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Northern Tablelands is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is currently held by Adam Marshall representing the National Party, following a by-election triggered by the resignation of independent member Richard Torbay. The electorate currently includes Uralla Shire, Armidale Regional Council, Glen Innes Severn, Inverell Shire, Gwydir Shire and Moree Plains Shire. History Northern Tablelands was originally created in 1920, with the introduction of proportional representation, replacing Armidale, Gough and Tenterfield, and elected three members. It was held by the same three members throughout its first incarnation: inaugural Country Party leader Michael Bruxner, state Minister for Education David Drummond, and Labor MP Alfred McClelland, grandfather of former federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland. In 1927, it was divided into the single-member electorates of Armidale and Tenterfield. It was recreated in 1981, partly replacing Armidale and Tenterfield. On its recreation in 1981, the seat was a notional seat. However, Labor's Bill McCarthy, who had won Armidale in the "Wranslide" of 1978, won the merged seat in the second "Wranslide." McCarthy held the seat for Labor against aggressive National Country/National opposition even as this already conservative area became even more so. He was only the second Labor member to represent much of the area in the single-member era, and most of the seat was served by the safe federal National seat of New England. McCarthy had developed serious health problems by the 1984 state election, but was persuaded to recontest to maintain Labor control of the seat. He resigned in 1987 when it was apparent he could not continue, and died soon afterward. Labor endorsed McCarthy's widow, Thelma, at the subsequent by-election, but she was narrowly defeated by National candidate Ray Chappell after a heavily-publicised campaign. The seat's conservative nature reasserted itself, and Chappell was re-elected with little difficulty three times. However, in the 1999 election, Chappell faced a challenge from the popular ex-mayor of Armidale, Richard Torbay, standing as an independent. In a shock result, Torbay won the seat with a comfortable margin—the latest case of NSW country areas rejecting the Nationals in favour of local independents. Torbay was comfortably reelected in 2003, 2007, and 2011, each time taking well over 60 percent of the two-party vote and easily winning enough primary votes to retain the seat outright. He served as Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 2007 to 2011, during what proved to be the final term of Labor's 16-year run in government. He was the first independent to hold that post since 1917. As a measure of his popularity, he suffered a swing of nearly 11 percent in 2011 amid the massive Coalition wave that swept through NSW, but still retained his seat with a comfortable majority of 19.2 percent. Torbay was forced out of politics in 2013 amid a corruption investigation. At the ensuing by-election, Adam Marshall easily reclaimed the seat for the Nationals. This was not considered an upset, as Northern Tablelands had been a comfortably safe National seat in "traditional" two-party matchups with Labor for most of Torbay's tenure. The Nationals would have won it two years earlier with a majority of 26.1 percent in a "traditional" two-party matchup with Labor. Marshall has held the seat without serious difficulty since, and now sits on a majority of 32.8 percent, the safest in the state. From 1999, Northern Tablelands covered 30,546 km2, including the uplands of northern New South Wales. It centred on the university city of Armidale; other towns included in the electorate are Inverell, Glen Innes, Tenterfield and Uralla. The northern boundary of the electorate is the Queensland border. At the 2003 election, there were 42,886 enrolled voters. In 2007, the low level of population growth in the electorate led to Northern Tablelands being expanded, both to the west to take in Warialda and Bingara and to the south to take in Walcha and Nowendoc, increasing its area to 44,674 km2. The redistribution ahead of the 2015 state election saw Northern Tablelands expanded again to 53,153.76 square kilometres. Added to the district was the entirety of Moree Plains Shire along with the remainder of the former Armidale Dumaresq Shire, whilst Tenterfield Shire was removed from the district. While Labor frequently runs dead in northern NSW, Northern Tablelands has become particularly unfriendly territory for Labor even by northern NSW standards. Labor has never come reasonably close to retaking the seat since McCarthy's death. For example, Chappell was reelected in 1995 with a primary vote large enough to win outright even as the Coalition was defeated. Since the turn of the millennium, Labor has been lucky to get more than 20 percent of the two-party vote, and has even been pushed into third place on some occasions. Members Election results References Northern Tablelands Northern Tablelands Electoral District of Northern Tablelands Northern Tablelands Electoral District of Northern Tablelands Northern Tablelands Electoral District of Northern Tablelands New England (New South Wales) Northern Tablelands	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral%20district%20of%20Northern%20Tablelands
North Shore is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales, located on Sydney's lower North Shore. It is currently held by MP Felicity Wilson. History North Shore was originally created as a five-member electorate with the introduction of proportional representation in 1920, replacing Middle Harbour, Mosman, St Leonards and Willoughby and named after the North Shore of Sydney Harbour. It was abolished in 1927 and replaced by Lane Cove, Manly, Mosman, Neutral Bay, North Sydney and Willoughby. It was recreated in 1981, replacing Kirribilli. It was originally expected to be a very safe Liberal seat; northern Sydney has been the power base for the Liberals and their predecessors for over a century. However, it was held by independents from 1981 to 1991—most notably Ted Mack from 1981 to 1988. The Liberals did not take the seat until 1991, but have held it with virtually no difficulty since then. While frequently runs dead in northern Sydney, North Shore is very unfriendly territory for Labor even by northern Sydney standards. Labor has never tallied more than 37 percent of the two-party vote. In the last four elections, Labor candidates have been pushed into third place, and have struggled to get to 20 percent of the primary vote. Members for North Shore Election results References Electoral districts of New South Wales 1920 establishments in Australia North Shore 1927 disestablishments in Australia North Shore 1981 establishments in Australia North Shore	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral%20district%20of%20North%20Shore
Occidozyga is a genus of frogs in the family Dicroglossidae found in southeastern Asia between eastern India, southern China, and Java. They sometimes go under the common name Java frogs or floating frogs. Species There are 13 species in this genus: References Amphibian genera Amphibians of Asia Dicroglossidae Taxa named by Heinrich Kuhl Taxa named by Johan Conrad van Hasselt	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occidozyga
Newcastle is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales named after and including Newcastle. It is represented since the 2014 Newcastle by-election by Tim Crakanthorp of the Australian Labor Party. The district takes in the eastern part of the City of Newcastle, including the parts of the suburbs from Hexham to Mayfield lying to the east of the Main North railway line, Broadmeadow, Hamilton South, Merewether Heights and Merewether and the suburbs further east, including central Newcastle and Hamilton. It also includes the Port Stephens Council suburbs of Fern Bay and Fullerton Cove. History Newcastle was created in 1859 from part of North Eastern Boroughs. It gained a second member in 1880 and a third member in 1889. With the abolition of multi-member electorates in 1894, it was divided into Newcastle East, Newcastle West, Kahibah, Waratah and Wickham. These changes to the electoral boundaries were debated. Newcastle was re-created in the 1904 re-distribution of electorates following the 1903 New South Wales referendum, which required the number of members of the Legislative Assembly to be reduced from 125 to 90. It consisted of Newcastle East and part of Newcastle West. With the introduction of proportional representation in 1920, it absorbed Kahibah, Wallsend and Wickham and elected five members. With the end of proportional representation in 1927, Newcastle was split into the single-member electorates of Newcastle, Hamilton, Kahibah and Wallsend. It has since been usually held by the Labor Party. This pattern was threatened in early 2007, when sitting member Bryce Gaudry lost his preselection to a former local newsreader, Jodi McKay. Gaudry opted to stand as an independent and as a consequence split the Labor Party's vote. Independent former Lord Mayor of Newcastle John Tate came close to winning the seat after preferences but McKay managed to hold on. Labor's previous margin of over 15% had been slashed to as little as 1.4%, making it one of Labor's most marginal seats. At the 2011 New South Wales state election, Liberal Tim Owen defeated incumbent and one-term member McKay and popular Independent Tate, marking the first time the Liberals or their predecessors had won Newcastle as a single-member seat in over a century. This was one of many gains the Liberals made in what was previously Labor heartland. Owen became an independent and moved to the crossbench on 6 August 2014 after accusations at the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). He resigned from parliament on 12 August 2014 after evidence of corruption was uncovered. The Liberals opted not to contest the ensuing by-election, which saw Labor's Tim Crakanthorp reclaim the seat handily. Members for Newcastle Election results References Newcastle Politics of Newcastle, New South Wales 1859 establishments in Australia Newcastle 1894 disestablishments in Australia Newcastle 1904 establishments in Australia Newcastle	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral%20district%20of%20Newcastle
James "Jimmy" Andrew Elmer (born 8 May 1971 in Melbourne, Victoria) is a former field hockey striker from Australia, who was a member of the team that won the bronze medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney He was nicknamed Jimmy by his teammates. Elmer made his senior debut for The Kookaburras in 1993. He played in every Champions Trophy since 1991, but always missed "the big ones", until the Sydney Games. There he finished his career after 102 international matches, in which he scored 30 goals. James is currently captain for Doncaster in the Victorian Masters League A grade division. His team suffered a 5–4 loss to the Hawthorn Hockey Club in the 2012 grand final following extra time in a penalty goal shoot-out. James took the 4th of 5 penalties for his team, which was saved by the Hawthorn keeper Corey Blake. References Profile on Hockey Australia External links 1986 births Australian male field hockey players Olympic field hockey players for Australia Olympic bronze medalists for Australia Field hockey players at the 2000 Summer Olympics Field hockey players from Melbourne Living people Olympic medalists in field hockey Medalists at the 2000 Summer Olympics Commonwealth Games medallists in field hockey Commonwealth Games gold medallists for Australia Field hockey players at the 1998 Commonwealth Games Sportspeople from Melbourne 21st-century Australian people Medallists at the 1998 Commonwealth Games Sportsmen from Victoria (state)	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James%20Elmer
Myall Lakes is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It was represented by Stephen Bromhead of The Nationals until his death in 2023. Myall Lakes covers most of the former Great Lakes Council including Forster, Tuncurry, Bulahdelah, Nabiac, Failford, Pacific Palms, Smiths Lake, Bungwahl, Coolongolook and Wootton, as well as most of the former City of Greater Taree including Taree, Cundletown, Wingham, Tinonee, Old Bar, Krambach, Nabiac, Possum Brush and Hallidays Point. History Myall Lakes was created in 1988, partly replacing Gloucester. Members for Myall Lakes Election results References Myall Lakes Myall Lakes 1988 establishments in Australia Mid North Coast Mid-Coast Council	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral%20district%20of%20Myall%20Lakes
Murrumbidgee is a former electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales, named after the Murrumbidgee River. History Until its abolition, Murrumbidgee and Parramatta were the only electorates to have existed continuously since the first Legislative Assembly election in 1856, although before 1913 it was called The Murrumbidgee. It elected two members between 1856 and 1859, one member between 1859 and 1880, two members between 1880 and 1885, three members between 1885 and 1894 and one member between 1894 and 1920. Voters cast a vote for each vacancy. Between 1920 and 1927, it absorbed parts of Lachlan and Ashburnham and elected three members under proportional representation. From 1927 until its abolition at the 2015 election, it elected one member. At the 2007 election it included most of Junee Shire (including Junee, Wantabadgery, Harefield, Old Junee and Junee Reefs) Temora Shire, Coolamon Shire, Bland Shire, part of Lachlan Shire (including Condobolin, Lake Cargelligo and Burcher), Narrandera Shire, Leeton Shire, the City of Griffith, Murrumbidgee Shire and part of Carrathool Shire (including Rankins Springs and Carrathool). Murrumbidgee was abolished at the 2015 election with the recreated electoral district of Cootamundra absorbing Junee Shire, Temora Shire, Coolamon Shire, Bland Shire and Narrandera Shire, the recreated electoral district of Murray absorbing Leeton Shire, the City of Griffith, Murrumbidgee Shire and Carrathool and the Electoral district of Barwon absorbing Lachlan Shire. Members for Murrumbidgee Election results References Former electoral districts of New South Wales 1856 establishments in Australia Murrumbidgee 2015 disestablishments in Australia Murrumbidgee	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral%20district%20of%20Murrumbidgee
The Battle of Westbroek was a battle that occurred on 26 December 1481 between the armies of the prince-bishopric of Utrecht and the county of Holland. It was one of the last battles of the Hook and Cod wars. That war had already been won by the Cods and their Burgundian allies. In Utrecht, however, the Hooks revolted and seized the bishop, David of Burgundy at the outbreak of the Second Utrecht Civil War. Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I then won the bishop's freedom. On 26 December 1481, Bishop David sent an army of 4,000 to 5,000 men to retake Utrecht. When his forces reached the village of Westbroek on the northern edge of Utrecht, they burned the village to the ground and killed the inhabitants. An armed mob formed in Utrecht and headed toward Westbroek to take revenge. When the mob saw the size of David's army, it tried to flee back to the city. Bishop David's army pursued them and killed everybody they could. Sources vary widely on the number of deaths, from 50 prisoners and 100 dead to 500 dead to 1,500 dead. References Conflicts in 1481 1481 in Europe Westbroek History of Utrecht (province) De Bilt Hook and Cod wars	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle%20of%20Westbroek
Brighton Tonderai Watambwa (born 9 June 1977) is a Zimbabwean cricketer who in 2014 captained the Belgium national cricket team. A right-arm fast-medium bowler, Watambwa played six Tests for Zimbabwe between April 2001 and March 2002, taking 14 wickets. Domestically, he alternated between playing for Mashonaland and Mashonaland A. Following a contract dispute with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, Watambwa emigrated to the USA in the autumn of 2002. After obtaining a degree from the University of Miami, he moved to Belgium in 2009, taking on a full-time job with Johnson & Johnson in Brussels until 2015. References 1977 births Living people Alumni of Falcon College University of Miami alumni Mashonaland cricketers Mashonaland A cricketers Zimbabwe Test cricketers Zimbabwean cricketers	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brighton%20Watambwa
Paa may refer to: Nanorana, a genus of frogs formerly referred to as Paa Paa (film), a 2009 Bollywood film Paa (given name) See also PAA (disambiguation)	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paa
Olatunde Olateju Olaolorun "O-T" Fagbenle (Yoruba: Ọlátúndé Ọlátẹ́jú Ọláọlọ́run Fágbénlé; born 22 January 1981) is an English actor, writer, and director. He has appeared in several films, stage, and television productions. Fagbenle is best known for his role as Luke in The Handmaid’s Tale (2017–2022), for which he received an Emmy nomination, and his portrayal of Barack Obama in The First Lady (2022). Early life Born in London to a Yoruba Nigerian father, journalist Tunde Fagbenle, and a White British/English mother, Ally Bedford, Fagbenle was raised by his mother and lived in Nigeria, Spain, and the UK as a child. He started learning the alto saxophone and within a year joined the South Coast Jazz Band, which toured the Edinburgh Festival. In the UK he performed as a musician in big bands at the Wembley Arena and the Royal Albert Hall. His name "Olatunde" means literally "Honour returns" or "Honour is restored" in Yoruba. This may be in the abstract or literal sense. His last name, Fagbenle, or "Fágbénlé" in Yoruba, means "Ifa [the Yoruba oracle] makes me triumph," indicating that Fagbenle's paternal ancestors were worshippers of the Ifa religion. His middle name, Olateju means, "honor is clear," and his other middle name, "Olaolorun," means "the wealth/honor of God." His younger brothers include actor and film producer Luti Fagbenle, and video director and producer Daps. His sister is a WNBA player and Olympian Temi Fagbenle. Acting career Theatre He started acting at the age of 14 for the Ritual Theatre Arts and was given the lead role in an adaptation of William Shakespeare's Macbeth, performing at international venues and at central London's Bloomsbury Theatre. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and graduated early to make his graduate debut at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester in Les Blancs in 2001. Fagbenle originated the role of "Perry" in the Royal Court's production of the award-winning production of Fallout. Fagbenle continued his Shakespearean roles by performing in Romeo and Juliet as Mercutio in a national tour culminating at the Hong Kong Arts Festival in 2004. The Evening Telegraph said of his performance, "O-T Fagbenle achieves the impossible by almost overshadowing the young lovers with his inspired performance of Mercutio". Fagbenle was soon offered his first all-out lead. Outstanding reviews preceded a M.E.N. Theatre Award for best actor in a leading role for his portrayal of a man claiming to be Sidney Poitier's son in John Guare's award-winning play Six Degrees of Separation. In 2008, Fagbenle flew to Paris with the theatre director Peter Brook to help workshop and develop Brook's international production of Tierno Bokar. After John W. Bubbles in the original opera and Sammy Davis Jr. in the film, Fagbenle played the role of Sportin' Life in Sir Trevor Nunn's production of Porgy and Bess - The Musical at the Savoy Theatre in the West End of London. Fagbenle received outstanding reviews. Variety magazine's review remarked 'There are moments everything takes wing as a musical, mostly whenever Fagbenle's splendidly serpentine, easeful Sportin' Life is around. Light on his feet, his every moment is poised and polished.' In 2012 in London, England, Fagbenle took on the role of Slupianek in The Conquest of the South Pole at the Arcola and Rose Theatres. Again Fagbenle won critical acclaim across the board for his performance, with TimeOut, The British Theatre Guide, Spoonfed, Whatsonstage.com, and industry-standard 'The Stage' all praising his performance. Fagbenle went on to be panel nominated for 'Best Male Performance at the prestigious Off West End Awards. It was announced by The Royal National Theatre that Fagbenle would be cast as the lead in their 2016 production of the play Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Fagbenle led his cast to win the Olivier Award for best revival. BBC's Radio 4 said of his performance "Mesmeric - almost impossible to take your eyes off him." "I wanna see him again and again and again." "Rips your guts out." Film In 2006, Fagbenle appeared as Joe in the feature film Breaking and Entering with Jude Law and Juliette Binoche. He portrayed Sean, an American television star, opposite Michelle Pfeiffer and Paul Rudd, in Amy Heckerling's 2007 I Could Never Be Your Woman. In 2021, he appeared as Rick Mason in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Black Widow. Television Fagbenle starred in Little Miss Jocelyn from 2004 to 2006, as various characters in season one and as Mrs. Omwokwopopo's dead husband in season two. In 2006, Fagbenle starred in a BBC sitcom called Grownups and also appeared in the British TV series Agatha Christie's Marple. In 2008–2009, Fagbenle starred in two dramas for the BBC, including the role of Walter Tull in Walter's War, a biopic of the first mixed-heritage officer in the British Army, in which he again garnered outstanding international reviews. In 2009, Fagbenle played the role of Topher Kiefer in the ITV series, FM, and in January 2010 Fagbenle took a leading role as Chris in the BBC One show Material Girl, starring Dervla Kirwan and Lenora Crichlow. He then had a continuing role in both three-episode installments of the 2010 Thorne television series with David Morrissey in the titular role, which were adapted from two Mark Billingham novels, Sleepyhead (episodes 1–2, also starring Natascha McElhone) and Scaredy Cat (episodes 4–6, also starring Sandra Oh), all directed by Stephen Hopkins. After his Material Girl performance, he went on to be cast in the 2011 American romantic comedy Double Wedding. Fagbenle also appeared as 'Mark Lightfoot' in episode six of the first season of Death in Paradise in that same year. In 2012, after taking some time to "do some theatre and develop [his] writing projects", Fagbenle accepted a lead role in the 2013 BBC comedy Quick Cuts alongside actress and Smack the Pony star Doon Mackichan. Fagbenle played "Other Dave" in the 2008, two-part Doctor Who story, "Silence in the Library" and "Forest of the Dead". That same year, he starred in the first season of HBO's original drama Looking, where played Frank, a sweet-hearted Ohio musician with troubles from a live-in partner (reprising the role in season 2). BBC Drama cast Fagbenle in the lead role of their criminal drama The Interceptor, which began filming in London in April 2014; in 2015 he was won the MViSA awards for best male actor for his performance in that work. After appearing in the second season of HBO's Looking, Fagbenle was cast as the lead in American crime writer Harlan Coben's original drama series The Five which first aired in April 2016 on Sky 1 in the United Kingdom. On 14 November 2016 he appeared in a BBC2 adaptation of Zadie Smith's novel NW. In 2017, he began the role of Luke Bankole in Hulu's screen adaption of Margaret Atwood's novel The Handmaid's Tale, for which he has received multiple nominations for Screen Actors Guild awards. On 16 August 2021, it was announced that Fagbenle had joined the cast of Apple TV+ limited series WeCrashed in a recurring role as Cameron Lautner. On 19 July 2023, Fagbenle made a cameo in the Marvel Disney+ Show, Secret Invasion. In the show he returned as his character Rick Mason from the Black Widow movie. Radio For several months in 2004 he took the part of Kwame in the BBC World Service radio soap opera Westway. He has performed multiple times for the BBC including the lead role in Six Degrees of Separation, playing Marvin Gaye in a biopic, and two roles in the BBC Radio adaptation of The Color Purple, which went on to win the Sony Radio Academy Awards for Drama in 2009. Writing and directing Fagbenle made history when he became the first person to write, direct, compose, star and executive produce the opening episode of a TV series on a major US network with his show Maxxx (Hulu). In 2021 Deadline reported that following the success of Maxxx "The multi-hyphenate currently has drama, comedy and non-scripted content in development." Fagbenle's debut short film Moth won Best Sci-fi Horror at the London Film Festival The film, which was a metaphor for the effect of mentally ill parenting on children, was also made a part of a number of film festivals including the official selection at the Los Angeles Screamfest Film Festival, New York City Horror Film Festival, Austin Film Festival. After a being awarded a fund by the Nigerian high commission/TRSE to write and direct a teaser for his movie idea, Fagbenle was commissioned by Bafta-nominated Lutimedia to develop Big Bad Blood, a teen comedy television series. Music Along with a starring actor credit, Fagbenle composed the music and penned the lyrics for several songs for the NBC drama Quarterlife, created by Marshall Herskovitz and Oscar-winner Ed Zwick. In 2011 Fagbenle co-wrote the song "Storm" for Grammy nominated artist Tyga on his Black Thoughts Vol. 2 mixtape and received over 8 million hits on worldstarhiphop.com. The song features vocalist Stefano Moses, a long-time musical collaborator with Fagbenle. Awards and nominations Fagbenle was the recipient of an Outstanding Achievement Award at the 13th African Film Awards. In 2012, Fagbenle was nominated for Best Male Performance at the Off West End Awards for his 'charismatic' portrayal of Slupianek in The Conquest of the South Pole. Fagbenle was awarded Best Actor in a Leading Role at the M.E.N. awards for his performance in Six Degrees of Separation. In 2015, Fagbenle was nominated for "Best Male Performance on TV" by the Screen Nation Awards for his performance as Frank on HBO's Looking. In 2015, Fagbenle was nominated and awarded by the MViSA awards for BEST MALE ACTOR for his performance in The Interceptor. In 2016, Fagbenle and the cast of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom at the Royal National Theatre led the production to an Olivier Award, the most prestigious honour in British Theatre. In 2018, Fagbenle collected The Handmaid's Tale's International BAFTA Award. In 2019, Fagbenle received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for his role on The Handmaid's Tale. In 2021 O-T Fagbenle received an Emmy Award nomination for his performance on the Hulu series The Handmaid's Tale. For four seasons, he has played Luke, who is the husband of June Osborne played by Elizabeth Moss. In 2021 O-T Fagbenle was nominated for best comedy performance at the Royal Television Society Awards for the comedy Maxxx, which he also wrote and produced. In 2021 O-T as nominated for Best Actor at the prestigious Edinburgh TV awards for his show Maxxx. In 2021 Maxxx received a nomination for Best Scripted Comedy at the National Comedy Awards celebrating the UK's most brilliant comedy content and creators. He was also individually nominated for best comedy actor. In 2021 O-T Fagbenle was nominated for Outstanding Comedy Actor and Maxxx was nominated for Best Scripted Comedy Series at the National Comedy Awards launched by Channel 4. Filmography References External links 1981 births Living people English male stage actors English male film actors English male television actors English male voice actors English people of Nigerian descent Male actors from London Alumni of RADA Black British male actors English male radio actors English people of Yoruba descent Yoruba male actors 21st-century English male actors	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O-T%20Fagbenle
Paul Charles Gaudoin (born 12 August 1975 in Perth, Western Australia) is an Australian former field hockey defender and midfielder, who was a member of the team that won the bronze medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. Four years earlier, he won his first bronze medal at the Olympics. He is the former coach of the Australia women's national field hockey team. He quit in March 2021 before a report of a toxic team culture was released. References Profile on Hockey Australia External links 1975 births Australian male field hockey players Olympic field hockey players for Australia Olympic bronze medalists for Australia Field hockey players at the 1996 Summer Olympics Field hockey players at the 2000 Summer Olympics 1998 Men's Hockey World Cup players 2002 Men's Hockey World Cup players Field hockey players from Perth, Western Australia Living people Commonwealth Games gold medallists for Australia Olympic medalists in field hockey Medalists at the 2000 Summer Olympics Medalists at the 1996 Summer Olympics Commonwealth Games medallists in field hockey Male field hockey defenders Male field hockey midfielders Australian people of Anglo-Indian descent Australian sportspeople of Indian descent Field hockey players at the 1998 Commonwealth Games Field hockey players at the 2002 Commonwealth Games Medallists at the 1998 Commonwealth Games Medallists at the 2002 Commonwealth Games Sportsmen from Western Australia	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul%20Gaudoin
The Northern Ireland flags issue is one that divides the population along sectarian lines. Depending on political allegiance, people identify with differing flags and symbols, some of which have, or have had, official status in Northern Ireland. Common flags The flag of the United Kingdom, the Union Jack or Union Flag, is the only flag routinely used officially by the sovereign UK government, as well as being flown on most council buildings in Northern Ireland. The Union Flag is often flown by unionists but is disliked by nationalists. British law states that the Union Flag must be flown on designated days from central government buildings in Northern Ireland. The Ulster Banner, the flag of the pre-1973 government of Northern Ireland, was used from 1953 to 1972 by the Stormont government to represent the government of Northern Ireland. That government was granted a royal warrant to fly the Ulster Banner in 1924, but this expired when the government was dissolved under the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973. It continues to be used by some sports teams representing Northern Ireland internationally, for example by the Northern Ireland football team, and by the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games team. The flag of Ireland or Irish tricolour is the state flag of the Republic of Ireland, disliked by Unionists and is regarded by republicans and nationalists as the flag of all of Ireland. The Saint Patrick's Saltire represents Northern Ireland indirectly as Ireland in the Union Jack. It is sometimes flown during Saint Patrick's Day parades in Northern Ireland, and is used to represent Northern Ireland during some royal events. Other flags flown by socialist republicans include the Starry Plough, the Sunburst flag and even the flag of the Ulster province. Loyalists sometimes display the flag of Scotland as a sign of their Scottish ancestry. Ulster nationalists use the unofficial 'Ulster Nation flag', although it has now been adopted as an Ulster-Scots flag. Controversies The Flags and Emblems (Display) Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 prohibited the display of any flag which was "likely to cause a breach of public order", and gave the police powers to deal with it. However, it specifically excluded the Union Jack from its provisions. In 1956, the Stormont Minister of Affairs, George Hanna, banned an Irish Nationalist cultural demonstration planned for the annual Feis at Newtownbutler, County Fermanagh. The march proceeded anyway, and in response the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) launched a baton charge to seize a banner depicting Patrick Pearse but were unsuccessful. Police attempted a second baton charge which also failed and then resorted to using fire hoses against the crowds. Several people were injured during the disturbances, at least one seriously. The RUC had removed three Irish tricolours from the home of a parish priest during the previous year's Feis. In 1964, the RUC moved in to remove an Irish tricolour from the window of an office in Belfast, after Ian Paisley had publicly said that if they did not, he would do so personally. This resulted in serious rioting. The Act was repealed in 1987. In some loyalist areas, the flying of flags supporting loyalist paramilitaries has proved controversial. Groups like the Ulster Defence Association, Ulster Volunteer Force, Young Citizen Volunteers, Red Hand Commando, and Loyalist Volunteer Force all have their own unique flags and although these flags usually appear alongside murals, they can occasionally be seen flying from lampposts in villages and towns or flying from houses in the run-up to the Twelfth. After the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, flags continue to be a source of disagreement in Northern Ireland. The Agreement states that: Some local councils have debated the usage of the Tricolour. In 2002 Belfast City Council displayed the Tricolour along with the Union Flag in the Lord Mayor's parlour during the term of Sinn Féin Lord Mayor Alex Maskey. A different approach was taken in 1997; when the Social Democratic and Labour Party's (SDLP) Alban Maginness was Lord Mayor, neither flag was displayed. In September 2003, Belfast City Council discussed flying the Tricolour alongside the Union Flag on designated occasions. In June 2007 the designated nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party complained about an artist's rendering of IKEA Belfast that included both the Union Flag and the Ulster Banner flag as two of the three flags in front of the store. After being labelled "an upmarket Orange hall" by the party, IKEA assured customers and co-workers that only the Swedish flag would be seen outside the actual store. The Ulster Banner continued to be used by some local governments, such as the predominantly unionist Castlereagh, which flew it outside its offices. A decision in December 2012 to fly the Union flag over Belfast City Hall only on certain designated days, instead of all the year round as previously, led to the Belfast City Hall flag protests, which included riots in which police officers were injured. The Northern Ireland flags controversy has led to Unicode being unable to release an equivalent country emoji for Northern Ireland, as it has for Scotland, England, and Wales. Flag proposals Haass talks In 2013, US diplomat Richard Haass chaired talks between the political parties in Northern Ireland dealing with, among other things, the issue of flags. The resulting draft proposals, which were not agreed to by the parties, included the idea of a new flag for Northern Ireland, and the possibility of a "circumscribed role for the sovereign flag of Ireland in conjunction with the Union flag." Proposed "Civic Flag" In December 2021, the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition (FICT) published its final report which included a recommendation that a new "Civic Flag for Northern Ireland" should be adopted and be flown at buildings of the Northern Ireland Executive, Northern Ireland Assembly and local district councils in Northern Ireland. The commissions suggested that the design for the new flag should incorporate expressions of Britishness and Irishness and should also represent the diversity of the community in Northern Ireland. See also Flag of Northern Ireland List of flags of the Republic of Ireland List of flags of the United Kingdom List of flags used in Northern Ireland Cross-border flag for Ireland Party Processions Act 1850 Act which banned "any Banner, Emblem, Flag or Symbol, the Display whereof may be calculated or tend to provoke Animosity between different Classes of Her Majesty's Subjects" Kerb painting Coat of arms of Northern Ireland References External links Symbols in Northern Ireland - Flags Used in the Region by Dara Mulhern and Martin Melaugh; illustrated article from CAIN Project (Conflict Archive on the INternet) Issue Flag controversies Sectarianism	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern%20Ireland%20flags%20issue
Stomio (, ) is a village and a community of the Agia municipality. Before the 2011 local government reform it was the seat of the municipality of Evrymenes. The 2011 census recorded 553 inhabitants in the village. The community of Stomio covers an area of 37.985 km2. Geography It is situated on the Aegean Sea coast, south of the mouth of the river Pineios, and at the foot of densely vegetated Mount Ossa. It is 13 km southeast of Pyrgetos, 17 km north of Agia and 37 km northeast of Larissa. History The ancient city Eurymenae (also Erymnae) was situated near present Stomio. The Greek Orthodox Monastery of Saint Demetrius, situated on the mountain slope above Stomio, was founded in the 6th century and rebuilt in its present form in the 12th century by Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos. Before 1927 Stomio was named Tsagezi (), deriving from the Turkish Çay ağzı which translates to "river mouth". (Çay = river, ağız = mouth, ağzı = the mouth). Population According to the 2011 census, the population of the settlement of Omolio was 553 people, a decrease of almost 7% compared with the population of the previous census of 2001. See also List of settlements in the Larissa regional unit References External links Stomio on GTP Travel Pages Populated places in Larissa (regional unit) Agia, Larissa	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stomio%2C%20Larissa
The R10000, code-named "T5", is a RISC microprocessor implementation of the MIPS IV instruction set architecture (ISA) developed by MIPS Technologies, Inc. (MTI), then a division of Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI). The chief designers are Chris Rowen and Kenneth C. Yeager. The R10000 microarchitecture is known as ANDES, an abbreviation for Architecture with Non-sequential Dynamic Execution Scheduling. The R10000 largely replaces the R8000 in the high-end and the R4400 elsewhere. MTI was a fabless semiconductor company; the R10000 was fabricated by NEC and Toshiba. Previous fabricators of MIPS microprocessors such as Integrated Device Technology (IDT) and three others did not fabricate the R10000 as it was more expensive to do so than the R4000 and R4400. History The R10000 was introduced in January 1996 at clock frequencies of 175 MHz and 195 MHz. A 150 MHz version was introduced in the O2 product line in 1997, but discontinued shortly after due to customer preference for the 175 MHz version. The R10000 was not available in large volumes until later in the year due to fabrication problems at MIPS's foundries. The 195 MHz version was in short supply throughout 1996, and was priced at US$3,000 as a result. On 25 September 1996, SGI announced that R10000s fabricated by NEC between March and the end of July that year were faulty, drawing too much current and causing systems to shut down during operation. SGI recalled 10,000 R10000s that had shipped in systems as a result, which impacted the company's earnings. In 1997, a version of R10000 fabricated in a 0.25 µm process enabled the microprocessor to reach 250 MHz. Users Users of the R10000 include: SGI: Workstations: Indigo2 (IMPACT Generation), Octane, O2 Servers: Challenge, Origin 2000 Supercomputers: Onyx, Onyx2 NEC, in its Cenju-4 supercomputer Siemens Nixdorf, in its servers run under SINIX Tandem Computers, in its Himalaya fault-tolerant servers Description The R10000 is a four-way superscalar design that implements register renaming and executes instructions out-of-order. Its design is a departure from previous MTI microprocessors such as the R4000, which is a much simpler scalar in-order design that relies largely on high clock rates for performance. The R10000 fetches four instructions every cycle from its instruction cache. These instructions are decoded and then placed into the integer, floating-point or load/store instruction queues depending on the type of the instruction. The decode unit is assisted by the pre-decoded instructions from the instruction cache, which append five bits to every instruction to enable the unit to quickly identify which execution unit the instruction is executed in, and rearrange the format of the instruction to optimize the decode process. Each of the instruction queues can accept up to four instructions from the decoder, avoiding any bottlenecks. The instruction queues issue their instructions to their execution units dynamically depending on the availability of operands and resources. Each of the queues except for the load/store queue can issue up to two instructions every cycle to its execution units. The load/store queue can only issue one instruction. The R10000 can thus issue up to five instructions every cycle. Integer unit The integer unit consists of the integer register file and three pipelines, two integer, one load store. The integer register file is 64 bits wide and contains 64 entries, of which 32 are architectural registers and 32 are rename registers which implement register renaming. The register file has seven read ports and three write ports. Both integer pipelines have an adder and a logic unit. However, only the first pipeline has a barrel shifter and hardware for confirming the prediction of conditional branches. The second pipeline is used to access the multiplier and divider. Multiplies are pipelined, and have a six-cycle latency for 32-bit integers and ten for 64-bit integers. Division is not pipelined. The divider uses a non-restoring algorithm that produces one bit per cycle. Latencies for 32-bit and 64-bit divides are 35 and 67 cycles, respectively. Floating-point unit The floating-point unit (FPU) consists of four functional units, an adder, a multiplier, divide unit and square root unit. The adder and multiplier are pipelined, but the divide and square root units are not. Adds and multiplies have a latency of three cycles and the adder and multiplier can accept a new instruction every cycle. The divide unit has a 12- or 19-cycle latency, depending on whether the divide is single precision or double precision, respectively. The square root unit executes square root and reciprocal square root instructions. Square root instructions have an 18- or 33-cycle latency for single precision or double precision, respectively. A new square root instruction can be issued to the divide unit every 20 or 35 cycles for single precision and double precision respectively. Reciprocal square roots have longer latencies, 30 to 52 cycles for single precision (32-bit) and double precision (64-bit) respectively. The floating-point register file contains sixty-four 64-bit registers, of which thirty-two are architectural and the remaining are rename registers. The adder has its own dedicated read and write ports, whereas the multiplier shares its with the divider and square root unit. The divide and square root units use the SRT algorithm. The MIPS IV ISA has a multiply–add instruction. This instruction is implemented by the R10000 with a bypass — the result of the multiply can bypass the register file and be delivered to the add pipeline as an operand, thus it is not a fused multiply–add, and has a four-cycle latency. Caches The R10000 has two comparatively large on-chip caches, a 32 KB instruction cache and a 32 KB data cache. The instruction cache is two-way set-associative and has a 128-byte line size. Instructions are partially decoded by appending four bits to each instruction (which have a length of 32 bits) before they are placed in the cache. The 32 KB data cache is dual-ported through two-way interleaving. It consists of two 16 KB banks, and each bank are two-way set-associative. The cache has 64-byte lines, uses the write-back protocol, and is virtually indexed and physically tagged to enable the cache to be indexed in the same clock cycle and to maintain coherency with the secondary cache. The external secondary unified cache supported capacities between 512 KB and 16 MB. It is implemented with commodity synchronous static random access memorys (SSRAMs). The cache is accessed via its own 128-bit bus that is protected by 9-bits of error correcting code (ECC). The cache and bus operate at the same clock rate as the R10000, whose maximum frequency was 200 MHz. At 200 MHz, the bus yielded a peak bandwidth of 3.2 GB/s. The cache is two-way set associative, but to avoid a high pin count, the R10000 predicts which way is accessed. Addressing MIPS IV is a 64-bit architecture, but to reduce cost the R10000 does not implement the entire physical or virtual address. Instead, it has a 40-bit physical address and a 44-bit virtual address, thus it is capable of addressing 1 TB of physical memory and 16 TB of virtual memory. Avalanche system bus The R10000 uses the Avalanche bus, a 64-bit bus that operates at frequencies up to 100 MHz. Avalanche is a multiplexed address and data bus, so at 100 MHz it yields a maximum theoretical bandwidth of 800 MB/s, but its peak bandwidth is 640 MB/s as it requires some cycles to transmit addresses. The system interface controller supports glue-less symmetrical multiprocessing (SMP) of up to four microprocessors. Systems using the R10000 with external logic can scale to hundreds of processors. An example of such a system is the Origin 2000. Fabrication The R10000 consists of approximately 6.8 million transistors, of which approximately 4.4 million are contained in the primary caches. The die measures 16.640 by 17.934 mm, for a die area of 298.422 mm2. It is fabricated in a 0.35 µm process and packaged in 599-pad ceramic land grid array (LGA). Before the R10000 was introduced, the Microprocessor Report, covering the 1994 Microprocessor Forum, reported that it was packaged in a 527-pin ceramic pin grid array (CPGA); and that vendors also investigated the possibility of using a 339-pin multi-chip module (MCM) containing the microprocessor die and 1 MB of cache. Derivatives The R10000 was extended by multiple successive derivatives. All derivatives after the R12000 have their clock frequency kept as low as possible to maintain power dissipation in the 15 to 20 W range so they can be densely packaged in SGI's high performance computing (HPC) systems. R12000 The R12000 is a derivative of the R10000 started by MIPS and completed by SGI. It was fabricated by NEC and Toshiba. The version fabricated by NEC is called the VR12000. The microprocessor was introduced in November 1998. It is available at 270, 300 and 360 MHz. The R12000 was developed as a stop-gap solution following the cancellation of the "Beast" project, which intended to deliver a successor to the R10000. R12000 users include NEC, Siemens-Nixdorf, SGI and Tandem Computers (and later Compaq, after their acquisition of Tandem). The R12000 improves upon the R10000 microarchitecture by: inserting an extra pipeline stage to improve clock frequency by resolving a critical path; increasing the number of entries in the branch history table, improving prediction; modifying the instruction queues so they take into account the age of a queued instruction, enabling older instructions to be executed before newer ones if possible. The R12000 was fabricated by NEC and Toshiba in a 0.25 µm CMOS process with four levels of aluminum interconnect. The use of a new process does not mean that the R12000 was a simple die shrink with a tweaked microarchitecture; the layout of the die is optimized to take advantage of the 0.25 µm process. The NEC fabricated VR12000 contained 7.15 million transistors and measured 15.7 by 14.6 mm (229.22 mm2). R12000A The R12000A is a derivative of the R12000 developed by SGI. Introduced in July 2000, it operates at 400 MHz and was fabricated by NEC a 0.18 µm process with aluminum interconnects. R14000 The R14000 is a further development of the R12000 announced in July 2001. The R14000 operates at 500 MHz, enabled by the 0.13 µm CMOS process with five levels of copper interconnect it is fabricated with. It features improvements to the microarchitecture of the R12000 by supporting double data rate (DDR) SSRAMs for the secondary cache and a 200 MHz system bus. R14000A The R14000A is a further development of the R14000 announced in February 2002. It operates at 600 MHz, dissipates approximately 17 W, and was fabricated by NEC Corporation in a 0.13 µm CMOS process with seven levels of copper interconnect. R16000 The R16000, code-named "N0", is the last derivative of the R10000. It is developed by SGI and fabricated by NEC in their 0.11 µm process with eight levels of copper interconnect. The microprocessor was introduced on 9 January 2003, debuting at 700 MHz for the Fuel and also used in their Onyx4 Ultimate Vision. In April 2003, a 600 MHz version was introduced for the Origin 350. Improvements are 64 KB instruction and data caches. R16000A The R16000A refers to R16000 microprocessors with clock rates higher than 700 MHz. The first R16000A is an 800 MHz version, introduced on 4 February 2004. Later, a 900 MHz version was introduced, and this version was, for some time, the fastest publicly known R16000A—SGI later revealed there were 1.0 GHz R16000s shipped to selected customers. R16000 users included HP and SGI. SGI used the microprocessor in their Fuel and Tezro workstations; and the Origin 3000 servers and supercomputers. HP used the R16000A in their NonStop Himalaya S-Series fault-tolerant servers inherited from Tandem via Compaq. R18000 The R18000 is a canceled further development of the R10000 microarchitecture that featured major improvements by Silicon Graphics, Inc. described at the Hot Chips symposium in 2001. The R18000 was designed specifically for SGI's ccNUMA servers and supercomputers. Each node would have two R18000s connected via a multiplexed bus to a system controller, which would interface the microprocessors to their local memory and the rest of the system via a hypercube network. The R18000 improved the floating-point instruction queues and revised the floating-point unit to feature two multiply–add units, quadrupling the peak FLOPS count. Division and square-root would be performed in separate non-pipelined units in parallel to the multiply–add units. The system interface and memory hierarchy was also significantly reworked. It would have a 52-bit virtual address and a 48-bit physical address. The bidirectional multiplexed address and data system bus of the earlier models would be replaced by two unidirectional DDR links, a 64-bit multiplexed address and write path and a 128-bit read path. The paths could be shared with another R18000 through multiplexing. The bus could also be configured in the SysAD or Avalanche configuration for backwards compatibility with R10000 systems. The R18000 would have a 1 MB four-way set-associative secondary cache to be included on-die; supplemented by an optional tertiary cache built from single data rate (SDR) or double data rate (DDR) SSRAM or DDR SDRAM with capacities of 2 to 64 MB. The L3 cache would have its cache tags, equivalent to 400 KB, located on-die to reduce latency. The L3 cache would be accessed via a 144-bit bus, of which 128 bits are for data and 16 bits for ECC. The L3 cache's clock rate would be programmable. The R18000 was to be fabricated in NEC's UX5 process, a 0.13 µm CMOS process with nine levels of copper interconnect. It would have used 1.2 V power supply and dissipated less heat than contemporary server microprocessors in order to be densely packed into systems. Notes References Fu, Tim et al. (31 August 2001). "R18000: The Latest SGI Superscalar Microprocessor". Hot Chips XIII. Halfhill, Tom R. (November 1994). "T5: Brute Force". Byte Magazine. Heinrich, Joe (29 January 1997). "MIPS R10000 Microprocessor User's Manual". Kanellos, Michael; Kawamoto, Dawn (9 April 1998). "Silicon Graphics scraps MIPS plans". CNET News. MIPS Technologies, Incorporated. (October 1994). "R10000 Microprocessor Product Review". Morgan, Timothy Prickett (16 April 2003). "SGI Announces Origin 350 Midrange HPC Server". IT Jungle. NEC Corporation (24 November 1998). NEC Markets World's Highest Class Performance Microprocessor. (Press release). Vasseghi, N. et al. (November 1996). "200-MHz superscalar RISC microprocessor". IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits 31 (11): pp. 1675–1686. Yeager, Kenneth C. (August 1995). "R10000 Superscalar Microprocessor". Hot Chips VII. MIPS implementations MIPS microprocessors Superscalar microprocessors 64-bit microprocessors	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R10000
