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A critical role of functional morphology is to demonstrate form—function relationships that can then be used by evolutionary biologists to infer the evolutionary history of the structure in question. Tests of theoretical expectations about the effects of many aspects of morphology/physiology on locomotor performance have had very mixed results. If systems such as jumping can be shown to reliably predict performance from morphology, this would provide a foundation upon which hypotheses for the evolutionary origin of certain morphologies can be generated. The present study examined whether a relationship exists between maximum takeoff velocity(TOV) and several carefully chosen morphological and physiological traits in domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus). Based on the contributions of extensor muscle work to increasing the kinetic and potential energy of the center of mass (CM) during takeoff, we predicted that maximum TOV would be dependent upon relative limb length, relative extensor muscle mass, body mass and the percentage of fast-twitch muscle fibers. Both maximum TOV and this series of traits were measured in 18 cats. We found that variation in cat maximum TOV is significantly explained by both hind limb length and fat mass relative to lean body mass, but not by extensor muscle mass relative to lean mass or fast-twitch fiber content. The effect of body fat mass is pervasive because it reduces the proportion of muscle mass/body mass and thus increases the muscle work invested in increasing the CM potential energy as compared with kinetic energy during takeoff.
Functional morphological studies increase our overall understanding of organismal design by explaining the functional capacities of structural features (i.e. the `how does it work?' questions regarding morphological features; Bock, 1988). Some workers (Cummins, 1975, 1983; Amundson and Lauder, 1994)consider this non-purposive concept of function to be functional morphology's main contribution. A more widely held view is that empirically established structure—function relationships provide a foundation for evolutionary investigations of the existence of certain structural features (the `why is it designed this way?' inquiries; Bock and von Walhert, 1965; Bock, 1988; Galis, 1996; Streelman, 1997). This etiological conceptual value of functional morphology is based on the premise that morphology determines performance and that natural selection will occur based on performance (Bock and von Walhert, 1965; Arnold, 1983; Webster and Webster, 1988; Emerson and Arnold, 1989; Garland and Carter, 1994; Garland and Losos, 1994).
Relationships between morphology and locomotor performance
Although theoretical expectations about the relationship between limb design and locomotor performance have been available for many years (e.g. Hall-Craggs, 1965; Alexander, 1968, 1977; Gambaryan, 1974; Bennet-Clark, 1977; Alexander and Jayes, 1983; Gabriel, 1984; Hildebrand, 1985), only recently have these expectations been subjected to rigorous empirical study. Much of the impetus for this work resulted from Arnold's(1983) conceptual model of natural selection gradients, which proposed that performance is an intermediate step between morphology and fitness.
The empirical demonstration of relationships between morphological characters and their predicted functions can be problematic. Recent tests of theoretical expectations about the effects of many aspects of morphology/physiology on locomotor performance have had very mixed results. If a system is found that reliably predicts locomotor performance from limb morphology, it will allow us to produce hypotheses about evolutionary selective pressures that have affected limb design.
Increasing limb length is thought to positively affect locomotor efficiency, endurance and speed and to increase jumping ability. To date,however, all studies involving limb skeletal morphology and endurance or efficiency have reported no statistically significant correlations (e.g. Garland, 1984; Garland and Else, 1987; Bennett et al., 1989; Tsuji et al., 1989; Huey et al., 1990; Steudel and Beattie, 1995). Many, although not all, studies of the relationship between limb morphology and maximum speed have demonstrated positive correlations. All interspecific studies of maximum speed (Losos and Sinervo, 1989; Losos,1990b; Garland and Janis,1993; Miles, 1994; Bauwens et al., 1995; Bonine and Garland, 1999) and some intraspecific studies of the limb-length—speed relationship (Miles, 1987, 1994; Snell et al., 1988; Huey et al., 1990; Sinervo and Losos, 1991; Miles et al., 1995; Macrini and Irschick, 1998)have produced positive results, while other intraspecific studies of this relationship have not (Garland, 1984, 1985; Bennett et al., 1989; Losos et al., 1989; Tsuji et al., 1989; Sinervo and Losos, 1991; see Fig. 1).
Searches for a correlation between morphology and jump distance have generally fared better in both interspecific(Rand, 1952; Zug, 1972; Dobrowolska, 1973; Losos, 1990b; Emerson, 1991; Choi and Park, 1996) and intraspecific (Rand and Rand,1966; Emerson,1991; see Fig. 1)examinations; however, see Losos et al.(1989) and Choi and Park(1996). These leaping studies have used frogs or lizards as subjects, but the present study uses a novel mammalian experimental system, the domestic cat, to further elucidate the relationship between jump performance and morphology.
Jump performance depends on takeoff velocity
Previous studies on jumping have invoked ballistics formulae to predict that the velocity with which an animal's center of mass (CM) leaves the ground determines the distance or height that it will travel after leaving the ground(Hill, 1950; Hall-Craggs, 1965; Alexander, 1968; Bennet-Clark, 1977; Emerson, 1978, 1985, 1991; Gabriel, 1984). The direction of this movement is determined by the angle of takeoff. Marsh(1994) concluded that jump performance can indeed be accurately predicted using ballistics equations if horizontal and vertical distances traveled by the CM before takeoff are also included. Because jump distance and height are largely dependent on takeoff velocity (TOV), morphologies predicted to optimize TOV are the focus of the current study. TOV should also be important for cats, which are proficient predators that often hunt by pouncing on an unsuspecting prey item after springing from a stationary crouch (Turner and Meister, 1988). The faster the takeoff, the more quickly the cat reaches its prey.
Mechanical energy and takeoff velocity
Ballistics and takeoff velocity
Takeoff velocity and body fat
The positive effect of longer limb length on TOV will be decreased,however, in animals with high body fat contents. The hind limb extensor muscles in an animal with high body fat levels will expend more work in increasing the body's potential energy during takeoff than would the muscles of a leaner animal of equal body mass and hind limb length. Although previous jump performance studies report significant positive correlations between jump distance and body size in both frogs (Zug,1978; Emerson, 1978, 1991; Marsh, 1994) and lizards(Pounds, 1988; Losos et al., 1989; Losos, 1990b; Bels et al., 1992, although see Choi and Park, 1996), none of these studies present data on body fat levels in their subjects. It is likely that body fat levels were uniformly low in the animals used such that `body size' largely represented lean mass. Little is known about the extent of body fat in wild carnivores (Pond,1978). Studies on other species suggest considerable variability. Sherry (1981) reports a 17%seasonal weight change in red deer stags Cervus elaphus, and Scollay(1980) reports a 14% weight change for male squirrel monkeys Saimiri sciureus during the breeding season. Prestrud and Nilssen(1992) present data on wild trapped arctic foxes Alopex lagopus showing fat content as percent skinned carcass mass, averaging around 10% during the summer but over 20%during winter months. Winter data include many values between 20% and 30% fat,with one value over 40%. Furthermore, we would expect that the increased weight of female cats during pregnancy would affect jumping performance in a manner similar to that of body fat. Thus, the percentage of mass in most of our laboratory specimens that is not due to lean mass is not seriously incompatible with that seen in the wild.
The present study
In the present study, we investigate the morphological/physiological determinates of among-individual variation in domestic cat jump performance,measured by maximum TOV. We looked for correlates between TOV and body mass,hind limb length, extensor muscle mass, body fat content and the percentage of fast-twitch muscle fibers in the lateral gastrocnemius muscle in 18 individuals. It was hypothesized that individual cats would show significant variation in their TOVs, and that this variation would be explained by differences in the morphological/physiological variables listed above. Specifically, we predicted that increasing %MHC IIx fibers and increasing hind limb length and extensor muscle mass relative to lean mass would be positively related to maximum TOV, while increasing body fat mass relative to lean mass would negatively affect TOV. We also estimated the jump motivation level for each cat and tested whether this had a significant effect on TOV (M. A. Harris, K. Steudel and J. Bachim, in preparation).
Materials and methods
Considerable effort was made to use valuable research animals in the most efficient and responsible manner possible. Eighteen adult cats Felis silvestris catus were donated to the study by the UW-Madison Psychology Department. These cats were otherwise scheduled for euthanasia. The skeletons and their respective morphological measurement records were donated to the UW Zoological Museum, where they are documented as voucher specimens and are available for examination by museum guests.
Five (two males and three females) of the 18 cats donated by the Psychology Department were part of a study in which lesions of the visual cortex were made to one side of the brain (a unilateral lesion). The purpose of that research was to study the method of physiological compensation by remaining brain areas after early visual cortex damage. Four of these cats received this lesion when they were eight weeks old, and the remaining cat received the lesion when she was only one day old. Because the jump performance of these lesioned cats was not significantly different from non-lesioned animals, and because there was no difference in the amount or intensity of training required to induce maximal jumps between the two groups, no distinction was made between them in the analyses presented here.
Test subjects
A total of 18 domestic cats (13 intact females and five neutered males),ranging in body mass from 2.66 kg to 7.93 kg, was used in this study. All cats were at least two years old and not more than 10 years old, were in excellent physical health and were accustomed to frequent human contact. Cats were housed in metal wire mesh kennels (1.9 m high×1.6 m long×1.1 m wide) with concrete flooring and had access to resting boxes and wooden shelves within these cages. They were provided with Science Diet cat food(Hill's company, Topeka, KS, USA) and water ad libitum until 18-24 h before a jump training or video-taping session (see below).
Jump training
Between three and six sessions were devoted to acclimating each cat to lab surroundings before jump training was initiated. During these 20-45 min acclimation sessions, cats were allowed to roam freely in the lab and had access to canned, moist cat food. Cats were not allowed inside the jump enclosure during these sessions.
Each cat was subjected to a schedule of jump training sessions before maximum jumps were recorded on video tape. Between two and seven jump training sessions, each 20-60 min long, were required to train each cat to jump maximally. Cats participated in one jump training session per day. Food was withheld from the cats 18-24 h before each of these sessions. After each jump training session, animals were allowed access to their food for at least 60 min before it was again removed in anticipation of the following day's lab session, if one was scheduled.
Cats were trained to jump inside a rectangular enclosure (2.4 m high×0.9 m long×0.4 m wide; see Fig. 2) made of Plexiglas and masonite. This enclosure limited the direction and height of each jump. Cats were introduced to the enclosure through a trap door and were then placed on an adjustable takeoff platform inside the enclosure. Cats jumped from this takeoff platform to a stationary landing box (0.30 m × 0.45 m ×0.40 m) mounted on the upper left edge of the enclosure. The position of this platform, and thus the jump height, was adjustable.
A training protocol was designed such that placement inside the jump enclosure stimulated jump behavior. In an effort to obtain maximal jumping performances, rewards were offered as soon as each cat successfully jumped to the landing box. Rewards were canned cat food accompanied by affection(petting) from an observer and, ultimately, removal from the enclosure. If jumps were not spontaneous, the takeoff platform was shaken and/or the cat was squirted with water until it jumped to the landing box. In this way, the takeoff platform was presented as an unpredictable, unstable environment,while the landing box represented a safe haven for each cat where rewards were available. Perhaps most importantly, each cat learned that jumping to the landing box was the only means of exit from the enclosure.
After each jump, cats were allowed to eat food and/or receive affection for approximately one minute before being removed from the landing box. Cats that ignored the food and affection attempts, and instead tried to jump out of the landing box, were removed immediately. The takeoff platform was then lowered by 5-10 cm, and the cat was returned to the takeoff platform through the trap door. This procedure continued until the cat had made between five and 10 total jumps or until the cat struggled in an obvious way to reach the landing box. No more than 10 jumps per session were allowed in order to minimize fatigue effects. Cats made approximately 10 jumps before becoming visibly fatigued. During subsequent sessions, the takeoff platform was lowered to within 5 cm of each cat's previous maximum jump, and the process continued until an approximate maximum height was achieved (i.e. the last height at which the cat successfully made it to the landing box, but only after an obvious struggle).
Measurement of takeoff velocity
At least 24 h after an approximate maximal height was determined for each individual during training, each cat was video-taped jumping to this height. Approximate maximal heights were either matched or exceeded on video-taping days. Maximum vertical jump height for each cat was defined as the last successful jump to the landing platform before consistent misses at the next greater height (i.e. just 5 cm higher). TOV was measured from high-speed videos of the takeoff portion of each cat's maximum jump. The maximum TOV for each cat was measured on two different days in order to determine the repeatability of each individual's performance. The highest TOV of these two days was considered to be the maximum performance. Cats performed no more than 10 jumps on video-taping days and were weighed within 24 h of their maximal jumps.
The movement of reflective markers placed on the cat's body was used to measure the maximum velocity of overall body center of mass (CM) position during the takeoff period. These movements were recorded by a high-speed (200 frames s-1) video camera. Each cat was labeled with reflective dots to indicate the location of the following anatomical landmarks: mid zygomatic arch (head), spinous process of scapula at anterior border, humerus greater tuberosity (shoulder), lateral epicondyle (elbow), styloid process of ulna(wrist), thoracic—lumbar vertebral junction (T13), iliac crest, greater trochanter (hip), lateral epicondyle of the femur (knee), lateral malleolus(ankle) and metatarso—phalangeal joint (5th MT) (see Fig. 3).
At least one day prior to video-taping, the 11 anatomical landmarks were shaved, external measurements of body segments between anatomical landmarks were made, and the left side of the cat's body was dyed black. Body segment measurements were used to calculate the CM for each segment (see below). Cats were anesthetized with halothane gas during this process. The reflective dots were attached to the marked anatomical points using rubber cement paste on the day of video-taping. A black `calibration' backdrop inside the jump enclosure was used to convert video digitization units into real distance measures. The takeoff platform was narrowed so that cats jumped perpendicular to the camera.
Spotlights illuminated the reflective dots on the cat's body as it jumped. Videos were taken using a Nac MOS-TV 200/60 high-speed video camera. The x—y coordinates of each dot were manually digitized by projecting the video image onto a piece of graph paper using a stop-action VCR and liquid-crystal display (LCD) projector. Videos were digitized at a rate of 100 frames s-1. A customized computer software program was written to compute the overall body CM position from the mass of individual body segments, the CM location for each of these segments, and the position of segment CMs over time. Regression equations reported by Hoy and Zernicke(1985) to predict segment masses from body mass and segment length in domestic cats were used in this algorithm. The location of this overall CM was located at three key positions during the jump: the last frame showing hind paw contact with the ground(`takeoff'), and one frame before and one frame after takeoff. TOV was defined as the change in CM position over the three frames surrounding and including takeoff (a 0.02 s time span).
Hind limb dissections and body fat measurement
A standard euthanasia procedure was used in which each cat was first anesthetized with halothane gas. An injection of sodium pentobarbital was then administered intravenously in the femoral vein until all respiratory and cardiac activity had ceased. Hind limb muscles were dissected and measured within 2 h of euthanasia.
The three hind limb muscles analyzed in this study were the semimembranosus(hip extensor), the vastus lateralis (knee extensor) and the lateral gastrocnemius (ankle extensor) (Fig. 4). All of these muscles have been shown to be electrically active during cat jumps (Zomlefer,1976; Smith et al.,1977; Zomlefer et al.,1977; Walmsley et al.,1978; Zajac et al., 1981, 1983; Zajac, 1985; Abraham and Loeb, 1985). These muscles were removed from the right leg. They were separated and cut at the termination of muscle fibers at the origin and insertion, and the mass of each muscle was recorded. Dissected muscles were placed on ice in a standard freezer until all dissections were completed and were then transferred to a-80°C freezer and stored until fiber type analysis. The individual masses of these three muscles were summed to give total muscle mass. We chose to use these three muscles rather than all of the extensor muscles because each of the three chosen muscles is a major extender of its respective joint and each is easily dissected.
The entire left limb was removed by cutting through the ilio-sacral and pubic articulations. After removal of all muscles and tissues from the leg,the lengths of the femur, tibia, tarsals and third metatarsal were recorded and summed to give a total hind limb length value. After removal of the left leg and the three extensor muscles from the right leg, the percent fat content of the carcasses was measured using a DPX-L X-ray bone densitometer (version 1.5g, copyright 1988-95, Lunar Corp., Madison, USA). Fat mass was calculated for each cat as the product of % body fat and whole body mass. Lean body mass was computed by subtracting fat mass from whole body mass.
