Background and early career.

Kermit Gosnell was born on February 9, 1941, in Philadelphia, the only child of a gas station operator and a government clerk in an African-American family. He was a student at the city's Central High School from which he graduated in 1959. Gosnell graduated from Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA with a bachelor's degree. Gosnell received his medical degree at the Jefferson Medical School in 1966. It has been reported that he spent four decades practicing medicine among the poor, including opening the Mantua Halfway House, a rehab clinic for drug addicts in the impoverished Mantua neighborhood of West Philadelphia near where he grew up, and a teen aid program. He became an early proponent of abortion rights in the 1960s and 1970s and, in 1972, he returned from a stint in New York City to open up an abortion clinic on Lancaster Avenue in Mantua. Gosnell told a "Philadelphia Inquirer" reporter in October 1972: "as a physician, I am very concerned about the sanctity of life. But it is for this precise reason that I provide abortions for women who want and need them".  In the same year, he also performed fifteen televised second-trimester abortions, using an experimental "Super Coil" method invented by Harvey Karman. The coils were inserted into the uterus, where they caused irritation leading to the expulsion of the fetus. However, complications from the procedure were reported by nine of the women, with three of these reporting severe complications.  The 1972 "Inquirer" article also said that Gosnell was a "respected man" in his community, a finalist for the Junior Chamber of Commerce's "Young Philadelphian of the Year" because of his work directing the Mantua Halfway House. By the late 1980s, however, public records showed state tax liens were piling up against the halfway house, and the abortion clinic had a $41,000 federal tax lien.  Gosnell has been married three times. His third and current wife, Pearl, had worked at the Women's Medical Society as a full-time medical assistant from 1982 until their marriage in 1990. They have two children; the younger, being a minor, is being cared for by friends. Gosnell has four other children from his two previous marriages. In covering his background, media commentators drew attention to the "incredibly diverse" portrayals of Gosnell, touching on both his community works – the creation of a drugs halfway house and teen aid program – contrasted with portrayals of his practice as an abortion mill in which viable fetuses and babies were routinely killed following illegal late-term procedures.

Medical practice.

In 2011, he was reported to be known in Philadelphia for providing abortions to poor minority and immigrant women. It was also claimed that Gosnell charged $1,600–$3,000 for each late-term abortion. Gosnell was also associated with clinics in Delaware and Louisiana. Atlantic Women's Services in Wilmington, Delaware, was Gosnell's place of work one day a week. The owner of Atlantic Women's Services, Leroy Brinkley, also owned Delta Clinic of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and facilitated the hiring of staff from there for Gosnell's operation in Philadelphia.

Legal case.

Known prior complaints.

In total during the course of his career, 46 known lawsuits had been filed against Gosnell over some 32 years. Observers claimed that there was a complete failure by Pennsylvania regulators who had overlooked other repeated concerns brought to their attention, including lack of trained staff, "barbaric" conditions, and a high level of illegal late-term abortions.

2010 raid.

The Women's Medical Society was raided on February 18, 2010, under a search warrant by investigators from the FBI and state police. The raid was the result of a months-long investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Philadelphia Police Department, and the state's Dangerous Drug-Offender Unit into suspected illegal drug prescription use at the practice. The investigation had also revealed the suspicious death of patient Karnamaya Mongar in 2009, which had in turn brought to light further information about unsanitary operations, use of untrained staff, and use of powerful drugs without proper medical supervision and control. Thus, when the February 2010 raid took place, staff from the Pennsylvania Department of State and Pennsylvania Department of Health also attended, as these issues were under their remit:  Gosnell's license to practice was suspended on February 22, 2010, and these and other findings were presented to a grand jury on May 4, 2010. Public discussion focused on claims of unsanitary conditions and other unacceptable conditions at the practices. Media reports stated that furniture and blankets were stained with blood, that freely roaming cats defecated wherever they pleased, and that non-sterilized equipment was used and reused on patients. According to the grand jury report, patients were given labor-inducing drugs by staff who had no medical training. Once labor began, the patient would be placed on a toilet. After the fetus fell into the toilet, it would be fished out, so as not to clog the plumbing. In the recovery room, patients were seated on dirty recliners covered in blood-stained blankets. Prosecutors alleged that Gosnell had not been certified in either gynecology or obstetrics. The grand jury estimated that Gosnell's practice "took in $10,000 to $15,000 a night" of additional income from his exceedingly high level of prescriptions.

2011 arrest.

Gosnell was arrested on January 19, 2011, five days after the certification of the grand jury's report. He was charged with eight counts of murder. Prosecutors alleged that he killed seven babies born alive by severing their spinal cords with scissors, and that he was also responsible for the death in 2009 of Karnamaya Mongar, a 41-year-old refugee from Bhutan, who died in his care. Gosnell's wife, Pearl, and eight other suspects were also arrested in connection with the case. The Drug Enforcement Administration, The Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Office of the Inspector General also sought a 23-count indictment charging Gosnell and seven members of his former staff with drug conspiracy, relating to the practice's illegally prescribing highly-addictive painkillers and sedatives outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.  The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania also alleges that Gosnell's former office staff at Family and Women's Medical Society (WMS) ran a prescription "pill mill". From June 2008 through February 18, 2010, Gosnell allegedly engaged in a continuing criminal enterprise by writing and dispensing fraudulent prescriptions for thousands of pills of the frequently abused tablets OxyContin, Percocet, and Xanax, and the frequently abused syrups Phenergan and Promethazine with codeine. Authorities further allege that Gosnell and his staff allowed customers to purchase multiple prescriptions under multiple names. For the first office visit, Gosnell allegedly charged $115, but around December 2009 he allegedly increased the initial office visit fee to $150. Staff at the clinic went from writing several hundred prescriptions for controlled substances per month filled at pharmacies in 2008 to over 2,300 filled at pharmacies in January 2010. Gosnell, with the assistance of his staff, is said to have distributed and dispensed more than 500,000 pills containing oxycodone; more than 400,000 pills containing alprazolam; and more than 19,000 ounces of cough syrup containing codeine.  Gosnell's lawyer states that "Everybody's made him the butcher, this, that and the other thing without any trial, without anything being exposed to the public and everybody's found him guilty, that's not right". He accused the government of a "lynching" and stated, "This is a targeted, elitist and racist prosecution of a doctor who's done nothing but give (back) to the poor and the people of West Philadelphia."

Cases cited in the media.

Examples of cases cited in the media include:

Lack of government oversight.

Reports state that state officials had failed to visit or inspect Gosnell's practices since 1993. The grand jury report noted that the medical examiner of Delaware County alerted the Pennsylvania Department of Health that Gosnell had performed an illegal abortion on a 14-year-old who was thirty weeks pregnant; it is also claimed the Pennsylvania Department of Health did not act when they became aware of Gosnell's involvement in the death of Karnamaya Mongar.  Brenda Green, executive director of CHOICE, a nonprofit that connects the underinsured and uninsured with health services, told Katha Pollitt of "The Nation" that "it tried to report complaints from clients, but the department wouldn't accept them from a third party. Instead, the patients had to fill out a daunting five-page form, available only in English, that required them to reveal their identities upfront and be available to testify in Harrisburg. Even with CHOICE staffers there to help, only two women agreed to fill out the form, and both decided not to submit it. The Department of State and the Philadelphia Public Health Department also had ample warning of dire conditions and took no action."  In 2011, it was reported that none of Pennsylvania's 22 abortion clinics had been inspected by the government for more than 15 years. Inspections (other than those triggered by complaints) had ceased under Ridge's governorship, as they were perceived to create a barrier to women seeking abortion services.

Grand jury report.

The grand jury published its 280-page report in January 2011. It stated that, while some might see the issue and case through the lens of pro- and anti-abortion politics, it was in reality: The grand jury concluded that the practice was a corrupt organization within the meaning of racketeering law, based upon what it considered evidence of deliberate "standard" use of "bogus" doctors, falsification of records, grossly unprofessional procedures with little or no regard for human life, and flagrant disregard for medical and abortion laws and their consequences. Key findings included:

Culpability.

The report divided offenses by Gosnell and other practice employees into three categories: "charges arising from the baby murders and illegal abortions; charges in connection with the death of Karnamaya Mongar; and charges stemming generally from the ongoing operation of a criminal enterprise". The charges recommended were:  The report also examined the failings of official parties, and the key findings, analyzed in two categories:

Trial.

In 2011, Gosnell, his wife Pearl, and eight other clinic employees were charged in the case. Eight, including Gosnell's wife, subsequently pleaded guilty, most of whom would testify against Gosnell, and three of these pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, carrying a 20- to 40-year term. A gag order was imposed on both defense and prosecution in April 2011, to bar them from talking to the media before the trial. In December 2011 Pearl Gosnell pleaded guilty to performing illegal abortions, conspiracy, criminal conspiracy and corrupt organization; due to spousal privilege, she would not have to testify against Gosnell, although she could still go to prison. She had testified to the grand jury that she alone assisted on Sundays, and that her role was to "help do the instruments" in the procedure room and to monitor patients in the recovery room. Another employee testified that she assisted with late-term abortions "on Sundays or days we were closed [to] do special cases."  As a result, the only employee on trial with Gosnell was Eileen O'Neill, who allegedly held herself out as a doctor at the clinic when she was not licensed. Her lawyer told jurors she never did so, and performed medical duties only under Gosnell's orders.  On March 18, 2013, opening statements were given in a Philadelphia court. On April 23, after the prosecution had rested its case, the judge dismissed three of the seven first-degree murder charges (the next day the judge reinstated charges related to one and dismissed another, explaining the wrong charge had been mistakenly dismissed), the one count of infanticide, and all five charges of abusing a corpse Gosnell had been charged with, as well as six of the nine charges of theft by deception faced by O'Neill. No formal ruling has yet been given for these dismissals. Media sources following the trial have suggested that there may have been insufficient evidence of post-procedure life to sustain charges in law. Although prosecutors had argued the movements were voluntary and therefore signs of life, it was argued that the evidence offered by prosecutors was equally capable of being interpreted in some or all of these as single autonomous post-mortem motor movements or spasms instead of clinical signs of life, and additionally that none of the seven were capable of being alive as all had been previously killed clinically "in utero" by means of drugs as part of the procedure. Also, although staff had used descriptions such as "jumping" and "screaming" in their testimony, Gosnell's defense noted that testimony had shown only single movements or breaths, stating that the testimony was not evidence of "the movements of a live child", and the medical examiner had also testified that tests could not determine whether or not any of the 47 fetuses found had been born alive due to tissue deterioration.  The remaining four first-degree murder charges could still have led to the death penalty. The third-degree murder charges in the death of Karnamaya Mongar, the racketeering charge, and over 200 charges related to multiple violations of abortion law were also left standing. Gosnell's defense attorney rested his case summarily without calling or questioning any witnesses, and without Gosnell taking the stand in his defense, leaving the defense case until final arguments (under US law, a defendant may choose not to take the stand; if so then the jury is instructed that no inference or assumption may be drawn from this). O'Neill also did not testify in her defense. The case went to jury deliberation on April 30, 2013.