The R3000 is a 32-bit RISC microprocessor chipset developed by MIPS Computer Systems that implemented the MIPS I instruction set architecture (ISA). Introduced in June 1988, it was the second MIPS implementation, succeeding the R2000 as the flagship MIPS microprocessor. It operated at 20, 25 and 33.33 MHz. The MIPS 1 instruction set is small compared to those of the contemporary 80x86 and 680x0 architectures, encoding only more commonly used operations and supporting few addressing modes. Combined with its fixed instruction length and only three different types of instruction formats, this simplified instruction decoding and processing. It employed a 5-stage instruction pipeline, enabling execution at a rate approaching one instruction per cycle, unusual for its time. This MIPS generation supports up to four co-processors. In addition to the CPU core, the R3000 microprocessor includes a Control Processor (CP), which contains a Translation Lookaside Buffer and a Memory Management Unit. The CP works as a coprocessor. Besides the CP, the R3000 can also support an external R3010 numeric coprocessor, along with two other external coprocessors. The R3000 CPU does not include level 1 cache. Instead, its on-chip cache controller operates external data and instruction caches of up to 256 KB each. It can access both caches during the same clock cycle. The R3000 found much success and was used by many companies in their workstations and servers. Users included: Ardent Computer Atari COJAG (A modified Atari Jaguar for arcade systems). Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) for their DECstation workstations and multiprocessor DECsystem servers. Evans & Sutherland for their Vision (ESV) series workstations. LSI Logic for their CW4003 RISC processor core and DCAM-101 system-on-a-chip. MIPS Computer Systems for their MIPS RISC/os Unix workstations and servers. NEC for their RISC EWS4800 workstations and UP4800 servers. Prime Computer Pyramid Technology Seiko Epson Silicon Graphics for their Professional IRIS, Personal IRIS and Indigo workstations, and the multiprocessor Power Series visualization systems. Sony for their PlayStation and PlayStation 2 (SCPH-10000 to SCPH-700XX - clocked at 37.5 MHz for use as an I/O CPU and at 33.8 MHz for compatibility with PlayStation games) video game consoles, and NEWS workstations, as well as the Bemani System 573 Analog arcade unit, which runs on the R3000A. Tandem Computers for their NonStop Cyclone/R and CLX/R fault-tolerant servers. Whitechapel Workstations for their Hitech-20 workstation. New Horizons Probe The R3000 was also used as an embedded microprocessor. When advances in technology rendered it obsolete for high-performance systems, it found continued use in lower-cost designs. Companies such as LSI Logic developed derivatives of the R3000 specifically for embedded systems. The R3000 was a further development of the R2000 with minor improvements including larger TLB and a faster bus to the external caches. The R3000 die contained 115,000 transistors and measured about 75,000 square mils (48 mm2). MIPS was a fabless semiconductor company, so the R3000 was fabricated by MIPS partners including Integrated Device Technology (IDT), LSI Logic, NEC Corporation, Performance Semiconductor, and others. It was fabricated in a 1.2 μm complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) process with two levels of aluminium interconnect. Derivatives of the R3000 for non-embedded applications include: R3000A - A further development by MIPS introduced in 1989. It operated at clock frequencies up to 40 MHz. PR3400 - Developed by Performance Semiconductor, introduced in May 1991, also at up to 40 MHz. It integrated the Performance Semiconductor PR3000A and PR3010A onto a single die. Derivatives of the R3000 for embedded applications include: CW4003, DCAM-101 - Aimed at digital camera applications, the CW4003 core featured a "multiplier-addition bolt-on" (MABO) unit for accelerated integer arithmetic and a pixel-processing accelerator (PPA) unit accessible via the coprocessor 2 interface. The DCAM-101 combined the CW4003 core with modules interfacing to a camera sensor, display, storage and other peripherals, also incorporating a JPEG compression/decompression unit. PR31500, PR31700 - Microprocessors from Philips Semiconductors used in the Philips Velo handheld PC range. The 75 MHz PR31700 was fabricated in a 350 nm process, delivered in a 208-pin LQFP, it operated at 3.3 V and dissipated only 350 mW. RISController - A family of low-end microcontrollers from IDT. Models include the R3041, R3051, R3052, R3071 and R3081. TX3900 - A microcontroller from Toshiba. Mongoose-V - A radiation-hardened and expanded 10–15 MHz CPU for use on spacecraft, it is still in use today in applications such as NASA's New Horizons space probe. References "MIPS Technologies R3000" Further reading MIPS implementations MIPS microprocessors 32-bit microprocessors	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R3000
The R4000 is a microprocessor developed by MIPS Computer Systems that implements the MIPS III instruction set architecture (ISA). Officially announced on 1 October 1991, it was one of the first 64-bit microprocessors and the first MIPS III implementation. In the early 1990s, when RISC microprocessors were expected to replace CISC microprocessors such as the Intel i486, the R4000 was selected to be the microprocessor of the Advanced Computing Environment (ACE), an industry standard that intended to define a common RISC platform. ACE ultimately failed for a number of reasons, but the R4000 found success in the workstation and server markets. Models There are three configurations of the R4000: the R4000PC, an entry-level model with no support for a secondary cache; the R4000SC, a model with secondary cache but no multiprocessor capability; and the R4000MC, a model with secondary cache and support for the cache coherency protocols required by multiprocessor systems. Description The R4000 is a scalar superpipelined microprocessor with an eight-stage integer pipeline. During the first stage (IF), a virtual address for an instruction is generated and the instruction translation lookaside buffer (TLB) begins the translation of the address to a physical address. In the second stage (IS), translation is completed and the instruction is fetched from an internal 8 KB instruction cache. The instruction cache is direct-mapped and virtually indexed, physically tagged. It has a 16- or 32-byte line size. Architecturally, it could be expanded to 32 KB. During the third stage (RF), the instruction is decoded and the register file is read. The MIPS III defines two register files, one for the integer unit and the other for floating-point. Each register file is 64 bits wide and contained 32 entries. The integer register file has two read ports and one write port, while the floating-point register file has two read ports and two write ports. Execution begins at stage four (EX) for both integer and floating-point instructions; and is written back to the register files when completed in stage eight (WB). Results may be bypassed if possible. Integer execution The R4000 has an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a shifter, multiplier and divider and load aligner for executing integer instructions. The ALU consists of a 64-bit carry-select adder and a logic unit and is pipelined. The shifter is a 32-bit barrel shifter. It performs 64-bit shifts in two cycles, stalling the pipeline as a result. This design was chosen to save die area. The multiplier and divider are not pipelined and have significant latencies: multiplies have a 10- or 20-cycle latency for 32-bit or 64-bit integers, respectively; whereas divides have a 69- or 133-cycle latency for 32-bit or 64-bit integers, respectively. Most instructions have a single cycle latency. The ALU adder is also used for calculating virtual addresses for loads, stores and branches. Load and store instructions are executed by the integer pipeline, and access the on-chip 8 KB data cache. Floating-point execution The R4000 has an on-die IEEE 754-1985-compliant floating-point unit (FPU), referred to as the R4010. The FPU is a coprocessor designated CP1 (the MIPS ISA defined four coprocessors, designated CP0 to CP3). The FPU can operate in two modes, 32- or 64-bit which are selected by setting a bit, the FR bit, in the CPU status register. In 32-bit mode, the 32 floating-point registers become 32 bits wide when used to hold single-precision floating-point numbers. When used to hold double-precision numbers, there are 16 floating-point registers (the registers are paired). The FPU can operate in parallel with the ALU unless there is a data or resource dependency, which causes it to stall. It contains three sub-units: an adder, a multiplier and a divider. The multiplier and divider can execute an instruction in parallel with the adder, but they use the adder in their final stages of execution, thus imposing limits to overlapping execution. Thus, under certain conditions, it can execute up to three instructions at any time, one in each unit. The FPU is capable of retiring one instruction per cycle. The adder and multiplier are pipelined. The multiplier has a four-stage multiplier pipeline. It is clocked at twice the clock frequency of the microprocessor for adequate performance and uses dynamic logic to achieve the high clock frequency. Division has a 23- or 36-cycle latency for single- or double-precision operations and square-root has a 54- or 112-cycle latency. Division and square-root uses the SRT algorithm. Memory management The memory management unit (MMU) uses a 48-entry translation lookaside buffer to translate virtual addresses. The R4000 uses a 64-bit virtual address, but only implements 40 of the 64 bits, allowing 1 TB of virtual memory; the remaining bits are checked to ensure that they contain zero. The R4000 uses a 36-bit physical address, thus is able to address 64 GB of physical memory. Secondary cache The R4000 (SC and MC configurations only) supports an external secondary cache with a capacity of 128 KB to 4 MB. The cache is accessed via a dedicated 128-bit data bus. The secondary cache can be configured either as a unified cache or as a split instruction and data cache. In the latter configuration, each cache can have a capacity of 128 KB to 2 MB. The secondary cache is physically indexed, physically tagged and has a programmable line size of 128, 256, 512 or 1,024 bytes. The cache controller is on-die. The cache is built from standard static random access memory (SRAM). The data and tag buses are ECC-protected. System bus The R4000 uses a 64-bit system bus called the SysAD bus. The SysAD bus was an address and data multiplexed bus, that is, it used the same set of wires to transfer data and addresses. While this reduces bandwidth, it is also less expensive than providing a separate address bus, which requires more pins and increases the complexity of the system. The SysAD bus can be configured to operate at half, a third or a quarter of the internal clock frequency. The SysAD bus generates its clock signal by dividing the operating frequency. Transistor count, die dimensions and process details The R4000 contains 1.2 million transistors. It was designed for a 1.0 μm two-layer metal complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) process. As MIPS was a fabless company, the R4000 was fabricated by partners in their own processes, which had a 0.8 μm minimum feature size. Clocking The R4000 generates the various clock signals from a master clock signal generated externally. For the operating frequency, the R4000 multiplies the master clock signal by two by use of an on-die phase-locked loop (PLL). Packaging The R4000PC is packaged in a 179-pin ceramic pin grid array (CPGA). The R4000SC and R4000MC are packaged in a 447-pin ceramic staggered pin grid array (SPGA). The pin out of the R4000MC is different from the R4000SC, with some pins which are unused on the R4000SC used for signals to implement cache coherency on the R4000MC. The pin-out of the R4000PC is similar to that of the PGA-packaged R4200 and R4600 microprocessors. This characteristic enables a properly designed system to use any of the three microprocessors. R4400 The R4400 is a further development of the R4000. It was announced in early November 1992. Samples of the microprocessor had been shipped to selected customers before then, with general availability in January 1993. The R4400 operates at clock frequencies of 100, 133, 150, 200, and 250 MHz. The only major improvement from the R4000 is larger primary caches, which were doubled in capacity to 16 KB each from 8 KB each. It contained 2.3 million transistors. The R4400 was licensed by Integrated Device Technology (IDT), LSI Logic, NEC, Performance Semiconductor, Siemens AG and Toshiba. IDT, NEC, Siemens and Toshiba fabricated and marketed the microprocessor. LSI Logic used the R4400 in custom products. Performance Semiconductor sold their logic division to Cypress Semiconductor where the MIPS microprocessor products were discontinued. NEC marketed their version as the VR4400. The first version, a 150 MHz part, was announced in November 1992. Early versions were fabricated in a 0.6 μm process. In mid-1995, a 250 MHz part began sampling. It was fabricated in a 0.35 μm four-layer-metal process. NEC also produced the MR4401, a ceramic multi-chip module (MCM) that contained a VR4400SC with ten 1 Mbit SRAM chips that implemented a 1 MB secondary cache. The MCM was pin-compatible with the R4x00PC. The first version, a 150 MHz part, was announced in 1994. In 1995, a 200 MHz part was announced. Toshiba marketed their version as the TC86R4400. A 200 MHz part containing 2.3 million transistors and measuring 134 mm2 fabricated in a 0.3 μm process was introduced in mid-1994. The R4400PC was priced at , the R4400SC at , and the R4400MC at in quantities of 10,000. Usage The R4400 is used by: Carrera Computers in their Windows NT personal computers and workstations Concurrent Computer Corporation in their real-time multiprocessor Maxion systems DeskStation Technology in their Windows NT personal computers and DeskStation Tyne workstation Digital Equipment Corporation in their DECstation 5000/260 workstation and server NEC Corporation in their RISCstation workstations, RISCserver servers, and Cenju-3 supercomputer NeTPower in their Windows NT workstations and servers Pyramid Technology used the R4400MC in their Nile Series servers Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme (SNI) in their RM-series UNIX servers and SR2000 mainframe Silicon Graphics in their Onyx, Indigo, Indigo2, and Indy workstations; and in their Challenge server Tandem Computers in their NonStop Himalaya fault-tolerant servers Chipsets The R4000 and R4400 microprocessors were interfaced to the system by custom ASICs or by commercially available chipsets. System vendors such as SGI developed their own ASICs for their systems. Commercial chipsets were developed, fabricated and marketed by companies such as Toshiba with their the Tiger Shark chipset, which provided a i486-compatible bus. Notes References Heinrich, Joe. MIPS R4000 Microprocessor User's Manual, Second Edition. Sunil Mirapuri, Michael Woodacre, Nader Vasseghi, "The Mips R4000 Processor," IEEE Micro, vol. 12. no. 2, pp. 10–22, March/April 1992 Advanced RISC Computing MIPS implementations MIPS microprocessors Superscalar microprocessors 64-bit computers 64-bit microprocessors	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R4000
The R5000 is a 64-bit, bi-endian, superscalar, in-order execution 2-issue design microprocessor, that implements the MIPS IV instruction set architecture (ISA) developed by Quantum Effect Design (QED) in 1996. The project was funded by MIPS Technologies, Inc (MTI), also the licensor. MTI then licensed the design to Integrated Device Technology (IDT), NEC, NKK, and Toshiba. The R5000 succeeded the QED R4600 and R4700 as their flagship high-end embedded microprocessor. IDT marketed its version of the R5000 as the 79RV5000, NEC as VR5000, NKK as the NR5000, and Toshiba as the TX5000. The R5000 was sold to PMC-Sierra when the company acquired QED. Derivatives of the R5000 are still in production today for embedded systems. Users Users of the R5000 in workstation and server computers were Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI) and Siemens-Nixdorf. SGI used the R5000 in their O2 and Indy low-end workstations. The R5000 was also used in embedded systems such as network routers and high-end printers. The R5000 found its way into the arcade gaming industry, R5000 powered mainboards were used by Atari and Midway. Initially the Cobalt Qube and Cobalt RaQ used a derivative model, the RM5230 and RM5231. The Qube 2700 used the RM5230 microprocessor, whereas the Qube 2 used the RM5231. The original RaQ systems were equipped with RM5230 or RM5231 CPUs but later models used AMD K6-2 chips and then eventually Intel Pentium III CPUs for the final models. History The original roadmap called for 200 MHz operation in early 1996, 250 MHz in late 1996, succeeded in 1997 by R5000A. The R5000 was introduced in January 1996 and failed to achieve 200 MHz, topping out at 180 MHz. When positioned as a low-end workstation microprocessor, the competition included the IBM and Motorola PowerPC 604, the HP PA-7300LC and the Intel Pentium Pro. Description The R5000 is a two-way superscalar design that executes instructions in-order. The R5000 could simultaneously issue an integer and a floating-point instruction. It had one simple pipeline for integer instructions and another for floating-point to save transistors and die area to reduce cost. The R5000 did not perform dynamic branch prediction for cost reasons. Instead it uses a static approach, utilizing the hints encoded by the compiler in the branch-likely instructions first introduced in the MIPS II architecture to determine how likely a branch is taken. The R5000 had large L1 caches, a distinct characteristic of QED, whose designers favored simple designs with large caches. The R5000 had two L1 caches, one for instructions and the other for data. Both have a capacity of 32 KB. The caches are two-way set-associative, have a 32-byte line size, and are virtually indexed, physically tagged. Instructions were predecoded as they enter the instruction cache by appending four bits to each instruction. These four bits specify whether can be issued together and which execution unit they are executed by. This assisted superscalar instruction issue by moving some of the dependency and conflict checking out of the critical path. The integer unit executes most instructions with a one cycle latency and throughput except for multiply and divide. 32-bit multiplies have a five-cycle latency and a four-cycle throughput. 64-bit multiplies have an extra four cycles of latency and half the throughput. Divides have a 36-cycle latency and throughput for 32-bit integers, and for 64-bit integers, they are increased to 68 cycles. The floating-point unit (FPU) was a fast single-precision (32-bit) design, for reduced cost and to benefit SGI, whose mid-range 3D graphics workstations relied mostly on single-precision math for 3D graphics applications. It was fully pipelined, which made it significantly better than that of the R4700. The R5000 implements the multiply-add instruction of the MIPS IV ISA. Single-precision adds, multiplies and multiply-adds have a four-cycle latency and a one cycle throughput. Single-precision divides have a 21-cycle latency and a 19-cycle throughput, while square roots have a 26-cycle latency and a 38-cycle throughput. Division and square-root was not pipelined. Instructions that operate on double precision numbers have a significantly higher latency and lower throughput except for add, which has identical latency and throughput with single-precision add. Multiply and multiply-add have a five-cycle latency and a two-cycle throughput. Divide has a 36-cycle latency and a 34-cycle throughput. Square root has a 68-cycle latency and a 66-cycle throughput. The R5000 had an integrated L2 cache controller that supported capacities of 512 KB, 1 MB and 2 MB. The L2 cache shares the SysAD bus with the external interface. The cache was built with custom synchronous SRAMs (SSRAMs). The microprocessor uses the SysAD bus that is also used by several other MIPS microprocessors. The bus is multiplexed (address and data share the same set of wires) and can operate at clock frequencies up to 100 MHz. The initial R5000 did not support multiprocessing, but the package reserved eight pins for the future addition of this feature. QED was a fabless company and did not fabricate their own designs. The R5000 was fabricated by IDT, NEC and NKK. All three companies fabricated the R5000 in a 0.35 μm complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) process, but with different process features. IDT fabricated the R5000 in a process with two levels of polysilicon and three levels of aluminium interconnect. The two levels of polysilicon enabled IDT to use a four-transistor SRAM cell, resulting in a transistor count of 3.6 million and a die that measured 8.7 mm by 9.7 mm (84.39 mm2). NEC and NKK fabricated the R5000 in a process with one level of polysilicon and three levels of aluminium interconnect. Without an extra level of polysilicon, both companies had to use a six-transistor SRAM cell, resulting in a transistor count of 5.0 million and a larger die with an area of around 87 mm2. Die sizes in the range of 80 to 90 mm2 were claimed by MTI. 0.8 million of the transistors in both versions were for logic, and the remainder contained in the caches. It was packaged in a 272-ball plastic ball grid array (BGA) or 272-pin plastic pin grid array (PGA). It was not pin-compatible with any previous MIPS microprocessor. Derivatives In the late 1990s, Quantum Effect Design acquired a license to manufacture and sell MIPS microprocessors from MTI and became a microprocessor vendor, changing its name to Quantum Effect Devices to reflect its new business model. The company's first products were members of the RM52xx family, which initially consisted of two models, the RM5230 and RM5260. These were announced on 24 March 1997. The RM5230 was initially available at 100 and 133 MHz, and the RM5260 at 133 and 150 MHz. On 29 September 1997, new 150 and 175 MHz RM5230s were introduced, as were 175 and 200 MHz RM5260s. Both the RM5230 and RM5260 are derivatives of the R5000 and differ in the size of their primary caches (16 KB each instead of 32 KB), the width of their system interfaces (the RM5230 has a 32-bit 67 MHz SysAD bus, and the RM5260 a 64-bit 75 MHz SysAD bus), and the addition of multiply-add and three-operand multiply instructions for digital signal processing applications. These microprocessors were fabricated by the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) in its 0.35 μm process with three levels of interconnect. They were packaged by Amkor Technology in its Power-Quad 4 packages, the RM5230 in a 128-pin version, and the RM5260 in a 208-pin version. The RM52xx family was later joined by the RM5270, which was announced at the Embedded Systems Conference on 29 September 1997. Intended for high-end embedded applications, the RM5270 was available at 150 and 200 MHz. Improvements were the addition of an on-chip secondary cache controller that supported up to 2 MB of cache. The SysAD bus is 64 bits wide and can operate at 100 MHz. It was packaged in a 304-pin Super-BGA (SBGA) that was pin-compatible with the RM7000 and was offered as a migration path to the RM7000. On 20 July 1998, the RM52x1 family was announced. The family consisted of the RM5231, RM5261, and RM5271. These microprocessors were derivatives of the corresponding devices from the RM52x0 family fabricated in a 0.25 μm process with four levels of metal. The RM5231 was initially available at 150, 200, and 250 MHz; whereas the RM5261 and RM5271 were available at 250 and 266 MHz. On 6 July 1999, a 300 MHz RM5271 was introduced, priced at US$140 in quantities of 10,000. The RM52x1 improved upon the previous family with larger 32 KB primary caches and a faster SysAD bus that supported clock rates up to 125 MHz. After QED was acquired by PMC-Sierra, the RM52xx and RM52x1 families were continued as PMC-Sierra products. PMC-Sierra introduced two RM52x1 derivatives, the RM5231A and RM5261A, on 4 April 2001. These microprocessors were fabricated by TSMC in its 0.18 μm process and differ from the previous devices by featuring higher clock rates and lower power consumption. The RM5231A was available at clock rates of 250 to 350 MHz, and the RM5261A from 250 to 400 MHz. R5900 used in Sony's PlayStation 2 is a modified version of R5000 CPU dubbed the Emotion Engine with a customized instruction/data cache arrangement and Sony's proprietary 107 vector SIMD Multimedia Extensions(MMI). Its custom FPU is not IEEE 754 compliant unlike FPUs used by R5000. It also has a second MIPS core which acted as a sync controller for specialized vector coprocessors, important for 3D math which at the time was principally computed on the CPU. References Computergram (8 January 1996). "MIPS Ready With R5000 Successor to the 4600/4700". Computer Business Review. Gwennap, Linley (22 January 1996). "R5000 Improves FP for MIPS Midrange". Microprocessor Report, 10 (1). Halfhill, Tom R. (April 1996). "R5000 Cuts 3-D Cost". Byte. Halfhill, Tom R. (May 1996). "Mips R5000: Fast, Affordable 3-D". Byte, 161–162. MIPS Technologies, Inc. MIPS R5000 Microprocessor Technical Backgrounder. PMC-Sierra, Inc. (4 April 2001). "PMC-Sierra Ships Third Generation R5200A MIPS Microprocessors". Press release. Quantum Effect Devices (24 March 1997). "QED Introduces RM52xx Microprocessor Family". Press release. Quantum Effect Devices (29 September 1997). "QED Introduces RM5270 Superscalar 64-bit Microprocessor". Press release. Quantum Effect Devices (20 July 1998). "QED Introduces The RM52x1 Microprocessor Family". Press release. Quantum Effect Devices (6 July 1999). "QED's RM5271 Available Immediately at 300MHz". Press release. MIPS implementations Quantum Effect Devices microprocessors Superscalar microprocessors 64-bit microprocessors	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R5000
Daniel Sproule (born 25 January 1974 in Melbourne, Victoria) is a former field hockey defender from Australia who cannot find the wiki for the life of him, who was a member of the team that won the bronze medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. Four years earlier, when Atlanta, Georgia hosted the Games, he won his first bronze medal at the Olympics. Sproule has been a regular member of The Kookaburras team since missing the 1994 Hockey World Cup in Sydney. He won the gold medal with Australia at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, and did the same a year later at the 1999 Champions Trophy held in Brisbane. References Hockey Australia External links 1974 births Australian male field hockey players Male field hockey defenders Olympic field hockey players for Australia Olympic bronze medalists for Australia Field hockey players at the 1996 Summer Olympics 1998 Men's Hockey World Cup players Field hockey players at the 2000 Summer Olympics 2002 Men's Hockey World Cup players Field hockey players from Melbourne Living people Olympic medalists in field hockey Medalists at the 2000 Summer Olympics Medalists at the 1996 Summer Olympics Commonwealth Games medallists in field hockey Commonwealth Games gold medallists for Australia Field hockey players at the 1998 Commonwealth Games Medallists at the 1998 Commonwealth Games Sportsmen from Victoria (state)	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel%20Sproule
The R8000 is a microprocessor chipset developed by MIPS Technologies, Inc. (MTI), Toshiba, and Weitek. It was the first implementation of the MIPS IV instruction set architecture. The R8000 is also known as the TFP, for Tremendous Floating-Point, its name during development. History Development of the R8000 started in the early 1990s at Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI). The R8000 was specifically designed to provide the performance of circa 1990s supercomputers with a microprocessor instead of a central processing unit (CPU) built from many discrete components such as gate arrays. At the time, the performance of traditional supercomputers was not advancing as rapidly as reduced instruction set computer (RISC) microprocessors. It was predicted that RISC microprocessors would eventually match the performance of more expensive and larger supercomputers at a fraction of the cost and size, making computers with this level of performance more accessible and enabling deskside workstations and servers to replace supercomputers in many situations. First details of the R8000 emerged in April 1992 in an announcement by MIPS Computer Systems detailing future MIPS microprocessors. In March 1992, SGI announced it was acquiring MIPS Computer Systems, which became a subsidiary of SGI called MIPS Technologies, Inc. (MTI) in mid-1992. Development of the R8000 was transferred to MTI, where it continued. The R8000 was expected to be introduced in 1993, but it was delayed until mid-1994. The first R8000, a 75 MHz part, was introduced on 7 June 1994. It was priced at US$2,500 at the time. In mid-1995, a 90 MHz part appeared in systems from SGI. The R8000's high cost and narrow market (technical and scientific computing) restricted its market share, and although it was popular in its intended market, it was largely replaced with the cheaper and generally better performing R10000 introduced January 1996. Users of the R8000 were SGI, who used it in their Power Indigo2 workstation, Power Challenge server, Power ChallengeArray cluster and Power Onyx visualization system. In the November 1994 TOP500 list, 50 systems out of 500 used the R8000. The highest ranked R8000-based systems were four Power Challenges at positions 154 to 157. Each had 18 R8000s. Description The chip set consisted of the R8000 microprocessor, the R8010 floating-point unit, two Tag RAMs, and the streaming cache. The R8000 is superscalar, capable of issuing up to four instructions per cycle, and executes instructions in program order. It has a five-stage integer pipeline. R8000 The R8000 controlled the chip set and executed integer instructions. It contained the integer execution units, integer register file, primary caches and hardware for instruction fetch, branch prediction the translation lookaside buffers (TLBs). In stage one, four instructions are fetched from the instruction cache. The instruction cache is 16 kB large, direct-mapped, virtually tagged and virtually indexed, and has a 32-byte line size. Instruction decoding and register reads occur during stage two, and branch instructions are resolved as well, leading to a one-cycle branch mispredict penalty. Load and store instructions begin execution in stage three, and integer instructions in stage four. Integer execution was delayed until stage four so that integer instructions which use the result of a load as an operand may be issued in the cycle after the load. Results are written to the integer register file in stage five. The integer register file has nine read ports and four write ports. Four read ports supply operands to the two integer execution units (the branch unit was considered part of an integer unit). Another four read ports supply operands to the two address generators. Four ports are needed, rather than two, because of the base(register) + index(register) address style added in the MIPS IV ISA. The R8000 issues at most one integer store per cycle, and one final read port delivers the integer store data. Two register file write ports are used to write results from the two integer functional units. The R8000 issues two integer loads per cycle, and the other two write ports are used to write the results of integer loads to the register file. The level 1 data cache was organized as two redundant arrays, each of which had one read port and one write port. Integer stores were written to both arrays. Two loads could be processed in parallel, one on each array. Integer functional units consisted of two integer units, a shift unit, a multiply-divide unit, and two address generator units. Multiply and divide instructions are executed in the multiply-divide unit, which is not pipelined. As a result, the latency for a multiply instruction is four cycles for 32-bit operands and six cycles for 64-bit. The latency for a divide instruction depends on the number of significant digits in the result and thus it varies from 21 to 73 cycles. Loads and stores Loads and stores begin execution in stage three. The R8000 has two address generation units (AGUs) that calculate virtual address for loads and stores. In stage four, the virtual addresses are translated to physical addresses by a dual-ported TLB that contains 384 entries and is three-way set associative. The 16 kB data cache is accessed in the same cycle. It is dual-ported, and is accessed via two 64-bit buses. It can service two loads or one load and one store per cycle. The cache is not protected by parity or by error correcting code (ECC). In the event of a cache miss, the data must be loaded from the streaming cache with an eight-cycle penalty. The cache is virtually indexed, physically tagged, direct mapped, has a 32-byte line size and uses a write-through with allocate protocol. If the loads hit in the data cache, the result is written to the integer register file in stage five. R8010 The R8010 executed floating-point instructions provided by an instruction queue on the R8000. The queue decoupled the floating-point pipeline from the integer pipeline, implementing a limited form of out-of-order execution by allowing floating-point instructions to execute when possible after or before the integer instructions from the same group are issued. The pipelines were decoupled to help mitigate some of the streaming cache latency. It contained the floating-point register file, a load queue, a store queue, and two identical floating-point units. All instructions except for divide and square-root are pipelined. The R8010 implements an iterative division and square-root algorithm that uses the multiplier for a key part, requiring the pipeline to be stalled the unit for the duration of the operation. Arithmetic instructions except for compares have a four-cycle latency. Single and double precision divides have latencies of 14 and 20 cycles, respectively; and single and double precision square-roots have latencies of 14 and 23 cycles, respectively. Streaming cache and Tag RAMs The streaming cache is an external 1 to 16 MB cache that serves as the R8000's L2 unified cache and the R8010's L1 data cache. It operates at the same clock rate as the R8000 and is built from commodity synchronous static RAMs. This scheme was used to attain sustained floating point performance, which requires frequent access to data. A small low-latency primary cache would not contain enough data and frequently miss, necessitating long latency refiles that reduce performance. The streaming cache is two-way interleaved. It has two independent banks, each containing data from even or odd addresses. It can therefore perform two reads, two writes, or a read and a write every cycle, provided that the two accesses are to separate banks. Each bank is accessed via two 64-bit unidirectional buses, one for reads, and the other for writes. This scheme was used to avoid bus turnover, which is required by bidirectional buses. By avoiding bus turnover, the cache can be read from in one cycle and then written to in the next cycle without an intervening cycle for turnover, resulting in improved performance. The streaming cache's tags are contained on two Tag RAM chips, one for each bank. Both chips contain identical data. Each chip contains 1.189 Mbit of cache tags implemented by four-transistor SRAM cells. The chips are implemented in a 0.7 μm BiCMOS process with two levels of polysilicon and two levels of aluminium interconnect. BiCMOS circuitry was used in the decoders and combined sense amplifier and comparator portions of the chip to reduce cycle time. Each Tag RAM is 14.8 mm by 14.8 mm large, packaged in a 155-pin CPGA, and dissipates 3 W at 75 MHz. In addition to providing the cache tags, the Tag RAMs are responsible for the streaming cache being four-way set associative. To avoid high a pin count, the cache tags are four-way set associative and logic selects which set to access after lookup instead of the usual way of implementing set-associative caches. Access to the streaming cache is pipelined to mitigate some of the latency. The pipeline has five stages: in stage one, addresses are sent to the Tag RAMs, which are accessed in stage two. Stage three is for the signals from the Tag RAMs to propagate to the SSRAMs. In stage four, the SSRAMs are accessed and data is returned to the R8000 or R8010 in stage five. Physical The R8000 contained 2.6 million transistors and measured 17.34 mm by 17.30 mm (299.98 mm²). The R8010 contained 830,000 transistors. In total, the two chips contained 3.43 million transistors. Both were fabricated by Toshiba in their VHMOSIII process, a 0.7 μm, triple-layer metal complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) process. Both are packaged in 591-pin ceramic pin grid array (CPGA) packages. Both chips used a 3.3 V power supply, and the R8000 dissipated 13 W at 75 MHz. Notes References "Aligning Instructions for Multiple Dispatch". Sidebar in Pountain, Dick, "The Last Bastion", Byte, August 1994. Dongarra, Jack J.; Meuer, Hans W. and Strohmaier, Erich (9 November 1994). TOP500 Supercomputer Sites. Gwennap, Linley (15 February 1993). "SGI Provides Overview of TFP CPU". Microprocessor Report, vol. 7, no. 2. Gwennap, Linley (23 August 1993). "TFP Designed for Tremendous Floating Point". Microprocessor Report, vol. 7, no. 11. Hsu, Peter Yan-Tek (2 June 1994). Design of the R8000 Microprocessor. MIPS Technologies, Inc. (August 1994). R8000 Microprocessor Chip Set Product Overview. Pountain, Dick (September 1994). "The Last Bastion". Byte. Shen, John Paul; Lipasti, Mikko H. (2005). Modern Processor Design: Fundamentals of Superscalar Microprocessors. McGraw-Hill Professional. pp. 418–419. Unekawa, Yasuo et al. (1993). "A 110MHz / 1Mbit synchronous Tag RAM". Symposium on VLSI Circuits. pp. 15–16. Further reading Ikumi, N. et al. (February 1994). "A 300 MIPS, 300 MFLOPS four-issue CMOS superscalar microprocessor". ISSCC Digest of Technical Papers. Unekawa, Y. et al. (April 1994). "A 110-MHz/1-Mb synchronous TagRAM". IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits 29 (4): pp. 403–410. How VLIW almost disappeared Peter Hsu Design of the R8000 IEEE Micro 1994 MIPS implementations MIPS microprocessors Superscalar microprocessors 64-bit microprocessors	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R8000
Shahreza (, also Romanized as Shahrezā and Shahriza; formerly Komsheh, then Qomsheh (Persian: ), also Romanized as Kowmsheh, and Qowmsheh) is a city in the Central District of Shahreza County, Isfahan province, Iran, and serves as both capital of the county and of the district. Shahreza was selected as the national city of pottery in Iran in 2015. The reason for this choice was the high skill of the artists and the unique soil of this city. At the 2006 National Census, its population was 108,299 in 30,368 households. The following census in 2011 counted 123,767 people in 37,113 households. The latest census in 2016 showed a population of 134,952 people in 43,478 households. Situation Shahreza is located 508 km south to Tehran and about 80 km south west to Isfahan and Zard Kooh mountain chain runs from north-west to south-east of the city, enjoying a cold climate. It is an old city which was first named Qomsheh, but later on its name was changed to Shahreza due to the existence there of the shrine of Shahreza. The most important tourist attractions are: Mahyar caravanserai, Shah Reza caravanserai, the Shah Ghandab caves, located south-east of Shahreza, the Poodeh mosque, and Shahreza Imamzadeh. Other tourist attractions include the Amin Abad caravanserai, a Safavid Empire structure in Amin Abad, a village 42 km south of Shahreza. Shahreza is a strategic city due to having large military bases, rail transportation system, very fertile soil, having the second largest industrial town in Iran (Razi town) and connecting the north to south. It is interesting that a part of the old Silk Road passed through the Choghad Shahreza area. History It was one of the ancient territories of northern Pars (Persia) Satrapy in B.C. In the north of the county there is canyon of Orchiny (Orchine) that the main Iranian north-south high way passes through. The huge castle of Qomsheh was the latest place constructed by the Safavid Empire before the occupation of the capital Isfahan in the last of Safavid ages when Afghans captured it. References Shahreza County Cities in Isfahan Province Populated places in Shahreza County	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahreza
Fovant is a village and civil parish in southwest Wiltshire, England, lying about west of Salisbury on the A30 Salisbury-Shaftesbury road, on the south side of the Nadder valley. History The name is derived from the Old English Fobbefunta, meaning "spring of a man called Fobbe". The Domesday Book of 1086 recorded a settlement called Febefonte with 22 households, held by Wilton Abbey. The abbey was surrendered to the Crown in 1539, and Fovant was among the villages granted to Sir William Herbert, later Earl of Pembroke. (Herbert was also granted the site of the abbey, where he built Wilton House). The Pembrokes continued as landowners at Fovant until the estate was broken up in 1919. An elementary school was built in 1847 with places for 100 children, and gained a second classroom in 1875. Children of all ages attended until 1944, when those aged twelve and over transferred to the senior school at Tisbury. By 1958, when the buildings were modernised, there were 58 pupils. In the 1980s children aged 10 and 11 went to a middle school at Tisbury, and falling numbers led to closure of the Fovant school in 1997 when it had 27 pupils. During World War I a training camp was set up at Fovant which, according to one soldier stationed there, was 'as good a camp as Chiseldon was a bad one'. Owing to the leadership of 'a giant colonel now fairly old', the recruits were well cared for and fed. Religious sites Parish church The Church of England parish church of St George dates from the 13th century and has a south doorway taken from a 12th-century building. Much of the church was rebuilt in the 15th century; the tower was built c. 1492 and is surmounted with stone friezes and battlements. In the 16th century the last abbess of Wilton Abbey, Cecily Bodenham, retired to Fovant and is said to have paid for the building or rebuilding of the south aisle. Restoration in 1863 by T.H. Wyatt included the rebuilding of the chancel and major changes to the interior, including the removal of a musicians' gallery. One of the six bells in the tower is from the 15th century. The building was designated as Grade II* listed in 1960. Today the parish is part of the Nadder Valley Team Ministry. Chapel A Congregational chapel was completed in 1820 in dressed limestone, and continues in use as Fovant Free Church. Military connections During the First World War, temporary camps were built in the Fovant area to handle training and medical treatment of soldiers, and later their demobilisation. The Fovant Military Railway was built in 1915 from Dinton station, passing close to Fovant with a terminus east of the village near the A30. The camps stretched beyond Compton Chamberlayne into Barford St Martin parish, and included Hurdcott Camp which was a depot of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). The area is known for several regimental badges cut in chalk into a nearby hill (also being the site of Chiselbury Iron Age hillfort), created by soldiers garrisoned near Fovant. Governance The civil parish elects a parish council. It is in the area of Wiltshire Council unitary authority, which is responsible for all significant local government functions. The parish is part of the Fovant and Chalke Valley electoral ward. The ward begins in the Netherhampton parish just to the west of Salisbury, stretches west to Bishopstone and northwest to Fovant, ending at Tollard Royal. The population of the ward at the 2011 census was 4,315. Amenities Fovant has a village shop (with post office), a village hall, playing field and playground. At one time with three public houses, Fovant also has a pub called The Greater Good formerly known as the Pembroke Arms. References External links Fovant village website Fovant History Interest Group Villages in Wiltshire Civil parishes in Wiltshire	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fovant
Al Garhoud Bridge (in Arabic: جسر القرهود) is one of three road bridges over Dubai Creek, and one of five crossings, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Al Garhoud Bridge forms the eastern end of the road toll (called Salik) that went into effect on 1 July 2007. Since the beginning of Salik, Al Garhoud Bridge has seen low amounts of traffic for Dubai. Old Al Garhoud Bridge The old Al Garhoud Bridge was the second bridge constructed that crossed the Creek, after Al Maktoum Bridge. The bridge opened in 1976. In 2007, nearly 9,000 vehicles crossed the bridge every hour at peak flow. It has been the cause of huge traffic jams in Dubai. The main reason for this was the number of roads that fed into the bridge. On the Bur Dubai-bound lanes, seven lanes (from three different roads) converged into three lanes. For the Deira-bound lanes, five lanes converged into three lanes. Also, the bridge had to be closed to allow large boats to pass under it. The bridge had a total of 6 lanes: 3 lanes in each direction. New Al Garhoud Bridge To solve the major traffic problems caused by the old bridge, a replacement was constructed between 2006 and 2008 by Belgian main contractor BESIX. The bridge, which cost 415 million dirhams, is meant to add more lanes of road that cross Dubai Creek. The new Al Garhoud Bridge has a total of 14 lanes, 7 in each direction. It is able to handle 16,000 vehicles per hour. Construction of the bridge began in February 2006 and by 26 September 2007, 76% of the construction was completed. The bridge is long and above the water. On 15 December 2007, four lanes on the Deira-bound side were opened to vehicle traffic. Then on 15 March 2008, as had been scheduled, remaining lanes on both sides were opened. The old bridge was demolished after the new bridge opened. Shortly after the bridge opened, the Roads and Transport Authority announced that Al Garhoud Bridge would be decorated with artwork that look like sand dunes during the day and waves at night with the aid of lighting. Photo gallery Construction Photos on 31 January 2007 Construction Photos on 1 May 2007 Construction Photo on 31 May 2007 Construction Photo on 18 October 2007 References Bridges in Dubai Bridges in the United Arab Emirates Bridges completed in 1976 Bridges completed in 2008 1976 establishments in the United Arab Emirates	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al%20Garhoud%20Bridge
