake-County Sun has an article about Antioch's decision to extend their EMS contract for another year:
Metro Paramedic Services will continue to provide emergency medical services in the village for at least another year. Village officials agreed to renew the contract with Metro to provide six paramedics and six emergency medical technicians to staff the two village-owned fire stations 24 hours daily. The 12 state-certified ambulance personnel employed by Metro are all local volunteer firefighters.
Metro has been providing both equipment and personnel since the village terminated its 72-year relationship with the not-for-profit Antioch Rescue Squad on June 1, 2013.
Metro is a contract agency that employs trained firefighters, paramedics and EMTs to many fire agencies throughout northern Illinois. "It is a cost effective alternative to municipalities hiring their own full-time employees," said Fire Chief John Nixon. Metro also provides all applicable benefits to their employees.
The village will save about $106,000 annually by contracting for only personnel and dropping a contract for equipment. Antioch Firefighters Association last month donated an ALS (advanced life support) ambulance bringing the village's fleet to three fully-equipped ALS ambulances. The personnel-only contract will cost the village $795,376 annually or $66,281 monthly.
Last year, the village purchased a used 2000 International Ambulance with 22,000 miles and obtained another used 2000 ambulance with funds from the state Foreign Fire Insurance Tax Board. The vehicles and equipment had to pass state inspection before they could be used by the village. That step was completed Friday, said Nixon.
Even though the village is saving money by providing its own vehicles, revenue falls far short of costs, said Nixon. The average cost of an EMS call is $920. Nixon estimates the cost for 1,863 projected annual EMS calls will total $1.128 million, but estimated revenue will probably be at only 42 percent of that total for the first year or $475,000.
Nixon said about 32 percent of rescue calls are reimbursed by insurance, 33 percent are covered by Medicare and 12 percent are covered by Medicaid. The balance of patients have no insurance and in many cases, can't pay the cost for the service. To help balance revenue with expenses, village officials also agreed to raise ambulance and life safety fees.
Nixon said the new rates are comparable to rates charged by other neighboring municipalities that do not levy a tax for EMS services. He projects the combined cost for EMS and fire services in the village will total $840,000.
The village is working with the township, served by the First Fire Protection District, to jointly provide fire and rescue services and reduce costs. The villages shares costs with the fire district for fire protection but each entity is responsible for providing its own rescue service. The township is continuing to contract with Antioch Rescue Squad for rescue calls in the township. The contract with ARS expires May 8. Because EMS is not funded through tax revenue the village and fire district are exploring the option of a tax levy to help offset ambulance service costs.
"If a tax levy were in place for EMS we could significantly lower fees," said Nixon, explaining the higher fees adopted by the village board will help cover the costs to serve all residents, including those who can't afford to pay.
"Right now the revenue to cover those expenses is coming from the village's general fund, which also pays for fire, police, village and parks services."
Tags: Antioch Firefighters Association, Antioch Rescue Squad, Fire Chief John Nixon, First Fire Protection District of Antioch, Foreign Fire Insurance Tax Board, Metro Paramedic Services
Chicago working fire, 2-25-14
This from Dan Shevlin:
2/25/14 Chicago Working Fire. Several outside calls reporting a fire at 4030 Adams. 2 story ordinary 25 x 75 fire in the rear. 2 lines. No water problems but it was bitterly cold out.
Dan Shevlin photo
Tags: Chicago Fire Department, Dan Shevlin, fire scene photos
Box Alarm fire in Winnetka, 2-26-14 (more)
Posted by Admin in Fire Scene photos, Fire Scene video | Comments off
More on last night's house fire in Winnetka. A video from Larry Shapiro and some images from Tim Olk at the scene this morning.
more images were posted to fire scenes.net
Tags: aftermath of house fire, elevated master stream working at house fire, Evanston Fire & Life Safety Department, fire scene video, fire trucks at night fire scene, fire trucks at winter fire scene, firemen at winter fire scene, Glenview Fire Department, house fully engulfed in fire, house fully involved in fire, ice covered fire engine, ladder truck with aerial raised and elevated master stream, Larry Shapiro, Northbrook Fire Department, Northfield Fire Department, Northfield Fire Rescue, Pierce fire engine at night fire scene, Skokie Fire Department, Smeal Sirius ladder quint, Tim Olk, Winnetka Fire Department, Winnetka fire engine at fire scene, winter fire scene photos
Box Alarm fire in Winnetka, 2-26-14
Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Scene photos | 8 Comments
This from Larry Shapiro:
The Winnetka Fire Department was called to a house with smoke coming from the attic at 924 Pine Tree Lane just after 9PM on Wednesday evening. Prior to the fire department's arrival, police units confirmed smoke from a house at the corrected address of 910 Pine Tree Lane.
The first engine turned down the street and was completely immersed in smoke with near zero visibility. They pulled past the house and the truck was able to back up to the driveway. Heavy smoke at the scene was the updated size up at a split level house that was being renovated. Companies attempted an interior attack as fire burned through the roof at the rear of the house. Northfield Truck 29 reported seeing heavy fire as they rounded the corner two blocks away.
Winnetka Truck 28 at work as fire consumes the entire house. Larry Shapiro photo
The interior attack was abandoned shortly thereafter as the fire spread throughout the attic space. Fortunately the interior crews spotted a hole in the first floor before it could cause injury to any firefighters.
Fire consumes the entire house. Larry Shapiro photo
A Winnetka firefighter at the turntable operating the master stream from Truck 28. Larry Shapiro photo
The alarm was upgraded to a Box Alarm as an elevated master stream was put into operation from Winnetka Truck 28 in addition to multiple hand lines. As the fire progressed, Northfield Truck 29 also put an elevated master stream into service. The house backed up to Tower Road, and trucks from both Glenview and Skokie setup there but did not deploy master streams. Both ladders were put over the scene to provide illumination for firefighters.
Another view from the driveway as Truck 28's master stream works. Larry Shapiro photo
Northfield Truck 29 and Winnetka Truck 28 working from the front of the house. Larry Shapiro photo
Heavy smoke blankets the scene and Northfield Truck 29 in Sector A. Larry Shapiro photo
A firefighter pulls hose from Tower Road to the rear of the house. Larry Shapiro photo
Companies at the scene included engines from Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Northbrook, Highwood, and Evanston. Trucks on-scene were from Winnetka, Northfield, Glenview, and Skokie. Other units included a squad from Morton Grove, an ambulance from Wilmette, the MESS Canteen, and multiple chief officers.
A firefighter covered with a light coat of ice in Sector A. Larry Shapiro photo
Glenview Truck 14 had two lines off from Tower Road in the rear. Larry Shapiro photo
Three lines off Winnetka Engine 28 in front of the house. Larry Shapiro photo
A video from the scene will be posted soon.
Tags: elevated master stream working at house fire, Evanston Fire & Life Safety Department, fire trucks at night fire scene, fire trucks at winter fire scene, firemen at winter fire scene, Glenview Fire Department, house fully engulfed in fire, house fully involved in fire, ladder truck with aerial raised and elevated master stream, Larry Shapiro, Northbrook Fire Department, Northfield Fire Department, Northfield Fire Rescue, Pierce fire engine at night fire scene, Skokie Fire Department, Smeal Sirius ladder quint, Winnetka Fire Department, Winnetka fire engine at fire scene, winter fire scene photos
Fatal house fire in Oak Lawn
For the second time this month, there were multiple fatalities from an Oak Lawn house fire. MyFoxChicago.com has this report:
The South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force helped local police conduct a criminal investigation Wednesday. Three people are dead after a house fire in Oak Lawn. Police said two bodies were found in the home in the 9800 block of 51st Avenue. A source familiar with the investigation reports another man fatally shot himself in a car in the garage as firefighters responded to the call.
The source said the fire was being investigated as arson. The source also said the individual inside the car was alive with the engine running when "an alert firefighter" arrived to investigate the blaze, but then shot himself moments later.
The fire began a few minutes after 5 a.m., according to Oak Lawn police Division Chief Michael Kaufmann. The victims were not discovered until later. Kaufmann did not reveal the identities, genders or ages of the deceased.
The fire was out as of 9 a.m., though firefighters were still cleaning up hot spots as of 10 a.m. Police officers, evidence technicians and vehicles from the Cook County Sheriff's Office were also on scene.
Detectives said there is likely more evidence inside the home, but they will have some challenges getting to it. The roof and floor of the home collapsed in the blaze. Investigators sifted through the debris late Wednesday morning, wading through a basement filled with water.
"All indications and information being provided to the Oak Lawn Police Department would seem to point to an intentional setting and criminal conduct resulting in the death of at least two individuals," Oak Lawn village manager Larry Deetjen said.
Fire officials said they do not know the cause of the blaze as of noon on Wednesday.
Tags: Cook County Sheriff's Office, crime scene at Oak Lawn house fire, fatal house fire in Oak Lawn, Oak Lawn Police Division Chief Michael Kaufmann, Oak Lawn Village Manager Larry Deetjen, South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force
Chicago Still & Box Alarm & Level 1 Hazmat, 2-22-14 (more)
Images from Gordon J. Nord, Jr. from the gas explosion last Friday on Cullerton in Chicago.
Gordon J. Nord, Jr. photo
Tags: American LaFrance tower Ladder LTI, Chicago FD Engine 23, Chicago FD Tower Ladder 5, Chicago Fire Department, fire scene photos, gas explosion, Gordon J. Nord Jr., Spartan fire engine
New squad for Westchester (more)
Posted by Admin in Fire Department News, New Delivery | Comments off
The new squad for Westchester is ready for delivery. Images were posted on the Fire Service, Inc. Facebook page.
Tags: E-ONE fire truck, Fire Service Inc., fire truck photo, fire truck photos, new squad for Westchester FD, Westchester Fire Department, Westchester orders new squad
Streamwood receives SAFER Grant – reopens shuttered firehouse
The Daily Herald has an article about the Streamwood Fire Department reopening a fire station after being closed for four years.
Nearly four years after what some residents saw as the sudden closing of a Streamwood firehouse, officials have quietly reopened the station thanks to a grant that put more firefighters on the job. The Park Boulevard station began operating again this week. At least three firefighter-paramedics are now assigned there for each 24-hour shift.
Fire Chief Chris Clark said Friday he expects the reopening to reduce the time it takes for crews to respond to emergencies, especially along Lake Street where industrial developments have popped up on what was vacant land in recent years. Facilities like a 24-hour food processing plant have contributed to a rise in calls for service on the village's south side, Clark said.
In December 2012, Streamwood won a $627,000 federal grant to hire three firefighters. Only one other department in the state received the funding administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The grant enabled the department to bring its ranks up to 50 firefighting personnel. With the grant, provided by the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program, the department can now run three-person crews in all of the stations.
Streamwood weathered the economic slump by reducing the force to 47 firefighting positions through attrition. The department also eliminated the position of a full-time fire inspector who retired and reassigned those duties to other staffers. And in April 2010, the department shuttered the Park Boulevard station, sparking a protest and fears of an increase in response times. But officials defended the move, arguing that the closing improved operations.
Matt Dobson, who spearheaded the public outcry, wanted more of a heads-up to neighborhoods affected by the change. Village officials, though, say they reviewed the closing in a budget meeting. Dobson learned the station had reopened only when he drove by and saw the American flag flying outside the entrance. Up until Monday, the department used the station for training and storage of equipment.
Streamwood must keep the three firefighter-paramedics on the job for two years. With a rebounding local economy, the chief expects the department to retain them even longer."We are very confident that we will be able to maintain those positions through our current revenue streams," he said.
Tags: area fire department receives FEMA grant, Federal Emergency Management Agency, fire departments get Homeland Security SAFER grant money, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, Streamwood Fire Chief Chris Clark, Streamwood Fire Department, Streamwood fire station
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Owners Devastated After 3 Horses Shot Utah Pasture
Kanosh, Utah (NetPosse) – The Millard County Sheriff's Office is investigating after three horses were shot in a pasture on Crooked Lane just west of Kanosh sometime between Thursday night and late Friday night. Most of the wounds on the three horses were on the right side at the same level.
It was shocking news when Kamille and her husband Maclayne were notified that their yearling filly, Ally, was injured in the pasture.
The horses' owner, Kamille Chlarson, says on her Facebook page that Ally's shoulder was completely shattered and she had to be put down. A biopsy is being performed to retract the bullet.
Kamille says, "The bullets are too deep to have retracted and we weren't able to find the exact location because of the density. Her mare and stud, the other two horses with Ally will have to live with the metal inside of them. My stud may never breed again from the damages and displacement of his joint."
"It's so sad and I'm heartbroken for my animals. Someone needs to take accountability for their negligence and I am determined to find out who has hurt my babies," she added. "I am begging you. Our horses are our whole life and part of our family. If you have ANY information whatsoever or hear anything suspicious PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE call me or the sheriff's department immediately."
"We have no idea why so many horses are getting attacked across America. We have seen an increase in cases nationwide in the past two years," said Stolen Horse International-NetPosse.com President, Debi Metcalfe. "We have mostly helped owners when their horses are missing over the past two decades. We have always lent a hand when a victim reached out to our nonprofit organization through our website, www.netposse.com. We have been increasing our work with crime-related attacks on horses more the past year and will continue to do so. Hopefully, we can help this family too."
If you have any information please, call the Milliard County Sheriff's Office at Phone: (435) 743-5302. You can reach Kamille at Ufork Horses, (928) 551-5143, or on Facebook by clicking Kamille J. Chlarson Facebook Profile.
Feel free to add comments at the bottom of this page for Kamille and her family.
Resource: More pictures and https://www.facebook.com/kamille.christensen.5/posts/3114725678562585
Three horses shot in Kanosh, Utah pasture.

