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small town politics - Who should control youth participation in MMA?

Let’s talk about small town politics – Who should control youth participation in MMA?

Every so often, I get this itch to write from the heart. And the formula for this is always similar: start to write with no direction, get frustrated, take a break to regroup, turn on some interesting music (this time around it was Lou Reed’s ‘Transformer’ album) and read Chuck Klosterman (who still happens to be my favorite writer).

Somewhere in that process I am trying to figure out how this connects me to the sport of mixed martial arts. It’s a difficult process with several moving parts. What am I trying to say? What insight do I have into MMA? How does a story, ultimately about myself, not come across as vein or self-serving?

Over the weekend, I came across this couple who started to talk to me about my writing. It didn’t take long to find out that their children were in MMA classes. I was shocked. I was shocked because I could tell their children (two boys) weren’t very old and, in my experience, most parents aren’t terribly keen on their children taking classes like this.

“Why MMA?’ I asked.

“I like the teaching of self-defense and control,” the father replied.

I was in awe. Why can’t more parents be like this? After all, most parents are naturally inclined to little league baseball, basketball, soccer, etc. These sports seem safer and preach social interaction. It was how I was raised. I played football, ran track and was on the American Legion baseball team all through high school.

In hindsight, I could’ve done without two of those.

Being the son of a football coach, it was merely assumed I would play football. But I did not enjoy it. For me, these sports didn’t teach social interaction, they taught me about small town politics and how to be bullied. I wasn’t the strongest or the fastest on the team, but I certainly wasn’t the slowest or the weakest. I was moved around from position-to-position until I was almost phased out and I even contemplated quitting the team during my senior year (something only Randall “Pink” Floyd would do).  I stuck with it and even played the last six weeks of the season with a partially torn MCL and shredded meniscus.

Football season ended, I had the knee surgery with an advanced rehab to get ready for track. I was ready. Politics had no say in this. No one in that school could throw a discus further than me. I wanted to qualify for state.

I didn’t. Officially, I placed seventh in Sectionals with a throw of 135’10. It was six feet short of automatically qualifying. It could’ve stopped there except a few coaches from other schools informed me that my throws were purposely being marked short policby the marker who wasn’t exactly a fan of mine. I was furious and wanted to protest the results. I was not allowed to. So much for no politics in individual sports.

If you’ve gotten this far and are still reading, kudos!

As recently as three years ago, I started writing and reporting on MMA with a friendly push from Mike Heck after a weekend in Syracuse. Mike handled the interviews on SFLC Podcast with a question to all first time guests.

“What got you into the sport of MMA?” Heck would ask.

The amount of responses with the same premise was astounding. Most of them had a response that mirrored my own. They were bullied growing up. Some fighters such as Rami Ibrahim and Justin Wren would go into more detail as to how they were bullied and what the tipping point was for them. My tipping point was when fighting wasn’t necessary. My fights weren’t two personalities colliding, they were demonstrations as to why I was different. Why I wasn’t cool. Why I didn’t belong. Suffice to say that, growing up, Junior High and High School students were vicious effing monsters. It was as if God decided to feed them all after midnight and then toss them into an Olympic-sized swimming pool. And the more fighters that would admit to this, the more of myself I would see in these people and the more comfortable I became.

Finally, a society of outcasts that I could identify with. This was never a sport of brutal violence. It was controlled. Two athletes enter a cage with no animosity towards each other, just a desire to get the win. So when I started training with a focus on kickboxing it became an outlet: Clear your mind. Shift your hips. Control your kicks. Sweat. Breathe (God, this feels fantastic). I left the gym exhausted, but somehow had more energy than when I walked in. I exuded an interesting blend of testosterone and dopamine. It’s hard to not like that feeling.

So let’s go back to the comment made by those parents and what this sport really is: Self-defense and control. Adolescence brings with it a natural pecking order. Who’s popular? Who’s tough? Who’s attractive? Where do you fit in that order? Who cares.

MMA does not promote violence. It never did. It promotes self-defense. Everyone reading this has been in a physical altercation in their lives. And if you were on the receiving end of it, the person standing opposite to you was trying to impose his/her will on you. Defend yourself. But more importantly is control. You can’t control how people act toward you. But you can control how you handle the situation. You are the one thing in life you can control. A line I wish I could’ve told my 14-year old self. A line I continue to tell myself to this day.

So if you find yourself trying to chose activities for your children to engage, and you don’t want a community or social status deciding what position or role your children play, that’s where I’d choose MMA. That’s what MMA is to me.


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Need Help with your Plant-Based Diet?

Have you been considering my ebook The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide: How to Cook, Shop and Eat Well? If you I have great news for you!

In honor of Back to School month here at My Plant-Based Family I’m offering $2.00 OFF the PDF copy through the end of August. Please note that this is only for the PDF copy sold here and not for the kindle version sold on Amazon.

Back to School Month

I’ve been getting so many emails from new readers who are just discovering the plant-based diet and I really want to make the transition as easy on you as possible.

This book covers all the basics of a plant-based diet in an easy to read format. I leave the science to the doctors and explain exactly how to get it done in the real world including a chapter on transitioning your family.

To get $2.00 OFF your purchase of The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide (PDF ebook) use the code backtoschool. Remember it’s this sale is only happening until August 31st! Add to Cart

The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide: How to Cook, Shop and Eat Well is $2 off during AugustAdd to Cart

The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide has helped many people take that next step and fully transition to a plant-based diet.

Have you read The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide Yet? What did you think of it?

The Easiest Way to Cook Spaghetti Squash

If you like Spaghetti Squash I may be your new best friend! Why? Because I’m about to tell you the EASIEST way to cook Spaghetti Squash. Want more good news…you don’t need the oven.

I kid you not! The easiest way to cook spaghetti squash is in the Crock-Pot!

Before I discovered how easy it was to cook Spaghetti Squash in the Crock Pot I hated to cook it. For one thing, it is always really hard for me to cut the squash in half length-wise and every recipe I’d ever seen told me to do it that way. Second, I don’t like to use the oven unless it’s winter because it heats up my house. Third, every recipe told me to use oil and that is a no-no in my house.

The Easiest Way to Make Spaghetti Squash

The Spaghetti Squash doesn’t really NEED to be sautéed (it’s already cooked) but in an informal poll I did on Facebook everyone who LOVED Spaghetti Squash sautéed it after roasting.

I’ll admit I like it better that way too. My FAVORITE way to use Spaghetti Squash is in my Vegan BBQ Sandwiches!

I’ve got a few more easy Crock Pot Recipes! Try my Easy Mexican Rice and Bean Casserole or my Cheezy Crock Pot Brown Rice and Broccoli Casserole. They are both family and reader favorites.

Pico de Gallo

I love homemade salsa and I make several different varieties but most of the time the simplicity and ease of Pico de Gallo win out. If you are not familiar with Pico de Gallo, it is almost like a raw, chunky version of salsa and uses similar ingredients. Salsa on the other hand is much more liquid, soupy even.

Admittedly I used to buy Pico de Gallo in the deli or produce section but those are usually full of chemicals and kinda pricy. If your family deals with multiple food allergies you can play it safe by making your own Pico de Gallo at home to avoid cross-contamination.

I top almost everything with Pico de Gallo because I can make in a few minutes and only need a knife and cutting board.

Pico de Gallo

Pico de Gallo

  • 1 1/2 cups diced tomatoes (I use about 3 Roma tomatoes)
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 1 diced jalapeno (remove seeds if you want it less spicy)
  • optional ingredients include 2-3 cloves of minced garlic, salt to taste and juice from a lemon or lime

  1. Dice tomatoes, onions and jalapenos and mix together in a bowl.
  2. Add any optional ingredients like garlic, salt, and lime juice.

Spoon Pico de Gallo onto baked potatoes, taco salads, tacos, burritos or wraps, soups, beans or grains. I also like to top my White Enchiladas, Tostadas, Mexican Casserole with Pico de Gallo. My latest recipe Bean and Potato Burritos is perfected when topped with Pico de Gallo. I have two new recipes coming up that are great on their own but pair well with Pico de Gallo.

Pico de gallo and white bean dip

Are you a salsa or Pico de Gallo fan? Do you make them yourself or buy them at the store?

The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide

UPDATE: This book has been updated! Get the latest information HERE!

Happy New Year! If your New Year’s resolution is to get healthy you’ve come to the right place! Yesterday I launched my new ebook, The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide: How to Cook, Shop and Eat Well.

The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide Ebook
If you are new to a plant-based diet you NEED this ebook. It’s a quick and easy read that will teach you what your really need to know to transition to a plant-based lifestyle. Learn how to read labels, shop for healthy food, plan and cook healthy meals and so much more.

Resources like Forks Over Knives and The China Study teach you why you should eat a plant-based diet. The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide teaches you how. This ebook teaches you the basics of a whole food, no-oil plant-based diet. Need help getting your family to eat healthier? Check out the chapter Transitioning The Family that contains tips for getting kids to eat well and dealing with unhappy family members.

I also include some of my “Reader Favorite” recipes to help you get started on your plant-based journey.

Resolutions or not, isn’t it about time you take the plant-based plunge? Take advantage of the discount before it’s too late!

Attention Bloggers! If you are interested in becoming an affiliate send an email to myplantbasedfamily {at} gmail {dot} com for information on how you can make money selling The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide.

My Kids Won’t Eat That

I can’t tell you how often I hear, “my kids wont eat that” from friends and strangers alike. They hear that my kids eat raw spinach, beans, hummus, or any other “healthy” food and balk at the idea. Allow me to let you in on a little secret, my 4 year old was king of the drive-thru less than 2 years ago. He and I would eat fast food almost everyday; chicken nuggets, cheese burgers, and fries were just a part of our typical day, and let’s not forget pizza and tacos that made weekly visits to our table. 5 tips for introducing new (healthy) foods

Fast forward 18 months and you find a completely different situation. We still get fast food, but now it’s bean burritos and apple slices and it is not as often; we even have the occasional veggie pizza.