Defendants, related charges, verdicts and sentencing.

Gosnell was charged with seven counts of first-degree murder (reduced to four counts at trial) and one count of third-degree murder, as well as infanticide (dismissed at trial), five counts of abusing a corpse (all dismissed at trial), multiple counts of conspiracy, criminal solicitation and violation of a state law that forbids abortions after the 24th week of pregnancy. The non-murder charges included 24 counts of violating Pennsylvania's Abortion Act by performing illegal third-trimester abortions, 227 counts of violating a 24-hour waiting-period requirement, failing to counsel patients, and racketeering. His co-defendants were:  On May 13, 2013, the jury reported that they were deadlocked on two counts. After returning to deliberations, the jury convicted Gosnell of three counts of murder, one count of involuntary manslaughter, and many lesser counts. He was found not guilty on one of the counts of murder. The murder charges Gosnell was convicted of concerned babies referred to as Baby Boy A (also known as Baby Abrams and as Adam), Baby C and Baby D.  On May 14, 2013, Gosnell struck a deal with prosecutors in which he agreed to waive all his appeal rights regarding his conviction on the day earlier. In exchange, prosecutors allowed Gosnell to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.  On May 15, 2013, Gosnell was sentenced to three life terms.

Impact and aftermath.

Other bodies and persons claiming to have made reports.

In April 2011 the University of Pennsylvania Health System claimed as early as 1999 that they had provided to authorities reports about botched procedures by Gosnell. The only case for which any reports were produced was that of Semika Shaw, a 22-year-old, who died at the University of Pennsylvania hospital as a result of bleeding and sepsis caused by a botched procedure by Gosnell. Gosnell's insurers settled a lawsuit with family members of Shaw for $900,000. The health system also claims other undocumented reports were made orally, for which they did not have records.

Regulatory and legislative impact.

The Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee of the Pennsylvania State Senate, led by Robert M. Tomlinson, began a hearing in February 2011 to look into the failure of the Pennsylvania Department of State — which is responsible for licensing doctors — to provide any oversight of Gosnell's activities. At the same time, the Public Health and Welfare Committee of the state Senate, chaired by Pat Vance, conducted hearings on the Pennsylvania State Health Department's failure to put a stop to Gosnell's activities.  In part as a result of the grand jury report on Gosnell, in late 2011, Pennsylvania passed a law, SB 732, that places abortion clinics under the same health and safety regulations as other outpatient surgical centers. Among those who supported the bill was Democrat Margo L. Davidson, whose cousin Semika Shaw died as a result of procedures done by Gosnell. Davidson specifically linked her support for the additional regulations to her cousin's death, which she attributed to poor medical practices.  In May 2013, as a result of the Kermit Gosnell case, Representative Joe Pitts (R-Pennsylvania), chair of the health-matters subcommittee of the United States House of Representatives' Energy and Commerce Committee, began an inquiry into states' oversight of abortion clinics.  In June 2013, the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives passed the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. Speaker of the House John Boehner said the bill was in response to Gosnell's convictions. The legislation was viewed as mostly symbolic, as it stood little chance of being approved by the Democratic-led U.S. Senate.

Non-legislative actions resulting from the case.

In February 2011 Pennsylvania Governor and former State Attorney General Tom Corbett fired six employees and commenced action to fire eight others where for legal or contractual reasons, more extensive dismissal procedures were required. These included Basil Merenda, the acting head of the Pennsylvania Department of State, Christine Dutton, the Department of Health's chief counsel (who, in reaction to being questioned why the Department did not react to a death at Gosnell's clinic, said "people die"), and Stacy Mitchell, a deputy secretary in the health department (whom the grand jury cited as a key figure in the Health Department's indifference to, and non-regulation of, abortion clinics). Some of the people most connected by the grand jury report with the failure of the government to act, such as Janice Staloski, had retired by this point and so no action was taken against them.

Civil cases.

The family of Karnamaya Mongar brought a wrongful death suit against Gosnell and sought to freeze his assets to prevent him from transferring them to other people to avoid paying. In September 2015, a judge in Philadelphia Common Pleas court awarded nearly $4 million in compensatory damages to Mongar's daughter, Yashoda Devi Gurung. However, reports that Gosnell had few assets by this time made it doubtful whether any of the money would be paid.

Media coverage and public reactions.

Gosnell's arrest has been the subject of much public comment and expressions of condemnation and shock by senior public figures of all parties. Mayor Michael Nutter (D-PA) said, "I think it's quite clear that, if these allegations are true, we've had a monster living in our midst" while vowing to watch the city's remaining abortion clinics more closely. Outgoing Governor Ed Rendell (D-PA) criticized Department of Health officials saying, "I was flabbergasted to learn that the Department of Health did not think their authority to protect public health extended to clinics offering abortion services", while incoming Governor Tom Corbett (R-PA) stated through a spokesperson that he was "appalled at the inaction on the part of the Health Department and the Department of State," and District Attorney of the city of Philadelphia R. Seth Williams said "My comprehension of the English language can't adequately describe the barbaric nature of Dr. Gosnell... Pennsylvania is not a third-world country... There were several oversight agencies that stumbled upon and should have shut down Kermit Gosnell long ago."  Gosnell also practiced in other states, including Delaware. In January 2011, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden (D-Delaware) promised a wide-ranging investigations into the abortions Gosnell performed in Delaware saying; "I'm disturbed by the allegations that were handed up by the grand jury in Philadelphia".  A spokesperson for the National Abortion Federation, an association of abortion providers, noted that Gosnell had been rejected for membership following inspection, because his clinics did not meet appropriate standards of care, but that "they'd cleaned the place up and hired an RN [registered nurse] for our visit. We only saw first-trimester procedures." She adding that "Unfortunately, some women don't know where to turn. You sometimes have substandard providers preying on low-income women who don't know that they do have other (safe) options." A spokesperson for Planned Parenthood in Southeastern Pennsylvania, condemned Gosnell, saying, "We would condemn any physician who does not follow the law or endangers anyone's health... All women should have access to high-quality care when they are vulnerable and facing difficult decisions." Dayle Steinberg, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania, says she knew that Gosnell had provided abortions in Philadelphia for many years, but says she hadn't heard of any problems at his clinic until the allegations surfaced. She has been quoted as stating that "when Gosnell was in practice, women would sometimes come to Planned Parenthood for services after first visiting Gosnell's West Philadelphia clinic, and would complain to staff about the conditions there. We would always encourage them to report it to the Department of Health." She clarified that "when Gosnell was arrested, I asked our staff if anyone had ever heard of him, and clinic staff members reported that a few women over the years said they were concerned about the uncleanliness of his facility and came to Planned Parenthood instead... if we had heard anything remotely like the conditions that have since come to light about Gosnell's facility, of course we would have alerted the state and other authorities".  Kermit Gosnell himself gave an interview to Fox 29 in February 2011, in which he stated that:

Criticism of media coverage.

A perception had built up among some journalists and pro-life groups that there had been a reluctance to report on the trial among mainstream media. In an April 11, 2013 opinion column for "USA Today", Kirsten Powers wrote: "A Lexis-Nexis search shows none of the news shows on the three major national television networks has mentioned the Gosnell trial in the last three months", and that national press coverage was represented by a "Wall Street Journal" columnist who "hijacked" a segment on "Meet the Press", a single page A-17 story on the first day of the trial by "The New York Times", and no original coverage by "The Washington Post".  While Kirsten Powers is credited by some for drawing media coverage to the Gosnell trial, Dave Weigel at Slate.com reported it was conservatives' aggressive use of social media, especially Twitter, that "goaded" the press into covering the trial in Philadelphia. According to Weigel, Troy Newman, president of the Kansas-based pro-life Operation Rescue, had organized a Twitter campaign using "#Gosnell" to break the "Gosnell Media Blackout." Key to that social media campaign was a picture of rows of empty media seats in the Gosnell courtroom taken by Calkins Media columnist J.D. Mullane.  Mullane told Weigel he was struck by the absence of media at the trial, and took out his iPhone and snapped the picture, tweeting it later that night.  "Mullane retweeted the photo a few more times, with different captions, because it had been packed into a snowball (of criticism)" which included Powers' column for "USA Today", Weigel wrote. The empty seats photograph was used by pro-life activists to show "proof" of media dereliction. Weigel wrote: "It worked. An estimated 106,000 #Gosnell tweets later, on April 15, Mullane reported that major networks and newspapers had sent their reporters to cover the trial—Fox News, the New York Times, the Washington Post."  Writing for "The Washington Post", Melinda Henneberger responded that "we didn't write more because the only abortion story most outlets ever cover in the news pages is every single threat or perceived threat to abortion rights. In fact, that is so fixed a view of what constitutes coverage of that issue that it's genuinely hard, I think, for many journalists to see a story outside that paradigm as news. That's not so much a conscious decision as a reflex, but the effect is one-sided coverage". Explaining why some of her colleagues did not report on the story, Henneberger wrote, "One colleague viewed Gosnell's alleged atrocities as a local crime story, though I can't think of another mass murder, with hundreds of victims, that we ever saw that way. Another said it was just too lurid, though that didn't keep us from covering Jeffrey Dahmer, or that aspiring cannibal at the NYPD." Writing for Bloomberg View, Jeffrey Goldberg said that this story "upsets a particular narrative about the reality of certain types of abortion, and that reality isn't something some pro-choice absolutists want to discuss".  The "Los Angeles Times", "The Atlantic", "Slate", and "Time" all published opinion columns where the writer thought the incident was not getting as much media coverage as it deserved. Megan McArdle explains that she didn't cover it because it made her ill, but also how being pro-choice influenced writers saying "most of us tend to be less interested in sick-making stories if the sick-making was done by 'our side,'" saying, "this story should have been covered much more than it was — covered as a national policy issue, not a 'local crime story.'" Martin Baron, "The Post"'s executive editor, claims he wasn't aware of the story until Thursday, 11 April, when readers began emailing him about it, saying "I wish I could be conscious of all stories everywhere, but I can't be". They ultimately decided that, in fact, the story warranted attention because of "the seriousness and scope of the alleged crimes and because this was a case that resonated in policy arguments and national politics", adding "In retrospect, we regret not having staffed the trial sooner. But, as you know, we don't have unlimited resources, and [...] there is a lot of competition for our staff's attention". He insisted that "we never decide what to cover for ideological reasons, no matter what critics might claim. Accusations of ideological motives are easy to make, even if they're not supported by the facts". "The New York Times" also acknowledged the lack of coverage and reported on the online campaign and subsequent increase in coverage of the case. While Powers' piece clearly sparked debate among journalists, Katherine Bindley also highlights contrasting views, as does Paul Farhi. A column on Salon.com questioned whether the Gosnell case was an example of liberal media bias, saying that conservative media and politicians had also given little attention to the story until April 2013.  In April 2013, 71 other Members of Congress joined Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn in a letter condemning the media "blackout" on the Gosnell trial.