The Alaska Aces were a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association since 1986 under the ownership of Alaska Milk Corporation (AMC) and the owner of 14 PBA championships, tied with the Magnolia Hotshots for the third-most titles overall. They are one of the most popular teams in the league and the Philippines. The Aces won nine PBA championships in the 1990s, including a rare grand slam (winning three championships in one season) during the 1996 season, joining the Crispa Redmanizers (1976, 1983), San Miguel Beermen (1989), and the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers (2013–14) as one of only four franchises to achieve the feat. The Aces last tournament was the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup where they were eliminated by the NLEX Road Warriors in the quarterfinal round in March 2022. The franchise was bought by Converge ICT on March 23, 2022, to become the Converge FiberXers. History 1986: First season After the temporary departure of the Magnolia franchise prior to the start of the 1986 PBA season, the league was reduced to only five teams. Alaska Milk was accepted as the league's sixth member. Being a pro league newcomer, the ballclub was allowed to choose players from the pool presented by the PBA. The team was headed by Filipino-American owner Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, team manager Joel Aquino and their coach was Tony Vasquez, who played for Ateneo de Manila during his playing days and as a coach, he piloted the Ateneo juniors to an NCAA championship and also once mentored the Blue Eagles. Among the players they choose from the pool were Arnie Tuadles and Ricky Relosa from Ginebra, Rudy Distrito, Marte Saldaña and Noli Banate from Magnolia, Alejo Alolor, Teddy Alfarero and Frankie Lim from Great Taste, and Dennis Abbatuan from Shell. In the PBA draft, as the newest member of the league, they had the first crack and Alaska selected Rey Cuenco as the number one overall pick. In the second and third rounds, they choose Ludovico Valenciano and Reynaldo Ramos. Their very first two imports in the first conference of the season were the returning Donnie Ray Koonce and Jerry Eaves, a third round draft pick by the Utah Jazz in 1982 and who played for Utah's entire 82-game regular season in his rookie year. Both were handpicked by Alaska coaching consultant Norman Black, the former import and coach of the defunct Magnolia quintet who signed a one-year contract with the new team. Alaska placed fourth in their inaugural conference and missed out the semifinal round in the second and third conferences, placing fifth and sixth. 1987–1988: Bruise Brothers era A strike within Alaska Milk Corporation led the team to play under a different brand. AMC brought in Hills Bros. Coffee to mitigate the strike's impact on its brand. The ballclub, temporarily renamed as the Hills Bros. Coffee Kings, had a new coach in Nat Canson, who last coached the Gold Eagle Beer squad in 1984. Following Manila Beer's disbandment, the Coffee Kings acquired three players from the Brewmasters; Elpidio Villamin, Tim Coloso and sophomore Adonis Tierra. They also acquired three-time PBA MVP William 'Bogs' Adornado from Shell via trade and Ginebra discard Joey Marquez. In the 1987 All-Filipino Conference, the Coffee Kings surprisingly made it to the finals against corporate rival Great Taste Coffee Makers. This mark the birth of the tandem known as the "Bruise Brothers" in Yoyoy Villamin and Ricky Relosa, both players during their earlier years in the PBA were the promising forwards of legendary teams Crispa and Toyota. Villamin played alongside Abet Guidaben and Philip Cezar for Crispa while Relosa were teammates with Ramon Fernandez and Abe King at Toyota. The Coffee Kings were swept in the finals by Great Taste in three games. Coach Nat Canson resigned three weeks after the championship series. Former Tanduay coach Arturo Valenzona, who himself was ax from the job by Tanduay management after the Rhum Makers were eliminated, accepted the offer to coach the Hills Bros. Coffee Kings starting the third conference. Parading a sweet-shooting import Jose Slaughter, who breaks the previous record for most three-point shots converted with 14 triples as he finished with 79 points in the October 18 game against Great Taste which they won, 129–115. Hills Bros were in their second finals stint after beating the Billy Ray Bates led-Ginebra in a playoff game on December 1, 1987. They faced San Miguel Beermen (formerly Magnolia) in the Reinforced Conference championship series and after winning Game One, they lost the next four games and finished bridesmaid for the second straight conference of the season. Returning to Alaska Milk in the 1988 PBA season, the team signed three players from Shell; Rey Lazaro, Biboy Ravanes and Willie Pearson to strengthen its lineup. Before the start of the season, Bogs Adornado announces his retirement from active playing and was given recognition by the PBA in the opening day on March 20, 1988. Alaska placed third in the Open and All-Filipino Conference of the season. Bogs Adornado would replace Arturo Valenzona as the team's head coach beginning the third conference. 1989–1992: Arrival of coach Tim Cone and Jolas with their 1st title The year 1989 was an exciting year for Alaska as the team drafted the high-leaping Paul Alvarez and the backcourt tandem of Ric-Ric Marata and Elmer Cabahug. Veteran center Abet Guidaben, who has been disgruntled in the last three months of the 1988 season following a bitter trade with Ramon Fernandez that sent him to Purefoods Hotdogs, has joined the bruise brothers to form an awesome force inside the paint. Alaska was able to hire Sean Chambers, who played with the American selection in two previous PBA/IBA series, as their import to replaced their first choice Carl Lott in the 1989 Open Conference. Chambers led Alaska to a third-place finish in his first PBA stint. American Tim Cone, a member of the PBA's vintage panel, accepted the coaching chores for Alaska Milk on full-time starting the All-Filipino Conference. Alaska has long without a coach when Bogs Adornado was sacked after the elimination round of the first conference and team manager Joel Aquino handled the team on interim basis. Alaska continues to struggle despite the mixture of veterans and young players in the roster and team owner Wilfred Uytengsu could not hide his disappointment when the Milkmen went winless in the semifinals of the 1990 All-Filipino Conference. They got rid of one of their veterans; Abet Guidaben, who was traded to Pepsi for Harmon Codiñera. In the third conference of the 1990 PBA season, Alaska finally advances in the finals for the third time in franchise history and their first since the 1987 season. Going up against the Purefoods Hotdogs, both teams were gunning for their first championship. Alaska had former Boston Celtic Carlos Clark and Sean Chambers as their imports to be pitted against Daren Queenan and Robert Rose of the Hotdogs. The Milkmen went up 2–0 in the best-of-five title series and on a threshold of winning their first trophy, but Purefoods came back and win the last three games to capture the 1990 PBA third conference crown. 1991:The JOLAS Era a.k.a. The Helicopter and Mr. Clutch. Beginning the 1991 PBA season, the team let go of its vital cog, Yoyoy Villamin, who was traded along with Ric-ric Marata to Sarsi. Elmer Cabahug was shipped to Purefoods and Alaska acquired the Hotdogs star player Jojo Lastimosa in return as he will team up with Paul Alvarez in which coach Tim Cone describes as unbeatable tandem. Alaska signed their two first round picks in the rookie draft, Alex Araneta and Eugene Quilban and their third rookie, Rhoel Gomez. There were criticisms on some of Alaska's moves during the off-season as they say experience was supposed to win championships instead of the fountain of youth. After a third-place showing in the All-Filipino Conference, the Milkmen returned to the finals in the Third Conference with Paul Alvarez back in form after being idle for almost eight months, recuperating from the injury he suffered in 1990, in Game three of the title playoffs. Playing against crowd-favorite Ginebra San Miguel, the Milkmen finally won their first PBA title, winning the best of five series, three games to one. Alaska import Sean Chambers got the better of his counterpart, Ginebra import Wes Matthews, in the four-game series. In 1992, Alaska owned the second pick in the draft and they choose the burly 6'4" Stevenson Solomon, who had been in the mold of a Yoyoy Villamin and was part of the national team that regain the SEA Games basketball gold in Manila. Another national player, Allen Sasan, was chosen by Alaska in the first round. Despite a stronger lineup compared to the previous year, and with Lastimosa and Alvarez playing together for one full season, the Milkmen were eliminated in the All-Filipino and third conferences. 1993–1995: The Abarrientos era and the rivalry with Sunkist Alaska previously had the best point guards in the past four years to back up their veteran and starting point guard Frankie Lim, Ricric Marata for two years, then Eugene Quilban and Gilbert 'Jun' Reyes (whom Quilban was traded for), all big names during their amateur days. In 1993, Alaska picks another point guard in the rookie draft as the third overall, former FEU Tamaraw Johnny Abarrientos, who has been making waves in the Philippine Basketball League, winning PBL titles for three seasons and was expected to follow the footsteps of Hector Calma and Ronnie Magsanoc in the pros. He will be the starting point guard of Alaska as Frankie Lim, the last among the original milkmen, decided to moved out and joined the Purefoods TJ Hotdogs. The beginning of what turn out to be a dynasty in the second part of the 1990s started in the 1994 season. The Milkmen in the middle of last year acquired forward Bong Hawkins from Sta. Lucia Realtors. The team selected 6'5" center Poch Juinio in the 1994 PBA draft. Alaska would win their second PBA title in the third conference called Governors Cup, defeating Swift Mighty Meaties in six games. Swift, renamed Sunkist Orange Juicers in the 1995 PBA season, became Alaska's finals rival that year. They played in the championship in the first two conferences of the season and the Orange Juicers prevailed both times. The three consecutive finals meeting between the two teams was the first since Crispa and Toyota in 1975–1976. Alaska was able to stop Sunkist' quest for a grandslam by retaining the Governors Cup crown, defeating San Miguel Beermen in seven games. 1996 Grand Slam Alaska return to the All-Filipino Cup finals against Purefoods, who were back in the All-Filipino finals after missing out in 1995. The Milkmen were considered the underdogs before the best of seven title showdown. They outbattled a tough and gritty TJ Hotdogs and won in just five games. Last season's rookie of the year Jeffrey Cariaso converted two free throws with 0.6 of a second remaining in overtime of Game five and Purefoods up by one, 92–91, to win it in a fitting moment as Alaska won their first All-Filipino title and their fourth PBA crown. The Milkmen were in their seventh straight finals appearance when they go up against surprise finalist Formula Shell for the Commissioner's Cup title. The Milkmen were given a hard time by the Shell team of Benjie Paras, Victor Pablo and import Kenny Redfield. The finals series went into a seventh and deciding game and Alaska's championship experience prove to be a key factor in winning, 83–77. Their import, Sean Chambers, was a late replacement for Derrick Hamilton, who was sent packing after traces of Marijuana were discovered in his urine during the last stages of the semifinals. In the Governor's Cup, Alaska completed the PBA's fourth grandslam, defeating Ginebra San Miguel in five games. In the year-end awards, Johnny Abarrientos was named MVP, Bong Hawkins settled for the Mythical five with Jojo Lastimosa, Starting center Poch Juinio was the season's most improved player and Sean Chambers was a runaway winner of the best import award. The dynasty continues (1997–1998) Before the 1997 PBA season started, Alaska lost three players who were integral part of the team that bagged four straight titles, they are Jun Reyes, whom Alaska dealt to Sta.Lucia in exchange for Boyet Fernandez, center Cris Bolado, who moved to Purefoods, and Jeffrey Cariaso, who was shipped to Mobiline. New acquisitions Dwight Lago, Rodney Santos and Boyet Fernandez would be hampered by their unfamiliarity with Alaska's vaunted triangle offense. In the All-Filipino Cup, the Milkmen were eliminated from the semifinals for the first time in four years. They return to the finals in the Commissioner's Cup but lost to Gordon's Gin Boars (formerly Ginebra) in six games. Alaska was able to retain the only crown left in their grandslam conquest last year by winning their fourth straight Governor's Cup trophy. Late in the eliminations, they acquired veteran center Jack Tanuan and the high-flying Kenneth Duremdes in exchange for Dwight Lago and Boyet Fernandez from Pop Cola. Duremdes became a perfect replacement for Cariaso and in the title series against Purefoods Carne Norte Beefies, the Milkmen had an easier time in winning four games to one after losing the series opener. Alaska showed no mercy in a 94–66 rout in Game five. The Milkmen were in a bid for a second grandslam in the 1998 season after defeating the Ron Jacobs-coached San Miguel Beermen twice in the finals of the first two conferences. They came back from a 2–3 series deficit in the All-Filipino Cup to win in seven games. In the Commissioner's Cup, dreadlock-sporting Devin Davis became the only other Alaska import in the 1990s besides Sean Chambers to lead the team to the crown. The Milkmen won their 9th PBA title, tying the famed Toyota Super Corollas as the third winningest ball club. The possible 'Grand Slam II' for the team didn't happen with the 1998 Asian Games set in December and Cone being named head coach, Abarrientos, Duremdes and Lastimosa were tapped to lead the Philippine team. Assistants Jun Reyes and Dickey Bachmann took over for Alaska. But despite a strong showing from the slasher Rodney Santos and their resident shooter, Rhoel Gomez, the Milkmen failed to enter the semis of both the special 1998 PBA Centennial Cup and the season-ending Governor's Cup. Duremdes was named the Most Valuable Player at the end of the year, the second Alaska Milkmen to win the coveted individual award. 10th PBA title With the arrival of some talented Filipino-American cagers in the league, the Milkmen opted to stick with the same core for the 1999 season. In the All-Filipino, the Milkmen was eliminated by expansion team Tanduay in the semis. In the Commissioner's Cup, Devin Davis made his return to the team, but the young San Miguel team of Danny Ildefonso and Danny Seigle conspired with their import, Terquin Mott, to eliminate the Aces in five games. They finished third in the tournament. Alaska advanced to the Finals of the Governor's Cup with Chambers at the helm but San Miguel, led by Lamont "The Helicopter" Strothers, defeated the Milkmen in six games despite Alaska getting an early 2–1 series lead. In 2000, Jojo Lastimosa was traded to Pop Cola as part of the team's future plan to rebuild. Alaska won their 10th PBA title at the expense of Purefoods in the All-Filipino Conference. Purefoods won Game one of this series but the Milkmen won the next four games to win the series. The Milkmen failed to enter the Finals of the Commissioner's Cup after they were eliminated by the Beermen in the semi-finals. 2001–2022: Alaska Aces As part of the league's move to strengthen its marketing through the PBA Properties, Alaska adopted a new moniker the Alaska Aces. Despite the change Alaska failed to reach the Finals of the Governor's Cup once again. 2000–01 season Before the 2001 season, the Aces traded popular star Johnny Abarrientos to the Pop Cola Panthers for forward Ali Peek and guard Jon Ordonio. In the draft, Alaska used the fifth pick to draft fil-am John Arigo. The Aces also signed Duremdes to a reported 48 million peso deal for seven years. In the All-Filipino conference, the Aces were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Abarrientos and Pop Cola. In the Commissioners Cup, a strong showing by Peek gave defending champion San Miguel a fight but still loss in five games of the semis. In the Governors Cup, they were eliminated in the quarterfinals. Chambers retired three games into the Governors Cup. In a simple ceremony, the Aces retired his #20 jersey, becoming the second player in team history to have his number retired. 2001–02 season Duremdes was borrowed by the Philippine National Team in 2002 and Lastimosa made his return to Alaska. The Aces, with Ron Riley and Montreal Dobbins as imports, but after 6 games, Dobbins was replaced by James Head, advanced to the finals of the Governor's Cup against Purefoods. The Aces led 2–0 in the seven-game series, but the TJ Hotdogs won the next three games. After Alaska tied it up in Game Six, Purefoods won Game seven to deny the Aces its 11th title. In the Commissioner's Cup, Ajani Williams and Chris Carawell bannered the Aces but was eliminated by Talk N' Text in the semi-finals. Duremdes returned for the Aces in the All-Filipino and made it to the finals. After winning Game 1, the Aces lost the next three games to settle another runner-up finish. 2002–03 season: Invitational Champs In the 2003 PBA Draft, Alaska shocked the league by trading their superstar, Kenneth Duremdes to the Sta. Lucia Realtors for the fifth pick of the first round. This enabled Alaska to get Brandon Cablay as the team's top draft pick. The Aces also held the first overall pick in the draft and selected De La Salle University-Manila star point guard Mike Cortez, who was considered as the next great point guard in the Alaska franchise's history, following Johnny Abarrientos. During halftime of their season opening game, Alaska retired Jojo Lastimosa's #6 jersey. During the offseason, Lastimosa announced his retirement after playing 15 seasons in the league. He became one of the team's assistant coaches under coach Cone's era. In the All-Filipino, Alaska failed in its bid to enter the Finals as they were eliminated by Talk 'N Text in a grueling five-game series. However, the Aces won the third-place trophy via a blowout in expense of the San Miguel Beermen. In the Invitational tournament, Alaska had to play in the qualifying round to enter the tournament. The Aces swept the elimination round, winning all four of its games, to make it to the semis. In a one-game showdown, Alaska defeated Red Bull Barako to face Coca-Cola in the Finals. The Tigers won Game One of the series, but the Aces won the next two games to win their 11th PBA title, this time with a different set of players. Brandon Cablay was named as Finals MVP, while Ali Peek won Best Player of the Conference honors. In the Reinforced Conference, Alaska struggled in the tournament and was eliminated by Duremdes and Sta. Lucia in the quarters. 2003–04 Fiesta Conference Alaska paraded former NBA journeyman Galen Young for the 2004 Fiesta Conference. The Aces placed second after the elimination round of the tournament. But, they failed to enter the finals of the said tournament winning only one game in three outings in the semi-finals. 2004–05 season In the 2004–05 season, the Aces managed to finished fourth in the qualifying round. After eliminating FedEx in the Wild-Card phase, they were swept by San Miguel in the quarters. During the tournament, Arigo and Peek were shipped to Coca-Cola for Jeffrey Cariaso and Reynel Hugnatan. Bong Hawkins also made his return to the Aces, reuniting him with Cariaso, assistant coach Jojo Lastimosa, and Cone. Alaska hired Leon Derricks for the Fiesta Conference. However, his inconsistent game led to his replacement by former Chicago Bull Dickey Simpkins. The addition of Simpkins helped Alaska climb into third place at the end of the classification round. The Aces faced Red Bull Thunder in the semis. A back injury sustained by Simpkins, after being elbowed in the back by Dorian Peña, prevented him from playing at full strength during the series. Former Alaska Ace, Bryan Gahol, hit the last second shot in Game three to eliminate Alaska from the tournament. 2005–06 season Prior to the start of the 2005–06 PBA season, the Aces built up their lineup by acquiring national team pool members, Tony dela Cruz and Rich Alvarez from the disbanding Shell Turbo Chargers. They also acquired the services of former Mobiline and Coca-Cola import Artemus "Tee" McClary for the Fiesta Conference. After the Aces placed second behind Team Pilipinas in the Brunei Sultan's Cup, with Dela Cruz playing for the said team, the team was considered as one of the top contenders to win the upcoming season. However, they went on a slide after a good start. After Alaska blowing a 28-point lead and losing to the Purefoods Chunkee Giants, the team went on a downhill since. With McClary's decline starting to show, he was eventually replaced by the 3-point shooting Odell Bradley who showed some impressive scoring outputs. However, Alaska still finished seventh in the classification phase with a 7–9 record. The Aces swept Sta. Lucia in a best-of-three matchup in the wildcard phase before being swept in a best-of-five affair by eventual champion Red Bull Barako. Weeks before the start of the Philippine Cup, Alaska traded Brandon Cablay to San Miguel in exchange for veteran Nic Belasco. On May 8, 2006, they traded Don Allado to Talk 'N Text for guard Willie Miller, forward John Ferriols, & 2006 first round pick. Alaska finished with a 9–7 record in the classifications, thus earning an outright berth in the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals, the Aces defeated the Coca-Cola Tigers, with former Alaska star Johnny Abarrientos on the squad, 3–1. The opening game of the series saw Alaska winning on a last second three-pointer by Nic Belasco. In the semi-finals against top-seed Purefoods Chunkee Giants, the Aces led 3–1 and was a win away from a finals berth but failed to win all of the remaining games. Alaska would end the tournament on a winning note, capturing the third-place trophy with a 102–95 win over San Miguel, their 12th third-place finish in team history. 2006–07 season: Fiesta Conference Champions Head coach Tim Cone signed a contract extension to remain with the team, erasing speculation of his possible dismissal. In the 2006 PBA Draft, Alaska selected Letran's Aaron Aban and UST's Christian Luanzon. Alaska started the 2006–07 PBA Philippine Cup poorly but rebounded to finish with an 8–10 record for a wildcard berth. After losing in a last-second overtime thriller against Coca-Cola, and a win by Sta. Lucia on the next game date eliminated Alaska from contention despite winning their last game against Sta. Lucia. Injuries to Reynel Hugnatan and Mike Cortez affected the team's play throughout the said conference. However, Alaska started the 2007 PBA Fiesta Conference with a 7–4 card before the All-Star break, with Roselle Ellis as their import. Shooting Guard, Willie Miller provided a strong performance for the Aces during the tournament posting numerous 20 point-games. The return of Cortez sparked a late surge by the team by finishing with a 12–6 record and beat Ginebra in a one-game playoff to earn an outright semifinals berth. After eliminating the San Miguel Beermen in the semifinals via a 4–2 series win, the Aces entered the finals for a 19th time to meet the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals. Despite a 1–2 and a 2–3 deficit in the titular showdown, Miller, named the league's Most Valuable Player, erupted for 29 points to tie the series in Game 4 and recovered from a dismal performance in Game 5 with a sterling 37-point output in Game 6 to force a decider. The seventh game was a seesaw battle before Miller fired a go-ahead layup and a Reynel Hugnatan freethrow in the last two minutes to seal a 99–96 championship win for Alaska. 2007–08 season Alaska picked Adamson stalwart, Ken Bono, and University of Visayas Green Lancers starting center, JR "Baby Shaq" Quiñahan as the 6th and 7th overall picks of the 2007 PBA Draft along with second round selection Ardy Larong. In order to free up some cap spaces, the team traded veteran forward Nic Belasco to Welcoat in exchange for Junjun Cabatu while signing free agent Ariel Capus. In the 2007–08 Philippine Cup, the Aces lost at the semis against Sta. Lucia. Before the start of the Fiesta Conference, Alaska acquired former King Blue Eagles LA Tenorio and Larry Fonacier in exchange for ace point guard Mike Cortez and 1st round draft pick Ken Bono. They also tapped former Chicago Bull and Talk 'N Text import Randy Holcomb as their reinforcement to help them defend the crown. Alaska, started slowly winning only 2 of their 6 matches including a 4-game losing streak. Then came a rumor that Holcomb will be replaced by former Milwaukee Buck Daniel Santiago. However, it was confirmed that the rumors were not true and they were not in negotiations with the Puerto Rico national team starting center. Alaska came on to a conference high 6-game winning streak and made their record to 8–6 and had a chance of getting a semi-final seat. In their 2nd-round game against Magnolia, Alaska was trailing along the way until the final minute which they came in and even grabbed the lead, but Alaska's semi-final dream came to an end when a call by the referee with 0.3 seconds left caused them the game. Tied at 99 all, former Alaska Ace Mike Cortez split his freethrows to give Magnolia a one-point lead. However, Larry Fonacier's jumper went in front of the rim as time expired and Magnolia escaped with a nail-biting 100–99 win over the defending champions. 2008–09 season: On the road to 13th title In the 2008 Annual Rookie Draft held on August 31, 2008, at Market! Market!, Taguig, Alaska drafted scoring guard Solomon Mercado at fifth in the first round and grabbing Mapúa star Kelvin dela Peña at fifteenth in the second round. A day after the draft, the team acquired 2007 first overall pick and team leading scorer Joe Devance from Rain or Shine (formerly Welcoat Dragons) in exchange for Solomon Mercado and wingman Eddie Laure. On September 4, 2008, the team signed 2004 7th overall pick Ervin Sotto. While on September 22, 2008, Alaska traded J.R. Quiñahan to the Air21 Express in exchange for 2008 6th overall pick Mark Borboran. Meanwhile, the team also signed veteran 6–9 Eric Canlas through free agency. The Aces started their campaign on their quest for their 4th All-Filipino crown on a high note including a 4–0 start. They struggled in the middle part of the conference but still remained the leader in the standings. Alaska finished as the number one team after the elimination round winning 12 games in 18 matches and was the first team to secure a seat in the Semifinals giving them a long rest. After three weeks of waiting, they faced the defending Philippine Cup champion Sta. Lucia Realtors, a re-match of last year's Semifinals which went to a seven-game grueling series. The Realtors swept the depleted-lineup of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the Quarterfinals. The Aces beat the defending champion Realtors in six games to advance and arranged a Finals showdown with the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters. They had a 2–0 lead first but Talk 'N Text tied the series 2–2. In Game 5, Alaska won 95–93 courtesy by Willie Miller's tough three-point shot. In Game 6, Talk 'N Text tied the series 3–3 to force a Game 7. In Game 7, they had a chance to win the title but the missed free throws during the crucial seconds of the game by Miller and Joe Devance gave Talk 'N Text the win and the title, 93–89. 2009–10 season: two straight Finals appearances and their 13th title In the All-Filipino Cup, Alaska started strong and finished in first place in the standings, earning them an automatic semi-final seat. Willie Miller led the Aces in scoring with LA Tenorio continued to blossom for the Aces. They swept Ginebra in the semi-finals and faced Purefoods for the championship, who defeated San Miguel in the semis. Despite their strong output during the eliminations, Purefoods swept them in the finals, including three straight game heart-breaking losses. In the Fiesta Conference, Alaska paraded import Diamon Simpson. Simpson, who played for the Los Angeles D-Fenders, an NBA D-League team and affiliate of back-to-back NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers before coming to the PBA, was very impressive and fit perfectly into Tim Cone's Triangle System. He nearly averaged 30 points and 20 rebounds a game and made Alaska the favorites to win it all in the import-laden conference. In the middle of the conference, leading scorer Willie Miller was traded to the Barangay Ginebra Kings in exchange for high flyer Cyrus Baguio. It was stated by Miller's agent that Miller wanted out of Alaska before the season started. After the trade was approved and made, in a coincidence, Alaska's next game was against Ginebra. In that game, the Aces trailed most of the game until the fourth quarter, when Cyrus Baguio finally exploded for 14 points to lead Alaska to a come from behind win. The Aces put team captain Jeffrey Cariaso in the reserve list in what would have been his retirement but a few games later, Cariaso returned to play once more. Alaska also signed veteran guard Topex Robinson during the season. Alaska met rival Talk N Text in the semi-finals. LA Tenorio was awarded as the Most Improved Player in the league. Former Alaska point guard Johnny Abarrientos announced his retirement after playing 15 seasons in the league. The Aces defeated the Tropang Texters in a grueling seven-game series despite being down 2–3. The Aces met top seed San Miguel Beermen led by best import Gabe Freeman in the finals. The Aces dominated the Beermen and won their 12th Championship in six games. LA Tenorio and Cyrus Baguio were named co-Finals MVPs of the series. At the end of the season, Jeffrey Cariaso retired and Tony Dela Cruz was named the new captain of the team. 2010–11 season: The franchise's 25th anniversary Before the season began, the Aces celebrated their 25th anniversary as a PBA franchise on September 28, 2010. During the commemoration, they formally retired the jerseys of Bong Hawkins (#16) and Johnny Abarrientos (#14). Both players were instrumental for their grandslam finish in 1996. On draft day, they traded shooter Larry Fonacier to Talk 'N Text in exchange for the fourth overall pick which was used to pick former UE Warrior Elmer Espiritu. With Jeffrey Cariaso already retired, they traded their second pick in first round to Meralco for another former UE player Bonbon Custodio. They also drafted JRU's Marvin Hayes as #2 pick in the second round. For the duration of the Philippine Cup, they sported their throwback early 1990s light uniform temporary replacing their current light jersey. They finished the conference with a 7–7 record. Thanks to Joe Devance's improved play, good enough for them to be qualified in the quarterfinals. However, they were defeated by Ginebra in a do-or-die five games series despite leading 2–0 and up by 20 in game 5. In the 2011 Commissioner's Cup, they paraded former Chicago Bull Eddie Basden as their import. Before the conference started, the Aces played in Cebu for an Invitational Tournament that made them the champions in the said league. However, Basden failed to pass the height limit requirement for imports which was 6'4. They quickly replaced him with 2010 NBA D-League Slam Dunk Champion LD Williams. They also traded long time bruiser Reynel Hugnatan to Meralco for young guns Hans Thiele and Paolo Bugia, released Marvin Hayes and signed guard Don Dulay. Topex Robinson, who still has a live contract with Alaska, joined Tim Cone's crew as one of the assistant coaches of the team. Before the start of the 2011 Governor's Cup, they traded rookie Elmer Espiritu to Air21 in exchange for swingman Wesley Gonzales. On May 27, 2011, Alaska was forced to let go of Joe Devance after the talented Fil-Am forward begged off. Team manager Joaqui Trillo, however, stressed Devance was guaranteed the maximum pay through the end of his current contract. They eventually decided to trade him to Air21 Express for Jay-R Reyes. On the next day, Commissioner Salud requested Air21 to add up another player or its 2011 first round pick as he finds the trade "uneven". The Express responded with the 2011 and 2012 second round picks making Salud nod in the deal. The Aces also signed PBA Veteran Aries Dimaunahan. In the third conference, they had a slow start, losing their first two games but quickly bounced back winning four of their last five games, thanks to import Jason Forte's hustle play. The team's improved play led by LA Tenorio and Cyrus Baguio plus newcomer Wesley Gonzales' "real game" started to pay off, and the Aces qualified to the step ladder semifinals. The Aces finished with 8 wins in 13 outings including the semifinals despite losing key players Cyrus Baguio and Wesley Gonzales to injuries. But due to the controversial quotient system, Alaska failed to enter the finals with Petron having the superior quotient despite with the same records with Ginebra and the Aces itself. 2011–12 Tim Cone era ends; Joel Banal succeeds The Aces released Paolo Bugia, Don Dulay and Mike Burtscher, while guard Aries Dimaunahan returned to Shopinas.com Clickers where his rights are based. In the 2011 PBA draft, Alaska picked former FEU main man and Smart-Gilas standout Mac Baracael at sixth overall in the first round. In the second round, the Aces have four picks and used it to get former Blue Eagle leading scorer Eric Salamat at the 13th, mystery Fil-Am Julius Pasculado at the 14th, and big man Ariel Mepana at the 15th. The Aces also owned the 17th pick but decided to trade it to Meralco for its 2014 second round pick. On September 1, 2011, Alaska team owner Wilfred Steven Uytengsu held a rare press conference announcing Tim Cone's departure as head coach of the Aces after spending 22 years at the helm with the team. He said that Cone left Alaska to seek opportunities outside of the organization. He was succeeded by his lead assistant Joel Banal, who inked a three-year deal to lead the team. In his first conference as the Aces' new tactician, the team struggled in the All-Filipino Cup and had one of their worst finishes in years, winning only three games out of fourteen outings. They recruited 6'10 Matt Haryasz out of Stanford University as their reinforcement for the Commissioner's Cup. However, Haryasz was replaced by returning import and Mexico national team member Adam Parada before the start of the conference. The Aces also signed swingman Niño Gelig to bolster their lineup. Gelig had been a former teammate of Cyrus Baguio and were known as the dynamic combo during their UST days in the UAAP as well as in the now-defunct PBL. On April 16, 2012, Banal stepped down as coach. Alaska owner Wilfred Uytengsu appointed long-time assistant coach Luigi Trillo, son of the current PBA governor Joaqui Trillo to handle the team for the rest of the season. They also brought back Jason Forte as reinforcement in the Governor's Cup. They went on and finished 9th in the league winning only two of their nine outings. The Aces failed to enter the quarter-finals with the team having its worst finish in a season since it joined the league. 2012–13 season: The Calvin Abueva era,Champions again Having earned the second worst record the season before, Alaska was awarded with the second overall pick in the draft lottery. On August 19, 2012, at the PBA Rookie Draft, the Aces selected NCAA Season 87 MVP Calvin Abueva of the San Sebastian Stags as the second overall pick. As most of the analysts said that Abueva, who was monickered as "the Beast" due to his impressive basketball skills, had been the most talented player in the draft. Abueva leads the NCAA in points, rebounds and assists directory. While in the second round, the Aces snatched former UE Warrior point guard Raphy Reyes and swingman Karl Dehesa. They also retained head coach Luigi Trillo and hired Alex Compton, Louie Alas and reinstated Topex Robinson as assistant coaches. Leo Austria was supposed to join the Aces' coaching staff as well but focused first with his head coaching job at Adamson University, making him available for next year. Dickie Bachmann was promoted to assistant manager while Jojo Lastimosa was tasked to man the sports camp director post. Two weeks after the draft, the Aces made another blockbuster deal involving four other teams. As a result, they sent point guard LA Tenorio to Ginebra and acquired JVee Casio, Dondon Hontiveros, and Ginebra's 2015 2nd Round Pick. They also signed second round draft pick Raphy Reyes to boost their back court and brought back veterans Nic Belasco and Eddie Laure, who helped the Aces win the championship last 2007. After the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags bowed out at the hands of Letran Knights in the NCAA Final Four, Abueva signs with the Aces in a three-year max rookie deal. The Aces managed to finish 5th in the standings with eight wins on fourteen meetings to qualify the quarterfinals. They swept 4th-seed Meralco Bolts, in two games and entered the semifinals to face defending champion Talk 'N Text. Many are surprised with the Aces' performance as they pushed the defending champions in six grueling games before losing. In the Commissioner's Cup, Alaska tapped former University of Memphis Tiger Robert Dozier as their reinforcement. They also nabbed Aldrech Ramos from San Mig Coffee after trading Mac Baracael to Ginebra. Dozier fit perfectly well in the Aces' system and thanks to his brilliant performance plus support from local stars Cyrus Baguio, Sonny Thoss, JVee Casio, Calvin Abueva and sixth man Dondon Hontiveros, Alaska topped the standings with an 11–3 record at the end of the eliminations and gained twice to beat advantage in quarterfinal round. They beat Air21 in the quarterfinals to face San Mig Coffee in the semis, setting up an attempt to finally beat former Alaska long-time coach Tim Cone. San Mig won Game 1 on a Bowles game winner but Alaska regained the momentum as they won the last three games to advance to the Finals against Barangay Ginebra. They swept the Kings in three lopsided games to win the 2013 Commissioner's Cup trophy. This was the 14th championship for the Aces and the first one without their long-time coach, Tim Cone. Rob Dozier was the run-away Best Import of the Conference, while Sonny Thoss was minted the Finals MVP. In the Governor's Cup, Alaska tapped former New Mexico State standout Wendell McKines as import. Though McKines was consistent in the tournament by averaging a 30 point-20-rebounds every game, Alaska struggled during the conference but was good enough to qualify in the Playoffs with four wins in nine outings. They faced San Mig Coffee, which has a twice-to-beat advantage. The Aces came back from a 15-point deficit in the first game to force a do-or-die match-up but lost in the second game, bowing out of the Governor's Cup. During the Finals, Alaska rookie Calvin Abueva was named the Rookie Of The Year and included in the PBA Mythical First Team. Guard Cyrus Baguio and Center Sonny Thoss was included in the Mythical Second Team while JVee Casio won the Sportsmanship Award. On November 12, 2013, the PBA Press Corps awarded Luigi Trillo as the Coach of the Year for the 2012–13 Season beating Grand Slam coaches Norman Black of Talk N' Text and former Alaska head coach Tim Cone of the San Mig Coffee Mixers. Trillo steered Alaska from a lottery team in 2011–12 to a title contender last season. Rookie of the Year Calvin Abueva was named in the All-Rookie Team along with Petron Blaze Boosters' Junemar Fajardo, Meralco Bolts' Cliff Hodge, San Mig Coffee Mixers' Alex Mallari and hotshot Chris Tiu of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. 2013–14 Season: Trillo Out, Compton In Long-time Alaska Governor/Team Manager Joaqui Trillo announced his retirement effectively at the start of the 2013–14 PBA Season. Former Aces assistant coach Dickie Bachmann has been tapped as his replacement. In the 2013 PBA Draft, Alaska used their 8th overall pick to select former Blue Eagle Ryan Buenafe, former FEU Tamaraw Chris "Ping" Exciminiano in the second round, and PBA D-League bigman Raymund Ilagan in the third round. The Aces traded their other second round pick to the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters for a future second round pick as well. They also signed former ABL MVP Leo Avenido to bolster their lineup in the upcoming 2013–14 PBA Philippine Cup. The Aces managed to win 8 games in 14 outings and qualify for the playoffs as an eight seed and faced top-seeded Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, who has a twice-to-beat advantage. Alaska forced a do-or-die by taking Game 1 but fell short in Game 2, eliminating them in the process. In the Commissioner's Cup, the Aces brought back reigning best import Robert Dozier, who helped Alaska snatch their 13th title the year before. They traded Aldrech Ramos to Air21 Express for bruiser Vic Manuel to beef up their frontline. The Aces had a 1–3 slow start but managed to win their remaining five games to earn the number 3 seed in the playoffs. They faced sixth seed San Mig Super Coffee Mixers in a best-of-three series. The Aces took Game 1 but lost Games 2 and 3 and again, they failed to enter the semifinals for the third straight conference. Alaska tapped former NBA player Bill Walker, who suited up for the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks as their reinforcement in the Governor's Cup. After splitting their first two games, Luigi Trillo stepped down as head coach of Alaska. Trillo, who was awarded as the PBA Coach of the Year in 2013, resigned because of "family reasons". With Trillo throwing the towel, team owner Wilfred Uytengsu appointed lead assistant Alex Compton as the team's new tactician. Alaska suffered its worst defeat in history, a 51-point deficit at the hands of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. Rumors sparkled that the team was being put on sale to newcomer NLEX Corp, who wanted to buy an existing franchise instead of starting from scratch. Team manager Dickie Bachmann shut down the rumors stating the team was "here to stay." Uytengsu also denied the rumors and stated that he was not selling the franchise with the second-most wins in the PBA. He called the reports as "silly and laughable". The following week, Alaska extended the contracts of main core players Cyrus Baguio, Sonny Thoss and JVee Casio for another three years. The Aces finished the conference with a 5–4 record making them the third seed and earning a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs. They eliminated crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the quarterfinals, 92–81. The Aces entered the semifinals and faced the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. Despite leading the series two games to one, the Aces lost the series in five grueling games and finished third place in the tournament. 2014–15 Season: The birth of The Comeback Kids and #WeNotMe In the 2014 PBA draft, Alaska used the 5th overall pick to select Filipino-Italian guard Chris Banchero, who led the San Miguel Beermen to a championship in the ABL, and in the second round, they drafted San Beda stalwart Rome dela Rosa. The Aces also traded two future second round picks to Global Port Batang Pier in exchange for former PBA MVP Eric Menk. In their preparations for the upcoming season, they hired Rob Beveridge, a well-known successful coach in the Australian Basketball League to improve the team's performance focusing on defense. After signing their rookies Banchero and Dela Rosa to their respective contracts, they also signed veteran swingman Josh Vanlandingham from the free agent market. They started the season 6–0 atop of the standings in the Philippine Cup but suffered their first loss at the hands of Barako Bull. After winning a road game against GlobalPort in Cagayan de Oro City, they were denied of an outright semi-finals berth after losing two crucial games against Barangay Ginebra and Rain or Shine, respectively. Yet, they still earn a twice-to-beat advantage in the Quarterfinals. After demolishing NLEX in their quarterfinal matchup, the Aces faced Meralco Bolts in the knockout phase and won the game in a blowout fashion to set a rematch with Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in a best-of-seven semi-finals series. They finished the series in six games to face San Miguel in the Finals for their 27th finals appearance. They battled the Beermen in seven gruelling games before eventually lost Game 7 by two points. Alaska tapped D.J. Covington as their import for the Commissioner's Cup. After four games, he was replaced by Damion James. They also traded bruising forward Gabby Espinas to GlobalPort for defensive center Nonoy Baclao. Even with James as their reinforcement, the Aces could not come up with winning streaks, owing to injuries to key players Abueva, Casio, and Thoss. They recorded a 5–6 win loss record after the eliminations. Somehow, they punched a ticket to the Quarterfinals as the No. 6 seed after beating Barangay Ginebra in their last game, to set up a match with Purefoods, who eventually swept them in the Quarterfinal rounds. In the Governors' Cup, the Aces acquired the services of Romeo Travis, LeBron James' childhood friend and high school teammate at St. Vincent-St. Mary. They won the first three games of the conference, but lost two of their next three games to Talk N'Text and NLEX, respectively. Since then, they won four straight to clinch the top spot in the elimination round with 8–3 win–loss record, although they dropped their last game to GlobalPort. They easily deposed Barangay Ginebra in the quarterfinal rounds to set up a semis showdown against Star Hotshots. They swept the Hotshots, 3–0 and earned a ticket to the Finals for their 28th finals appearance. They set up a rematch against San Miguel, who eventually swept them, 4–0. 2015–16 season: Drive for 15th continues The Aces drafted Letran standout Kevin Racal with the 11th pick in the rookie draft, as well as big man Marion Magat and crafty guard Abel Galliguez. During the offseason, Alaska allowed Calvin Abueva, Sonny Thoss, Dondon Hontiveros and Coach Alex Compton join the Gilas Pilipinas 3.0 national team, who won silver medals in both the 2015 William Jones Cup and 2015 FIBA Asia Championship. On November 12, 2015, The PBA franchise celebrated their 30th anniversary with the recognition night for the 30 greatest players in the team's history held in the Enderun College, Taguig. Alaska was consistent all throughout the All-Filipino eliminations, thanks to their intact lineup, team play and suffocating defense, they won nine out of their eleven outings. The Aces earned the number one spot in the standings, hence, giving them an outright semifinals berth. Alaska faced the GlobalPort Batang Pier in the semi-finals. After losing the first game, the Aces won their next four outings to clinch the first seat in the 2015–16 PBA Philippine Cup Finals and set up last year's finals rematch against the San Miguel Beermen. The Aces won the 1st 3 games of the series and was on the verge of winning the championship after leading by 11 points with less than 4 minutes remaining in the pivotal Game 4. However, the Aces would be denied to win the championship blowing a 3–0 lead by the combined efforts of former Aces player, Gabby Espinas, sharpshooter Marcio Lassiter and defensive stalwart, Chris Ross. Alaska suffered the most disappointing finals ever when the Beermen took the last four games and win the championship. Alaska once again tapped former Best Import Robert Dozier for the Commissioner's Cup. However, Dozier got injured before the start of the season during practice. With their import sidelined by plantar fasciitis, backup reinforcement Shane Edwards filled in and provided good numbers and led the Aces to five wins in eight outings. Dozier returned three games before the end of the eliminations and the Aces finished third in the standings to qualify for the playoffs. Alaska beat Tropang TNT in the quarterfinals in a do-or-die best of three series. The Aces will look for a third consecutive PBA Finals trip as they face the Meralco Bolts in the semifinals. The Aces bested the Bolts in 5 grueling games to face the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the Finals. Alaska, hampered by injuries, missed the services of key players JVee Casio and Vic Manuel during the championship series. Despite being down by 0–3 in the finals, Alaska managed to forced the series in six games before losing their third consecutive finals. The Aces tapped LaDontae Henton as their reinforcement for the Governor's Cup. Vic Manuel and JVee Casio returns for Alaska after healing off injuries. On July 14, 2016, after a six-year tenure with Alaska,Cyrus Baguio was traded to the Phoenix Fuel Masters for two second round picks. The Aces decided to trade Baguio due to the emergence of rookie Kevin Racal. Alaska struggled at the start of the season winning only two matches in five outings even losing to an import-less team San Miguel but went on to a four-game winning streak. The team treated their final outings in the eliminations as "knock out games". On September 16, 2016, Banchero, again, extended his tenure with the Aces. This time, to a longer three-year deal. Terms were not disclosed. The Fil-Italian cager stated that it was an "easy decision" stating "he is very happy with Alaska." He credited the coaching staff and his teammates as the main reason he stayed with the team and hopes he will finish his career with Alaska. The Aces scored an important win in their last game of the eliminations in the season-ending conference to clinch the number six spot by beating the NLEX Road Warriors. Vic Manuel came back from his injury and contributed immediately and faced crowd darling Barangay Ginebra in the playoffs. However, the Aces failed to force a do-or-die game to advance in the semi-finals. Alaska drafted former FEU bruiser and current Gilas Pilipinas pool member Carl Bryan Cruz during the 2016 PBA Special Draft. They started the 2016–17 PBA Philippine Cup with key players Sonny Thoss, Calvin Abueva and Noy Baclao in the injured list forcing Cruz, sophomore stretch player Jaypee Mendoza and Marion Magat playing at the center slot. Due to lack of size, the Aces lost their first two games and initiated a deal to send swing man Rome dela Rosa to Star Hotshots in exchange for former San Beda teammate big man Jake Pascual. Pascual immediately contributed to the team with his scrappy plays and defense and with Abueva and Manuel returning to top form, Alaska won its next three games. Despite finishing second in the standings and gaining a twice-to-beat advantage, the Aces, hampered by injuries, failed to enter the semi-finals when they lost two in a row to Barangay Ginebra. 2016–17 season In 2016–17, a week after their Philippine Cup campaign, Alaska traded back up point guard RJ Jazul to the Phoenix Fuel Masters in exchange for guard Simon Enciso. 2017–18 season In the Governor's Cup that year, they went up to the Finals, but lost to Magnolia Hotshots. 2021 season: final season On February 16, 2022, Alaska Milk Corporation (AMC) announced that the Alaska Aces will leave the PBA at the end of the 2021 Governors' Cup. This was due to a directive by FrieslandCampina, parent company of AMC. Alaska ended their last tournament with a loss to the NLEX Road Warriors in the quarterfinals. Immediately following their last game on March 19, 2022, a brief ceremony was held to mark the Alaska's departure from the PBA. Franchise's sale to Converge ICT Several companies expressed interest to buy the Aces' franchise. This included Universal Canning, Inc. and Converge ICT which is associated to businessman Dennis Anthony Uy (not to be confused and also not related with namesake Dennis Uy who owned the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters). The prospect company could retain the core of the Alaska Aces team if they bought the franchise within the ongoing season. In the event the franchise is not sold within the ongoing season, the PBA would place the players in a dispersal draft. On March 23, 2022, the PBA announced the sale of the franchise to Converge ICT with unanimous approval by the leagues' Board of Governors. Mascot E. Cow was the main mascot of the Alaska Aces. He was first introduced during the mid-1990s and was the longest tenured PBA mascot. His image was also used for Alaska Milk advertisements. Final roster also serves as Alaska's board governor. Season-by-season records Records from the 2021 PBA season: one-game playoffs*team had the twice-to-beat advantage Awards Individual awards PBA Press Corps Individual Awards All-Star Weekend Notable players Members of the PBA's 25 greatest players Johnny Abarrientos – "The Flying A" played for team from 1993 to 2000; led Alaska to numerous PBA titles and was the 1996 PBA Most Valuable Player Bogs Adornado – played for Hills Bros. in the 1987 season; became the team's head coach after his retirement Kenneth Duremdes – "Captain Marbel" played for the team from 1998 to 2003; led Alaska to four PBA titles and was the 1998 PBA Most Valuable Player Abet Guidaben – played for the team from 1989 to 1990 before being traded to Pepsi for Harmon Codiñera. Jojo Lastimosa – "The 4th Quarter Man" "Mr.Clutch" "The Helicopter" led Alaska to nine PBA titles and was named to numerous Mythical Team selections,10-time PBA All-Star,1988 PBA Rookie of the Year and 1996 PBA All Filipino Cup Finals MVP. Alaska Aces 30 greatest players On November 12, 2015, the Alaska Aces celebrated its 30th anniversary. Johnny Abarrientos Jojo Lastimosa Bong Hawkins Jeffrey Cariaso Sean Chambers Yoyoy Villamin Kenneth Duremdes Willie Miller Biboy Ravanes Willie Pearson Boy Cabahug Poch Juinio Tony Dela Cruz LA Tenorio Calvin Abueva Rob Dozier JV Casio Paul Alvarez Rodney Santos Ric-Ric Marata Devin Davis Diamon Simpson Reynel Hugnatan Mike Cortez Eugene Quilban Sonny Thoss Cyrus Baguio Dondon Hontiveros Rey Lazaro Ali Peek Rossell Ellis MVP awardee while still with the team Johnny Abarrientos – 1996 Kenneth Duremdes – 1998 Willie Miller – 2007 ROY awardee while still with the team Eugene Quilban – 1991 Jeffrey Cariaso – 1995 Calvin Abueva – 2013 Team captains Frankie Lim (1986–1987) William "Bogs" Adornado (1987–1988) Yoyoy Villamin (1988–1991) Jojo Lastimosa (1991–1999) Johnny Abarrientos (1993–2001) Kenneth Duremdes (2001–2003) John Arigo (2003–2004) Jeffrey Cariaso (2004–2010) Tony dela Cruz (2010–2016) Dondon Hontiveros (2013–2016, co-captain with Tony Dela Cruz) Calvin Abueva (2016–2018, co-captain with JVee Casio and RJ Jazul before Jazul left the team in 2017) RJ Jazul (2016–2017, was co-captain with JVee Casio and Calvin Abueva) JVee Casio (2016–2021) Jeron Teng (2021–present) Retired numbers – retired during the opening of the 2003 season – retired during halftime of the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup – retired during the Alaska 25th anniversary reunion last September 27, 2010 – retired after Chambers announced his retirement in the 2001 Governor's Cup – retired during the semifinals of the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference – retired during the opening ceremonies of the 1988 PBA season – honored during halftime of the 2017 PBA Commissioner's Cup – honored during halftime of the 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup Coaches Tony Vasquez (1986) Cesar Jota (1986) Nat Canson (1987) Turo Valenzona (1987–1988) Bogs Adornado (1988–1989) Tim Cone (1989–2011) Joel Banal (2011–2012) Luigi Trillo (2012–2014) Alex Compton (2014–2019) Jeffrey Cariaso (2019–2022) References External links MYPBA.com thread: Alaska Origins, History and Trivias Basketball teams established in 1986 1986 establishments in the Philippines 2022 disestablishments in the Philippines Basketball teams disestablished in 2022 Defunct Philippine Basketball Association teams	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska%20Aces%20%28PBA%29
