In this paper, a CT based structural rigidity analysis (CTRA) method that incorporates bone intrinsic local curvature is introduced to assess the compressive failure load of human femur with simulated lytic defects. The proposed CTRA is based on a three dimensional curved beam theory to obtain critical stresses within the human femur model. To test the proposed method, ten human cadaveric femurs with and without simulated defects were mechanically tested under axial compression to failure. Quantitative computed tomography images were acquired from the samples, and CTRA and finite element analysis were performed to obtain the failure load as well as rigidities in both straight and curved cross sections. Experimental results were compared to the results obtained from FEA and CTRA. The failure loads predicated by curved beam CTRA and FEA are in agreement with experimental results. The results also show that the proposed method is an efficient and reliable method to find both the location and magnitude of failure load. Moreover, the results show that the proposed curved CTRA outperforms the regular straight beam CTRA, which ignores the bone intrinsic curvature and can be used as a useful tool in clinical practices.
The skeleton is the third most common site of metastatic cancer, and nearly half of all cancers metastasize to bone1,2,3. Approximately 30–50% of bone metastases lead to pathologic fractures4, where the orthopaedic surgeon faces the dilemma of determining the probability of such an event, oftentimes based on subjective assessments of bone strength. Patients deemed to have a low risk of fracture are treated using nonsurgical approaches5,6, and operative treatment is reserved for cases of impending and pathological fractures in long bone and pelvic girdle metastases. Nevertheless, the scoring systems frequently used to evaluate fracture risk are now recognized to be inaccurate7. Therefore, there is a need for a reliable clinical tool to objectively assess fracture risk based on the material and geometric determinants of bone strength.
Computed tomography-based structural rigidity analysis (CTRA), which takes into account the material properties and structural organization of bone, can reliably predict failure load in rat and human bones with lytic defects8,9,10,11,12,13,14. However, CTRA calculations are derived from straight beam theory, where the influence of bone curvature on strength has not been considered . This influence has been shown to be significant in calculating bone fracture load15. Therefore, in current study, a new method for evaluating CTRA based on curved beam theory (curved CTRA) has been introduced. To that end, failure load predictions from curved CTRA, traditional CTRA and Finite Element (FE) modeling has been compared to those of mechanical testing in an ex-vivo human model of femoral lytic defects. We hypothesize that curved beam CTRA will outperform traditional CTRA in terms of the accuracy of the predicated failure load and also the failure location and will correlate well with FEA and mechanical testing results.
Material and Methods
Following Institutional Review Board approval and in accordance with guidelines for use of cadaveric specimens with informed consents obtained, ten paired femurs from fresh frozen human cadavers (mean age 81.7 ± 10.65 years) were obtained from the Department of Anatomy at Radboud University Medical Center16,17. One of the femurs in each pair was left intact and assigned to the control group. The contralateral femur was assigned to the simulated lytic defect group, where one or more defects were created. Size and location of these lesions resembled clinical appearance of lytic metastatic lesions, as discussed with orthopedic oncologists. Lesion sizes and locations on defect femurs are shown in Table 1.
Imaging and Image Analysis
Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) images were acquired with the following settings: 120 kVp, 220 mA, slice thickness 3 mm, pitch 1.5, spiral and standard reconstruction, in-plane resolution 0.9375 mm (ACQSim, Philips, Eindhoven, The Netherlands)16. The femurs were scanned in a water basin, on top of a solid calibration phantom (Image Analysis, Columbia, KY, USA).
Following imaging, the specimens underwent mechanical testing in a hydraulic mechanical testing system (MTS, Eden Prairie, MN, USA)16. The setup was designed to simulate single-limb stance-type loading conditions on the femur (Fig. 1A). A 30 mm diameter plastic cup with concave shape was used to apply the load to the femoral head. An axial load was applied on the head of the femur, with 10 N/s from 0 N until failure, while force and displacement of the plunger were recorded. The failure location of each femur was photographically documented.
Finite Element Analysis
Three dimensional (3D) models of the femurs were constructed using MATLAB (MathWorks Inc., Natick, MA, USA). The calcium-phosphate (Ca-P) density (ρCHA) of each pixel in the CT scan was calculated using the calibrating phantoms18 (the pixels below 30 mg/ml were automatically removed), and a 3D model was constructed using mutually connected pixels19,20. Using the relationship ρash = 0.0633 + 0.887ρCHA21, the Ca-P densities were transformed to bone mineral density (ρash). Then, the mineral densities were converted to tissue elastic modulus using empirically derived constitutive equations for cancellous22,23 and cortical24 bone. Elastic-perfectly plastic isotropic material behavior was assigned to model the mechanical behavior of bone material, and constrains and boundary conditions were applied to the model to mimic the mechanical testing experiments16. The developed models were imported to finite element (FE) software, ANSYS (Academic Research, Release 14.0, Cecil, PA, USA), which was used to perform the FE analysis. Each model was rotated to the corresponding orientation of the femur in mechanical testing based on the position of the tantalum markers in the CT scans. Finite element analysis was conducted in displacement control, and the displacement was applied incrementally using a cup with 30 mm diameter consistent with the mechanical tests (Fig. 1B). The distal femur was fixed using two bundles of high-stiffness springs to imitate the experiments (Fig. 1B). Plastic behavior was excluded from the elements in the top surface in contact with cup to prevent unrealistic distortion. For each displacement increment (i.e. 0.025 mm), the total reaction force was calculated as the sum of all nodal forces in contact with the cup. The failure load in FE analysis was defined as the maximum total reaction force achieved during loading under displacement control. Failure location in the computational models was defined by the location of maximum effective plastic strain at the maximum total reaction force.
Structural Rigidity Analysis
CTRA determines bone rigidity and likelihood of failure based on the axial (EA), bending (EI), and torsional (GJ) rigidities of the weakest cross-section in the bone8. These parameters were evaluated at each transaxial cross-section by summing the rigidity of all pixels (Fig. 2).
The failure load of femoral bone subject to axial and bending moment can be obtained by assuming that planes stay plane in deformation, and shear deformation is neglected. For a general asymmetric cross section and assuming straight beam, the failure load can be expressed as:
where Dc is the rigidity at the weakest bone cross-section and εc is the critical strain which identifies the fracture initiation. Using straight beam theory25, Dc can be defined as:
where γst is associated with axial rigidity, and αst and βst are associated with bending rigidity of the cross section. xc and yc are coordinates of critical location in the weakest cross-section. γst, αst and β are defined as:
where Dx and Dy are the distances, from the geometric centroid, to the applied load in x and y directions. Ei and ρi are the elastic modulus and density, respectively, at the ith location of the cross-section, and Ai is the incremental cross-sectional area (Fig. 2) and (EI)x, (EI)y and (EI)xy correspond to the bending rigidities of the cross-section respect to its centroid and can be defined as:
The centroid of cross section is obtained from
As the traditional CTRA is based on straight beam theory, its main disadvantage is that it does not account for the influence of intrinsic bone curvature. This influence is particularly important for structures, where the ratio of the radius of curvature to the depth of a beam is less than 526, and neglecting curvature effect can cause a meaningful underestimation of resulting stresses25. The intertrochanteric region of the human femur has the highest curvature, this ratio is around 127. Therefore, in this case, it is essential to account for bone curvature in CTRA analyses. Consider the sample human femur bone cross-section shown in Fig. 2. The curved cross sections are found based on iteratively find the tangent vectors of curve passing through the centroid of cross sections and perpendicular to them. The iteration stops when there is no change on the position of tangent vectors and subsequently the position of curved cross sections. Circumferential stress σθθ on the ABCD section can be found by balancing the resultant forces and moments (N, Mx and My) acting on the cross-section with circumferential stresses. Shear stress σrθ can be neglected compared to σθθ for thick cross sections25:
r is the distance of the center of curvature from an infinitesimal area (dA), and R is the distance of the center of curvature to the centroid of the whole cross-section. In Fig. 2, A′B′C′D′ is a deformed shape of a curved element ABCD. The relative movement of typical point in yz plane due to deformation (dex) is equal to (Rn − r)Δ(dθ)x, where Rn neutral axis radius and Δ(dθ)x is the angle between the deformed surface and the original surface in yz plane. The relative movement of the point in xz plane due to deformation (dey) is equal to xΔ(dθ)y, where Δ(dθ)y is the angle between the deformed surface and the original surface in xz plane. Therefore, the total normal strain can be evaluated as:
The resultant force and moments can be written as:
where F is the external force applied to the bone, Dx and Dy are the distances of applied load to the centroid axes of the weakest cross-section, and ψ is the angle between the external force and resultant normal force on the cross-section. Equations (15) to (17), should be solved simultaneously to find αcr, βcr and Rn, which Rn is the neutral axis radius. In the most general case αcr, βcr and Rn can be found as:
where R is the radius of curvature, , , , , and . If r and x are calculated from the modulus weighted surface centroid (), then and Aq = 0, then equations (18) to (20) are reduced to:
Therefore, critical force can be found as:
where subscript c indicates the parameters values at the weakest location on the bone. The critical strain, where fracture is eminent, is set to 1.2% strain in compression, and 1% strain in tension11,28,29,30.
An Ideal case
The capability of the proposed model was examined by considering an ideal case of a human femur. The results of straight beam and curved beam models were compared with results from finite element analysis. To simulate the bone femur shape, a hollow shaft with inside diameter (D1) of 16 mm and outside diameter (D2) of 32 mm was constructed. The finite element model was also constructed using ANSYS (Academic Research, Release 14.0, Cecil, PA, USA). The ratio of the radius of curvature to outside diameter (R/D2) was changed from 3 to 1000 in the three models to determine the effect of curvature on the maximum principal strain at the critical location. A nominal pressure of 1 Pa was applied at the top surface, while the bottom surface was fully restrained (Fig. 3A).
Schematic representation of hallow curved shaft used in the ideal case is shown in Fig. 3A. The results for the ideal case are shown in Fig. 3B, based on the difference of each model from FE analysis for the maximum principal strain. For small R/D2 ratios, the straight beam model is significantly biased, while the curved beam model exhibits a better correlation. As R/D2 increases, the two models converge. The strain contour plots for R/D2 = 3 are shown in Fig. 3C–E. Again, the curved beam model demonstrates a better correlation to FEA than the straight beam model.
Lesion sizes and locations on defect femurs are shown in Table 1. Mechanical testing setup, representing finite element model and Representation of the curve beam model are shown in Figs 1 and 2 respectively. The FE and curved beam CTRA models predicted the failure loads for intact femurs and femurs with lytic defects and exhibited a strong level of correlation with mechanical testing results (R2 = 0.91 and 0.87 against the line of equality, respectively; Fig. 4). On the other hand, the straight beam CTRA model overestimated the failure load in almost all cases and predicts larger failure loads than those reported from experiments. The regression analysis gives the negative coefficient of determination of −0.9 against the line of equality which shows the line of equality does not follow the trend between the failure load from mechanical testing (Fmech) and straight CTRA (FStraight).