Myosin heavy chain analysis
The MHC Type IIb isoform fibers are fast-twitch and develop the largest tetanic tension in comparison with the Type I slow-twitch and Type IIa fast-twitch, moderate-tension fibers(Burke, 1994; Kelly and Rubinstein, 1994). Talmadge et al. (1996) found that the IIx isoform, rather than the IIb isoform, is present in cat limb muscles. In cats, therefore, the percentage of MHC Type IIx isoform in extensor muscles should be correlated with jump performance.
The lateral gastrocnemius muscle was chosen for fiber type analysis because it is known to be activated during the cat jump takeoff period(Smith et al., 1977; Abraham and Loeb, 1985) and is known to contain all three MHC types. The most predominant is the Type IIx isoform; mean fiber type percentages reported for cats are between 66% and 72%(Braund et al., 1995; Talmadge et. al., 1996). In this study, the lateral gastrocnemius muscles from each cat were prepared for electrophoretic separation in the following manner: the middle one-third,cross-sectional portion of each muscle was dissected, quick-frozen in liquid nitrogen, and smashed into smaller pieces with a hammer. These pieces were then immersed in more liquid nitrogen and ground into a fine powder with mortar and pestle. Muscle powder was added to chilled rigor buffer solution (5 mmol l-1 KCl, 2 mmol l-1 EGTA, 2 mmol l-1MgCl2, 2 mmol l-1 NaN3, pH 7.2) to produce a final concentration of approximately 0.3 mg myofibrillar protein ml-1. This protein solution was added to urea—thiourea sample buffer (8 mol l-1 urea, 2 mol l-1 thiourea, 0.05 mol l-1 Tris, pH 6.8), 75 mmol l-1 DTT (dithiothreitol), 3%SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate) and 0.05% bromophenol blue to produce a final concentration of approximately 0.15 μg myofibrillar proteinμl-1. Samples were boiled at 100°C for 3 min and stored at-70°C.
The three MHC isoforms present in cat skeletal muscle were separated by pulse electrophoresis in SDS-polyacrylamide (SDS-PAGE) gels using a protocol modified from Talmadge and Roy(1993). All gels were run in vertical slab gel units (Hoefer SE 600, Pharmacia Westshore Technologies,Muskegon, MI, USA) using ECPS 3000/150 power supplies (Pharmacia). Gels were 18 cm×16 cm and were 0.75 mm thick. The stacking gel was composed of 4%(w/v) acrylamide, with an acrylamide: N,N′-methylene-bisacrylamide (bis) ratio of 50:1, deionized water, 70 mmol l-1 Tris (pH 6.8), 0.4% (w/v) SDS, 30% (v/v)glycerol, 4.0 mmol l-1 EDTA, 0.04% (w/v) ammonium persulphate (APS)and 0.36% (v/v) TEMED(N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine). The separating gel consisted of 9% (w/v) acrylamide, with bis cross-linking of 1.5% (ratio 67:1), deionized water, 200 mmol l-1 Tris (pH 8.8), 0.4% (w/v) SDS,30% (v/v) glycerol, 100 mmol l-1 glycine, 0.03% APS and 0.15%TEMED. Polymerization of these gels was initiated with the TEMED and APS. The electrode buffer was the same for both upper and lower reservoirs and consisted of 0.38 mol l-1 glycine, 0.05 mol l-1 (w/v)Tris, 0.01% (w/v) SDS and deionized water (pH 8.9; Talmadge and Roy, 1993). The upper buffer was supplemented with 0.2 mmol l-1 DTT immediately before the start of electrophoresis. Gels were run at constant current (13 mA)for 32 h using a pulse unit connected to a Hoefer model SE600. Pulse cycles of 20 s on/off were used, resulting in an overall variation of voltage between 18 mV and 510 mV. Temperature remained constant at 10°C for the duration of the electrophoresis. Gels were stained with silver and scanned with a BioRad Imaging Densitometer (Model GS-670; Pharmacia Westshore Technologies).
MHC isoforms were quantified using Molecular Analyst (version 1.4) software(Pharmacia Westshore Technologies). Relative proportions of each isoform were calculated by dividing the optical density of each individual isoform band by the summed optical density of all three bands within each column (i.e. by the total MHC isoform content within each individual cat). The proportion of each MHC isoform is thus expressed as the percentage that it contributes to the total area of MHC bands (Fauteck and Kandarian, 1995).
Statistical analysis
Linear correlation analyses and paired t-tests were used to compare maximum velocities on days 1 and 2 to assess performance repeatability. Fat mass was calculated as % body fat multiplied by body mass,and lean body mass was calculated as body mass minus fat mass. Significant correlations were found between lean body mass and hind limb length(r=0.709, two-tailed P=0.001), muscle mass(r=0.917, P<0.001) and fat mass (r=0.739, P<0.001). To examine the effects of these three variables independent of body size, `lean' mass residuals were calculated from a linear regression of each variable vs. lean body mass.
Multiple regression analyses were performed to develop a model containing variables that together explain the most variation in TOV. Lean mass residuals for hind limb length, muscle mass and fat mass were entered, together with lean mass and %MHC IIx content, as independent variables. A backwards elimination criterion was then used to eliminate variables that did not explain a significant amount of variation. Kinetic energy was calculated using whole body mass and maximum TOVs measured from each individual. Potential energy was calculated using whole body mass and hind limb length. The ratio of potential to kinetic energy was compared with fat mass. All analyses were performed using SPSS versions 8.0 and 11.0.
Multiple regression results
Only two of the morphological variables showed significant correlation with maximum TOV. Maximum TOV was negatively correlated with fat mass relative to lean body mass but was positively correlated with hind limb length relative to lean body mass. A correlation matrix of all possible bivariate relationships between variables entered into the multiple regression analysis is shown in Table 1.
MHC IIx was the first variable to be eliminated in the multiple regression,followed by lean mass and residual muscle mass. Backwards elimination of these insignificant predictors yielded a multiple regression model containing only two significant independent variables: residual hind limb length and residual fat mass. This two-variable model explained over 62% of the variation in maximum TOV (r=0.790, F=12.5, P=0.001, N=18). Models containing lean mass and residual muscle mass in addition to residual hind limb length and residual fat mass modestly improved the predictability of the model, to approximately 72% (r=0.847, F=8.26, P=0.002, N=18).
The ratio of potential to kinetic energy
The importance of fat mass in determining TOV may result from its disproportionate effect on the work that muscles must do to increase potential energy relative to kinetic energy. A plot of the ratio of potential energy to kinetic energy as a function of lean residual fat mass shows a significant positive relationship between these two variables(Fig. 5). In other words, the investment in potential energy relative to kinetic energy increases as the amount of body fat relative to lean body mass increases (r=0.678, P=0.002, N=18).
Variation between individuals
Considerable morphological and jump performance variation among individual cats was observed (see Table 2). The mass of these cats ranged nearly threefold, from 2.66 kg to 7.93 kg, while maximum TOV ranged from 286.3 cm s-1 to 410.8 cm s-1. Body fat content also varied widely, from 11% to 48% of total body mass. This body fat content was probably slightly, but consistently,overestimated, however, because the carcasses scanned for fat measurement were missing one (mostly lean) leg and the three dissected muscles from the remaining leg. There was no difference between mean female (343.5 cm s-1) and mean male (342.8 cm s-1) maximum TOVs(t=0.03, two-tailed P=0.98, N=18).
Because measurement of the proportion of MHC IIx was possible for only 17 of the 18 cats, analyses were constrained to this subset of cats where appropriate. MHC content among these 17 cats ranged almost twofold, from 44.7%to 81.4% of all the MHC isoforms present in the lateral gastrocnemius muscle. MHC Type I isoform content ranged from 0.7% to 30.5% (see Table 2). For all cats, the IIx band was the most predominant isoform present(Fig. 6). For the nine cats for which MHC content was measured on two separate gels, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated highly significant variation between cats as compared with the variation between MHC content readings from two different gels (F8,9=9.8, P=0.001 for MHC IIx; F8,9=9.2, P=0.002 for MHC I).
Jump technique
Jump technique had become very stereotypical by the time each cat had reached its maximum performance level. It consisted of a very deep crouch,lift-off of the forelimbs and, finally, an explosive extension of the hind limbs and back before takeoff (Fig. 3A-C). Each successful jump ended when the cat pulled its entire body up to the landing box with its forearms. The time interval for all jumps from deep crouch to takeoff was 150-270 ms, which is comparable to the 150 ms`launching phase' reported by Zomlefer(1976) for a maximal vertical jump made by a cat to a suspended cotton ball 1.3 m above the ground. Zomlefer also calculated the TOV for one maximal jump from a force-time curve and estimated it to be 343 cm s-1. This is comparable with the maximal TOVs measured here. At takeoff, the CM was found to be located between the 13th thoracic vertebra and the iliac crest, approximately midway between the dorsal and ventral surfaces.
Performance repeatability
A general linear model repeated-measures ANOVA indicated highly significant variance in the mean TOVs between cats as compared with the variance in TOV within the two days it was measured for each cat(F17,18=11.4; P<0.001, N=18). TOV was a repeatable performance for the 18 cats on the two days it was measured, as shown in Fig. 7 (Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient r=0.841, P<0.0001). A paired t-test indicated no difference in mean TOV on day 1 vs. day 2 (t=-1.072, P=0.299, N=18). In other words, TOV on day 1 was not consistently higher or lower than day 2 TOV. There was no significant relationship between (day 1— day 2) TOV and mean TOV (r=-0.103, P=0.685), which indicates that better jumpers did not tend to jump with maximal velocity on day 1 only or on day 2 only. Ten cats achieved their highest TOV on day 1, and eight cats achieved their highest TOV on day 2.
The present study demonstrates that maximum TOV in domestic cats is significantly and positively related to hind limb length relative to fat-free body mass and negatively related to the amount of fat present relative to lean body mass. Surprisingly, however, lean body mass, %MHC IIx fibers in the lateral gastrocnemius, and extensor muscle mass relative to lean body mass did not explain significant amounts of TOV variation. There were no detectable gender differences in maximum TOV.
Body fat content, hind limb length and muscle mass
The variation in body fat content among individual cats in this study was considerable. As stated previously, the absolute measurements for body fat were probably overestimated, but were done so in a consistent way (in other words, the tissues removed from each carcass before body fat measurement were dissected in a consistent manner). In either case, it is accurate to conclude that body fat content varied nearly fourfold from the leanest to the fattest cat (mean=28%, S.D.=11.0%, S.E.M.=2.6%). One other study that analyzed the chemical composition of 20 domestic cat carcasses (14 males and six non-pregnant females; Hendriks et al.,1997) also reported a nearly fourfold range, 6.2-23.6%, in lipid content per unit wet tissue (mean=11.2%, S.D.=5.3%, S.E.M.=1.2%).
Fat mass relative to lean body mass explained the most variation in maximum TOV. The large explanatory power of relative fat mass (standardized βcoefficient=-0.62) reveals the considerable influence of body fat levels on an explosive performance such as jumping. This result appears to be driven by significantly larger portions of extensor muscle work invested in raising potential energy relative to kinetic energy levels during takeoff in fatter animals (see Fig. 5). While this effect may be more important in these laboratory animals than would be the case in the wild, there is considerable variation in % fat in the wild, as documented above, and female cats must still jump even while carrying the extra weight of pregnancy. We believe, therefore, that these results can be generalized.
Hind limb length relative to lean body mass was the second best predictor of TOV (standardized β coefficient=0.41) in the four-variable regression model. These results suggest that the negative effect of increasing limb length on the amount of extensor muscle work invested in raising potential energy is surpassed by the positive influence of longer hind limbs on kinetic energy production. When accelerations during takeoff increasingly exceed g (9.8 m s-2), the effect that longer limbs have on increasing CM kinetic energy levels outpaces their contribution to increasing CM potential energy. In our cats, we calculated average CM accelerations ranging from 11.9 m s-2 to 24.6 m s-2 [where average acceleration = (TOV — initial velocity)/(takeoff duration)]. If cats perform like the frogs in the Marsh and John-Alder(1994) jumping study, the average accelerations that we measured kinematically underestimate the accelerations produced during the last half of the takeoff period.
Extensor muscle mass relative to lean body mass was not found to explain a significant portion of the variation in cat TOV. The lack of a relationship between residual extensor muscle mass and TOV in the present study may be explained by the influence of body fat mass on the muscle mass/body mass ratio(m′/m in equation 3). As fat mass increases, m′/m decreases, and so TOV should be decreased. Linear regression analyses of our cat data confirm these relationships: m′/m decreases as fat mass increases (r=-0.720, F=17.24, P=0.001, N=18; see Fig. 8a), and m′/m is significantly and positively related to TOV(r=0.647, F=11.51, P=0.004, N=18; see Fig. 8b). Two interspecific frog studies did find positive correlations between hind limb muscle mass and maximum jump distance (Emerson,1978) and between hind limb muscle mass and TOV(Choi and Park, 1996). Miller et al. (1993) report that large leopard frogs (Rana pipiens) jump further than smaller leopard frogs, and also found that large frogs have relatively larger gastrocnemius muscles. Although they did not directly examine the relationship between jump distance and relative gastrocnemius size among their individual frog subjects,they hypothesize that larger frogs jump further because of their relatively larger hind limb extensor muscles.
Myosin heavy chain isoform content
Variability in the MHC IIx isoform content of the lateral gastrocnemius muscle among the 17 cats was considerable (mean=69.7%, S.D.=9.83%,S.E.M.=2.38%). Talmadge et al.(1996) report a similar mean± S.E.M. (72±2%) for the lateral gastrocnemius muscle in their sample of three domestic cats. Similarly, the MHC I isoform content measured in the present study (mean=9.3%, S.D.=6.85%, S.E.M.=1.66%) demonstrated a similar central tendency to that reported by Talmadge et al.(1996) for the Type I isoform in the same muscle (mean=13%, S.D.=1.73%, S.E.M.=1%).
Unexpectedly, the amount of fast-twitch fiber present in the lateral gastrocnemius muscle (an important ankle extensor; Zomlefer et al., 1977; Zajac et al., 1981; Abraham and Loeb, 1985) was not found to be related to TOV. This result is counterintuitive because the proportion of fast-twitch fibers is known to be correlated with maximum shortening velocity, and thus should be a good estimate of the work done per unit muscle during the takeoff period.
The lack of a relationship between fast-twitch fiber content and TOV may be explained by the biarticular action of the lateral gastrocnemius; this muscle spans both the knee and the ankle joints. Although the main effect of lateral gastrocnemius contraction is to extend the ankle joint, the degree and rate of fiber shortening is limited by knee joint extension during takeoff. It has been hypothesized that this decrease in lateral gastrocnemius shortening velocity has two advantages for humans during jumping: (1) it allows larger forces to be produced at the rapidly extending ankle joint and (2) it allows knee extensor muscles to be fully activated until takeoff without damaging the knee joint by the high joint angular velocities produced(Bobbert and van Ingen Schenau,1988; van Soest et al.,1993).
The degree and rate of lateral gastrocnemius fiber shortening is further complicated by this muscle's insertion into the Achilles tendon, a series elastic element (SEE). Stretching (or compliance) of the SEE in the lateral gastrocnemius and other triceps surae muscles results in storage of energy before fibers contract. Release of this energy enables fibers to shorten at lower velocities and produce more force during takeoff, resulting in high power output at the ankle joint during the latter part of takeoff(Bobbert, 2001). Our expectation of a linear positive relationship between lateral gastrocnemius fiber-shortening velocity and TOV may therefore be too simplistic for this complicated muscle—tendon system. Possibly, examination of the relationship between fast-twitch fiber content and TOV in the monoarticular vastus lateralis muscle or other hind limb muscles would produce a different result.
We found that cats with longer hind limbs and lower fat mass relative to their lean body mass achieved higher TOVs. These two variables explained significant variation in maximum TOV in a manner consistent with predictions based on the work done by extensor muscles to increase both kinetic and potential energy during takeoff. This study is the first to confirm the limb length—jump performance relationship in an endothermic vertebrate. Contrary to predictions, however, extensor muscle mass relative to lean body mass and percentage composition of MHC IIx were not found to significantly predict TOV.
The results of the present study as well as of other examinations of the limb morphology—leaping performance relationship suggest that jumping may be more highly and consistently correlated with morphology/physiology than are other performance variables. This implies that the evolution of limb design can most readily be studied on an ecologically relevant performance variable whose relationship to morphology is relatively simple biomechanically and on which data can be collected under carefully controlled lab conditions. Furthermore, the use of a large, easily trained subject will limit additional sources of experimental error. If these criteria are met, significant correlations between morphology and performance are more likely to be revealed.
The work presented here could not have been accomplished without the generous help of people representing several academic departments within the University of Wisconsin-Madison system. They are: Muscle Biology —Marion Greaser, Paul Mozdziak, Chad Warren; Physiology Department — Jim Ervasti, Samantha Harris, Jose' Sant'Ana Pereira, Tim Piazza, Kevin Strang;Psychology Department — Pat Cofta, Kurt Illig, Peter Spear; RARC —Lisa Krugner-Higby; Zoology — Jeff Baylis, John Dallman, Bill Feeny,Dick Ganje, Ted Garland, Frank Iwen, Bob Jeanne; Undergraduate assistants— Jodi Bachim, Julie Bock, Julia Disterhaft, Andrea Finn, Megan O'Leary,Agnes Rogalski, Jennifer Stephani and Lisa Van Pay.