Movie.

In early 2014, filmmakers Ann McElhinney, Phelim McAleer, and Magdalena Segieda announced they would be producing a true crime drama film of the Gosnell crimes. Nick Searcy would direct, and John Sullivan would serve as executive producer. The working title for the film is "Gosnell: America's Biggest Serial Killer". The producers raised money for production of the movie on the crowdfunding site Indiegogo, receiving $2.3 million from backers. Andrew Klavan was hired to be the screenwriter for the movie. Earl Billings would play Gosnell, and Dean Cain would play Detective James Wood.  The producers announced on June 26, 2018, that they had signed a distribution deal for the movie, which opened in about 750 theaters in October 12, 2018.  As well, the filmmakers wrote a book titled, "Gosnell: The Untold Story of America's Most Prolific Serial Killer". The book was released on January 24, 2017. The book quickly rose to the number three spot on Amazon's "Best Seller" list, and number one on their "Hot New Releases" list.

Kermit Barron Gosnell (born February 9, 1941) is an American physician and former abortion provider who was convicted of murdering three infants who were born alive during attempted abortion procedures; he was also convicted of involuntary manslaughter of one woman during an abortion procedure.


Greatest Hits – Chapter One (Kelly Clarkson album)

Background and release.

Clarkson was first approached on releasing a greatest hits album after releasing "My December" in December 2007, but found the idea appalling. She insisted: "Doing a greatest hits would be crazy. I am not 50. Artists who do one after three albums think their career is coming to an end." On September 11, 2012, the UK branch of Sony Music Entertainment revealed on a press conference that a greatest hits album from Clarkson would be released by the end of 2012. In an interview with "The Insider" promoting the release of her promotional single "Get Up (A Cowboys Anthem)" (2012), Clarkson hinted that she would release a new set of songs by the end of the year. On October 4, 2012, Clarkson announced that a new single from the compilation album, "Catch My Breath", would be released the following week. RCA Records later announced that the album's title would be "Greatest Hits – Chapter One"; the album was released on November 19, 2012 in the United States and was preceded by the release of "Catch My Breath" on October 16, 2012.

Content and artwork.

"Greatest Hits – Chapter One" contains seventeen tracks spanning ten years of music material from Clarkson's career, including a collaborative work with country artist Jason Aldean and three newly recorded tracks specifically made for the greatest hits album. "A Moment Like This", representing the oldest material on the compilation, is taken from her non-album single "Before Your Love"/"A Moment Like This" in 2002. "Miss Independent" is the only song from her debut album, "Thankful" (2003). "Breakaway" first appeared on the soundtrack of the Disney film "" (2004). "Breakaway" also appeared on her 2004 album "Breakaway", along with "Since U Been Gone", "Behind These Hazel Eyes", "Because of You", and "Walk Away". "Never Again" is the only song from her 2007 album "My December". Tracks from her 2009 album "All I Ever Wanted" are "My Life Would Suck Without You" "I Do Not Hook Up" and "Already Gone". "Mr. Know It All" and "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" both originally appeared on her 2011 album "Stronger". "Don't You Wanna Stay" first appeared on Aldean's 2010 album, "My Kinda Party", and was also included in "Stronger". The remaining track, a cover of "I'll Be Home for Christmas", originally appeared on her second extended play, "iTunes Session" (2011).  The compilation features three previously unreleased tracks: "Catch My Breath", "Don't Rush" and "People Like Us". "Catch My Breath", an electropop song, was written by Clarkson along with her musical director Jason Halbert and Eric Olson. It was released as the first single from the compilation album. "Don't Rush" features the country artist Vince Gill. The international version of the compilation includes the songs "The Trouble with Love Is", "Beautiful Disaster", "I Do Not Hook Up" and "Dark Side". "The Trouble with Love Is" first appeared on the soundtrack of the Universal film "Love Actually" (2003), and also appeared on "Thankful". The live version of "Beautiful Disaster" (originally from "Thankful") also appeared as the final track from "Breakaway". "I Do Not Hook Up" appeared on "All I Ever Wanted" and "Dark Side" appeared on "Stronger". The deluxe edition DVD contains almost all of Clarkson's music videos including the accompanying music videos of "Low" and "Don't Waste Your Time" (which weren't included on the compilation). The photographic artwork for the album was shot by Canadian-American photographer Jill Greenberg, who was known for producing portrait covers of "Time", "Wired", "Fast Company", and "Entertainment Weekly". It also marked the first time Greenberg designed a phonographic cover despite photographing Clarkson back in 2002.

Promotion.

Live performances.

Clarkson performed "Don't Rush" at the 46th Annual Country Music Association Awards with Vince Gill on November 1, 2012. On November 18, 2012 she performed a medley of "Miss Independent", "Since U Been Gone", "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" and "Catch My Breath" at the 40th Annual American Music Awards. On November 20, 2012, she performed "Catch My Breath" on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show".

Singles.

The compilation's lead single, "Catch My Breath", premiered on "On Air with Ryan Seacrest" on October 10, 2012 and was released to retail on October 15, 2012. It debuted on the "Billboard" Hot 100 at number 54 and peaked at number 19, becoming Clarkson's 15th top-40 hit on the chart. It also peaked at number 14 on the "Billboard" Pop Songs chart and at number 5 on the "Billboard" Adult Pop Songs chart. The second single, "Don't Rush", featuring Vince Gill, was released on October 30, 2012 exclusively for country music radio and retail, fifteen days after the release of "Catch My Breath". It entered the "Billboard" Hot 100 at number 97, eventually peaking at number 87, and at the "Billboard" Hot Country Songs chart at number 23. In January 2013, "People Like Us" was confirmed as the third single from the album. It was released to radio stations in the United States on April 8, 2013.

Critical reception.

AllMusic's senior editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine lauded Clarkson's transcendence from her "American Idol" image and her endurance throughout the 2000s, writing that "Consequently, "Greatest Hits – Chapter One" winds up sounding like pop sounded in the new millennium: alternatively calculated and inspired, a pop star who always seemed in control of her fate even when she aspired to be heard as bumper music in malls from sea to shining sea." Robert Copsey of "Digital Spy" opined that "the sailing has been pretty smooth for Kelly ever since, turning out big pop songs (courtesy of Dr. Luke and Max Martin) with even bigger vocals that are, for the most part, wholly reassuring." Philip Matusavage of "musicOMH" wrote a positive review, remarking: ""Chapter One" is a testament to Clarkson’s durability and she is one of the few artists to use such an ‘I’m still relevant, dammit!’ suffix whom you can envisage releasing a "Chapter Two"." Jonathan Keefe of "Slant Magazine" noted: "Clarkson's five studio albums have been a mixed bag, both in terms of quality and overall style, ranging from the R&B-lite of "Thankful" to the slick pop-rock of "Breakaway" and "All I Ever Wanted". Clarkson has yet to settle on a distinct POV as an artist, but the smart sequencing of "Chapter One" downplays this limitation."

Commercial performance.

"Greatest Hits – Chapter One" debuted at number eleven on the "Billboard" 200 Albums Chart, selling about 75,000 copies in its first week. It has sold over 728,000 copies as of September 2017. It also debuted on the Swiss Albums Chart at number 92 on the week ending December 2, 2012. On the Japanese Oricon Albums Chart, the compilation debuted at number 80 on December 3, 2012.

Track listing.

Notes

Greatest Hits – Chapter One (stylized as Greatest Hits • Chapter One) is the first greatest hits album by American singer Kelly Clarkson, released on November 16, 2012 by RCA Records. It contains material from Clarkson's first five studio albums: "Thankful" (2003), "Breakaway" (2004), "My December" (2007), "All I Ever Wanted" (2009), and "Stronger" (2011). Its three newly recorded songs, "Catch My Breath", "Don't Rush" and "People Like Us", served as singles; contributions to their production came from Sound Kollectiv, Greg Kurstin and Dann Huff.


Design and description.

The Type 1936B design retained the hull design of the preceding Type 1936A, but reverted to the lighter main armament of the Type 1936 to reduce topweight and improve seakeeping. They were also given a stronger anti-aircraft armament than the older ships.  The ships had an overall length of and were long at the waterline. They had a beam of, and a maximum draught of. They displaced at standard load and at deep load. The ship's hulls were divided into 16 watertight compartments and they were fitted with a double bottom that covered 47% of their length amidships. Their crew consisted of 11–15 officers and 305–20 sailors.  The Type 1936Bs were powered by two Wagner geared steam turbine sets, each driving a single three-bladed propeller, using steam provided by six high-pressure Wagner water-tube boilers with superheaters that operated at a pressure of and a temperature of. The turbines were designed to produce for a speed of. The ships carried a maximum of of fuel oil which gave a range of at.