When using the best-fit linear regression, rigidity analysis obtained through curved beam CTRA demonstrated a strong correlation with the failure load obtained through mechanical testing (Fig. 5B,D,F). The coefficients of determination for the femurs were 0.89 for EA and 0.89 for EI and 0.73 for GJ, the torsional rigidity which is defined as the sum of GIx and GIy12. For straight beam CTRA, the rigidities are not well correlated with experimental failure load, even when using the best-fit regression, as the coefficients of determination were 0.51 for EA, 0.63 for EI and 0.59 for GJ (Fig. 5A,C,E). Note that Fig. 5C,D are plotted based on minimum bending rigidity (EImin) at each cross-section.
Since mechanical testing, FE analysis and both straight and curved beam CTRA measure failure load on the same specimens, the paired t-test approach has been chosen to assess the mean differences between the pairs. When considering all specimens, paired t-tests did not indicate differences between curved beam CTRA and mechanical testing with an average overestimation of 385 N for failure load (Table 2, P = 0.067). FE analysis demonstrated a mean difference of −197 N compared to mechanical testing, which was not significant (P = 0.24). Straight beam CTRA showed a mean difference of −3315 N when compared to mechanical testing (P < 0.001).
The Bland–Altman technique was applied to assess the agreement of straight beam CTRA, curved beam CTRA or FE-based failure load with the gold standard mechanical testing with limits of agreement determined as mean difference ±1.96 standard deviations (i.e., 95% confidence interval of the difference)31,32. The Bland-Altman Method is based on plotting the difference of two parameters versus their average, in order to analyze the agreement between the two parameters in question. Bland–Altman analysis revealed that the limits of agreement defined as 95% confidence intervals were reasonable for FE and curved beam CTRA models (Fig. 6B,C). For example, the mean difference of −385N for curved beam CTRA model failure load was associated with a precision between −2127 and 1355 N, implying that 95% of the time, curve beam model would provide an estimate of possible difference failure load in the range presented compared to the gold standard mechanical testing. For failure load predicted by curved CTRA (FCurve), the bias was constant across the magnitude of failure load as judged by non-significant correlation between the average versus the difference (r = 0.09, P = 0.71). FE analysis showed more accurate estimates of failure load than each of the two CTRA models (all P < 0.001, paired t-tests on the differences versus mechanical testing). The limits of agreement in the Bland–Altman plot indicate that the FE estimated failure load on average is nearly the same as mechanical testing (mean difference of −197 N) and provides estimates that are within the range of −1631 to 1236 N (Fig. 6C, Table 2). Moreover, the bias throughout the magnitude of possible failure loads is constant as indicated by a non-significant correlation between the average versus the difference (r = 0.38, P = 0.10).
To further study differences in prediction of accuracy between the methods, the paired t-tests and Bland–Altman analysis were repeated for the intact and defect specimens separately (Table 2). Paired t-tests then showed a significant difference between mechanical testing and straight beam CTRA for both intact femurs and femurs with lytic defects. The difference between mechanical testing and FE model for the femurs with lytic defects was also significant. In addition, for the curved beam CTRA the limits of agreement varied over the different analyses (total group and both subgroups), but the bias was constant (Table 2). On the other hand, for FE model the limits of agreement were constant for all groups, while the biases were different (Table 2). For the defect femurs, curved beam CTRA showed the smallest bias (−374 N vs. −619 N for FE and −3705 N for straight CTRA), whereas FE showed a higher agreement among predictions (SD 568 N vs. 715 N for curved CTRA and 2218 N for straight CTRA). In addition, correlations between the experiments and the predictions by either FE or curved beam CTRA (all significant at the P = 0.05 level) (Table 2) were found to be high based on the Kendall rank test. This correlation was low for straight beam CTRA for all groups analyzed.
Fracture locations in the experiments were qualitatively compared to the fracture lines predicted by the FE model and failure location predicated by straight and curved beam CTRA models (Fig. 7 provides a graphic presentation of a representative specimen). The results indicated that the fracture locations were always directed through the lesion in the defect specimens. Overall, the fracture locations were reasonably well predicted by both FE and curve beam model as highlighted in Fig. 8. However, straight beam CTRA was inaccurate in four specimens with lytic defects and in all of the intact specimens.
In recent years, different diagnostic tools have been developed to address the difficulties to predict fracture risk in patients with metastatic bone lesions. The ideal screening test should consider bone as a structure whose mechanical behavior depends on both material and geometric properties. This study evaluated the accuracy of straight and curved beam CTRA models and FE analysis to predict failure load, which was determined through mechanical testing in paired femurs with and without simulated lytic lesions. We were able to demonstrate that predicted failure loads from curved beam CTRA and FE analysis were highly correlated with the actual failure load obtained through mechanical testing. There were no significant differences in prediction accuracy between the two modeling techniques.
The correlation coefficients between the FE analysis predicted and the experimental failure loads (R2 = 0.91) were similar to those obtained in other FE studies16,21,33,34. Similarly, relatively high correlation coefficients between curved beam CTRA and mechanical testing data were evidenced (R2 = 0.87). However, the correlation between straight beam CTRA and experimental failure load was very poor (R2 = −0.9) and highly overestimated, since the model was unable to capture the influence of bone curvature in critical cross-sections.
In addition, relatively high correlation coefficients between curved beam CTRA rigidities and mechanical testing data were evidenced (R2 = 0.82 and 0.86 for EA and EI respectively). These results are comparable to those obtained by Hong et al.11, who showed high coefficients of determination when comparing reductions in failure loads versus reductions in axial, bending and torsional rigidity (R2 = 0.84, 0.80 and 0.71, respectively) in samples from whale trabecular bone. Similarly, Whealan et al.8 demonstrated the effectiveness of QCT derived measurements of rigidity for the prospective prediction of yield loads of vertebrae with simulated lytic lesions (rc = 0.74). Finally, by assessing fracture prediction through benign skeletal lesions in children and young adults, Snyder et al.9 indicated that bending and torsional rigidities were each highly significant predictors of fracture occurrence and combined, these measures could predict femoral fractures with 97% accuracy. The current results are improvements to previous models8,9,11 by considering rotation in two directions Δ(dθ)x and Δ(dθ)y and show better correlation with mechanical testing.
As seen from the rigidity results (Fig. 5), the coefficient of determination for GJ is lower than those of EA and EI. The reason for this lower R2 can be interpreted as bone structure tends to bend around the axis with lower EI in unsymmetrical loading. Therefore, Since the GJ has a linear relationship with minimum and maximum bending rigidity (GJ = (EImin + EImax)/(2 + 2ν))12, the presence of GImax in the summation reduces the correlation accuracy for GJ.
In the specimens with a simulated defect, curved beam CTRA seemed to have a higher accuracy (as the bias was lowest), whereas FE analysis showed a higher precision (due to smaller limits of agreement). This could indicate that FE calculations need a correction for bias. In contrast, curved CTRA will provide more accurate estimates of failure load on the group level. However, further studies using larger numbers of specimens are warranted to confirm our findings.
Unlike previously proposed radiographic guidelines, both curved beam CTRA and FE models offer objective assessments of fracture risk by considering the material and geometric properties of bone. Curved beam CTRA is more accurate than straight beam CTRA when predicting both the magnitude of failure loads and the location of the failure. Both techniques are based on QCT imaging, but computational times differ considerably between the two methods. The estimated time for generating and running FE simulations in this study is of 8 hours per sample, and a sophisticated and relatively complex FE software is required to estimate fracture risk. In contrast, curved beam CTRA takes only approximately 15 minutes to estimate fracture risk.
FE simulations are more appropriate for the implementation of complex loading conditions. The decrease in bone strength resulting from metastatic lesions is local and displays a large degree of variability between patients. As a result, forces that insert on the femur close to the lesion site can be more dangerous than larger forces such as the hip contact force. The modelling of such potentially important anatomical characteristics might be more straightforward using FE analysis.
Limitations of our study are shared with many previous works done in the field using ex-vivo models for the assessment of failure load prediction using non-invasive imaging methods. Evident differences exist between the metastatic lytic lesions that were artificially simulated in this study and those seen in patients in the clinical practice. In our case, regularly shaped defects were limited to cortical lesions, while metastatic bone lesions generally show an irregular pattern and additionally involve trabecular tissue. However, QCT would be readily able to detect these irregularities and incorporate them into both algorithmic analytical processes, although accurately modeling the material properties of blastic metastatic tissue might be challenging. On a group level, curved beam CTRA and FE analysis accurately predict the femoral load capacity, but on the individual level there can be rather large over- and under-estimations of the femoral strength. These subject-specific over- and under-estimations should be improved before either of the methods can be implemented in clinical practice.
In summary, the results of our study showed that non-invasive subject-specific fracture risk assessment techniques correlate well with actual failure loads measured in mechanical testing experiments. This suggests that curved beam CTRA could be further developed into a tool that can be used in clinical practice. When analyzing the defect femurs only, the results suggested that predictions by FEA are slightly more accurate on a subject-specific level, yet CTRA analysis can be conducted expediently by non-expert operators.
How to cite this article: Oftadeh, R. et al. Curved Beam Computed Tomography based Structural Rigidity Analysis of Bones with Simulated Lytic Defect: A Comparative Study with Finite Element Analysis. Sci. Rep. 6, 32397; doi: 10.1038/srep32397 (2016).
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This work was supported in part by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, the NIH LRP (L30 AR056606) (A.N.), and in part by a NPRP award (NPRP 5-086-2- 031) from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of the Qatar Foundation) (R.O., R.G. and A.V).
The authors declare no competing financial interests.
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Cite this article
Oftadeh, R., Karimi, Z., Villa-Camacho, J. et al. Curved Beam Computed Tomography based Structural Rigidity Analysis of Bones with Simulated Lytic Defect: A Comparative Study with Finite Element Analysis. Sci Rep 6, 32397 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/srep32397
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So what do you get when you hire me to ghostwrite for you or create content marketing posts? You get a caring human being, a perfectionist, and someone who is a woman of her word. If that all sounds like a person you want to work with, reach out to me, and let’s see if we’re a good fit.