Özdemir Sabancı (May 15, 1941 – January 9, 1996) was a Turkish businessman and a second generation member of the Sabancı family. Biography He was born in Adana, Turkey. After finishing the high school at the Tarsus American College in Tarsus, province Mersin, he received his B.A. degree in chemical engineering from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST), UK. Later, he obtained a master's degree in the same discipline in Switzerland. Returned to Turkey, he worked in the Sabancı Holding and soon founded and further developed the synthetic fibres producer Sasa, one of the biggest industrial companies of the group. Under his leadership, Sabancı Holding entered into the automotive sector. He established several joint-venture projects with major Japanese companies including production of Mitsubishi coaches and trucks, Komatsu construction equipment, loaders and forklifts. In 1990, he paved the way to produce Toyota cars in Turkey as a consequence of the largest Turkish-Japanese partnership. In the board of directors of the holding, he was responsible for the Group of Synthetic Fibers, Automotive and Plastics. Özdemir Sabancı was gunned down on January 9, 1996, in his office in the strongly guarded Sabancı Towers in Levent, Istanbul, along with the general manager of ToyotaSA and a secretary by assassins hired by the leftist armed group DHKP-C. They had been given access to the building by Fehriye Erdal, a female member of DHKP-C, who was an employee at that time. Recently released information has suggested that the assassination of Özdemir Sabancı's assassin Mustafa Duyar was planned by retired general Veli Küçük, who was detained in the Ergenekon investigation. Özdemir Sabancı was laid to rest at the Adana Asri Cemetery. He was survived by his wife Sevda, his son Demir and his daughter Serra (1975). See also List of assassinated people from Turkey References 1941 births Businesspeople from Adana Tarsus American College alumni Ozdemir Sabanci 1996 deaths Assassinated Turkish businesspeople Deaths by firearm in Turkey People murdered in Turkey Terrorism deaths in Turkey Turkish terrorism victims Burials at Adana Asri Cemetery 1996 murders in Turkey	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96zdemir%20Sabanc%C4%B1
was an airport in Nishi Ward, located southwest of Hiroshima City, Japan. History Hiroshima's first airport, , opened on a nearby island in Naka-ku, Hiroshima in 1940. It was largely destroyed during the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945, but was used during the occupation of Japan as a radar base by the Royal Australian Air Force 111 Mobile Fighter Control Unit, and through the 1950s as a landing field for gliders and single-engine piston aircraft. Following the end of World War II, the Japanese government approved a plan for a new airport in a location which could take advantage of Hiroshima's natural river topography to keep aircraft from flying over residential areas. Hiroshima Airport opened on September 15, 1961, and was initially managed by the Ministry of Transport. The runway was extended from 1200 meters to 1800 meters in 1972. All Nippon Airways began Boeing 737 jet service to the airport in 1979, followed by Boeing 767 service in 1983. Further extensions were necessary to support large jet service, and the airport's location made this impossible. A new Hiroshima Airport was built outside the city in 1993. The old Hiroshima Airport was then renamed Hiroshima–Nishi Airport and fell under the control of Hiroshima Prefecture. J-Air was based at Hiroshima–Nishi from 1991 until 2005, originally as a division of the JAL Flight Academy, and provided commuter service to domestic airports using Jetstream 31 and then Bombardier CRJ-200 aircraft. Japan Air Commuter continued to offer commuter service using Saab 340 aircraft since then until 2010, when the service was terminated as part of the corporate restructuring of its parent company Japan Airlines. Some air taxi services also operated until early 2013 when the airport ceased all operations. Hiroshima City and Hiroshima Prefecture officials debated the future of the airport for several years in the early 2000s. City officials sought to keep the airport open in order to boost the city's economy, while prefectural officials preferred converting the southern part of the property into a heliport and building an extension of the Hiroshima South Road through the northern part. Following JAC's withdrawal from the airport, Hiroshima City legislators proposed converting the airport into a municipal airport. The ordinance proposal was rejected by the city assembly in March 2011, and a new mayor announced in May that the airport would be converted to a heliport by 2012, in line with the prefecture's original proposal. However, this plan seems to be stalled as of early 2015, though some progress had been made up to 2013. From 2014, there was a strictly limited daily time window for helicopter services to be operated out of the former airport. References External links Defunct airports in Japan Transport in Hiroshima Prefecture Buildings and structures in Hiroshima Airports established in 1961 Airports disestablished in 1993 Airports disestablished in 2012 1961 establishments in Japan 1993 disestablishments in Japan 2012 disestablishments in Japan	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshima%E2%80%93Nishi%20Airport
The Class 112 and Class 113 DMUs used the standard Cravens body used on Class 105s but had a single Rolls-Royce C8NFLH engine rated at per car, all of which formed into 'power twins' – two car sets with both vehicles powered. There were two batches built, the first 50 vehicles (25 sets) had standard mechanical transmission via a gearbox and were allocated the Class 112. The second batch of 50 cars (25 sets) had hydraulic transmissions, and became Class 113s. The cars were built for services in the LMR Central Division and in the Liverpool - St Helens area, where the gradients in the Lancashire & Yorkshire area required more power. Both types also spent some time working from Cricklewood. The gross weight of a set with all seats occupied was approximately 70 tons, giving per ton. Empty, it was 8.1 hp/ton, which compared favourably with 5.7 hp/ton that the Cravens power/trailer had. In 1982, two units, M51692 and M51691, were in use by British Steel at Shotton Works on Deeside. Orders Other technical details Coupling Code: Blue Square Transmission: Standard Mechanical (Class 112), Hydraulic (Class 113) Due to incidents that occurred when Class 113 units (which had hydraulic transmission and automatic gear change) were coupled to a unit with mechanical transmission and gear change - usually, a Class 112 - the Class 113 units were changed to the Red Triangle coupling code (the Red Triangle code had previously been used for the early Derby Lightweight DMUs used in the Leeds area, but those were all now withdrawn). The basic problem occurred when a unit being driven automatically (Class 113) failed to mesh with a unit that could not be driven automatically (most Blue Square types). The latter units tended to catch fire. If such a pairing occurred, the driver of the automatically driven unit was supposed to drive it as if it were a mechanical transmission unit, so the two units gears would work together. If an automatic transmission unit was driven from a mechanical transmission unit the problem did not occur, as the automatic drive unit would change gears as if it was a mechanical drive unit. The Class 112 and 113 units looked similar and one assumes this led to the driving errors. By changing Class 113 to Red Triangle, the incompatible coupling should not occur. Withdrawal All Class 112s and 113s were withdrawn and subsequently scrapped between 1968 and 1969. References The Railcar Association Motive Power Recognition: 3 DMUs. Colin J. Marsden British Railway Pictorial: First Generation DMUs. Kevin Robertson British Rail Fleet Survey 8: Diesel Multiple Units- The First Generation. Brian Haresnape A Pictorial Record of British Railways Diesel Multiple Units. Brian Golding 112 Cravens multiple units Train-related introductions in 1960	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British%20Rail%20Classes%20112%20and%20113
Hexachlorobenzene, or perchlorobenzene, is an organochloride with the molecular formula C6Cl6. It is a fungicide formerly used as a seed treatment, especially on wheat to control the fungal disease bunt. It has been banned globally under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. Physical and chemical properties Hexachlorobenzene is a stable, white, crystalline chlorinated hydrocarbon. It is sparingly soluble in organic solvents such as benzene, diethyl ether and alcohol, but practically insoluble in water with no reaction. It has a flash point of 468 °F and it is stable under normal temperatures and pressures. It is combustible but it does not ignite readily. When heated to decomposition, hexachlorobenzene emits highly toxic fumes of hydrochloric acid, other chlorinated compounds (such as phosgene), carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. History Hexachlorobenzene was first known as "Julin's chloride of carbon" as it was discovered as a strange and unexpected product of impurities reacting in Julin's nitric acid factory. In 1864, Hugo Müller synthesised the compound by the reaction of benzene and antimony pentachloride, he then suggested that his compound was the same as Julin's chloride of carbon. Müller previously also believed it was the same compound as Michael Faraday's "perchloride of carbon" and obtained a small sample of Julin's chloride of carbon to send Richard Phillips and Faraday for investigation. In 1867, Henry Bassett proved that those were the same compounds and named it hexachlorobenzene". Leopold Gmelin named it "dichloride of carbon" and claimed that the carbon was derived from cast iron and the chlorine was from crude saltpetre. Victor Regnault obtained hexachlorobenzene from the decomposition of chloroform and tetrachloroethylene vapours through a red-hot tube. Synthesis Hexachlorobenzene has been made on a laboratory scale since the 1890s, by the electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction of chlorine with benzene or chlorobenzenes. Large-scale manufacture for use as a fungicide was developed by using the residue remaining after purification of the mixture of isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane, from which the insecticide lindane (the γ-isomer) had been removed, leaving the unwanted α- and β- isomers. This mixture is produced when benzene is reacted with chlorine in the presence of ultraviolet light (e.g. from sunlight). Usage Hexachlorobenzene was used in agriculture to control the fungus tilletia caries (common bunt of wheat). It is also effective on tilletia controversa, dwarf bunt. The compound was introduced in 1947, normally formulated as a seed dressing but is now banned in many countries. Safety Hexachlorobenzene is an animal carcinogen and is considered to be a probable human carcinogen. After its introduction as a fungicide in 1945, for crop seeds, this toxic chemical was found in all food types. Hexachlorobenzene was banned from use in the United States in 1966. This material has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a Group 2B carcinogen (possibly carcinogenic to humans). Animal carcinogenicity data for hexachlorobenzene show increased incidences of liver, kidney (renal tubular tumours) and thyroid cancers. Chronic oral exposure in humans has been shown to give rise to a liver disease (porphyria cutanea tarda), skin lesions with discoloration, ulceration, photosensitivity, thyroid effects, bone effects and loss of hair. Neurological changes have been reported in rodents exposed to hexachlorobenzene. Hexachlorobenzene may cause embryolethality and teratogenic effects. Human and animal studies have demonstrated that hexachlorobenzene crosses the placenta to accumulate in foetal tissues and is transferred in breast milk. HCB is very toxic to aquatic organisms. It may cause long term adverse effects in the aquatic environment. Therefore, release into waterways should be avoided. It is persistent in the environment. Ecological investigations have found that biomagnification up the food chain does occur. Hexachlorobenzene has a half life in the soil of between 3 and 6 years. Risk of bioaccumulation in an aquatic species is high. Toxicology Oral LD50 (rat): 10,000 mg/kg Oral LD50 (mice): 4,000 mg/kg Inhalation LC50 (rat): 3600 mg/m3 Material has relatively low acute toxicity but is toxic because of its persistent and cumulative nature in body tissues in rich lipid content. Unique Exposure Incident In Anatolia, Turkey between 1955 and 1959, during a period when bread wheat was unavailable, 500 people were fatally poisoned and more than 4,000 people fell ill by eating bread made with HCB-treated seed that was intended for agriculture use. Most of the sick were affected with a liver condition called porphyria cutanea tarda, which disturbs the metabolism of hemoglobin and results in skin lesions. Almost all breastfeeding children under the age of two, whose mothers had eaten tainted bread, died from a condition called "pembe yara" or "pink sore", most likely from high doses of HCB in the breast milk. In one mother's breast milk the HCB level was found to be 20 parts per million in lipid, approximately 2,000 times the average levels of contamination found in breast-milk samples around the world. Follow-up studies 20 to 30 years after the poisoning found average HCB levels in breast milk were still more than seven times the average for unexposed women in that part of the world (56 specimens of human milk obtained from mothers with porphyria, average value was 0.51 ppm in HCB-exposed patients compared to 0.07 ppm in unexposed controls), and 150 times the level allowed in cow's milk. In the same follow-up study of 252 patients (162 males and 90 females, avg. current age of 35.7 years), 20–30 years' postexposure, many subjects had dermatologic, neurologic, and orthopedic symptoms and signs. The observed clinical findings include scarring of the face and hands (83.7%), hyperpigmentation (65%), hypertrichosis (44.8%), pinched faces (40.1%), painless arthritis (70.2%), small hands (66.6%), sensory shading (60.6%), myotonia (37.9%), cogwheeling (41.9%), enlarged thyroid (34.9%), and enlarged liver (4.8%). Urine and stool porphyrin levels were determined in all patients, and 17 have at least one of the porphyrins elevated. Offspring of mothers with three decades of HCB-induced porphyria appear normal. See also Chlorobenzenes—different numbers of chlorine substituents Pentachlorobenzenethiol References Cited works Additional references International Agency for Research on Cancer. In: IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk to Humans. World Health Organisation, Vol 79, 2001pp 493–567 Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances. Ed. D. Sweet, US Dept. of Health & Human Services: Cincinnati, 2005. Environmental Health Criteria No 195; International Programme on Chemical Safety, World health Organization, Geneva, 1997. Toxicological Profile for Hexachlorobenzene (Update), US Dept of Health & Human Services, Sept 2002. Merck Index, 11th Edition, 4600 External links Obsolete pesticides Chloroarenes Endocrine disruptors Fungicides Hazardous air pollutants IARC Group 2B carcinogens Persistent organic pollutants under the Stockholm Convention Suspected teratogens Suspected embryotoxicants Persistent organic pollutants under the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Perchlorocarbons	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexachlorobenzene
Rebirth is the second album by the Swedish industrial metal project Pain. It was released in 1999 via the Swedish label Stockholm Records. It was on this album, that the band's electronic sound first appeared. It includes the band's first two singles to make the Swedish single charts: "End of the Line", which peaked at No. 15, and "On and On", which peaked at No. 30. Powered by the popularity of "End of the Line" ("On and On" was not released as a single until eight months later), the album hit No. 21 on the Swedish album charts. Track listing All songs written by Peter Tägtgren. "Supersonic Bitch" – 3:44 "End of the Line" – 4:03 "Breathing In Breathing Out" – 3:35 "Delusions" – 4:03 "Suicide Machine" – 4:16 "Parallel to Ecstasy" – 3:58 "On and On" – 3:55 "12:42" – 1:52 "Crashed" – 4:01 "Dark Fields of Pain" – 5:00 "She Whipped" – 4:49 References 1999 albums Pain (musical project) albums Stockholm Records albums Albums produced by Peter Tägtgren	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebirth%20%28Pain%20album%29
Kandathil Mammen Mammen Mappillai (28 November 1922 – 3 March 2003) was an Indian businessman, industrialist and founder of MRF. He graduated from Madras Christian College. He started his industrial life with a toy balloon manufacturing unit from a small shed near Madras (now Chennai) in 1946. By 1952, MRF Limited ventured into the manufacture of tread rubber. Since then, the company has grown to become a enterprise. In 1992, Mappillai was awarded the Padma Shri award for his contribution to industry. His brothers, K. M. Cherian, K. M. Philip and K. M. Mathew and nephew Mammen Mathew are also Padma Shri awardees. The eldest brother K.M. Cherian is also a Padma Bhushan recipient. His cousin M. K. Mathulla also was awarded Padma Shri. Controversy Mammen Mappillai is believed to be in the list of 18 names of account-holders in LGT Group and LGT Bank. References Link Dead * Head of MRF dead - The man behind Indian tyre giant Malayali people Recipients of the Padma Shri in trade and industry 1922 births 2003 deaths Businesspeople from Kerala	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K.%20M.%20Mammen%20Mappillai
In sociology, the social disorganization theory is a theory developed by the Chicago School, related to ecological theories. The theory directly links crime rates to neighbourhood ecological characteristics; a core principle of social disorganization theory that states location matters. In other words, a person's residential location is a substantial factor shaping the likelihood that that person will become involved in illegal activities. The theory suggests that, among determinants of a person's later illegal activity, residential location is as significant as or more significant than the person's individual characteristics (e.g., age, gender, or race). For example, the theory suggests that youths from disadvantaged neighborhoods participate in a subculture which approves of delinquency, and that these youths thus acquire criminality in this social and cultural setting. Larry Gaines and Roger Miller state in their book Criminal Justice in Action that "crime is largely a product of unfavorable conditions in certain communities". According to the social disorganization theory, there are ecological factors that lead to high rates of crime in these communities, and these factors linked to constantly elevated levels of "high school dropouts, unemployment, deteriorating infrastructures, and single-parent homes" (Gaines and Miller). The theory is not intended to apply to all types of crime, just street crime at the neighborhood level. The theory has not been used to explain organized crime, corporate crime, or deviant behavior that takes place outside neighborhood settings. Up to the beginning of 1970s, this theory took a back seat to the psychological explanation of crime. A recent overview of social disorganization theory, including suggestions for refining and extending the theory, is a journal article by Kubrin and Weitzer (2003). Park and Burgess Robert E. Park and Ernest Burgess (1925) developed a theory of urban ecology which proposed that cities are environments like those found in nature, governed by many of the same forces of Darwinian evolution; i.e. competition, which affects natural ecosystems. When a city is formed and grows, people and their activities cluster in a particular area (this is the process of "concentration"). Gradually, this central area becomes highly populated, so there is a scattering of people and their activities away from the central city to establish the suburbs (this is "dispersion"). They suggested that, over time, the competition for land and other scarce urban resources leads to the division of the urban space into distinctive ecological niches, "natural areas" or zones in which people share similar social characteristics because they are subject to the same ecological pressures. As a zone becomes more prosperous and "desirable", property values and rents rise, and people and businesses migrate into that zone, usually moving outward from the city center in a process Park and Burgess called "succession" (a term borrowed from plant ecology), and new residents take their place. At both a micro and macro level, society was thought to operate as a super organism, where change is a natural aspect of the process of growth, and is neither chaotic nor disorderly. Thus, an organized area is invaded by new elements. This gives rise to local competition, and there will either be succession or an accommodation which results in a reorganization. But, during the early stages of competition, there will always be some level of disorganization because there will be disruption to (or breakdowns in) the normative structure of the community, which may or may not lead to deviant behavior. Thus, although a city was a physical organization, it also had social and moral structures that could be disorganized. Their model—known as concentric zone model and first published in The City (1925)—predicted that, once fully grown, cities would take the form of five concentric rings, with areas of social and physical deterioration concentrated near the city center and more prosperous areas located near the city's edge. This theory seeks to explain the existence of social problems such as unemployment and crime in specific Chicago districts, making extensive use of synchronic mapping to reveal the spatial distribution of social problems and to permit comparison between areas. They argued that "neighborhood conditions, be they of wealth or poverty, had a much greater determinant effect on criminal behavior than ethnicity, race, or religion" (Gaines and Miller). In the post-war period, the cartographic approach was criticized as simplistic in that it neglected the social and cultural dimensions of urban life, the political and economic impact of industrialization on urban geography, and the issues of class, race, gender, and ethnicity. Sutherland Edwin Sutherland adopted the concept of social disorganization to explain the increases in crime that accompanied the transformation of preliterate and peasant societies—in which "influences surrounding a person were steady, uniform, harmonious and consistent"—to modern Western civilization, which he believed was characterized by inconsistency, conflict, and un-organization (1934: 64). He also believed that the mobility, economic competition, and individualistic ideology that accompanied capitalist and industrial development had been responsible for the disintegration of the large family and homogeneous neighborhoods as agents of social control. The failure of extended kin groups expanded the realm of relationships no longer controlled by the community and undermined governmental controls, leading to persistent "systematic" crime and delinquency. Sutherland also believed that such disorganization causes and reinforces the cultural traditions and cultural conflicts that support antisocial activity. The systematic quality of the behavior was a reference to repetitive, patterned, or organized offending, as opposed to random events. He depicted the law-abiding culture as dominant and more extensive than alternative criminogenic cultural views, and as capable of overcoming systematic crime if organized for that purpose (1939: 8). But because society is organized around individual and small group interests, society permits crime to persist. Sutherland concluded that if the society is organized with reference to the values expressed in the law, the crime is eliminated; if it is not organized, crime persists and develops (1939:8). In later works, Sutherland switched from the concept of social disorganization to differential social organization to convey the complexity of overlapping and conflicting levels of organization in a society. Cavan In 1928, Ruth Shonle Cavan produced Suicide, a study of personal disorganization in which she confirmed that the mortality rate is relatively stable, regardless of economic and social conditions. Despite finding this result, Cavan was excluded from faculty status at Chicago. She served on various research committees for six years, and then moved to Rockford College in Illinois. She was particularly interested in dance halls, brothels, insanity, divorce, nonvoting, suicide, and other forms of socially problematic behavior of interest to the political reformers, studying the working lives of "business" girls and their dispersal throughout the zones of Chicago (1929). Partly as a result of her studies, Cavan (1953) emphasized the importance to the efficient functioning of the entire social order of the regulation of sex. While there are variations in the specific arrangements, all societies contain family groups, forbid incest, sanction marriage, approve more highly of legitimate than of illegitimate births, and look upon marriage as the most highly approved outlet for sexual expression of adults. She has continued the work to review delinquency in different countries (1968), returning to write of the Chicago School itself in 1983. Shaw and McKay Mapping can also show spatial distributions of delinquency and crime, but it cannot explain the results. Indeed, such research has often been used politically to ascribe immorality to specific population groups or ethnicities. Social disorganization theory and cultural transmission theory examine the consequences when a community is unable to conform to common values and to solve the problems of its residents. Clifford Shaw and Henry D. McKay (1942) applied Sutherland's theory of systematic criminal behavior, and claimed that delinquency was not caused at the individual level, but is a normal response by normal individuals to abnormal conditions. Thus, if a community is not self-policing and if it is imperfectly policed by outside agencies, some individuals will exercise unrestricted freedom to express their dispositions and desires, often resulting in delinquent behavior. They considered the concentric zone model, and produced a diachronic analysis to demonstrate that delinquency was already dispersed in urban areas, and that more wealthy and important groups moved to avoid the existing social disorganization. Their concepts, hypothesis, and research methods have been a strong influence on the analysis of delinquency and crime. Their dependent variables in the delinquency rates were measured by arrests, court appearances, and court adjudications of institutional commitment. Their independent variables were economic conditions by square-mile areas, ethnic heterogeneity, and population turnover. These variables were based on where delinquents lived and consisted of 10- to 16-year-old males who were petitioned to juvenile court (56,000 juvenile court records from 1900–1933 were used as data). The time frames they selected showed strong patterns of immigrant migration; Shaw and McKay believed that they could demonstrate whether delinquency was caused by particular immigrant groups or by the environment in which the immigrants lived: If high delinquency rates for particular immigrant groups remained high during their migration through the city's different ecological environments, then delinquency could be associated with their distinctive constitutional or cultural features. If delinquency rates decreased as immigrants moved through different ecological environments, then delinquency could not be associated with the particular constitution of the immigrants, but must somehow be connected with their environment. Shaw and McKay demonstrated that social disorganization was endemic to the urban areas which were the only places the newly arriving poor could afford to live. In these areas, there was a high rate of turnover in the population (residential instability), and mixes of people from different cultural backgrounds (ethnic diversity). Shaw and McKay's analyses relating delinquency rates to these structural characteristics established key facts about the community correlates of crime and delinquency: The rates of juvenile delinquency were consistent with an ordered spatial pattern, with the highest rates in the inner-city areas, and the rates declining as distance from the city center increases. There was an identical spatial pattern revealed by various other indexes of social problems. The spatial pattern of delinquency rates showed significant long-term stability, even though the nationality structure of the population in the inner-city areas changed greatly throughout the decades. Within inner-city areas, the course of becoming delinquent occurred through a network of interpersonal relationships, involving family, gangs, and the neighborhood. Comparing the maps, Shaw and McKay recognized that the pattern of delinquency rates corresponded to the "natural urban areas" of Park and Burgess' concentric zone model. This evidenced the conclusion that delinquency rates always remained high for a certain region of the city (ecological zone 2), no matter which immigrant group lived there. Hence, delinquency was not "constitutional", but was to be correlated with the particular ecological environment in which it occurs. In this context, Shaw and McKay asserted that ethnic diversity interferes with communication among adults, with effective communication less likely in the face of ethnic diversity because differences in customs and a lack of shared experiences may breed fear and mistrust. Although research in different countries has tended to support Shaw and McKay's findings that delinquent rates are highest in areas with economic decline and instability, that research has not found that crime rates spatially disperse from the city center outward. In fact, in some countries, the wealthy live in city centers, while the poorest zones are near city fringes. Further, their work does not consider why there is significant non-delinquency in delinquency areas. Thus, the theory identifies social causes of delinquency that seem to be located in specific geographical areas, but its conclusions are not completely generalizable. For a general discussion of their work, see Snodgrass (1976). Shaw and McKay's Chicago Area Project is an example of practicing public criminology. Faris Robert E. Lee Faris (1955) extended the concept of social disorganization to explain social pathologies and social problems in general, including crime, suicide, mental illness, and mob violence. Defining organization as definite and enduring patterns of complementary relations (1955: 3), he defined social disorganization as the weakening or destruction of the relationships which hold together a social organization (1955: 81). Such a concept was to be employed objectively as a measurable state of a social system, independent of personal approval or disapproval. When applied to crime, Faris' central proposition was that, "A crime rate is ...a reflection of the degree of disorganization of the control mechanisms in a society." In turn, crime also contributes to disorganization, and disorganization of such conventional mechanisms is especially likely in large, rapidly growing industrial cities where such disorganization permits highly organized criminality, as well as less organized forms of group and individual crime and delinquency. Sampson Robert J. Sampson (1993) claims that any theory of crime must begin with the fact that most violent criminals belonged to teenage peer-groups, particularly street gangs, and that a gang member will become a full-time criminal if social controls are insufficient to address delinquent behaviour at an early age. He follows Shaw and McKay (1969) in accepting that, if the family and relatives offer inadequate supervision or incomplete socialization, children from broken families are more likely to join violent gangs, unless others take the parents' place. However, even children from unstable families are less likely to be influenced by peer groups in a community where most family units are intact. Tight-knit communities are more likely to identify strangers, report deviants to their parents, and pass warnings along. High rates of residential mobility and high-rise housing disrupt the ability to establish and maintain social ties. Formal organizations like schools, churches, and the police act as surrogates for family and friends in many communities, but poor, unstable communities often lack the organization and political connections to obtain resources for fighting crime and offering young people an alternative to deviant behavior. Sampson concludes that "the empirical data suggest that the structural elements of social disorganization have relevance for explaining macro level variations in violence." Social disorganisation may also produce crime by isolating communities from the mainstream culture. Sampson and Wilson (1995) proposed a theory of race and urban inequality to explain the disproportionate representation of African Americans as victims and offenders in violent crime. The basic idea proposed was that community-level patterns of racial inequality give rise to the social isolation and ecological concentration of the truly disadvantaged, which in turn leads to structural barriers and cultural adaptations that undermine social organisation and ultimately the control of crime. Sampson and Wilson (1995) pursued this logic to argue that the community-level causes of violence are the same for both whites and blacks, but that racial segregation by community differentially exposes members of minority groups to key violence-inducing and violence-protecting social mechanisms, thereby explaining black-white disparities in violence. Their thesis has come to be known as "racial invariance" in the fundamental causes of crime. Bursik and Grasmick Robert J. Bursik Jr's scholarly works played an important role in the revival of Social Disorganization Theory following its fall in popularity during the 1960s. One of the main criticisms of Shaw and McKay's theory was that it suggested, in certain area's delinquency rates remained high regardless of the ethnicity group that lived there. Researchers during this period felt that it was unlikely that crime patterns remained stable even though there were constant changes in population without these areas. Bursik's work helped negate some of the criticisms associated with Shaw and McKay's work; Bursik showed that it was possible and likely to have stable crime patterns within an area that showed constant population change. Specifically Bursik points out that “development of primary relationships that result in informal structures of social control is less likely when local networks are in continual state of flux.” In the example of Chicago, as immigrants continue to come in, the population already there leave soon as it's financially feasible, which in return makes it difficult for any stable form of social control to take place. Robert J. Bursik and Harold G. Grasmick further contributed to Social Disorganization Theory by reformulating concepts of social control within neighbourhoods that was introduced by Sampson and Groves, into three types of social control that are influenced by structural factors. Personal Social Control, Parochial Social Control and Public Social Control which are influenced by structural factors within a neighbourhood such as poverty, residential mobility, heterogeneity and broken homes affect the ability of the neighbourhood to implement models of social control. Personal Social Control: In this model there are no personal relationships between neighbours and as a result no friendship networks for social control are formed. Example would be neighbourhoods with high number of residents with different race and backgrounds or low income and high unemployment which cause mistrust and lack of communication among the community. Parochial Social Control: In this model the residents take a more active approach to Social Control observing strangers coming into the neighbourhood to stop vandalism and theft within the community. Example would be neighbourhoods that participate in programs like “Neighbourhood Watch”. Public Social Control: In this model the entire community works together as an organization to improve and protect the community. Example would be playing an active role to the schools, community center and other institutions within the neighbourhood. Lee and Martinez When scholars associated with Social Disorganization theory developed spatial analytical techniques seventy years ago, they wanted a way to study violent crimes. These theorists were particularly concerned about the adverse impacts of that immigration, and how internal migration and ethnic heterogeneity might impact the ability of neighborhoods to control the behavior of their residents. Shaw and McKay, Sampson and Groves and Bursik and Grasmick all suggest that immigration and ethnic heterogeneity within the neighborhood can have adverse effect within the community. Recent work by Matthew T. Lee and Ramiro Martinez JR, suggest that this might not always be the case; recent studies have found that immigration generally does not increase crime rates in areas in where immigrants settle; in fact some studies show that these areas are less involved in crime than natives. Lee and Martinez suggest that current immigration trends do not have the negative consequences expected by disorganization theories; rather these studies show that immigration can strengthen social control rather than compromise it. Immigration Revitalization argues that immigration can revitalize poor areas and strengthen social control within neighborhoods because of strong familial ties and job opportunities associated with enclave economies that result in less crime. In fact Lee and Martinez state that immigration is required as an essential ingredient for continued viability of urban areas where population has declined or community decay occurs, as was the case in previous decades. References Burgess, Ernest & Bogue, Donald J. (eds.).(1964). Contributions to Urban Sociology. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Burgess, Ernest & Bogue, Donald J. (eds.) (1967). Urban Sociology. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Bursik, Robert J. (1984). "Urbanicsn Dynamics and Ecological Studies of Delinquency". Social Forces 63: 393–413. Cavan, Ruth S. (1969). Juvenile delinquency (2nd edition). New York: J.B. Lippincott. Cavan, Ruth S. (1963). The American Family. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Co. Cavan, Ruth S. (1928). Suicide. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Cavan, Ruth Shonle, (1929). Business girls : a study of their interests and problems. Cavan, Ruth S. (1948). Criminology. Thomas Y. Crowell. Cavan, Ruth Shonle and Jordan T. (1968). Delinquency and Crime: Cross-Cultural Perspectives. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Co. Cavan, Ruth Shonle. (1983). "The Chicago School of Sociology, 1918-1933". Urban Life 11. (January): 407-420 Faris, R. E. L. (1955) Social Disorganization. 2nd edition. New York: The Ronald Press Company. ASIN B0007DEVLE Ferdinand, T.N. (1988). "Ruth Shonle Cavan: An Intellectual Portrait". Sociological Inquiry 58 (No. 4) 1988: 337-43 Franklin Frazier. (1932). The Negro Family in Chicago. Hawley, Amos H. (1943). "Ecology and Human Ecology". Social Forces 22: 398–405. Hawley, Amos H. (1950). Human Ecology: A Theory of Community Structure. New York: Ronald Press. Hirschi, T. (1969). Causes of Delinquency. Berkeley: University of California Press. (2001) Transaction Publishers. Kubrin, Charis & Weitzer, Ronald. (2003). "New Directions in Social Disorganization Theory". Journal of Research in Crime & Delinquency 40: 374–402. McKenzie, R. D. "The Ecological Approach to the Study of the Human Community". American Journal of Sociology 30 (1924): 287–301. Park, Robert E. "The City: Suggestions for the Investigation of Human Behavior in the City Environment". American Journal of Sociology 20 (1915): 577–612. Park, Robert E., Burgess, Ernest W. & McKenzie, R. D. (1925). The City: Suggestions for Investigation of Human Behavior in the Urban Environment. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1967. Park, Robert & Burgess, Ernest W. (1921). Introduction to the Science of Sociology. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. (3rd revised edition, 1969). Park, Robert. (1952). Human Communities: The City and Human Ecology. Glencoe, Ill: Free Press. ASIN B0007EOJQA Reckless, Walter C. (1940). Criminal Behavior. New York: McGraw-Hill. Reckless, Walter C. (1933). Vice in Chicago. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Sampson, Robert J. (1993). "The Community Context of Violent Crime". in Sociology and the Public Agenda, edited by William Julius Wilson. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications. pp267–74. Sampson, Robert J. & Wilson, William Julius. (1995). "Toward a Theory of Race, Crime, and Urban Inequality" in Crime and Inequality, edited by John Hagan & Ruth D. Peterson. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. Sampson, Robert J & Bean, Lydia. (2006). "Cultural Mechanisms and Killing Fields: A Revised Theory of Community-Level Racial Inequality" in The Many Colors of Crime: Inequalities of Race, Ethnicity and Crime in America, edited by Ruth Peterson, Lauren Krivo, and John Hagan. New York: New York University Press. Shaw, Clifford R. & McKay, Henry D. (1942). Juvenile Delinquency in Urban Areas. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Shaw, Clifford R., Zorbaugh, Harvey, McKay, Henry D. & Cottrell, Leonard S. (1929). Delinquency Areas. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Shaw, Clifford R. (1952). Brothers in Crime. Philadelphia: Albert Saifer. Snodgrass, Jon. (1976). "Clifford R. Shaw and Henry D. McKay: Chicago Criminologists". The British Journal of Criminology 16 (Jan.): 1-19. Sutherland, Edwin. (1924, 34. 39). "Principles of Criminology. Thomas, W. I. & Znaniecki, F. (1918-20). The Polish Peasant in Europe and America''. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. External links Social Disorganisation Theory (PDF) Criminology	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social%20disorganization%20theory
Vălenii de Munte () is a town in Prahova County, southern Romania (the historical region of Muntenia), with a population of 12,044 as of 2021. It lies In the Teleajen river valley, north of the county seat of Ploiești. The town's sister cities are Eaubonne, Cimișlia, and Sarandë. History The first recorded reference about the settlement dates back to 1431. In 1645 Vălenii de Munte (or Văleni for short) became the official residence of the then Săcueni County. Documents from 1832 note Valeni as having 518 households and 2,590 citizens. At the end of the 19th century, Vălenii de Munte was an urban commune, formed from the Văleni (Târgul-Văleni), Turburea, and Valea Gardului villages, having a total of 3,000 residents, who benefited from having a local hospital, pharmacy, post office, and telegraph station. In 1907 the historian Nicolae Iorga settled in Văleni, opening in January 1908 the People's Summer University. In 1952 Vălenii de Munte became the residence of Teleajen Raion within the Poiești Region. The status was lost in the 1968 Administrative Reform, when Văleni became one of the towns of the newly established Prahova County. People Natives Roberto Alecsandru (born 1996), footballer Sergiu Arnăutu (born 1990), footballer Mădălina Manole (1967–2010), singer, actress Gheorghe Pănculescu (1844–1924), engineer Laurențiu Rebega (born 1976), politician Horia Stamatu (1912–1989), poet and essayist Notable residents Nicolae Iorga (1871–1940), historian, politician, writer Nicolae Tonitza (1886–1940), painter Museums Nicolae Iorga memorial house Teleajen Valley ethnographic museum Plum tree growing natural science museum Queen Mary religious arts museum and national missionary school Climate Vălenii de Munte has a humid continental climate (Cfb in the Köppen climate classification). References Towns in Romania Populated places in Prahova County Localities in Muntenia	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C4%83lenii%20de%20Munte
In Christian tradition the churching of women, also known as thanksgiving for the birth or adoption of a child, is the ceremony wherein a blessing is given to mothers after recovery from childbirth. The ceremony includes thanksgiving for the woman's survival of childbirth, and is performed even when the child is stillborn, or has died unbaptized. Although the ceremony itself contains no elements of ritual purification, it was related to Jewish practice as noted in , where women were purified after giving birth. In light of the New Testament, the Christian ritual draws on the imagery and symbolism of the presentation of Jesus at the Temple (). Although some Christian traditions consider Mary to have borne Christ without incurring impurity, she went to the Temple in Jerusalem to fulfil the requirements of the Law of Moses. The rite is first mentioned in pseudo-Nicene Arabic canon law. The Christian rite for the churching of women continues in Eastern Christianity, the Lutheran Churches, the Anglican Communion and the Methodist Churches; but in the Roman Rite it is found only in the pre-Vatican II form and in Anglican Ordinariate parishes. History The custom of blessing a woman after childbirth recalls the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary mentioned in Luke 2:22. The Jewish practice was based on Leviticus 12:1-8, which specified the ceremonial rite to be performed in order to restore ritual purity. It was believed that a woman becomes ritually unclean by giving birth owing to the presence of blood and/or other fluids at birth. This was part of ceremonial rather than moral law. Natalie Knödel noted that the idea that a woman who has recently given birth is to be set apart and then reintroduced into religious and social life by means of a special rite is not a specifically Western, let alone Christian, idea. Such rites are found in a number of cultures. All things having to do with birth and death are understood as somehow sacred. Paul V. Marshall suggests that in an agricultural society this could have been a simple means of protecting a new mother from resuming work too soon after giving birth. Enforced rest after childbirth is known as postpartum confinement. Historically, European women were confined to their beds or their homes for extensive periods after giving birth in a custom called lying-in; care was provided either by her female relatives (mother or mother-in-law) or by a temporary attendant known as a monthly nurse. "Churching" served to mark the end of these weeks of separation and reintegrate the new mother into her community. The rite became the subject of a good deal of misunderstanding, since many commentators and preachers, in describing its scriptural antecedents, did not explain the concept clearly. Pope Gregory I as early as the 6th century protested against any notion that defilement was incurred by childbirth and recommended that women should never be separated from the church in case it was seen as such. As a blessing given to mothers after recovery from childbirth, "it is not a precept, but a pious and praiseworthy custom, dating from the early Christian ages". David Cressy points out that the ceremony acknowledged the woman's labours and the perils of childbirth. At the conclusion of a month after childbirth, women looked forward to churching as a social occasion, and a time to celebrate with friends. For men it marked the end of a month during which they had to take care of the domestic affairs, commonly referred to as the "gander month". In thirteenth-century France the rite focused on the woman's role as wife and mother. The Second Plenary Council of Baltimore, an American Roman-Catholic gathering held in October 1866, noted that churching after childbirth had been generally neglected in the United States and was to be insisted upon, and prohibited the practice of churching in places in which Mass is not celebrated. In the West Roman Catholicism The custom, referred to in many places as the "Churching of Women", was retained in the Church until very recent times, and still is in the old rite. The official title of the Rite was actually Benedictio mulieris post partum (the blessing of a woman after giving birth), and focused on blessing and thanksgiving. The rite largely fell into disuse in the late 1960s following the Second Vatican Council, but a number of traditional Catholic women still undergo the rite. The Book of Blessings published in 1984 contains a "Blessing of a Woman after Childbirth" that is significantly altered from the old rite used before the Council, but fulfills the same liturgical purpose. The current baptismal rite (which also incorporates a blessing of the father) contains a blessing for the mother, but the older rite is a special blessing. The concluding prayer reads: The "Order for the Blessing of a Mother after Childbirth" is still used, primarily for those mothers who were unable to attend the baptism, and is not necessarily held in a church. It may be imparted by a priest, deacon or authorized lay minister. Lutheranism The churching of women was historically offered to women in the Lutheran Church, taking place after the celebration of Holy Communion in the liturgy. A prayer "For the Churching of Women" as it appeared in the 1918 liturgy of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, reads as follows: Anglicanism The rite of the "Churching of Women" is offered in the Anglican Communion with a liturgy as part of the Book of Common Prayer. In the US-based Episcopal Church, the "Churching of Women" is a liturgy for the purification or "churching" of women after childbirth, together with the presentation in church of the child. The 1979 Book of Common Prayer, avoiding any hint of ritual impurity, replaces the older rite with "A Thanksgiving for the Birth or Adoption of a Child." The rite is to take place within the Sunday liturgy, after the intercessions, soon after the birth or adoption. In this service, parents and other family members come to the church with the newly born or adopted child "to be welcomed by the congregation and to give thanks to Almighty God" (Book of Common Prayer, p. 439). Methodism The rite of the churching of women, officially known as the "An Order of Thanksgiving for the Birth or Adoption of a Child", continues to be offered in Methodist churches. The rubrics concerning the rite state: Customs Custom differs, but the usual date of churching was the fortieth day after confinement (or giving birth), in accordance with the Biblical date and Jewish practice. The Purification of Mary and the presentation of Jesus at the Temple are commemorated forty days after Christmas. The service included in the English Book of Common Prayer dates only from the Middle Ages. While the churching was normally performed by a priest in the parish church there were exceptions of women being churched at home. Prior to the English Reformation, according to the rubric the woman was to occupy the "convenient place" near the narthex. In the first prayer book of Edward VI of England, she was to be "nigh unto the quire door". In the second of his books, she was to be "nigh unto the place where the Table (or altar) standeth". Bishop Matthew Wren orders for the diocese of Norwich in 1636 were that women to be churched would come and kneel at a side near the communion table outside the rail, being veiled according to custom, and not covered with a hat. In some parishes there was a special pew known as the "churching seat". Conducting the ritual inside the church rather than on the porch is an outward sign that ritual impurity of a childbearing woman was no longer presumed. Churchings were formerly registered in some parishes. In Herefordshire it was not considered proper for the husband to appear in church at the service, or to sit with his wife in the same pew. The words in the rubric requiring the woman to come "decently apparelled", refer to the times when it was thought unbecoming for a woman to come to the service with the elaborate head-dress then the fashion. A veil was usually worn. In some parishes a special veil was provided by the church, for an inventory of goods belonging to St Benet Gracechurch in 1560 includes "a churching cloth, fringed, white damask." In pre-Reformation days, it was the custom in Catholic England for women to carry lighted tapers when being churched, an allusion to the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin (February 2), and also celebrated as Candlemas, the day chosen by the Catholic Church for the blessing of the candles for the whole year. At her churching, a woman was expected to make some votive offering to the church, such as the chrisom or alb placed on the child at its christening. Augustine Schulte described the ceremony in the early twentieth century: The mother, kneels in the vestibule, or within the church, carrying a lighted candle. The priest, vested in surplice and white stole, sprinkles her with holy water in the form of a cross. Having recited Psalm 24, "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof", he offers her the left extremity of the stole and leads her into the church, saying: "Enter thou into the temple of God, adore the Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary who has given thee fruitfulness of offspring." She advances to one of the altars and kneels before it, whilst the priest, turned towards her, recites the appropriate blessing, and then, having sprinkled her again with holy water in the form of the cross, dismisses her, saying: "The peace and blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, descend upon thee, and remain forever. Amen." According to commentary provided in a modern Catholic tutorial on the mass, the fact that the priest goes to meet the mother and escort her into the church is in itself a mark of respect for her. It was formerly regarded as unwise for a woman to leave her house to go out at all after confinement until she went to be churched. In Anglo-Irish folk tradition, new mothers who had yet to be churched were regarded as attractive to the fairies, and so in danger of being kidnapped by them. However, the origin of the church ritual is unrelated to these later local superstitions, which accrued to it. In the East In the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches of the Byzantine Rite, many jurisdictions still observe the tradition of the woman coming to church on the 40th day after childbirth for special blessings. For forty days a new mother remains at home to recuperate and to care for her child. However, if the child has not survived, the woman still remains at home to heal physically and emotionally. During the time of her confinement, the woman does not normally receive the eucharist, unless she is in danger of death. As the service is practiced in the Byzantine Rite, it involves both the blessing of the mother and the presentation of the child to God. The churching should be distinguished from two other brief rites that take place at childbirth: the Prayers on the First Day After Childbirth, and the Naming of the Child on the Eighth Day. These usually take place in the home. In some traditions, it is customary to baptize the child on the eighth day, following the example of the Old Testament rite of bris or circumcision of boys. In that case, the naming of the child would take place in the temple (church building); however, the mother would not attend, the child being presented by its godparents. Churching of the Woman On the fortieth day after childbirth, the mother is brought to the temple to be churched; that is to say, to receive a blessing as she begins attending church and receiving the sacraments once again. The child (if it has survived) is brought by the mother, who has already been cleansed and washed, accompanied by the intended sponsors (Godparents) who will stand at the child's baptism. They all stand together in the narthex before the doors of the nave, facing east. The priest blesses them and says prayers for the woman and the child, giving thanks for their wellbeing and asking God's grace and blessings upon them. Churching of the Child Then, if the infant has already been baptized, he performs the churching of the child; if not, he does the churching immediately after the baptism. Taking up the child, the priest lifts it up, making the sign of the cross with the child before the doors of the temple, saying: "The servant of God (Name) is churched, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." He then carries the child into the center of the nave, as he says, "I will go into Thy House. I will worship toward Thy Holy Temple in fear of Thee." Stopping in the center, he says, "The servant of God (Name) is churched, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. In the midst of the congregation I will sing praises unto Thee." He then walks up to the iconostasis, and stopping in front of the royal doors, he says, "The servant of God (Name) is churched, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." He then carries the baby into the sanctuary and around the back of the altar and out again onto the soleas. He then chants the Nunc dimittis and says a special apolysis (dismissal), after which he blesses the child with the Sign of the Cross on its forehead, mouth and heart, and returns it to its mother. See also Ablution in Christianity Hygiene in Christianity References Sources A History of Women's Bodies, Edward Shorter, Penguin, New York, 1982 External links Churching of Women in Liturgy and Agenda (Lutheran) Thanksgiving for the Birth or Adoption of a Child in the 2019 Book of Common Prayer (Anglican) An Order of Thanksgiving for the Birth or Adoption of a Child in the Book of Worship (Methodist) Prayers for the Churching of a Mother and Child After Forty Days (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America) The Churching of Women (Roman Catholic) 1552 Book of Common Prayer "The Thankes Geuing of Women After Childe Birth, Commonly Called the Churchyng Of Women." The Thanksgiving of Women after Childbirth historical account Lutheran sacraments and rites Catholic liturgy Byzantine Rite Anglican liturgy Methodism Christianity and women	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churching%20of%20women