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Amaro was born in 1984 in Bern, Switzerland. Through his elder brother, he came in touch with electronic Music very early – especially with House and Hardcore. Having roots in the south of Italy, he soon discovered its party culture during his stays, which influenced him to start playing House and organizing Events himself.
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Now, after 10 years of music production, he has finally found his very own style which is mainly inspired by Psychedelic and Techno. It's reduced structure makes it very catchy and has become a special recipe to make sure Amaro reaches his aim: Blowing party people's minds away!
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TOUGH ROAD FOR A SAUSAGE GUY ON ROOSEVELT
Brendan O'Connor's sausage stand won acclaim. Then life threw him a curveball bigger than a Big Guys sausage
in People
Text and photos
Big Guys Sausage Stand
7021 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn IL
Fast Food • Hot Dogs
BRENDAN O'CONNOR, OF BIG GUYS SAUSAGE STAND, seemed to outsiders to be golden as operators of hot dog stands go. His restaurant, just on the Berwyn side of Roosevelt Road near Harlem, had earned acclaim as a place in the Hot Doug's mold, serving housemade sausages with unusual toppings and fresh cut fries. It had been on lots of food TV shows, gotten good coverage in Chicago media, and been named an LTHForum Great Neighborhood Restaurant after plenty of enthusiastic write-ups.
The restaurant business is never so simple, of course, and by the summer of 2015 O'Connor felt like he was in the midst of his toughest year yet. Catering was a big part of his business, but a wet summer had rained out a number of his festival gigs, leaving him to eat the cost of the food he'd prepared. Expanding to late night hours, he says, boosted his revenues, "but it just got to a breaking point. Everything from employees kicking holes in the wall, them being mismanaged because the hours are too long but I didn't have the management to do it, to poor customer service, poor food quality, and I had to go in all the goddam time—all these issues were arising at these late hours."
And after four years in business, he just felt fatigued. "I didn't have energy. I thought it was psychological, I really did," he says. "I had a lot of stress at the time. I had been sick for a long time and didn't know what was wrong with me. Finally, as a 32-year-old man with lots of obligations, I got myself to the doctor. And he said, you should really get things checked out. So I finally got checked out."
The diagnosis came back: at age 32, Brendan O'Connor, with three kids and a busy business, had rectal cancer. Within a few days, he would be undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment and fighting for his life.
"I WANTED TO BE A FOOD WRITER, BUT somehow ended up going this route," O'Connor says as we take up a spot at the dive bar next door to Big Guys. A genial Irish-American with a profanity-laced South Side accent, who always seems to have two days' growth of beard, O'Connor seems cast in the part of the hot dog entrepreneur who knows every cop and trucker who comes in. You have to talk with him for a bit for the businessman who's pretty sophisticated about marketing a little guy's stand in 2016 to come out, too.
He went to Columbia College and started with a job in journalism, but he already had a daughter, Dylan, now 13, and he felt he needed to make more money. So he went into sales, while doing catering jobs on the side from his house. He had a history in the food business at that point—as a teenager, he and his friends had sold hot dogs to visitors during the open house weekend for the Frank Lloyd Wright houses in Oak Park, under the name Wright Lloyd Franks.
When the sales job ended, he got together with some friends and put his severance into taking over a 1950s-style stand that had been a Parky's, a small hot dog chain in the near west suburbs. He didn't just want to do hot dogs, though—his ambition was to make his own sausages and, in general, offer a better, more handcrafted product than the other fast food places around him.
"We don't get the business off the street, there's such an oversaturation of restaurants right here," he says. "We're on Roosevelt Road but we don't draw traffic from Roosevelt Road. Almost all of our customers set out to come here." He quickly realized that he needed to attract customers willing to travel for something new—"A lot of people tell you, just do what you do and build up a following. I feel like a lot of the old time places did that, but when you're new like me, compared to these places that have been around for 50 years, you can't wait for that to happen. [The day] we opened we sold like six sausages and fries."
Smoked hot link
The first thing he did, after observing that "every fifth customer would walk in and say, 'You don't have a burger?' and walk out," was expand the menu to include a burger—an excellent handmade patty of meat which he's careful not to overwork. Then he started working on specials, which he promoted on social media. "We have to get people in. Obviously, everybody's on their phone, so [their question is], why is what you're tellin' me about important? Well, the only reason it's important is because it's a special happening right now. That's what people respond to."
"Everyone sells hot turkey, and it's all canned gravy and foil turkey—why doesn't anyone just make a god-damned turkey? It's not that hard."
He makes seasonal sausages—a Turducken sausage is a big seller every November. And he does other forms of what he calls "blue collar gourmet" food—"We did homemade gyros, smoked meatloaf. We did pastrami, where we brined the briskets and smoked them with beech-nut wood. We're always doing stuff, because I'm too attention deficit and I get bored. But so are millennials in general, and the customer base these days, they want new, different, fun stuff."
And he takes seriously how he makes that stuff. "The idea is we want to make a common sandwich that has turned generic or doesn't get that much attention, and make it good," he says. "Turkey is a great example because everyone sells hot turkey, and it's all canned gravy and foil turkey—why doesn't anyone just make a god-damned turkey? It's not that hard, right? We'll brine ours and fry it up fresh and make mashed potatoes, and buy all the turkey necks we can get and sell hot turkeys for a week, and it goes insane." At Thanksgiving, he lined up 11 deep fryers, most borrowed from a friend, and fried 72 whole turkeys that customers had preordered for their own feasts.
"IT'S FLOWN BY," O'CONNOR SAYS of the seven months since his diagnosis. "I actually handled all the treatments really well, radiation daily for like 35 days with chemo, and then another round of full-blown intravenous chemo for two weeks, and then that led into a little break which I'm on right now. Chemo and radiation was really easy for me. It really was. I think about it now and I've pretty much been constantly going through chemo or radiation since July, and that's kind of a long time, but it flew by."
But he acknowledges that it dramatically altered a life that had been defined by the daily grind of his hot dog stand. "It messes up your schedule big time. You're amazed how much time you're in the hospital, going to doctors. When you have kids, you're always doing that anyway—you're always running them somewhere for this doctor or dentist or whatever. But all of a sudden you're going every day or a few days a week, and you're like, Jesus, all I do is spend my days in waiting rooms. That's what your life becomes."
"When you're doing your day to day work, it's hard to look at the big picture. So when you get to step back and look at things, all of a sudden there's issues that you've been dealing with that you realize, you can't afford not to deal with. I think it's caused me to run my business a lot better, actually. You stop relying on yourself as much. You still keep up with work somehow, delegate more or whatever. I've found that I've really gotten much better at delegating my workload at Big Guys than before. Because I have no choice."
The treatments went well, but there was a big step waiting at the end—on the day of this article's publication, O'Connor was going in for major surgery, to be followed by recuperation time and a final round of chemotherapy. If that goes well, "I should hopefully be in the clear," he says, but the surgery, which will leave him with a colostomy bag, will have changed his life forever. "It's not like you have a choice, there's nothing you can do about it so it doesn't matter. Loyola, they're really good at this. I went in for my pre-admission, and they do more surgeries than I sell fucking hot dogs in a day. That's fucking insane, right? They literally do, I'm not exaggerating. I mean, their waiting room is like eight of these bars."
"SO I'M SPENDING A LOT MORE TIME home, not giving a shit about work, know what I mean? Just doing what I want to do," O'Connor says of the days he's been out resting after treatments. And that seems to have awakened some of that creative impulse that wasn't being satisfied by being creative with sausages.
Part of that is that he wants to start a blog, documenting the sausages and other specials they make. "There are no good sausage blogs out there," he says. If he shows how he makes things and spreads the word on social media, it helps market their specials, and maybe calls some attention to himself as another innovator in the encased meats realm.
But that's still business. His other creative project is closer to home. "I think when something like this happens, and you're wrestling with your own mortality a little bit, even though we all have kids and we know we love them and whatever, it still makes you appreciate them that much more," he says. "We all know that our kids are the most important thing, but, you think about it, and life is fragile, no, I need to spend more time. And when you own your own business, obviously you'd rather be with your kids, but you don't have a choice. You're working because somebody called off, or you're late to everything. It's just kind of how life goes."
"I think it put a lot of things in perspective for me. I was already home because I was going through the chemo, and that tended to wipe me out for a couple of days. So I'd be home just relaxing, and I'd keep the kids home from the nannies, and we'd make banana splits."
Besides his older daughter Dylan, he has two toddlers, "Irish twins" he says, four and three years old, named Riley and Mickey. "Everybody thinks their kids are cute, but my kids are incredibly cute," he says. "And even though they're girls, they're totally gross and funny. They're so hilarious." For something to do with them, they started making banana splits—"We make like a $45 Jewel run and make a real banana split, ice cream and whipped cream and pecans"—and then thinking up poems to write. "They're little kids, but they come up with crazy ideas, and it's really fun. One's about an evil teacher who steals all your stuff. Mickey has a blanket called Nanna, that's the grossest thing, and so one's about, what if Nanna came alive?"
He's working on a book in which each chapter is a meeting of The Banana Split Club, and it would have the narrative of how they came up with the poem over banana splits, followed by the poem. "I'm really happy with it, and it does something for me—from being in the restaurant industry, if you've been in the restaurant industry and stayed with it, you obviously love it, and I do. But it has its stresses and then on the ownership side, it's hard for me to walk through my restaurant and not see something that's costing me money. To be home with my kids, to get that extra time with them, has been awesome."
SCARY DOOR
I swear! That door just opened all by itself?
Is there an invisible man… a tiny elf?
I mean, it's open now and there's nobody there.
I'm pretty smart and I know door knobs don't just turn from air.
Rogue Jedi's, telepathic maniacs, or ghosts would be a horror.
So I think I'm gonna need my mom's help here moving forward.
To discover what supernatural force is involved.
So I can stop hiding and this mystery is solved.
Michael Gebert is the editor of Fooditor.
Poem ©2015 Brendan O'Connor. All rights reserved.
THE BEST PLACE IN CHICAGO TO EAT RUSSIAN FOOD—NAKED
in Neighborhoods
FOODITOR RADIO:
THE FORCE STEAKENS, OR 2015 IN REVIEW
in A/V
AFTER 70 YEARS, MANNY'S IS FINALLY BECOMING A DELICATESSEN
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FOODITOR'S 19 BEST NEW PLACES TO EAT IN CHINATOWN
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Home NMB48 Shiroma Miru to make solo debut with Universal Music
Shiroma Miru to make solo debut with Universal Music
Signed, sealed, delivered. Former NMB48 member, Shiroma Miru signs for Universal Music Group and is set to make her debut under Universal Music Japan.
Mirurun who graduated from NMB back in August 2021 expected to release solo single in the future.
Alongside single debut, Shiroma Miru fan meeting will also be held in February and March 2022.