Mike and Bill
John Abbey, Blues & Soul, 23 December 1975
THOUGH IT hasn't developed into being the monster success that we predicted, Mike & Bill's highly commendable (and danceworthy!) 'Somebody's Gotta Go' has established the new duo of Mike and Bill as a chart act. Together since 1973, Mike and Bill originally released the record during last summer on their own Movin' Up label and it was so well received in the local New York discos that Arista walked in with their cheque book open and snapped the record up for national distribution.
Total word count of piece: 264


Moving Rubber Grunge Mat 80g
Gatsby Moving Rubber Grunge Mat (80g)
Product Feature :
• Contains Moving Rubber that creates resilient finish and makes it possible to restyle as many times as you want.
• Contains newly developed " smooth polymer" that creates a less sticky and light finish.
• Mild green apple fragrance,does not remain.


TBSCG is growing fast. Our cloud business is growing, our artificial intelligence business is looking very promising, our delivery and consulting businesses needs talents and our video business can't wait to grow even faster. It’s our mission to be recognized as the market leader in the creation, build, and management of our clients’ data and content management solutions. Helping our customers to be successful now and in the future. Our vision guides every aspect of our business by describing what we need to accomplish in order to continue achieving sustainable, quality growth. Delivering comprehensive business solutions, on time and within budget. Helping companies globally to improve brand loyalty, productivity and reduce operating costs by ensuring that they fully leverage the capabilities of their online presence, internal content repositories, applications and associated solutions. We are natively digital, we have not evolved to digital. With a team of 95 passionate people, aiming 150 people at the end of 2018. We CREATE definition, architecture and analysis: Business analysis; Architecture and business consulting; Content structure, user experience journeys, process of user-centric design, discovery-concept-prototyping, functional analysis, user testing plans. We BUILD integration and migration of eco-systems: Architecture (system integration, definition and integration of eco-systems, connectors); Web development (CMS, E-COMMERCE, DAM / PIM, CRM / ERP, SSO); Performance/security tests and fine tuning UAT and testing services Project and delivery management service. We MANAGE hosting (multi-clouds solution, devops included): Full hosting and managed services; Corrective and evolutive maintenances; Release management; Full monitoring of the solution Incident management Support av. 24/7/365 by phone, mail, IM and ticketing system; Reporting. Our latest clients include ADOBE, ALAMEDA COUNTY, ARLA FOODS, BNP, BRITISH AIRWAYS, DOOSAN, ENGIE BE (ELECTRABEL), ENGIE FR, FELCO, HERBALIFE, GOOGLE, ISABEL, NATIONWIDE, NIKON, PARTENA, PROXIMUS, PUIG.