Mirex is an organochloride that was commercialized as an insecticide and later banned because of its impact on the environment. This white crystalline odorless solid is a derivative of cyclopentadiene. It was popularized to control fire ants but by virtue of its chemical robustness and lipophilicity it was recognized as a bioaccumulative pollutant. The spread of the red imported fire ant was encouraged by the use of mirex, which also kills native ants that are highly competitive with the fire ants. The United States Environmental Protection Agency prohibited its use in 1976. It is prohibited by the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. Production and applications Mirex was first synthesized in 1946, but was not used in pesticide formulations until 1955. Mirex was produced by the dimerization of hexachlorocyclopentadiene in the presence of aluminium chloride. Mirex is a stomach insecticide, meaning that it must be ingested by the organism in order to poison it. The insecticidal use was focused on Southeastern United States to control the imported fire ants Solenopsis saevissima richteri and Solenopsis invicta. Approximately 250,000 kg of mirex was applied to fields between 1962-75 (US NRC, 1978). Most of the mirex was in the form of "4X mirex bait," which consists of 0.3% mirex in 14.7% soybean oil mixed with 85% corncob grits. Application of the 4X bait was designed to give a coverage of 4.2 g mirex/ha and was delivered by aircraft, helicopter or tractor. 1x and 2x bait were also used. Use of mirex as a pesticide was banned in 1978. The Stockholm Convention banned production and use of several persistent organic pollutant, and mirex is one of the "dirty dozen". Degradation Characteristic of chlorocarbons, mirex does not burn easily; combustion products are expected to include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride, chlorine, phosgene, and other organochlorine species. Slow oxidation produces chlordecone ("Kepone"), a related insecticide that is also banned in most of the western world, but more readily degraded. Sunlight degrades mirex primarily to photomirex (8-monohydromirex) and later partly to 2,8-dihydromirex. Mirex is highly resistant to microbiological degradation. It only slowly dechlorinates to a monohydro derivative by anaerobic microbial action in sewage sludge and by enteric bacteria. Degradation by soil microorganisms has not been described. Bioaccumulation and biomagnification Mirex is highly cumulative and amount depends upon the concentration and duration of exposure. There is evidence of accumulation of mirex in aquatic and terrestrial food chains to harmful levels. After 6 applications of mirex bait at 1.4 kg/ha, high mirex levels were found in some species; turtle fat contained 24.8 mg mirex/kg, kingfishers, 1.9 mg/kg, coyote fat, 6 mg/kg, opossum fat, 9.5 mg/kg, and racoon fat, 73.9 mg/kg. In a model ecosystem with a terrestrial-aquatic interface, sorghum seedlings were treated with mirex at 1.1 kg/ha. Caterpillars fed on these seedlings and their faeces contaminated the water which contained algae, snails, Daphnia, mosquito larvae, and fish. After 33 days, the ecological magnification value was 219 for fish and 1165 for snails. Although general environmental levels are low, it is widespread in the biotic and abiotic environment. Being lipophilic, mirex is strongly adsorbed on sediments. Safety Mirex is only moderately toxic in single-dose animal studies (oral values range from 365–3000 mg/kg body weight). It can enter the body via inhalation, ingestion, and via the skin. The most sensitive effects of repeated exposure in animals are principally associated with the liver, and these effects have been observed with doses as low as 1.0 mg/kg diet (0.05 mg/kg body weight per day), the lowest dose tested. At higher dose levels, it is fetotoxic (25 mg/kg in diet) and teratogenic (6.0 mg/kg per day). Mirex was not generally active in short-term tests for genetic activity. There is sufficient evidence of its carcinogenicity in mice and rats. Delayed onset of toxic effects and mortality is typical of mirex poisoning. Mirex is toxic for a range of aquatic organisms, with crustacea being particularly sensitive. Mirex induces pervasive chronic physiological and biochemical disorders in various vertebrates. No acceptable daily intake (ADI) for mirex has been advised by FAO/WHO. IARC (1979) evaluated mirex's carcinogenic hazard and concluded that "there is sufficient evidence for its carcinogenicity to mice and rats. In the absence of adequate data in humans, based on above result it can be said, that it has carcinogenic risk to humans”. Data on human health effects do not exist . Health effects Per a 1995 ATSDR report mirex caused fatty changes in the livers, hyperexcitability and convulsion, and inhibition of reproduction in animals. It is a potent endocrine disruptor, interfering with estrogen-mediated functions such as ovulation, pregnancy, and endometrial growth. It also induced liver cancer by interaction with estrogen in female rodents. References See also International Organization for the Management of Chemicals (IOMC), 1995, POPs Assessment Report, December.1995. Lambrych KL, and JP Hassett. Wavelength-Dependent Photoreactivity of Mirex in Lake Ontario. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2006, 40, 858-863 Mirex Health and Safety Guide. IPCS International Program on Chemical Safety. Health and Safety Guide No.39. 1990 Toxicological Review of Mirex. In support of summary information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) 2003. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington DC. Obsolete pesticides Organochloride insecticides IARC Group 2B carcinogens Endocrine disruptors Persistent organic pollutants under the Stockholm Convention Fetotoxicants Teratogens Persistent organic pollutants under the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Cyclobutanes Perchlorocarbons	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirex
Enrique Moya (born 1958 in Caracas, Venezuela) is a Venezuelan poet, fiction writer, literary translator, essayist and critic of music and literature. He has published work in diverse literary genres in newspapers and magazines of Latin America, the United States and Europe. He is the director of the Latin American - Austrian Literature Forum and of the Latin American Poetry Festival in Vienna. References Bibliography Memoria Ovalada (Eclepsidra, Caracas 2000), Bilingual English – Spanish Edition Café Kafka (Labyrinth, Wien-London 2002 und 2005), Bilingual English – Spanish Edition Theories of the Skin (La Bohemia, Buenos Aires, 2006), Bilingual German – Spanish Edition Vid Søren Kierkegaards grav – Ante la tumba de Søren Kierkegaard, Malmö 2007. Zweisprachige Edition, Schwedisch-Spanisch. El mundo sin geometria, narrativa (Eclepsidra, Caracas 2010), Poemas de la razón Noctura, Antología (Monte Ávila Editores, Caracas 2012. Writers from Caracas Venezuelan male poets Music critics Venezuelan literary critics 1958 births Living people Translators to Spanish	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enrique%20Moya
Robert A. Wilson was an American gynecologist who is known for writing the best-selling 1966 book Feminine Forever. He is also known for his organization the Wilson Research Foundation (WRA). In Feminine Forever, Wilson promoted the use of estrogen therapy to avoid the menopause and associated symptoms. He characterized menopause as a serious disease state and made strong claims about the effectiveness and safety of menopausal hormone therapy in alleviating it and improving quality of life and health. Wilson's claims were criticized as not being based on adequate research and evidence. Subsequently, trials such as the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) contradicted Wilson's claims and showed that menopausal hormone therapy could have significant medical risks and that its benefits were not as great as once believed. Wilson's early medical career was unremarkable, and he did not publish his first papers until 1962, when he was in his late 60s. It was revealed by Wilson's son, Ronald Wilson, that Wyeth-Ayerst had secretly paid all of the fees for Wilson to write his book and also helped finance his foundation. Other pharmaceutical companies additionally funded the Wilson Research Foundation. Within 10 years of the publishing of his book, in which Wilson promoted the use of conjugated estrogens (Premarin) and of menopausal hormone therapy in general, Premarin became the fifth most-prescribed drug in the United States. Works Books Journal articles See also Anti-aging movement § Menopausal hormone drugs References American gynecologists 1895 births 1981 deaths	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert%20A.%20Wilson
Drăgănești-Olt () is a town in Olt County, Muntenia, Romania. The first document mentioning it is from 1526. Drăgănești-Olt became a town in 1968. The town administers one village, Comani. Geography The town is situated on the Wallachian Plain. It lies on the left bank of the river Olt, at an altitude of approximately . It is located in the central part of Olt County, at a distance of from the county seat, Slatina, and north of Turnu Măgurele. The town is crossed by county road DJ546, which meets national road DN6 a few miles to the south. The Drăgănești-Olt train station serves the CFR Line 900, which runs from Bucharest, to the east, to Timișoara and the border with Serbia to the west. Natives Cosmin Achim (born 1995), footballer Beno Arbel (1939–2013), Israeli mathematician (1929–2018), folk music singer Daniel Oprița (born 1981), footballer Constantin Tobescu (1893–1951), general of the Romanian Gendarmerie References Towns in Romania Populated places in Olt County Localities in Muntenia	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr%C4%83g%C4%83ne%C8%99ti-Olt
Franciscus Ronaldus ("Ronald") Maria Jansen (born 30 December 1963 in Sint-Michielsgestel) is a former field hockey goalkeeper from the Netherlands, who twice won the gold medal at the Summer Olympics. He played a total number of 183 international matches for his native country, and made his debut on 23 June 1987 at the 1987 Men's Hockey Champions Trophy in a match against Argentina. External links Dutch Hockey Federation 1963 births Living people Male field hockey goalkeepers Dutch male field hockey players Olympic field hockey players for the Netherlands Dutch field hockey coaches Field hockey players at the 1988 Summer Olympics Field hockey players at the 1996 Summer Olympics 1998 Men's Hockey World Cup players Field hockey players at the 2000 Summer Olympics Olympic gold medalists for the Netherlands Olympic bronze medalists for the Netherlands People from Sint-Michielsgestel Olympic medalists in field hockey Medalists at the 1988 Summer Olympics Medalists at the 1996 Summer Olympics Medalists at the 2000 Summer Olympics HC Den Bosch players Oranje Zwart players 20th-century Dutch people 21st-century Dutch people Sportspeople from North Brabant	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald%20Jansen
Walter Hamilton Dickson (January 4, 1806 – July 30, 1885) was a lawyer and political figure in Canada West. He was a Conservative member of the Senate of Canada from 1867 to 1884. He was born in Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake), Upper Canada in 1806, the son of William Dickson. In 1813, his home was burned with the rest of the town by American Brigadier-General George McClure. He articled in law with his brother Robert and was called to the bar in 1830. He practised in Dundas and then at Niagara. He served in the cavalry unit of the local militia and served as a major during the Upper Canada Rebellion. Dickson represented Niagara in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada from 1844 to 1851. In 1855, he was appointed to the Legislative Council and served until Confederation, when he was appointed to the Senate. He resigned in 1884. External links 1806 births 1885 deaths Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada from Canada West Members of the Legislative Council of the Province of Canada Conservative Party of Canada (1867–1942) senators Canadian senators from Ontario People from Niagara-on-the-Lake	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter%20Hamilton%20Dickson
Mohammad Akram Hussain Khan (; born 1 November 1968) is a former Bangladeshi cricketer. A hard hitting middle order batsman, Akram played first-class cricket for Chittagong Division. As captain, he led Bangladesh to being the winners of the 1997 ICC Trophy. He is currently the chief selector of the BCB, along with Habibul Bashar and Minhajul Abedin. Akram Khan was part of Bangladesh's inaugural Test match, in 2000–01 against India. He had been playing One Day International cricket since 1988. He developed as an international player under the able guidance of Gazi Ashraf Lipu. <ref> Rafiqul Ameer: Looking back: Bangladesh cricket in the 80's" (Retrieved on 2008-07-28)</ref> Early life Akram Khan was born in the port city of Chittagong. His paternal Khan'' family is a prestigious family in the city, migrated from Bihar. His brother is reputed footballer Iqbal Khan, making Akram the uncle of Bangladeshi cricketers Nafees and Tamim Iqbal. International career He was already well into his 30s when he played in Bangladesh's inaugural match. He finished his short Test career with a moderate average of 16.18. His highest, 44, came against Zimbabwe cricket team at Harare in 2001. He made his One Day International debut in October 1988, in his hometown Chittagong. Batting at No. 8, he defied the strong Pak bowling attack scoring 21* of 35 deliveries. He captained Bangladesh in the Asia Cup at Sharjah in 1995. He was the team's most consistent performer scoring 24, 24 & 44 against India, Sri-Lanka and Pakistan respectively. His first ODI 50 came against Pakistan at Colombo in 1997. There he shared a 110 run partnership with Athar Ali Khan. His highest ODI score of 65, came at Dhaka against Kenya in 1999. He followed this with 50* against Zimbabwe. He played in two WCs, in 1999 & in 2003. He played a large part in Bangladesh's upset win in 1999 World Cup over Pakistan with an innings of 42. His most memorable moment came in the 1997 ICC Trophy, as he lifted the cup for his side. He contributed a quickfire 22 off 27 balls, including a six and a four, in the final. Earlier, he had played a captain's knock in the do-or-die game against the Netherlands. His 68* helped Bangladesh win by 3 wicket. Bangladesh were struggling at 15/4, chasing a small total, after the Dutch fast bowler Lefebre demolished the top order. Then Akram Khan changed the course of the match with two half-century partnerships with the veteran Minhajul Abedin and the medium-pacer Saiful Islam. Overall, he finished the tournament with 185 runs at an average of 37.00. His effort against the Dutch is not his only match winning innings in International Cricket Council Trophy history. In 1994, batting at No. 7, he scored 64* against USA, taking his team from 36/5 to 147/7, winning the match by 3 wickets. And in 1990, he took Bangladesh to a vital 3 wicket win against Fiji with a knock of 42*. Overall, in 24 matches in 3 ICC Trophy tournaments, he scored 476 runs at an average of 36.61. Also, bowling his gentle medium pacers, he took 10 wickets with an impressive average of 18.7. International captaincy He took the captaincy of the national side at a difficult time during the 1994–95 season. Following the disappointment of the 1994 ICC Trophy in Kenya, there was dissatisfaction and disunity among the players. Akram, who was an established member of the side was selected to lead the side. This seemed slightly risky, as the Chittagong batsman had little previous experience as captain. But, he performed admirably, leading his side to some memorable successes. In December, 1994, he led his side to the final of 1994–95 SAARC Quadrangular cricket tournament in Dhaka. He batted bravely in the final, top-scoring with 66(before falling to leg spin of Sairaj Bahutule). But his side lost by 52 runs to India 'A', led by Praveen Amre. In 1996, he led Bangladesh to victory in the South East Asian Cricket. It was followed by a bigger triumph in ICC Trophy (1997) in KL. He also led Bangladesh to their first ever ODI win. After Mohammad Rafique & Athar Ali Khan posted a century opening stand, Akram's quickfire 39 (from just 51 deliveries) took Bangladesh to 237/4, winning by 6 wickets against Kenya. He is the first ODI win captain in Bangladesh. Relatives His family has produced a number of other cricketers. In recent times, his nephews Nafees Iqbal and Tamim Iqbal have worn national colors. Both of them are opening bats. While right-handed Nafees Iqbal has lost his form after some initial successes, his younger brother, left-handed Tamim, became the most successful run-scorer for Bangladesh. References External links 'I found international cricket easier than domestic matches' by Mohammad Isam at Cricinfo 1968 births Living people Bangladesh Test cricketers Bangladesh One Day International cricketers Bangladeshi cricket captains Bangladeshi cricketers 20th-century Bangladeshi cricketers 21st-century Bangladeshi cricketers Chittagong Division cricketers Cricketers at the 1998 Commonwealth Games Cricketers at the 1999 Cricket World Cup Cricketers at the 2003 Cricket World Cup Cricketers from Chittagong Bangladeshi cricket coaches Abahani Limited cricketers Recipients of the Bangladesh National Sports Award Commonwealth Games competitors for Bangladesh Khan cricketing family Bangladeshi Sunni Muslims Bangladeshi people of Bihari descent 21st-century Muslims	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akram%20Khan%20%28cricketer%29
For the Working Class Man is the second studio album by former Cold Chisel frontman Jimmy Barnes, released in December 1985. The album consists of five original tracks and seven remixed tracks that had previously been released on Barnes' 1984 debut album Bodyswerve. Details For the Working Class Man (re-titled Jimmy Barnes for the international market—after the original title of A Week Away from Paradise was scrapped—with a slightly altered track listing and different cover artwork) was specifically geared toward securing Barnes a break into the American music market by Geffen. The new material found on the album was recorded in New York and Los Angeles with a variety of high-profile American producers, session musicians, and outside songwriters. Journey's Jonathan Cain contributed, produced and performed on two tracks, "Working Class Man" (which has since become Barnes' signature song as a solo artist after being featured in the Ron Howard film Gung Ho) and "American Heartbeat", Steven Van Zandt of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band co-wrote "Ride the Night Away", Chas Sandford penned "I'd Die to Be with You Tonight" and "Without Your Love" was co-written with former Rainbow keyboardist Tony Carey. In 2010 the album was remastered and reissued under the title "For the Working Class Man 25" under license to Liberation Music for Australia and New Zealand. This reissue has the same songs in the same order as the original release, however, four of the tracks ("I'd Die to Be with You Tonight", "Ride the Night Away", "Working Class Man" and "No Second Prize") were extensively reworked in 2009 by David Nicholas (for DNA Productions) resulting in significantly different track lengths. The album cover of the reissue is derived from the original Australian version; the most significant differences being the addition of an outer black square framing border, a bold black number "25" in the lower left hand corner while the main photograph has an (apparently) deeper red saturation. In October 2010, For the Working Class Man, was listed in the book, 100 Best Australian Albums. As of 2012, For the Working Class Man has sold more than 500,000 copies (7 x Platinum) in Barnes' native Australia. In October 2017, a two disc "Commemorative Edition" of the album was released; the first disc contains the original album remastered by Don Bartley, the second disc (a DVD) contains a live performance from 1984. This release coincided with the release of Barnes' memoir 'Working Class Man', as well as his spoken word tour of the same name, starting in 2018. Track listing For the Working Class Man Jimmy Barnes / A Week Away from Paradise Charts Weekly charts Year-end charts Certifications Personnel Jimmy Barnes - lead vocals Tommy Thayer, Chas Sandford, Mal Eastick, Waddy Wachtel, Dave Amato, Charlie Sexton, Billy Burnette, Chris Stockley, Johnny Lee - guitar Randy Jackson, Kenny Gradney, Bruce Howe - bass Tony Braunagel, Mick Fleetwood, Tony Brock, Ray Arnott - drums Jonathan Cain, William Smith, Bill Payne - keyboards Arno Lewis - percussion Kim Carnes, Maxine Willard, Julia Tillman, Dave Amato, Jonathan Cain, Renée Geyer, Venetta Fields, Shauna Jenson - backing vocals Chris Stockley - mandolin Viv Riley - bagpipes See also List of number-one albums in Australia during the 1980s References 1985 albums Jimmy Barnes albums Albums produced by Mark Opitz Geffen Records albums Mushroom Records albums Working-class culture	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For%20the%20Working%20Class%20Man
The British Rail Class 115 diesel multiple units were 41 high-density sets which operated the outer-suburban services from Marylebone usually to destinations such as High Wycombe, Aylesbury and Banbury which are on the Chiltern Main Line and Great Central Main Line (now the London to Aylesbury Line). Sometimes, these sets used to operate 8- or 12-car-long expresses to Nottingham Victoria in the final years of the GCML. Coincidentally, Class 115 units operated services under Table 115 in the British Rail timetable. Construction and service Based on the basic Derby high density design, the sets are similar to Class 127 but were internally superior as the class had larger windows, better furnishings, lighting and wall surfaces. Six sets were also built for the Cheshire Lines Committee (CLC) line between Liverpool and Manchester, where in 1960 they replaced steam haulage on the limited stop services via Warrington. These units lasted on the CLC until the mid-1980s when the principal services on that line became locomotive-hauled once again using Class 31 diesels. The CLC units were then transferred to join the identical ones at Marylebone. Class 115 units also worked from Tyseley in the later years. The Marylebone sets, which were later transferred to Bletchley but remained on Chiltern Line duties (and finally to Old Oak Common), were declared surplus after the introduction of Class 165s, from 1991 onwards. While at Bletchley and Old Oak Common depots the class found use on the Gospel Oak to Barking Line, units being formed as power twins. They were, in turn, replaced on this line by Class 117 power twins, displaced from Paddington suburban duties. The final class 115 working out of Marylebone was on 29 July 1992. The Tyseley vehicles survived a bit longer, until February 1994. Some of the class briefly found their way on to the Redhill to Tonbridge Line to replace ageing DEMU sets. The line was electrified in 1993, in order to allow a diversionary route for the Eurostar, and the class 115s were replaced initially with Class 411 EMUs, then ex-Merseyrail Class 508 EMUs in 1998 (after privatisation). Accidents and incidents On 11 December 1981, two four-car Class 115 units were involved in a collision between Gerrards Cross and Seer Green. The driver of an empty stock train, traveling from Marylebone to Princes Risborough, had stopped in the cutting between Gerrards Cross and Seer Green, to clear tree branches that were overhanging and had fallen onto the track, due to very heavy snow fall. Behind the empty stock train, a passenger train travelling from Marylebone to Banbury, was, incorrectly, authorised to pass a signal at danger at Gerrards Cross, entering the same section of track and partially telescoped the stationary train. Four people were killed, including the driver of the passenger train, and five others were seriously injured. Technical details Builder: BR Derby Introduced: 1960 Coupling Code: Blue Square Body: × Engines: BUT (Leyland Albion) of (2 per DMBS) Transmission: Standard mechanical Weight: DMBS ; TCL ; TS Preservation 15 vehicles are preserved. DMBS 51677 was scrapped in early 2017. References The Railcar Association Motive Power Recognition: 3 DMUs. Colin J. Marsden British Railway Pictorial: First Generation DMUs. Kevin Robertson British Rail Fleet Survey 8: Diesel Multiple Units- The First Generation. Brian Haresnape A Pictorial Record of British Railways Diesel Multiple Units. Brian Golding 115 Train-related introductions in 1960	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British%20Rail%20Class%20115
Rovinari () is a town in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania. A large coal burning electric power plant it is located near the town. Surface and underground lignite coal mines operate in the surrounding area. It officially became a town in 1981, as a result of the Romanian rural systematization program. Natives Theodor Costescu (1864–1939), educator and politician References Towns in Romania Populated places in Gorj County Localities in Oltenia Mining communities in Romania Monotowns in Romania	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rovinari
Nothing Remains the Same is the third studio album by the Swedish industrial metal project Pain. It was released in 2002 via the Swedish label Stockholm Records and features the singles "Shut Your Mouth" (reached No. 14 on the Swedish single charts) and "Just Hate Me" (No. 47). The album itself reached No. 6 and remained on the Swedish album charts for nine weeks, longer than any other Pain album. Track listing "It's Only Them" – 4:51 "Shut Your Mouth" – 3:13 "Close My Eyes" – 3:45 "Just Hate Me" – 3:55 (co-written with Per Aldeheim and Max Martin) "Injected Paradise" – 5:10 "Eleanor Rigby" – 3:51 (The Beatles cover) "Expelled" – 3:43 "Pull Me Under" – 4:15 "Save Me" – 3:37 "The Game" – 4:05 "Fade Away" – 4:59 "Hate Me" (bonus track) – 5:22 "Liar" (bonus track) – 5:18 "Give It Up" (bonus track) – 3:56 Album videos The songs "Eleanor Rigby", "Just Hate Me" and "Shut Your Mouth" each have a video. "Eleanor Rigby" is a cover from The Beatles for which the video is a live performance in a studio. The video for "Just Hate Me" is about a robot that is forgotten by his maker which starts making another robot and even take parts from the first one to complete the second one. "Shut Your Mouth" is about an alien that visits the band's frontman, Peter Tägtgren, and tells him to convince the people of his existence; he attempts this, but fails. Credits Pain Peter Tägtgren – vocals, guitar, bass & drums Guest Dan Swanö – engineering See also Sverigetopplistan References 2002 albums Pain (musical project) albums Albums produced by Peter Tägtgren	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nothing%20Remains%20the%20Same
Clorgiline (INN), or clorgyline (BAN), is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) structurally related to pargyline which is described as an antidepressant. Specifically, it is an irreversible and selective inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A). Clorgiline was never marketed, but it has found use in scientific research. It has been found to bind with high affinity to the σ1 receptor (Ki = 3.2 nM) and with very high affinity to the I2 imidazoline receptor (Ki = 40 pM). Clorgiline is also a multidrug efflux pump inhibitor. Holmes et al., 2012 reverse azole fungicide resistance using clorgiline, showing promise for its use in multiple fungicide resistance. References Abandoned drugs Propargyl compounds Amines Chloroarenes Monoamine oxidase inhibitors Phenol ethers Sigma agonists	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clorgiline
Can't Buy Me Love is a 1987 American teen romantic comedy film directed by Steve Rash, starring Patrick Dempsey and Amanda Peterson in a story about a nerd at a high school in Tucson, Arizona, who gives a cheerleader $1,000 to pretend to be his girlfriend for a month. The film takes its title from a Beatles song of the same title. Plot Ronald Miller is a typical high school nerd living in suburban Tucson, Arizona. He has spent all summer mowing lawns to save up for a telescope. At an opportune moment, he makes a deal with next-door neighbor and popular cheerleader Cindy Mancini. She had borrowed her mother's expensive suede outfit without permission to wear to a Labor Day party, only to have wine accidentally spilled on it. Cindy reluctantly agrees to help Ronald look "cool" by posing as his girlfriend for a month for $1,000 (which was used to replace the ruined outfit), although she already has a boyfriend, Bobby, who is attending the University of Iowa. Ronald then trades his nerdy, yet loyal, friends for the popular but shallow students, and undergoes a complete clothing and hair makeover under Cindy's direction. Over time, a bond develops between them. Cindy has Ronald read a secret poem she wrote that means a great deal to her. In turn, Ronald reveals his interests in astronomy and space travel. On their last date that Ronald paid for, Cindy begins to have real feelings for him and hints that she would like to kiss him, but he misunderstands. The next day at school, they stage a breakup in front of a crowd, but Ronald takes things too far and says some hurtful things about Cindy in front of her friends. She remains calm and distant, but informs Ronald that popularity is hard work and that he needs to make sure that he "stays himself." The next day, Cindy notices him behaving arrogantly at school, and becomes jealous when she sees him flirting with her best friends Barbara and Patty. Ronald takes Patty to a school dance, where he performs a dance he learned from an African cultural show on public television he mistakenly thought was the latest dance craze performed on American Bandstand. At first, the other kids are mystified, but they soon join in, and Ronald's new "trendy" dancing further increases his popularity. On Halloween night, he and some jocks drive to the house of Kenneth, Ronald's best friend, where the jocks test his loyalty by coercing him to hurl dog feces at Kenneth's house. Kenneth is lying in wait and catches Ronald, but lets him go before his father can call the police. Kenneth ignores him the next day at school. At a New Year's Eve party at Big John's house, Ronald starts drinking and has a romantic tryst with his date, Iris, in the bathroom. Cindy walks by and hears Ronald reciting her special poem to Iris. Devastated, Cindy starts drinking even more. Later, Cindy's boyfriend, Bobby, unexpectedly shows up at the party. After Bobby learns about Cindy's "relationship" with Ronald, he breaks up with her. Cindy tries to explain that Ronald paid her to pretend they were dating, but Bobby does not believe her and walks out on her. In a drunken rage, Cindy reveals the truth about her and Ronald to the partygoers, and Ronald is immediately ostracized. Dejected, he leaves and spends the night in his garage crying himself to sleep. When school resumes, he finds himself a social outcast, by both the jocks and the nerds. His attempts to reconcile with both Cindy and Kenneth are rebuffed. Ronald gets an opportunity to redeem himself at lunch when he sees Quint, a jock, bullying Kenneth after noticing Kenneth helping Patty with her math homework. Quint threatens Kenneth with physical violence if Kenneth does not go back to "his side of the cafeteria." Ronald intervenes, threatening to break Quint's pitching arm if he does not leave Kenneth alone. Ronald points out that the three were all friends at one time: when they were nine, Quint fell out of their treehouse and broke his arm and Kenneth and Ronald carried him twelve blocks to the hospital. Ronald confesses he was desperate to run with the popular crowd but had messed up by trying to buy his way in (unlike Kenneth, who was helping Patty out of a genuine interest in her), that the clique dynamic is "all bullshit" and that it is tough enough just being yourself, and walks away. Quint apologizes to Kenneth and they shake hands as the whole school applauds. Ronald officially redeems himself with his friends and Cindy. Recognizing Ronald's worth, Cindy chooses to spend an evening with him rather than hang out with her friends, hopping on the back of his riding lawnmower. Ronald then asks Cindy to prom, and they kiss for the first time, as the Beatles' title song plays. The new couple then ride off into the sunset on the lawnmower. Cast Production notes The film was shot on location in Tucson, Arizona, at Tucson High Magnet School (then known as Tucson High School). The choreography is by Paula Abdul, who makes an uncredited appearance as a dancer. On a date where the main characters begin to bond, they jump the perimeter wall and explore the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group Aircraft Bone Yard on Davis–Monthan Air Force Base that contains 4,400 aircraft. The film was originally titled Boy Rents Girl but was changed when rights to The Beatles song of the same name were obtained.The cast included long time character actor, Steve Franken, in a minor role, and Seth Green in one of his earlier roles. Critical reception Can't Buy Me Love received mixed reviews from critics. Caryn James, in The New York Times, wrote that the film missed its mark and traded its potential originality for a bid at popularity: Roger Ebert gave the film a half star out of a possible 4: Rotten Tomatoes has a rating of 50% based on 24 critics with the consensus: "While Can't Buy Me Love gets some value out of its plucky leads, this romantic comedy struggles to find grace in a cynical conceit that belongs in the bargain bin." In 2006, it ranked number 41 on Entertainment Weekly's list of the 50 Best High School Movies. Awards Young Artist Award Won: Best Young Actor in a Motion Picture—Comedy, Patrick Dempsey Nominated: Best Young Actress in a Motion Picture—Comedy, Amanda Peterson Nominated: Best Young Actress in a Motion Picture—Comedy, Tina Caspary Nominated: Best Family Motion Picture—Comedy Home media Touchstone Home Entertainment released the film on VHS and DVD on August 14, 2002. As of June 2022, it is available for streaming via Disney+ in Canada, and previously on Netflix, Cinemax, Tubi, Hulu, and The Roku Channel in the US. Soundtrack In 2013, Intrada Records released Robert Folk's complete score for the film on a limited edition CD paired with David Newman's work for Paradise. Remake In 2003, Can't Buy Me Love was remade as Love Don't Cost a Thing starring Nick Cannon and Christina Milian. Though the triggering event differs between the two films, many of the aspects/scenes from the original film are reinterpreted in this remake, such as the eating of raw egg in the Home Economics classroom, as well as the cheerleader telling the bully that he is sitting in the wrong section in the cafeteria that he needs to sit in the "asshole section" of the cafeteria. References External links 1987 films 1980s coming-of-age comedy films 1980s high school films 1987 romantic comedy films 1980s teen comedy films 1980s teen romance films American coming-of-age comedy films American high school films American romantic comedy films American teen comedy films American teen romance films Coming-of-age romance films 1980s English-language films Films about proms Films directed by Steve Rash Films scored by Robert Folk Films set in Tucson, Arizona Films shot in Tucson, Arizona Touchstone Pictures films 1980s American films	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Can%27t%20Buy%20Me%20Love%20%28film%29
Monoamine oxidase A, also known as MAO-A, is an enzyme (E.C. 1.4.3.4) that in humans is encoded by the MAOA gene. This gene is one of two neighboring gene family members that encode mitochondrial enzymes which catalyze the oxidative deamination of amines, such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. A mutation of this gene results in Brunner syndrome. This gene has also been associated with a variety of other psychiatric disorders, including antisocial behavior. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding multiple isoforms have been observed. Structures Gene Monoamine oxidase A, also known as MAO-A, is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAOA gene. The promoter of MAOA contains conserved binding sites for Sp1, GATA2, and TBP. This gene is adjacent to a related gene (MAOB) on the opposite strand of the X chromosome. In humans, there is a 30-base repeat sequence repeated several different numbers of times in the promoter region of MAO-A. There are 2R (two repeats), 3R, 3.5R, 4R, and 5R variants of the repeat sequence, with the 3R and 4R variants most common in all populations. The variants of the promoter have been found to appear at different frequencies in different ethnic groups in an American sample cohort. The epigenetic modification of MAOA gene expression through methylation likely plays an important role in women. A study from 2010 found epigenetic methylation of MAOA in men to be very low and with little variability compared to women, while having higher heritability in men than women. Protein MAO-A shares 70% amino acid sequence identity with its homologue MAO-B. Accordingly, both proteins have similar structures. Both MAO-A and MAO-B exhibit an N-terminal domain that binds flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), a central domain that binds the amine substrate, and a C-terminal α-helix that is inserted in the outer mitochondrial membrane. MAO-A has a slightly larger substrate-binding cavity than MAO-B, which may be the cause of slight differences in catalytic activity between the two enzymes, as shown in quantitative structure-activity relationship experiments. Both enzymes are relatively large, about 60 kilodaltons in size, and are believed to function as dimers in living cells. Function Monoamine oxidase A catalyzes O2-dependent oxidation of primary arylalkyl amines, most importantly neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. This is the initial step in the breakdown of these molecules. The products are the corresponding aldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonia: R-Amine + + → R-Aldehyde + + This reaction is believed to occur in three steps, using FAD as an electron-transferring cofactor. First, the amine is oxidized to the corresponding imine, with reduction of FAD to FADH2. Second, O2 accepts two electrons and two protons from FADH2, forming and regenerating FAD. Third, the imine is hydrolyzed by water, forming ammonia and the aldehyde. Compared to MAO-B, MAO-A has a higher specificity for serotonin and norepinephrine, while the two enzymes have similar affinity for dopamine and tyramine. MAO-A is a key regulator for normal brain function. In the brain, the highest levels of transcription occur in the brain stem, hypothalamus, amygdala, habenula, and nucleus accumbens, and the lowest in the thalamus, spinal cord, pituitary gland, and cerebellum. Its expression is regulated by the transcription factors SP1, GATA2, and TBP via cAMP-dependent regulation. MAO-A is also expressed in cardiomyocytes, where it is induced in response to stress such as ischemia and inflammation. Clinical significance Cancer MAO-A produces an amine oxidase, which is a class of enzyme known to affect carcinogenesis. Clorgyline, an MAO-A enzyme inhibitor, prevents apoptosis in melanoma cells, in vitro. Cholangiocarcinoma suppresses MAO-A expression, and those patients with higher MAO-A expression had less adjacent organ invasion and better prognosis and survival. Cardiovascular disease MAOA activity is linked to apoptosis and cardiac damage during cardiac injury following ischemic-reperfusion. Behavioral and neurological disorders There is some association between low activity forms of the MAOA gene and autism. Mutations in the MAOA gene results in monoamine oxidase deficiency, or Brunner syndrome. Other disorders associated with MAO-A include Alzheimer's disease, aggression, panic disorder, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Effects of parenting on self-regulation in adolescents appear to be moderated by 'plasticity alleles', of which the 2R and 3R alleles of MAOA are two, with "the more plasticity alleles males (but not females) carried, the more and less self-regulation they manifested under, respectively, supportive and unsupportive parenting conditions." Depression MAO-A levels in the brain as measured using positron emission tomography are elevated by an average of 34% in patients with major depressive disorder. Genetic association studies examining the relationship between high-activity MAOA variants and depression have produced mixed results, with some studies linking the high-activity variants to major depression in females, depressed suicide in males, major depression and sleep disturbance in males and major depressive disorder in both males and females. Other studies failed to find a significant relationship between high-activity variants of the MAOA gene and major depressive disorder. In patients with major depressive disorder, those with MAOA G/T polymorphisms (rs6323) coding for the highest-activity form of the enzyme have a significantly lower magnitude of placebo response than those with other genotypes. Antisocial behavior In humans, an association between the 2R allele of the VNTR region of the gene and an increase in the likelihood of committing serious crime or violence has been found. The VNTR 2R allele of MAOA has been found to be a risk factor for violent delinquency, when present in association with stresses, i.e. family issues, low popularity or failing school. A connection between the MAO-A gene 3R version and several types of anti-social behaviour has been found: Maltreated children with genes causing high levels of MAO-A were less likely to develop antisocial behavior. Low MAO-A activity alleles which are overwhelmingly the 3R allele in combination with abuse experienced during childhood resulted in an increased risk of aggressive behaviour as an adult, and men with the low activity MAOA allele were more genetically vulnerable even to punitive discipline as a predictor of antisocial behaviour. High testosterone, maternal tobacco smoking during pregnancy, poor material living standards, dropping out of school, and low IQ predicted violent behavior are associated with men with the low-activity alleles. According to a large meta-analysis in 2014, the 3R allele had a small, nonsignificant effect on aggression and antisocial behavior, in the absence of other interaction factors. Owing to methodological concerns, the authors do not view this as evidence in favor of an effect. The MAO-A gene was the first candidate gene for antisocial behavior and was identified during a "molecular genetic analysis of a large, multigenerational, and notoriously violent, Dutch kindred". A study of Finnish prisoners revealed that a MAOA-L (low-activity) genotype, which contributes to low dopamine turnover rate, was associated with extremely violent behavior. For the purpose of the study, "extremely violent behavior" was defined as at least ten committed homicides, attempted homicides or batteries. However, a large genome-wide association study has failed to find any large or statistically significant effects of the MAOA gene on aggression. A separate GWAS on antisocial personality disorder likewise did not report a significant effect of MAOA. Another study, while finding effects from a candidate gene search, failed to find any evidence in a large GWAS. A separate analysis of human and rat genome wide association studies, Mandelian randomization studies, and causal pathway analyses likewise failed to reveal robust evidence of MAOA in aggression. This lack of replication is predicted from the known issues of candidate gene research, which can produce many substantial false positives. Aggression and the "Warrior gene" Low-activity variants of the VNTR promoter region of the MAO-A gene have been referred to as the warrior gene. When faced with social exclusion or ostracism, individuals with the low activity MAO-A variants showed higher levels of aggression than individuals with the high activity MAO-A gene. Low activity MAO-A could significantly predict aggressive behaviour in a high provocation situation: Individuals with the low activity variant of the MAO-A gene were more likely (75% as opposed to 62%, out of a sample size of 70) to retaliate, and with greater force, as compared to those with a normal MAO-A variant if the perceived loss was large. The effects of MAOA genes on aggression have also been criticized for being heavily overstated. Indeed, the MAOA gene, even in conjunction with childhood adversity, is known to have a very small effect. The vast majority of people with the associated alleles have not committed any violent acts. Legal implications In a 2009 criminal trial in the United States, an argument based on a combination of "warrior gene" and history of child abuse was successfully used to avoid a conviction of first-degree murder and the death penalty; however, the convicted murderer was sentenced to 32 years in prison. In a second case, an individual was convicted of second-degree murder, rather than first-degree murder, based on a genetic test that revealed he had the low-activity MAOA variant. Judges in Germany are more likely to sentence offenders to involuntary psychiatric hospitalization on hearing an accused's MAOA-L genotype. Epigenetics Studies have linked methylation of the MAOA gene with nicotine and alcohol dependence in women. A second MAOA VNTR promoter, P2, influences epigenetic methylation and interacts with having experienced child abuse to influence antisocial personality disorder symptoms, only in women. A study of 34 non-smoking men found that methylation of the gene may alter its expression in the brain. Animal studies A dysfunctional MAOA gene has been correlated with increased aggression levels in mice, and has been correlated with heightened levels of aggression in humans. In mice, a dysfunctional MAOA gene is created through insertional mutagenesis (called 'Tg8'). Tg8 is a transgenic mouse strain that lacks functional MAO-A enzymatic activity. Mice that lacked a functional MAOA gene exhibited increased aggression towards intruder mice. Some types of aggression exhibited by these mice were territorial aggression, predatory aggression, and isolation-induced aggression. The MAO-A deficient mice that exhibited increased isolation-induced aggression reveals that an MAO-A deficiency may also contribute to a disruption in social interactions. There is research in both humans and mice to support that a nonsense point mutation in the eighth exon of the MAOA gene is responsible for impulsive aggressiveness due to a complete MAO-A deficiency. Interactions Transcription factors A number of transcription factors bind to the promoter region of MAO-A and upregulate its expression. These include:Sp1 transcription factor, GATA2, TBP. Inducers Synthetic compounds that up-regulate the expression of MAO-A include Valproic acid (Depakote) Inhibitors Substances that inhibit the enzymatic activity of MAO-A include: Synthetic compounds Befloxatone (MD370503) Brofaromine (Consonar) Cimoxatone Clorgyline (irreversible) Methylene Blue Minaprine (Cantor) Moclobemide (Aurorix, Manerix) Phenelzine (Nardil) Pirlindole (Pirazidol) Toloxatone (Humoryl) Tyrima (CX 157) Tranylcypromine (nonselective and irreversible) Natural products Incarviatone A Herbal sources Garlic (Garlic) β-Carboline alkaloids (Syrian Rue, Passion Flower, Tobacco smoke, Ayahuasca) Harmine Harmaline Isoquinoline alkaloids Piperine (Black pepper) Rosiridin (in vitro) See also Monoamine oxidase B Monoamine oxidase inhibitor - a class of antidepressant drugs that block or inactivate one or both MAO isoforms References Further reading External links Aggression Criminology EC 1.4.3 Human proteins de:Warrior Gene	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monoamine%20oxidase%20A