Most of meals are made by me in our kitchen. As you can see from my weekly Meal Plans they are simple, easy, and most of them are kid friendly. My 4 year old still doesn’t like broccoli, or so he says, but he eats a great variety of whole, plant foods. My 2 year old is a veggie eating machine.

My Kids Won’t Eat That

So if you say, “My Kids Won’t Eat That!” then you are right. They will eat what you provide. If they are used to highly processed food it will take a period of transition, but the effort you put in now will benefit them for years to come. Even if they grow up and choose to eat a poor diet, I think they will still eat better than others who grew up without opportunities to eat healthy food.

What Works Best For You

There are different approaches parents take at dinner time. Some parents don’t let their kids leave the table until they finish their food, others make their kids a separate meal, and I’m sure you know of even more approaches that may or may not work. Ultimately I feel like only the parent (or other caregiver) can decide what will work best for their child based on that child’s disposition, developmental stage, preferences, etc.

Our Transition

When we first began our transition to a plant-based diet our boys were 10 months and just under 3 years old. The 10 month old had not been exposed to junk food; he was mostly breastfed but ate fruit and veggies. We would have our kids try what we were eating, unless it was too spicy, then we would allow them to eat a banana or other healthy option. They were very young at the time so they snacked a lot and didn’t need a lot of food at dinner. I was more concerned with them eating enough than eating the same thing we had. Smoothie Time

How We Do It

Here are a few examples of how I navigated food choices with my kids. The oldest wouldn’t eat whole beans but he would eat them puréed so I often ran them through the food processor. Now a year and a half later he still doesn’t like whole beans but we serve him a small amount and tell him he has to eat them; I still puree them sometimes. Our younger son has always loved whole beans and will eat them plain. Both of our sons have developed a love for spinach, lettuce, and other greens. We allowed them to use a dip or salad dressing in the beginning but now they will eat greens without accompaniment. Before the younger son could effectively chew the leaves I would make smoothies to give him a good dose of greens.

Eating his leaves.

Eating his leaves.

5 Tips for Introducing New (Healthy) Foods

Husband and son sharing salad

1. Let Them See You Eat

My kids always want what I’m eating. We are an example for our kids, either a good one or a bad one. Our boys didn’t want to have anything to do with walnuts when we first introduced them, but my husband would eat them so my kids began to eat them too. Now they have walnuts at least 5 days a week.

2. When in Doubt, Add a Sauce or Dip

Kids love to dip! Dipping keep their hands busy, it gives them a job, and keeps their attention. I’m not opposed to ketchup but we spring for “better” ketchup’s that aren’t loaded with tons of unnecessary ingredients. Also try mustard, salad dressing, nut or seed butters, or homemade sauces made with puréed steamed veggies and nutritional yeast, like this All Purpose Green Sauce. I have small condiment cups that my boys love. If I want them to eat something they wouldn’t normally eat I’ll put it in those condiment cups, I don’t do it often so it maintains the mystique.

3. Purée

If your child has an aversion to big chunks of veggies I think puréeing them is a great idea. My kids developed a taste for those veggies and eat them well (sometimes). I would prepare broccoli, squash, tomatoes, mushrooms, etc. and puree them to serve over pasta or on pizza

4. Keep on Swimming Trying

You’ve all heard that it takes many, many attempts for an infant to accept a new food. Don’t expect your bigger kids to be any easier. Just keep trying, they may not like everything but it’s likely they will accept many of the new foods you offer.

5. Location, Location, Location

We normally eat at the table but if I get a bowl of food and walk to the couch my kids think it is something really special and want what I have. You don’t have to eat on the couch but try offering it to your kid in a different location, maybe outside or make a fort and say this food is for your adventure. sharing What was your experience transitioning your children to a plant-based diet? Do you have tips to share? Check out my post 5 Simple Trick to get YOUR Kids to Eat Their Veggies!

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Boys, 11 And 12, Named For UP Cow Slaughter; Spent 4 Hours With Police

Two children, 11 and 12, have been named as accused in a case filed over cow slaughter allegations that led to a frenzied mob murdering a police officer in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandhshar.

The boys, who are cousins, are among seven named in a complaint of cow slaughter filed after carcasses were found strewn around in a forest near village Nayabans in Bulandshahr.

The complainant, Yogesh Raj, is a Bajrang Dal activist who is the main accused in mob killing of inspector Subodh Kumar Singh. He is missing since the incident.

Yogesh Raj is seen in a video arguing with the police and demanding action against cow slaughter on Monday, shortly before the situation went out of hand and a mob attacked policemen, burnt the police outpost and set vehicles on fire.

Yogesh Raj’s complaint includes two children, one man who does not live in the village anymore, and three names the villagers have never heard.

Inspector Subodh Kumar was killed in mob frenzy over cow carcasses found near a village in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr

The village is stunned that children have been named for cow slaughter. The father of one of the boys says they were not even in the village the day of the incident.

“The police came to our house, called us to the police station and kept us there for four hours. They took the names of the boys and took my phone number. I was told we should be called again if required,” the father said.

So six of the seven names in the cow slaughter case are doubtful, NDTV learnt from inquiries in the village. One of the “accused” lives in Faridabad in Haryana and has not stayed in the village in 10 years.

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Finding Zero

Finding Zero

A Mathematician's Odyssey to Uncover the Origins of Numbers

Book - 2015
Average Rating:
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"The invention of numerals is perhaps the greatest abstraction the human mind has ever created. Virtually everything in our lives is digital, numerical, or quantified. The story of how and where we got these numerals, which we so depend on, has for thousands of years been shrouded in mystery. Finding Zero is an adventure filled saga of Amir Aczel's lifelong obsession: to find the original sources of our numerals. Aczel has doggedly crisscrossed the ancient world, scouring dusty, moldy texts, cross examining so-called scholars who offered wildly differing sets of facts, and ultimately penetrating deep into a Cambodian jungle to find a definitive proof. Here, he takes the reader along for the ride. The history begins with the early Babylonian cuneiform numbers, followed by the later Greek and Roman letter numerals. Then Aczel asks the key question: where do the numbers we use today, the so-called Hindu-Arabic numerals, come from? It is this search that leads him to explore uncharted territory, to go on a grand quest into India, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and ultimately into the wilds of Cambodia. There he is blown away to find the earliest zero--the keystone of our entire system of numbers--on a crumbling, vine-covered wall of a seventh-century temple adorned with eaten-away erotic sculptures. While on this odyssey, Aczel meets a host of fascinating characters: academics in search of truth, jungle trekkers looking for adventure, surprisingly honest politicians, shameless smugglers, and treacherous archaeological thieves--who finally reveal where our numbers come from. "-- Provided by publisher.
Publisher: New York, NY : Palgrave Macmillan, [2015]
Copyright Date: ©2015
ISBN: 9781137279842
Branch Call Number: 513.5 ACZEL
Characteristics: x, 242 pages ; 22 cm

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Jun 26, 2017

I really enjoyed this book, but am commenting only to get it on the "recent activity" list so that other math nerds will become aware of it.

Oct 28, 2016

This is very enlightening book and the author has really made it very interesting,

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Tales of Alien abductions

Tales of Alien abductions

Many people claim to have been abducted by aliens and then returned back to our planet. Most of them are considered by crazy acquaintances and friends, but it is interesting that many of the stories of abductees coincide.

Already in 1775 a Swedish book was published, in which the husband of a midwife tells how his wife was kidnapped to the country of the fairies to help wife give birth to a troll.

The husband of the midwife was a pastor, he was called Peter Ram. According to his story, a troll appeared and begged him to let his wife go with him to help his wife give birth.

The pastor led his wife go with the troll and says the two vanished in the air, as if they were blown away by the wind. She returned to her house quite suddenly, she appeared as if from nowhere.

She told her husband how it was a place full of metal doors and light, although there were no candles.

In the legends of many people, there are stories of women who were swept away by strange creatures. The bizarre creatures kidnapped babies, and left bundles of rags their places.

These stories are typical especially for Scotland, Ireland and China. Scots had a tradition in the disappearance of a child from their home. They would take the bundle that was left, instead of the child to the woods and placed bread , milk, butter and meat with it. A few hours later, they returned to the forest and if the food was gone, they knew that the child will be returned shortly.

However, sometimes people would decide that their child had been replaced with the child of fairies, and began to abuse him. All these legends are considered stories of people abducted by aliens. Moreover, there have been grown men kidnapped by the fairies, who returned after a day or two, ten or twenty years older. Shortly after, these men would die.

Tales of Alien abductions

Others who returned after ten years, appeared the same way as when they were kidnapped.

In Mayan legends there were tales of beings from heaven who came on something like a rocket. They kidnapped women and when they sent them back, the women bore black children .

In the twentieth century, stories of alien abductions were a real hit. In 1968, the American press had been inundated with details of the kidnapping of family Vidal from Buenos Aires.

"We went into a cloud of mist and obviously we fell asleep on the road. Once we woke up, my wife had a nervous breakdown, the paint of the car was removed and we were in Mexico" the terrified man said. His wife never recovered from the experience and spent her whole life in hospitals, her husband claimed that he cannot remember where he was for forty-eight hours.

In July 1992 Australian Peter Kaur, who was famous among his friends as a sane man drove his wife to work and returned home because he did not feel well. Suddenly two women came to his home - blonde and black, who were completely naked. They spoke strangely, like chirping birds. The blonde tried to grab Peter, but he bit her ear.