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Buying electric pallet stacker directly from manufacturers is a more cost-effective option as there is no middle man involved. But properly manufacturing this product requires an understanding of the design, materials, and budget. You need to choose a reliable and experienced manufacturer and Ningbo Staxx Material Handling Equipment Co.,Ltd. is highly recommended. Our highly-skilled team, many years of experience, along with advanced production facilities give us the capacity to achieve high quality and on-time delivery with a competitive cost, making us stand out from the competition. Don’t miss out on the chance to transform your business into a profitable and highly effective one!
Staxx has been a reliable manufacturer of small electric pallet truck. We are extensively accepted both in the domestic and international market. Staxx has created a number of successful series, and straddle leg stacker
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Staxx enjoys a good reputation for its considerate service. Ask!


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Watch the videos to experience the world of Tata Motors and its extended family of customers and channel partners.
International Yoga Day 2016 and 2017Tata Motors continued to partner in the celebration of International Day of Yoga across various countries, as an initiative to strengthen the power of yoga.
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Wilson deploys with Navy
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Shanica R. Wilson, daughter of Willie Weatherspoon of Nashville and Vanessa A. Wilson of Hendersonville, recently deployed to the U.S. Navy’s 5th and 6th Fleet Area of Operations while assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).
George H.W. Bush, flagship for the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWB CSG), is scheduled to conduct operations in the U.S. Navy’s 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations, including the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean.
The deployment is a part of an ongoing rotation of U.S. forces supporting maritime security operations in international waters around the globe.
Working with allied and partner maritime forces, GHWB CSG units will focus heavily on maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts, which help establish conditions for regional stability.
Wilson and approximately 6,000 other sailors have spent the past year conducting numerous training and certification exercises to establish a safe, cohesive organization capable of performing a wide variety of missions across the globe, ranging from counter-piracy and ground support operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Wilson is a 1999 graduate of East Literature Magnet High School in Nashville.
— For The Hendersonville Star News


Beige Weighted Blanket – Is the Luxome Blanket Right For You?
Luxome is a blanket manufacturer that has actually been in business since 2018. Beige Weighted Blanket
The firm currently offers their variety of heavy blankets via their own internet site as well as Amazon.com.
The Luxome Costs Weighted Blanket is among Luxome’s higher-end coverings. It is weighted with glass beads, which are normally thought about to be superior to plastic beads. Glass beads are smaller sized, making the blanket less cumbersome. They likewise disperse in a manner that far better shapes to the body.
This blanket comes with a cleanable internal covering and also a detachable cover. The internal covering is made from 100 percent percale cotton, which is superior to polyester or cotton-polyester blends located in various other coverings. The removable cover is reversible, so consumers can choose between 2 material kinds: bamboo lyocell and minky. Bamboo lyocell is cooling as well as moisture-wicking, while minky is an unclear, soft textile sleepers might like when they intend to remain cozy.
Luxome additionally provides covers made totally of either Lyocell bamboo or minky. They additionally make a maker washable variation in which the cover is incorporated. Beige Weighted Blanket
Clients can pick from three sizes: large/queen-sized, which weighs 18 lbs., medium/full-sized, which considers 15 lbs., as well as small/kid-sized, which weighs 8 lbs. However, clients can pass by various covering weights within a single size, so covering weight can not be tailored to an individual based upon their weight.
Preferably, weighted blankets ought to be about 10 percent of a sleeper’s body weight. Following that regulation, the Luxome Weighted Blanket is ideal for youngsters and also grownups weighting between 80 as well as 180 lbs. The Luxome Weighted Covering features free shipping and a totally free 30-day test duration.
Read on to find out more about the Luxome Weighted Covering in terms of building, rates, and performance. This testimonial likewise includes comparable weighted blanket suggestions and an overview of Luxome’s firm policies.
Who’s It Good For
– Cold sleepers.
– Active people.
– Those with hypoallergenic issues.
– Those who desire a blanket with a combination of materials.
– Those with anxiety, ADHD, or Troubled Leg Syndrome.
Who It’s Bad For
– Hot sleepers– instead, attempt the GhostBed weighted covering, which is cool-to-the-touch.
– Heavyweight individuals– instead, try the Luna heavy blanket, which offers 3 weight alternatives for those above 200 pounds.
– Spending plan consumers– rather, attempt the Helix heavy blanket, which features a lower price tag.
– Glass beads are much less cumbersome and also a lot more comfy.
– Reversible cover provides 2 fabric choices.
– Inner covering is maker cleanable.
– Free shipping & cost-free 30-day trial period.
– Not suitable for incredibly cold weather.
– Greater cost point.
The Luxome weighted covering offers you a compression-like feel versus the body, which I believe is soothing as well as calming after a long day– like a hug. The feeling of the fabric differs depending upon which material you select. We tested out the minky cover option, which had a soft, deluxe, creamy feeling to it..
It’s fairly hefty however does not really feel overwhelming on the body. It additionally reacted to my body language well and wasn’t also tough to adjust when I was underneath. I wouldn’t have actually guessed there were little glass beads inside if I really did not currently recognize they remained in there.
Mattress Weighted Blanket Ratings
We placed the blankets we examine to the test as well as evaluate them over six performance groups, from correct weight distribution completely to exactly how comfortable they are. Once we’re done, we let you know all the information, so all you have to do is determine whether or not it’s right for you.
Weight Distribution: 5/5
I was very amazed by exactly how equally dispersed the weight of this covering was. The insert is full of incredibly small glass beads and polyester batting, which give the covering its weight. Thanks to the gridded stitching pattern across the blanket’s surface, the heavy fill stays uniformly dispersed throughout when you lay it throughout your body. Luxome states that this blanket is “optimized to an ideal weight per square foot,” and I agree with that case.
You can choose from 8 different material/color alternatives, which include Bamboo Lyocell, minky polyester, or a mix of both products. The blanket also comes in 3 size variations: medium, huge, as well as additional large, which all rise in weight with each dimension choice. Beige Weighted Blanket
Temperature level Control: 2/5
I often tend to sleep on the chillier side and like to have added blankets, so I didn’t discover the Luxome to be overly hot. It got the job done of maintaining me comfy as I slept. However, my partner is a hot sleeper, and also he stated in time he began overheating as well as needed to become lighter apparel to be comfy underneath..
If you’re a hot sleeper, be wary of this choice because it does not have any cooling innovations built in to deliberately fight warm retention. If that sounds like you, try out the Bamboo Lyocell cover alternative given that it’s a lighter, more breathable material.
Top quality of Materials: 4.5/ 5
Despite which cover material you select, you can feel the high quality of this blanket just from its touch. It’s durable, soft, as well as the material feels glamorous. And also, the top quality is good enough that you can wash it without worry of pilling or extending from usage..
The only reason I anchored it a half factor was since this covering does not come with any type of energetic air conditioning technologies, which affects hot sleepers. Beige Weighted Blanket
The Luxome heavy covering is fully maker cleanable, despite which cover you choose. The high quality products and high thread matter make the textile resilient enough to endure a maker clean on a delicate cycle and then tumble completely dry.
Customer Experience: 3.5/ 5
Luxome is an American business based in the midwest. They use same-day cost-free delivery on all products within the contiguous united state.
If you’re getting from Alaska or Hawaii, you’ll be billed a tiny delivery charge. The cost-free delivery and also trial duration are both on par with rivals’ policies, yet Luxome lost points for not having a warranty. The majority of firms provide at least a one year guarantee on coverings.
Products and also Construction: What’s It Made of?
This material feels like a mix of cotton and silk, and also is the lighter and cooler choice of the materials offered for this blanket. Lyocell Bamboo is moisture-wicking, natural, and makes use of an environmentally friendly procedure for production. It’s similar to TENCEL, however Bamboo Lyocell is specifically made with bamboo pulp. Beige Weighted Blanket
This is the same textile kind as fleece, microfiber, as well as flannel. It’s the warmer of both fabric choices. If you pick the mix of products for your cover, one side will certainly include the polyester, as well as the other will have the Bamboo Lyocell. Think of this as a “finest of both worlds” choice.
The internal blanket is constructed from 100 percent Percale cotton, which has a thread weave that’s durable and also has a crisp feel.
1mm glass grains are uniformly distributed throughout the inner covering as well as give the covering its weight.
– Very soft, comfy feel:
We directly evaluated the minky material, and enjoyed its extravagant, excellent quality texture.
– Range of options:
This blanket is available in a variety of shades, textiles, as well as weights to ensure that you can choose which functions finest for you.
– Machine cleanable:
The whole blanket both the cover and insert is machine cleanable. This is a fantastic attribute in general, however particularly if you struggle with allergies, have children, or pets.
– Beads are unnoticeable:
Sometimes you can feel or listen to the insert of a weighted blanket, but with the Luxome, the glass microbeads were quiet as well as really did not distract from the use of the blanket. Beige Weighted Blanket
– No size for plus sized people:
The biggest blanket Luxome provides is 30 pounds, which is best for bigger individuals with an Economy size bed. Nevertheless, I don’t know if the weight alternatives would supply enough compression for a large size individual.
– Not wonderful for hot sleepers:
The minky choice is too cozy for warm sleepers. Although there is no active air conditioning technology in these coverings, I would certainly say warm sleepers must try the bamboo cover product, which is normally cooler than minky.
– Expensive: The Luxome comes with a high cost. Although it’s not the most affordable alternative, it’s still more budget-friendly than various other luxury products on the marketplace.
Sizing, Rates, and also Policies
– Medium (Complete) – 15 lbs54″ x 72″ $160.
– Big (Queen) – 18 lbs60″ x 80″ $190.
– X-Large (King) 30 lbs100″ – x 85″$ 270.
Luxome ships free of cost throughout the adjoining U.S. If you’re getting from Alaska or Hawaii, you’ll be charged a shipping charge. The firm asserts to offer same day delivery as long as you order on a weekday before 2pm EST.
Luxome will accept returns as much as 1 month after distribution. Returned things have to be clean, not harmed, and also include the product packaging it can be found in. Luxome does not bill any kind of return or restocking charges, and also will certainly offer you with a pre paid shipping label.
The firm likewise uses complimentary exchanges, which can be done via their web site. Exchange orders are refined to deliver within 24 hr on company days.
Luxome Test Period and Service Warranty
You have one month to try out your blanket as well as return it for a complete reimbursement. Luxome does not supply a service warranty for their heavy coverings.
Where To Order Luxome Products.
You can buy all types of Luxome Products guide from their website which an be found below.
You can read more info on WebMd’s article about Weighted Blankets Here
Where is Luxome manufactured?
Are weighted blankets worth buying?
Why do weighted blankets cost so much?
Heavy coverings need thicker materials of much better top quality than regular coverings,” Osmond states. “They also need double stitching to assist keep whatever together. The extra time, top notch materials and also special tools required to make them drives up the cost.
Is Luxome a real company?
Luxome is a firm that produces and markets weighted blankets and also different other bed accessories. These products stress deluxe and also quality.
Can I wash a Luxome weighted blanket?
YES! While a great deal of other firms require their coverings to be hand washed only, ALL types of Luxome heavy coverings, approximately 18lbs, can be device washed as well as dried out. Since we use better fabrics with greater thread counts, our blankets can be machine cleaned & dried with no troubles