Videle () is a town in Teleorman County, Muntenia, Romania, with a population of 10,107 in 2021. It was upgraded to town status in 1968 by incorporation of a few villages nearby. Today, Coșoaia is the single associated village the town administers. Geography The town is situated on the Wallachian Plain, on the banks of the river Glavacioc and its left tributary, the Milcovăț. It lies in the northeastern part of Teleorman County, on the border with Giurgiu County. Transportation Videle is located northeast of the county seat, Alexandria and west of Bucharest. It is crossed by county roads DJ503 and DJ601. The town is of some importance as a railway junction, for the railway track heading south to Giurgiu and Bulgaria leaves the main Wallachian East-West-railway from Bucharest to Craiova. Economy The Videle oil field is located on the administrative territory of the town. Natives Valentin Costache (b. 1998), footballer Răzvan Ducan (b. 2001), footballer References Towns in Romania Populated places in Teleorman County Localities in Muntenia	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Videle
Interflora is a flower delivery network, associated with over 58,000 affiliated flower shops in over 140 countries. It is a subsidiary of Teleflora, a subsidiary of The Wonderful Company. History In 1920 a florist, Joe Dobson, of Leighton's Seedsmen and Florists in Glasgow, and a nurseryman, Carl Englemann in Saffron Walden, Essex were looking to increase their business. They knew of the Florists Telegraph Delivery Association (now known as Florists' Transworld Delivery) which had existed in the US since 1910, and applied to join as foreign members. In 1923 the UK arm of the FTDA was formed with 17 members. One of the straplines used in advertising was Flowers by Wire when the telegraph was actually used to communicate between florists. Later, telegrams were sent from member to member requesting deliveries to be made in the recipient florists area. In the original Interflora Directory, used by members, the longest established members could be recognised by their telegraphic addresses. This would be the only telegraphic address in that city to include the name Interflora. In the case of the founding members, their telegraphic addresses were "Interflora Glasgow" and "Interflora Saffron Walden", respectively. In 1953 the name changed to Interflora and the slogan Flowers Worldwide along with the Mercury Man roundel became well known. "Say it with Flowers" became the subsequent and most famous slogan associated with Interflora. When telegrams became obsolete the most used method for requesting deliveries was by telephone. Following that Interflora brought in messenger1 in the mid to late 1980s, this system was very similar to sending a fax. In the late 1990s messenger2 was introduced, that used the internet to transmit orders. In the early 2000s, Interflora brought out a system called Rose, this used the internet but instead of a dial-up connection a broadband connection was used. This enabled orders to be transmitted in real time. In 2011 Rose was updated to ROSEGold which provides a real time service between the call centre in Sleaford, Lincolnshire and the Interflora members around the United Kingdom. In 2005, the Interflora British Unit moved from being a trade association to a private equity ownership under investment company, 3i. 3i sold British Interflora to US-based FTD Group, the successor to Florists' Transworld Delivery, in 2006. In 2008, United Online Software Development acquired Interflora and FTD. In 2012, Interflora bought the Gifts Division of Flying Brands. In November 2013, United Online spun off its floral delivery subsidiary, FTD, which became a separate NASDAQ-traded company called FTD Companies, Inc., under the symbol FTD. In June 2019, the FTD Group sold Interflora British Unit in a $59.5 million deal to another US-based flower delivery network, Teleflora, a subsidiary of The Wonderful Company since 1979. See also Floral industry Cut flowers References Further reading Lewis, Geoffrey (1986).The Interflora Story. Interflora British Unit Ltd, Sleaford, UK. External links Interflora UK Florist companies British companies established in 1923 Retail companies established in 1923 Former co-operatives of the United Kingdom Demutualized organizations Retailers' cooperatives Companies based in Lincolnshire Floral industry	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interflora
The Toyota Aurion (XV40) is the original series of the Toyota Aurion, a mid-size car produced by Toyota in Australia and parts of Asia. Designated "XV40", Toyota manufactured the first generation Aurion between 2006 and 2012 until it was fully replaced by the XV50 series. While Asian production of the XV50 series began in late 2011, Toyota's Australian operations did not take on production of the new model until 2012. Although marketed as a separate model, the XV40 series Aurion is essentially a Toyota Camry (XV40) with revised front- and rear-end treatment, along with changes to the interior and Australian tuned suspension. In lieu of the "Aurion" nameplate, the majority of East and Southeast Asian markets received the Camry-based Aurion under the name Toyota Camry. However, in Australasia and the Middle East, Toyota sold the original version of the Camry alongside the Aurion. In these markets, the Aurion replaced the Avalon (XX10) model, which could trace its roots back to 1994 in North America. In the Australasian and Middle Eastern markets, to further differentiate the Aurion from its Camry sibling, Toyota equipped the Aurion exclusively with a 3.5-litre V6 engine. With the Camry, the company only offered the 2.4-litre four-cylinder version. Previously in these markets, prior to the introduction of the Camry XV40, Toyota had offered both four- and a six-cylinder powerplants. Along with the naturally aspirated version, Toyota produced an Australia-only supercharged TRD Aurion between 2007 and 2009 as tuned by Toyota Racing Development (TRD). At its release, Toyota claimed this performance variant to be the world's most powerful front-wheel drive car. The powertrains used in the Asian specification Camry vary slightly from those of the Aurion. As well as the 3.5-litre V6, two four-cylinder engines are offered in either 2.0- or a 2.4-litre form. These engines are teamed with a six-, four- and five-speed automatic transmissions, respectively. History of development On 9 February 2006, Toyota Australia unveiled the Aurion alongside the Aurion Sportivo concept at the Melbourne International Motor Show at an official press conference. Toyota dropped the Avalon tag for their new large car, as it had gained a reputation to be an uninspiring car, both in the flesh and to drive. Toyota made use of the "Aurion" name to give the car a fresh start. Aurion means "tomorrow" in Ancient Greek, and Aurora translates to "the dawn" in Latin. The name was chosen after consumer research on more than 30 potential names. This gives implications of a completely new car and ties in with Toyota's advertising slogan, "Can't wait for tomorrow". Before commencing production of the Aurion, Toyota Australia manufactured the full-size Avalon model at its Altona plant in Melbourne until June 2005. Production of the Avalon had begun in 2000, taking much of its basic design and mechanical features from the then six-year-old Avalon model sold in North America. The Avalon was offered as a larger, more upmarket car than the Toyota Camry, which it was built alongside. The original sales predictions were not met, with the Avalon failing to challenge rivals such as the Holden Commodore and the Ford Falcon. The reasoning behind this has been widely attributed to the Avalon's older design and styling, which has been widely described as "bland", as well as the front-wheel drive configuration and smaller engine displacement. In its best year, the Avalon only managed to reach half of Toyota's projected sales target, with many potential buyers opting for the slightly smaller sized V6 Camry, featuring the same engine as the Avalon. Toyota, discovering that the Australian public wanted something that was modern and designed with consideration to the Australian market, began full-scale planning work on its Avalon replacement in 2002. Toyota Australia realised that no other model being developed at the time for Japan or North America was going to be suitable, and due to the size limitations of the Australian market, a completely indigenous model was unrealisable. However, at that time, Toyota Australia did not have any designers of its own. As a result, the company recruited Paul Beranger in August 2002 to set up Toyota Style Australia (TSA) in an industrial complex located in Dingley Village, Victoria. TSA first developed the X-Runner and Sportivo Coupe concepts, and in 2003, Nick Hogios, who had previously worked for Ford Australia on designing the XR performance models of the BA Falcon, was appointed chief designer. TSA's next venture was more significant—a privately developed model based on the Camry XV30—a car that signalled the beginning of the Aurion programme. Codenamed "380L" and developed during the course of 2003, this one-off model was forged by stripping panels and interior components from the donor Camry, and substituting these for TSA-developed versions. Total cost was approximately million. Focus groups conducted by Toyota in early 2003 had ranked the Avalon at the bottom of the list when compared to the competing Holden Commodore, Ford Falcon and Mitsubishi Magna. Later on in the year, the same focus groups were called back and the Avalon was exchanged for the 380L. Overall, the groups ranked the Toyota as their first preference, and according to Beranger, "didn't see the car as a Camry". As such, Toyota Australia deduced that if the 380L was available for purchase there and then, they could sell it alongside the regular Camry as a six-cylinder car under a different name. During the 380L development, TSA had regular discussions with Toyota Japan on how its Avalon replacement would eventually turn out. Because TSA were an unknown quantity, having never designed a production vehicle, it took the division some time to convince Japan that they could indeed design a car themselves. When the 380L was consigned to a presentation with Japanese Toyota officials, TSA's lead designer Nick Hogios was requested to tender a proposal for the next-generation "042L" Camry design competition. While his submission was not chosen, Hogios was summoned to work on what would become the Aurion, then exclusively referred to as the "Asian" or "prestige" Camry, and codenamed "043L". Due to the success of TSA's earlier concepts and the 380L, Toyota Australia was given the authorisation to manufacture both the regular 042L and 043L Camrys and sell them side by side. In Australia, however, the regular Camry was to be limited to the four-cylinder engine, and the prestige Camry (later to become the Aurion) to the six. Hogios worked in Japan for nine months during 2004 designing the prestige Camry, and his final design was a collaborative effort between Japanese and Taiwanese designers, but the car's front-end styling is largely Hogios's own work. While the work in Japan was being undertaken, TSA began to make changes for the Australian Aurion variants. After the design stage was completed, Toyota Australia then commenced work on the development of the car, concurrently developing both the Australian car and the version for Asia. Beranger proclaims that the entire engineering undertaking, "is probably one of the most significant jobs that any subsidiary of Toyota Japan has done anywhere in the world." The Australian variant of the car was codenamed "323L". Despite both cars being essentially identical, Australia was given a different code due to the car occupying a broader range in that market—from a fleet vehicle to a sports-oriented model. In Asia, the car's role is much narrower, being a high-end luxury car. The first Aurion-based Camry rolled off the assembly line in China in May 2006. Design Aurion takes its doors, windows, roof panels, body sides (except front quarters) from the Camry XV40. However, the other panels are unique from the regular Camry. This component sharing also means that Aurion has the same wheelbase, front and rear axle tracks, and interior dimensions. Interior design also largely parallels the Camry. Notable differences include the redesigned upper dashboard portion and restyled centre console, plus the substitution of the Australian Camry's hand-operated parking brake with a foot-operated equivalent (as shared with the Camry for Japan and North America). The reasoning behind this component sharing strategy was to reduce costs and to allow the car to be built alongside the Camry, thus simplifying the manufacturing process. Toyota claims that the Aurion is designed to Australian tastes, although it has been designed with markets such as Asia in mind. Hogios states that the Aurion follows the traits of current Australian styling, with a tendency to look towards European designs for inspiration. In addition, like its other vehicles of similar vintage, Toyota designed the Aurion within the realm of its "vibrant clarity" design language. According to chief designer Hogios, the car makes particular use of the "vibrant clarity" theory known as "perfect imbalance". This involves body features that act as a counterpoint to other body features. Examples of this include intersecting concave and convex surfaces and vertical sculpted features on the front fascia, which are balanced by the horizontal headlamps. The front-end's "double concave architecture" can also be characterised by its protruding bonnet crease line and deep grille. The same architecture is applied at the rear, with a deep bumper, a clamshell-shaped boot lid that envelops over the flanks, dual exhaust pipes and tail lamps. Design patents were filed on 27 December 2005 at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. For certain markets like China, where Camry sits right below similar-sized Mercedes-Benz cars as a luxury model, it is important for the Aurion to exemplify the traits of such vehicles. With the development of the Aurion, designers produced two separate philosophies, each pitched at a specific niche of the market. The base model AT-X, and luxury Prodigy and Presara variants employ the comfort design, with the more aggressive sports-oriented style found on the Sportivo versions. To meet this requirement, the Sportivo variants feature unique 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, body kit appendages and a three-spoke steering wheel. The high-performance TRD models offer a similar sports-oriented design, but are distinguishable by the use of unique body parts. These include a redesigned Formula One-inspired front bumper, with integrated foglamps, a unique rear bumper with fixed tailpipes. Facelift Toyota of Thailand unveiled a reworked version of the East and Southeast Asian-market Camry in June 2009 equipped with a hybrid drivetrain. The revised Aurion-based Camry previewed the Australian Aurion's then upcoming facelift. The updated car features new headlamp and taillamp lens clusters with integrated foglamps, along with a redesigned front bumper, grille insert, and revised interior trim details. The revised Aurion was designed by Australian chief designer Nick Hogios, who also designed the original Aurion, and Anthony Cheung, assistant project manager from Thailand, during 2007. The hybrid version was also designed by Takafumi Ito, who also designed the facelifted regular Camry. The design registrations for the facelifted hybrid version, nothing changes made to the original were filed on 19 December 2008 at the US Patent and Trademark Office. Toyota Australia later revealed the updated car as its Aurion on 21 September. While the front-end of the original Aurion was designed with a "double-concave" architecture, the revised version abandons this for an "X-Form" design philosophy, characterised by a lower and wider trapezoidal shaped grille. Like the original version, the Aurion continues to offer differing frontal design treatments across the range. From side, the rehashed design is identified by the deletion of bodyside moulding strips and a range of new wheels designs, including the standard fitment of alloy wheels on the base-line AT-X. Interior upgrades in the form of new colour combinations are featured, along with upgraded instruments and gauges giving greater turn signal and warning-signal clarity. Revised audio systems, lighting and in-cabin storage are also featured. Prodigy and Presara versions receive a new "linear satin" wood grain finish. Safety Safety was a key aspect in the development of the Aurion. All safety features are standard across the entire range and there are no optional safety devices. Features such as dual front, side and curtain airbags, traction control, brake assist, electronic brakeforce distribution and Vehicle Stability Control come standard. In tests conducted by Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), the base model scored a four-star rating, with 30.03 out of 37 points. Toyota caused controversy by not providing a third test vehicle for ANCAP to use for the optional "side-pole impact test". This third test, allows tested vehicles to be eligible for a five-star rating if the initial score is high enough. Toyota cited the additional expense of A$75,000–$100,000 including the car as being unjustifiable, and that they did not agree with the nature of the pole test. The scores given without the optional test indicate that the maximum two points that could have been earned would have been slightly less than needed to give the Aurion a five-star rating anyway. Due to Toyota's decision to fit a driver and front passenger seat belt reminder, along with their decision to fund the optional pole test, the Aurion's safety rating was upgraded to a full five stars from August 2009 production, with a score of 33.03 out of 37. Powertrains The Aurion employs a version of Toyota's 2GR-FE V6 engine that also powers the V6 Camry outside of Australasia. With an engine displacement of 3.5-litres, the 2GR-FE engine is capable of outputting and of torque. Power rises by with the use of 95 RON "premium" unleaded petrol. Acceleration figures for the car have been recorded at 7.4 seconds from standstill to , and Toyota claims a top speed of . The Aurion, which is Euro IV emissions compliant, is rated at under the Australian ADR 81/01 fuel consumption test. The dual VVT-i 3.5-litre 2GR-FE engine paired to Toyota's six-speed U660E automatic transmission. This same transmission is also utilised by the supercharged TRD variants. These produce and , combined with a combined fuel consumption of . In some Asian countries where the Aurion is sold as the Toyota Camry, both 2.0- and 2.4-litre powerplants are offered. The naturally aspirated 3.5-litre engine is also available in some of these markets. The 2.0-litre 1AZ-FE inline-four has a maximum output of of power and of torque. These figures rise to and when the 2.4-litre 2AZ-FE unit is fitted. Of the two four-cylinder motors, the latter is teamed with Toyota's five-speed U250E automatic, with the U241E four-speed unit reserved for the 2.0-litre model. From circa 2009, Toyota began offering a new 2.0-litre 3ZR-FE inline-four petrol engine in some markets. Producing and , the 3ZR-FE was available with the four-speed U241E automatic, or in some markets with a six-speed manual. Regions Australasia Toyota launched the Aurion in Australasia, where it competes with the rear-wheel drive Ford Falcon, Holden Commodore, and the now discontinued front-wheel drive Mitsubishi 380. The TRD variants were pitched to compete with the Subaru Liberty GT and Mazda 6 MPS. Since its introduction, the Aurion has received numerous awards and positive reviews. In particular, the car has been praised for its good performance mated with comparatively low fuel consumption, and the inclusion of safety and comfort features that are optional on competitor vehicles. Prior to its introduction, a target of 24,000 annualised sales were predicted for the Australian market, double that of the Avalon's eventual sales rate. A further 8,000 vehicles were forecast to be sent abroad to the Middle East and New Zealand. Starting from 2007, Toyota received a contract to deliver 10,000 export Aurions to the Middle East. The Aurion was also judged best large car in the Drive Car of the Year competition for both 2006, 2007 and 2009. Specification levels AT-X: Marketed primarily towards fleets buyers, the entry-level AT-X features air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, among others. The Aurion AT-X was awarded the Australia's Best Large Car award in 2006 and 2007; judges described the Aurion as "...a terrific well-rounded package of technology and refinement. Toyota has produced a big six that has continued to outstrip traditional rivals in the Australian market." Sportivo: Available in two flavours for the Australian market, the Sportivo is the Aurion's sports oriented variant. The introductory Sportivo SX6 features a specially designed sports body kit, sports suspension, sports seats and 17-inch alloy wheels and tinted sports headlights. The Sportivo ZR6 also shares the same "Sportivo" exterior design, but is specified high, with electrically adjustable leather sports seats, parking sensors and dual-zone climate control air conditioning. Prodigy: Building onto what the AT-X offers, the semi-luxury Prodigy, branded the Touring in New Zealand and the Middle East, features an electrically adjustable driver's seat, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, parking sensors, wood grain interior and full leather upholstery. The Prodigy also sees a chrome grille, and 16-inch alloy wheels along with front fog lamps as standard. Presara: the luxury-oriented Presara features a lavishly appointed interior with features such as electric seats with a two-memory setting, a moonroof, push-start engine operation, a reversing camera, and satellite navigation. The Presara, marketed under the Grande moniker in New Zealand and the Middle East, also features high-intensity discharge headlamps with auto levelling front lighting system. When reversing, the side mirrors face down towards the ground (unless the mirror adjustment switch is in the off position) to assist the driver when parking in places where space is compromised. Toyota Australia released the special edition "Touring SE" in October 2007, based on the AT-X. Features gained over the AT-X comprised 16-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, six CD stacker, a trip computer, dual zone climate control air-conditioning and a leather steering wheel and selection lever. Front and rear parking sensors, and dual-zone air conditioning were also fitted. The Touring SE was reintroduced in identical form in April 2008, again in October 2008, and then finally in April 2009. These 2009 versions differed slightly, with 17- in lieu of 16-inch wheels, the Sportivo grille, and sports front and rear lights. The price remains unchanged from the 2007 original. At the same time, a Touring SE variant of the Camry sedan was released with similar upgrades. In 2011, a special edition of the Aurion, called the "White LE" was released with only 250 built. The model is based on the Prodigy, however, features a unique exterior and interior combination. The White LE is painted white and has unique alloy wheels, similar to those found on the Australian version Camry Grande. The bodykit is from the Sportivo viarants and the model has unique badging. The interior is a mixture of black and off white on the leather seats and interior panels. Asia Toyota also manufactures and markets the Aurion in parts of East and Southeast Asia, where it is marketed under the Toyota Camry branding. This model gets a redesigned grille and is marketed under different trim levels to their Australasian counterparts. Although these vary from country to country, the range consists of the following models in some markets: 2.0 E, 2.0 G, 2.4 E, 2.4 G, 2.4 Sportivo, 2.4 V, 3.5 V and 3.5 Q. The decimal in the nomenclature denotes the engine displacement, with the letter representing the level of luxury. In China, the Camry was unveiled in late April 2006 and commenced production on 23 May 2006. The Camry is sold in two variants—the 200 and 240. The 200 variant is mated to the 2.0-litre 1AZ-FE while 240 variant gets the 2.4-litre 2AZ-FE. The range consisted of the 200E, 200GVP, 200G, 240GVP, 200GN, 240G, 200GGB, 240GN, 240V, 240GGB, 240VN and the 240VGB. Transmission choices were the four-speed automatic gearbox for the 200 models and the five-speed automatic for the 240 models. Pricing for the Camry is 182,800 to 283,800 (US$26,760 to $41,550). The Camry Hybrid was introduced in April 2010 with trim levels known as the 240HG, 240HV and 240HV G-Book. Pricing for the Camry Hybrid is 319,800 to 364,800 yuan (US$48,000 to $55,000). Remaining units were also available as the Camry Classical for the 2013 model year with the 1AZ-FE engine and four-speed automatic gearbox with trims levels: 200E and 200G and priced at 182,800 and 193,800 yuan respectively (26,765 and US$28,375). The Camry Classical also retains the exterior and interior from the facelifted Southeast Asian Camry, but with a redesigned grille. In Thailand, the 2.0-litre models are available in two trim packages: the 2.0 E and 2.0 G. The 2.4-litre variant is also available in Malaysia, utilizing the 2AZ-FE engine model. The output of this 2.4 V model is at 6000 rpm with of torque at 4000 rpm. Furthermore, a hybrid power train model has been available since 2009. In Indonesia, the Camry is offered with two engines, the four-cylinder mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. This engine is offered in G and V trims. The other engine is the V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. This engine is only offered in the top-of-the-line Q trim. The Camry has enjoyed success in Indonesia, being the best selling car in its class. The 2.4 V and 3.5 Q models have been used extensively by the Indonesian government, owning thousands of Camrys in their fleet. In the Philippines offers three grades: the base G, offering a 2.4-litre engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, has 2 SRS airbags, and has fabric seats. The 2.4 V is almost the same as the G variant, however, it has a 4-spoke steering wheel with wood grain, 2 SRS airbags, and has a leather-wrapped wood grain with chrome shift lever and knob. The 3.5 Q is the top-of-the-line segment, offering a 3.5 2GR-FE V6, 24V, DOHC and dual VVT-i. It is mated to a six-speed gate-type automatic transmission, adaptive front lighting system, automatic rain sensor, dual exhaust tail pipe, tri-color/Optitron with multi-information display, 2 SRS front airbags, side SRS airbags and a push start system. All of the variants has an integrated type head unit with in-dash 6 CD changer, MP3 and WMA player. All of the variants use a foot-type parking brake. All of the variants also have 4 front and 2 rear speakers. The facelifted version of the Camry in the Philippines is offered in three trim levels, "G", "V" and "Q". The G trim is equipped with the 2AZ-FE engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, 10-spoke alloy-wheels, driver and front passenger SRS airbags, rear parking sensors and comes with fabric seats. On top of the G trim, the V trim offers leather interior, power-adjusted seats front and rear, smart keyless entry with push button engine start system, front and rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control and cruise control. The Q trim is equipped with the 3.5-litre 2GR-FE V6 powertrain and a dual exhaust system with all the features of the V trim. In Vietnam, the Camry was introduced in 2006 and has been available only in sedan form with two different trims: Camry 2.4 G and 3.5 Q. The 2.4 G trim comes with the 2.4-litre engine rated and a 5-speed automatic gear box while the 3.5 Q trim is equipped with a 3.5L 2GR-FE engine rated (SAE net) and a 6-speed automatic transmission standard. The two trims come with many safety features including brake assist system, Electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), vehicle stability control (VSC) and front and side airbags. The Vietnamese Camry is produced at the Toyota production plant in Phúc Yên, Vĩnh Phú. TRD Aurion Toyota unveiled the Aurion Sports Concept at the 2006 Australian International Motor Show, held in Sydney. The A$8 million concept car was a styling exercise previewing the TRD Aurion, which was subsequently released in August 2007. TRD's first experiment with supercharger technology was with the Toyota Camry-based 2005 TS-01 concept. The project's exterior design manager was Lee Moran, a former Ford Australia designer. He was chosen by Toyota Styling Australia chief Paul Berninger in 2005. One of Moran's focuses was to reduce the size of the grille and add emphasis to the front bumper line below it. This was done so the car had more of a Formula One oriented look. In the Toyota wind tunnel in Japan, the vehicle's drag coefficient was confirmed at 0.30, meaning that the car would operate better aerodynamically than its non-TRD variants. The TRD also features bold exterior additions that differentiate it with the standard Aurion range, such as exhaust pipes integrated into the bumper, tinted taillight lenses, and a unique bodykit. Along with the supercharged 3.5-litre V6 engine outputting of power and of torque, the TRD also incorporates an upgraded suspension system and tyres over the standard Aurion models to improve car handling. Toyota Australia planned to sell 50 to 70 TRD Aurion units per month with the majority of the sales coming from Australia. However, the project was unsuccessful, and as of 31 March 2009, TRD Australia halted production of the Aurion TRD (and TRD Hilux), and the division was shut down. When available, the range comprised two variants, the 3500S and 3500SL. The former features performance mufflers, 19-inch alloy wheels, red Alcantara leather seats with black Alcantara fabric bolsters and other high-performance upgrades. The range-topping 3500SL adds clearance and reverse parking sensors, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, a colour-coded transmission selection lever, and an eight-way adjustable driver's seat. Furthermore, the SL gains an aluminium rear bumper reinforcement addition, and is the first production car in the world to use the Eaton twin-vortices supercharger. This substantially reduces engine noise while bringing gains to power and torque. References Bibliography Cars introduced in 2006 2010s cars Cars of Australia Front-wheel-drive vehicles Mid-size cars ANCAP executive cars Sedans Police vehicles	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota%20Aurion%20%28XV40%29
Dancing with the Dead is the fourth studio album by the Swedish industrial metal project Pain. It was released in March 2005 via Stockholm Records and managed to reach No. 3 on the Swedish album charts, higher than any Pain album to date. It features the single "Same Old Song", which reached No. 18 on the Swedish charts. The album was inspired by Peter Tägtgren's mysterious collapse in a pub, during which his heart stopped beating for two minutes. Track listing Videos Music videos were produced for the songs "Same Old Song", "Nothing" and "Bye/Die". Personnel Pain Peter Tägtgren – vocals, guitar, bass & drums Production Peter Tägtgren – producer, mixing, recording Björn Engelmann – mastering Micke Eriksson – design Mikeadelica – photography References 2005 albums Pain (musical project) albums Albums produced by Peter Tägtgren	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing%20with%20the%20Dead
Frank Jan Anton Leistra (born 1 April 1960 in Delft) is a former field hockey goalkeeper from the Netherlands, who was a member of the Dutch team that won the bronze medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Leistra played a total number of 159 international matches for his native country, and made his debut on 1 June 1985 in a friendly match against Scotland. In 1990 he won the world title with the national team at the 1990 Men's Hockey World Cup in Lahore, Pakistan. He resigned after the fourth-place finishing at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. References Dutch Hockey Federation Dutch Olympic Committee External links 1960 births Dutch male field hockey players Olympic field hockey players for the Netherlands Field hockey players at the 1988 Summer Olympics Field hockey players at the 1992 Summer Olympics Living people Olympic bronze medalists for the Netherlands Sportspeople from Delft Field hockey players from South Holland Olympic medalists in field hockey Medalists at the 1988 Summer Olympics 1990 Men's Hockey World Cup players 20th-century Dutch people 21st-century Dutch people	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank%20Leistra
Esa Holopainen (born 1 October 1972) is a Finnish musician, currently the main songwriter, occasional lyricist, founding member and lead guitarist of the Finnish heavy metal band Amorphis. He is one out the two longest standing members of the band (the other being Tomi Koivusaari) and one of the four original members in the band (the others being Jan Rechberger, Tomi Koivusaari and Olli-Pekka Laine). He was also formerly the guitarist of the bands Violent Solution (1990) and Chaosbreed (2003–2004). Holopainen did the guitar solo on "Dambuster" from Hellroad Caravan by Mannhai. His influences include Ritchie Blackmore, David Gilmour, John McLaughlin and Petri Walli of Kingston Wall. Holopainen uses ESP guitars and Koch amplifiers. Discography With Violent Solution Period of Depression (demo, 1990) Paralysis / Individual Nightmare (EP, 1990) Solo Silver Lake by Esa Holopainen (album, 2021) With Amorphis Disment of Soul (demo, 1991) Amorphis (single, 1992) The Karelian Isthmus (album, 1992) Privilege of Evil (EP, 1993) Tales from the Thousand Lakes (album, 1994) Black Winter Day / Fear (split with Gorefest, 1995) Black Winter Day (EP, 1995) Elegy (album, 1996) My Kantele (EP, 1997) Divinity / Northern Lights (single, 1999) Tuonela (album, 1999) Alone (single, 2001) Am Universum (album, 2001) Mourning Soil (single, 2003) Far from the Sun (EP, 2003) Day of Your Beliefs (single, 2003) Far from the Sun (album, 2003) Evil Inside (single, 2003) Relapse Singles Series Vol. 4 (split with Goreaphobia, Phobia, and Exit-13, 2004) House of Sleep (single, 2006) Eclipse (album, 2006) The Smoke (single, 2006) Silent Waters (single, 2007) Silent Waters (album, 2007) Silver Bride (single, 2009) Skyforger (album, 2009) From the Heaven of My Heart (single, 2009) Martyr of the Free Word / From the Heaven of My Heart (split with Epica, 2009) Forging the Land of Thousand Lakes (DVD, 2010) Magic & Mayhem - Tales from the Early Years (compilation, 2010) You I Need (single, 2011) The Beginning of Times (album, 2011) Circle (album, 2013) Under the Red Cloud (album, 2015) Queen of Time (album, 2018) Halo (album, 2022) With Chaosbreed Unleashed Carnage (EP, 2003) Brutal (album, 2004) References 1972 births Living people Amorphis members Finnish heavy metal guitarists Finnish heavy metal musicians Lead guitarists Sitar players 21st-century guitarists	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esa%20Holopainen
ProFlowers is a flower retailer in the United States. It is an e-commerce company that sells products shipped from growers, suppliers and its own distribution facilities to consumers. ProFlowers was headquartered in San Diego, California. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of FTD Companies. History ProFlowers, later called "Provide Commerce", was started by Jared Polis in 1998. In February 2006 Liberty Media Corporation (NYSE:L; LMC.B) purchased Provide Commerce, Inc. (Nasdaq: PRVD) for a sum of $477 million in cash, at which point Provide Commerce became a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Media. Provide Commerce also offers fruit, sweets and gift baskets direct from the supplier through its Gourmet Food Business Unit, which includes the brand names Cherry Moon Farms, Secret Spoon and Shari's Berries. In 2007 Provide Commerce was selected as one of California's Best Places to Work (Sponsored by Employers Group 2007). In 2008 Provide Commerce acquired RedEnvelope, a seller of gifts. In 2010, Provide Commerce acquired Personal Creations, a personalized gifting company. In June 2013, Provide Commerce acquired Gifts.com, a premium gifting company. In November 2014, Provide Commerce acquired Sincerely, a mobile app gifting startup. In 2014, flower delivery service Florists' Transworld Delivery agreed to buy ProFlowers and its sister gifting brands for $430 million, creating a combined company with over $1 billion in revenue. FTD Cos. completed its purchase of Provide Commerce Dec. 31, 2014. Litigation ProFlowers was sued by its major rival, Florists' Transworld Delivery (FTD), for false advertising and unfair competition in August 2005. The suit focused on ProFlowers' claim to ship "direct from the fields" with "no middlemen", alleging that the company actually often stored flowers in refrigerated warehouses, including those of third parties. For its part, ProFlowers responded that the lawsuit was "without merit" and brought counterclaims against FTD. The lawsuit was settled a year later. ProFlowers did agree to make some modifications to its advertising, although as of February 2008, ProFlowers is once again claiming in its TV commercials that it delivers flowers "straight to the door from the growers' fields". Two months after the FTD suit was filed, two law firms filed a class action lawsuit claiming that ProFlowers used deceptive marketing, also targeting the company's freshness claims. ProFlowers called it a copycat of the FTD lawsuit. It was settled with ProFlowers not admitting any wrongdoing, but offering $10 store credits to the millions of customers in the class, paying $250,000 in attorneys' fees, and "altering its advertising". In September 2009 a class action lawsuit was filed against Provide-Commerce, the owner of ProFlowers and Encore Marketing the owner of Easy Saver, for fraud, with ProFlowers customers signed up unknowingly for the latter service leading to an unsolicited monthly fee. In February 2011 a federal class action was filed accusing Provide-Commerce and Clarus Marketing Group of defrauding online shoppers by enrolling them in a membership program that costs $9 to $15 a month if they click on ads offering free shipping with a purchase. References Retail companies established in 1998 Internet properties established in 1998 Companies based in San Diego Online retailers of the United States Florist companies	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ProFlowers
Great Oakley is a village and civil parish in the Tendring district of Essex, England. It is a long, narrow parish lying on the top of a low (25 m) ridge south of Ramsey Creek which drains northeast towards Harwich. The parish extends south to Oakley Creek, a branch of Hamford Water, where stood Great Oakley Dock, now disused. The church, dedicated to All Saints, contains some Norman work. The living thereof is in the gift of St John's College, Cambridge. The village is served by All Saints Great Oakley C of E Primary School. A public house called The Three Cups – after the emblem of the Salters Company – used to be situated in the village, indicating that there were salt works in the area. The parish still contains a large chemical works (the Great Oakley Works), operated by EPC-UK, which produces the cetane improver 2-ethyl hexyl nitrate, and also provides specialist explosives handling services. The Village now has only one public house, called The Maybush Inn, which in 2016 was reopened as a Community Pub. The Village has a men's football team Great Oakley FC which plays in the Colchester and District Sunday League. Governance Great Oakley is part of the electoral ward called Great and Little Oakley. The ward population at the 2011 census was 2,188. Nearby places Notable people James Cockle, a surgeon and father of mathematician and first Chief Justice of Queensland Sir James Cockle. References External links Entry in Kelly's Directory of Essex, 1894 Great Oakley Parish Council Website Great Oakley Parish Council Website] All Saints Church website The Maybush Inn Website Villages in Essex Civil parishes in Essex Tendring	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great%20Oakley%2C%20Essex
Boldești-Scăeni (), often spelled Boldești-Scăieni, is a town in Prahova County, southern Romania. Located about north of Ploiești, it is an important oil-extraction center. It is situated in the historical region of Muntenia. History The town was created in 1968 by the unification of two neighbouring communes, Boldești and Scăeni. One village, Seciu, is administered by the town. The phalanstère Scăeni was the location of the only attempt to create a Charles Fourier-type phalanstère in Romania. In 1835, Theodor Diamant, a utopian socialist who had met Fourier in Paris, created the phalanstère, named The Agronomy and Manufacturing Society, on a patch of land provided by Emanoil Bălăceanu, a local land-owner. The Wallachian authorities saw this enterprise as a threat and took a stand against it. Therefore, the phalanstère was disbanded in 1836, a year and a half after it came into existence, with Diamant and Bălăceanu sent into exile. World War II During World War II, the area was extensively bombed, as part of Operation Tidal Wave. Air-raid shelters can still be found on the wooded hills around Boldești. Coat of arms The coat of arms of Boldești-Scăeni depicts a thistle (in Romanian, scai or scaiete) which refers to the name of the old Scăeni commune, as well as a grape, which represents the vineyards on the Seciu hills. The shaking hands is a reminder of the 19th century Scăieni phalanstère experiment, but could also refer to the 1968 union of the Boldești and Scăieni communes. Climate Boldești-Scăeni has a humid continental climate (Cfb in the Köppen climate classification). Economy The town's economy revolves around oil-extraction as well as winemaking. Almost half of the town's surface is cultivated with vine. The Seciu winecellars are located in the direct vicinity of Boldești. Industry developed in the town after 1968, with a glass factory open in Scăeni. Many people who live in Boldești-Scăeni also work in the neighbouring city of Ploiești. Trivia and Historical monuments The utopian experiment by Theodor Diamant was featured in the movie "Falansterul" ("The Phalanstere"), directed by Savel Stiopul in 1979. Historical monuments in the city Boldești-Scăeni includes 6 historic monuments (3 in Seciu and 3 in the city itself), plus 3 new modern statues sculpted by Cristian Petru Balan from the United States. They are "Glass Breaker", a stainless steel statue, 6 m high, built in 2010, a single replica of the Statue of Liberty in New York City, worked in fiberglass reinforced concrete (5 m from ground) and statuary group "Mihai Eminescu and Veronica Micle" in front of the Culture House "Mihai Eminescu", two busts on a common base (2.5 m), all molded fiberglass and reinforced concrete. Last two monuments were erected in July 2014. Since ancient monuments only one is classified as a monument of national importance, that being "Casa Rusescu" in Seciu, built in 1826. Natives Cristian Vlad (born 1977), football player Notes References Scrisori către Vasile Alecsandri: Teodor Diamant (Letters to Vasile Alecsandri: Teodor Diamant), from wikisource. Boldeşti-Scăieni: Monograph of Boldeşti-Scăieni, (by Cristian Petru Bălan, Ed. Premier, 2007), from wikisource. Romanian Government Decision no. 1697/2004, retrieved from legislatie.just.ro on 27 August 2007 Towns in Romania Populated places in Prahova County Localities in Muntenia	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolde%C8%99ti-Sc%C4%83eni
Tony Stewart (born 1971) is an American auto racing driver. Tony Stewart may also refer to: A. T. Q. Stewart (1929–2010), Northern Irish author and historian, best known as Tony Stewart Tony Stewart (American football) (born 1979), professional football player for the Oakland Raiders Tony Stewart (Australian racing driver), Australian racing driver who participated in the 1973 Singapore Grand Prix Tony Stewart (politician) (born 1956), Australian politician Tony Stewart (Canadian football) (born 1968), former running back in the Canadian Football League Tony Stewart (Coronation Street), a fictional character from the long-running soap opera See also Anthony Stewart (disambiguation) Tony Steward (disambiguation) Stewart (name)	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony%20Stewart%20%28disambiguation%29
Pavaratty is a census town in Thrissur district in the Indian state of Kerala. Pavaratty is situated in the coastal area of Chavakkad taluk in Thrissur District. The town is about 23 km north-west of Thrissur town and 5 km south of Guruvayoor. It is the site of St. Joseph's Parish Shrine, Pavaratty and also lies near Palayur (4 km), famous for the Palayur Church. Nearby airports are Cochin International Airport (77 km) and Calicut Airport (95 km). The nearest railheads are at Guruvayoor and Thrissur. The Nearest bus stations are Thrissur Bus Station and Guruvayoor Bus Station. From Thrissur, the shortest way to Pavaratty is via Amala-Parappur-Puvathur. History of Pavaratty The area called Pavaratty, there are many speculations behind the name of this locality. Some may doubt relations with "Paav – Roti", Andhra Bread. Again many others try to find out a connection between this locality and the English word – 'poverty'. But the older generation is for another view. In old days there were many looms in and around this area. The weavers of this locality used to run the shuttle twice (Paav) twisting the time of thread – "Paav" – put twice (iratty). Anyhow this locality had a significant role in various fields. Architecture In architecture, we find "Pavaratty Finish". It is the marble (mirror) finish work done with verily coloured cement coatings that brought this term. The workers of Pavaratty are very much skilled in this art and it was done throughout Kerala by the workers from here. Again, we may find a name in the past, related to pavaratty–Kavalapara. It denotes the present 'Pavaratty Centre'. There was a police post here and hence the name came to be used. Churches When talking about Pavaratty, it will always highlight to the St. Joseph's Parish Shrine, Pavaratty. People from all walks of life, different castes and creed, Throng to the shrine, seeking the blessing of St.Joseph of Pavaratty. St.Joseph pours blessings to the childless, sick and poor and through his protective mantle. The magnificent and miraculous Status of St.Joseph has been installed at the top of the Main altar of the church. Demographics India census, Pavaratty had a population of 10,823. Males constitute 45% of the population and females 55%. Pavaratty has an average literacy rate of 84%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 83%. In Pavaratty, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Educational Institutions near by Pavaratty Sir Syed English School, Pavaratty, recognised by CBSE, working since 1995. 04872644764 St.Joseph's College of Arts & Science, Mother Arts & Science College (unaided-Recognised by University of Calicut) Address : Poovathur; near by Peruvallur; Thrissur. THOIBA women's college [WAFIYYA] Venmenad Under [cicwafy ] Al Birr Islamic pre school Venmenad Tourist place Koorikkad; painkanniyuur References External links Pavaratty News - പാവറട്ടി വിശേഷം Timeline of Thrissur Official website of St.Joseph's Parish Shrine, Pavaratty St. Joseph's HSS Pavaratty website Cities and towns in Thrissur district Guruvayur	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavaratty
1-800-Flowers.com, Inc. is a floral and foods gift retailer and distribution company in the United States. The company's focus, except for Mother's Day and Valentine's Day, is on gift baskets. They also use the name 1-800-Baskets.com. Their use of "coyly self-descriptive telephone numbers" is part of founder James McCann's business model. History Founding and early years The concept of using the word "flowers" within a phoneword was originated by William Alexander in the early 1980s. The phone number, 1-800-356-9377, had been randomly assigned to a trucking brokerage in Wisconsin owned by Curtis Jahn and was used for that company until 1981. In an agreement with Jahn that would later be sharply contested, Granville Semmes and David Snow formed a Louisiana corporation that began to use that number to sell flowers in Louisiana, starting in 1982. The use of the number would trigger a series of lawsuits. Their business struggled and that company was dissolved, with its assets going to investors James Poage and John Davis of Texas. The new corporation struggled financially as well. Its assets were acquired in 1986 by McCann, an owner of several flower shops in the New York City area since 1976, under whom the business saw success and growth. In 1994, the company bought Conroy's Flowers. The 1800flowers.com domain name was registered on September 1, 1995. In May 2006, Alpine Confections Inc. brands including Fannie May Confections, Fannie Farmer and Harry London Candies were purchased for $85 million. In September 2007, it announced a partnership with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia to produce a line of floral products inspired by Martha Stewart. According to the Consumerist in 2008, customers reported unknowingly being subscribed to a "membership" called LiveWell after receiving rebate checks from 1-800-Flowers. It had 4000 employees as of 2008, with a market cap of US$119 million. In 2009, revenue was US$714 million. Operating income was US$72.2 million, net income was US$98.4 million, assets were valued at US$286 million, and equity was at 134 million. In March 2017, Fannie May and Harry London were sold to Ferrero SpA for $115 million. Acquisitions March 2005, Cheryl's Cookies May 2006, Alpine Confections Inc. brands including Fannie May Confections, Fannie Farmer and Harry London Candies April 1, 2008, DesignPac Gifts LLC. July 21, 2008, Napco Marketing Corporation. August 1, 2011, Flowerama. August 5, 2019, Shari's Berries August 3, 2020, Personalization Mall October 28, 2021, Vital Choice January 14, 2022, Alice Table See also Vanity numbers Phonewords References External links Reports on Alleged Fraud by 1-800-Flowers.com Carle Place, New York Retail companies established in 1982 Companies listed on the Nasdaq Florist companies Online retailers of the United States Telephone numbers in the United States Companies based in Nassau County, New York 1982 establishments in Louisiana 1999 initial public offerings	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1-800-Flowers.com%2C%20Inc.