Then the two disappeared, and Peter found a blonde hair, which he put in a bag. He underwent hypnosis to find out what happened to him. With the help of renowned Harvard psychiatrist Dr. John Mack, he realized he was lying in a brightly lit room, on a table and over it a man who chirped was doing something.

Peter gave the hair to his biochemist friend, who proved that the hair belongs to being very close to human, but at the same time different from human beings altogether.

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Odessa runs into problems preparing for Eurobasket-2015

Odessa runs into problems preparing for Eurobasket-2015

In Odessa construction of adequate multifunctional arena remains one of the main challenges of preparation for the European Championship.

This was said by Nikolai Skorik, governor of Odessa region, during the meeting with members of the Guild of municipal journalists.

As Skoryk noted, currently there are issues with compliance with the construction schedule of the arena - or rather, with non-compliance: “We know that there are ideas of building a new sports arena for the Eurobasket-2015, but the plan is not being implemented - the investor missed all the deadlines”.

In order to keep the option of Odessa participation as a host of European Championship, local authorities are thinking about the ways to reconstruct the Palace of Sports for this event.

According to Skoryk, it is possible to develop a “budget” renovation project, getting in the end a sports arena that meets all relevant international norms and standards.

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July 2014 References  Devin J. Starlanyl   for http://www.sover.net/~devstar

Bank PJ, Peper CL, Marinus J et al. 2013. Motor dysfunction of complex regional pain syndrome is related to impaired central processing of proprioceptive information. J Pain. 14(11):1460-1474. “Our understanding of proprioceptive deficits in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and its potential contribution to impaired motor function is still limited. To gain more insight into these issues, we evaluated accuracy and precision of joint position sense over a range of flexion-extension angles of the wrist of the affected and unaffected sides in 25 chronic CRPS patients and in 50 healthy controls. The results revealed proprioceptive impairment at both the patients' affected and unaffected sides, characterized predominantly by overestimation of wrist extension angles. Precision of the position estimates was more prominently reduced at the affected side. Importantly, group differences in proprioceptive performance were observed not only for tests at identical percentages of each individual's range of wrist motion but also when controls were tested at wrist angles that corresponded to those of the patient's affected side. More severe motor impairment of the affected side was associated with poorer proprioceptive performance. Based on additional sensory tests, variations in proprioceptive performance over the range of wrist angles, and comparisons between active and passive displacements, the disturbances of proprioceptive performance most likely resulted from altered processing of afferent (and not efferent) information and its subsequent interpretation in the context of a distorted "body schema….The present results point at a significant role for impaired central processing of proprioceptive information in the motor dysfunction of CRPS and suggest that therapeutic strategies aimed at identification of proprioceptive impairments and their restoration may promote the recovery of motor function in CRPS patients.”

Biasi G, Di Sabatino V, Ghizzani A et al. 2014. Chronic pelvic pain: comorbidity between chronic musculoskeletal pain and vulvodynia. Reumatismo. 66(1):87-91. “Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common condition that has a major impact on the quality of life of both men and women. Male CPP is usually attributable to well-defined urogenital conditions (most frequently infectious/non infectious prostatic diseases) or musculoskeletal or bowel diseases, whereas the features of female CPP are much more complex and are of particular clinical and epidemiological importance. It is a multifactorial syndrome that can be due to diseases of the urogenital, gastrointestinal, or musculoskeletal systems, or to neurological or neuropsychiatric disorders. It is not always easy to identify its predominant pathogenesis, although it often occurs as a central sensitization syndrome triggered by an initial stimulus which is no longer detectable and only manifests itself clinically through pain. In this respect, there are some very interesting relationships between vulvodynia and fibromyalgic syndrome, as identified in a preliminary study of women with chronic musculoskeletal pain in which it was demonstrated that vulvar pain plays an important role, although it is often overlooked and undiagnosed.” [Myofascial trigger points are often responsible for or contribute to chronic pelvic pain and/or vulvodynia.  There are excellent research articles on this. See Doggweiler R. DJS]

Bromberg MH, Schechter NL, Nurko S et al. 2014. Persistent pain in chronically ill children without detectable disease activity. Pain Manag. 4(3):211-219. “Children with organic diseases may experience persistent pain in the presence of controlled disease, as evidenced by little or no measurable disease activity or inflammation. Historically, dualistic definitions of pain have informed standard diagnostic approaches to persistent pain; aggressive investigation and treatment targeting underlying disease, even in the absence of evidence indicating disease escalation. Evidence across disease populations, in children with inflammatory bowel disease, sickle cell disease, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis indicates that persistent pain in these conditions may be better conceptualized as functional in nature, potentially resulting from disordered somatosensory processing including central sensitization. Applying a biopsychosocial understanding of persistent pain and multidisciplinary functional pain management strategies may lead to improved health outcomes.”

Cassisi G, Sarzi-Puttini P, Casale R et al. 2014. Pain in fibromyalgia and related conditions. Reumatismo. 66(1):72-86. “Pain is the hallmark symptom of fibromyalgia (FM) and other related syndromes, but quite different from that of other rheumatic diseases, which depends on the degree of damage or inflammation in peripheral tissues. Sufferers are often defined as patients with chronic pain without an underlying mechanistic cause, and these syndromes and their symptoms are most appropriately described as ‘central pain’, ‘neuropathic pain’, ‘nonnociceptive pain’ or ‘central sensitivity syndromes’. The pain is particular, regional or widespread, and mainly relates to the musculoskeletal system; hyperalgesia or allodynia are typical. Its origin is currently considered to be distorted pain or sensory processing, rather than a local or regional abnormality. FM is probably the most important and extensively described central pain syndrome, but the characteristics and features of FM-related pain are similar in other disorders of particular interest for rheumatologists, such as myofascial pain syndromes and temporo-mandibular joint disorders, and there is also an intriguing overlap between FM and benign joint hypermobility syndrome. This suggests that the distinctive aspects of pain in these idiopathic or functional conditions are caused by central nervous system hypersensitivity and abnormalities.”

Chen WN, Lee CH, Lin SH et al.  2014. Roles of ASIC3, TRPV1, and NaV1.8 in the transition from acute to chronic pain in a mouse model of fibromyalgia. Mol Pain. 10(1):40. “Tissue acidosis is effective in causing chronic muscle pain. However, how muscle nociceptors contribute to the transition from acute to chronic pain is largely unknown….Here we showed that a single intramuscular acid injection induced a priming effect on muscle nociceptors of mice. The primed muscle nociceptors were plastic and permitted the development of long-lasting chronic hyperalgesia induced by a second acid insult. The plastic changes of muscle nociceptors were modality-specific and required the activation of acid-sensing ion channel 3 (ASIC3) or transient receptor potential cation channel V1 (TRPV1). Activation of ASIC3 was associated with increased activity of tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive voltage-gated sodium channels but not protein kinase Cepsilon (PKCepsilon) in isolectin B4 (IB4)-negative muscle nociceptors. In contrast, increased activity of TTX-resistant voltage-gated sodium channels with ASIC3 or TRPV1 activation in NaV1.8-positive muscle nociceptors was required for the development of chronic hyperalgesia. Accordingly, compared to wild type mice, NaV1.8-null mice showed briefer acid-induced hyperalgesia (5 days vs. >27 days)…..ASIC3 activation may manifest a new type of nociceptor priming in IB4-negative muscle nociceptors. The activation of ASIC3 and TRPV1 as well as enhanced NaV1.8 activity is essential for the development of long-lasting hyperalgesia in acid-induced, chronic, widespread muscle pain.”  Free Article

Fernandez-de-Las-Penas C, Courtney CA. 2014.  Clinical reasoning for manual therapy management of tension type and cervicogenic headache.  J Man Manip Ther. 22(1):44-50.

“In recent years, there has been an increasing knowledge in the pathogenesis and better management of chronic headaches. Current scientific evidence supports the role of manual therapies in the management of tension type and cervicogenic headache, but the results are still conflicting. These inconsistent results can be related to the fact that maybe not all manual therapies are appropriate for all types of headaches; or maybe not all patients with headache will benefit from manual therapies. There are preliminary data suggesting that patients with a lower degree of sensitization will benefit to a greater extent from manual therapies, although more studies are needed. In fact, there is evidence demonstrating the presence of peripheral and central sensitization in chronic headaches, particularly in tension type. Clinical management of patients with headache needs to extend beyond local tissue-based pathology, to incorporate strategies directed at normalizing central nervous system sensitivity. In such a scenario, this paper exposes some examples of manual therapies for tension type and cervicogenic headache, based on a nociceptive pain rationale, for modulating central nervous system hypersensitivity: trigger point therapy, joint mobilization, joint manipulation, exercise, and cognitive pain approaches.”

Frange C, Hirotsu C, Hachul H et al. 2014. Fibromyalgia and sleep in animal models: a current overview and future directions. Curr Pain Headache Rep.18(8):434. “Sleep disorders are highly prevalent in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). Many of the daytime symptoms, such as chronic pain and fatigue, may be related to the non-restorative sleep patterns associated with the disease. Pain influences the sleep process and sleep disturbances decrease the pain threshold in a reciprocal framework. Thus, understanding the link between sleep and FM has become an important research topic in basic science. Therefore, in the current review we connect these topics and provide some insights into the cyclic relationship between sleep and pain, which has been addressed mainly in animal models. Additionally, we highlight the urgent need for sleep studies in FM animal models, which might improve the knowledge base and accelerate advances in this field.”

Gerdle B, Ghafouri B, Ernberg M et al. 2014. Chronic musculoskeletal pain: review of mechanisms and biochemical biomarkers as assessed by the microdialysis technique. J Pain Res.7:313-326. “These results indicate that peripheral muscle alterations are parts of the activated pain mechanisms in common chronic pain conditions. Muscle alterations have been reported in fibromyalgia syndrome and chronic widespread pain, but more studies are needed before definite conclusions can be drawn. For other substances, results are inconclusive across studies and patient groups.”