A Malaysian man who swindled around 20 women of their money and jewellery was arrested last Tuesday (June 30).
The 34-year-old man is believed to be involved in 20 fraud cases committed over two years involving a total of about RM155,000 (S$55,000).
The victims were women aged between 28 and 38.
Brickfields police chief Sharul Osman Mansor said at a press conference on Monday (July 6): "Each time, the victim would leave her bag in the car while both of them entered the hotel (to meet the 'relative').
"The suspect would then ask for the victim's phone to call his relative claiming his phone was out of battery. He would then run away."
The women only realised the man had gone missing after waiting for a few hours, said the police chief.
The suspect, a father-of-three, was arrested on June 30 at about 8pm at Taman Cahaya Alam in Shah Alam.
He has admitted to being involved in 19 cases, police said.
The man, who is being investigated for fraud and theft, will be remanded until Saturday (July 11).


Fiddling has always been part of my life, since the earliest tunes that I looked up at my great Uncle Tom and heard him play to this very day. I have come to know and learn from some of the greatest fiddlers in history. They have richly blessed my life.
The 39th annual Grand Master Fiddler Championship is the nation's championship event held at the International Bluegrass Music Association Fan Fest in Nashville, Tenn. Since I was a little fiddler with hopes of winning, that was the prize to be sought.
With the talent of the fiddlers today, I am glad I do not have to compete but honored to stand in the shadows of the great stars that serve as celebrity host including Roy Acuff and Porter Wagoner.
This year's event was filled with some of the most talented fiddlers to ever draw a bow. After two days of tight competition in an attempt to take home over $14,000 in prizes, Grand Master Fiddler Champion for 2010 was crowned – Justin Branum of St. Louis, Mo.
Branum took home $2,000 in cash, the bronze Grand Master Fiddler statuette, appeared on the IBMA main stage, and on the Grand Ole Opry. This was his first Grand Master championship.
A six-time contender Tashina Clarridge of Roslindale, Mass. once again claimed the second slot. Clarridge received $1,500 and a plaque.
Other organizers include Grand Master Fiddler Championship vice president Ed Carnes, directors Crystal Plohman, Gayla Tanaka-Bollinger, Alva T. "Trey" McClain, Charlie Smith, Megan Lynch and Bobby Taylor.
Competitors showed their talents amongst some of the leading performers in acoustic music including the Whites and friends, Brand New Strings, April Fools Old Time String Band, Carpenter and May, Rocky Top Revue Square Dancers, Cathy Roberts, Cadillac Holmes, Aly Sutton, Debra Connelly and Dawn-Joy Thornton.
In honor of its founder, the organization presented the Dr. Perry F. Harris Award to Buck White for his work in support of the traditional art of fiddling and especially to the Grand Master event. All of the White clan attended including Ricky Skaggs to see Buck honored.
"Vernon Solomon of Texas was crowned first champion in 1972 and appeared with Roy on his live radio show that Saturday night," Howard Harris said. "That began a tradition of the Champion playing the Saturday night Opry that continues today.
White said he was honored to receive the award and feels his role towards fiddlers is as an encourager.
"That was a big thing for me cause I wanted to fiddle," he said. "I got a hold of those Tommy Jackson records in late forties and tried to learn all those. I was a lover of those fiddle tunes – the breakdowns.
White is best known for his instrumental work on mandolin and piano.
She just told me she had to have some relief, he joked.
"I have always tried to encourage old-time fiddling and loved to sit-in and play with fiddlers," he said. "It would be ashamed if it got lost, I don't believe it will because so many kids are playing now especially in the northeast.
I was also pleased to bring to the stage two of the greatest fiddlers in history Bobby Hicks and Tex Logan who encouraged the contestants with their presence.
Contest judges were Matt Hartz, Junior Marriott, Dale Morris, Jr., Hyram Posey and Bobby Taylor.
Among the sponsors were Choice Food of America, Mayberry's Finest, Vietti Chili, Carnes Group, IBMA, Metro Nashville Arts Commission, Tennessee Arts Council and the West Virginia Division of Culture and History.
The other top-10 winners included in descending order: Mia Orosco of Lorena, Texas; Jacie Sites of Idaho Falls, ID; Eischen Harkins of Canon City, Colo.; Jesse Maw of Kalispell, Mont.; Maddie Denton of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; James Schlender of Bozeman, Mont.; Doug Fleener of Leitchfield, Ky. and Adrianna Ciccone of Timmons, Ont., Canada.
Contestants placing 11 through 20 are Greg Henry of Sombra, Ont., Canada; Kimber Ludiker of Somerville, Mass.; Elisha Peter Voetberg of Chehalis, Wash.; Ellie Goodman of Boston, Mass.; Laura Cash of Hendersonville, Tenn.; Isaac Callender of Pendleton, Ore.; Casey Driscoll of Goodlettsville, Tenn.; Paul Lemelin of Sudbury, Ont., Canada; Kerry Varble of Toledo, Ohio; and Tim Hodgson of Victor, Idaho.
Doug Fleener received the Charlie Bush Traditional Fiddler Performance Award from the GMFC presented by the Bush Family – Sam and Janet – in honor of their father late director Charlie Bush.
The Grand Master Traditional Champion is Scott Miller of Ironton, Ohio. Other top five fiddlers were Gailanne Amundson of Longwood, Fla.; Kelsey Wells of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; Hillary Bevels of Fayetteville, Tenn. and Natalie Grimes of Avon, Ind.
Winning guitar accompanists are Anthony Mature of New Waverly, Texas; Darin Meeks of Post Falls, Idaho; Melika Lemelin of Hanmer, Ont., Canada; Joe Sites of Idaho Falls, Idaho and Terry Ludiker of Post Falls, Idaho.
Whether you love fiddling or not, this is a unique part of our American heritage that I hope you will consider supporting by visiting their website, maybe making a donation, or simply planning to attend the annual event. The Grand Master Fiddler Championship, Inc. is a Tennessee non-profit and a U.S. IRS 501(c)(3) charitable corporation, formed to educate about and perpetuate fiddling as an art form and cultural treasure. For more info, visit www.grandmasterfiddler.com.