Armament and sensors.

The Type 1936B ships carried five 45-calibre SK C/34 guns in single mounts with gun shields, two each superimposed, fore and aft of the superstructure. The fifth mount was positioned on top of the rear superstructure. The guns were designated No. 1 to 5 from front to rear. The mounts had a range of elevation from -10° to +30°, which gave them a range of at maximum elevation. They fired projectiles at a muzzle velocity of at a rate of 15–18 rounds per minute. The ships carried a total of 600 shells for the guns.  Their anti-aircraft armament consisted of four 80-calibre SK C/30 guns in two twin mounts abreast the aft funnel. The power operated mounts had a maximum elevation of 85° which gave the guns a ceiling of ; horizontal range was at an elevation of 35.7°. The single-shot SK C/30 fired projectiles at a muzzle velocity of at a rate of 30 rounds per minute. The mounts were stabilized, but their gyroscopes were undersized and could not cope with sharp turns or heavy rolling. They were also fitted with fifteen fully automatic 65-calibre C/30 guns in three quadruple and three single mounts. The gun had an effective rate of fire of about 120 rounds per minute. Its projectiles were fired at a muzzle velocity of which gave it a ceiling of and a maximum horizontal range of.  The ships carried eight above-water torpedo tubes in two power-operated mounts. Two reloads were provided for each mount. The standard torpedo for the Type 36B destroyers was the G7a torpedo. It had a warhead and three speed/range settings: at ; at and at. They had four depth charge launchers and mine rails could be fitted on the rear deck that had a maximum capacity of 74–76 mines. 'GHG' (Gruppenhorchgerät) passive hydrophones were fitted to detect submarines and an "S-Gerät" sonar was also probably fitted. The ships were equipped with a "FuMO" 24/25 radar set above the bridge.

Service.

All three of the completed ships were assigned to the "6. Zerstörerflotille" (6th Destroyer Flotilla) in the Baltic in 1944 as they completed working up. The flotilla was tasked to support minelaying efforts in the Baltic and the Gulf of Finland in February 1944, but initially escorted convoys before laying its first minefield in mid-March. Its primary activity remained minelaying through July, including reinforcing the existing minefields in the Gulf of Finland in April. Reinforced by the arrival of "Z36" in late June, the flotilla began bombarding Soviet positions at the end of July, both by themselves and while escorting heavy cruisers on the same mission and intermittently continued to do so almost up until the end of the war. In September it covered the convoys evacuating German forces from Finland and then Estonia before "Z43" was assigned to the flotilla the following month.  In mid-December the flotilla was ordered to lay a new minefield between the Estonian coast and an existing minefield slightly further out to sea. In bad weather on the night of 11/12 December, "Z35" and "Z36" blundered into that minefield and struck one or more mines each around 02:00. "Z36" sank very quickly with the loss of all hands and "Z35" lasted a bit longer before sinking. The crew abandoned ship before she sank, but only about 70 men were rescued by the Soviets. The only operational ship of the class remaining, "Z43", escorted convoys at the beginning of 1945 before resuming her previous task of shore bombardment in mid-February. She continued to do so until early April when she struck a mine on 10 April that crippled her. After emergency repairs, "Z43" then steamed into Warnemünde harbour where she provided gunfire support for German troops ashore. The ship departed Warnemünde on 2 May for Kiel after exhausting all of her ammunition. "Z43" was scuttled the following day.  Construction of "Z44" and "Z45" was slowed by their lack of priority and only "Z44" was launched before the end of the war. Work on both ships was ordered halted for at least three months on 24 July 1944, although it was rendered moot five days later when "Z44" was sunk while fitting-out during an air raid by the Royal Air Force on Bremen. Both ships were already being cannibalized for parts to repair the destroyer by then and salvaging "Z44" became impractical when her stern broke off in early September. Her wreck was scrapped in place in 1948–1949. "Z45" was never finished and was broken up on the slipway in 1946.

The Type 1936B destroyers were a group of five destroyers built for Nazi Germany's "Kriegsmarine" between 1941 and 1942, of which only three were completed and saw service. Eight ships to this design were ordered, but the orders for three ships were cancelled before construction began. was the first ship of the class to be completed and was commissioned in mid-1943. Her sister ships, and, followed in 1944. "Z44" was sunk during an air raid in 1944 before she was completed while "Z45" was never completed. Both ships were scrapped after the war.


Early life.

Leos Carax was born Alex Christophe Dupont in Suresnes, Hauts-de-Seine, a commune in the suburbs of Paris, France. His mother is American and his father is French.

Career.

He began his film career with a series of short films, and as a film critic, before he released "Boy Meets Girl" (1984). The piece established Carax's reputation for a mature visual style. It also saw the first grouping of Carax with Denis Lavant and cinematographer Jean-Yves Escoffier. He followed the piece with "Mauvais Sang" (literally "Bad Blood" but mostly known as "The Night is Young") in 1986, which alienated some of his audience, but the work continued to explore the complexities of love in the modern world, this time through a darker, more criminal viewpoint. The work was clearly an homage to French New Wave cinema, and his use of such actresses as Juliette Binoche proved a touching tribute to his influences, especially Jean-Luc Godard. The film was entered into the 37th Berlin International Film Festival.  Five years later, Carax returned to directing with "Les Amants du Pont-Neuf", which proved to be an expensive undertaking as Parisian authorities granted him only 10 days in which he could film on Pont Neuf. His initial reaction to the problems of filming on a public bridge had been to construct a model of the bridge in the community of Lansargues, in Southern France. However, on the first day of filming Denis Lavant injured his thumb severely, which pushed the movie back by a month. Subsequent financial difficulties further pushed filming over a much longer period than intended. The movie was released to critical acclaim and opened the door for Carax to enter more experimental waters with his fourth feature, "Pola X". That film, released in 1999, was an adaptation of Herman Melville's tale of incest, "".  Carax's 2012 film "Holy Motors" stars his regular collaborator, Denis Lavant. The film competed for the Palme d'Or at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.

Upcoming projects.

Carax is set to direct "Annette", a music-filled drama feature film written by Sparks and starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard. In 2017 he also guested vocals on the Sparks track "When You're a French Director" from their album "Hippopotamus".

Alex Christophe Dupont (born 22 November 1960), best known as Leos Carax (), is a French film director, critic, and writer. Carax is noted for his poetic style and his tortured depictions of love. His first major work was "Boy Meets Girl" (1984), and his notable works include "Les Amants du Pont-Neuf" (1991) and "Holy Motors" (2012). His professional name is an anagram of his real name, 'Alex', and 'Oscar'.


Biography.

Taylor Davis was born on March 20, 1987 at Western Springs, Illinois. Her passion for videogames began when she was a child, especially since her older brother often involved her in his gaming sessions. Davis started playing violin at the age of 8, while in elementary school, after being inspired by a young girl's performance of "Silent Night" on the violin at a school assembly. Davis was heavily bullied in middle school; it was a sad and lonely time for her. This lasted until she started attending high school, where she met her future husband, Jarred, who shared and supported her passions and interests, which helped Davis regain her self-confidence. They married in 2011, after being best friends for 14 years. While in high school, Davis began playing video games music, and introduced this genre (especially tracks taken from "Final Fantasy" series) into the school's ambient. Later, Davis attended Gonzaga University, where she worked to introduce video game music to the college orchestra and quartet members. Because of her influence, some of the game music would be played at weddings and other gigs. Davis graduated from Gonzaga University with a degree in Public Relations, and a minor degree in Violin Performance. After attending college, she intended to get into the profession of scoring music for games, films, or other media. It did not work out at the time, so she took a business job for a short period, while at the same time posting YouTube videos on the side (as a classically trained violinist, she was looking for a way to keep music a part of her life.) Davis worked as a Marketing/PR person for a non-profit organization until November 2011; then she decided to quit her job, so she could concentrate all her efforts into developing her career through YouTube.

Career and activity on YouTube.

Davis started her first YouTube channel under the pseudonym "ViolinTay" on April 29, 2010. Since then, she captured media and people's attention, thanks to her top-notch technique and versatility, and the continuous growth of subscribers and video-views on her channel. As of 2015, Davis' first channel's statistics are: 158 videos posted, over 200,000,000 video-views and over 1,000,000 subscribers. Her most popular video (which has collected over 18,000,000 views) is entitled "He's a Pirate", where she plays an intense re-arrangement of Klaus Badelt's track which is featured in the movie "". On March 23, 2015, almost five years after the launch of her first channel, Davis started a second YouTube channel titled "Behind the Strings", which is focused on sharing more aspects of Davis' activity to the audience. As of 2015, her second channel's statistics are: 26 videos posted, over 18,000 subscribers and over 200,000 video-views.  In October 2013, Critical Hit band's debut took place. This is a group formed by top-notch musicians, led by Jason Hayes (keyboardist and composer of "World of Warcraft" video game's soundtrack) and Michael Gluck (entrepreneur and pianist under the pseudonym "Piano Squall"). Davis joined the band in the same year, and beyond her, Hayes and Gluck, the other band members are: composer Adam Gubman, keyboardist David Paich (Toto's co-founder); violinists Michelle Jade, Caroline Campbell and Molly Rogers; bassists Carlitos del Puerto and Tim MacDonald; cellists Tina Guo, Ginger Murphy and Leah Metzler; percussionists Doug Belote, Joel Taylor and Kevin Dooley; guitarists Kole Hicks, Nita Strauss, Chet Stevens and Laurence Juber; pianist Salome Scheidegger; flutists Sara Andon, Shannon Canchola, and the "World Music" woodwinds-reeds-wind synthesizers specialist Pedro Eustache. The band published its first album in the same period.  Davis has also performed live at a number of prestigious events all around the world including:

Tours.

Taylor Davis: Live in Concert (2015).