Despite its decision of transitioning the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and other popular Mac products to in-house M1 silicon, Apple’s relationship with Intel hasn’t entirely been severed yet.
That’s according to a story shared by MacRumors, which discussed reports claiming that Apple is still planning to release at least one more Mac that will leverage Intel processors. Not surprisingly, that would be the Mac Pro, Apple’s cheese-grater-like workstation/server series that traditionally leverages powerful chips such as the Xeon to meet the demands of artists, designers, and other professionals.
“[…] there are reasons even beyond performance that are likely influencing Apple’s decision,” MacRumors theorized. “Apple silicon chips run on an entirely different architecture than Intel-based Macs. On Apple silicon Macs, Apple uses Rosetta 2 to automatically and seamlessly translate apps built for Intel computers to run on Apple silicon.”
“While Rosetta 2 works for the majority of customers, Apple may be wanting to hold out a little longer to ensure the translation technology is more mature before allowing its most high-end professional and demanding customers to use it. By offering an Intel Mac Pro alongside an Apple silicon powered option, Apple can buy itself a little more time before completing its transition to its own chips.”
Apple’s current Mac Pro can be powered with a handful of chip options that range from a 3.5 GHz 8-core Intel Xeon W all the way to a 2.5 GHz 28-core alternative that adds $7,000 to the overall price. They can also be outfitted with up to 768 GB of DDR4 ECC memory and various Radeon Pro GPUs, such as the W6800X Duo.