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The phone wouldn't be improved for another 33 decades. Call the recipient to supply a password for those who have a phone , or send another email containing the password. At this time you've got 25 random numbers. Check the range of pages is true.
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If a grey background makes the text seem indistinct, select a brighter colour from the greek chart to generate the text stick out from the webpage. Be aware that you may also alter the colour and line style. Click and drag to decide on the text from which you have to eliminate the gray shading.
Just take a close look at our examples here, since it is unlikely you'll ever observe another instance, nevertheless many faces you read. A superb illustration is Arial, however you can use Tahoma or Verdana too. Last, the third example of forgiving design is phone numbers.
The form is updated periodically, so make sure you find the latest version from the IRS to remain compliant. You're engaging in a sort of goal setting that is flexible. When forms are simple, understandable, and gather the crucial info, life continues. There are various forms of purchase order templates readily available, which may be easily formatted and are downloadable. You may use the exact same form multiple times. Regardless of the fact that the conventional printed document form will stay some of our own lives for the near future, a rising amount of paper will be substituted by web page forms and other formats created for displays.
If you use purchase order financing, you're likely to be in a position to keep working capital whilst obtaining the equipment that you want. In the end, you're in business to earn money, not just spend it! Among the very important documents a business can have is a buy order invoice. Without a written document, it can face the risk of never getting paid on time, or not get paid at all.
While customization is an exciting feature to supply your clients, it's far better ascertain what purpose it will serve. Providentially, the templates in our following section will help relieve a number of the fiscal stress which includes such a substantial purchase. A buy order template is only utilised in the business-to-business marketplace, unlike a purchase form template. A tag sewn right into the shirt requires more time to eliminate and may damage the top if not properly detached. A comprehensive collection of this merchandise, merchandise, and services provided by the business should be present in the purchase order invoice that you'll be creating. Each measure needs to be an online page with its URL. Otherwise the text could be tricky to see close to the backbone without stripping out the book, which may lead to damage to the binding. It's possible to also specify the format and the caliber of this print, and disable certain customization options. As a way to mail merge, you'll have to produce the major record that has all the information such as text, images and other details that are the very same for many customers. It's therefore more advisable to make a backup copy so as to refrain from having to re create the specific same match again.
Understand how long you are allowed to choose to pay the bill generated from the buy order. Every buy order invoice that you'll be creating should incorporate a statement number or an especial identifier to make sure that the company can easily keep an eye on the trade approach. A purchase order statement is similarly an important record used when conducting research in the organization. A buy order invoice ought to be detailed, organized, and just created in order for it to be highly usable and applicable to the operations of the company and the demands that are essential to be supplied for the customers. A buy order invoice is important because it can be considered as a legal document to demonstrate that items are sent by the business to a specific customer. A buy order invoice is similarly a significant record to make certain that you're going to be covered by the customer at the designated date indicated on the invoice. Following the purchase order procedure was created, a buy order statement is then created which contains a purchase order amount, the list of things delivered, along with other pertinent information regarding the transaction.
Which makes you feel as though you need to obtain something in order to feel satisfied. You will find particular worldwide cash orders, which should be utilized for global transactions. How to acquire a joyous life was summarized. A purchase order is an industrial document that's created for suggesting the stuff regarding the buy. Remember just once the seller accepts the purchase order it is considered a legal contract which you're guaranteeing payment for. Every purchase order you send must reflect the price tag you've agreed on to your quantity you plan on ordering. Creating an effective Purchase Order is a challenging job as it has a great deal of calculations, combinations, developments, the detailed mentioning of business activities depending on their occurrence in addition to the financial data.
The majority of the moment, checks take time to become cashed especially, if there are bank holidays, or in the event the individual issuing the check is not in city, etc.. All of the info found in a purchase order statement is vital to have the ability to discover accurate results when auditing a business's fiscal statement resources. Nearly all the advice I discovered was from users wanting to circumvent the deficiency of iTunes Store in their own nation or as a means to gain from currency exchange costs and pay lower prices by using the US shop. An email follow up system will save you a great deal of time.