On May 28, 2015, Davis announced her first US concert tour. The tour began on September 29, 2015 in Northampton, Massachusetts at Iron Horse Music Hall, and concluded on October 28, 2015 in Austin, Texas at Long Center, after performing at 20 different locations. She was accompanied on every concert by pianist Salome Scheidegger. Tickets pre-order started on June 5, 2015.

Taylor Davis: Live in Concert - European Tour (2016).

Right after the conclusion of her first tour through the United States, Taylor Davis announced her new European series of concerts, where she toured from February to March 2016 through the major cities of Europe, for a total of 14 dates. Tickets pre-order started on October 29, 2015.

Full discography.

Singles.

with Lara de Wit  with Peter Hollens  with The Hound + The Fox  with Home Free  with Jennifer Thomas  This discography was compiled from iTunes and Loudr.

Videography.

NOTE: Taylor Davis also appears on several YouTube videos which are published on other channels, such as:

Taylor Davis (born March 20, 1987) is an, arranger, and composer. Davis is best known for her violin-covers of music from video games featured on her YouTube channel "Taylor Davis", where she also features performances of her own arrangements of music from films and musicals. From July 2013, she has begun releasing her own original compositions as well.


Description.

This species is completely aquatic and nearly helpless on land. Their thin skin rips easily, but has a very rough texture; hence their common name. They are sexually dimorphic, with males being much smaller (thinner and longer bodies), compared to the larger (short stocky) females. Most interesting is that this species varies between sexes in feeding habits, the males actively hunt prey whereas the females sit and wait as ambush predators (Shine, 1991). They are found mainly in small ponds, swamps and estuaries, but have also been found at sea.  In recent years, this species also entered the pet trade. Farmed animals usually used for skins are the primary source of importation. Animals from the Philippines are particularly blue, and rarely enter the pet trade since reptile exportation from the Philippines is strictly banned. This snake is a non-venomous constrictor unlike most fully aquatic Asian snakes which are rear fanged.

Geographic range.

Found from both coasts of peninsular India though Southeast Asia, the Indo-Australian Archipelago and northern Australia to the Solomon Islands. This includes Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China (Hainan), the Philippines (Luzon, Cebu and Batayan), Malaysia, Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Flores, Timor, Sulawesi, Ternate, Ambon, and coastal Irian Jaya), Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands the coast along northern Australia (Northern Territory and eastern Queensland). No type locality was given with the original description, although Smith (1943) gives "India" and Saint-Girons (1972) gives "Inde."

Feeding.

According to Shine (1991), 50% of the acrochords tested for stomach contents yielded either rainbow fish, grunters, cat fish or sleepy cod. There is no evidence suggesting that they feed on amphibians. Occasionally known to eat eels. Their rough skin is used for the purpose of underwater constriction, which is how they hold onto their prey. Females ambush predators while males forage actively.

Acrochordus granulatus is a snake species found from India through Southeast Asia to the Solomon Islands. It is known as the little file snake, marine file snake, and little wart snake. It is completely aquatic and almost helpless on land. No subspecies are currently recognized.


Family.

Elisabeth was the seventh of ten children born to her parents. Her siblings included: Bolesław II the Bald, Mieszko, Duke of Lubusz, Henry III the White, Konrad I, Duke of Silesia-Glogau, Ladislaus of Salzburg, Gertrude, Duchess of Masovia and Constance, Duchess of Kujavia.  Elisabeth's maternal grandparents were Ottokar I of Bohemia and his second wife, Constance of Hungary. Constance was daughter of Béla III of Hungary and his first wife, Agnes of Antioch. Elisabeth's paternal grandparents were Henry I the Bearded and his wife, Hedwig of Andechs (later canonized a saint in the Roman Catholic Church).

Life.

Elisabeth spent her childhood in Sanctuary of St. Jadwiga in Trzebnica where she would have lived with her paternal grandmother Hedwig, who would have been a big influence to her granddaughter. It is not certain whether there was pressure for Elisabeth to join the monastery. Elisabeth remained at Trzebnica until she was kidnapped by her brother Bolesław II the Bald because her family wanted her to marry Przemysł I of Greater Poland.  The marriage was for political reasons like most royal marriages of the time. Przemysł wanted to regain some of his father's lost lands in Silesia. The marriage helped the reincorporation of Kalisz into Greater Poland.  Little is known about the rule of Elisabeth as Duchess consort of her husband's lands. In 1250 she founded a monastery in Owińska. Some nuns were brought to it from her childhood home of Trzebnica.  Elisabeth and Przemysł had five children:  When Elisabeth's husband died 4 June 1257, he left Elisabeth her dower, in which was an estate in Modrze. Elisabeth died on her estate 16 January 1265.  Elisabeth's granddaughter from her son was Elisabeth Richeza of Poland who became the second wife of Wenceslaus II of Bohemia.

Elisabeth of Wrocław (Polish: Elżbieta wrocławska) (c. 1232 – 16 January 1265), also known as "Elisabeth of Poland", was a daughter of Henry II the Pious and his wife, Anna of Bohemia. She was a member of the House of Piast and was Duchess consort of Greater Poland by marriage.


History.

The modernization program of the Hellenic Navy in the late 1990s included the construction of three modern missile boats and was signed in January 2000. The construction took place at the Elefsis Shipyards, while Vosper Thornycroft (now BAE Systems Surface Ships) provided the necessary design, logistical support and equipment for the ships. On August, 2003 and September, 2008 options that provided the acquisition of four more vessels were activated with the last ship to be commissioned in 2015.  On September 25, 2008, a 299 million Euro contract was signed between the Greek State and the Elefsis Shipyards for the construction of the two remaining vessels of the class, P-78 and P-79. According to the contract, the delivery times of the two FACs were 46 months from the start of the contract for the first ship and 52 months for the second. Due to serious financial problems of the shipyards and the Greek state, there has been a 10 year delay in the construction of the two ships. In 2016 the Greek government decided that the Hellenic Navy should undertake the completion of the construction of the two vessels. The plan was that the two vessels should have been launched not later then 18 months after the signing of the contract and that they should have been delivered in the navy not later then 2019. In 2017, in a statement of alternate defense minister D. Vitsas there were hopes that the construction would have finished in mid 2018. Finally, on June 1, 2018, the launch of the 6th Super Vita P-78 took place at the Elefsina Shipyards. There was no information about the progress of construction of P-79. According to some reports the acceptance of the two ships in the navy was not programmed to happen before 2020. In April 2020, there were articles in Greek defence news sites mentioning that in May 2020, it is expected that the 6th vessel will conduct the final tests at sea and will be delivered for acceptance into the Hellenic Navy. There were no announcements about the date of possible acceptance of the 7th vessel but it is probably not going to happen before 2021.

Design.

The plans of the Roussen Class missile boats are based on smaller Vita class boats serving in the navies of Qatar, as well as similar size vessels built for Oman and other countries. The hull is made of steel and the superstructure is made of Aluminum, while the company Vosper Thornycroft (now BAE Systems Surface Ships) provides the electricity transmission system, the management board, electrical equipment and systems countermeasures.

Weapons and electronics.

The main armament of the ships are eight Exocet MM40 Block II/III anti-ship missiles with a range of up to 70/180 km respectively. They are complemented by an Otobreda 76 mm naval gun in the bow and two smaller 30mm cannons as secondary weapons located on the ships' superstructure. The vessel's primary anti-air and anti-missile weapon is the RIM-116 RAM missile system which comprises an on board Mk-31 launcher with 21 projectiles, as well as the DR3000 and AR900 electronic support measures systems and the Mk36 SRBOC decoy launcher.  The sensor suite responsible for the timely identification and homing of surface and air targets includes the MW08 3D G-band surveillance radar, the Mirador electro-optical target tracker and the Scout MkII low probability of intercept radar which is being controlled by the TACTICOS combat management system.

Ships.

The ships of these class are named after junior officers of the Hellenic Navy who have been killed in action. They are:

The "Roussen" class is a seven-strong class of British-design fast attack missile boats improved and customized for the Hellenic Navy, also known as "Super Vita". The class is named after its lead ship, which in turn is named after Lt Nikolaos Roussen, a World War II submarines officer who was killed in the suppression of the Navy mutiny in April 1944.


Function.

The main function of nRTKs is their involvement in signal transduction in activated T- and B-cells in the immune system. Signaling by many receptors is dependent on nRTKs including T-cell receptors (TCR), B-cell receptors (BCR), IL-2 receptors (IL-2R), Ig receptors, erythropoietin (EpoR) and prolactin receptors. CD4 and CD8 receptors on T lymphocytes require for their signaling the Src family member Lck. When antigen binds to T-cell receptor, Lck becomes autophosphorylated and phosphorylates the zeta chain of the T-cell receptor, subsequently another nRTK, Zap70, binds to this T-cell receptor and then participates in downstream signaling events that mediate transcriptional activation of cytokine genes. Another Src family member Lyn is involved in signaling mediated by B-cell receptor. Lyn is activated by stimulation of B-cell receptor, which leads to the recruitment and phosphorylation of Zap70-related nRTK, Syk. Another nRTK, Btk, is also involved in signaling mediated by the B-cell receptor. Mutations in the Btk gene are responsible for X-linked agammaglobulinemia, a disease characterized by the lack of mature B-cells.

Structure.