text:
If you play Clash Royale regularly, there's a better than average chance you think you're pretty good. But are you among the best players in the world? That's an entirely different question. If only there was some way to determine who really is the best …
Oh wait, there is! The Crown Championship, Clash Royale's official esports competition, is set to kick off its 2017 Fall Season on Aug. 16 with the Crown Championship 20 Win Challenge. It runs through Aug. 20 and it couldn't be simpler as there's no registration necessary. Simply log into Clash Royale and start seeing what you're made of.
Winners in the Challenge will receive some cool in-game prizes and move on to Phase 2, which consists of bracketed tournaments pitting them against other winners in their region. That action will take place from Aug. 23 to Aug. 28.
Still dreaming about being in the hunt after that? Good, though you might get a dose of reality in Phase 3, where 12 survivors of the tournaments join with four top returning players from the Spring Season in what is ominously being called Elimination Week. From Sept. 5-7, each region — North America, Latin America, Europe, China, Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia and the Rest of the World — will cut their fields in half.
The Top 10 Phase will then determine who advances to the Fall Finals, a live event on Nov. 11-12 to award the title of "Best Clash Royale Player in the World," as well as divvy up a prize pool of $1 million. That's not too shabby just for beating a lot of people in Clash Royale.
To get in on the fun, all you need to be is at least 16 years old (but keep practicing kids, your day will come) and a resident of the region in which you are competing. Anything else you need to know can be found at crownchampionship.clashroyale.com. You've got less than a week to sharpen up those skills in preparation, so no matter how good you think you are, we'd suggest getting some practice in right after you've checked out all the relevant info. Good luck!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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text:
DOD to KO Defense Knowledge Online portal
The Defense Department's plans to shutter its Defense Knowledge Online portal are set. What comes next?
Defense Knowledge Online, the Defense Department-wide spin-off of the multi-purpose Army Knowledge Online portal, will shut down mid-year of fiscal 2012, pending the successful transition of services, according to a top DOD official.
The follow-on to DKO will be a Defense Information Systems Agency-led effort known as the Enterprise Services Portal Branch. The strategy will meet key Net-Centric Enterprise Services (NCES) requirements that have been lumped into the DKO portal, said Col. Brian Hermann, chief of the enterprise application services division, DISA Program Executive Office – Global Information Grid Enterprise Services (PEO-GIS).
Related stories:
Just the facts: The numbers on DOD's AKO, DKO and JKO portals
DKO's usage numbers have not met expectations, and Hermann said requirements have shifted over time, as has the climate of DOD spending and efficiency.
"With DKO, there's a lot of functionality there ... but the world has changed over the past five years, and as we look at the functionality there's only a subset of [DKO] that is part of our way ahead," he said.
The Enterprise Services Portal Branch aims to provide three core functions: file sharing, access to other enterprise services, and a storefront/marketplace for mobile applications and widgets. Hermann said it's not technically a program, but a coordinated activity within PEO-GIS.
He said a lot of users have begun moving to SharePoint as a primary enterprise service, rather than DKO, for the purpose of internal file-sharing – so much so that DISA has been approached to create a centralized SharePoint internal file-sharing platform for use across DOD. The requests for an enterprise-wide SharePoint have helped drive the Enterprise Services Portal Branch, he added.
"The department has spoken in terms of capability needs by customers coming to DISA asking for SharePoint services. We're responding to the needs and realities of the rest of the department right now," he said.
For the function of accessing other enterprise services, Hermann said a good model is the intelligence community's Intelink Passport, which acts as a single interface to access different applications and manage multiple accounts.
The marketplace function, while it may not consist of just a single storefront, would be a centralized place to access widgets and mobile apps for the joint community, he said.
The news comes within weeks of Federal Computer Week's June 30 report that the Army intends to phase out AKO and replace some of its capabilities with its DISA-led enterprise e-mail program. Since that report, there has been uncertainty as to what the closure would mean for DKO.
At a July 14 briefing held by the Association of the U.S. Army in Washington, Army CIO/G-6 Lt. Gen. Susan Lawrence admitted she wasn't sure about the relationship between AKO and DKO or what the changes to AKO would mean for the enterprise-wide spin-off, but said it was something her office is actively pursuing.
DKO was designed to be a DOD-wide version of AKO, which offers a number of different services, including e-mail, instant messaging/chat, search, directory services, profiles, blogs and forums. AKO is also used by retirees, Army families and members of the Army Reserves and National Guard.
It is unclear what will happen to those functions as DKO shuts down and AKO's future remains uncertain – or even if they will still exist, according to a source close to the story speaking on the condition of anonymity. Also unclear: the future of the Joint Knowledge Online (JKO) training portal, which had been run by the now-shuttered Joint Forces Command.
Even with the implementation of DKO, which launched in 2006, the services still have maintained in-house portals – a big part of the reason DKO hasn't met the expected numbers of users, Hermann said. While DKO currently has roughly 250,000 users, it was originally intended for use by 2.5 million users across DOD. The use of separate portals for the services seriously diminished those intentions, he added. (For more on AKO, DKO and enterprise e-mail by the numbers, click here.)
"Over the past five years, DOD has had portal wars. Everyone chose to have their own separate portals but still needed a single place for sharing across the services ... that's what we envision now," he said. "The transition for users is a primary concern, and that's being negotiated with the Army. We're not leaving anyone in a lurch. We're working one-on-one to see if our solutions meet their needs, or if it's outside of our scope."
He stressed that the Enterprise Services Portal Branch won't replace all portal activities for the services, but instead put in place a capability to share between them.
It will, however, effectively sever dependencies on AKO to provide enterprise managed services, Hermann said. As such, AKO's potential shutdown would have little impact on the services offered by DKO and, later, the DISA-led follow-on solution.
DKO has been funded as an Acquisition Category-I (major defense acquisition) NCES program, with part of the money being moved to the Army to run DKO. The DKO closure means DISA will retain those funds for the operation of SharePoint services, Hermann said.
It's a lot of moving parts that will require much coordination under broader DOD efforts to streamline and achieve better efficiencies.
"There are a lot of disparate requirements for these three key points – finding a single solution is a huge challenge. We're trying to use the funding we have to meet all three requirements in an efficient manner," Hermann said. "In the end, we have a large set of customers and we have to make sure we take care of them."
For AKO, DKO, JKO and enterprise e-mail by the numbers, click here.