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Vol.5 No.4(2014), Article ID:44660,8 pages DOI:10.4236/pp.2014.54044
Use of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocyte Clusters to Assess Potential for Chronic Treatment with Compounds to Cause QT Prolongation
Taro Hihara1, Kazuto Yamazaki2*, Tomohiko Taniguchi3, Takashi Yoshinaga3, Masashi Ito2, Kohei Sawada3
1Biomarkers and Personalized Medicine CFU, Eisai Product Creation Systems, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba, Japan
2Next Generation Systems CFU, Eisai Product Creation Systems, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba, Japan
3Biopharmaceutical Assessment CFU, Eisai Product Creation Systems, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba, Japan
Email: *k5-yamazaki@hhc.eisai.co.jp
Received 6 February 2014; revised 16 March 2014; accepted 27 March 2014
Drug-induced QT prolongation is a serious clinical issue in developing novel drug candidates and marketing drugs. A major cause of QT prolongation is direct inhibition of human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) channels. Reduction in repolarization-related channel expression levels on plasma membranes is another mechanism that induces QT prolongation. Recently, we established a system for assessing the risk of QT prolongation by using human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte clusters (hES-CMCs) in which the field potential duration (FPD) or corrected FPD (FPDc) was measured as an indicator of drug-induced QT interval prolongation. Here, we examined whether this system was able to detect FPDc prolongation caused by pentamidine or probucol, both of which can induce QT prolongation after long-term treatment. hES-CMCs were treated with pentamidine or probucol, and the FPDc of the same clusters was measured 10 min, 4 h, and 24 h after the start of treatment. Concentration-dependent FPDc prolongation was observed at 24 h, but not at 10 min, with pentamidine or probucol treatment. These results suggest that the hES-CMC-based assessment system can be used to detect both acute (at 10 min) and delayed (at 24 h) QT prolongation risk on the same platform by simple alteration of the extended culture period.
Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes; Field Potential Duration; QT Prolongation; Chronic Treatment; Risk Assessment
QT prolongation, torsades de pointes (TdP), and arrhythmias are serious problems in the development of novel drug candidates and the marketing of drugs. Inhibition of human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) channels, which conduct IKr currents, is the mechanism most frequently involved in these episodes and is the most important target of safety assessment in drug development. Pharmaceutical companies have therefore been using hERG channel-overexpressing cells—that is, hERG assays—to screen drug candidate compounds for hERG channel inhibition. Besides hERG channel inhibition, loss of function of IKs channels, which are composed of KCNQ1 (KvLQT1) and KCNE1, is a well-known trigger of QT prolongation [1] . There are two main mechanisms by which these QT-related channels are involved in drug-induced QT prolongation: one is by direct action on the channels (e.g. inhibition of hERG channels through binding of E-4031 to the channels [2] ), and the other is indirect (e.g. inhibition of hERG channel trafficking by pentamidine [3] or reduction of surface membrane expression of KCNQ1 by probucol [4] ). The latter mechanisms cause QT prolongation in chronic drug treatment.
We recently established an in vitro system that uses human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte clusters (hES-CMCs) to assess the potential of compounds to influence QT intervals [5] . In this hES-CMC system, we record the field potential duration (FPD) (i.e. the QT-like interval) of clusters treated with a compound; we then calculate the corrected FPD (FPDc) and examine whether or not the compound prolongs FPDc. In our previous study, we evaluated E-4031, cisapride, and dl-sotalol as reference hERG channel blockers, and these compounds manifested acute FPDc prolongation [5] . However, there have been few reports assessing compounds that can cause QT prolongation through the indirect mechanisms above-mentioned by using FPDc as a parameter for QT prolongation. Therefore, in the next stage of our research, we set up a platform to assess the potential for QT prolongation by indirect mechanisms. Here, we report the effects of pentamidine and probucol on FPDc of hES-CMCs in culture for a long period. We show the usefulness of the system for evaluating compounds with direct or indirect effects on repolarization-related channels. We also demonstrate the possible interaction of multiple repolarization-related channels.
2.1. Chemicals and Reagents
Pentamidine isethionate and probucol were purchased from Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd. (Osaka, Japan). Cisapride was obtained from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, MO). Pentamidine and cisapride were dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO; Sigma-Aldrich) at 10 mM as stock solutions. Probucol was dissolved in 99.5% ethanol (Wako Pure Chemical Industries) at 10 mM as a stock solution.
Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) was purchased from Sigma-Aldrich. Non-essential amino acids (100×, NEAA), 100× penicillin/streptomycin solution, and β-mercaptoethanol (55 mM) were purchased from Invitrogen (Carlsbad, CA). Fetal bovine serum (FBS) was obtained from Equitech-Bio (Kerrville, TX).
2.2. Use of 24-h hES-CMC Treatment to Assess the Potential of Compounds to Influence QT Interval
The basic method has been described in detail by Yamazaki et al. [5] . hES-CMCs (hES-CMC002) were obtained from Cellectis AB (formerly Cellartis AB; Göteborg, Sweden) and incubated in DMEM supplemented with 1× NEAA, 1× penicillin/streptomycin, 0.1 mM β-mercaptoethanol, and 20% heat-inactivated FBS at 37˚C in a 5% CO2 incubator. The clusters were adhered to the electrodes of the probes (MED-P515A; Alpha MED Sciences, Osaka, Japan) of a MED64 System, a multielectrode device for recording field potentials. The preparations were placed on a hot plate at 37˚C and covered with a lid, through which aeration with 95% O2/5% CO2 gas was performed. Initially the clusters were treated with cisapride (a hERG channel blocker) at 100 nM, and their FPDs, inter-spike intervals (ISIs), and beat frequencies were recorded with the MED64 System with its own software (Mobius QT; Alpha MED Sciences). The FPDs with the vehicle and cisapride treatments were measured for 10 min. The last 30 FPDs and ISIs of the 10 min-recordings were extracted for analysis. FPDc was calculated according to Fridericia's formula: FPDc = FPD/ISI1/3. hES-CMCs showing 5% to 20% FPDc prolongation upon treatment with 100 nM cisapride were selected for the next examination. The washout period was 7 days.
Before the addition of pentamidine or probucol, clusters were treated with vehicle (0.1% DMSO in the case of the pentamidine groups or 0.1% ethanol for the probucol groups) to obtain pre-values (pre-treatment). hESCMCs were then treated with pentamidine (1, 3, or 10 µM), probucol (0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, or 10 µM), or vehicle (DMSO for the pentamidine groups or ethanol for the probucol groups; final concentrations were 0.2% for both). In this assay, we cultured the clusters in DMEM supplemented with 20% heat-inactivated FBS, 1× penicillin/streptomycin, 1× NEAA, 0.1 mM β-mercaptoethanol, 50 mM NaCl, and 15 mM NaHCO3, adjusted to pH 7.2 with 1 N NaOH. FPDs, ISIs, and beat frequencies were recorded at pre-treatment and 10 min, 4 h, and 24 h after the addition of each compound. The assessment flow is depicted in Figure 1.
2.3. Confirmation of Responsiveness of hES-CMCs to Cisapride after 24-h Vehicle Treatment
To exclude the effects of 24-h vehicle treatment (0.2% DMSO or 0.2% ethanol) on hERG channel function, we treated the 24-h vehicle-treated clusters with cisapride at 100 nM for 10 min to confirm that they showed FPDc prolongation through the hERG channel-blocking action of this drug.
All values are expressed as means ± S.E.M. A two-tailed paired Student's t-test was conducted to analyze changes in FPDc. p values less than 0.05 were considered significant.
In the vehicle-treated groups (0.2% DMSO for the pentamidine-treated groups, or 0.2% ethanol for the probucol-treated groups) there were no significant changes in FPDc at the 10-min or 4- and 24-h treatment points (Tables 1 and 2). Clusters treated with 0.2% DMSO or 0.2% ethanol for 24 h responded to cisapride at 100 nM: at the 24-h vehicle treatment point, FPDc was prolonged by 22.1 ± 4% in the 0.2% DMSO-treated clusters (p
Figure 1. Scheme for using human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte clusters (hES-CMCs) to assess the potential of compounds to cause acute or delayed QT prolongation. hES-CMCs were treated with cisapride at 100 nM and their field potential duration (FPD), inter-spike intervals (ISIs), and beat frequencies were measured to select clusters appropriate for the assessment. Clusters with 5 to 20% corrected FPD (FPDc) were chosen. After 7 days' washout, the clusters were treated with pentamidine (1, 3, or 10 µM), probucol (0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, or 10 µM), or vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide in the case of pentamidine, or ethanol in the case of probucol). FPD, ISIs, and beat frequencies were measured at pre-treatment and 10 min, 4 h, and 24 h after addition of the compound or vehicle. Blue arrows indicate the time at which a compound or vehicle was added, and red triangles indicate the times at which FPD was measured.
Table 1. Effects of exposure to pentamidine for up to 24 h on the corrected field potential duration (FPDc) of human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte clusters. FPDc was calculated before, and 10 min, 4 h, and 24 h after, the addition of pentamidine.
Field potential duration (FPD) with vehicle (0.2% dimethyl sulfoxide) and with each concentration of pentamidine was measured for 10 min. The last 30 FPDs and inter-spike intervals (ISIs) of the 10 min-recordings were extracted for analysis. FPDc was calculated according to Fridericia's formula: FPDc = FPD/ISI1/3. Values are expressed as means ± S.E.M. #, p < 0.10; *, p < 0.05.
Table 2. Effects of exposure to probucol for up to 24 h on the corrected field potential duration (FPDc) of human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte clusters. FPDc was calculated before, and 10 min, 4 h, and 24 h after, the addition of probucol.
Field potential duration (FPD) with vehicle (0.2% ethanol) and with each concentration of probucol was measured for 10 min. The last 30 FPDs and inter-spike intervals (ISIs) of the 10 min-recordings were extracted for analysis. FPDc was calculated according to Fridericia's formula: FPDc = FPD/ISI1/3. Values are expressed as means ± S.E.M. *, p < 0.05; **, p < 0.01.
< 0.05, n = 4) and by 21.1 ± 3.5% in the 0.2% ethanol-treated clusters (p < 0.01, n = 4). These findings suggested that neither 24-h 0.2% DMSO nor 0.2% ethanol treatment impeded hERG channel function.
Pentamidine treatment did not cause significant FPDc prolongation at 10 min, except with the 3-µM treatment (p < 0.05, actual values) (Table 1). However, this prolongation corresponded to only 2.1% above the pre-FPDc value. Because we regarded >5% prolongation to be of toxicological significance, this degree of prolongation was not considered meaningful. No significant prolongation was observed at 4 h, but a trend in prolongation was seen in the 3 µM group (p = 0.0891, actual values). Clear concentration-dependent FPDc prolongation was detected at 24 h: a trend in prolongation was found with the 1- and 3-µM treatments (p = 0.0755 and p = 0.0753, respectively): two of three clusters showed >10.0% FPDc prolongation in the 1-µM group, and all four clusters showed >8.0% prolongation in the 3-µM group. Significant, prominent prolongation of FPDc was triggered by 10-µM pentamidine treatment (p < 0.05), which gave a 62.0% increase over the pre-value.
Pentamidine has been used to treat Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus [6] . This agent has also been used to treat a variety of parasitic diseases, including trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis [7] [8] . In clinical use, pentamidine is administered via daily intramuscular injection or intravenous (i.v.) infusion at 4 mg/kg body weight. The plasma maximum concentration (Cmax) has been reported as 612 ng/mL (1.8 µM total or 0.54 µM free) within 60 min of 4 mg/kg i.v. injection [9] . QT prolongation, TdP, and tachycardia are well-reported adverse events in treatment with this drug [10] -[13] . Most notably, the majority of TdP episodes have occurred in patients undergoing prolonged pentamidine treatment, instead of immediately following administration [10] [11] [13] -[16] : Wharton et al. reported two cases in which patients developed QT prolongation 20 and 13 days after the start of pentamidine treatment at 4 mg/kg daily [10] .
Kuryshev et al. reported that overnight (16 to 20 h) treatment with pentamidine reduced hERG currents and inhibited trafficking and maturation (full glycosylation) of hERG channels in hERG channel-overexpressing HEK (human embryonic kidney) 293 cells in a concentration-dependent manner; the IC50 values were 5 to 8 µM [17] . Pentamidine at 10 µM prolonged the action potential duration at 90% repolarization (APD90) in isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes incubated overnight (24 h). Cordes et al. found that pentamidine inhibited hERG currents directly (IC50 value, 252 µM) in HEK293 cells stably overexpressing hERG channels; this is far greater than the relevant maximum clinical concentration [18] . They found reduced hERG currents, reduced quantity of hERG polypeptides, and reduced density of hERG proteins on the surface membranes of hERGoverexpressing HEK293 cells treated with pentamidine at 1 or 10 µM for 48 h. Interestingly, Yokoyama et al. showed that acute single i.v. administration of a clinically relevant dose (Cmax values were estimated to be about 1.7 to 5.0 µM) of pentamidine prolonged corrected QT (QTc) intervals in halothane-anesthetized dogs [19] . They speculated that inhibition of IKr channel trafficking by pentamidine was caused more acutely than previously expected. But our in vitro study did not indicate clear FPDc prolongation 10 min after the addition of pentamidine at 1, 3, and 10 µM in hES-CMCs, suggesting that a possibility that there is a species difference of sensitivity of hERG channel trafficking by pentamidine.