Gonzalez B, Baptista TM, Branco JC et al. 2014.  Fibromyalgia characterization in a psychosocial approach.  Psychol Health Med. 25:1-6. “This study aimed to characterize a group of women diagnosed with fibromyalgia, evaluating the relationship between personality and psychopathology, health status (disability, physical health, mental health, and pain), and potentially traumatic life events (PTLE) before the onset of the syndrome. The disability caused by fibromyalgia, physical and mental health status, pain, PTLE in childhood and in the course of life, and personality were assessed in a sample of 50 women with fibromyalgia, age 25-70 years ….. A multiple correspondence analysis with all the variables identified two types of profiles and a K-Means cluster analysis confirmed two groups of patients: cluster 1 (n = 36), with better health and less psychopathological problems, named ‘Better adjustment’ and cluster 2 (n = 14), with less health and more personality problems, named ‘Disorder and disability.’ Pertaining to personality only, a K-Means cluster analysis replicated the three classic personality profiles (normal, neurotic, and psychopathological) identified in chronic pain patients; and the normal profile was the more prevalent (n = 22). The results enhance the importance of recognizing the heterogeneity of fibromyalgia population and the great closeness between personality and physical health, with the PTLE having a less important role than expected.”

Imamura M, Targino RA, Hsing WT et al.  2014. Concentration of cytokines in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and fibromyalgia. Clin Interv Aging. 9:939-944. “Patients with knee osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia with the same duration and intensity of pain demonstrate similar concentrations of cytokines. Aging may play a role in cytokine profile, a finding not so extensively addressed in the literature and one that should be further investigated.”

Jurgens TP, Sawatzki A, Henrich F et al. 2014. An improved model of heat-induced hyperalgesia--repetitive phasic heat pain causing primary hyperalgesia to heat and secondary hyperalgesia to pinprick and light touch. PLoS One. 9(6):e99507. “This study tested a modified experimental model of heat-induced hyperalgesia, which improves the efficacy to induce primary and secondary hyperalgesia and the efficacy-to-safety ratio reducing the risk of tissue damage seen in other heat pain models. Quantitative sensory testing was done in eighteen healthy volunteers before and after repetitive heat pain stimuli (60 stimuli of 48°C for 6 s) to assess the impact of repetitive heat on somatosensory function in conditioned skin (primary hyperalgesia area) and in adjacent skin (secondary hyperalgesia area) as compared to an unconditioned mirror image control site. Additionally, areas of flare and secondary hyperalgesia were mapped, and time course of hyperalgesia determined. After repetitive heat pain conditioning we found significant primary hyperalgesia to heat, and primary and secondary hyperalgesia to pinprick and to light touch (dynamic mechanical allodynia). Acetaminophen (800 mg) reduced pain to heat or pinpricks only marginally by 11% and 8%, respectively (n.s.), and had no effect on heat hyperalgesia. In contrast, the areas of flare (-31%) and in particular of secondary hyperalgesia (-59%) as well as the magnitude of hyperalgesia (-59%) were significantly reduced…. Thus, repetitive heat pain induces significant peripheral sensitization (primary hyperalgesia to heat) and central sensitization (punctate hyperalgesia and dynamic mechanical allodynia). These findings are relevant to further studies using this model of experimental heat pain as it combines pronounced peripheral and central sensitization, which makes a convenient model for combined pharmacological testing of analgesia and anti-hyperalgesia mechanisms related to thermal and mechanical input.”

Kietrys DM, Palombaro KM, Mannheimer JS. 2014. Dry needling for management of pain in the upper quarter and craniofacial region. Curr Pain Headache Rep.18(8):437. “Dry needling is a therapeutic intervention that has been growing in popularity. It is primarily used with patients that have pain of myofascial origin. This review provides background about dry needling, myofascial pain, and craniofacial pain. We summarize the evidence regarding the effectiveness of dry needling. For patients with upper quarter myofascial pain, a 2013 systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled studies reported that dry needling is effective in reducing pain (especially immediately after treatment) in patients with upper quarter pain. There have been fewer studies of patients with craniofacial pain and myofascial pain in other regions, but most of these studies report findings to suggest the dry needling may be helpful in reducing pain and improving other pain related variables such as the pain pressure threshold. More rigorous randomized controlled trials are clearly needed to more fully elucidate the effectiveness of dry needling.”

Lee YH, Kim JH, Song GG. 2014. Association between the COMT Val158Met polymorphism and fibromyalgia susceptibility and fibromyalgia impact questionnaire score: a meta-analysis.  Rheumatol Int. [Jun 21 Epub ahead of print.] “The aim of this study was to explore whether the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to fibromyalgia and fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) score in fibromyalgia patients. We conducted a meta-analysis of the associations of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism with fibromyalgia risk as well as FIQ score in fibromyalgia patients. A total of 993 fibromyalgia patients and 778 controls from 10 studies on the COMT Val158Met polymorphism and 538 fibromyalgia patients from 5 studies on the COMT Val158Met polymorphism and FIQ score were included in this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed an association between fibromyalgia and the COMT Met/Met + Val/Met genotype in all study subjects (odds ratio (OR) 1.635, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.029-2.597, p = 0.037). However, stratification by ethnicity indicated no association between the Met/Met + Val/Met genotype and fibromyalgia in the European and Turkish populations (OR 1.202, 95 % CI 0.876-1.649, p = 0.255; OR 2.132, 95 % CI 0.764-5.949, p = 0.148, respectively). Analysis using other genetic models showed no association between the COMT Val158Met polymorphism and fibromyalgia. The meta-analysis also revealed that the FIQ score was significantly higher in individuals with the COMT Met/Met genotype than in those with the Val/Val genotype…and the Val/Met genotype... This meta-analysis identified an association between fibromyalgia risk and the COMT Val158Met polymorphism as well as the FIQ score in fibromyalgia patients.”

Nascimento SS, Camargo EA, DeSantana JM et al. 2014. Linalool and linalool complexed in β-cyclodextrin produce anti-hyperalgesic activity and increase Fos protein expression in animal model for fibromyalgia. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. [Jun 24 Epub ahead of print.]

“The analgesic activity of (-)-linalool (LIN), a monoterpene present in essential oils of Lamiaceae species, has been previously demonstrated in rodents. However, its possible use in the treatment of fibromyalgia (FM) was never demonstrated. Additionally, as a short half-life is a limitation for the LIN medicinal application, the employment of drug delivery systems has been used to improve pharmaceutical properties of this compound. We investigated the anti-nociceptive effect of LIN, isolated or in β-cyclodextrin complex (LIN-CD), in an animal model of chronic non-inflammatory muscle pain (a FM animal model), as well as its effect on the central nervous system (CNS)….our results suggest that LIN-CD improved analgesic profile of LIN, with a probable involvement of descending pain pathways and the anti-nociceptive effect of linalool in an animal model of chronic non-inflammatory muscle pain. So far, only the investigations in animal models of inflammatory pain and supraspinatus were published.” [Linolool is an aromatic compound found in many herbs, including coriander, basil, cinnamon, lavender, and mints. DJS]

Neumann DJ. 2014. July 2014 book reviews. Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 44(7):542-546. JOSPT offers invited reviews of current titles. The July 2014 column includes 6 reviews of the following books: Physical Therapy Management of Patients With Spinal Pain: An Evidence-Based Approach; Traumatology for the Physical Therapist; Evidence-Based Rehabilitation: A Guide to Practice, Third Edition; Healing Through Trigger Point Therapy: A Guide to Fibromyalgia, Myofascial Pain, and Dysfunction; Your Headache Isn't All in Your Head: Neuroscience Education for Patients With Headache Pain; and Disorders of the Shoulder: Diagnosis and Management Package, Third Edition.

Nijs J, Malfliet A, Ickmans K et al. 2014.  Treatment of central sensitization in patients with 'unexplained' chronic pain: an update. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 15:1-13. “Central sensitization (CS) is present in a variety of chronic pain disorders, including whiplash, temporomandibular disorders, low back pain, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, headache, lateral epicondylalgia among others. In spite of our increased understanding of the mechanisms involved in CS pain, its treatment remains a challenging issue. Areas covered: An overview of the treatment options we have for desensitizing the CNS in patients with CS pain is provided. These include strategies for eliminating peripheral sources of nociception, as well as pharmacotherapy and conservative interventions that primarily address top-down (i.e., brain-orchestrated) mechanisms. Expert opinion: A combination of different strategies, each targeting a different 'desensitizing' mechanism, might prove superior over monotherapies. Such combined therapy may include both bottom-up and top-down (e.g., opioids, combined μ-opioid receptor agonist and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor drugs) strategies. Topically applied analgesic therapies have strong potential for (temporally) decreasing peripheral nociceptive input (bottom-up approach). Targeting metabolic (e.g., ketogenic diets) and neurotrophic factors (e.g., decreasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor) are promising new avenues for diminishing hyperexcitability of the CNS in central sensitization pain patients. Addressing conservative treatments, pain neuroscience education, cognitive behavioral therapy and exercise therapy are promising treatments for CS pain.”