text: Background CD26 (dipeptidyl peptidase IV, DPPIV) is a 110 kDa surface glycoprotein expressed in most normal cells, and is a potential book therapeutic target for selected cancers. but not acidic conditions, upregulated CD26. While HIF-1 level also improved when cells were cultured in serum-depleted press, its appearance was required but not adequate for CD26 upregulation. Findings CD26 mRNA and protein levels increase in a confluence-dependent manner in colon carcinoma cell lines, with c-Myc acting as a repressor and Cdx2 acting as an enhancer of CD26 appearance. The enhanced appearance of CD26 in serum-depleted press and a requirement for HIF-1 suggest a part for nutrients or growth factors in the regulation of CD26 protein appearance. Background CD26/dipeptidyl peptidase IV is definitely a 110 kDa surface glycoprotein with varied practical properties which include peptidase activity and practical and physical association with important substances in numerous transmission transduction pathways [1,2]. During the recent decades, CD26 offers been demonstrated Clemizole supplier to participate in T-cell biology as a costimulatory molecule able to regulate signaling transduction pathways [3-5]. In addition to its part in T-cell biology, recent studies possess demonstrated that Clemizole supplier CD26 also takes on an important part in tumor biology. Furthermore, CD26 itself may become a book restorative target. Anti-CD26 monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment results in both in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity against several tumor types, including lymphoma, mesothelioma and renal cell carcinoma [6-8]. However, CD26 appearance varies among different cell lines and tumor histologies, ensuing in conflicting reports concerning the part of CD26 in the development of different neoplasms, including colon tumor [1]. For example, CD26 is definitely upregulated during enterocytic differentiation of the colon adenocarcinoma cell lines Caco-2 and HT-29 [9]. Curiously, trypsinizing and seeding late post-confluent Caco-2 cells led to reduced Rabbit polyclonal to PKNOX1 CD26 appearance and dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity, as well as the disappearance of additional differentiation guns such as sucrase isomaltase and GLUT5 [10]. However, the exact mechanism responsible for this cell density-dependent legislation of CD26 appearance and dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity offers not been fully elucidated. Compared with Clemizole supplier most normal cells, solid tumors have a tendency to show high cell denseness due to quick growth, and high cell denseness offers been linked to anti-cancer drug resistance [11,12]. In look at of the growing part of CD26 as a book restorative target, we looked into the mechanism of confluence-dependent appearance of CD26 to further understand CD26 biology. In this paper, we looked into the mechanism involved in the confluence-dependent increase in CD26 appearance in the colon tumor cell lines HCT-116 and HCT-15. We shown that c-Myc is definitely involved in the legislation of CD26 appearance as a repressor of transcription in both cell lines, and that Cdx2 significantly contributes to the confluence-dependent increase in CD26 appearance in HCT-15 cells. Furthermore, we found that serum-depleted tradition conditions, but not acidic conditions, significantly upregulated CD26 levels, hence implicating a potential part for nutrients or serum growth factors in the legislation of CD26 protein appearance. Methods Cell tradition The human being colorectal carcinoma cell lines HCT-116 and HCT-15 were purchased from the American Type Tradition Collection (ATCC, Manassas, VA). HCT 15, HCT-116, and HCT-116 HIF1-/- cells [13] were managed in McCoy's 5A medium (ATCC) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) (Hyclone, Southerly Logan, Utah), 100 devices/ml of penicillin Clemizole supplier and 100 g/ml of streptomycin (Invitrogen) at 37C and 5% CO2. For confluence-dependent tests, HCT-116 cells or HCT-15 cells were seeded at 7.5 105 cells/6-cm dish and 1.0 106 cells/6-cm dish (day time-0), respectively, and were cultivated several days to obtain a post-confluent state. Medium was changed daily. For immunofluorescence staining, cells were cultivated on a glass slip in RPMI-1640 (Hyclone) without phenol reddish and supplemented with 10% FBS, 100 devices/ml of penicillin, and 100 g/ml of streptomycin at 37C. Cells were cultured at sub-confluence or post-confluence by changing medium daily. For normoxic tradition conditions, cells were incubated at 37C, in 5% CO2 and space air flow (21% O2). For hypoxic conditions, cells were incubated at 37C in a hypoxia holding chamber (Billups-Rothenberg, Del Mar, CA) flushed and equilibrated with.