Unlike receptor tyrosine kinases, nRTKs lack receptor-like features such as an extracellular ligand-binding domain and a transmembrane-spanning region. Most of the nRTKs are localized in the cytoplasm, but some nRTKs are anchored to the cell membrane through amino-terminal modification. These enzymes commonly have a modular construction and individual domains are joined together by flexible linker sequences. One of the important domain of nRTKs is the tyrosine kinase catalytic domain, which is about 275 residues in length. The structure of the catalytic domain can be divided into a small and a large lobe, where ATP binds to the small lobe and the protein substrate binds to the large lobe. Upon the binding of ATP and substrate to nRTKs, catalysis of phosphate transfer occurs in a cleft between these two lobes. It was found that nRTKs have some sequence preference around the target Tyr. For example, the Src preferred sequence is Glu–Glu/Asp–Ile–Tyr–Gly/Glu–Glu–Phe and Abl preferred sequence is Ile/Val–Tyr–Gly–Val–Leu/Val. Different preferred sequences around Tyr in Src and Abl suggest that these two types of nRTKs phosphorylates different targets. Non-receptor tyrosine kinases do not contain only a tyrosine kinase domain, nRTKs also possess domains that mediate protein-protein, protein-lipid, and protein-DNA interactions. One of the protein-protein interaction domains in nRTKs are the Src homology 2 (SH2) and 3 (SH3) domains. The longer SH2 domain (~100 residues) binds phosphotyrosine (P-Tyr) residues in a sequence-specific manner. The P-Tyr interacts with SH domain in a deep cleft, which cannot bind unphosphorylated Tyr. The SH3 domain is smaller (~60 residues) and binds proline-containing sequences capable of forming a polyproline type II helix. Some NRTKs without SH2 and SH3 domains possess some subfamily-specific domains used for protein-protein interactions. For example, specific domains that target enzymes to the cytoplasmic part of cytokine receptors (Jak family) or two domains: an integrin-binding domain and a focal adhesion-binding domain (Fak family). The nRTK Abl possess the SH2 and SH3 domains, but also possesses other domains for interactions: F actin–binding domain and a DNA-binding domain contains a nuclear localization signal and is found in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. In addition to SH2 and SH3 domains, Btk/Tec subfamily of nRTKs possess another modular domain, a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. These PH domains bind to phosphatidylinositol lipids that have been phosphorylated at particular positions on the head group. These enzymes can bind to activated signaling complexes at the membrane through PH domain interactions with phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol lipids.

Regulation.

The most common theme in nRTKs and RTK regulation is tyrosine phosphorylation. With few exceptions, phosphorylation of tyrosines in the activation loop of nRTKs leads to an increase in enzymatic activity. Activation loop phosphorylation occurs via trans-autophosphorylation or phosphorylation by different nRTKs. It is possible to negatively regulate kinase activity by the phosphorylation of tyrosines outside of the activation loop. Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) restore nRTKs to their basal state of activity. In some cases PTPs positively regulate nRTKs activity.

Src and Abl.

Tyrosine kinases of Src family contain the same typical structure: myristoylated terminus, a region of positively charged residues, a short region with low sequence homology, SH3 and SH2 domains, a tyrosine kinase domain, and a short carboxy-terminal tail. There are two important regulatory tyrosine phosphorylation sites. To repress kinase activity it is possible by phosphorylation of Tyr-527 in the carboxy-terminal tail of Src by the NRTK Csk. By the experiment of v-Src, an oncogenic variant of Src, the importance of this phosphorylation site was confirmed. This oncogenic v-Src is a product of the Rous sarcoma virus and as a result of an carboxy-terminal truncation, v-Src lacks the negative regulatory site Tyr-527 leading this enzyme to be constitutively active that in turn causes uncontrolled growth of infected cells. Moreover, substitution of this tyrosine with phenylalanine in c-Src results in activation. A second regulatory phosphorylation site in Src is Tyr-416. This is an autophosphorylation site in the activation loop. It was found that a phosphorylation of Tyr-416 and Tyr-416 can suppressing the transforming ability of the activating Tyr-527→Phe mutation by Tyr-416→Phe mutation leads to maximal stimulation of kinase activity.  Both the SH2 and SH3 domains are important for a negative regulation of Src activity. Mutations in the SH2 and SH3 domains that disrupt binding of phosphotyrosine lead to activation of kinase activity. Although the nRTK Abl contains SH3, SH2, and kinase domains in the same linear order as in Src, regulation of Abl is different. Abl lacks the negative regulatory phosphorylation site that is present in the carboxy terminus of Src, so the carboxy terminus of Abl does not have a functional role in the control of kinase activity. In a contrast to Src, mutations in the SH2 domain of Abl that abrogates phosphotyrosine binding do not activate Abl in vivo. For the repression of kinase activity of Abl is important the SH3 domain; mutations in the SH3 domain result in activation of Abl and cellular transformation.

ZAP70/Syk and JAKs.

The kinase activity of Syk is regulated by the SH2 domains. Binding of the two SH2 domains to the tyrosine-phosphorylated ITAM (immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif) sequences in the ζ chain of the T-cell receptor is thought to relieve an inhibitory restraint on the kinase domain, leading to stimulation of catalytic activity. Kinase activity of Zap70 can be increased by phosphorylation of Tyr-493 in the activation loop by Src family member Lck. Conversely the phosphorylation of Tyr-492 inhibit the kinase activity of Zap70; the mutation of Tyr-492 to phenylalanine results in Zap70 hyperactivity.  Jak family members possess a fully functional tyrosine kinase domain and additionally pseudo-kinase domain in which substitution of several key catalytic residues leads to inactivation of kinase activity. This pseudo-kinase domain is enzymatically nonfunctional, but maybe it plays a role in the regulation of Jak activity. The experiments with a mutant of the Jak family member Tyk2, in which the pseudo-kinase domain is deleted, showed that these mutant enzyme lacks catalytic activity in vitro and is not capable of interferon-mediated signal transduction. In contrast, another mutant of the Jak family Jak2, also lacking the pseudo-kinase domain, was able to mediate growth hormone signaling. The role of the pseudo-kinase domain in Jak regulation is still not fully understood. There are two tyrosine phosphorylation sites within the activation loop. It is known that the autophosphorylation of the first of these tyrosines is important for stimulation of tyrosine kinase activity and biological function, but the role of the second tyrosine is not clear.  JAKs are also regulated by SOCS (suppressor of cytokine signaling) proteins. These proteins contain a pseudo-substrate sequence thought to interfere with Jak substrate binding and phosphoryl transfer. In addition to a pseudo-substrate sequence,SOCS proteins possess an SH2 domain that binds to a phosphotyrosine in the Jak activation loop, which may facilitate interaction between the pseudosubstrate sequence and the kinase domain. Binding of the SH2 domain to the activation loop could also block substrate access directly or alter the conformation of the activation loop to repress catalytic activity.

Inhibitors.

The mutation in a gene for non-receptor tyrosine kinase can results an aberrant activity of this enzyme. This pathologically increased activity of nRTK may be responsible for growth and progression of cancer cells, the induction of drug-resistance, formation of metastasis and tumor neovascularization. The inhibition of nRTKs could help to a treatment of these tumors. Some of nRTKs inhibitors are already tested as an anti-cancer agents. This targeted therapy blocks intracellular processes involved in the tumor transformation of cells and / or maintenance of malignant phenotype of tumor cells. Usually monoclonal antibodies are used for the targeted blockade of RTK, which block the extracellular domain of the receptor and prevent the binding of a ligand. For the specific blockade of nRTKs, however, low molecular weight substances called Tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKIs) are used, that block the transduction cascade either at the intracytosplasmatic level, or directly block the nRTKs.

Examples.

Examples of non-receptor tyrosine kinases include:

Non-receptor tyrosine kinases (nRTKs) are cytosolic enzymes that are responsible for catalysing the transfer of a phosphate group from a nucleoside triphosphate donor, such as ATP, to tyrosine residues in proteins. Non-receptor tyrosine kinases are a subgroup of protein family tyrosine kinases, enzymes that can transfer the phosphate group from ATP to a tyrosine residue of a protein (phosphorylation). These enzymes regulate many cellular functions by switching on or switching off other enzymes in a cell.


Locations.

Ibmec Rio de Janeiro.

Ibmec was first founded in Rio de Janeiro. It was Brazil's first educational institution to offer aMBA program in Finance  Ibmec Rio de Janeiro has two locations. The main campus is located at Av. Presidente Wilson, 118 – CEP. 20030-020 - Centro - Rio de Janeiro and offers undergraduate courses in Business, Economics, Law, International Relations and Accounting. The campus located at Av. Ministro Ivan Lins, 304 – Barra da Tijuca - Rio de Janeiro is now offering a new undergraduate course in Industrial Engineering.

Ibmec São Paulo.

Ibmec first programs in São Paulo were launched in 1987. In 2004, Ibmec São Paulo was donated to Instituto Veris, and became a non-profit institution, solely devoted to research and teaching. Ibmec Minas and Rio de Janeiro are managed by Veris Educacional S.A., with a different structure of educational programs.  In 2006 it opened its new campus, which is currently presided by the economist Claudio Haddad, ex-partner of Banco Garantia. Notable professors include Antonio Sanvicente, the economists Eduardo Giannetti, Eduardo Andrade,, Pedro Valls and the sociologist Carlos Melo.  In 2007, Ibmec's Executive Education courses were listed 42nd in the world by the "Financial Times". In 2008, the "Financial Times" listed Ibmec's Executive Education program as the 34th in the world.In 2009 the "Financial Times" listed Ibmec's Executive Education program as the 27th in the world, ranking as the best business institution in Brazil. In 2019, the school is not mentioned in the Financial Times. In the 2009 QS Global 200 Business Schools Report the school was ranked 10th in South America. In 2019, it is not mentioned by QS.

Alliances and Partner Institutions of Ibmec.

The MBA programs taught by the university are accredited by the London-based Association of MBAs (AMBA).  In 2017, Ibmec joined the European Foundation for Management Development, an international not-for-profit association, based in Brussels, Belgium and Europe's largest network association in the field of management development.  In 2015 Ibmec was acquired by DeVry, now Adtalem Global Education. In 2019 Ibmec was acquired by YDUQS.  In order to be on a par with world's best business schools, Ibmec maintains strong international relationships with several schools worldwide.  Through an agreement signed with Harvard Business School Publishing, Ibmec makes available to students (especially graduate students) case studies produced by that institution as part of their learning methodology. In 2007, case studies produced by the faculty of Ibmec also began to be used, all involving the business problems faced by companies in the Brazilian and international contexts.  List of the international institutions which have partnerships with Ibmec:  - Université Paris IX-Dauphine, France - IAE Aix Graduate School of Management, France - Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain - Claremont Graduate University, USA - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina - Grenoble École de Management, France - Cass Business School, England - Tel Aviv University, Israel - Leipzig Graduate School of Management, Germany - Hogeschool voor Economische Studies, Netherlands - Universidade Lusíada de Lisboa, Portugal - The University of Waikato, New Zealand - European University College Brussels, Belgium - University of Arkansas, USA - Universidad de San Andrés, Argentina - Philadelphia International Medicine, USA - Universidad del CEMA, Argentina - The Strasbourg Graduate School of Management, France - Stevens Institute of Technology, USA - Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal - Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal - University of Tampere, Finland - École de management de Normandie, France - Université Pierre Mendès, France - Instituto Superior Técnico de Lisboa, Portugal - Ecole Supérieure de Commerce, France - Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Spain - Universidad de Talca, Chile - Universidad de Huelva, Spain - IMC Fachhochschule Krems, Austria

Ibmec, is a private research university with four campus in Brazil's main cities of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Belo Horizonte and Brasília. Founded in 1970, it is one of Latin America's most prestigious business and economics school, and today offers undergraduate and graduate programs in several other disciplines.