Sawynok J. 2014. Topical and peripheral ketamine as an analgesic.  Anesth Analg. 119(1):170-178. “Ketamine, in subanesthetic doses, produces systemic analgesia in chronic pain settings, an action largely attributed to block of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in the spinal cord and inhibition of central sensitization processes. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors also are located peripherally on sensory afferent nerve endings, and this provided the initial impetus for exploring peripheral applications of ketamine. Ketamine also produces several other pharmacological actions (block of ion channels and receptors, modulation of transporters, anti-inflammatory effects), and while these may require higher concentrations, after topical (e.g., as gels, creams) and peripheral application (e.g., localized injections), local tissue concentrations are higher than those after systemic administration and can engage lower affinity mechanisms. Peripheral administration of ketamine by localized injection produced some alterations in sensory thresholds in experimental trials in volunteers and in complex regional pain syndrome subjects in experimental settings, but many variables were unaltered. There are several case reports of analgesia after topical application of ketamine given alone in neuropathic pain, but controlled trials have not confirmed such effects. A combination of topical ketamine with several other agents produced pain relief in case, and case series, reports with response rates of 40% to 75% in retrospective analyses. In controlled trials of neuropathic pain with topical ketamine combinations, there were improvements in some outcomes, but optimal dosing and drug combinations were not clear. Given orally (as a gargle, throat swab, localized peritonsillar injections), ketamine produced significant oral/throat analgesia in controlled trials in postoperative settings. Topical analgesics are likely more effective in particular conditions (patient factors, disease factors), and future trials of topical ketamine should include a consideration of factors that could predispose to favorable outcomes.”

Shaffer SM, Brismee JM, Sizer PS et al. 2014. Temporomandibular disorders. Part 2: conservative management. J Man Manip Ther. 22(1):13-23.  “Appropriate management of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) requires an understanding of the underlying dysfunction associated with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding structures. A comprehensive examination process, as described in part 1 of this series, can reveal underlying clinical findings that assist in the delivery of comprehensive physical therapy services for patients with TMD. Part 2 of this series focuses on management strategies for TMD. Physical therapy is the preferred conservative management approach for TMD. Physical therapists are professionally well-positioned to step into the void and provide clinical services for patients with TMD. Clinicians should utilize examination findings to design rehabilitation programs that focus on addressing patient-specific impairments. Potentially appropriate plan of care components include joint and soft tissue mobilization, trigger point dry needling, friction massage, therapeutic exercise, patient education, modalities, and outside referral. Management options should address both symptom reduction and oral function. Satisfactory results can often be achieved when management focuses on patient-specific clinical variables.”

Skorupska E, Rychlik M, Pawelec W et al. 2014. Trigger point-related sympathetic nerve activity in chronic sciatic leg pain: a case study. Acupunct Med. [Jun 26 Epub ahead of print.] “We report the case of a 22-year-old Caucasian European man who presented with a 3-year history of chronic sciatic-type leg pain. In the third year of symptoms, coexistent myofascial pain syndrome was diagnosed. Acupuncture needle stimulation of active trigger points under infrared thermovisual camera showed a sudden short-term vasodilatation (an autonomic phenomenon) in the area of referred pain. The vasodilatation spread from 0.2 to 171.9 cm2 and then gradually decreased.… It is not yet known whether the vasodilatation observed was evoked exclusively by dry needling of active trigger points. The complex condition of the patient suggests that other variables might have influenced the infrared thermovision camera results. We suggest that it is important to check if vasodilatation in the area of referred pain occurs in all patients with active trigger points.”

Smith SC, Wagner MS. 2014. Clinical endocannabinoid deficiency (CECD) revisited: Can this concept explain the therapeutic benefits of cannabis in migraine, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome and other treatment-resistant conditions? Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 35(3):198-201.

“Subsequent research has confirmed that underlying endocannabinoid deficiencies indeed play a role in migraine, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome and a growing list of other medical conditions. Clinical experience is bearing this out. Further research and especially, clinical trials will further demonstrate the usefulness of medical cannabis. As legal barriers fall and scientific bias fades this will become more apparent.”

Switlick T, Kernozek TW, Meardon S. 2014. Differences in Joint Position Sense and Vibratory Threshold in Runners With and Without a History of Over-Use Injury. J Sport Rehabil. [Jun 23 Epub ahead of print.] “A relationship between altered postural control and injury has been reported in sports. Sensorimotor function serves a fundamental role in postural control and is not often studied in runners. Persons who sustain running injury may have altered sensorimotor function contributing to risk of injury or re-injury….Differences in ankle eversion proprioception between runners with a history of ankle and foot injuries and non-injured runners were observed. Runners with a history of injury also displayed an increased vibratory threshold in the arch region compared to non-injured runners. Poor ankle joint position sense and increased plantar sensitivity suggest altered sensorimotor function following injury. These factors may influence underlying postural control and contribute to altered loading responses commonly observed in injured runners.”  [These symptoms strongly suggest associated trigger points, both active and latent, and patients should be assessed for TrPs before they continue running.  DJS]

Thiagarajah AS, Eades LE, Thomas PR et al. 2014. GILZ: Glitzing up our understanding of the glucocorticoid receptor in psychopathology. Brain Res. [Jun 12 Epub ahead of print.]

“Dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, particularly the glucocorticoid receptor, is a commonly implicated link between stress and psychopathology. GR abnormalities are frequently reported in depression, and these anomalies must be resolved before depressive symptoms remit. This biological finding is rendered clinically relevant by the knowledge that only select antidepressants alter GR function. The relationship between GR dysfunction and other diseases associated with psychiatric stress, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and fibromyalgia, is also documented. However, as laboratory constraints limit the utility of GR testing, other measures of GR activity, such as levels of GR-induced genes, may have greater clinical value. In this review, glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ), a product of GR-initiated gene transcription, will be discussed in the context of GR dysfunction in psychopathology.”

van der Esch M, Holla JF, van der Leeden M et al. 2014. Decrease of muscle strength is associated with increase of activity limitations in early knee osteoarthritis: 3-year results from the Cohort Hip and Cohort Knee study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. [Jun 27 Epub ahead of print.]

“In patients with early knee OA, decreased muscle strength is associated with an increase in activity limitations. Our results are a step towards understanding the role of muscle weakness in the development of activity limitations in knee OA. Further, well-designed experimental studies are indicated to establish the causal role of muscle weakness in activity limitations.” [Myofascial trigger points co-exist with OA, and often cause the muscle weakness and proprioceptive dysfunctions described. It would be of value to have these patients assessed for TRPs, as the symptoms might be relieved with treatment of TrPs. DJS]


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ISLAMABAD – The government imposed a limit on the spread between buying and selling foreign currencies on Tuesday in an apparent effort to stop speculation as the rupee comes under pressure.

Traders would only be allowed to offer a 25-paisa difference in the price between buying and selling, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said in a statement. The rupee ended trading on Tuesday at 98.06/98.11 against the dollar, compared to Monday's close of 97.96/98.01. At the end of 2012, the currency stood at 97.18/97.23 to the dollar.

"The measure is in continuation of SBP efforts to improve market efficiency and protect customers from exploitation," SBP spokesman Syed Wasimuddin said. A trader said the limit had probably been imposed to stop currency speculation that might further weaken the rupee.

The rupee is coming under increasing strain as Pakistan makes loan repayments to the International Monetary Fund. The most recent payment, of $145 million, was made on Monday. Pakistan has just over $6 billion left to repay.

SBP currently has about $9 billion, enough to cover about two months' worth of imports. The IMF has said it will not discuss postponing repayments unless Pakistan enacts serious financial reforms, especially broadening its tax base.


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Police: Capital murder charges likely in Texas cop's death

This undated photo provided by the Fort Worth Police Department shows Fort Worth police officer Garrett Hull. Hull, sn undercover officer who was shot during a gun battle between police and a group of robbery suspects outside of a Fort Worth bar that left one suspect dead has died, authorities said Friday, Sept. 14, 2018. ( Fort Worth Police Department via AP)AP

HOUSTON — Two men arrested in the fatal shooting of a North Texas undercover police officer during a bar robbery are expected to face capital murder charges, police said Saturday.

Samuel Mayfield and Timothy Huff remained jailed Saturday on bonds totalling $850,000 for each individual. Each suspect has been charged with 10 counts of aggravated robbery and two counts of criminal attempted capital murder.

Police said that Mayfield and Huff, both 33, and another suspect, Dacion Steptoe, 23, were confronted by Officer Garrett Hull and a team of undercover and uniformed officers after the trio robbed a Fort Worth Bar early Friday morning.

The 40-year-old officer was shot by Steptoe during a foot chase. Hull was taken to a hospital where he died late Friday night. Steptoe was killed at the scene by another officer who returned fire.

Fort Worth police said Saturday that with Hull’s death, authorities expect to upgrade the charges faced by Huff and Mayfield.

Police say one of the attempted capital murder counts each man faces is expected to be upgraded to capital murder. The remaining attempted capital murder charge relates to another officer that police say was shot at by the suspects.

Jail records didn’t list attorneys for Huff and Mayfield.

Police said Mayfield, Huff and Steptoe are suspected in 17 robberies in and around Fort Worth in recent months, and that they primarily targeted Latino bars.

Hull is being remembered by police and city officials as a brilliant officer and a great husband and father.

“Our whole department is hurting right now,” said Fort Worth Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald.

The police chief said that Hull was an organ donor.

“Over the next few days as candidates are matched up with him, we will see him prolong the lives of other folks that potentially can live a long and prosperous life because of the sacrifice that he made,” Fitzgerald said.

Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price called Hull a hero who was “the glue that held his unit together.”

Hull, who is survived by a wife and two daughters, had served 17 years with the department.

Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/juanlozano70

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Prison for Phoenix frequent flier in Detroit cocaine case

DETROIT — A Phoenix woman whose frequent flying to Detroit earned her access to the cockpit has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for repeatedly hauling cocaine in her luggage.

The government says Cheryl Cheatham made nearly 40 trips to Detroit from Phoenix or Las Vegas before she was busted in 2016 with 37 pounds (17 kilograms) of cocaine. It was worth more than $500,000 and destined for a Detroit drug organization.

The 64-year-old was sentenced Wednesday in Detroit federal court. Prosecutors say she was the “ideal drug courier,” unlikely to cause suspicion because of her age and gender. The government discovered a photo of a smiling Cheatham in a plane cockpit, apparently a reward for her many flights.