text:
"Susan 313" is a 2012 NBC pilot created by and starring Sarah Silverman, produced by Ron Howard and directed by Ken Kwapis ("The Office," "Big Miracle"). In it, Silverman plays a newly single woman attempting to return to her old life after the end of a decade-long relationship, with Jeff Goldblum guest starring as her ex and Tig Notaro, June Diane Raphael and Harris Wittels also making appearances.
"Susan 313" never made it to series, but Silverman's just posted the previously unseen pilot to her JASH YouTube channel — you can watch it below. Most pilots are left to float in the ether, forever unseen, so it's always interesting when one surfaces and you get a glimpse of a show that never was, especially one that in this case tries to fit Silverman's acerbic persona into a more mainstream vehicle.
"This isn't 'can you believe they didn't pick this up!' — this isn't that kind of posting," Silverman explains in the intro, while praising production company 20th Century Fox Television for allowing her to post the pilot online. Silverman's now starring in a new pilot for HBO — "People in New Jersey."
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Its laws define gambling as participating in a game for anything of value or making any bet, and outlaws any form of gambling, except as permitted in chapters 99B [bingo] and 99D [racetracks]. These laws have a broad definition of illegal gambling. Surprisingly, the state allows riverboat casinos and gambling in casinos on Indian reservations, which conflicts with the law. The law is not entirely clear, but its definition of gambling is broad enough to include every possible real money gaming. Skill-based video gaming with cash prizes and online gambling, all fall under real money gaming. In a few words, it is illegal to gamble online in the Hawkeye State. With this sort of wording, you would expect the state to make several bursts. But no! It has made not a single arrest, yet the residents of Iowa play real money casino games online. We can only conclude the law is impractical and needs revisiting. For a second, let suppose it were to happen, how crazy would that charge sheet read? 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Pros: Available in download and instant play Mobile casino Lucrative welcome bonuses & daily promotions Access to full RTG game collection Safe, fast and secure methods of payments, including bitcoin 24/7 live chat, phone, and email customer support Licensed and well-regulated Supports responsible gambling Cons: Limited payment methods Low withdrawal limit Visit Cherry Jackpot Casino Now The future of Online Gambling in Iowa Online gambling has had a forward momentum across the United States, and it doesn't seem to stop. Some states are bowing to the pressure, others are looking on but salivating at the opportunity it presents, and some have jumped on the train. States like may seem cold towards it, but they are lusting to grab a piece of the cake. Just recently, the state attempted to allow sports betting without success. There was a time that even thinking of it, could easily pass as a crime. They say the Romans didn't build their empire in a day, and indeed it makes perfect sense for the Hawkeye State gambling industry. While the state may seem harsh to online punters, but we can say it is slowly moving to liberalization. Two decades ago, it was illegal to gamble in this state. It started with Riverboat Casinos, and today, all but two of its counties allow some form of gambling. Online gambling will soon find its way here. Just the same way land-based casinos, bingo parlors, lottery terminals, and other legal betting venues have. Where Else is Online Gambling Legal in the US? AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY DC FAQs What is the legal gambling age in Iowa? Like in most states in the country, 21 is the legal gambling age in Iowa. But it is 18 if you are playing bingo or participating in pari-mutuel. Is gambling online an offense in Iowa? Yes, according to the law, you commit a felony by gambling online. But practically speaking, it is almost impossible for the state to convict anyone for gambling online. It is yet to happen anywhere in the entire country. Where can I play online casino games for real money in Iowa? While Iowa has no state-regulated online casino, some reputable offshore sites, such as those listed here, accept American players. You can enjoy poker, blackjack, 21, bingo, keno, slots and many other casino games. What forms of gambling are legal in the state? The Hawkeye State bans online gambling but allows many forms of gambling. It allows legal lottery, bingo, casinos, and betting on dog and horse racing at the licensed locations. About thadeus Thadeus G has eyes glued on the casino industry, making sure gamblers and those interested in gambling are fully informed. He covers everything that's going on in the dynamic and wild world of iGaming. So, what's new? What games or casinos does he recommend? Find out. View all posts by thadeus →