We observed a trend of FPDc prolongation in hES-CMCs at 24 h upon treatment with pentamidine at 1 (8.2%) or 3 (26.1%) µM. Considering that the plasma Cmax value of pentamidine is 1.8 µM (total) in men [9] , our results at 1 and 3 µM pentamidine seem reasonable in explaining clinical QT prolongation. On the other hand, we did not expect that pentamidine at 10 µM would prolong FPDc at 24 h to a greater extent (62%) than did hERG channel blockage by cisapride at 100 nM (~20%). (The calculated IC50 value of cisapride against hERG currents is 13.9 nM in hERG channel-overexpressing cells [20] ). This unexpectedly long prolongation may have been caused by (as yet unknown) mechanisms other than inhibition of hERG trafficking by pentamidine.
With probucol treatment of hES-CMCs there were no significant changes in FPDc at 10 min (Table 2). At 4 h there was a significant prolongation of FPDc (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 for the 3- and 10-µM treatments, respectively, compared with the pre-treatment values), although these prolongations were only 4.2% and 3.1%, respectively, above the pre-values. Significant and >5% FPDc prolongation was observed at 24 h with 0.3- (p < 0.05), 1- (p < 0.05), 3- (p < 0.01), and 10- (p < 0.05) µM probucol treatment.
Probucol is a cholesterol-lowering drug used to treat hyperlipidemia, including familial hypercholesterolemia and xanthoma [21] . Jeon et al. studied the pharmacokinetics of probucol in healthy volunteers who received probucol orally at 250 mg once daily (q.d.), 500 mg q.d., or 250 mg twice a day (b.i.d.) for 14 days [22] . Plasma concentrations reached ~4 µg/mL (7.7 µM) in all groups on day 1 (24 h) and plateaued as follows on day 13: ~6 µg/mL (11.6 µM) in the 250-mg q.d. group, ~8 µg/mL (15.5 µM) in the 500-mg q.d. group, and ~10 µg/mL (19.3 µM) in the 250-mg b.i.d. group. Probucol can cause QT prolongation [23] , and TdP and arrhythmia have been reported in some patients [24] -[26] : Tamura et al. described the case of a hypercholesterolemic female patient receiving 500 mg b.i.d. who experienced two episodes of syncope [26] . Her QTc intervals became prolonged 12 weeks after the start of probucol treatment and decreased to about the baseline value by 6 weeks after its discontinuation.
Guo et al. reported that IKr currents were reduced in rat neonatal ventricular myocytes (IC50 = 20.6 µM) and in hERG channel-overexpressing HEK293 cells (IC50 = 10.6 µM) by 48-h probucol exposure; this reduction was not observed in acute treatment [27] . APD90 prolongation was observed in rat neonatal cardiomyocytes treated with 30 µM probucol for 24 h. Probucol treatment at 100 µM for 48 h significantly reduced the mature plasma membrane forms of hERG channel protein in hERG channel-overexpressing cells and rat neonatal cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, Guo et al. found that probucol treatment reduced hERG channel expression by accelerating caveolin-1 turnover [28] . More recently, Taniguchi et al. investigated the mechanisms of delayed QT prolongation of probucol by using both KCNQ1- and KCNE1-co-overexpressing CHO (Chinese hamster ovary)-K1 cells [4] . Using these cells, the acute inhibitory effects of probucol at concentrations of 0.003 to 10 µM on IKs currents were examined. A significant reduction in IKs currents was found at 0.03 and 0.1 µM, but this reduction was not concentration-dependent. In contrast, probucol significantly reduced the IKs currents at 0.3 to 1 µM in 2- and 8-h treatments, and at 0.03 to 1 µM in 8- and 24-h treatments. Western blot analysis revealed that the abundance of a multimeric complex of KCNQ1 proteins was diminished after 24 h of treatment with probucol at ≥0.03 µM. Taniguchi et al. showed that probucol treatment at 1 to 30 µM for 24 h also inhibited hERG currents in hERG channel-overexpressing CHO-K1 cells, but the inhibitory effect was not concentration-dependent and was very slight (~20% at maximum) [4] . They therefore concluded that probucol inhibited IKs currents more specifically than IKr currents.
In consideration of the fact that the clinical concentrations of probucol (~8 to 20 µM) are much higher than those that inhibit IKs currents (0.03 to 1 µM), QT prolongation and TdP resulting from probucol may be caused by reduced plasma membrane expression of both hERG and IKs channels. Our study showed that FPDc was significantly prolonged at ≥0.3 µM with 24-h probucol treatment. Taking these findings together, we can speculate that FPDc prolongation at low concentrations (≤~1 µM) of probucol is due to the inhibition of IKs currents and that prolongation at >1 µM may be a result of combined inhibition of both IKs and IKr currents. As formation of a macrocomplex of hERG and KCNQ1 channels on plasma membranes has been reported by Guo et al. [29] , it is likely that the effects of a compound inhibiting both hERG and IKs channels on QT intervals are additive or synergistic.
We observed FPDc prolongation of hES-CMCs after 24 h of treatment with pentamidine and probucol, both of which prolong QTc intervals in chronic exposure clinically. Application of this experimental protocol to FPDc measurement at 10 min and 24 h should enable us to assess the potential for acute and delayed occurrence of QT prolongation in the same clusters in response to drug candidates, thus saving time and reducing costs.
Hedley, P.L., Jørgensen, P., Schlamowitz, S., Wangari, R., Moolman-Smook, J., Brink, P.A., Kanters, J.K., Corfield, V.A. and Christiansen, M. (2009) The Genetic Basis of Long QT and Short QT Syndromes: A Mutation Update. Human Mutation, 30, 1486-1511. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/humu.21106
Finlayson, K., Turnbull, L., January, C.T., Sharkey, J. and Kelly, J.S. (2001) [3H]Dofetilide Binding to HERG Transfected Membranes: A Potential High Throughput Preclinical Screen. European Journal of Pharmacology, 430, 147- 148. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0014-2999(01)01362-0
Dennis, A., Wang, L., Wan, X. and Ficker, E. (2007) hERG Channel Trafficking: Novel Targets in Drug-Induced Long QT Syndrome. Biochemical Society Transactions, 35, 1060-1063. http://dx.doi.org/10.1042/BST0351060
Taniguchi, T., Uesugi, M., Arai, T., Yoshinaga, T., Miyamoto, N. and Sawada, K. (2012) Chronic Probucol Treatment Decreases the Slow Component of the Delayed-Rectifier Potassium Current in CHO Cells Transfected with KCNQ1 and KCNE1: A Novel Mechanism of QT Prolongation. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, 59, 377-386. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/FJC.0b013e318245e0c5
Yamazaki, K., Hihara, T., Taniguchi, T., Kohmura, N., Yoshinaga, T., Ito, M. and Sawada, K. (2012) A Novel Method of Selecting Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocyte Clusters for Assessment of Potential to Influence QT Interval. Toxicology in Vitro, 26, 335-342. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tiv.2011.12.005
Goa, K.L. and Campoli-Richards, D.M. (1987) Pentamidine Isethionate. A Review of Its Antiprotozoal Activity, Pharmacokinetic Properties and Therapeutic Use in Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia. Drugs, 33, 242-258. http://dx.doi.org/10.2165/00003495-198733030-00002
Nacher, M., Carme, B., Sainte Marie, D., Couppié, P., Clyti, E., Guibert, P. and Pradinaud, R. (2001) Influence of Clinical Presentation on the Efficacy of a Short Course of Pentamidine in the Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in French Guiana. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, 95, 331-336. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00034980120064355
Burchmore, R.J., Ogbunude, P.O., Enanga, B. and Barrett, M.P. (2002) Chemotherapy of Human African Trypanosomiasis. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 8, 256-267. http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612023396159
Conte, Jr., J.E., Upton, R.A., Phelps, R.T., Wofsy, C.B., Zurlinden, E. and Lin, E.T. (1986) Use of a Specific and Sensitive Assay to Determine Pentamidine Pharmacokinetics in Patients with AIDS. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 154, 923-929. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/infdis/154.6.923
Wharton, J.M., Demopulos, P.A. and Goldschlager, N. (1987) Torsade de Pointes during Administration of Pentamidine Isethionate. The American Journal of Medicine, 83, 571-576. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0002-9343(87)90774-1
Bibler, M.R., Chou, T.C., Toltzis, R.J. and Wade, P.A. (1988) Recurrent Ventricular Tachycardia Due to Pentamidine-Induced Cardiotoxicity. Chest, 94, 1303-1306. http://dx.doi.org/10.1378/chest.94.6.1303
Girgis, I., Gualberti, J., Langan, L., Malek, S., Mustaciuolo, V., Costantino, T. and McGinn, T.G. (1997) A Prospective Study of the Effect of IV Pentamidine Therapy on Ventricular Arrhythmias and QTc Prolongation in HIV-Infected Patients. Chest, 112, 646-653. http://dx.doi.org/10.1378/chest.112.3.646
Kroll, C.R. and Gettes, L.S. (2002) T Wave Alternans and Torsades de Pointes after the Use of Intravenous Pentamidine. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 13, 936-938. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1540-8167.2002.00936.x
Cortese, L.M., Gasser Jr., R.A., Bjornson, D.C., Dacey, M.J. and Oster, C.N. (1992) Prolonged Recurrence of Pentamidine-Induced Torsades de Pointes. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 26, 1365-1369.
Eisenhauer, M.D., Eliasson, A.H., Taylor, A.J., Coyne Jr., P.E. and Wortham, D.C. (1994) Incidence of Cardiac Arrhythmias during Intravenous Pentamidine Therapy in HIV-Infected Patients. Chest, 105, 389-395. http://dx.doi.org/10.1378/chest.105.2.389
Otsuka, M., Kanamori, H., Sasaki, S., Taguchi, J., Harano, H., Ogawa, K., Matsuzaki, M., Mohri, H., Okubo, T., Sumita, S. and Ochiai, H. (1997) Torsades de Pointes Complicating Pentamidine Therapy of Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia in Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Internal Medicine (Tokyo), 36, 705-708. http://dx.doi.org/10.2169/internalmedicine.36.705
Kuryshev, Y.A., Ficker, E., Wang, L., Hawryluk, P., Dennis, A.T., Wible, B.A., Brown, A.M., Kang, J., Chen, X.-L., Sawamura, K., Reynolds, W. and Rampe, D. (2005) Pentamidine-Induced Long QT Syndrome and Block of hERG Trafficking. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 312, 316-323. http://dx.doi.org/10.1124/jpet.104.073692
Cordes, J.S., Sun, Z., Lloyd, D.B., Bradley, J.A., Opsahl, A.C., Tengowski, M.W., Chen, X. and Zhou, J. (2005) Pentamidine Reduces hERG Expression to Prolong the QT Interval. British Journal of Pharmacology, 145, 15-23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjp.0706140
Yokoyama, H., Nakamura, Y., Iwasaki, H., Nagayama, Y., Hoshiai, K., Mitsumori, Y. and Sugiyama, A. (2009) Effects of Acute Intravenous Administration of Pentamidine, a Typical hERG-Trafficking Inhibitor, on the Cardiac Repolarization Process of Halothane-Anesthetized Dogs. Journal of Pharmacological Sciences, 110, 476-482. http://dx.doi.org/10.1254/jphs.09071FP
Yamazaki, K., Hihara, T., Kato, H., Fukushima, T., Fukushima, K., Taniguchi, T., Yoshinaga, T., Miyamoto, N., Ito, M. and Sawada, K. (2014) Beat-to-Beat Variability in Field Potential Duration in Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocyte Clusters for Assessment of Arrhythmogenic Risk, and a Case Study of Its Application. Pharmacology and Pharmacy, 5, 117-128. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/pp.2014.51017
Buckley, M.M., Goa, K.L., Price, A.H. and Brogden, R.N. (1989) Probucol. A Reappraisal of Its Pharmacological Properties and Therapeutic Use in Hypercholesterolaemia. Drugs, 37, 761-800. http://dx.doi.org/10.2165/00003495-198937060-00002
Jeon, H., Lee, S., Kim, T.-E., Yoon, S.H., Shin, S.-G., Jang, I.-J. and Yu, K.-S. (2011) Pharmacokinetics and Tolerability of Probucol after Multiple Oral Administrations in Healthy Volunteers. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 49, 688-695. http://dx.doi.org/10.5414/CP201525
Klein, L. (1981) QT-Interval Prolongation Produced by Probucol. Archives of Internal Medicine, 141, 1102-1103. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinte.1981.00340080138037
Matsuhashi, H., Onodera, S., Kawamura, Y., Hasebe, N., Kohmura, C., Yamashita, H. and Tobise, K. (1989) Probucol-Induced QT Prolongation and Torsades de Pointes. Japanese Journal of Medicine, 28, 612-615. http://dx.doi.org/10.2169/internalmedicine1962.28.612
Gohn, D.C. and Simmons, T.W. (1992) Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (Torsade de Pointes) Associated with the Use of Probucol. The New England Journal of Medicine, 326, 1435-1436. http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199205213262117
Tamura, M., Ueki, Y., Ohtsuka, E., Oribe, M., Seita, M., Oribe, K. and Ito, M. (1994) Probucol-Induced QT Prolongation and Syncope. Japanese Circulation Journal, 58, 374-377. http://dx.doi.org/10.1253/jcj.58.374
Guo, J., Massaeli, H., Li, W., Xu, J., Luo, T., Shaw, J., Kirshenbaum, L.A. and Zhang, S. (2007) Identification of IKr and Its Trafficking Disruption Induced by Probucol in Cultured Neonatal Rat Cardiomyocytes. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 321, 911-920. http://dx.doi.org/10.1124/jpet.107.120931
Guo, J., Li, X., Shallow, H., Xu, J., Yang, T., Massaeli, H., Li, W., Sun, T., Pierce, G.N. and Zhang, S. (2011) Involvement of Caveolin in Probucol-Induced Reduction in hERG Plasma-Membrane Expression. Molecular Pharmacology, 79, 806-813. http://dx.doi.org/10.1124/mol.110.069419
Guo, J., Wang, T., Yang, T., Xu, J., Li, W., Fridman, M.D., Fisher, J.T. and Zhang, S. (2011) Interaction between the Cardiac Rapidly (IKr) and Slowly (IKs) Activating Delayed Rectifier Potassium Channels Revealed by Low K+-Induced hERG Endocytic Degradation. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 286, 34664-34674. http://dx.doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M111.253351
APD90, Action Potential Duration at 90% Repolarization b.i.d., bis in die (twice a day)
CHO, Chinese Hamster Ovary Cmax, Maximum Concentration DMEM, Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium DMSO, Dimethyl Sulfoxide FBS, Fetal Bovine Serum FPD, Field Potential Duration FPDc, Corrected FPD HEK, Human Embryonic Kidney hERG, Human ether-à-go-go-Related Gene hES-CMC, Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocyte Cluster ISI, Inter-Spike Interval i.v., Intravenous NEAA, Non-Essential Amino Acids q.d., quaque die (every day)
QTc, Corrected QT TdP, Torsades de Pointes
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Thigh\knee pads--contoured to provide a better fit.
These pads are CNC machined to fit into our kayaks.
They can be installed as is or with a layer or layers of foam under them for a tighter fit.
Use contact cement to install so you can adjust the position to fit yourself perfectly. Sit in the kayak and position the pad to fit. Mark the location. Put one coat of contact cement on both the underside of the deck and the side of the pad that will make contact with the deck, let dry and then put on a second coat. When this coat is dry, press the pad into place to bond it into position. Take care to ensure the the pad is in the exact position when then contact is made as you will not be able to reposition the pad once contact is made.