Cheatham’s lawyer says she likely was manipulated due to mental health problems.

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Proposed tax changes in Maui County cause concern

WAILUKU, Hawaii — A Maui Vacation Rental Association official fears two bills on property tax classifications recommended for approval by a Maui County Council committee could lead to higher taxes for Maui County property owners.

But The Maui News reports county officials and Council Member Riki Hokama say it is too early to speculate about tax bills because new rates have not been set yet.

The two bills will be up for first reading Friday at the council’s meeting.

Although the budget committee did not set property tax rates in its proposed bills, Tom Croly of the Maui Vacation Rental Association says that, more than likely, taxes would go up for those affected by the changes.

Information from: The Maui News,

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Will they make my husband lactate?
No. Anyone can eat the cookies. You have our permission to tell him they are just for you, if you don’t want to share.

What is a serving size?
Nursing mothers need, on average, an additional 300 - 500 calories per day. This number varies depending on how many times yor baby eats. Listen to your body and eat to satisfy your appetite. Use the cookies to supplement your diet and your caloric needs. Below is the nutritional data for the Milk Chocolate Chip Flavor.

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One Very Important Presence

“One of the things almost all role-play videos have in common is that they center around a single person who is speaking to, and attending to, one very important presence: yours” -O’Connell, 2013

“ASMRtist” is the clever name adopted by those who create and release ASMR content online with the intention to provoke a static-like sensation throughout the body of viewers. For those affected by ASMR, the experience is one of calm, relaxation, focus, and, at its best, serenity. However, the practice is often criticized for subjugating reflection for pleasure, perceived as an untenable form of care which both veils and hints at the underlying and deeply-flawed socio-political issues at stake, notably the lack of a healthcare safety net in the US.

One Very Important Presence is a project which deems “ASMRtists” as not only practitioners of ASMR, but as relevant and ingenuous artists in their own right—producers of content that is at once rife with artistry, cultural relevance and political implications. This project elaborates on six themes that appear conceptually significant to contemporary ASMR practices, situating them in relation to contemporary and historical artistic practices and discourses.

An installation in The Meeting Room at NAVEL was designed to experience a mix of popular and obscure ASMR videos, carefully selected and thoroughly analyzed by the artist Dakota Higgins, an avid consumer and lover of ASMR.

A text by the artist Tasha Bjelić titled ‘Digital Care,’ accompanies the exhibition.

Link to Exhibition Text
Click here to visit the collection of videos

Dakota Higgins (b. 1995, Las Vegas) is an artist who lives and works in Los Angeles. He earned a BFA from the Otis College of Art and Design. He recently had a solo show at El Clasificado titled The Man Who Photographed All of His Shadows. For the next three months, he will be in a residency at the Alternative Worksite completing a work on Courage the Cowardly Dog.


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Join us in exploring the Bible together through seminars, small groups, talks, electives and late night conversations over coffee and milo.

Stay tuned for AFES WA Mid Year Conference 2018 on the topic of Grace. Head to to register your interest!

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SMC student reflects on role as state delegate

| Friday, February 3, 2017

Saint Mary’s junior Anna McCambridge proves college students can make a difference in politics.

In August, the business major ran for and won the role of precinct delegate during the Michigan state primaries. Later, at a county convention, she was elected state delegate.

McCambridge represents the Republican Party for Kent County, which encompasses her hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

After spontaneously attending a state convention as a guest along with a few friends, McCambridge said she felt inspired to run. She said she’s always been interested in politics, especially after coming to college; seeing other college students getting involved inspired her.

“I saw what kind of impact I could have, despite my age,” McCambridge said.

McCambridge attended her first state convention as an elected official in August.

“The governor — as well as other Michigan state officials — attended and gave powerful remarks about how important it is to have representation even at such a local level,” she said. “It was pretty cool. As a delegate, I’m an elected official just as many other big name individuals are, so it’s not uncommon to be waiting in line for the ladies room with a senator in front of you and the governor’s wife behind you.”

Recently, McCambridge traveled home for a county convention.

“Myself and other Kent County delegates met in downtown Grand Rapids,” she said. “We listened to speeches from candidates running for local and party offices.

“They travel to different county conventions to campaign and, later, state delegates from each Michigan county, including myself, will meet at the state convention to vote on them.”

McCambridge has already voted for many leadership positions, including the Michigan Board of Education.

“These are the people that will make a difference in our children’s education,” she said. “The people on the Board of Education are going to be passing laws that will affect the next generation, which will probably include my own future children.”

Getting involved at the local level is one of the best things concerned citizens can do, McCambridge said.

“While everyone’s focusing on the federal government, nobody’s focusing on the government here at home,” she said. “But it’s these smaller decisions that will affect us the most. That’s why I find it important to get involved in the local level as much as possible. That’s where you have to start to create real and effective change at the federal level.”

McCambridge said she believes it’s important for women to get involved in politics.

“Some say politics is a man’s world, but I kind of disagree,” she said. “Women just don’t get as much coverage [in the media], but we’re making progress.”

In the future, McCambridge said she hopes to continue participating in the political process.

“Now that I know how campaigns are run, I can definitely see myself running for office again,” she said. “We, as women, need to not be afraid of losing. Losing is part of life.”

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Tuesday 11 March 2003

I looked into pdf995 today. It’s software that (a) creates PDF files, and (b) costs $9.95. The price in the URL is the software equivalent of dollar stores (you know, where everything costs $1). Has the commoditization of software come this far?

(I haven’t actually used pdf995, so I don’t know how well it works.)

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Triangular Fibonacci numbers

Saturday 17 June 2017

Yesterday in my post about 55, I repeated Wikipedia’s claim that 55 is the largest number that is both triangular and in the Fibonacci sequence. Chris Emerson commented to ask for a proof. After a moment’s thought, I realized I had no idea how to prove it.

The proof is in On Triangular Fibonacci Numbers, a dense 10-page excursion into number theory I don’t understand.

While I couldn’t follow the proof, I can partially test the claim empirically, which leads to fun with Python and itertools, something which is much more in my wheelhouse.

I started by defining generators for triangular numbers and Fibonacci numbers:

def tri():
    """Generate an infinite sequence of triangular numbers."""
    n = 0
    for i in itertools.count(start=1):
        n += i
        yield n
print(list(itertools.islice(tri(), 50)))
[1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 21, 28, 36, 45, 55, 66, 78, 91, 105, 120, 136, 153, 171,
 190, 210, 231, 253, 276, 300, 325, 351, 378, 406, 435, 465, 496, 528, 561,
 595, 630, 666, 703, 741, 780, 820, 861, 903, 946, 990, 1035, 1081, 1128,
 1176, 1225, 1275]
def fib():
    """Generate an infinite sequence of Fibonacci numbers."""
    a, b = 1, 1
    while True:
        yield a
        b, a = a, a+b
print(list(itertools.islice(fib(), 50)))
[1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, 610, 987, 1597, 2584,
 4181, 6765, 10946, 17711, 28657, 46368, 75025, 121393, 196418, 317811,
 514229, 832040, 1346269, 2178309, 3524578, 5702887, 9227465, 14930352,
 24157817, 39088169, 63245986, 102334155, 165580141, 267914296, 433494437,
 701408733, 1134903170, 1836311903, 2971215073, 4807526976, 7778742049,
 12586269025, 20365011074]

The Fibonacci sequence grows much faster!

My first impulse was to make two sets of the numbers in the sequences, and intersect them, but building a very large set took too long. So instead I wrote a function that took advantage of the ever-increasing nature of the sequences to look for equal elements in two monotonic sequences:

def find_same(s1, s2):
    """Find equal elements in two monotonic sequences."""
        i1, i2 = iter(s1), iter(s2)
        n1, n2 = next(i1), next(i2)
        while True:
            while n1 < n2:
                n1 = next(i1)
            if n1 == n2:
                yield n1
                n1 = next(i1)
            while n2 < n1:
                n2 = next(i2)
            if n1 == n2:
                yield n1
                n1 = next(i1)
    except StopIteration:

And a function to cut off an infinite sequence once a certain ceiling had been reached:

def upto(s, n):
    """Stop a monotonic sequence once it gets to n."""
    for i in s:
        if i > n:
        yield i

Now I could ask, what values less than quadrillion are in both the triangular numbers and the Fibonacci sequence?:

>>> list(find_same(upto(fib(), 1e15), upto(tri(), 1e15)))
[1, 3, 21, 55]

This doesn’t prove the claim for all numbers, but it shows that 55 is the largest number under a quadrillion that is in both sequences.

Another way to do this is to take advantage of the asymmetry in growth rate. The Fibonacci sequence up a quadrillion is only 72 elements. Make that a set, then examine the triangular numbers up to quadrillion and keep the ones that are in the Fibonacci set. And I’m certain there are other techniques too.

I can’t explain why, but composable generators please me. This was fun. :)

Terry Jan Reedy 8:29 PM on 17 Jun 2017

For anyone interested, the following may help get at least an idea of the linked proof.

* Easy algebra shows 'n = m*(m+1)//2 (triangular)' if and only if '(8n+1) = (2m+1)**2 (odd square)', as in 55 = 10*11//2 and 441 = 21*21. Squareness is easier to work with. The paper actually shows that fib(10) = 55 is the largest fib such that 'times 8 plus 1' is square.

* The Fib series is produced by the simplest non-trivial 2-term linear recurrence. The Lucas series produced by the next simplest that is not a multiple or translation of the Fib series. Both have many properties, and they also have some joint properties, as in (2) to (4).

* For fixed count n, mod(m, n) = m % n maps int m to one of n equivalence classes, represented by 0, 1, ... (n-1). Either the definition of some f(m) or a proof of some property thereof may depend on m % n. Case analysis is *extensively* used in section 3.