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Flash Flood
cloud bursts on butte
primes the watershed sluice box
tumbling rivers sprout
cloud bursts on butte
primes the watershed sluice box
tumbling rivers sprout
We're here to share our passion for waste reduction, plastic reduction, and our journey toward living a greener, more sustainable life.
Raku pottery, vases, and gifts
We are all just babes in the woods.
Travel blog & the best Strasbourg tips
Traveling Fashion Designers 🌼
Hikes and Travels in Colorado and Beyond
"Everyone needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to the soul" -John Muir
Is it destiny, happenstance or stratagem?
Showcasing the beauty of Mother Nature
A dose of fetish. Good friends. An incomparable muse.
Where Fictional Characters Rule
Wandering Soul Writer
reflections on a passing life
Everyone has a story to tell. This is me, telling mine.
I had to find some way to entertain myself, so I made up stories in my mind. One night I started writing them down and never stopped.


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Dawn to Dusk Software
I think I solved the problem: There was no full disk access checked for "com.qrecall.hoist"
Just FYI, the "Ignore ownership and permission" option must be turned off when restoring items on a startup volume.
Nico Dudek wrote:Does this mean I have to redo the restore on my blade SSD again?
Nico Dudek wrote:If I would restore the archive again AFTER doing all my hardware upgrade work again on the external Blade SSD would this be incremental or would QR do it from scratch?
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 27-Jan-21 14:38