Akiko KannaNutritionistTOKYO, JAPANPhotography Lauri LevenfeldStory by Lauri Levenfeld
Traveling to Japan was one of my biggest dreams realized- the food, the fashion, the culture, and the people. All were everything I imagined and more. My husband and I felt extremely lucky to spend the day with Akiko Kanna, a celebrated nutritionist and chef. Not only did we get to walk the infamous Tsukiji Market in Tokyo with a pro, learn about all the fascinating ingredients and vegetables Japan has to offer (now I may actually be able to shop properly for groceries in Japantown), but we also got to travel to Akiko’s home to cook side-by-side with her father. Akiko will have two new babies to celebrate this year- one from the belly in October and a new cafe with her father as chef in May. Akiko shares her wonderful stories and recipes below.
After I graduated from school, I got a job at The Discovery Channel Japan as a production assistant, and then went on to a PR agency. In both jobs, I worked tremendously hard and had the wonderful opportunity to travel the world. It was a great adventure and I loved every moment, but the hours and work were exhausting. The stress was all taking a toll on my body and health.
I realized that I needed to take better care of myself. I became more interested in food and health, what I put into my body and its direct correlation to how I felt and my energy level.
I finally quit my job one year after I got married and I enrolled in the Hattori Nutrition School to be a nutritionist. I was 29 years old.
When I graduated from the school, Tokyo Gas Cooking School hired me as a cooking instructor. I learned so much there about being a chef and teaching others.
At the end of this month, I will be stepping down as an instructor and will be welcoming two new babies into my family, my unborn child in October and my cafe in May. It is very sad to move on from such an amazing institution and experience, but I believe I am “stepping up” to a new stage of life.
In the past few years, I have had many people ask me about Okinawan local food and the culture because my husband is from Okinawa. Okinawa is very special and different from Japan in culture, food, language, climate and history. I learned a lot about the Okinawan food from my husband’s grandmother, who passed away 3 years ago at the age of 104.
My blog “Anko-mama’s Tokyo Anmar!”, all written in Japanese, has been a great love and journey. It has been a journal of my days around Okinawan food and my days with my husband and son enjoying our adventures around the food.
At the height of my writing, I had 300-400 people visiting my site per day. I would have never dreamed that I would be teaching Okinawan food or opening a cafe to celebrate it. But life is so funny in this way.
My inspiration comes from so many things- TV, magazines, radio, and conversations with my friends. I always am thinking about a new recipe which is easy to make and nutritious for my family. Oh and it has to look good too.
When my mother got sick, my father retired from his job at a small printing company to take care of her. During this time at home, he attended classes and learned to cook. When he retired, he expressed his dream and desire to open a restaurant. In May, we will open our cafe. My father will be the chef.
There are two chefs who have been inspirational in my cooking. Katsuyo Kobayashi, who just recently passed away. She was a famous cooking expert in Japan. Her recipes are easy, fast and tasty. Her food was made to inspire and help the busy housewife and mother. Jamie Oliver, who used to be the rockstar of cooking and now concentrates on the importance of agriculture and food education.
My food is simple, easy to prepare, and nutritious. I wanted to share some local traditions and recipes with The Moms Project. They are easily adaptable and will bring happiness and goodness to your family.
Rice (Japonica rice) 300g
Sushi vinegar (Rice vinegar 60cc/ 2 Tbsp sugar / pinch of salt)
Egg sheet mixture (2 egg/ pinch of salt)
Boiled edamame 12
1. Wash rice with water and drain well. put rice and water(430g) into a pan with rid. (Leave more than 30min. if you have time) Heat until boiled and then keep boiling for 10min and stop the heat. Leave for 20min. (Do not open the rid)
2. Put rice into a bowl and pour Sushi vinegar all over. Leave while and mix rice carefully with a paddle.
3. Heat a frying pan with a Tbsp oil, and pour Egg mixture and make a thin omelet. Cut into half, roll up and cut into julienne.
4. Cut shrimp head off and put into a pan with water. Heat the pan until shrimp get red. Then stop the heat, leave until cool and shells off.
5. Arrange the rice on the dish and garnish rice with julienne egg, edamame and shrimps.
Konbu kelp 1 cut (10cm)
Bonito Flake 15g
1. Heat the pan with water and konbu kelp with low heat. Put the konbu out before boiled.
2. Then heat the water until boiled. and put bonito flake into the pan. Stop the heat and leave until flakes sunk down.
3. Drain slowly with kitchen paper and strainer.
1 Tbsp of Salt
Dashi Stock 1 cup
Soy Sauce 1 tsp
Bonito flake for garnishment
A pinch of salt
1. Rub the salt into Okura and put into a boiled water for 1 or 2 min. Drain well.
2. Heat Dashi stock and add soy sauce and salt. Put Okura into the pan, stop the heat and leave for a while.
3. Drain and arrange okura on the dish with bonito flake.
Simmered Shrimp and Winter Melon (Wax Gourd)
Winter melon 200g
Dashi Stock 2 cups
Soy sauce 1 tbsp
Sake 1 tsp
a pinch of Salt
1 Tbsp of Starch with 1 tbsp of water
1. Cut shrimp head off and put into a pan with water.
2. Heat the pan until shrimp get red. Then stop the heat, leave until cool and put shells off.
3. Cut the winter melon into a bite size and peel off.
4. Put winter melon and stock into the pan and heat in middle until a skewer pierces easily (about 20min.) Add shrimps and other seasonings and simmer for 5 to 10 min. Add Starch with water into the pan and simmer for 1or 2 min then the soup get thicken.
Tempura Batter (1 cup of flour, 1 cup of cold water and a pinch of salt)
Tempura sauce (1 cup of Dashi stock, 2 tbsp of Mirin, 1 tbsp of soy sauce)
Any vegetables and fish
1. Cut your favorite ingredients into bite size and dry well. Sprinkle lightly with flour before putting into Tempura batter.
2. Heat the oil to 330- 340F (165-170c) for vegetables, 360F(180c) for seafood. Coat the ingredients lightly with batter and deep-fry until crisp.
Satoimo potato 6
Dried shiitake mushrooms 4
Canned chestnuts 6
Dashi stock 2 cups
Sugar 1 tbsp
Soy sauce 1 tbsp
Sake 1 tbsp
Mirin 1 tbsp
1. Peel Satoimo and put into the pan with water. Boil until you can skewer pieces easy. Wash with water and set aside.
2. Soak the shiitake mushrooms in the water and heat in the microwave for 5min. Drain well and set aside.
3. Peel a carrot off and cut into bite-size.
4. Put Shiitake, carrot and Dashi in the pan and heat in the middle until skewer pierces carrots easily.
5. Add Satoimo, chestnuts and other seasonings. Simmer with a drop-lid for 10-15 min.
Akiko, thank you again for your amazing warmth and hospitality. We can’t wait to see you again soon with one baby in hand and a menu in the other. Good luck with all your endeavors and I can’t wait to try these recipes out on the fam. xo, TMP