text:
'use strict';

/**
 * Module dependencies.
 */
var mongoose = require('mongoose'),
	Schema = mongoose.Schema;

/**
 * Timesheet Schema
 */
var TimesheetSchema = new Schema({
    //Name is redundant once done remove all references of it from the repo
	name: {
        type: String,
		default: '',
		required: 'Please fill Timesheet name',
		trim: true
	},
    //When refers to the day he worked on it
    startTime: {
        type:Date,
        required: 'Please fill in the Start Time when you worked on the item',
    },
    //refers to the amount of time he has worked on the given day
    endTime: {
        type:Date,
        required: 'Please fill end Time that you worked on the item',
    },
    //Notes is typically free flowing text on what the user has worked
    note: {
        type: String,
		default: '',
		required: 'Please fill Timesheet Notes',
		trim: true
	},
	created: {
		type: Date,
		default: Date.now
	},
        duration: {
        type:Number
    },

	user: {
		type: Schema.ObjectId,
		ref: 'User'
	}
});

mongoose.model('Timesheet', TimesheetSchema);

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Elizabeth Warren Vows to Increase Refugees to U.S. By at Least 700 Percent
by Team Bongino Posted: July 12, 2019
Presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is vowing to increase refugees to the United States by at least 700 percent.
Breitbart reports:
Warren's immigration plan now includes drastically increasing legal immigration and refugee resettlement to provide businesses and corporations with a never-ending stream of cheaper foreign workers that America's working and middle class will be forced to compete against.
The rate of refugees–under Warren's plan–would increase to eight times the rate of President Trump's refugee total last year, in which approximately 22,000 were welcomed into the country.
Warren writes, "At a time when 70 million are displaced around the world, President Trump has abused his authority to lower the refugee cap for the United States, admitting just over 22,000 refugees in total last year. I'll welcome 125,000 refugees in my first year, and ramping up to at least 175,000 refugees per year by the end of my first term."
The Breitbart report continues:
The U.S., thanks exclusively to Trump's reforms, helped lower the total number of foreign refugees to about 22,000 admissions last year. This is a 76 percent decrease in foreign refugee resettlement from President Obama's 2016 totals that reached almost 100,000 admissions. Trump also cut Obama's surge of Syrian refugees arriving in the U.S. by more than 60 percent.
Warren would reverse that reduction of foreign refugees, adding another at least 154,000 refugees to American communities every year who would be forced to absorb nationals at the mandate of the federal government.
For the full report, click HERE.
WATCH: INCREDIBLE Moment U.S. Coast Guardsmen Leap onto Drug Smuggling Submarine
WHOA: Black Caucus Members Accuse AOC-Supporting PAC of Trying to Unseat Black Reps.