* Mathematicians are conservative about dropping old names and notation developed before the modern understanding of functions. A 'Jacobi Symbol' is not a symbol in the modern sense but a function mapping an int and a positive odd int to (-1, 0, 1). Various web pages discuss the properties, calculation, and usefulness of the function.

* The Jacobi Criterion theorem combines Fibonacci numbers, Lucas numbers, the mod function, and the Jacobi function. I believe "(a, vn) = 1" means that a and v sub n are relatively prime, gcd(a, vn) = 1. The Wikipedia page did not mention 'proper' versus 'improper' Jacobi symbols, so I don't know what 'proper' means here.

Chris Emerson 9:19 PM on 17 Jun 2017

Thanks for that Ned and Terry!

Thomas Guest 10:17 AM on 19 Jun 2017

I also like composable generators, especially when they're in the standard library.

import heapq
import itertools

def tri():
    return itertools.accumulate(itertools.count(1))

def fib():
    a, b = 1, 1
    while True:
        yield a
        b, a = a, a+b

def find_same(xs, ys):
    return (v for v, gp in itertools.groupby(heapq.merge(xs, ys))
            if len(list(gp)) > 1)

def upto(xs, n):
    return itertools.takewhile(lambda x: x

Ned Batchelder 10:50 PM on 19 Jun 2017

@Thomas, thanks for other implementations. I'm not sure I would use the find_same, but the upto is nice... :)

Thomas Guest 8:52 PM on 24 Jun 2017

Not sure what happened to upto(), but I hope you get the idea ;-)

I would use my version of find_same() because (to me) it's obviously correct: merge the steams then look for repeated elements in the result. What I find surprising is that merge lives in heapq rather than itertools.

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Phentermine Side Effects

Whenever you think about weight loss you want to make sure that you are going about it the most safe and effective way. You may be looking into taking Phentermine so that you can get some good results. If this is your plan then you probably want to know all of the Phentermine side effects.

This product not only will promote weight loss but it will go at the problem from different angles so that you will be able to get the best results possible. The only Phentermine side effects that you are going to experience are ones that you would like to experience.

This product was developed so that it can compliment a normal balanced diet and it can help increase your attention and alertness. If you have problems enduring during exercise one of the Phentermine side effects is that you will have better exercise endurance. Those of you that need to increase elimination should also look into this product.
Losing weight doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. With these Phentermine side effects on your side you are going to be able to push past many people because the give up without a helping hand but you are ready to find that stepping stool that you need to reach the heights and goals that you want to reach.

Investing in Phentermine and getting the benefits of the Phentermine side effects will allow you to get to places that you never thought you would be able to get to. You will be able to see weight goals that you never believed you really would reach.

Just imagine being able to fit into those skinny jeans that you wish that you were able to fit into. Whenever you use Phentermine and experience the Phentermine side effects you will be able to get these results. The weight loss is safe and effective. You will begin to see results quickly and without bad Phentermine side effects and only good ones.
Why would you want to waste another minute being overweight? You don’t have to be overweight any longer. All you have to do is use Phentermine and combine it with a healthy lifestyle and you will begin to see great results faster than you would have ever imagined.

Don’t get left behind when all of your friends find out about Phentermine and start getting the great results. Be ahead of the pack and get the weight loss that you have been working towards.

Find out the latest deals on natural diet pills, including 30% off, by clicking on the link below.

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October 1: Decommissioning

You may have received a notice from Identity & Access Management that your website is using for user authentication and needs to be updated prior to October 1, 2018.

The entire CMS and all websites on it will be updated this Sunday, September 16.  No action is required by Site Admin.

Previewing your site to the new 5.0 version of the UNLedu Framework

If you are a Site Admin you can preview your site in the latest development version of the 5.0 release of the UNLedu web framework and templates.

Doing these steps will only convert the theme for your user account (end-users will still see the site as it is now) and you can switch back and forth any time.

Oct 1, 2017: Switch to https://

On October 1, 2017 we will be forwarding all http:// requests to their https:// equivalent. Serving over HTTPS is now increasingly viewed as a best practice for user privacy and security. Starting later in October, the Google Chrome browser will label pages with a "Not secure" warning in the address bar when users enter data on an HTTP page. This will impact all UNLedu Framework pages (and hence all UNLcms pages) since the UNL site search bar is in the header of every page.

What You Need to Do

Make sure that any Javascript file references or iframe embeds use https:// in their URLs.


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3" 76mm 200 Cell CPSI 5" Round Magnaflow High Performance High Flow Sports Cat

£206.64 £221.25
SKU: 59559MF

Universal High Flow

200 CPSI (Cells Per Square Inch)

Metallic Sports Catalytic Converter

3in. Inlet/Outlet;
4in. Body;
9.75in. Overall Length;
5in. Wide;

Suitable For:-

All Vehicle Applications.

Universal Spun Metallic Catalytic Converters
MagnaFlow Performance Exhaust has spun body catalytic converters utilising the revolutionary new metallic catalyst technology. Using new manufacturing technology, Magnaflow fabricates each converter body from single CNC-formed and laster welded tubular section, which is then spun into a round converter body shape. Each converter is literally manufactured around the metallic catalyst, which is securely tucked inside, and necks down to thicker gauge material at the inlet/outlet for maximum durability. The catalyst is a spirally wound ultra thin metallic foil.

MagnaFlow Part Number:- 59559

Our Performance Brands


text:
Whether you want to generate new leads, meet senior engineers, raise brand awareness, increase engagement with the UK's gas, power and heat networks or position yourselves as thought-leaders in this market, Network offers a variety of media options to ensure you meet all your sales targets and marketing objectives.

To find out more about the commercial opportunities contact:

HELEN SMITH - Business development manager

 Or click here to download the media pack


text:
Skip to Content

You are here

Neurology Grand Rounds

Dr. Mihaela Bazalakova, RSS Chair
Administrative Office: (608) 263-5448
Questions can be directed to

Mondays from 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
1220 Medical Foundation Centennial Building
1685 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53705
Map and Directions

About Our Series

Sessions will be recorded, if permission is given by the presenter. Sessions can be viewed at a later date for CME credit. Recordings will be available via Ethos, click on Register tab and enter password information. Please contact for the login information. Participants will watch the online video and must pass a small quiz at the end to earn CME credit.

To earn CME credit for live sessions, text the code provided at the live Grand Rounds to 608-260-7097.


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NCC Competition Categories

Many photographs may fit into more than one category and it is up to the photographer to choose in which category he/she wishes to compete.

The subject matter is secondary. Elements such as line, shape, texture, shadow, color, form and pattern become the primary concern of the photographer.

A photograph whose purpose is to sell a product or concept.

Work in which the normal photographic processes have been exaggerated or manipulated by chemistry or other means for the purpose of creating special effects that are not achieved in the normal photographic process, i.e., hand coloring, excessive color shift negative prints, solarizations, reticulations, posterizations, etc. A photographer may choose to enter the creative work in the category that defines the subject, i.e., portraiture.

To record without embellishment.

Nature photography depicts observations from all branches of natural history, except anthropology and archeology, in such a fashion that a well informed person will be able to identify the subject material and to certify as to its honest presentation. The story telling value of a photograph must be weighed more than the pictorial quality. Human elements shall not be present, except on the rare occasion where those human elements enhance the nature story. The presence of scientific bands of wild animals is acceptable. Photographs of artificially produced hybrid plants or animals, mounted specimens, or obviously set arrangements, are ineligible, as is any form of manipulation that alters the truth of the photographic statement. Wildlife is defined as one or more organisms living free and unrestrained in a natural or adopted habitat.

Entries in the “People” category should feature one or more persons where the lighting and subject matter are not necessarily under the control of the photographer. It is intended to be a less formal category than “Portraiture”.

Depicts a photographic story of an event and its impact, including but not limited to: Hard news, sports, features, personalities, and human interest. The journalistic value of the photograph shall be weighed more than the pictorial quality. In the interest of credibility, photographs which misrepresent the truth, such as manipulation to alter the subject matter, or situations which are set up for the purpose of photography, are unacceptable in Photojournalism competition.

The artistic portrayal of scene(s) and/or person(s) expressed through mood, composition and tone.

Any photograph of a person(s) or animal(s) with the lighting and subject matter under the control of the photographer.

Still Life

An object or a group of objects either man-made or natural, found or arranged, and photographed under natural or enhanced lighting.

Club Challenge

Scoring and placement will be based on how well the photograph expresses the theme of the club challenge while using quality photographic guidelines. There is no distinction between color and monochrome in the club challenge category.


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Welcome to the Village of New Denver

Home to over 500 local characters, this vibrant community is situated on the eastern shore of beautiful Slocan Lake. Surrounded by the tall peaks of the Selkirk mountain range, New Denver is located in the Kootenay region of British Columbia.

An incorporated municipality since 1929, the Village of New Denver is part of the Regional District of Central Kootenay.   The Village of New Denver’s elected officials are: Mayor Leonard Casley, Councillor John Fyke, Councillor Vern Gustafson, Councillor Colin Moss, and Councillor Gerald Wagner.

The Village Office is located at 115 Slocan Avenue, New Denver, BC and is open weekdays except statutory holidays from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

The Council of the Village of New Denver will hold a public hearing on Monday, December 17, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, to hear representations from the public regarding Village of New Denver Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw... more

To accommodate the holiday schedule, residential garbage collection will be rescheduled from Tuesday, December 25th to Monday, December 24th and from Tuesday, January 1st to Monday, December 31st.  Limited commercial garbage will be collected on Friday, December 28th.