Career.

He "earned" his nickname "Quax" by crashing the difficult-to-control Messerschmitt 109 fighter plane three times during his flight-training. The name of a popular accident-prone cartoon character of the time, it was taken from the movie "Quax the Crash Pilot" released in 1941 with the famous German actor Heinz Rühmann as Quax.  Arriving on the Eastern Front as an "Unteroffizier" soon after the start of the offensive in the summer of 1941, he was assigned initially to the training squadron of Jagdgeschwader 54 (Erg./JG 54—54th Fighter Wing) (where he met Walter Nowotny), then in July to frontline duties with 1./ JG54. He scored his first victory on 13 December 1941. In late 1942, Walter Nowotny chose Karl to be his wingman. The two were close friends and Schnörrer had but three victories at the time. Later, in March 1943, Anton "Toni" Döbele and Rudolf Rademacher joined with the two and created one of the most fearsome combat formations ever: the "Nowotny Schwarm". The group amassed a combined total of over 500 victories. Karl was the perfect wingman - not looking to score strongly himself, but instead protecting and covering his flight leader, thus allowing Nowotny to become one of the greatest of the Luftwaffe pilots - a fact that Walter was always quick to point out, and their stories are inextricably intertwined.  As a "Kaczmarek" (wingman) he scored slowly: By 20 March 1943, he only had 5 victories after 146 missions; on 18 September near the end of the Kursk offensive, he scored his 23rd victory. In the same time, "Novi" had gone from 75 to 218 victories! This action had taken their "Gruppe", I./JG 54 across the length of the Eastern Front. At the start of 1943, in very heavy fighting, the Soviet Army had established a tenuous 5-mile wide corridor between the besieged Leningrad and the main front. Large air battles raged overhead as the Germans tried to break the vital supply line. In early March, the "Nowotny schwarm" scored victories south of Lake Ilmen, covering the German withdrawal from the Demyansk salient. Then it was back to Leningrad again interrupted by a spell of leave in May. After more heavy activity over the Leningrad front in June, Nowotny was on leave when the "Gruppe" was transferred to the Orel salient for the upcoming Kursk offensive in July. The Soviets held the line then in August launched their own counter-offensives on the weakened German lines. As a 'fire-brigade', I./JG 54 was transferred to Poltava in the Ukraine in desperate defence, then in September the "Gruppe", now led by Nowotny, was transferred back to Orel on the northern side, to defend against that offensive.  All along the front the Soviets were advancing and in October, they were in Vitebsk as the Germans unsuccessfully tried to hold the crucial railhead at Smolensk. Throughout all of this, the "Nowotny schwarm" was scoring freely. On 14 October, to the southwest of Smolensk, Walter Nowotny became the first pilot to ever reach 250 air victories. On the same day, Karl Schnörrer scored his 33rd victory. But at this point, with Walter's relentless pursuit of greatness finally achieved and their mission turn-round relaxing, their luck ran out. Anton Döbele was killed in a mid-air collision over Smolensk on 11 November. He had reached 94 victories. Nowotny was immediately given a no-fly order, being too valuable to lose. But the next day, Luftflotte 6 had to dispatch all its aircraft to cover a new offensive north of Vitebsk. Nowotny scored his 255th, and last, victory on the Eastern Front. A few minutes later Schnörrer, ever the good wingman, shot down an Il-2 bomber attacking Nowotny for his own 35th victory, before he himself was shot down by another bomber. Baling out at only about 50m his parachute couldn't deploy in time, and he crashed to the ground; alive, but breaking both legs and fracturing his skull.  Seven months later in June 1944, having recovered from his injuries and commissioned as an officer, Ltn Schnörrer was transferred to "Erprobungskommando 262", a small unit doing flight-testing of the revolutionary new Messerschmitt Me 262 jet. In September, the fighter was ready to proceed to advanced combat-testing and his friend Walter Nowotny was brought in to lead the project. On 26 September, the unit was re-designated "Kommando Nowotny". But progress was slow and with the war-situation getting worse, an impatient General Galland arrived in early-November to get a personal report. On 8 November, in very poor weather conditions, Nowotny led a "schwarm" of Me 262s into one of its first group combat missions. Tragically, although he shot down a bomber and a Mustang fighter he was himself killed, probably picked off after yet another engine flame-out left him defenceless.  The unit was disbanded and absorbed, as the III "Gruppe", into the world's first jet combat unit- "Jagdgeschwader 7". Schnörrer was assigned to 11./JG 7 and while with this unit for the next four months scored 11 further victories, including 9 four-engine bombers, thus making him one of the top jet-aces of the war. On 19 March 1945 he was made "Staffelkäpitan" of 11./JG 7 and three days later, on 22 March, was awarded the "Ritterkreuz" for 43 victories. However, on 30 March, engaging yet another bomber stream (in which he claimed two B-17s shot down over Hamburg) he was hit by crossfire from a third bomber. Pursued by Mustang fighters, he baled out but unluckily hit the tailplane on his exit. Although he landed safely his leg wounds were so serious that he had to have his leg amputated, thus ending his combat career.  Karl "Quax" Schnörrer flew 536 combat missions for the relatively modest total of 46 victories. His "Ritterkreuz" was due recognition, not necessarily of a high personal tally, but his outstanding skill as a formation-pilot and supporting wingman.  He died on 25 September 1979, at Nürnberg, aged 60.

Karl "Quax" Schnörrer (22 March 1919 – 25 September 1979) was a German Luftwaffe fighter pilot during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, awarded by Nazi Germany to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Schnörrer flew a total of 536 missions and claimed 46 aerial victories. Of his 11 aerial victories claimed in "Defense of the Reich", all were made flying the Messerschmitt Me-262 jet fighter and included nine four-engine bombers.


Flux density received from an unresolvable "point source".

For the flux density received from a remote unresolvable "point source", the measuring instrument, usually telescopic, though not able to resolve any detail of the source itself, must be able to optically resolve enough details of the sky around the point source, so as to record radiation coming from it only, uncontaminated by radiation from other sources. In this case, spectral flux density is the quantity that describes the rate at which energy transferred by electromagnetic radiation is received from that unresolved point source, per unit receiving area facing the source, per unit wavelength range.  At any given wavelength "λ", the spectral flux density, F, can be determined by the following procedure:  Spectral flux density is often used as the quantity on the "y"-axis of a graph representing the spectrum of a light-source, such as a star.

Flux density of the radiative field at a measuring point.

There are two main approaches to definition of the spectral flux density at a measuring point in an electromagnetic radiative field. One may be conveniently here labelled the'vector approach', the other the'scalar approach'. The vector definition refers to the full spherical integral of the spectral radiance (also known as the specific radiative intensity or specific intensity) at the point, while the scalar definition refers to the many possible hemispheric integrals of the spectral radiance (or specific intensity) at the point. The vector definition seems to be preferred for theoretical investigations of the physics of the radiative field. The scalar definition seems to be preferred for practical applications.

Vector definition of flux density - 'full spherical flux density'.

The vector approach defines flux density as a vector at a point of space and time prescribed by the investigator. To distinguish this approach, one might speak of the 'full spherical flux density'. In this case, nature tells the investigator what is the magnitude, direction, and sense of the flux density at the prescribed point. For the flux density vector, one may write where formula_2 denotes the spectral radiance (or specific intensity) at the point formula_3 at time formula_4 and frequency formula_5, formula_6 denotes a variable unit vector with origin at the point formula_3, formula_8 denotes an element of solid angle around formula_6, and formula_10 indicates that the integration extends over the full range of solid angles of a sphere.  Mathematically, defined as an unweighted integral over the solid angle of a full sphere, the flux density is the first moment of the spectral radiance (or specific intensity) with respect to solid angle. It is not common practice to make the full spherical range of measurements of the spectral radiance (or specific intensity) at the point of interest, as is needed for the mathematical spherical integration specified in the strict definition; the concept is nevertheless used in theoretical analysis of radiative transfer.  As described below, if the direction of the flux density vector is known in advance because of a symmetry, namely that the radiative field is uniformly layered and flat, then the vector flux density can be measured as the 'net flux', by algebraic summation of two oppositely sensed scalar readings in the known direction, perpendicular to the layers.  At a given point in space, in a steady-state field, the vector flux density, a radiometric quantity, is equal to the time-averaged Poynting vector, an electromagnetic field quantity.  Within the vector approach to the definition, however, there are several specialized sub-definitions. Sometimes the investigator is interested only in a specific direction, for example the vertical direction referred to a point in a planetary or stellar atmosphere, because the atmosphere there is considered to be the same in every horizontal direction, so that only the vertical component of the flux is of interest. Then the horizontal components of flux are considered to cancel each other by symmetry, leaving only the vertical component of the flux as non-zero. In this case some astrophysicists think in terms of the astrophysical flux (density), which they define as the vertical component of the flux (of the above general definition) divided by the number. And sometimes the astrophysicist uses the term Eddington flux to refer to the vertical component of the flux (of the above general definition) divided by the number.

Scalar definition of flux density - 'hemispheric flux density'.