Mandela gets closure on 1969 death of eldest son: iLIVE
To honour the memory of Nelson Mandela’s eldest child, Madiba Thembekile who would have turned 67 on 23 February, the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory is making available a newspaper report on his death.
Thembi Mandela was killed in a car accident on 13 July 1969 while his father was in prison on Robben Island. A devastated Mr Mandela was filled with anguish at not being allowed to attend his funeral or to have access to details about the crash.
A recent search, with the assistance of Sipho Rala at the South African Library in Cape Town, unearthed a front-page report in the Cape Argus about the accident. Mr Mandela was only informed of his son’s death by telegram the day after the newspaper appeared.
The article headlined TEN DIE IN W.P. ROAD ACCIDENTS described “South Africa’s blackest weekend for years” with 25 people killed in road accidents around the country and ten in the Western Cape province.
The report on the accident in which Thembi Mandela died refers to him as “Styles Mandele (35)”. His eldest daughter Ndileka Mandela, who was four years old when her father died, found out recently that her father was nicknamed ‘Styles’ because of his stylish dress sense. He was not 35, but 24 years old, having been born on 23 February 1945.
“We are excited at this discovery, which helps the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory enormously in piecing together this important strand in Mr Mandela’s story,” said NMCM Memory Head Verne Harris. “The assistance offered to us by other institutions such as the South African National Archives is invaluable,” he said.
The Cape Argus article reads:
“Four people died and four were injured in a three-car collision on the fog-bound Touws River road at 9 am yesterday.
One of the victims was an Italian tourist, a middle-aged man, whose identity is being withheld until the Italian Embassy in Cape Town can trace his relatives.
The other three dead were a white woman Mrs Christina Klaasen (59) of Bloemfontein, an African woman, Miss Irene Similani (35) of Cape Town and Mr Styles Mandele (35) also of Cape Town.
Mrs Klaasen’s husband, Mr Johannes Klaasen (51), was taken to the Eben Donges Hospital in Worcester and later transferred to the Karl Bremer Hospital, Bellville. His condition was described as ‘reasonably satisfactory’.
A Coloured woman, Miss Molly de Jager, who was travelling in the third car with Mr Mandele and Mr [sic] Similani was also injured and was admitted to the Eben Donges Hospital.”
Ndileka Mandela explained to Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory staff that Irene Simelane was Thembi Mandela’s sister-in-law. Molly de Jager was Thembi Mandela’s wife and the mother of his children Ndileka and Nandi. She adopted the surname ‘De Jager’ from a relative as it meant she could be classified ‘Coloured’ and she and her family could live in Retreat, then a coloured area. After her husband’s death she reverted to the name Thoko Mhlanga. After she married Phineas Nkosi she used the name Thoko Nkosi.
Mr Mandela wrote several letters to friends and family detailing his grief and despair over his son’s death and his powerlessness as a prisoner to do anything. He was not allowed to receive newspapers at that time which would have given him more information than he had access to.
His frustration is demonstrated in a letter to Nolusapho Irene Mkwayi dated 19 November 1969.
“I received the tragic news on July 16 when the Commanding Officer showed me a telegram which merely reported the bare fact that Thembi had died in a car accident in Cape Town. Immediately upon receiving this report I made efforts to get detailed and accurate information on the accident.
How did it happen? Did his car capsize or did it collide with another car? Exactly where in Cape Town did the accident occur? How many people were involved? Was death instantaneous or otherwise? Where would he be buried? In Cape Town, Johannesburg or Umtata?
All of these were reasonable questions that every parent would almost instinctively ask. About 10 days later information reached me that the accident had occurred in Touws River and that the funeral would take place in Johannesburg. I also learnt for the first time that apart from Thembi, 2 Europeans had died.
This deepened my anxiety and concern and I wished to engage the services of a Cape Town firm of attorneys to investigate questions of fault and liability and to advise me on any proceedings that might have to be instituted or opposed by his estate.
Four months have elapsed since I received the news of his death and yet up to the moment of writing, I have not been able to get the bulk of the information I require, nor has it been possible for me to contact a lawyer.”
When she was informed of the discovery of the newspaper report Nandi Mandela said:
“I’m surprised about this news article on two accounts: Firstly, that my grandfather was informed of his son’s death only after the article appeared in the newspaper. To make matters worse, he was not allowed to attend his funeral. This is a sad reminder of how cruel the apartheid system was & how they tried at every given opportunity to break the spirit of the political prisoners.”
She added, “The accident as reported in the article is similar to the repeated accounts of how family members described my father’s death. The age was reported incorrectly because my dad was 24 years old when he died. My aunt Irene, who was married to my uncle (my mom’s brother) also died in the accident.”
“My late mother Molly and the only survivor in the car, was injured in the accident. She was admitted in hospital and she was very upset that everyone came to the hospital to see her, yet my dad ‘was the only one who did not come’. Family members were still figuring out how to break the news of my father’s death. Eventually, they had to tell her because the funeral arrangements had to be made,” Nandi said.
“He died two weeks after my first birthday, so I was a baby and I have no recollection of him. Unlike other older family members, I don’t know how he looked like; I have no memories of his laughter or any recollection of his character. The closest I have gotten to know him is through anecdotes from family members.
Some of these are: my sister remembers how he liked dressing her in cowboy clothes; My aunt Makaziwe and my late uncle Makgatho remember how he took care of them when their father was in jail; Aunt Sheila (Sisulu), always reminds me how much of a spitting image I am of my father.
Uncle Matoto, a friend of my father remembers how they used to love listening to jazz together; my late maternal grand-mother, Lilian de Jager remembered how he used to like dressing up. She also recalls how she refused to let my parents take me along on that fatal trip.
Nandi continued: “My late paternal grandmother Evelyn Mandela had this affectionate, distant and sad look every time she talked about him. She loved recalling, and laughing as she told the stories, how he used to dress my sister, Ndileka in cowboy clothes and how he used to say “what a beautiful child I was, because I looked like him”. My late mother also remembered how he liked to dress up and how he used to be moody and not talk to anyone all day.”
“I only know him through the eyes of my family. These endearing memories give me a glimpse of a father I would have liked to know,” she said.
Echoing her comments, her sister Ndileka said, “Dad and I were born a day apart. I was born on the 22nd February and will be turning 47 and he would have been 67. I know that we would have had a lot in common. I sometimes sit and wonder how my life, my sister’s and indeed our entire family’s life would be had he lived.”
“Whenever I ask Granddad about Dad I always see the pain that is still etched in his eyes. He always has this faraway look a person has when they reminisce and he says very little save to say that Thembi was a very responsible young man,” she said.
“One can see how the apartheid system, did irreparable pain by denying him the basic human right of saying farewell and paying last respects to one’s dearly departed. The pain of not being able to bury his first-born son will never be erased,” Ndileka said.


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I'm a freelance writer living in Kent in the UK. Visit one of my pages at www.hubpages.com/@susanhambidge
Published August 26th 2020
What to see in Folkestone - visit the Creative Quarter
The Creative Quarter in Folkestone is an area found around the harbour and along the Old High Street. Considered the heart of Folkestone, it's the place to head for if you're spending the day in town. There are art installations, studios, galleries and boutique shops to be found in this part of Folkestone. It's a lovely place to wander around, to grab a coffee and to shop.
The Old High Street is a steep, narrow lane. It's a cobblestone street that is pedestrianised. Although it involves a bit of a climb to get to the top, there are so many shop windows to look into, you are easily distracted.
Art, photography and sculptures can be seen in the shop windows
All the shops in the Old High Street are independent stores. Some have quirky names, such as the children's shop called "Moo Like A Monkey". There are homeware shops, vintage clothes stores, knitting and fabric shops and vinyl record stores to be found in this area. Just the place to treat yourself, or buy a gift for someone special. The shops sell one-offs that you won't find anywhere else. On the whole, the items are not overpriced.
After you have walked the length of The Old High Street, you will find a choice of places to eat near the top. There are two wonderful ice-cream shops that offer grown-up sweet dishes. You'll also find independent coffee shops and a couple of restaurants too. This area has plenty to offer during the daytime and the evening.
Independent stores along The Old High Street in Folkestone
There is more to see at either end of The Old High Street. At the lower end is the harbour, the old railway station and the Harbour Arm. The Harbour Arm is an area of small bars and restaurants that are slowly growing in popularity.
For well-known high street shops, head to the newer high street higher up.


Latest homicide numbers show Louisville on pace for another record-breaking year of gun violence
September marked the 2oth straight month that Louisville has seen double-digit homicide numbers, keeping Louisville on pace for a second consecutive year of record-breaking gun violence, according to Game Changers.
There were 19 homicides in September and 40 people were wounded by gunfire, based on LMPD Homicide records.
There has also been a record-breaking number of kids under the age of 18 who have been shot. In the first nine months of 2021, there were more homicides and non-fatal shootings of kids under 18 than in all of 2020.
“So much gun violence is hard to believe, and it’s taking such a tremendous toll on kids left behind, who suffer emotionally because they lost someone or just live in fear because gunfire is around them. The secondary trauma of all this violence is real,” said anti-violence advocate Christopher 2X, executive director of Christopher 2X Game Changers.
Since shooting data began being collected at the beginning of the year, 21 kids under age the age of 18 have been killed, compared to 15 in all last year. With three months left this year, the number of those under 18 wounded by gunfire — 83 — is three more than the number of people who suffered gunshot wounds all of last year.
Homicides total 153 so far this year, with another 470 people wounded by gunfire. Last year, there were 173 homicides and 587 non-fatal shootings.
Christopher 2X tracks shootings and homicides to draw attention to the prevalence of gun violence and its impact on kids and families. Through his non-profit organization, he provides guidance and support to families and children impacted by gun violence.