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Yahoo and Live Nation Entertainment announced the initial artist lineup for the new Live Nation Channel on Yahoo Screen — providing fans with a free, all-access front row seat to a new live concert every day, all year long. The live concert streams will kick off on July 15 with "A Very Special Evening with Dave Matthews Band" at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.
The show will feature the group delivering two sets, performing together in numerous electric and acoustic configurations in a reinvention of the traditional DMB summer evening.
Additional artists confirmed for the new channel include: Usher, Gavin DeGraw, Common, The Neighbourhood, MKTO, The Kooks, Airborne Toxic Event, Three Days Grace, The Fray and many more.
The Live Nation Channel on Yahoo Screen will also feature special performances including:
● Recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, KISS, streaming live from their 40th Anniversary Tour;
● john legend performing Marvin Gaye's classic album, "What's Going On" in its entirety, with Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings and the Los Angeles Philharmonic live from the Hollywood Bowl; and
● Justin Timberlake and the Tennessee Kids performing their first ever concert in Reykjavik, Iceland. The Live Nation Channel on Yahoo Screen fuses together global superstars and emerging artists across genres, from rock to pop, hip-hop music to electronic.
Music fans can get a sneak peak at the first 30 days of scheduled performances by going to yahoo.com/live. Starting Monday, July 14, they can sign up for text, email and calendar reminders for the concerts they want to watch — and invite their friends to tune in, as well.
Fans will have the freedom to stream concerts wherever they are through Yahoo Screen on iOS, Android, mobile Web, desktop, and Smart TV platforms including AppleTV, Roku and Xbox 360."
Live moments are the most memorable — whether it's your favorite band's performance of a lifetime, that amazing last-second goal that crowns the world champion, or an unforgettable acceptance speech that goes viral.
And in today's on-demand entertainment environment, live experiences are the only ones that we all share together, at the same time," said Kathy Savitt, CMO of Yahoo. "Together with Live Nation, we are excited to bring millions of fans together to share these moments through the new Yahoo Live experience."
"Live Nation produces more than 23,000 annual shows for 60 million fans globally. With the Live Nation Channel on Yahoo we are bringing these amazing artists with great production to the 800 million monthly Yahoo fans.
This channel will create a powerful new way for artists to continue to grow their global fanbase." said Michael Rapino, CEO of Live Nation Entertainment. In addition to the biggest collection of concert live streams available on the Web, the Live Nation Channel and Yahoo Screen will feature an on-demand catalogue of songs on video and hundreds of insider vignettes including behind-the-scenes footage, artist interviews and more.
The Live Nation Channel on Yahoo Screen is part of the Yahoo Live experience, which also features instant sports highlights, stats and analysis, as well as live coverage of the hottest red carpet moments and blockbuster premieres. For more information and to view the calendar of upcoming live performances, visit yahoo.com/live.
3 Days Grace
3 Doors Down
Airborne Toxic Event
Andrew McMahon
Better Than Ezra
Dave Matthews Band
David Gray
Fitz & The Tantrums
Gavin DeGraw
Gogol Bordello
Goo Goo Dolls
How to Dress Well
Jesse McCartney
John Legend
Jurassic 5
Lila Downs
Linkin Park
Matt Nathanson
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Moon Taxi
New Politics
Panic! @ The Disco
Ray Lamontagne
Sick Puppies
The Fray
The Gaslight Anthem
The Kooks
The Neighbourhood
The Ready Set
Toad the Wet Sprocket
Wiz Khalifa
Ziggy Marley


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Domain Registration Service with the most client-friendly registration principles and insurance policies in the business at an inexpensive value. Nevertheless, there have been research achieved that show people haven't got a dominant a part of their mind— as Neil deGrasse Tyson put it, Don't call me left brained, proper brained. Name me human." Don't suppose you're predisposed to do better in a single area than one other— an artist will be as proficient at net improvement as a mathematician might be as creatively skilled at internet design. This segues excellently into my closing point.
The Domain Name System (DNS) is a approach during which internet area names are located and translated to IP addresses as the web works only with IP addresses and understands solely numerical identifiers. With the help of this, finding and addressing gadgets in a worldwide community is possible. DNS follows a hierarchical naming system that's developed on a distributed database for companies, computers, organizations or some other useful resource which is connected to a non-public community or web. The DNS serves as a phone ebook or directory for the net by translating human pleasant names to numerous IP addresses by designating authoritative names servers for every area.
One of the web site builder templates will inspire guests by together with mind-blowing pictures, and a shocking slider beneath the header and the menu bar. It is also totally responsive so footage and sliders won't lose high quality on the opposite sort of the display. The template is supplied with reservation functionality and ordering choices for the comfort of your purchasers.
Piroll is a PSD design template by Svetlana, UI designer from New York, that you can use for building your own agency or personal portfolio. Accessible solely to Trademark Holders, this registration period, often known as Sunrise, is the primary probability anybody has to register a brand new area. Nonetheless, you must have your trademark validated with the Trademark Clearinghouse before you can register your domain.


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16 April 2016, Monrovia – ExxonMobil has reaffirmed its commitment to drilling one exploratory well in LB 13 during the 4th quarter of 2016.
According to ExxonMobil, planning for the drilling campaign is now fully underway and its Environmental Impact Assessment Plan has been submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia. The reaffirmation is contained in a LB13 Linkages Report released by ExxonMobil.
This upcoming exploratory drilling campaign will revive drilling activities in the Liberian basin, increase to eleven (11) the total number of exploratory wells drilled between 2011 and 2016, and hopefully lead to commercial discovery.
- Press Release


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02 August 2005
Taking a day or two off from the blog
I'm supposed to be getting a new laptop this week. Many will remember that I have had a few computer mishaps lately. My main computer is a laptop that goes everywhere with me. I've used laptops for more than a decade, and generally wear one out every 18 months or so. (It takes me about 10 months to wear the paint off the keycaps. Literally.)
The current laptop is already more than 2 and a half years old, and it's been the most durable computer I have ever had (even though it has had an annoying tendencey to overheat, and sporadic power-supply problems from day one). Now it's definitely time for an upgrade.
And I hate it, because it means at least a three-day ordeal installing software, transferring data, and setting up the system the way I want it. So be forewarned: I'm likely to be slightly more cantankerous than usual for the remainder of the week. And I won't get a lot done. I may post, but don't expect anything profound and insightfulor lighthearted and full of warmth.
Meanwhile, check this out: "Why Boomers resist the 'Emergent fad.'" I thought it was an interesting and candid perspective.
And if you still get bored, read Steve Hays and Steve Camp, and be sure to alternate between the two of them. That ought to keep everyone busy for a while.
7 comments:
- BAG said...
". . . We boomers may not like what the Emergents plan to do with it, but to who else can we pass on the church? We're stuck with the emergent generation. They will inherit the earth. . . ."
Quote, above, taken from the article Phil linked to (author Keith Drury).
I think Keith is right, and that's a scary thought to me, as one who would be considered part of the "emergent generation" (merely because of my age 31). As I look out on the general trajectory of the so called "emergent" movement--it causes me to pray, alot (which is a good thing :). I'm concerned that the emergents have hastily dispatched with fundamental concepts, such as, "innerancy", hell, morality (notice the slippery slope), etc. Merely to be relevant to the post-modern culture (whatever that is--I think emergents are defining PoMo as much as the so called PoMo society they are trying to be relevant to).
There is at least one point I disagree with Keith, in his article. He makes a distinction between the "boomers" and the "emergents"; and argues that the boomers are getting old and tired, and are wary of the new revolution presented to the church by PoMo (emergents). I guess the point I disagree with him on, is that I think emergents are in fact boomers who realized that the boomer effort (for church renewal) has failed--thus they are looking for a new "movement". Just look at the era (boomer) that some of its most prominent "articulants" are a part of (boomers): i.e. Brian Mclaren, Dan Kimbill, etc.
My prayer is that the emergent thing is just a quick "fad" that withers away and dies. They definitely are not apart of historic evangelicalism (doctrinally).
- 11:33 PM, August 01, 2005
- Evangelical books said...
Just curious, what laptop do you have now, and what will you be getting next?
- 3:00 AM, August 02, 2005
#5 reason why I love Phil's blog: He uses words like 'cantankerous' in everyday language...thanks, Phil! :)
- 6:20 AM, August 02, 2005
- Jeremy Moore said...
And I hate it, because it means at least a three-day ordeal installing software, transferring data, and setting up the system the way I want it.
sounds like someone should look Norton Ghost!!
- 6:49 AM, August 02, 2005
- RobertF said...
I've never been much into group thinking or in this case; generational thinking. It is often used as an excuse for not standing on Biblical principle. It is that type of attitude that I gather from the article by Drury. If you take his view to heart then everyone 40-60 are effectivly locked into whatever is supposed to be wanted by "Boomers" but just because the media says that all "Boomers" want X does not make it so, and who sets the agenda for the "Boomers"?
In the article Drury states "...but to who else can we pass on the church?" My answer is that the church will be passed on to faithful men of all types "Boomers", "Busters", "Xers" etc.Just as it has from the beginning of the church.
There will be non doctrinal changes made as always. But as a 38 year old (just under the Boomer cutoff I believe) I trust that the Lord will continue to call his Church, and we who strive to be approved workmen will continue to not be ashamed. So if younger people want different lighting and music style, ok that may be accomodated. But if anyone wants to claim a generational "right" to change the message of the cross, Paul gives the answer clearly in Galations 1:8-9
- 7:51 AM, August 02, 2005
- MTG said...
Just as long as The Boss is comfy....
- 8:15 AM, August 02, 2005
- Jonathan Moorhead said...
Purchase an Apple and all of your wildest dreams will come true. It's kinda like voting for Pedro.
- 11:10 AM, August 02, 2005