The scalar approach defines flux density as a scalar-valued function of a direction and sense in space prescribed by the investigator at a point prescribed by the investigator. Sometimes this approach is indicated by the use of the term 'hemispheric flux'. For example, an investigator of thermal radiation, emitted from the material substance of the atmosphere, received at the surface of the earth, is interested in the vertical direction, and the downward sense in that direction. This investigator thinks of a unit area in a horizontal plane, surrounding the prescribed point. The investigator wants to know the total power of all the radiation from the atmosphere above in every direction, propagating with a downward sense, received by that unit area. For the flux density scalar for the prescribed direction and sense, we may write where with the notation above, formula_12 indicates that the integration extends only over the solid angles of the relevant hemisphere, and formula_13 denotes the angle between formula_6 and the prescribed direction. The term formula_15 is needed on account of Lambert's law. Mathematically, the quantity formula_16 is not a vector because it is a positive scalar-valued function of the prescribed direction and sense, in this example, of the downward vertical. In this example, when the collected radiation is propagating in the downward sense, the detector is said to be "looking upwards". The measurement can be made directly with an instrument (such as a pyrgeometer) that collects the measured radiation all at once from all the directions of the imaginary hemisphere; in this case, Lambert-cosine-weighted integration of the spectral radiance (or specific intensity) is not performed mathematically after the measurement; the Lambert-cosine-weighted integration has been performed by the physical process of measurement itself.

Net flux.

In a flat horizontal uniformly layered radiative field, the hemispheric fluxes, upwards and downwards, at a point, can be subtracted to yield what is often called the net flux. The net flux then has a value equal to the magnitude of the full spherical flux vector at that point, as described above.

Comparison between vector and scalar definitions of flux density.

The radiometric description of the electromagnetic radiative field at a point in space and time is completely represented by the spectral radiance (or specific intensity) at that point. In a region in which the material is uniform and the radiative field is isotropic and homogeneous, let the spectral radiance (or specific intensity) be denoted by, a scalar-valued function of its arguments,,, and, where denotes a unit vector with the direction and sense of the geometrical vector from the source point to the detection point, where denotes the coordinates of, at time and wave frequency. Then, in the region, takes a constant scalar value, which we here denote by. In this case, the value of the vector flux density at is the zero vector, while the scalar or hemispheric flux density at in every direction in both senses takes the constant scalar value. The reason for the value is that the hemispheric integral is half the full spherical integral, and the integrated effect of the angles of incidence of the radiation on the detector requires a halving of the energy flux according to Lambert's cosine law; the solid angle of a sphere is.  The vector definition is suitable for the study of general radiative fields. The scalar or hemispheric spectral flux density is convenient for discussions in terms of the two-stream model of the radiative field, which is reasonable for a field that is uniformly stratified in flat layers, when the base of the hemisphere is chosen to be parallel to the layers, and one or other sense (up or down) is specified. In an inhomogeneous non-isotropic radiative field, the spectral flux density defined as a scalar-valued function of direction and sense contains much more directional information than does the spectral flux density defined as a vector, but the full radiometric information is customarily stated as the spectral radiance (or specific intensity).

Collimated beam.

For the present purposes, the light from a star, and for some particular purposes, the light of the sun, can be treated as a practically collimated beam, but apart from this, a collimated beam is rarely if ever found in nature, though artificially produced beams can be very nearly collimated. The spectral radiance (or specific intensity) is suitable for the description of an uncollimated radiative field. The integrals of spectral radiance (or specific intensity) with respect to solid angle, used above, are singular for exactly collimated beams, or may be viewed as Dirac delta functions. Therefore, the specific radiative intensity is unsuitable for the description of a collimated beam, while spectral flux density is suitable for that purpose. At a point within a collimated beam, the spectral flux density vector has a value equal to the Poynting vector, a quantity defined in the classical Maxwell theory of electromagnetic radiation.

Relative spectral flux density.

Sometimes it is more convenient to display graphical spectra with vertical axes that show the relative spectral flux density. In this case, the spectral flux density at a given wavelength is expressed as a fraction of some arbitrarily chosen reference value. Relative spectral flux densities are expressed as pure numbers without any units.  Spectra showing the relative spectral flux density are used when we are interested in comparing the spectral flux densities of different sources; for example, if we want to show how the spectra of blackbody sources vary with absolute temperature, it is not necessary to show the absolute values. The relative spectral flux density is also useful if we wish to compare a source's flux density at one wavelength with the same source's flux density at another wavelength; for example, if we wish to demonstrate how the Sun's spectrum peaks in the visible part of the EM spectrum, a graph of the Sun's relative spectral flux density will suffice.

In spectroscopy, spectral flux density is the quantity that describes the rate at which energy is transferred by electromagnetic radiation through a real or virtual surface, per unit surface area and per unit wavelength (or, equivalently, per unit frequency). It is a radiometric rather than a photometric measure. In SI units it is measured in W m, although it can be more practical to use W m nm (1 W m nm = 1 GW m = 1 W mm) or W m μm (1 W m μm = 1 MW m), W·m·Hz, Jansky or solar flux units. The terms irradiance, radiant exitance, radiant emittance, and radiosity are closely related to spectral flux density.


Gameplay.

SimPort.

SimPort allows players to send Star performers on tour to perform special shows in their friends' towns if you have internet connection and friends who play the game. They can also invite your friends to send their Sims to perform for you and customize the stage in venues with special themed backgrounds, props, lights, and special effects. Players can throw objects at performers – ranging from flowers to lettuce. Choosing not to use SimPort will not change gameplay with any interactions that do not require SimPort. A player can unlock backgrounds, props, and costumes for their Sim if they choose to use SimPort. Sims who visit a player's town via SimPort will default to the traits, clothes and objects that they have locally in their game. Players can message other players while their Sims are performing in other towns. Note, there are 3 versions: the regular, the Limited Edition, and the Katy Perry edition. These versions do not have much difference other than special venues, stages, and clothing.

Starlight Shores.

Starlight Shores is a new world that is included in "Showtime". It is loosely based on a Californian-type urban area (Downtown Los Angeles). It has a park, a coffee house and show venues in which Sims can perform. There is also a beach with houses along the coastline. SimFests are held in Starlight Shores. These allow singers, acrobats and magicians to compete in front of an audience.

Stages.

Players will be able to set up their own stage when their magicians, acrobats, and singers perform at a venue. The set up stage option appears up to 2 hours prior to a live show and will prompt buy mode's "Props" section. Players will have a variety of items to choose from and are be able to choose a "Previously Saved" prop default, or create a brand new one. There is also the option to use the venue's pre set prop stage. Props serve as home decor and furniture as well. Lighting effects, flames, butterflies and other effects are also available as props. When a Sim has finished performing, they will get reviews on their performances. Sims can have anywhere from awesome to terrible shows. Moodlets reflect their performances.

Careers.

Rise to Stardom—Venture into a new world and live the dream as a singer, acrobat, magician, or DJ. Watch your Sims rise to fame—or go down in flames as they perform for other Sims.

New Objects.

The expansion pack includes pool tables, karaoke machines, DJ booths, new guitars, batons, microphones, spotlights, speaker systems, pull up bars, jukeboxes, an electro-dance sphere, domino table, skeeball game, photo booth, a golf driving range, portable MP3 players and new lighting. As with all previous expansion packs, "Showtime" includes new clothing and hairstyles. Also includes new stage props and statues to use on your stages.

Release.

Limited Collector's Edition.

A special Katy Perry edition entitled "The Sims 3 Showtime: Katy Perry Collector's Edition" included Katy Perry themed objects, hair styles, and venue based on her concept for her album "Teenage Dream". The Collector's Edition includes a downloadable venue, plus a Katy Perry themed hairstyle, guitar, exclusive poster, 2 fruit costumes, and 3 fruit-themed stage props that include banana, cherry, and watermelon statues.

Reception.

Abigail Holden of "Lazygamer.net" gave it 8.5 praising its new additions and careers but criticizing the game for some bugs.

The Sims 3: Showtime is the sixth expansion pack for "The Sims 3" on OS X and Windows. It was released on March 2012. A limited collector's edition includes exclusive in-game content such as a stage and two costumes along with a poster based on American singer Katy Perry.


History.

Mexico established diplomatic relations with then Czechoslovakia in 1922; four years after the country proclaimed its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. That same year, both nations opened consulates in each other's capitals, respectively. Diplomatic relations between the two nations were interrupted in April 1939 after the invasion from Germany in the country, however, the exiled Czechoslovak government in London maintained relations with Mexico. In 1942, diplomatic relations were fully restored between the two nations and in 1959, embassies were established in each other's capitals, respectively.  In August 1990, Czechoslovak President Václav Havel paid an official visit to Mexico. In 1991, Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari paid an official visit to Czechoslovakia. In December 1992, Czechoslovakia was split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Mexico established diplomatic relations with the Czech Republic on 1 January 1993. In 2017, the Czech Republic and Mexico celebrated 95 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

High-level visits.

High-level visits form Czechoslovakia/Czech Republic to Mexico  High-level visits from Mexico to Czechoslovakia/Czech Republic

Bilateral agreements.

Both nations have signed a few bilateral agreements such as an Agreement on Air Transportation (1990); Agreement on Educational and Cultural Cooperation (1970); Agreement on Trade (1974); Agreement on Health Cooperation (1993); Agreement on Scientific, Technical and Technological Cooperation (1995); Agreement on the Elimination of Visa Requirements for Ordinary, Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders (2000); Agreement on the Avoidance of Double-Taxation and Fiscal Evasion (2002) and an Agreement on Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investment (2004).

Trade relations.

In 1997, Mexico signed a Free Trade Agreement with the European Union (which includes the Czech Republic since 2004). In 2018, two-way trade between both nations amounted to US$1.7 billion. The Czech Republic main exports to Mexico include: vehicles; directional lights; electrical conductors and modular circuits. Mexico's main exports to the Czech Republic include: headphones with microphone; games and construction assortment; memory units; vehicles; crusts of citrus fruits, melons and watermelons. The Czech Republic is Mexico's fourteenth biggest trading partner within the European Union. A few major Mexican multinational companies such as Cemex, Grupo Bimbo and Nemak operate in the Czech Republic.

Czech Republic–Mexico relations refers to the diplomatic relations between the Czech Republic and Mexico. Both countries are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.