The bright yellow, pocket-sized, light-weight blanket is designed to assist people to be rescued by signalling that emergency assistance is required now. Clearly displaying the word HELP, it satisfies three of the priorities for survival in any climate or condition warmth, shelter and a distress signal all in one and it can also be used for first aid. It has been designed for and tested in Australian outback conditions.
- Bright yellow easily seen large black print
- Says HELP as a signal and that is what you need now
- Windproof and Waterproof shelter
- 10 easy to follow sections of information
- Super lightweight 2 .0 meters long x 1.3 meters wide
- Emergency Shelter
- Highly reflective silver side
- Shock and hypothermia treatment uses
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Hey folks, A quick update: - Today a new version (0.0.16.0) of the Zippyuploader was released. The only change is related to an increased file size limit of 500MB. If something ...
13 Nov 2017 00:08
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Limitless Sports Bra in Double Rainbow - Medium Support, A - E Cups
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Latvian animation director Zane Oborenko talks about her upcoming Kafka in Love sand animation short film.
Anna Zača portrays the contemporary Latvian animation scene.
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It’s the end of the year and a brilliant time for buying a car. Whether you’re looking to buy new or used, it’s the period in the year when car dealers are under the most pressure to make sales. Which is great news for buyers. Here’s why, if you’re considering a car purchase, December is the best time to head down to the dealership.
Why is Christmas such a good time to buy a car?
Think about it. Buying a car is probably the last thing you want to do. You’ve got presents to buy, holiday to take, don’t forget forking out for the other half’s Christmas present, and then there’s paying to feed the 5000 on the big day itself. You’re not alone. Frequently at this time of year, the inside of a car dealership can feel like someone’s forgotten to unlock the door. If you go in willing to do business, any half-awake sales exec will snatch your hand off.
Why dealerships are under pressure
The car industry’s sales figures are calculated according to the calendar year, rather than the tax year. As the year draws to a close, car manufacturers will be desperate to get one over their rivals for 2015. At street level this translates into pressure on dealerships and their staff to meet the year’s sales targets.
Why is December in particular so good?
For the most part the car industry operates around bonuses. The sales execs get bonuses for selling cars. Their bosses get a reward for hitting certain sales targets. And the dealerships themselves are rewarded by the car manufacturers for every car they sell. These are frequently paid on a quarterly basis. The reason December is such a crucial month is that it is both the end of the fourth quarter and the end of the year so there are plenty of bonuses resting on whether you buy that new car or not.
What does this mean for buyers?
The combination of all the above means that sales execs will be in the mood to deal. And that means discounts. The reason they can do this is that the bonus they get from the manufacturer for hitting their targets will offset any discount they might make on the car. So you get a cheaper car, the dealer is frequently better off financially, and the car maker adds another unit to their annual total. Everyone’s a winner. Julian Lobb, who works for trainer Impact Prospecting Solutions, said “If you go to the showroom at the end of the quarter when dealers and manufacturers probably still have targets to hit you should get a cracking deal.”
Research is still vital
Although car sales execs might be keen to do deals, they’re not stupid. What’s more, they’re highly trained sales professionals. In comparison, many regular drivers are mere amateurs. So it’s still important that you do your research. Find out everything about the car you’re interested in. For example, which trim level and engine do you want? And how popular are these? Look on internet sales sites to find this out: the bigger discount they’re offering, the more likely you are to get a good price from a dealer. Then look on the manufacturer website. What kind of deals are they offering? Frequently, any discount is split between manufacturer and dealer. So although the manufacturer might be offering a cash discount and decent finance terms, the dealer should still have some room to give more money off. And if you’re not comfortable doing this, try a new-car broker. They will haggle on your behalf and are more switched on to how prices are moving.


With the recent passing of National Women’s Day, and being in the midst of Women’s History Month, I’ve been feeling rather empowered as a woman lately. I began to think of all the successful women in my own life and also those whom I admire from afar.
Politicians and Hollywood royalty aside, the women who shine in my mind, are those who have come from humble beginnings and clawed their way to the top by making a name for themselves. Yes, that’s right — I’m talking about female entrepreneurs. Women who have taken their dreams and passions and were hell-bent on making them become a reality.
I did a bit of research on how women can find ways to get their footing and take flight on a business idea. White Plains, New York, is home to the Women’s Enterprise Development Center, WEDC.
The WEDC aids women who would otherwise “lack traditional business and financial resources, including women transitioning off public assistance, displaced homemakers and Spanish speaking entrepreneurs,” according to the WEDC’s website.
The WEDC provides training programs, workshops and access to jump-starter funds for women who hope to create or expand their own business.
As I continued to navigate the website, I was astounded by all the different seminars and workshops the WEDC offered. Some of them catered specifically to Spanish-speaking women.
The center is able to provide clients with $500 – $50,000 in microloans and also offers a scholarship program. This was a pretty incredible fact to me as I assume a major deterrent of entrepreneurs is a source of money to start his or her business.
There are so many factors for women in the business world that may hinder them in their journey to success.
First of all, we’re women.
Our culture has put this unspoken rule in place that men are the natural-born leaders, and women are not. Many women aren’t taken as seriously as men the majority of the time and this is just a sad and unfair fact.
Secondly, because of this reality, many women who have brilliant ideas don’t feel empowered to take steps in creating their own business or going forward with their plans. They may fear rejection or fear their idea won’t be taken as seriously as a man’s would be.
This is why I believe centers like the WEDC are so crucial to the development of badass female entrepreneurs who have taken the time, energy and courage to pursue their dreams.
I think it’s sad that there are so many women out there who stop their creative process because of something as simple as gender or money. Centers like the WEDC provide the support, resources and information a woman needs to get her business off the ground.
You can make the impossible possible with the right determination and drive.
Take Sara Blakely for example. She is the founder of the company SPANX. While working in Florida at age 25, Blakely found the Floridian heat to be too uncomfortable to wear traditional tights under her dresses. She experimented cutting the legs off of her tights, but eventually perfected her design to the point where it became her own personal idea she felt was great enough to share with the rest of the world.
Four years later, she became one of Time Magazine’s Top 100 most influential people and has been listed the 93rd most powerful woman in the world by Forbes magazine.
A simple idea and investment led to this woman’s success. Thankfully for Blakely, she had the determination and support system behind her where many women do not.
Thanks to the WEDC and many centers like it, women are able to pursue dreams they never quite thought were possible.
Email Cardinal Points at firstname.lastname@example.org


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Okay….so you won’t be younger, but you can look younger with a whiter smile – studies say up to 10 years younger! Coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco use, and even eating carrots and oranges can lead to a smile that is significantly less white than it used to be.
Here’s What You Need To Know:
- Whitening Toothpaste…..The results are usually minimal. Be on the lookout: often these pastes use abrasives which should be avoided as they can damage your enamel.
- Store-Bought Teeth Whitening Kits…These contain bleaching gel at low concentrations, and in many cases, only whiten front teeth. Results are unpredictable.
- Dentist-Supervised Teeth Whitening…Custom-designed for your individual smile to whiten teeth safely and evenly – sometimes achieving up to 8 shades brighter depending on severity of staining.
For the best and quickest teeth whitening results, give us a call. We’ll design an effective program just for you!


Search engines don’t like broken links because they think that you are not maintaining your website.
Going back and correcting these links is good website maintenance.
How do you find broken links?
There are several tools out on the market as well as you can set up Google Webmaster Tools and it will tell you.
I’ve used Xenu for PCs and Integrity for Macs.
Once they have done a scan of the website, they will give you the page and the link that is broken. Usually you will get a download into an Excel file.
Just go into your CMS and fix the links.
Just go into the CMS and correct the link.
Do you have a favorite tool for checking your links?
Cow eating grass in a green field
When adding images to your website, there are several things you should think about doing to make sure that the search engines understand what you are putting on the web.
1. Put keywords in the image file name.
Instead of the image being named IMG_7657.jpg, rename the image before uploading to your website like cow-in-field.jpg.
Adding search engine text to images in wordpress
2. Make sure to use Alt Text and Title Text and it doesn’t hurt to add a caption with the image.
Instead of just placing the image, you should put in <img alt=“Cow In A Grass Field” title=“Cow eating grass in field”></im>. Then add a caption of “Cow eating grass in a green field”. All of this helps the search engine to index the image properly.
This is how the code looks when you add an image in wordpress
Tip: It’s better to properly size the image for the website as well as reduce the file size as much as possible when putting images on the web.
Several photo editors I like are Canva, Picmonkey and on my phone, I’m a fan of Word Swag.