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Seaweed and slime are slippery stuff which is why we need to periodically clean the slipway. Last week some volunteers carefully pressure-washed the slipway to ensure it is as safe as possible for visitors.
25 Apr 2017
24 Apr 2017
21 Apr 2017
Looking at Lichens
We have so many things to enjoy at Brough Bay; some are obvious, like the waves, the flowers, the seals and the nesting fulmars. Others, though, can go unseen, though their colours and patterns give life to the rocks and stones. These are the lichens ... splashes of yellow, orange, grey and white ... look all around you and enjoy the small things at our lovely harbour environment.
Posted by Anonymous at 17:57 No comments:
2 Apr 2017
Brough Bay Association Web Site
Hi,Our updated web site is now on line
Take a look and maybe join us.
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


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But our outgoing coalition, made up of two parties each with a strong tendency towards statism, and with such a huge majority, dispensed with debate. Its preferred method was to railroad legislation through without proper consultation with the Oireachtais.
Social democracy is based on a socialist model for the economy. In other words, tax the rich, high taxes all round, high public expenditure and, thus, a high degree of government control of the economy.
But, aside from the moral problem involved in excessive taxation, there are some major flaws in the socialist model, making it unsustainable.
To start with, the public expenditure envisioned in the social democratic model could only be paid for with a birth rate that is well above replacement rate. Ours, although the highest in Europe, is still below replacement rate (replacement fertility rate is 2.1; our rate is 2.01).
And it doesn't help when almost all of these winners for social democracy support policies in favour of contraception, abortion and same-sex "marriage," all of which contribute to the aging of our population.
There just won't be enough young people entering the workforce to sustain the future cost of pensions. On top of that there is the enormous cost of social welfare. Who will pay for that?
Of course – just tax the rich.
But one of the other fallacies of the social democratic model is that everybody should be equal. If everyone is equal, there will be no rich to tax. If everyone is equal there would be no need to redistribute wealth through taxation.
In such a world the state would play a much more limited role than socialists and social democrats tend to like.
The reality is that in order to raise taxes you need a thriving private sector. And the problem is that the private sector, burdened with excessive taxes and state control, is not able to reach its full potential within the context of a socialist economic model.
Even the Chinese Communist Party (much admired by Mr O'Toole) has figured that out. They came to the realisation that even a socialist economy can't survive without some capitalism. That is one of the reasons the party has lasted so long.
Fianna Fáil and even Fine Gael are broadly social democratic in their outlook – perhaps a bit watered down compared to the more leftist parties, but still there is nothing in either party to really distinguish themselves from the social democratic idea.
Social democracy is unsustainable. In other words, the social democratic state has no future.
If Ireland is to have a future, we need to find alternative solutions – an alternative model, not just for the economy, but for society.


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Anna University
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
6th Semester
2 Marks with Answers - V+ 2013 Edition
Vidyarthiplus (V+) updates for B.E EEE 6th Semester Two Marks with Answers :
Please select your Subjects below :
More Elective Subjects will be Updated soon... Keep Visiting V+.
All the Best..!!


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Create an Account - Increase your productivity, customize your experience, and engage in information you care about.
As boomer and millennial populations move to downtown areas, companies are taking note, and chasing this talent pool. This is especially evident in downtown Dallas, which has 45,000 residents, with the addition of 5,000 jobs in the last quarter alone.


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I'm trying to find a style of mantle decor I like...I'm picky about artwork and am not sure that I want that above the mantle so I'm looking for other options.
The image above is nice and simple and I love the exotic shape of the mirror.
The different sizes of frames and the giant letter with natural greenery is a nice simple touch.
Overlooking the pumpkins, I really like the line of candles and height of the vases on either end.
Another cool way to use empty frames above the mantle, painted in the same color or varying shades of the same color.
This floating clock on the wall is really cool and something I probably wouldn't have thought of.
Layers of objects leaning can be cohesive rather than looking unfinished when it's done the right way.


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Hunan Forest Botanical Garden
Institution Code: HUNFO
BGCI Member: Yes
About the Hunan Forest Botanical Garden
Located in the Dongjingpu Town of Yuhua District,Changsha city and the center of being merged three cities, Changsha, Zhuzhou and Xiangtan, and founded in January 1985 with the approve of former State Science and Technology Commission, People's Government of Hunan Province, Hunan Forest Botanical Garden, is a nonprofit scientific research institutions, belonging to the Forestry Department of Hunan Province. There are 187 employees, and serving staff of 143 now. It was also approved to be the Tianjiling National Forest Park and the Wildlife Rescue & Breeding Center of Hunan Province in 1992 and 1994, respectively, by the former State Ministry of Forestry. With an area of 1,800 acres and forest cover of over 90%, it is a few the comprehensive botanical gardens and national forest parks, located rarely in the city center, and currently the only botanical garden collected forest plants and wildlife in China.
Main Address:
Hunan Forest Botanical Garden
No. 111 Batanical Garden Road Dongjing Town
Yuhua District
Hunan 410116 China
Telephone: 0086 731 85621321
Fax: 0086 731 85052295
URL: www.hnfbg.cn
Primary Email:


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My only hope, I thought, as I walked out of work on my 'day off', was that maybe a photo op would come to me in the back yard, because I didn't know if I had a trip out in me. And that's exactly what happened. Okay, Zoe actually came to the rescue when she went to the back gate and Wilbur came over to say hello to her. They snuffled each other through the fence. Ozzie, on the other hand, acts like a savage beast, but the effort is lost on Wilbur. He just snuffled through the fence, totally unimpressed with Ozzie's mean killer dog act.
So I let myself in the gate to say hello. I thought he'd frolic and I'd take pictures. His hair is so wiry, not a cuddly creature. Then he laid down so I could rub his belly. And there was so such thing as watching him from afar, he likes things up close and personal. I sat down on a paver to get a better angle, but that gave Wilbur a better angle also. He came over, wet snout covered in sand, and proceeded to snuffle my feet, my legs, and my pant legs until I was wearing more of the sand than he was. It felt like I was being sandpapered. I haven't been that dirty since I was a little kid. I call it The Wilbur Effect. Now excuse my while I toss those pants in the wash….


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Atlanta, GA | Posted: January 1, 1995
Summary Sentence:
Stelson Lecture by guest speaker Stanley Osher
Full Summary:No summary paragraph submitted.
Stanley Osher is a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Director of Special Projects in the Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics (IPAM) and member of the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) at UCLA. He has made many contributions in shock capturing, level set methods, and PDE-based methods in computer vision and image processing.
In these two talks we shall describe numerical methods which were devised for the purpose of computing small scale behavior without either fully resolving the whole solution or explicitly tracking certain singular parts of it. Techniques developed for this purpose include shock capturing, front capturing, and multiscale analysis. Areas in which these methods have recently proven useful include image processing, computer vision, and differential geometry, as well as more traditional fields of physics and engineering.


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February 3, 2007
Underbed Lift conceals your plasma under the bedby Dhiram Shah
In this day and age, Flat screens have replaced the big boxes of the small screen. But this technology is one to watch! It actually hides your flat screen when not in use. Flat screens made our rooms look more spacious and clutter free…as in no need of cabinets to settle the TV box. One had to just hang it on the wall. But now your wall is also free to exhibit other objet d'art. This practical feat of engineering – Underbed Lift can hold a 50-inch PDP under a king-sized bed with just eight-inches of clearance required. And besides, a large screen, you get a complete entertainment set up built right-in your bed, complete with DVD / VCR player, subwoofer, and seven channels of surround sound. Moreover a 42" panel and all the same equipment can be concealed under a Queen size bed too. The plasma panel deploys in under 45 seconds and the mount can be rotated for different viewing angles.
(Video after the jump)
WOW isn't this impressive?
Via – Luxurylaunches