Council Meetings are held at 7:00 pm in the Village of New Denver Council Chambers on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. The schedule for 2019 is as follows: January 8 & 22                   July 9 & 23 February 12 &... more


text:
The European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA) hosted an exclusive briefing on EU-Armenia relations with EU Ambassador to Armenia Piotr Świtalski in their office in Brussels.

The briefing, which took place against the background of the recent signing of the EU-Armenia Partnership Priorities, was moderated by Diogo Pinto, Director of EuFoA, and attended by over 40 representatives of the EU institutions, diplomatic corps, international NGOs, research community, and media.

In his initial remarks, Ambassador Świtalski expressed his optimism towards the ratification and the implementation of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed by Armenia and the EU last November. Despite the concerns in some circles of the Armenian civil society—still skeptical about the implementation of CEPA and its monitoring process—Świtalski remarked that “we have clear signals that the agreement will be implemented in good faith”.

Despite being “the smallest country in the Eastern Partnership, Armenia is the most interested in the EU”, Świtalski added. He also stressed how the agreement can act as a catalyst for domestic reform, essential for unleashing Armenia’s economic potential. Ambassador Świtalski stated that ‘Armenia has all the ingredients for growth and prosperity”, namely intellect and human capital, but changes are necessary to achieve a sustainable economic development, currently hindered by an overly regulated and monopolised system which discourages young Armenian entrepreneurs and eventually leads young, talented people to leave the country.

The discussion that followed touched upon topics such as gender inequality, emigration, visa liberalisation, and the clash between the older generation—still nostalgic for the Soviet Union—and the younger one, who see the European Union as “the epitome of a better life”.

To conclude, EuFoA Director Diogo Pinto thanked the Ambassador and the attendees for their meaningful participation.

“European Friends of Armenia will keep working to make sure that the European Union and Armenia are on the same page when addressing important issues”, he said.


text:
Prisoners Across America Are Going on Strike

From August 21 to September 9, inmates across at least 17 states plan to refuse to work to draw attention to poor prison conditions and exploitative labor practices in American correctional facilities.

Prisoners are forced to work for just a few cents per hour or for free. Recently, prison labor was brought into the spotlight in California, where inmates were recruited to fight the state’s wildfires. For this work, the prisoners were only paid $1 an hour plus $2 per day.

Another reason for the upcoming demonstration is the prison riot that took place at Lee Correctional Institution in South Carolina, which was described as a “mass casualty.” Protest organizers want to draw attention to the general dehumanizing environment of prisons.

Inmates will take part in work strikes, hunger strikes, and sit-ins. Organizers continue to recruit as word of mouth about the protest spreads.

Additional Resources

America’s prisoners are going on strike in at least 17 states, Vox, August 20, 2018

Read the Demands

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Microsoft announces Circle Of Experts program

Microsoft has organized a training and certification program for IT professionals, dubbed ‘Circle of Experts’. The program has been launched in an effort to help IT professionals update their knowledge as their profession is fast, ever-changing and requires enhancing skills.

Apart from enhancing skills, the new initiative by Microsoft would also help the IT workers gain expertise in Windows Server 2012. As you may know, Windows Server 2012 provides businesses and service providers a scalable and most dynamic platform that allows IT to quickly respond to business needs and in the most efficient way possible.

Microsoft Circle of Experts

To be a part of the experts group you have to complete few simple steps. First off, you have to complete the 9 Windows Server 2012 Training Courses with Microsoft Virtual Academy. The very first course is designed to provide you with the key details of Windows Server 2012. The seven modules in this course, through video and whitepaper, provide details of the new capabilities, features, and solutions built into the product.

After completion of this course, you can dive deeper into Windows Server 2012 through additional Microsoft Virtual Academy (MVA) courses dedicated to each topic introduced in this “Technical Overview.”

Upon completion of all of the 9 courses on Windows Server 2012, you get better understanding of how Windows Server 2012 actually works, delivers the power of many servers and enables the modern workstyle.

Then, if you’re already a Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP), check what Certification you need to complete. If not, check which exams you should appear for completing the training. When done with your trainings and certifications, simply email a screen grab of your courses taken along with your MCP Transcript to by March 15th, 2013.

That’s it! if you become one of the members of the Circle of Experts, you’ll get an email confirmation from Microsoft, latest by April 1st, 2013. What’s more? The winner gets a chance to win a free trip to the USA for TechEd North America in June 2013*.

So, there is knowledge, recognition, fun and even reward. Become part of Microsoft’s one of the most recognized certification programs in the world, today!

Get more details at Microsoft.

Download this VPN to secure all your Windows devices and browse anonymously
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Anand Khanse is the Admin of and a 10-year Microsoft MVP Awardee in Windows for the period 2006-16. He enjoys following and reporting Microsoft news and developments in the world of Personal Computing & Social Media.


text:
Uber and Waymo Settle Trade Secrets Suit Over Driverless-Car Technology

SAN FRANCISCO — Waymo and Uber settled their legal fight on Friday, nearly a year after Waymo first accused the ride-hailing company of plotting to steal important self-driving car technology.

After four days of arguments and testimony in Federal District Court here, Uber agreed to provide Waymo, the self-driving car unit spun out of Google’s parent company, Alphabet, with 0.34 percent of its stock. According to Waymo, the settlement’s terms value Uber at $72 billion, meaning the Alphabet unit’s stake is about $240 million.

Waymo had argued that Uber colluded with a former Google engineer to steal technology related to laser-based sensors, a key component in self-driving cars. Uber said it had developed its technology on its own.

The dispute started in 2016 after Uber acquired Otto, a self-driving truck start-up founded by Anthony Levandowski, an early member of Google’s self-driving car project. The deal, worth a reported $590 million, came just six months after Mr. Levandowski left Google.

Mr. Levandowski had begun talking with Travis Kalanick, Uber’s former chief executive, about the possibility of working together on autonomous-vehicle technology while he was still employed at Google, according to evidence presented at the trial.

Mr. Levandowski was accused of downloading thousands of internal Google files related to self-driving car technology before he left the company. Uber learned of Mr. Levandowski’s actions, but still went ahead with the deal, Waymo claimed.

The trial had gripped Silicon Valley, with prominent technology industry executives and investors testifying in the packed courtroom. During two days of testimony, Mr. Kalanick explained how his relationship with Larry Page, Alphabet’s chief executive, had deteriorated amid growing paranoia at the two companies about their competing autonomous vehicle projects.

Mr. Levandowski, who was fired by Uber over his refusal to cooperate with the company’s legal defense against the Waymo lawsuit, was expected to to testify next week, although he was expected to refuse to answer questions and to exercise his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

Mr. Kalanick stepped down as Uber’s chief executive in June as the company grappled with the fallout from several scandals. His successor, Dara Khosrowshahi, has made it clear that he hopes to change the perception that Uber has been too quick to break rules.

Reaching a settlement with Waymo clears away a significant legal risk for Uber as it prepares for an expected initial public offering. Although the company insists it did not take any Waymo trade secrets, Mr. Khosrowshahi said in a statement that he regretted the events that led to the litigation.

“My job as Uber’s C.E.O. is to set the course for the future of the company: innovating and growing responsibly, as well as acknowledging and correcting mistakes of the past,” Mr. Khosrowshahi said in the statement. “The prospect that a couple of Waymo employees may have inappropriately solicited others to join Otto, and that they may have potentially left with Google files in their possession, in retrospect, raised some hard questions.”

For his part, Mr. Kalanick released a statement in which he was not nearly as conciliatory as the man who succeeded him in Uber’s top job.

“No trade secrets ever came to Uber,” Mr. Kalanick in the statement. “The evidence at trial overwhelmingly proved that, and had the trial proceeded to its conclusion, it is clear Uber would have prevailed.”

Content originally published on https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/09/technology/uber-waymo-lawsuit-driverless.html by DAISUKE WAKABAYASHI


text:
"So many proxies, so many things happening in the shadows."

A fairly accurate description of a typical experience of running OpenStack. A behemoth of complexity to manage, requiring an operator to understand a huge amount of layers, ranging from high level concepts like VRRP-based HAproxy setups all the down to kernel network namespaces and low-level tap-devices. All at the same time and with no central control plane to debug but rather crawl multiple log files from multiple systems in parallel.

Back in 2014 OpenStack may have been a thing but nowadays, 4 years later, people learned a lesson. There is no value in being a full-stack operator of infrastructure for systems. The idea of running a complex, distributed architecture like a private cloud at the same or higher stability and comparable or even lower cost than public clouds eventually proved futile.

That's why in 2018, consensus is, infrastructure for systems has been replaced by infrastructure for applications (k8s). The infrastructure is typically consumed on public clouds.

I think that's poignant. The example that comes to mind is SAP: their dev teams embraced both, OpenStack and K8S, culminating in this glorious monstrosity[1] called openstack-helm, by which you could run Kubernetes on bare metal nodes, then deploy OpenStack on top of that, and finally running Kubernetes on those virtual machines again.

The idea being that if your customers need Kubernetes clusters, you should be able to provision them on-demand from elastic resources.

This seems like a great approach, since you can pick a layer to apply redundancy at, and only apply it there. You do not need a triple-redundant control plane built on a redundant backplane, if you are confident in the redundancy of the backplane. I am not a customer of SAP but I am a fan of many complex uses of Helm, and this seemed like it had been very well-considered application of the tool.

Anyway learning about this implementation left me with a slightly dirty feeling that I was idolizing a Rube Goldberg level of complexity system that didn't need to be so complicated.

Then I heard about Gardener[2], which solves the same problem without OpenStack at all. Seed clusters create shoot clusters, with their control planes deployed inside namespaces of the seed cluster. There's no virtualization overhead, and you get all of the same benefits in terms of supervision. Also from SAP. I hope I get to work with something like this.

[1]: https://github.com/sapcc/openstack-helm

[2]: https://gardener.cloud/

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