The Russian President said Russia will launch an unmanned expedition next year.
And so it begins…the trip to Mars…the next great space race for the future of Mankind. Vladimir Putin has announced Russia will be undertaking a series of missions to finally reach the Red Planet, starting with an unmanned mission in 2019.
Russia is launching an ambitious series of missions to the Red Planet, starting with an unmanned Mars mission in 2019, President Vladimir Putin said in an interview.
"We are planning unmanned and later manned launches – into deep space, as part of a lunar program and for Mars exploration. The closest mission is very soon, we are planning to launch a mission to Mars in 2019," the president said in an interview shown in a new documentary by Andrey Kondrashov.
He added that the lunar exploration program would target the polar regions of the moon.
Vladimir Putin, who is expected to be re-elected as president in the country's election on Sunday, said that Russia would also launch a mission to the polar regions of the Moon, adding that its lunar program would differ to the one his country undertook in during the Soviet Union.
"Our specialists will try landing near the poles because there are reasons to expect water there. There is research to be done there, and from that, research of other planets and outer space can be undertaken," Putin said.
America may have landed on the moon, but this came after Russia DID put the first human in space, and the first living thing, and the first satellite. It wouldn't be a surprise if Russia takes the lead in this new space race, by putting the first man on Mars.
The race to the red planet is hotting up, with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk telling the South by Southwest Conference on Sunday that his SpaceX Mars rocket may be ready for test flights next year.
The Russian space program Roscosmos worked with the European Space Agency in the Schiaparelli EDM lander mission, in which a Russian rocket was used.


text:
Pouch x Susan Kare
Dorothy's Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz (1939), at Academy Museum
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is the largest institution in the United States devoted to the arts, sciences, and artists of moviemaking. Third Drawer Down Studio in collaboration with LA's Academy Museum and American artist, graphic designer and pioneer of pixel art, Susan Kare, designed a series of cinematic treasures inspired by The Wizard of Oz, including clothing, accessories, home goods and other movie-related collectibles.
Susan Kare is an American artist and graphic designer best known for being an early pioneer of pixel art and of the graphic computer interface. She has been celebrated as one of the most significant technologists of the modern world.
- Zip Pouch
Leather Clutch x Yayoi Kusama
Enamel Pins x Yayoi Kusama
Magnets x SFMOMA
Brillo Snow Dome x Andy Warhol
Hulk T-Shirt x Jeff Koons


The alarm clock rang at 5.30am, I crept out of our cabin to inspect the sky. It was quite overcast. So I decided that two hours in bed were way more preferable than the prospect of waiting for a sunrise at Lake Matheson which would in all likelihood not happen anyway due to the clouds.
Lake Matheson is that little lake at the foot of Mount Cook where every one goes and tries to take a picture with the mountain range reflecting itself in the often mirror like surface of the lake. The best time for doing that is sunrise and sunset.
First order of the day was an appointment with the Fox Glacier. One of the few glaciers that are advancing despite the climate change. About two meters a year since 1985. On the surface of the glacier the ice is moving up to 7 meters a day. Knowing all that, I was not surprised to see a guy at the glacier view point using his video camera to capture the action.
When we went to Lake Matheson for the sunset picture taking, there was sun, but the mountains were still veiled and the wind insisted on keeping the surface of the lake rippled. There is an up side to this: My Lake Matheson shots will be really unique and not these perfect ones every one else takes. Highly overrated anyway!
On our way back from the lake we were pleasantly surprised to find that the Matheson Café does not close at 5pm as advertised in the guide book. They had a full dinner menu and even kept open past their normal closing time of 9pm because we and a few other guests arrived late. Highly recommended if you are in the region.


Improving Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation Through Pharmacist Prescribing "PIAAF Rx"
The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of prescribing oral anticoagulation therapy by pharmacist intervention compared to enhanced usual care in participants with unrecognized AF and/or known AF but not taking blood thinners.
The following dates are available for this trial. Trial information last updated on 30 October 2017.


I've never really been one for structured updates on Amelia but Amelia at 4.5 there is a lot to tell! She has grown up so much recently I thought it would be the perfect time to share some more about her and what she's like and some up to date photos- yes Amelia loves her photo taken!!
Six months ago Amelia started school. I was really nervous for her being a summer baby; she had only just turned four a few weeks before and within the first week of school we had invites to some children's 5th birthdays which just made the age gap seem all that much bigger. Personality wise as many of you know she's crazy social, strong willed, determined, bright and just incredible so I knew she would love school but I did worry!
It turns out six months later I really didn't need to worry. She has settled amazingly into school, loves going in (when I can get her out of bed in the morning), she was lucky she went up to school with lots of friends from preschool but she's made loads of new ones and really seems to be thriving. She's up three levels for her reading, writing like there's no tomorrow, storming through her numbers and generally smashing school life. Considering she could just about write her name but not in the proper cursive style they learn now and couldn't read a thing she's literally learnt SO much in the last few months. I am so proud of her!! Honestly can't believe I was ever worried about my little summer babe.
Back in September Amelia started new dance classes in ballet and tap. She was desperate to start and adores the classes. They have started rehearsing for their first show which will be in April. I can't wait to see the show; the classes are in a studio and parents sit outside so I've no idea what the show is about or what the dances she's in will be so it's all super exciting!
Amelia's still having weekly swim lessons which she looks forward to each week. Living down by the coast and being frequent beach goers learning to swim is super important and Amelia's confidence in the water is brilliant. She is up and down the pool at speed and would spend the entire lesson jumping in if she could.
Our weeks are pretty busy with school life, swim and dance classes and the occasional school event and play date. Amelia's always been a busy body and loves our busy weeks and to be honest I'd have no idea what we would do with all that extra time!
Amelia is still just as crazy as ever; dancing and singing around like a loon and talking CONSTANTLY. She has a wicked sense of humour and makes me laugh all the time. She's determined, kind and can be such a sweet little girl to all her friends and family (believe me she still has her tempers, perks of a strong willed girl). She loves the outdoors, exploring new places and of course the beach!!
Life with a four and half year old Amelia is not quiet and by no means easy but I would not have it any other way.


text:
#ifndef DRAKE_SYSTEMS_PD_CONTROL_SYSTEM_H_
#define DRAKE_SYSTEMS_PD_CONTROL_SYSTEM_H_

#include <memory>
#include "drake/core/Core.h"
#include "drake/systems/System.h"

namespace Drake {

/** PDControlSystem<System>
 * @brief Wraps an existing system with a PD controller (the new system
 * represents the closed-loop controller + system)
 * @concept{system_concept}
 *
 *   x_d --->[ Kp, Kd ]-->(+)----->[ sys ]----------> yout
 *                     | -                 |
 *                     -------[ Kp, Kd ]<----
 *
 */
template <class System>
class PDControlSystem {
 public:
  template <typename ScalarType>
  using StateVector = typename System::template StateVector<ScalarType>;
  template <typename ScalarType>
  using InputVector = typename System::template StateVector<ScalarType>;
  template <typename ScalarType>
  using OutputVector = typename System::template OutputVector<ScalarType>;
  typedef std::shared_ptr<System> SystemPtr;

  template <typename DerivedA, typename DerivedB>
  PDControlSystem(const SystemPtr& sys, const Eigen::MatrixBase<DerivedA>& Kp,
                  const Eigen::MatrixBase<DerivedB>& Kd)
      : sys(sys), Kp(Kp), Kd(Kd) {
    assert(Drake::getNumInputs(*sys) == Kp.rows() &&
           "Kp must have the same number of rows as the system has inputs");
    assert(Kp.rows() == Kd.rows() &&
           "Kd must have the same number of rows as Kp");
    assert(Drake::getNumStates(*sys) == Kp.cols() + Kd.cols() &&
           "Kp and Kd must match the number of states");
  }

  template <typename ScalarType>
  StateVector<ScalarType> dynamics(const ScalarType& t,
                                   const StateVector<ScalarType>& x,
                                   const InputVector<ScalarType>& u) const {
    typename System::template InputVector<ScalarType> system_u =
        Kp * (toEigen(u).head(Kp.cols()) - toEigen(x).head(Kp.cols())) +
        Kd * (toEigen(u).tail(Kd.cols()) - toEigen(x).tail(Kd.cols()));
    return sys->dynamics(t, x, system_u);
  }

  template <typename ScalarType>
  OutputVector<ScalarType> output(const ScalarType& t,
                                  const StateVector<ScalarType>& x,
                                  const InputVector<ScalarType>& u) const {
    typename System::template InputVector<ScalarType> system_u =
        Kp * (toEigen(u).head(Kp.cols()) - toEigen(x).head(Kp.cols())) +
        Kd * (toEigen(u).tail(Kd.cols()) - toEigen(x).tail(Kd.cols()));
    return sys->output(t, x, system_u);
  }

  bool isTimeVarying() const { return sys->isTimeVarying(); }
  bool isDirectFeedthrough() const { return sys->isDirectFeedthrough(); }
  size_t getNumStates() const { return Drake::getNumStates(*sys); }
  size_t getNumInputs() const { return Drake::getNumStates(*sys); }
  size_t getNumOutputs() const { return Drake::getNumOutputs(*sys); }

 public:
  const SystemPtr& getSys() const { return sys; }
  friend StateVector<double> getInitialState(
      const PDControlSystem<System>& sys) {
    return getInitialState(*sys.sys);
  }

 private:
  SystemPtr sys;
  Eigen::MatrixXd Kp, Kd;
};

}  // end namespace Drake

#endif  // DRAKE_SYSTEMS_PD_CONTROL_SYSTEM_H_