Mehrab Hossain (; born 22 September 1978) is a Bangladeshi cricketer who played in 9 Test matches and 18 One Day Internationals from 1998 to 2003. He became the first Bangladeshi cricketer to score a century in ODIs when he scored 101 against Zimbabwe at Bangabandhu National Stadium at Dhaka in 1999. Mehrab is associated with an extremely unfortunate incident. On 20 February 1998, Raman Lamba, formerly a Delhi swashbuckling opening batsman, fielding close to the bat, copped one on the skull off the bat of Mehrab Hossain. Lamba died of the injury later in the day. Mehrab was deeply affected by the incident and took a spell off the game. He came back later to play for Bangladesh. External links Memories of a Dhaka hero – Crincinfo Bangladeshi cricketers 1978 births Living people Bangladesh Test cricketers Bangladesh One Day International cricketers Cricketers at the 1999 Cricket World Cup Dhaka Division cricketers Cricketers from Dhaka	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mehrab%20Hossain%20%28cricketer%2C%20born%201978%29
The Lone Ranger is the first solo album by British singer Suggs, singer in second wave ska band Madness. It was released in 1995 (see 1995 in music). The album peaked at No. 14 in the UK charts. "Cecilia", a cover of the Simon and Garfunkel song, reached No. 4 on the UK charts. The song "4 am" was later re-recorded and appeared on the 1999 Madness album Wonderful. The Lone Ranger was reissued in 2016 by Cherry Red Records as a two-CD deluxe edition. Background After the Madness reunion concert in 1992, which yielded the album Madstock!, Suggs became involved in working on his first solo album. He had written a few songs, including "Alcohol" and "Fortune Fish". In 1994, Rob Dickins arranged for Suggs to work with producers Sly and Robbie on some songs. Dickins suggested "I'm Only Sleeping" as a track, while Sly and Robbie proposed "Cecilia" as one of the songs to work on. Other songs produced by Sly and Robbie are "Camden Town", "Haunted" and "Off on Holiday", and they also helped to produce "The Tune", a song written by Mike Barson. After the sessions with Sly and Robbie ended, other songs were recorded with other producers. Suggs collaborated with Barson to write and produce a number of song, including "Camden Town", "4 am", which is a tribute to The Kinks, and "She's Gone". The songs, including "Green Eyes", were co-produced with engineer Kevin Petrie, who also helped with "Alcohol" and "Fortune Fish". After the second Madstock concert, Madstock II, Suggs announced that he would pursue a solo career in August 1994, and made his first appearance as a solo artist in November on Danny Baker After All, performing "I'm Only Sleeping" and Morrissey's "Suedehead". His debut album The Lone Ranger was released in 1995. Reception Evan Cater, writing for Allmusic, wrote, "The Lone Ranger has the feel of an amateur demo, populated primarily by drum machines and synthesizers ... But despite the weakness of the production, Suggs manages credible covers of the Beatles' "I'm Only Sleeping" and Simon and Garfunkel's "Cecilia." Cater was not impressed with Suggs' songwriting talent on the songs he wrote by himself, but felt that he fared better on the ones he co-wrote with Mike Barson, "who appears to have a stronger sense of melody." Record Collector'''s Mark Elliott wrote, "this charming, 60s-influenced, 11-song set hits the sweet spot where an experimental edge packs an impressive commercial punch and everyone emerges with their dignity intact." Trouser Press'' described the album as delivering "much the same ska pop mixture and music hall jollity as [Madness], but with more weight to the production." Track listing Adapted from the album's liner notes. 2016 reissue Disc one The first disc contains the eleven tracks from the original album plus eight bonus tracks. Disc two Personnel Credits adapted from the album's liner notes. Although no musicians are credited on the album, the following are thanked: Jah Wobble Phil Spalding Rico Rodriguez Jazz Jamaica John Themis Sly and Robbie Louchie Lou and Michie One (on "Cecilia") Ben Barson (on "Alcohol") Anne Dudley – string arrangement on "She's Gone" Technical Suggs – production (3, 4, 9-11), booklet photography Mike Barson – production (3, 4, 9-11) Sly and Robbie – production (1, 2, 6-8), additional production (5), mixing (1, 2, 5-8) TommyD – production (5) Garry Hughes – additional production (2, 6-8) Kevin Petrie – additional production, engineer (3, 4, 9-11) Paul Taylor – additional production, mixing (4, 9) Pete Craigie – additional production, mixing (4, 9) Gregg Jackman – mixing (3, 10, 11) Trevor Key – booklet cover photography Ben Kelly – art direction (from an original idea by Marcel Duchamp) Assorted Images – artwork Jill Furmanovsky – booklet photography Eugene Adebari – booklet photography Gavin Evans – booklet photography Rob Dickins – executive producer 2016 reissue bonus tracks Louchie Lou and Michie One – vocals (17, 19) Suggs – production (12, 13, 15, 16) Mike Barson – production (12-16) Sly and Robbie – production (17) Garry Hughes – additional production (17) The Rapino Brothers – production (19) Bobby Dee – production (19) Gregg Jackman – engineering, mixing (19) Collin "Bulby" York – remix (disc two: 1, 2) Pepperoni – remix (disc two: 8, 9) Charts References Suggs (singer) albums 1995 debut albums Albums produced by Sly and Robbie Warner Records albums	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The%20Lone%20Ranger%20%28album%29
Stereomud was an American nu metal band from New York City and Georgia. They were active from years 1999 to 2003 before breaking up, releasing two albums—Perfect Self and Every Given Moment. History Stereomud released their first album, Perfect Self, on Columbia Records in 2001 and a video for the song "Pain" received airplay on MTV2. After extensive touring in support of that album, they went back into the studio, releasing Every Given Moment in April 2003. After participating in the Jägermeister Music Tour with Hed PE, Breaking Benjamin, Systematic, and Saliva, Columbia Records cut their touring support, and dropped the band. Due to this, and an impending Life of Agony reunion, Stereomud went their separate ways in July 2003, a mere three months after the release of Every Given Moment. They have performed a few select reunion shows since this, but for the most part, the band remains dormant to this day. Recently, it was rumored that Erik Rogers and Corey Lowery would reunite to reform the band, but the possibilities may not be true as they are focusing on their own bands. It is planned that a Stereomud DVD will be released at some point in the future. Band members Erik Rogers – vocalist (later in Soundevice, Love Said No, Dangerous New Machine and My Therapy) Corey Lowery – bassist (previously of Stuck Mojo, Switched, Dark New Day, Eye Empire, and Saint Asonia currently in Seether) Dan Richardson – drummer (previously of Crumbsuckers and Pro-Pain and Life of Agony) Johnny "Fatts" Fattoruso – guitarist for Black Water Rising ( formerly of Wardance, I4NI, Altered Vision, 5ive Year Stare, Zire's War and The Pain Method) Joey Zampella AKA Joey Z – guitarist (currently in Life of Agony) Discography Perfect Self (2001) (US: 142,036) Every Given Moment (2003) (US: 22,280) References External links [ AllMusic] Heavy metal musical groups from New York (state) American nu metal musical groups	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereomud
Bolintin-Vale () is a town in Giurgiu County, Muntenia, Romania with a population of 12,806 . The town administers three villages: Crivina, Malu Spart, and Suseni. It is the second largest city in the county; proximity to the capital Bucharest has helped the local economy. It officially became a town in 1989, as a result of the Romanian rural systematization program. Demographics Bolintin-Vale is mainly populated by ethnic Romanians, who make up 79.2% of the population, even though it has a significant Romani minority (19.8%). In fact, Bolintin-Vale is the Romanian town with the third largest percentage of Roma people. Many of the Romani are refugees from neighbouring Bolintin-Deal, who settled here after the ethnic clashes from 1991. As of 2011, the population breakdown of the city and the three adjacent villages was as follows: Bolintin-Vale 7,376, Malu Spart 3,126, Crivina 817, and Suseni 508. Natives Dimitrie Bolintineanu Valeriu Lupu Florentin Matei See also List of towns in Romania with large Roma populations References Towns in Romania Populated places in Giurgiu County Localities in Muntenia Romani communities in Romania	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolintin-Vale
Pierre-Alexandre Monsigny ( – ) was a French composer and a member of the French Académie des Beaux-Arts (1813). He is considered alongside André Grétry and François-André Danican Philidor to have been the founder of a new musical genre, the opéra comique, laying a path for other French composers such as François-Adrien Boieldieu, Daniel-François-Esprit Auber, Charles Gounod, Georges Bizet, and Jules Massenet in this genre. Biography Pierre-Alexandre Monsigny was born at Fauquembergues, near Saint-Omer, in the former Artois region of France (now Pas-de-Calais), four months before the marriage of his parents, Marie-Antoinette Dufresne and Nicolas Monsigny. He was educated at the Walloon Collége des Jésuites in Saint-Omer. It was here that he first discovered his aptitude for music. As the eldest child, in 1749, a few months after his father's death, he left for Paris with only a few coins in his pocket, a violin and a recommendation letter, in an attempt to further his musical career and provide for his siblings. He entered into the service of the connoisseur of art and the theater, Louis Guillaume Baillet de Saint-Julien, in the bureau of the Comptabilité du Clergé de France. In 1752, after watching a performance of La serva padrona by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi at the Paris Opera, he decided upon his true vocation. He then became Pietro Gianotti's student, and a contra-bassist at the Paris Opéra. Secretly, with a text by La Ribardière, he wrote Les aveux indiscrets, his first comic opera, which premiered at the theater of the Foire St Germain in February 1759. This work was well received, and that encouraged him to compose a second opera, in two acts, on a libretto by Pierre-René Lemonnier. Le maître en droit, the following year, received the same positive public response. Michel-Jean Sedaine, a well-liked librettist, proposed to Monsigny a collaboration, following Le cadi dupé success. Their common production was excellent: On ne s'avise jamais de tout, Le roi et le fermier and Rose et Colas. On 15 April 1766, at the Académie royale de Musique, his epic ballet in three acts Aline, reine de Golconde was not as successful as expected. The critics were harsher two years later, with L'île sonnante. The music, it is true, preserves its usual grace of Monsigny's touch. However, Charles Collé's libretto happened to be ill-adapted to the stage and justified the work's lack of success. It is during this same year of 1768 that the composer purchased the post of maître d'hôtel in the service of the great courtier Louis Philippe I, Duke of Orléans. A place in the entourage of this patron proved favorable to Monsigny's inspiration. Michel-Jean Sedaine submitted his libretto, Le déserteur, for which he composed his most successful score. Yet Le faucon, created in 1771 was a failure. On 17 August 1775, La belle Arsène caused controversy among critics. In 1777, following the success of Félix, ou L'enfant trouvé, Monsigny stopped composing. At the beginning of 1784, he married Amélie de Villemagne, with whom he lived peacefully until 1789. The French Revolution and The Terror deprived them of all their material existence. The musician and his family sank into deep misery and oblivion for a few years. Hearing of the composer's state of poverty, the members of the Opéra-Comique gave him a pension of 2400 pounds, in order to prove their gratitude to one of the founders of their theater. The years of adversity came to an end and Monsigny reached once again his deserved success. He became inspector of teaching at the Conservatoire de Musique de Paris. In 1804, he received the title of Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur. In 1813, he succeeded Grétry at the institute. He was totally blind during his last years. Monsigny died in Paris. Works See List of operas by Pierre-Alexandre Monsigny. References Sources Noiray, Michel (1992), 'Monsigny, Pierre-Alexandre' in The New Grove Dictionary of Opera, ed. Stanley Sadie (London) Bibliography Bruce Alan Brown: Gluck and the French Theatre in Vienna (Oxford, 1991) A. E. M. Grétry: Mémoires, ou Essais sur la musique (Paris, 1789, 2/1797) Daniel Heartz: "The Beginnings of Operatic Romance: Rousseau, Sedaine, and Monsigny", Eighteenth Century Studies, xv (1981–2), 149–78 Raphaëlle Legrand: "L'opéra comique de Sedaine et Monsigny", Michel Sedaine (1719–1797): Theatre, Opera and Art, ed. D. Charlton and M. Ledbury (Aldershot, forthcoming) P. J. B. Nougaret: De l'art du théâtre (Paris, 1769) Karin Pendle: "L'opéra-comique à Paris de 1762 à 1789", L'opéra-comique en France au XVIIIe siècle, ed. P. Vendrix (Liège,1992), 79–178 Arthur Pougin: Monsigny et son temps (Paris, 1908). Copy at the Internet Archive. Copy at Google Books. External links 1729 births 1817 deaths Blind classical musicians Knights of the Legion of Honour French Classical-period composers French male classical composers French opera composers Male opera composers People from Pas-de-Calais Burials at Père Lachaise Cemetery 18th-century French composers 19th-century French male musicians French blind people	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre-Alexandre%20Monsigny
Marabunta is a fully distributed software application for anonymous P2P. The main goal is the fight against internet censorship and assuring the freedom of speech. It is a peer-to-peer platform for information exchange among nodes in an anonymous way based on several communication algorithms called "Order and Chaos" which can be found in massive social organizations such as ant colonies. The project was founded at the University of Zaragoza, Spain, developed and promoted by students of computing engineering although development teams and users from many different places have shown interest, perhaps attracted by the ideological aims of the project. The software is available in Spanish and English, the website is also available in English. Marabunta uses the Qt graphical widget toolkit, allowing it to be used on both Linux and Microsoft Windows. Released under the GNU General Public License, Marabunta is free software. Purpose Marabunta is an implementation of the ideas explained in the "Free Nets project " and it has been developed with these ideas in mind: Avoiding censure: Communication between people avoiding central servers is allowed, so it is free from censure attacks, which are commonly launched by many governments and corporations that want to control the communications. Anonymity: A degree of anonymous communication is made possible, such that information can be accessed without knowledge of its original source. Motives and development: Marabunta is the first project of this kind developed in Spain (first version released in 2005). Still, the software has potential use by people anywhere in the world, especially in countries with little or no freedom of speech. Features There are many potential services that can be run on top of Marabunta. Text message interchange is the first service. It could be taken as a platform for telegram distribution, where each computer in the net works as a host and as a server. As a host: messages are sent, active nodes are sought, etc. As a server: text messages and requests to increase the connectivity between nodes are routed to the network using a broadcast forwarding method. There are four message distribution lists, so receivers only receive messages sent to the list they are interested in: General, Technology, Philosophy, and Politics. Content filters are allowed, so only messages with certain patterns are displayed. This is specially useful when searching for some specific information because Marabunta just selects potentially interesting messages. Connections All generated traffic uses the UDP/IP protocols. Avoiding setting up connections between nodes lets more traffic flow in the network and the operational redundancy of every node can be used. Moreover, the UDP protocol could be seen as increasing the anonymity in the net because there is no need to validate source hosts to receive a datagram. Port-forwarding on NATs Marabunta does not support UDP hole punching, so users behind NATs have to establish a port forwarding route to let the router know to which port and node of the internal net it should forward the arriving datagrams. References External links Marabunta home page (Software does display in Spanish by default. To set in English : run the software, click the tab "Opciones Generales", area "Seleccion de Idioma" (bottom of the window), change from "Castellano" to "English"). Anonymity networks Anonymous file sharing networks Cross-platform free software Free communication software Free file sharing software Free instant messaging clients Free multilingual software Internet privacy software Peer-to-peer computing File sharing software that uses Qt Windows file sharing software File sharing software for Linux Free software programmed in C++	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marabunta%20%28software%29
Live Is Overrated is a live album the by Swedish industrial metal project Pain. It was released in 2005 via the Metal Mind label. Metalmania 2005 Supersonic Bitch End of the Line On Your Knees Dancing with the Dead It's Only Them Just Hate Me Same Old Song Shut Your Mouth Krzemionki TV Studio, Krakow, Poland Greed Breathing in Breathing Out Suicide Machine Nothing Eleanor Rigby On and On Tavastia Club, Helsinki, Finland Supersonic Bitch End of the Line Bonus video clips End of the Line Suicide Machine On & On Shut Your Mouth Just Hate Me Same Old Song Bye/Die Pain (musical project) albums 2005 video albums Live video albums 2005 live albums	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live%20Is%20Overrated
The Sound Factory was a nightclub first located 532 West 27th Street and then 618 West 46th Street in New York City's Manhattan. The Sound Factory was an integral venue during a peak period of house music in New York. Prominent DJs, artists, and parties appeared at the club. It was in operation from 1989 to 1995. There were other reincarnations of the club until 2004. History In 1989, Christine Visca, Phil Smith and Richard Grant opened the Sound Factory in a converted warehouse at 530 West 27th Street in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood. DJ Junior Vasquez's association with vogue-ball houses the House of Xtravaganza and the House of Aviance helped bring the Harlem ballroom scene to the downtown club scene. Smith became increasingly involved in The Sound Factory Bar, a smaller offshoot gay club. The owners of the Sound Factory were at risk of losing their cabaret license and decided to close the club in 1995. In 1995, Smith converted the venue into the nightclub Twilo, which closed in 2001. Grant reopened a new club called SoundFactory in a warehouse at 618 West 46th Street, but after facing legal issues in 2004, the club was closed. The Sound Factory Bar The Sound Factory Bar was an offshoot at 12 West 21st Street that was in operation from 1992 to 1997. The club was previously called Private Eyes which was a popular nightspot in the late 1980s and the early 1990s that for its time had an unusually advanced state-of-the-art video and sound system. In the mid 1990s Private Eyes was then purchased by 2 of the 3 owners of The Sound Factory, and, since the space was smaller, it was renamed the Sound Factory Bar. When the Sound Factory closed in 1995, the Sound Factory Bar continued to operate. Wednesdays housed the recently resurrected Underground Network parties, hosted and promoted by recording artist Barbara Tucker and Don Welch, with Grammy Award winner Little Louie Vega as resident DJ. On Thursday nights, "Factoria 21," a tribal house gay night with DJ Merritt and Lord G, and on Friday nights, "Godfather of House" Frankie Knuckles helmed the decks. On Sunday afternoons, it was the host for "Body Positive Tea Dances," a social for HIV positive men and their friends. The DJs were Mark Cicero and Mark Thomas. Closing out the weekend on Sunday evenings, "Purgatory" a tribal and progressive house gay night with DJ Merritt and DJ Andrew Tonio. One of the most notorious events was a weekly party called MILK Mondays from DJ TPromix that after several years at this location went on to thrive for 9 years around the city. Also, (in the latter Cheetah years) Cafe con Leche, Cafe Futuro, and Asseteria were weekly Sunday parties. In 1997, the Sound Factory Bar was reopened as Cheetah. The club was closed in 1999. See also Superclub References Music venues in Manhattan Nightclubs in Manhattan Electronic dance music venues 1989 establishments in New York (state)	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The%20Sound%20Factory%20%28nightclub%29
Titu () is a town in Dâmbovița County, Muntenia, Romania, with a population of 9,658 . Location The town in located in the southern part of the county, in the center of the Wallachian Plain. It lies at a distance of from the county seat, Târgoviște, from Bucharest, and from Pitești. Titu îs surrounded by several communes: Produlești and Braniștea to the north, Odobești and Potlogi to the south, Conțești and Lungulețu to the east, and Costeștii din Vale to the west. Zones and administration Titu is divided into three main zones: Titu-gară – The main part of the city, it contains the town hall, the main school, the train station and most important buildings. Titu-târg – A rural zone which includes the town's library and the second school. It was also the former center town. Sălcuța – The smallest zone and a village in its own right, it is rural and features a church. It is also the place where the bâlci is held. The town administers five other villages: Fusea, Hagioaica, Mereni, Plopu and Sălcuța. Industry The French automobile manufacturer Renault is operating a technical centre near the town of Titu, that is used for testing and optimizing vehicles of the Dacia brand. It became operational in September 2010 and the cost of the investment raised to 166 million euro. The centre includes 100 testing lines for parts and vehicles and of test tracks that allow simulating various running conditions encountered around the world. It has 300 employees and is located halfway between the Mioveni factory and the research centre in Bucharest. The town holds an annual fair on September 14. Natives Dimitrie Dimăncescu (1896–1984), diplomat Ioan Dimăncescu (1898–1951), army officer Ion Miu (born 1955), virtuoso cimbalom player References Towns in Romania Populated places in Dâmbovița County Localities in Muntenia	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titu
Romanian Cosmonautics and Aeronautics Association (), also known as ARCAspace, is an aerospace company based in Râmnicu Vâlcea, Romania. It builds rockets, high-altitude balloons, and unmanned aerial vehicles. It was founded in 1999 as a non-governmental organization in Romania by the Romanian engineer and entrepreneur Dumitru Popescu and other rocket and aeronautics enthusiasts. Since then, ARCA has launched two stratospheric rockets and four large-scale stratospheric balloons including a cluster balloon. It was awarded two governmental contracts with the Romanian government and one contract with the European Space Agency. ARCASpace is currently developing a three-stage, semi-reusable steam-powered rocket called EcoRocket and in 2022 has shifted its business model to Asteroid mining. History 1999–2004: Demonstrator rocket family ARCA was established as Romanian Cosmonautics and Aeronautics Association (), a non-governmental organization in 1999 by a group of rocket and aeronautics enthusiasts. Their goal was to construct and launch space rockets. After experimenting with designs for different fuels and rocket engine types, including solid fuel rockets, they decided to use fiberglass for engine and tank construction and hydrogen peroxide as fuel. Their first vehicle was named Demonstrator and was a long, unguided, self-stabilized rocket. It never flew, instead it was used in various public exhibitions to attract funds and sponsorships. Their second rocket, Demonstrator 2, was constructed in 2003. For this, ARCA created their first rocket engine testing installation where they tested their hydrogen peroxide engine. After the tests were successful, they constructed Demonstrator 2B which was an improved version of their previous rocket. It had a length and diameter and used an high launch pad. In 2003 ARCA also signed up for the Ansari X Prize international competition and started design for the Orizont suborbital vehicle capable of carrying a crew of two up to an altitude of . Orizont was to be ARCA's competing vehicle for the Ansari X Prize. It was designed to use a disposable jet engine up to an altitude of and then ignite its main hydrogen peroxide rocket engine in order to propel it to the altitude. On September 9, 2004, ARCA successfully launched the Demonstrator 2B rocket from Cape Midia Air Force Base. Because of powerful wind gusts up to , they were forced to use only 20 percent of the intended fuel quantity in order to keep with the allocated safety zone by the Air Force. The altitude reached was . 90 journalists from Romania, Germany, and Austria were present at the launch. After the launch, ARCA started construction of the Orizont spaceplane and completed the aircraft structure by 2005. 2005–2010: Stabilo and Helen rockets ARCA organized a public presentation of their Orizont spaceplane in front of the Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest. Because of financial problems encountered with the construction of Orizont, ARCA decided to suspend its development and instead design a new, much smaller rocket called Stabilo. It was designed to be launched from a stratospheric solar balloon and carry one person into space. Design and construction of large scale polyethylene balloons started and on December 2, 2006, at Onesti, Bacau, the crew capsule of Stabilo rocket was lifted to an altitude of 14,700 m. The capsule was safely recovered that evening. The event was transmitted live on several Romanian TV stations. On 27 September 2007, the entire Stabilo rocket (crew capsule + rocket booster) was lifted to an altitude of 12,000 m using the largest solar balloon constructed until that date. The mission was launched from Cape Midia Air Force Base, and the rocket was recovered from the Black Sea surface by Romanian Navy divers. At this moment ARCA proved its ability to conduct large-scale operations and to coordinate military institutions like the Romanian Navy and the Romanian Air Force. In 2007 ARCA won two governmental contracts with the Research Ministry for a suborbital rocket and a solar balloon. The Romanian Space Agency, the University of Bucharest and other Romanian institutions were subcontractors to ARCA for these projects. In early 2008 ARCA joined the Google Lunar X Prize competition and designed the Haas orbital launcher. Their lunar rover was named European Lunar Lander and used a monopropellant rocket engine for landing and hovering. Haas was a three-stage orbital rocket powered by hybrid engines using a bitumen-based fuel and hydrogen peroxide as oxidizer. It was supposed to be launched from 18,000 m carried by the largest solar balloon ever constructed, having a volume of 2 million cubic meters. For the Haas rocket, they created a three-stage much smaller demonstrator called Helen that was intended to test technologies and operation. The Helen rocket was intentionally not aerodynamically stabilized, being intended to use a technique based on the pendulum rocket fallacy. The Romanian bank BRD – Groupe Société Générale awarded ARCA a 300,000 euro sponsorship for their activities. Romanian cosmonaut Dumitru Prunariu highly praised ARCA's achievements and noted their ability to efficiently utilize private funds. In 2009 ARCA performed a series of engine tests using the Stabilo rocket engine in order to validate the design for the Helen rocket. The first attempt to launch the Helen rocket took place on November 14, 2009. Romanian Naval Forces participated with the NSSL 281 Constanta ship, the Venus divers ship, the Fulgerul fast boat and two other fast craft boats. For this mission, ARCA constructed a massive 150,000 cubic meter solar balloon, approximately five times as large as their previous balloon. After the balloon began inflating, the mission crew discovered that the balloon inflation arms were wrapped around the lower part of the balloon. Inflation was halted and the crew attempted to unwrap the arms. Three hours later the arms were repositioned and inflation was ready to resume but the sun was already nearing the horizon, and heating the solar balloon was no longer possible. The decision was made to cancel the mission. ARCA decided to redesign the Helen rocket to use two stages and a helium balloon instead. They named the rocket Helen 2. On April 27, 2010, they performed an avionics test for the European Lunar Lander payload to be lifted by the Helen 2 rocket, using a hot air balloon that lifted three ARCA members to 5,200 m altitude. On August 4, 2010, a new attempt to launch the rocket was made, but a construction error in the helium balloon caused it to rupture and the mission was aborted. A new helium balloon was manufactured designed to carry only the second stage of Helen 2 rocket. On October 1, 2010, the rocket performed a successful flight to an altitude of 38,700 m reaching a maximum velocity of 2320 km/h. Upon atmospheric reentry the rocket capsule parachute failed to deploy and the capsule was lost at sea, but the data was transmitted to the mission control center on the 281 Constanta ship and to the Romanian Air Traffic Services Administration. 2011–2013: IAR-111 aircraft, Executor engine and Haas rocket family After the difficulties encountered with the stratospheric balloons, ARCA decided to change their approach to orbital launch for the Google Lunar X Prize. They designed a supersonic rocket plane powered by a liquid-fueled rocket engine using kerosene as fuel and liquid oxygen as oxidizer. The aircraft, initially named E-111, was renamed IAR-111 after ARCA received permission from IAR S.A. Brasov to use the traditional IAR designation for military and civilian aircraft constructed since 1925. The aircraft was intended to fly to an altitude of 17.000 m and launch a heavily modified version of the Haas rocket, named Haas 2. Haas 2 was an air-launched three-stage orbital rocket intended to place a 200 kg payload into orbit. Work on the plane structure began in late 2010. By 2011 all the fiberglass molds for the aircraft were finished and one-third of the aircraft structure was completed. The crew capsule escape system was tested on September 26, 2011, when a Mil Mi-17 helicopter belonging to the Special Aviation Unit dropped the capsule from an altitude of 700 m over the Black Sea. The emergency parachute deployed successfully and the capsule was recovered from the sea surface by the Romanian Coast Guard. In 2012 ARCA decided to focus on the construction of the rocket engine of the IAR-111 aircraft. The engine, named Executor, is made of composite materials, has a thrust of 24 tons force (52,000 lbf) and is turbopump fueled. It uses ablative cooling for the main chamber and nozzle where the outer layers of the composite material vaporize in contact with the high temperature exhaust mixture and prevent overheating. ARCA also presented a long-term space program, until 2025, that besides IAR-111 envisioned a small scale orbital rocket (Haas 2C), a suborbital crewed rocket (Haas 2B) and a medium scale crewed orbital rocket (Super Haas). In March 2012, ARCA tested an extremely lightweight composite materials kerosene tank that is intended to be used for the Haas 2C rocket. After criticism from the Romanian Space Agency (ROSA) intensified in printed media and television, ARCA decided to send a public letter to the Romanian Prime Minister to intervene in this matter. ARCA mentioned that the Romanian Space Agency is in no position to criticize after the failure of their cubesat Goliat recently launched with a Vega rocket. Furthermore, ARCA was privately funded compared with ROSA which uses public funding. In June 2012 ARCA presented their Haas 2C rocket in Victoria Square in Bucharest, in front of the Romanian Government palace. The same year ARCA won a $1,200,000 contract with the European Space Agency to participate in the ExoMars program. Named the High Altitude Drop Test, the contract consisted of a series of stratospheric balloon drop tests to verify the structural integrity of the EDM parachutes used in Martian atmospheric deceleration. On September 16, 2013, ARCA performed the first successful flight in the ExoMars program, lifting three pressurised avionics containers over the Black Sea to an altitude of 24,400 m. In November, the concrete test stand for the Executor engine was completed. 2014–2019: AirStrato to Launch Assist System On February 10 ARCA presented a high-altitude uncrewed aerial vehicle, named AirStrato, that was meant to replace stratospheric balloon usage for equipment testing and other near space missions. It was intended to be solar powered for extended endurance, was 7 m in length and had a 16 m wingspan with a takeoff weight of 230 kg. The aircraft first flew on February 28. ARCA announced that if the development was successful they would consider developing a commercial version available for sale to customers. On October 17, 2014, ARCA announced that it had transferred its headquarters to the United States to Las Cruces, New Mexico. In a press release they announced that in Romania activities related to software and rocket engine development will continue. They also announced that Air Strato UAV would be available for purchase to customers and that Las Cruces will also serve as a production center for the aircraft. On November 25 they released a website for the UAV revealing two models available for purchase, AirStrato Explorer that could reach altitudes up to 18,000 m with 20 hours endurance and AirStrato Pioneer that would be limited to 8000 m and 12 hours endurance. On July 13, 2015 ARCA announced the beginning of activities in New Mexico, including production and flight tests of AirStrato UAS and Haas rockets, investing . In November 2017, CEO Dimitru Popescu was arrested and charged with 12 counts of fraud. As a result, he left the country and reestablished operations in Romania. The charges were later dropped. In early 2019, ARCA announced the development of the steam-powered Launch Assist System and began testing the aerospike engine. 2020–Present: EcoRocket, AMi, and Pivot to Asteroid Mining In 2020, tests of the steam-powered aerospike continued and ARCA announced a new launch vehicle, the EcoRocket, derived from the LAS technology. In 2021, the EcoRocket design was altered slightly to a three-stage vehicle as tests of the steam-powered aerospike continued. In 2022, ARCA announced the AMi Exploration Initiative, effectively pivoting its business model away from the commercial launch sector and towards cryptocurrency and asteroid mining. The AMi program will utilize the AMi Cargo vehicle and EcoRocket Heavy to mine valuable materials from asteroids. Beginning in the late 2020s, the company plans to start a series of asteroid mining missions to return valuable metals (mostly platinum) to Earth for sale. It intends to fund this venture primarily through the sales of the AMi token, an upcoming cryptocurrency on the Ethereum blockchain. Vehicles Haas rocket family The Haas rocket family was to be a series of rockets of various sizes and configurations intended to replace the initial Haas balloon-launched rocket. After the difficulties encountered with balloon operation in Mission 3 and Mission 4, ARCA decided to redesign the rocket to be ground-launched. Although heavier and more expensive, ground-launched rockets are more reliable, easier to operate and can carry heavier payloads into orbit. Haas 2B Haas 2B was to be a single-stage suborbital rocket intended for space tourism. It was designed to transport a crew capsule and service module into a suborbital trajectory. The crew capsule and service module would have been the same as the ones used for the larger multi-stage Super Haas orbital rocket. At the NASA DC-X conference in Alamogordo, New Mexico in August 2013 ARCA presented an updated version of the Haas 2B rocket with a capsule capable of carrying a crew of five into space. There were discussions with Spaceport America representatives to operate the Haas 2B rocket from New Mexico. Haas 2C Haas 2C was to be an orbital rocket intended for commercial payload launches. There were two planned variants of the rocket, a single stage to orbit variant capable of placing a payload into orbit and a two-stage variant capable of lifting a payload into orbit. After testing the extremely lightweight composite tank, ARCA designed a single stage long rocket with a total weight of , having a thrust-to-weight ratio of 26:1 and a payload. The company displayed the rocket in Victoria Square in Bucharest, in front of the Romanian Government building. The second stage version was to be powered by the Executor engine for the lower stage, and the upper stage use a smaller engine adapted for vacuum, named Venator. Haas 2CA Haas 2CA was to be a rocket designed to be able to launch 100 kg into a low-Earth orbit, at a price of US$1 million per launch. The first flight was intended to launch from Wallops Flight Facility in 2018. The rocket was designed as a Single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) and featured an Aerospike engine, producing of thrust at sea level and of thrust in vacuum. IAR-111 rocket plane Romanian Aeronautical Industry Brașov (), also known as IAR-111, was a sea-launched suborbital rocket plane. It used the same Executor engine as Haas 2B and 2C rockets. It was to have a length of , a wingspan of and a take-off mass of . It can carry a crew of two, a pilot and a passenger. The flight sequence consists of take-off from sea surface, horizontal flight at subsonic speed, followed by a rapid climb to an altitude of in approximately two minutes. As a space tourism development platform, it could reach at . After fuel depletion, IAR-111 was to descend in gliding flight and land on the sea surface. In case of emergency, the crew capsule was to be detachable and equipped with two rocket-propelled parachutes. The IAR-111 capsule was flight tested during Mission 6. The mission took place in cooperation with the Special Aviation Unit and the Coast Guard, belonging to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration. AirStrato unmanned aerial vehicle AirStrato was an electric powered medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicle that was being developed by ARCA. There were two variants planned, the AirStrato Explorer with a target flight ceiling of 18,000 m and AirStrato Pioneer with a target flight ceiling of 8000 m. It was supposed to carry a 45 kg payload consisting of surveillance equipment, scientific instruments, or additional battery pods for extended autonomy. The first prototype's maiden flight took place on February 28, 2014. It was equipped with fixed landing gear. Two more prototypes were constructed that lacked landing gear. Instead, ARCA opted for a pneumatic catapult as a launcher and landing skids and a recovery parachute for landing. Both prototypes only performed take-off and landing testing and short low-altitude flights. ESA Drop Test Vehicle ARCA has constructed a drop test vehicle for the European Space Agency intended to test the atmospheric deceleration parachutes for the ExoMars EDM lander module. It has the same weight and parachute deployment systems present on the ESA module. The DTV is intended to be lifted to an altitude of 24 km by a stratospheric helium balloon. From that height, it will fall freely reaching a dynamic pressure similar to that encountered by the ExoMars EDM at entry into the Mars atmosphere. At that dynamic pressure the parachute will deploy and the module will land on the Black Sea surface and will be recovered by the Romanian Naval Forces. EcoRocket Demonstrator The EcoRocket Demonstrator (formerly just EcoRocket) is a partially-reusable three-stage orbital launch vehicle currently under development. The EcoRocket Demonstrator is slated to launch in 2022. The vehicle's reusable first stage will use a battery-powered steam rocket to propel a small second stage to an altitude of 7 kilometers. The second stage will then proceed to a higher altitude to deploy a tiny third stage, carrying the payload. The third stage utilizes RP-1 and high test peroxide to propel a payload of up to 10 kilograms into orbit. The rocket takes its name from the supposed ecological benefits of not burning as much kerosene (despite using kerosene to achieve most of orbital velocity). The EcoRocket will launch partially submerged in the Black Sea, in a similar manner to the Sea Dragon. Both the first and second stages are intended to be reusable, parachuting back into the ocean for recovery. The vehicle is intended to demonstrate technologies for the upcoming EcoRocket Heavy. EcoRocket Heavy The EcoRocket Heavy is a planned variant of EcoRocket, designed to support ARCA's AMi asteroid mining initiative. The EcoRocket heavy will be a three-stage launch vehicle derived from EcoRocket's technology. The stages will be arranged concentrically around the payload in the center (in a layout occasionally called "onion staging"), with the outermost stage firing, then detaching and allowing the next outermost stage to ignite, and so on. The EcoRocket heavy, like the EcoRocket, will use a three-stage design, with the first two stages using steam power and the final stage using a kerosene/liquid oxygen mixture to propel itself to orbit. Each stage will consist of multiple "propulsion modules" attached together, in a manner many commentators have compared to the now-defunct German launch company OTRAG. The vehicle will be thirty meters in diameter, and, like the EcoRocket Demonstrator, will launch from the ocean, and be partially reusable, recovering the first two stages. The EcoRocket Heavy largely abandons aerospike engines, using only traditional rocket nozzles. AMi Cargo The AMi Cargo vehicle is the vehicle designed to support ARCA's asteroid mining operations, and as the primary payload for the EcoRocket Heavy. The AMi Cargo vehicle will approach an asteroid, and then release the battery-powered Recovery Capsule (which appears to be derived from the earlier suborbital capsule for the Haas 2B), which will use the engine on its service module to approach the target asteroid. The spacecraft will then harpoon the asteroid, then reel itself in to begin mining operations. Upon completion of mining, it will return to the AMi Cargo vehicle, which will propel it back to Earth. Upon reaching Earth, the capsule will detach and jettison the service module prior to reentry. The capsule will then splash down under parachute for recovery of the material inside. ARCA intends to eventually upgrade the spacecraft for uncrewed missions to other planets. To support deep space operations, ARCA intends to construct their own Deep Space Network, akin to NASA's system. Rocket engines Executor The Executor was a liquid-fueled rocket engine intended to power the IAR-111 Excelsior supersonic plane and Haas 2B and 2C rockets. Executor was an open cycle gas generator rocket engine, that uses liquid oxygen and kerosene and has a maximum thrust of 24 tons force. ARCA decided to use composite materials and aluminum alloys on a large scale. The composite materials offer low construction costs and reduced weight of the components. They were used in the construction of the combustion chamber and the nozzle, and also the gas generator and some elements in the turbopumps. The combustion chamber and the nozzle are built from two layers. The internal layer is made of silica fiber and phenolic resin, and the external one is made of carbon fiber and epoxy resin. The phenolic resin reinforced with silica fiber pyrolyzes endothermally in the combustion chamber walls, releasing gases like oxygen and hydrogen, leaving a local carbon matrix. The gases spread through the carbon matrix and reach the internal surface of the wall where they meet the hot combustion gases and act as a cooling agent. Furthermore, the engine is equipped with a cooling system that injects 10 percent of the total kerosene mass onto the internal walls. The pump volutes were made of 6062 type aluminum alloy. The pump rotors are made through lathing and milling using 304 type steel. The supersonic turbine was made of refractory steel, both the core and the blades. The turbine rotation speed was 20,000 rpm and has a 1.5 MW power. The intake gas temperature was 620 °C. The main engine valves were made of 6060 type aluminum and were pneumatically powered, without adjustment. The engine injector and the liquid oxygen intake pipes were made of 304 L type steel and the kerosene intake pipe was made of composite materials. The engine had the possibility to shift the thrust by 5 degrees on two axes. The articulated system was made of composite materials and high-grade steel alloy. The engine is rotated using two hydraulic pistons that use kerosene from the pump exhaust system. ARCA announced that the Executor engine had a thrust/mass ratio of 110. Venator Venator was a liquid-fueled pressure-fed rocket engine that will be used to power the second stage of the Haas 2C rocket. It burned liquid oxygen and kerosene and had a maximum thrust of . The engine had no valves on the main pipes. Instead, it used burst disks on the main pipes, between the tanks and the engine. The second stage was pressurized at at lift-off and after the first stage burn-out, the second stage would be pressurized at 16 atm. At that pressure the disks would burst and the fuel would flow through the engine. LAS The Launch Assist System was an aerospike engine that was to use electrically heated water to produce steam, which would then generate thrust. The LAS was to reduce cost of rockets by manner of reducing the associated complexity, since steam powered rockets are far less complex than even the simplest liquid fueled engines. It was to be a self contained unit including both the engine and propellant tank. It could theoretically achieve a specific impulse of 67 seconds. The LAS was proposed to be a first stage for the Haas 2CA rocket, or to serve as a strap-on booster for existing vehicles, including the Atlas V, Falcon 9, Delta IV, and Ariane 6. The EcoRocket Demonstrator and Heavy will use a reworked version of this system with two nozzles (one for launch, and one for landing) called the LAS 25D. AMi Propulsion System The AMi Cargo vehicle will use a new propulsion system, described by ARCA as "electric-arc propulsion." The reaction mass will be water, and the impulse will be provided electrically using electricity from large solar arrays. Beyond this, not much is known about the nature of this system, however, ARCA intends it to be capable of running for days on end. Missions Mission 1 Mission 1 took place on December 2, 2006, when a solar balloon carried the STABILO system capsule to an altitude of . The altitude was slightly lower than intended because of extreme turbulence encountered during the last stage of the flight. In light of this, it was decided not to risk damaging the system. The flight had been planned since August 2006, when another large solar balloon was launched at low altitude in controlled flight. During this time a specially designed parachute was tested. It was the first stratospheric flight performed by ARCA, and the event was transmitted live; over 20 journalists were present. Mission 2 Mission 2 of STABILO 1B was launched on 27 September 2007 from Cape Midia Air Force Base. The Romanian Air Force participated with two radar stations. Civil Aviation and the Romanian Navy also participated, the latter with one naval diver's ship. The first and second vehicle stages reached an altitude of . After one hour and 30 minutes and having traveled from the launch location, STABILO landed on the sea surface and was intercepted by a Navy Saturn ship and recovered by divers. The recovery ship was guided by the satellite transmission system and by Air Force radar. The vehicle was transported to the Navy shipyard. The electronic equipment continued to transmit to the command center even 8 hours after the flight had ended. Mission 3, 4 and 4B Helen was a demonstrator rocket for the Haas balloon-launched orbital rocket. It was intended to test in flight the avionics and gravitational stabilization method proposed for the much larger Haas rocket. Helen was intended to reach an altitude of . Two versions were created, a three-stage rocket that had cylindrical tanks and used hydrogen peroxide as monopropellant fuel, and a two-stage spherical tank rocket that used the same propulsion type. The rocket used a physically flawed stabilization technique based on the pendulum rocket fallacy. Mission 3 took place on November 14, 2009, on the Black Sea. Romanian Naval Forces participated in the mission with one logistical ship, one diver's ship and another fast craft. For this mission, ARCA constructed the largest stratospheric helium balloon to date. An error in construction caused the balloon's inflation arms to wrap around the base of the balloon when it was inflated. The team managed to unwrap the arms and resume inflation but sunset was approaching and the solar balloon could no longer be used. The mission was cancelled. For Mission 4 ARCAspace decided to use a helium balloon instead and to redesign the Helen rocket. The new version, named Helen 2, was prepared for flight on August 4, 2010. When balloon inflation was initiated, the balloon ruptured because of a construction error and the mission was cancelled. A new attempt was made on October 1, 2010, by using only the final stage of the Helen 2 rocket and a smaller helium balloon. The flight, named Mission 4B, was successful, Helen 2 launching at an altitude of and the rocket reaching an altitude of . After the difficulties encountered with stratospheric balloons, ARCA decided to stop work on the Haas rocket and design a new family of ground-launched orbital and suborbital rockets. Mission 5 Mission 5 was carried out in partnership with the Romanian Air Club and the Romanian Aeronautic Federation. It took place before the Helen 2 rocket launch. The flight took place on April 27, 2010, between 07:45 and 08:45 AM, taking off from Hogiz, Brasov. A manned hot air balloon lifted the Helen 2 rocket pressurised capsule to an altitude of . The maximum distance between the carrier balloon and the command center at Sanpetru airfield was , which corresponded with the Helen 2 rocket simulated safety zone. The balloon crew was composed of Mihai Ilie – pilot, Mugurel Ionescu – copilot, and Dumitru Popescu – ELL equipment operator. The objective of the flight was to test telemetry, command and live TV transmission for the Helen 2 rocket. Mission 6 Mission 6 tested the recovery system for the IAR-111 supersonic plane crew capsule. On September 26, 2011, a Mi-17 helicopter from Special Aviation Unit lifted the capsule to above mean sea level. At that altitude, the helicopter released the capsule. The parachute deployed, and the capsule landed on the sea surface. It was recovered by the same helicopter with the help of the Romanian Coast Guard. WP3 WP3 was a validation test flight for the ExoMars Program High Altitude Drop Test (HADT), carried out in cooperation with the European Space Agency. The launch took place from the Black Sea coast on September 16, 2013, and the hardware comprised three pressurized containers containing the avionics equipment that will be necessary to test the ExoMars spacecraft parachute during future incoming flights. The pressurized containers, carried by a cluster balloon, were launched at 7:15 AM and the ascension took 90 minutes. When the containers reached an altitude of , they were released under a dedicated recovery parachute and landed on the sea twenty minutes later. The containers and the recovery parachute were recovered by the Navy from the launch point. The objectives were flight testing the avionics and communication systems, demonstrating the container sealing after sea landing and the capability to identify and recover the equipment from the sea surface. Mission 9 Mission 9 was to be a short vertical hop of the EcoRocket's first stage, testing the booster landing system in much the same manner as SpaceX's Starhopper. This mission has apparently been scrapped, however, ARCA completed a short, low-altitude flight of the EcoRocket Demonstrator's second stage in the fall of 2021 with no landing attempt to test the RCS systems aboard the rocket. The stage was attached to an umbilical during the flight. Mission 10 Mission 10 will be the first orbital flight of the EcoRocket. See also ArcaBoard Romanian Space Agency Rockoon References External links Ansari X Prize official site Latest ARCA Space, Space Fellowship news Google Lunar X Prize official site National Plan for Research Development and Innovation Space advocacy Science and technology in Romania Private spaceflight companies Google Lunar X Prize	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARCAspace
Early Bronze Age stone wrist-guards are found across Europe from around 2400-1900 BC and are closely associated with the Beaker culture and Unetice culture. In the past they have been variously known as stone bracers, stone arm-guards and armlets, although "stone wrist-guard" is currently the favoured terminology; and it is no longer thought that they were functional archer's bracers. Description The wrist-guards are small rectangles of stone (often slate) with a number of perforations, typically between two and six, which might allow attachment to the arm with cord. One, from Hemp Knoll in Wiltshire, had markings which clearly indicate its attachment to the arm by two cords. The shapes of the wrist-guard are stereotyped, and common forms exhibit a narrowed 'waist' and curved cross-section (presumably so they fit the arm better). Stone wrist-guards are exclusively found in the graves of males, frequently lying next to the body's wrist. Rare examples – three in Great Britain – use rare imported greenstone and are decorated with gold-capped rivets or foil, clearly representing an elite form. The three British examples are from burials at Driffield and Barnack in England, and Culduthel Mains in Scotland. Original use It was originally thought that these stone wrist-guards were bracers, used by archers to protect their bow arms from the string of the bow. However, recent research has highlighted that (in Britain at least) they do not commonly occur in graves in association with arrowheads (the Amesbury Archer being a notable exception), nor are they commonly found on the part of the arm that would need protection from the bowstring (on a right-handed archer, the inside left wrist). They are usually found on the outside of the arm, where they would have been more conspicuous. Many have only two holes which would make them difficult to fasten securely to the arm, and some have projecting rivets which would catch on the bowstring and make them unsuitable for use as a bracer. When the objects occur in barrows, they always occur in the central primary grave, a place thought to be reserved for heads of family and other important people. Many show great skill in polishing and stone working, and few are found in areas from which their stone originates. It seems likely that, as found in graves, these objects were used as symbols of status within family groups. They may have been status symbols of prowess in hunting or war, possibly mounted as decorations on functional bracers. However, one at least (from Barnack in Cambridgeshire) had eighteen holes and each one was filled with a foil-thin disc of gold; these caps would have prohibited any form of rivet or cord being used as a means of attachment. A few prehistoric wrist-guards made of gold or amber have also been found; these are generally accepted not to be functional. Famous burials containing stone wrist-guards include the Amesbury Archer and the Barnack burial. Terminology The wrist-guards are commonly classified following either the 1970 Atkinson classification (cited in Clarke 1970) or the 2006 Smith classification. Of the two, it is the 2006 Smith classification which is less rigid and more descriptive. It uses a three-character system to classify the objects on three simple characteristics: Total number of perforations: (e.g. 2, 4, 6 etc.) Shape in plan: described as- 'Waisted', having a narrow midsection 'Tapered', having narrow ends 'Straight-sided', having a rectangular plan Shape in transverse cross-section: described as- 'Curved', having a concavo-convex cross-section 'Plano-Convex', having a plano-convex cross-section, (i.e. one side flat and the other curved) 'Flat', having a flat or slightly bi-convex cross-section The most common types of wrist-guard are the 'tapered variety' consisting of 2TFs, 'straight variety' consisting mainly of 4SFs and 6SFs and the 'waisted variety' consisting mainly of 4WCs This is how the 1970 Atkinson classification translates into the newer classificatory system: A1 = 2TF A2 = 4TF B1 = 2SF B2 = 4SF B3 = 6SF C1 = 4WC C2 = 2WC References Lithics Archaeological artefact types Archaeology in Europe Bronze Age Europe Archery History of archery Wrist	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone%20wrist-guard
Maryam Heydarzadeh (; born November 20, 1977) is a contemporary Iranian poet, lyricist, singer and painter. Heydarzadeh is blind. She writes simple, yet deep poetry, almost always about the state of being in love. Some Iranian singers have created songs using her poetry. Lyrics References External links 1977 births Living people 21st-century Iranian women singers Iranian blind people Iranian lyricists Iranian pop singers Blind writers Blind musicians Iranian women poets 20th-century Iranian women writers 20th-century Iranian poets 21st-century Iranian women writers 21st-century Iranian poets Poets from Tehran Blind poets	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryam%20Heydarzadeh
Bikash Ranjan Das () is a Bangladeshi cricketer, who played in one Test match for the country in year 2000. Das was born on July 14, 1982, in Dhaka. He converted to Islam and changed his name to Mahmudur Rahman Rana. References 1982 births Living people Bangladesh Test cricketers 20th-century Bangladeshi cricketers 21st-century Bangladeshi cricketers Dhaka Division cricketers Barisal Division cricketers Cricketers from Dhaka	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranjan%20Das
Shahriar Hossain () is a Bangladeshi cricketer who played in three Test matches from 2000 to 2004. He was also one of the members of the 1999 World Cup Team. In Test matches He failed in the match against India, scoring just 12 and 7. In his next match, four years later, he scored his highest, 48, against Zimbabwe at Harare. Nevertheless, he was dropped after the tour. In ODIs He had a very successful 1999. At Dhaka, in March, he scored 95 against Kenya, narrowly missing out on his chance to become the first Bangladeshi to score a hundred in ODI. later, he scored 68 against more powerful Zimbabwe. In this match, he shared a 170 run first wicket partnership with Mehrab Hossain. In the WC, his 39 against Pakistan at Northampton helped Bangladesh achieve a famous win. He finished the year with knocks of 45 & 47 against West Indies at Dhaka. Injuries, however, has shortened his international career. Other matches In 1993, he was part of the Bangladesh under-19 team. In 1995, he played for the Bangladesh A side. In 1996, he represented the full national squad. References External links Bangladeshi cricketers 1976 births Living people Bangladesh Test cricketers Bangladesh One Day International cricketers Cricketers at the 1999 Cricket World Cup Dhaka Division cricketers Cricketers at the 1998 Commonwealth Games Commonwealth Games competitors for Bangladesh Wicket-keepers People from Narayanganj District Cricketers from Dhaka Division	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahriar%20Hossain
Operation Sail refers to a series of sailing events held to celebrate special occasions and features sailing vessels from around the world. Each event is coordinated by Operation Sail, Inc., a non-profit organization established in 1961 by U.S. President John F. Kennedy, and must be approved by the United States Congress. Often referred to as OpSail or Op Sail, the event has the goals of promoting good will and cooperation between countries while providing sail training and celebrating maritime history. It is also sometimes erroneously referred to as "Tall Ships". While the tall ships form the centerpiece of the event, smaller sailing vessels also participate. Op Sail events, when scheduled, are run concurrently with the annual International Naval Review, which features present-day warships from various navies. Six Op Sail events have been held to date, in 1964, 1976, 1986, 1992, 2000 and 2012. The event culminates in the Parade of Ships on the Hudson River and in New York Harbor on July 4, Independence Day. The United States Coast Guard cutter Eagle has been the host vessel to all six Op Sail events. Along with Nils Hansell, Frank Braynard launched the world's first Operation Sail, an extravaganza in which tall ships and naval vessels filled New York Harbor, in 1964. World's Fair Parade of Ships (1964) The inaugural Opsail was a tie-in with the 1964 New York World's Fair. Operation sail 1964: Four years in the making, Operation Sail is an international effort to promote goodwill and to generate awareness of ships and shipping. It is a dream come true for sailing enthusiasts, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for anyone who is stirred by the sight of a square rigger under full sail. Many nations maintain sailing ships in this machine age because they believe there is no better way to build character in young men than sail training. It encourages initiative, steadfastness, leadership and personal courage .... the records of the brotherhood of the sea sparkle with innumerable examples of the value of such training. The prestige of having served aboard a windjammer is no small matter. To reach New York for the July 14 parade up the Hudson River, some of these tall ships will have sailed from their home ports as long ago as early March. Some will have raced from Plymouth, England, to Lisbon, Portugal, then 3000 miles across the Atlantic to Bermuda rendezvous, and a 630-mile northwest run, in company, to New York. These ships are specifically built for training under sail. As these tall ships plough the oceans, the men who man this great fleet are helping to forge a bond of understanding and mutual respect around the world. As you visit the ships and talk with their officers, crews, and trainees, consider the thirteen participating nations, the thousands of people involved in such a gathering, the countless man hours spent in preparations which have resulted in this great spectacle OPERATION SAIL. July 12: Ships anchor in designated order in Gravesend Bay. July 13: 1430- Captains briefing aboard USCG 1730-2000: Reception at Chase Manhattan Bank. July 14: 1100- Ships will depart Gravesend Bay and pass official reviewing vessel, USS Randolph, and then proceed to anchorages below the George Washington Bridge. July 15: Ships move to assigned piers. 1400- Lifeboat races at U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point. 1800- Commandant USCG reception. July 16: 1200- Ticker tape parade from Battery Park to City Hall. 1400-1800- Ships open to Public.2000-0100- Grand Ball, Holland America Line Pier 40, and seamen's Church Institute. July 17: 0900- Captains Symposium, Maritime Exchange. 1000-1800- Ships open to public. 1215- American Institute of Marine Underwriter's luncheon for Captains at India House. July 18: World's Fair Day, Singer Bowl. Public invited. 1000-1800 Ships open to Public. July 19: Divine Services Ships Depart. (Taken from Operation sail guide book 1964.) Participation in 1964 Op Sail The participants scheduled to take part in the 1964 Operation Sail event included: Argentina, Libertad Canada, Bluenose II Canada, St. Lawrence II Chile, Esmeralda Denmark, Danmark Dominican Republic, Patria Germany, Gorch Fock Germany, Peter von Danzig Great Britain, Merlin Great Britain, Tawau Indonesia, Dewarutji Italy, Corsaro II Norway, Christian Radich Norway, Sørlandet Norway, Statsraad Lehmkuhl Panama, Wandia Poland, Iskra Portugal, Sagres Romania, Mircea Spain, Juan Sebastián de Elcano Sweden, Albatross United States, Eagle Notes Bicentennial Program (1976) Celebration of the United States Bicentennial, the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the United States Declaration of Independence. Of the relatively few tall ships that were in service around the world at the time, 16 sailed to New York to participate in the Grand Parade of Sailing Ships. Each of the ships flew a banner featuring the tricolor star insignia of the Bicentennial. They are referred to in the official program book as the square-rigged school ships. In addition, there were 113 supporting vessels of the Op Sail Fleet listed in the program book. Salute to the Statue of Liberty (1986) Celebrating the Statue of Liberty centennial Columbus Quincentennial (1992) Celebrating the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' landing in America. Winner of the tall ships class was the Norwegian full-rigger Christian Radich. The fleet of thirty-four sailing vessels was led by the U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle, and included ships from Denmark, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, England, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Italy, Israel, Japan, Norway, Oman, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Poland, Uruguay, and Venezuela. [author John Richard, Executive Director of Operation Sail 1992] Summer Millennium Celebration (2000) This ran from May 25 through July 31 with the traditional Parade of Ships in New York on July 4. Ports of call included San Juan, Puerto Rico; Miami, Florida; Norfolk, Virginia; Baltimore, Maryland; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; New York City; New London, Connecticut; and Portland, Maine. War of 1812 and "The Star-Spangled Banner" Bicentennial (2012) During the summer of 2012, Operation Sail commemorated the bicentennial of both the War of 1812 and the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner," with ports of call in New Orleans, Louisiana; New York City, New York; Norfolk, Virginia; Baltimore, Maryland; Boston, Massachusetts; New London, Connecticut; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Chicago, Illinois; Toledo, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; and Buffalo, New York. Tall ships representing nine nations, as well as many independently owned tall ships, participated in parades of sail in these ports, and were open for general public visiting at no cost. References Tall Ships (Hyla M. Clark, 1976 ) External links Arrival in Brooklyn – Peter Andrews' Op Sail 92 page Sailing Tall ships Presidency of John F. Kennedy	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation%20Sail
The British Rail Class 119 DMUs were used throughout the Western Region and on services in the Midlands sourced by Tyseley Depot. Built by the Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon Co. Ltd, the body design was based on the Swindon Cross-Country sets, but with a Derby cab. Sets were normally formed of three cars. History Shortly after their introduction, some sets were transferred from Cardiff to serve the intermediate stations on outer suburban services from London Paddington to Oxford. These were as 7-car sets, with the addition of Hawksworth composites adapted to run as DMU trailers. Sets worked over most of the Western Region, notable early use being the last passenger train over the Plympton branch. Minehead, Calne and Bridport branches that have since closed were also served by the sets, which also covered main line services in company with the Swindon Cross Country sets. As with most asbestos-contaminated stock, there were heavy withdrawals, but a number were rebuilt internally after asbestos removal. The rebuilt sets were frequently used on express services from Reading to Gatwick Airport along the Reading-Gatwick link and on stopping services to Tonbridge. Units stabled at Redhill Station overnight would find themselves being fuelled at Selhust Depot, working parcels services to London Bridge and at Clapham Junction working the early morning service to Kensington Olympia. The fleet was displaced by the 'Turbo' Class 165 and Class 166 fleets in 1992. Orders Accidents and incidents On 1 August 1990, unit L576 collided with a passenger train comprising 4VEP electric multiple units 3508 & 3504, and 4CIG unit 1304 at due to overrunning signals. Forty people were injured. Preservation 51073 (DMBC) Ecclesbourne Valley Railway 51074 (DMBC) Swindon and Cricklade Railway 51104 (DMSL) Swindon and Cricklade Railway 2 vehicles are currently undergoing restoration on the Swindon and Cricklade Railway (updated 14/6/12), now in service (09/05/19). 1 vehicle has recently been restored on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway (updated 25/08/13). References Further reading External links The Railcar Association - Class 119 The Railcar Association - Class 119 photo gallery Ecclesbourne Valley Railway - Class 119 W51073 Restoration Diary 119 Gloucester multiple units Train-related introductions in 1958	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British%20Rail%20Class%20119
The HQ-7 (; NATO reporting name: CH-SA-4) is a short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) from the People's Republic of China. It was developed by the Changfeng Electromechanical Technology Design Institute from the French R-440 Crotale SAM. It entered service in the early 1980s. A ground battery consists of a short-range radar and three launchers. Each launcher has four or eight missiles. Variants HQ-7A Original command-guided version. HHQ-7 Naval variant. HQ-7B Improved version. FM-80 Export version of the HQ-7A. FM-90 Export version of the HQ-7B. FM-90N Naval variant of the FM-90. Operators FM-90. Bangladesh Army: FM-90 Bangladesh Air Force: FM-90 Bangladesh Navy: FM-90N and HHQ-7. HQ-7A, HQ-7B and HHQ-7. FM-80. FM-90 and FM-90N. FM-90. See also Ya Zahra (unlicensed Iranian copy of the system) Herz-9 (mobile version of the Ya Zahra system) References Sources Surface-to-air missiles of the People's Republic of China Naval surface-to-air missiles Military equipment introduced in the 1980s	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HQ-7
Manjural Islam (sometimes spelled Monjural Islam, born 7 November 1979) is a Bangladeshi cricketer who played in 17 Test matches and 34 One Day Internationals from 1999 to 2004. He is a left-arm seam bowler. Manjural Islam made his Test debut in April 2001, against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo where he took his best innings figures of 6 for 81. He represented Bangladesh in both the 1999 and the 2003 World Cups. In 2009 he was one of a number of players who decided to leave Bangladeshi domestic cricket in order to participate in the unsanctioned Indian Cricket League as part of the squad for the new Dhaka Warriors side, for which he was banned from playing in official cricket matches in Bangladesh for 10 years by the Bangladesh Cricket Board. In October 2020, he was appointed as the chief selector of the Bangladesh women's cricket team. See also List of Bangladesh cricketers who have taken five-wicket hauls on Test debut References External links 1979 births Living people Bangladesh Test cricketers Bangladesh One Day International cricketers Bangladeshi cricketers Cricketers at the 1999 Cricket World Cup Cricketers at the 2003 Cricket World Cup Khulna Division cricketers Cricketers who have taken five wickets on Test debut Bangladeshi cricket coaches ICL Bangladesh XI cricketers Dhaka Warriors cricketers Mohammedan Sporting Club cricketers Victoria Sporting Club cricketers Cricketers from Khulna	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manjural%20Islam%20%28cricketer%29
Mohammad Sharif () (born 12 December 1985 in Narayanganj, Dhaka) is a Bangladeshi cricketer. He is a right-handed player. The right-arm pacer has returned to cricket after a short break. He has played for Bangladesh, Dhaka Warriors, ICL Bangladesh, Bangladesh A, Barisal Division, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Bangladesh Invitation XI, Dhaka Division, Khulna Division, Sylhet Sixers, Rangpur Riders, Bangladesh Central Zone, Prime Bank Cricket Club, Kalabagan Cricket Academy, He also played for Victoria Sporting Club, Legends of Rupganj, Comilla Victorians, Gazi Group. Career He has played 10 Tests and 9 ODIs in his entire playing career. Five and a half years after taking part in the one-day international series in Zimbabwe, India are on tour. He holds the record for most first-class matches among Bangladesh fast bowlers. He has taken 393 wickets in 132 matches. There are more records next to Sharif's name. No other fast bowler in the country has the reputation of taking 5 wickets 15 times in the first class. He also did a hat trick. He has scored 3,222 runs in 199 innings with the bat. There are 10 half-centuries with 1 century. International career He made his Test and ODI debut against Zimbabwe in April 2001. He played in ten Tests and nine ODIs for the Bangladeshi cricket team. He was called in the national side after five years for the Bangladesh tour of Zimbabwe for ODIs, and was recalled for Tests after five and a half years for the Indian tour of Bangladesh. He last played for Bangladesh in 2007. International One Day Cricket Match lists: 1st Match Bangladesh vs. Zimbabwe on 05/04/2001 in Harare. (Zimbabwe) 2nd Match Bangladesh vs. Zimbabwe on 08/04/2001 in Harare. (Zimbabwe) 3rd Match Bangladesh vs. Zimbabwe on 11/04/2001 in Bulawayo. (Zimbabwe) 4th Match Bangladesh vs. Zimbabwe on 23/11/2001 in Chattogram. (Bangladesh ) 5th Match Bangladesh vs. Zimbabwe on 26/11/2001 in Bangobandhu National Cricket stadium Dhaka. ( Bangladesh ) 6th Match Bangladesh vs. Pakistan on 22/1/2002 in Chattogram. (Bangladesh ) 7th Match Bangladesh vs. Pakistan on 24/1/2002 in Bangobandhu National Cricket stadium Dhaka. ( Bangladesh ) 8th Match Bangladesh vs. Pakistan on 25/1/2002 in Bangobandhu National Cricket stadium Dhaka. ( Bangladesh ) 9th Match Bangladesh vs. Zimbabwe on 9/2/2007 in Harare. (Zimbabwe) International Test Cricket Match lists: 1st Match Bangladesh vs. Zimbabwe from 19 April to 22 April 2001 in Zulawayo. ( Zimbabwe ) 2nd Match Bangladesh vs. Zimbabwe from 26 April to 30 April 2001 in Harare. ( Zimbabwe ) 3rd Match Bangladesh vs. Pakistan from 29 August to 31 August 2001 in Multan. ( Pakistan ) 4th Match Bangladesh vs. Sri Lanka from 6 September to 8 September 2001 in Colombo. (Sri Lanka ) 5th Match Bangladesh vs. Zimbabwe from 15 November to 19 November 2001 in Chattogram. ( Bangladesh ) 6th Match Bangladesh vs. New Zealand from 18 December to 22 December 2001 in Hamilton. (New Zealand ) 8th Match Bangladesh vs. Pakistan from 9 January to 13 January 2002 in Dhaka. (Bangladesh) 9th Match Bangladesh vs. Pakistan from 16 January to 20 January 2002 in Chattogram. (Bangladesh) 10th Match Bangladesh vs. India from 25 May to 27 May 2007 in Dhaka. (Bangladesh) 11th Match Bangladesh vs. India from 3 July to 5 July 2007 in Colombo(Pss) (Sri Lanka) Domestic career He played 132 First-class cricket, 119 List A cricket and 22 T20 matches. In February 2018, he took a hat-trick, bowling for Legends of Rupganj against Gazi Group Cricketers in the 2017–18 Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League. It was his second hat-trick in List A cricket. He was the leading wicket-taker for Brothers Union in the 2018–19 Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League tournament, with 14 dismissals in 9 matches. Dhaka Premiere League (DPL) Bangladesh Biman – (2000- 2005) Surjotorun –(2005-2006) Sonargaon Cricketers –(2006-2007) Victoria Sporting – (2007-2008) Kalabagan Cricketers – (2008-2009) Kalabagan Krira Chakra – ( 2009–2011) Prime Bank- (2011-2012) Kalabagan Krira Chakra -(2012-2014) Gazi Group Cricketers –(2014-2015) Legends of Rupganj –( 2015–2017) Brothers Union-( 2017–2019) Bangladesh Premiere League ( BPL ) Played 22 T20 matches in BPL ( Bangladesh Premier League ) Played for Rangpur Riders in 2012. Played for Comilla Victorians in 2016. Played for Sylhet Sixers in 2017. Test cricket career One Day cricket career References 1985 births Living people Bangladesh Test cricketers Bangladesh One Day International cricketers Bangladeshi cricketers Dhaka Division cricketers Biman Bangladesh Airlines cricketers Barisal Division cricketers Rangpur Riders cricketers Kala Bagan Cricket Academy cricketers Gazi Group cricketers Victoria Sporting Club cricketers Prime Bank Cricket Club cricketers ICL Bangladesh XI cricketers Dhaka Warriors cricketers Bangladesh Central Zone cricketers Khulna Division cricketers Legends of Rupganj cricketers Brothers Union cricketers People from Narayanganj District Cricketers from Dhaka Division	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammad%20Sharif%20%28cricketer%29
REC or Rec is a shortening of recording, the process of capturing data onto a storage medium. REC may also refer to: Educational institutes Regional Engineering College, colleges of engineering and technology education in India Rajalakshmi Engineering College (), Thandalam, Chennai, India Organizations Railway Executive Committee, in Britain REC Limited, an infrastructure finance company in India Reformed Episcopal Church, an Anglican church in the United States and Canada Regional Economic Communities, in Africa Regional electricity companies, the fourteen companies created when the electricity market in the UK was privatised Renewable Energy Corporation, a solar power company with headquarters in Norway REC Silicon (no) Research Ethics Committee, a type of ethics committee Rock Eisteddfod Challenge, an Australian abstinence program Rural Electrification Corporation Television, film, and fiction Rec (film series), a Spanish horror film series Rec (film), the first film in the series Rec (manga), a Japanese manga series; also refers to anime based on it Places Reç, a settlement in Albania Reč, a town in Montenegro Recife/Guararapes–Gilberto Freyre International Airport, of which the IATA code is REC Rectory Road railway station, of which the National Rail station code is REC Other uses rec.*, a newsgroup hierarchy Recitation, as abbreviated on course schedules Renewable Energy Certificate (United States), tradable environmental commodities Rec., the debut extended play by South Korean singer Yuju	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/REC
Society of Soul was a five-member R&B group that consisted of the members of Organized Noize (Sleepy Brown, Rico Wade and Ray Murray) as well as Espraronza and Big Rube. Discography Albums Brainchild (1995) Singles "Pushin'" "Embrace" References External links Southern hip hop groups Dungeon Family members Arista Records artists	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society%20of%20Soul
T-V-H (Thailand-Vietnam-Hong Kong) is a submarine telecommunications cable system in the South China Sea linking Thailand, Vietnam and Hong Kong. It has landing points in: Si Racha, Chonburi Province, Thailand Vũng Tàu, Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu province, Vietnam Deep Water Bay, Southern District, Hong Kong It has a transmission capacity of 565 Mbit/s and a total cable length of . It started operation on 8 February 1996. Service disruptions On 25 March 2007, the cable network was broken due to local pirates who cut the cable to sell for scrap metals. It was estimated that the link would take three months to repair. References External links Submarine communications cables in the Pacific Ocean Thailand–Vietnam relations China–Thailand relations China–Vietnam relations 1996 establishments in Hong Kong 1996 establishments in Thailand 1996 establishments in Vietnam	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-V-H
Valea lui Mihai (; ) is a town in Bihor County, Crișana, Romania. Geography The town is located at the northern tip of Bihor County, around north-east of the county seat, Oradea, on the border with Hungary. It is crossed by national road , which runs from Oradea all the way to Sighetu Marmației, on the border with Ukraine. From Valea lui Mihai, road branches off, leading to the Hungarian border, away, where it connects to Main road 48. History In 1312, under Charles I, it was allowed new trade privileges and then in 1459 was also allowed tax benefits privileges for its citizens. Later it was part of the Ottoman Empire, which resulted in its depopulation, but the inhabitants subsequently returned. Thereafter, it was part of the Habsburg monarchy up until the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867. Then it became part of the Kingdom of Hungary within Austria-Hungary. After the collapse of Austria-Hungary at the end of World War I, and the declaration of the Union of Transylvania with Romania, the Romanian Army took control of the town in the spring of 1919, during the Hungarian–Romanian War. Valea lui Mihai officially became part of the territory ceded to the Kingdom of Romania in June 1920 under the terms of the Treaty of Trianon. After the administrative unification law in 1925, the town became the seat of plasa Valea lui Mihai in Sălaj County. In August 1940, under the auspices of Nazi Germany, which imposed the Second Vienna Award, Hungary retook the territory of Northern Transylvania (which included Valea lui Mihai) from Romania. Towards the end of World War II, however, the town was taken back from Hungarian and German troops by Romanian and Soviet forces in October 1944, during the initial stages of the Battle of Debrecen; it became again part of Romania in March 1945. Following the administrative reform of 1950, Valea lui Mihai became part of Săcueni Raion within Bihor Region (renamed Oradea Region in 1952 and Crișana Region in 1960). In 1968, the old territorial division into județe was reinstituted, and Valea lui Mihai became part of Bihor County. It was declared a town on three separate occasions: in 1844, 1930, and 1989, the last time as a result of the Romanian rural systematization program. Jewish history Jews from Galicia settled around 1780, engaging in agriculture and commerce. A junior high school was opened in 1873. Anschel Bak opened a printing press in the late 19th century. Fifty Hungarian Hasidic rabbis held a convention in the town in 1898. In 1930, there were 1,535 Jews, or 19% of the total population. During the interwar period, Jews were the leaders of local industry, employing hundreds of workers. Some Zionist youth groups were founded in the 1930s. In 1935, the town was the site of the HaNoar HaTzioni national convention. The Jewish population was sent by the Hungarian authorities to the Oradea ghetto in May 1944 and subsequently deported to Auschwitz. Some of the survivors returned briefly to the town after the war. Population According to the 2021 census, Valea lui Mihai has a population of 8,969. At the census from 2011, there were 9,668 people living within the town; of those, 81.03% were ethnic Hungarians, while 13.23% were ethnic Romanians, and 1.3% others. Image gallery References External links Valea lui Mihai - ShtetLink Populated places in Bihor County Localities in Crișana Towns in Romania Hungary–Romania border crossings Hungarian communities in Romania	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valea%20lui%20Mihai
Enamul Haque Moni (; born 27 February 1966), also known as Enamul Haq Moni, is a former Bangladeshi cricketer who played in 10 Tests and 29 ODIs from 1990 to 2003. After retiring from competitive cricket he became an umpire, and made his first appearance in an ODI between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe on 3 December 2006. He is the first Bangladeshi Test-match cricketer to umpire in international cricket. Early years Enamul Haque Moni, commonly known as Moni, first came into prominence in the 1988–89 season, as he helped Bangladesh Biman cricket team to the Dhaka league title. He was selected for the national side next season, and remained an integral part of the team for more than a decade. Though he failed to impress at the highest level, he was a lot more successful against the lesser lights. In ICC Trophy Though he was an all-rounder, he was most successful with his bowling in ICC Trophy cricket. In total, he took 35 wickets in three ICC Trophy tournaments, in 1990, 1994 and 1997. His most memorable match was the 2nd round encounter against Denmark in the 1990 ICC Trophy. batting first the Danes reached 233/9 from their 60 overs. In reply, the Chittagong trio Nurul Abedin (85), Akram Khan 50, & Minhajul Abedin 37 kept Bangladesh in the hunt; but it was Moni's quickfire 17* and his explosive hitting in the final over, that took Bangladesh to the target, with just 2 balls to spare. With the ball, Enamul Haque took 2/26 from 12 overs; and he was the obvious choice for the MOM award. In contrast, his biggest disappointment came in Feb. 1994, in the do-or-die game against the hosts Kenya at Nairobi. The hosts batted first scoring 295/6 from 50 overs, thanks mainly to Maurice Odumbe who scored 119. In reply, Bangladesh started their chase well with the opening pair of Jahangir Alam and Aminul Islam Bulbul putting on a 139 run partnership. After that, Minhajul Abedin contributed 68, but Moni fell for a duck, at a crucial stage of the match, and eventually Kenya won by 13 runs. Memorable innings In Feb. 1992, he scored a memorable 131 against the touring West Bengal side in a 3-day match at Dhaka. Batting first the tourists scored 384/5 (decl.) left-handed No. 3 Raja Venkat scored 154, another more well known left-hander Sourav Ganguly made 129. In reply, the home side was struggling at 77/4. At this stage, Moni entered the wicket. With ever reliable Aminul Islam, he put on 104 for the 5th wicket. There was good understanding between the two, as they were involved in a number of vital partnerships down the order for Bangladesh. Aminul Islam went for 55, but Moni carried on ruthlessly demolishing the opposition bowling. Bangladesh eventually reached 302, thanks mainly to 131 by Moni. Aided by the tail enders, he went after the WB bowling. He was especially harsh on the slow bowlers, lofting them for a number of sixes. As the national stadium crowd were basking in afternoon sunshine (it was early spring), they also enjoyed batting of the highest class. Partnership with Aminul Islam Early on his career, Moni enjoyed a highly successful partnership with another all rounder Aminul Islam Bulbul. As Bulbul moved up the batting order, he concentrated more on his batting, and less on his bowling. Then in December 1994, Mohammad Rafique emerged as a new all rounder for the national side. In a sense, this was a strange partnership, as both of them were left arm slow bowlers, and useful lower order hitters. Very few sides in world cricket take two left arm slow bowlers in their side. In fact, at the time of Rafique's arrival, many thought that Moni's international career will be over, specially, given his rather indifferent form during the 5th ICC Trophy in Kenya early in 1994. Yet, right from the beginning, the two formed a wonderful combination which went on to serve the national squad throughout the '90s. In the 2nd SAARC cricket tournament at Dhaka during Dec. 1994, they played prominent roles in taking the local side to the final. Moni took 3/25 against Sri Lanka A & Mohammad Rafique took 3/25 against India A. The duo were in splendid form during Bangladesh's historic triumph in 1997 ICC Trophy. The pair took 31 wickets together, Rafique 19 at 10.68, Moni 12 at 18 a piece. Rafique also came good with the bat in the final. Promoted to the opening slot in a rain shortened game, he blasted 26 off only 15 deliveries; his innings including two sixes and two fours. And finally, they played their part in the first ever ODI win for Bangladesh against Kenya in 1998. Rafique won the MOM award for his 77 with the bat and 3/56 with the ball, Moni took 2/45 from 10 economical overs. As an umpire Since, 2006, he has been serving as an international umpire. Updated 15 July 2021 See also List of Test cricket umpires List of One Day International cricket umpires List of Twenty20 International cricket umpires References External links 1966 births Living people Bangladesh Test cricketers Bangladesh One Day International cricketers Bangladeshi cricketers Chittagong Division cricketers Cricketers at the 1999 Cricket World Cup Bangladeshi Test cricket umpires Bangladeshi One Day International cricket umpires Bangladeshi Twenty20 International cricket umpires People from Comilla Comilla Zilla School alumni Cricketers from Chittagong Division	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enamul%20Haque%20%28cricketer%2C%20born%201966%29
Fahim Muntasir Rahman (born 1 November 1980) is a former Bangladeshi cricketer who played in three Test matches and three One Day Internationals from 2001 to 2002. 1980 births Living people Bangladesh Test cricketers Bangladesh One Day International cricketers Bangladeshi cricketers Dhaka Division cricketers Khulna Division cricketers People from Mymensingh Sportspeople from Mymensingh Division	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fahim%20Muntasir
Peter Black may refer to: Peter Black (Australian politician) (born 1943), member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly Peter Black (Welsh politician) (born 1960), member of the Welsh Assembly Peter Black (musician), recording artist on Hidden Beach Records	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter%20Black
The Allahverdi Khan Bridge (), popularly known as Si-o-se-pol (), is the largest of the eleven historical bridges on the Zayanderud, the largest river of the Iranian Plateau, in Isfahan, Iran. The bridge was built in the early 17th century to serve as both a bridge and a dam. It is a popular recreational gathering place, and is one of the most famous examples of Iran's Safavid architecture. History Si-o-se-pol (meaning the bridge of 33 Persian) was built between 1599 and 1602, under the reign of Abbas I, the fifth Safavid king (shah) of Iran. It was constructed under the supervision of Allahverdi Khan Undiladze, the commander-in-chief of the armies, who was of Georgian origin, and was also named after him. The bridge served particularly as a connection between the mansions of the elite, as well as a link to the city's vital Armenian neighborhood of New Julfa. In years of drought (2000–02 and 2013), the river was dammed upstream to provide water for Yazd province. Structure The bridge has a total length of and a total width of . It is a vaulted arch bridge consisting of two superimposed rows of 33 arches, from whence its popular name of Si-o-se-pol comes, and is made of stone. The longest span is about . The interior of Si-o-se-pol was originally decorated with paintings, which were often described by travelers as erotic. There is a larger base plank at the start of the bridge, under which the Zayanderud flows, supporting a tea house, which is nowadays abandoned. Gallery Transportation Chaharbagh Street Motahari Street Kamaloddin Esmaeil Street Chahar Bagh Bala Street Mellat Street Ayenekhaneh Street Enqelab Metro Station Si-o-se Pol Metro Station See also Risbaf factory References Further reading Tourist attractions in Isfahan Bridges in Isfahan Bridges in Iran Bridges completed in 1602 1602 establishments in Iran Safavid architecture	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Si-o-se-pol
Brainchild is the only studio album by American group Society of Soul, composed of the production team Organized Noize, singer Esparonza Brown and poet Big Rube. It was released on LaFace Records in 1995. The album peaked at #93 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States. JazzTimes called the album "shamefully ignored," and described it as an "aural trip through the soul of urban Atlanta." Track listing Credits adapted from liner notes. "Genesis (Intro)" "E.M.B.R.A.C.E." "Changes" (featuring T-Boz) "It Only Gets Better" "Brainchild (Interlude)" "Brainchild" "Ghetto Fuh Life" "Right Tonight" "Judas (Interlude)" "Pushin'" "Migratention" "Sonja Marie (Interlude)" "Wind" "Blac Mermaid" (featuring Cee-Lo Green and George Clinton) "Peaches N' Erb" "No Hard Feelings (Outro)" Charts Personnel References External links 1995 debut albums LaFace Records albums Dungeon Family albums Albums produced by Organized Noize	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainchild%20%28Society%20of%20Soul%20album%29
Negrești () is a town in Vaslui County, located in the eastern part of Western Moldavia, a traditional region of Romania. It has a population of around 8,000. Its name comes from distinguished nobleman Negrea, who had worked in the council of Alexander the Good. The town administers six villages: Căzănești, Cioatele, Glodeni, Parpanița, Poiana and Valea Mare. References Towns in Romania Populated places in Vaslui County Localities in Western Moldavia	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negre%C8%99ti
Plopeni () is a town in Prahova County, Muntenia, Romania, with a population of 6,709 as of 2021. Climate Plopeni has a humid continental climate (Cfb in the Köppen climate classification). References Towns in Romania Populated places in Prahova County Localities in Muntenia Monotowns in Romania	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plopeni
The Central Provinces was a province of British India. It comprised British conquests from the Mughals and Marathas in central India, and covered parts of present-day Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra states. Nagpur was the primary winter capital while Pachmarhi served as the regular summer retreat. It became the Central Provinces and Berar in 1903. The Central Provinces was formed in 1861 by the merger of the Saugor and Nerbudda Territories and Nagpur Province. The district of Nimar which was administered by the Central India Agency was added in 1864. It was almost an island encircled by a sea of "native States" such as Bhopal State and Rewa State to the north, the Chota Nagpur States and Kalahandi State to the east, and the Nizam's territories of Hyderabad to the south and Berar to the west. Geography The Central Provinces was landlocked, occupying the mountain ranges, plateaus, and river valleys in the centre of the Indian subcontinent. The northernmost portion of the state extended onto the Bundelkhand upland, whose northward-flowing rivers are tributaries of the Yamuna and Ganges. The Vindhya Range runs east and west, forming the watershed between the Ganges-Yamuna basin and the Narmada River basin, which occupies the center and west of the province, and flows westward to empty into the Arabian Sea. The upper Narmada valley forms the center of the Mahakoshal region. Jabalpur (formerly Jubbulpore) lay on the upper Narmada, and was an important railway junction. The Satpura Range divides the Narmada valley from the Deccan Plateau to the south. The Central Provinces included the northeastern portion of the Deccan, drained by tributaries of the Godavari River including the Wainganga, Wardha, and Indravati. These flow east towards the Bay of Bengal. A portion of Berar lay in the upper basin of the Tapti River, which drains westward into the Arabian Sea. The portion of the Central Provinces on the Deccan Plateau formed the Vidarbha region, which includes Nagpur, the capital of the province. The eastern portion of the state lay in the upper Mahanadi River basin, which forms fertile rice-growing region of Chhattisgarh. The Maikal Range separates the basins of the Narmada and the Mahanadi. The Chota Nagpur Plateau extended into the northeast corner of the province. Demographics General censuses were held in 1866, 1872, 1881, 1891 and 1901. The population in 1866 was over 9 million, and in 1872 over 9.25 million. 1869 was a famine year. There were epidemics of smallpox and cholera in 1872, 1878, and 1879. By 1881 the population had risen to 11.5 million, and by 1891 to nearly 13 million. The population in 1901 was 11,873,029, a reduction of 800,000 from 1891. The lack of summer monsoon rains in 1897 and 1900 led to widespread crop failures and huge famines in those years, and there were partial crop failures in four other years in the decade, with epidemics of cholera in seven of the ten years. A portion of the decrease (between one-eighth and one-quarter) was from emigration to Assam and other provinces of India. Linguistic regions The central Provinces contained two distinct linguistic regions: Mahakoshal, consisting mainly of Hindi-speaking districts, and Vidarbha, chiefly, but not exclusively, a Marathi-speaking area. The linguistic regions could not be fully integrated as a unit. In the 1901 census, 6,111,000 (63% percent) of the population spoke variants of Hindi, chiefly Chhattisgarhi (27%), Bundeli (15%), Bagheli (10%) and Malvi or Rajasthani (5%). 2,107,000 (20%) spoke Marathi, the majority language of Wardha, Nagpur, Chanda, and Bhandara districts, and the southern portions of Nimar, Betul, Chhindwara, and Balaghat districts. Oriya speakers numbered 1,600,000, or 13.5%, but the transfer of Sambalpur District to Bengal in 1905 reduced the number of Oriya speakers to 292,000. There were 94,000 Telugu speakers, mostly in Chanda District. Of the 730,000 who spoke other Dravidian languages, the majority spoke Gondi, and 60,000 spoke Korku. 74,000 spoke Munda languages. Politics and administration The Central Provinces were administered from 1861 to 1920 by a chief commissioner. Administratively, the Central Provinces consisted of four divisions (Nerbudda, Jubbulpore, Nagpur, and Chhattisgarh), which were further divided into 18 districts - five districts in each division except Chhattisgarh, which had three districts. Berar was under the administrative authority of the Chief Commissioner for the Central Provinces, but administered separately. The Central Provinces also contained 15 princely states, which accounted for 31,188 square miles and a population in 1901 of 1,631,140, approximately 15% of the total population. The largest was Bastar, with an area of 13,062 miles, and the smallest was Satki, with an area of 138 square miles. The princely states were in Chhattisgarh Division, except for Makrai, which was in Hoshangabad District. See also List of governors of the Central Provinces and Berar References Markovits, Claude (ed.) (2004). A History of Modern India: 1480-1950. Anthem Press, London. Subdivisions of British India Provinces of British India History of Madhya Pradesh History of Maharashtra History of Chhattisgarh States and territories established in 1861 Historical Indian regions 1861 establishments in British India States and territories disestablished in 1936 Provinces of India	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central%20Provinces
"Flame Trees" is a song by Australian pub rock band Cold Chisel from their 1984 album Twentieth Century. One of their best known songs, it was written by drummer Steve Prestwich and keyboardist Don Walker. On its release it reached No. 26 on the Kent Music Report Singles Chart. It resurfaced in August 2011 due to download sales, peaking at No. 54 on the ARIA chart. In January 2018, as part of Triple M's "Ozzest 100" of the 'most Australian' songs of all time, "Flame Trees" was ranked number 12. Background According to the band's official website, Walker's inspiration for the lyrics was a combination of his memories of Grafton where he had lived as a youth, and of his romantic dreams. The music had already been written, on a bass, by Prestwich. Walker liked the music so much he requested to write some lyrics for the piece, to which Prestwich reluctantly agreed. Walker noted, "When I received it with no words, I could tell it had an emotional profile – it gathers up the threads; there's a big key change if you can fire a cannon ball through the park on the key change you have a winner." Ian Moss said, "The next day, after having like an hour's sleep, Don came in with this fantastic story. Don's one of those uni student dudes who's like, 'This project's got to be in, so I'll get it done by hook or by crook.'" Prestwich said, "When I heard Don's lyrics, I told him, 'Mate, I don't know if they're right for the music.' I've grown used to them now." Walker later said, "I don't think it was the story he was expecting. He wasn't overjoyed when he heard the lyrics." Walker later said, "In my mind, it’s a northern New South Wales song. But there’s a lot of people who love that song and in their minds, it’s set in their home towns. A lot of people finish up away from where they come from." Elsewhere, Walker noted that the song was "not fiction", and about, "returning home after some success in the big city". The phrase that appears in the chorus, "nothing else could set fire to this town", refers back to the Cold Chisel song "Merry Go Round". Walker said, "it's got this phrase in it 'I'm going to set fire to the town'. We played that every night as we went from clubs to stadiums and every town around the place. "Flame Trees" was a song that was written at the end of our career, pretty much as we were breaking up. It only appears in two songs, once at the beginning of our ascent and once when the band was in a death dive." The reference to flame trees instead of the jacarandas for which Grafton is famous, due to its annual Jacaranda Festival, is partly because of a TV miniseries, the BBC's The Flame Trees of Thika (1981), starring Hayley Mills, "an old flame of the lyricist's dreams". Elsewhere, Walker claimed the use was because one of his bandmates was "very sexually attracted to Hayley Mills". However, Grafton is well known for its many specimens of the Australian native rainforest tree Brachychiton acerifolius, commonly known as the Illawarra Flame Tree, which along with the more pervasive, introduced poincianas and the town's famous (also introduced) jacarandas, set its streets ablaze every spring. Moss's then-girlfriend, Megan Williams, provides backing vocals. Prestwich had been replaced by Ray Arnott for the album Twentieth Century, but "Flame Trees" was one of three songs to feature Prestwich, based on a demo he had recorded before his departure. Prestwich was asked to come into the studio for the recording and made many of the production decisions, including flying Venetta Fields in for backing vocals. Music video The video of the song (directed by Kimble Rendall) was filmed in Oberon, New South Wales. It portrays a young man returning to his home town, meeting old friends, and remembering a past lover. The members of Cold Chisel have bit parts, except for Jimmy Barnes, who only appears courtesy of some footage from The Last Stand. Barnes said, "The band was arguing so much that "Flame Trees" and the making of the clip, well, they never even told me, that's why I wasn't in it - the band weren't even talking to me at that point." Reception The Sydney Morning Herald asked, "Is it a love song? If so, to what? It's undoubtedly one of the great Australian rock songs, but what is it? It's equally nostalgia, longing and love. A man goes back to the Australian bush town where he was raised and feels nostalgia at what he recalls, but distaste at how little things have changed." Recording credits Jimmy Barnes - lead vocals Ian Moss - electric guitar, backing vocals Don Walker - Yamaha CP70 electric grand piano, Hammond organ Steve Prestwich - drums Phil Small - fretless bass Megan Williams - backing vocals Venetta Fields - backing vocals Charts Cover versions In the 2005 Australian film Little Fish, the song is sung by The Sacred Heart School Choir from Cabramatta. The children in the choir appear in the film performing the song during a pivotal scene, and their version is repeated during the closing credits. This version was released as a single in 2006. Don Walker said of this version, "A children's choir like that, it can't miss; they'll break your heart no matter what they sing." Of the scene in the movie, Walker said it was, "uncomfortable to watch for anyone who's ever shared accommodation where heroin is part of the commerce." Singer Sarah Blasko also recorded a cover version for Little Fish, which was released as a stand-alone download-only single on the Australian iTunes Music Store, and later included on the 2007 tribute album Standing on the Outside: The Songs of Cold Chisel. The Blasko version of "Flame Trees" was voted in at number 15 in the 2005 Triple J Hottest 100 songs. Blasko later said, "It's still probably the most asked-for song at my shows, much to my annoyance because of course everyone wants to be known for their own music. But it's a testament to its resonance and place in Australian culture." The song was featured in a documentary on the "Choir of Hard Knocks", a Melbourne choir comprising a group of homeless people. It was also performed by The Whitlams' Tim Freedman on an episode of The Panel. Jimmy Barnes recorded an acoustic version of the track on his 1993 album Flesh and Wood. The song was also covered by The Killjoys in 1994 on a compilation CD titled Earth Music, which featured many prominent artists covering well known songs. Jessica Mauboy covered the song on her 2016 album, The Secret Daughter: Songs from the Original TV Series. References External links Excerpt from documentary "Choir of Hard Knocks" 1984 songs 2006 singles Cold Chisel songs 1984 singles Songs written by Don Walker (musician) Songs written by Steve Prestwich	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flame%20Trees
Mohammad Alamgir Kabir (born 10 January 1981) is capai nawab gonj Bangladeshi cricketer who played in three Test matches from 2002 to 2004. He was the first Bangladeshi Test cricketer to have made a pair on test debut. References 1981 births Living people Bangladesh Test cricketers Bangladeshi cricketers Rajshahi Division cricketers Abahani Limited cricketers People from Chapai Nawabganj district Cricketers from Rajshahi Division	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alamgir%20Kabir%20%28cricketer%29
Stuart Langridge (also known as 'Aq' or 'Zippy' ) is a podcaster, developer and author. He became a member of the Web Standards Project's DOM Scripting Task Force, an invited expert on the W3C HTML Working Group and is an acknowledged commentator on W3C Document Object Model and JavaScript techniques. Podcasts Langridge is known as a presenter of the now defunct LugRadio, which was a free software podcast in the UK. Along with Jono Bacon, he was the longest-serving member of the team and often served to incite discussion about issues that more directly related to software freedom. In LugRadio he frequently advocated freedom, yet despite this often attracted criticism for using proprietary software. Langridge was involved in the Shot of Jaq podcast, in collaboration with his former Lugradio co-host Jono Bacon. He's now a part of the Bad Voltage podcast, together with Jono Bacon and Jeremy Garcia (founder of LinuxQuestions.org). Bryan Lunduke (founder of Jupiter Broadcasting) was also a founder member of the Bad Voltage podcast but has since moved on due to other commitments. The podcast first aired in October 2013. Programming He has worked on projects including Jokosher, a multi-track audio editor for GNOME, and Jackfield, a program to run Mac OS X Dashboard widgets under GNOME. Career In January 2009 Langridge joined Canonical as a developer and left the company in 2013 to work as a freelancer for Kryogenix's consulting. At Canonical he worked on the Desktop Couch for Ubuntu in his role as Canonical Ltd. staffer. Author Langridge has written two books for technical publisher SitePoint, DHTML Utopia, and Run Your Own Web Server Using Linux & Apache (with Tony Steidler-Dennison) as well as writing the Stylish Scripting weblog during 2005. References External links Stuart Langridge's website and blog LugRadio Jokosher Jackfield The Bad Voltage community forum with link to the current and all past podcast episodes Living people Open source people Copyright activists Free software programmers 1976 births Ubuntu (operating system) people	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart%20Langridge
"Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed" is a song by English musician David Bowie, released on his 1969 album David Bowie. It was one of the first songs produced by Tony Visconti. Inspiration In July 1969, Bowie performed at the Maltese Music Festival while his father became sick and later died. The feel of the song was meant to show Bowie's feelings after his father's death. The song also seems to be about social structure, as the girl in the song is very wealthy compared to the narrator. Bowie said that the song was written because he got "funny stares" from people. Song structure The song opens with acoustic Asus2 and D9 chords. This repeats until the song enters the main structure, a new beat with guitars and harmonica. This part of the song mainly switches between C and F, but occasionally uses other chords as well. After the lyrics finish, the music continues for about two minutes before ending. Review after "Blackstar" After the release of "Blackstar" and the death of David Bowie, several lists were created that cited "Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed" as an important song in Bowie's history. Rolling Stone says that the song is "pretty unremarkable except for one thing: It's the first Tony Visconti-produced David Bowie track the world ever heard." Hillary E. Crawford shares this opinion, only including it because "This track, which immediately follows "Space Oddity," was the first to be produced by Tony Visconti, the man who also produced Bowie's last album Blackstar." Personnel According to Chris O'Leary: David Bowie – lead vocal Keith Christmas – 12-string acoustic guitar Mick Wayne – lead guitar Tim Renwick – rhythm guitar John Lodge – bass John Cambridge – drums Benny Marshall – harmonica Unknown musicians – saxophones, trumpets Tony Visconti – producer References Sources David Bowie songs 1969 songs Songs written by David Bowie	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unwashed%20and%20Somewhat%20Slightly%20Dazed
In mathematics, the Cartan–Dieudonné theorem, named after Élie Cartan and Jean Dieudonné, establishes that every orthogonal transformation in an n-dimensional symmetric bilinear space can be described as the composition of at most n reflections. The notion of a symmetric bilinear space is a generalization of Euclidean space whose structure is defined by a symmetric bilinear form (which need not be positive definite, so is not necessarily an inner product – for instance, a pseudo-Euclidean space is also a symmetric bilinear space). The orthogonal transformations in the space are those automorphisms which preserve the value of the bilinear form between every pair of vectors; in Euclidean space, this corresponds to preserving distances and angles. These orthogonal transformations form a group under composition, called the orthogonal group. For example, in the two-dimensional Euclidean plane, every orthogonal transformation is either a reflection across a line through the origin or a rotation about the origin (which can be written as the composition of two reflections). Any arbitrary composition of such rotations and reflections can be rewritten as a composition of no more than 2 reflections. Similarly, in three-dimensional Euclidean space, every orthogonal transformation can be described as a single reflection, a rotation (2 reflections), or an improper rotation (3 reflections). In four dimensions, double rotations are added that represent 4 reflections. Formal statement Let be an n-dimensional, non-degenerate symmetric bilinear space over a field with characteristic not equal to 2. Then, every element of the orthogonal group is a composition of at most n reflections. See also Indefinite orthogonal group Coordinate rotations and reflections Householder reflections References Theorems in group theory Bilinear forms	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartan%E2%80%93Dieudonn%C3%A9%20theorem
Târgu Cărbunești is a town in Gorj County, Oltenia, Romania with a population of 7,616 (as of 2021). It lies in the south-eastern part of the county and administers ten villages: Blahnița de Jos, Cărbunești-Sat, Cojani, Crețești, Curteana, Floreșteni, Măceșu, Pojogeni, Rogojeni, and Ștefănești. The town is crossed by National road and is also served by the Cărbunești Railway Station, which was built in 1888. Since 2003, the city hosts a centre for the rehabilitation of children with mental illnesses which was built with funds from a donation of the Duke of Luxembourg. The "Cărbunești Day" is celebrated on August 29. Natives Cristian Albeanu (born 1971), footballer. Florin Cioabă, (1954–2013), Pentecostal minister and self-proclaimed King of the Gypsies. Ion Sburlea (born 1971), footballer. Lidia Șimon (born 1973), long-distance runner. References Towns in Romania Populated places in Gorj County Localities in Oltenia Monotowns in Romania	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%A2rgu%20C%C4%83rbune%C8%99ti
Gary Willis (born 28 March 1957) is an American bassist and composer known foremost as the co-founder (with Scott Henderson) of the jazz fusion band Tribal Tech. Aside from his work in Tribal Tech, Willis has worked with numerous other jazz musicians including Wayne Shorter, Dennis Chambers, and Allan Holdsworth. "Slaughterhouse 3", released in 2006, continued his collaboration with drummer Kirk Covington as well as saxophonist Llibert Fortuny to form a modern jazz/funk/groove power-trio. Willis's latest solo CD Larger Than Life was released on the Abstractlogix label in 2015. In addition to "Larger Than Life", Willis's solo career includes Retro from 2013, Actual Fiction from 2007, No Sweat from 1996 and Bent in 1998. Willis is also the author of four books for bass guitar, "Fingerboard Harmony for Bass", "The Gary Willis Collection", "Ultimate Ear Training for Guitar and Bass" and "101 Bass Tips" all published by Hal Leonard. Willis, a Texas native, studied composition and improvisation at The University of North Texas College of Music, where he switched from guitar to bass. He is currently an instructor at the Catalonia College of Music in Barcelona, Spain. Gary Willis uses his signature model Ibanez fretless 5-string bass guitar, Aguilar Amplifiers and D'Addario strings. He is currently an instructor at Berklee's campus in Valencia, Spain. CD reviews Gary Willis \| "Actual Fiction" and "Slaughterhouse 3" "Retro" References External links Gary Willis website Bass Guitar Magazine Gary Willis Interview in Issue 29 Bassist and Composer Gary Willis, 8/01/2007 Gary Willis Berklee faculty page Living people 1957 births American jazz bass guitarists American jazz composers American male jazz composers University of North Texas College of Music alumni American male bass guitarists 20th-century American bass guitarists 20th-century American male musicians Tribal Tech members Academic staff of the Catalonia College of Music	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary%20Willis
The German Society for Racial Hygiene () was a German eugenic organization founded on 22 June 1905 by the physician Alfred Ploetz in Berlin. Its goal was "for society to return to a healthy and blooming, strong and beautiful life" as Ploetz put it. The Nordic race was supposed to regain its "purity" through selective reproduction and sterilization. The society became defunct after World War II. History Soon after the society was founded, it received generous support by the German imperial government and it was not the only organization of its kind in the world. Many organizations existed post WW1 with similar goals. Notable members comprised Ploetz' brother-in-law Ernst Rüdin and his childhood friend Gerhart Hauptmann, Wilhelm Bölsche, Max von Gruber, Agnes Bluhm, Wilhelm Filchner, Anastasius Nordenholz, and Ludwig Hermann Plate. The biologists Ernst Haeckel and August Weismann, as well as the gynecologist Ernst Ludwig Alfred Hegar, became honorary members. Since Ploetz wanted to establish an international movement, the society was soon renamed International Society for Racial Hygiene with branches in Berlin including Erwin Baur, in Munich, in Freiburg with the well-known human geneticists Fritz Lenz and Eugen Fischer and from 1910 in Stuttgart, which included the geneticist Wilhelm Weinberg. The organization was affiliated with the British Eugenics Education Society under Francis Galton; branches in Sweden, the United States, and the Netherlands were also established in the early 20th century. In 1924, the organization was named back to German Society for Racial Hygiene. The ideas represented by the society became increasingly popular after the International Hygiene Exhibition of 1911. The organization wanted to establish "racial hygiene" as a scientific subject and contributed substantially to their implementation in Germany. With both adoption of the ideas of Nazi eugenics and with concrete consultations on political racial measures, the society took direct influence on statutes like the "Law for the Prevention of Hereditarily Diseased Offspring", which were an integral part of the Action T4 "euthanasia" programme of the Nazi regime led by Adolf Hitler. By 1933, the Society for Racial Hygiene had 1,300 members, many of them academics, as well as high functionaries in the Nazi Party. References Wolf, Caroline Wissenschaftler wider besseres Wissen in amatom Nr. 18. 1905 establishments in Germany Nazi eugenics Eugenics organizations Organizations established in 1905	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German%20Society%20for%20Racial%20Hygiene
Elisabeth "Eli" Maragall Verge (born 25 November 1970 in Barcelona, Spain) is a former field hockey player from Spain. She was a member of the Women's National Team that won the gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics on home soil (Barcelona). References External links 1970 births Living people Spanish female field hockey players Olympic field hockey players for Spain Field hockey players at the 1992 Summer Olympics Olympic gold medalists for Spain Field hockey players from Barcelona Olympic medalists in field hockey Medalists at the 1992 Summer Olympics 20th-century Spanish women	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elisabeth%20Maragall
Njunis is a mountain in the interior of southern Troms og Finnmark county, Norway. The mountain lies in Målselv Municipality. With a peak at , it is the highest mountain in this part of the county, and has Norway's thirteenth largest prominence. The tree line (downy birch) reaches to elevation on the southern slope of the mountain, the highest tree line in Troms. This forest is part of the Øvre Dividal National Park. At the peak, NATO has a radar centre. Name The name is from the word in the Northern Sami language njunis which means "prominent nose of a mountain". See also List of mountains in Norway by prominence References Målselv Mountains of Troms og Finnmark	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Njunis

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