title: Xenohyla

abstract: Xenohyla is a genus of tree frogs in the family Hylidae that is endemic to xeric habitats of coastal Brazil, with Xenohyla eugenioi native to the State of Bahia and the State of Sergipe, and Xenohyla truncata native to the State of Rio de Janeiro. This genus is characterized by a robust body, wide flat head, short snout, short forelimbs with muscular forearms, and a truncate-shaped body when viewed from above. They are associated with bromeliads, where they hide during the day and eat the insects that also inhabit the plant. They breed in temporary pools that are formed by rainwater. Both species are orange or brown with a white stripe going down their dorsal edges. X. truncata loses this stripe when it matures but X. eugenioi keeps it as an adult. Xenohyla truncata is unique in the fact that it is the only known frugivorous amphibian. It locates fruit and swallows it whole, and is known to defecate out viable seeds that help in the spread of the plant. The arthropod to plant ratio in their diet depends on the month, with some months consisting mainly of fruits and other plant material, while other months when plants are not fruiting the frog mainly eats various types of arthropods. It is currently unknown whether or not Xenohyla eugenioi is frugivorous as well. The genus name comes from Ancient Greek xeno and hyla which is used for tree frogs, so the genus name means "strange tree frog." Xenohyla truncata means "strange truncated tree frog" after the shape of its body. Xenohyla eugenioi is named after Brazilian herpetologist Eugênio Izecksohn who described the genus and type species, and the name means "Eugênio's strange tree frog."

text:
# Xenohyla

***Xenohyla*** is a genus of tree frogs in the family Hylidae that is endemic to xeric habitats of coastal Brazil, with *Xenohyla eugenioi* native to the State of Bahia and the State of Sergipe, and *Xenohyla truncata* native to the State of Rio de Janeiro. This genus is characterized by a robust body, wide flat head, short snout, short forelimbs with muscular forearms, and a truncate-shaped body when viewed from above. They are associated with bromeliads, where they hide during the day and eat the insects that also inhabit the plant. They breed in temporary pools that are formed by rainwater. Both species are orange or brown with a white stripe going down their dorsal edges. *X. truncata* loses this stripe when it matures but *X. eugenioi* keeps it as an adult.

*Xenohyla truncata* is unique in the fact that it is the only known frugivorous amphibian. It locates fruit and swallows it whole, and is known to defecate out viable seeds that help in the spread of the plant. The arthropod to plant ratio in their diet depends on the month, with some months consisting mainly of fruits and other plant material, while other months when plants are not fruiting the frog mainly eats various types of arthropods. It is currently unknown whether or not *Xenohyla eugenioi* is frugivorous as well.

The genus name comes from Ancient Greek xeno (ξένος meaning "strange" or "alien") and hyla (ὕλη meaning "wood" or "forest") which is used for tree frogs, so the genus name means "strange tree frog." *Xenohyla truncata* means "strange truncated tree frog" after the shape of its body. *Xenohyla eugenioi* is named after Brazilian herpetologist Eugênio Izecksohn who described the genus and type species, and the name means "Eugênio's strange tree frog."

## Species

## Photos

1. Caramaschi, Ulisses (January 1998). "Description of a second species of the genus Xenohyla (Anura: Hylidae)". *Amphibia-Reptilia*. **19** (4): 377–384. doi:10.1163/156853898X00043  via ResearchGate.
2. "Xenohyla eugenioi Caramaschi, 1998 (Amphibia: Anura: Hylidae): Geographic distribution and new record from the state of Sergipe, northeastern Brazil". *Check List*. **11** (5): 1–3. 19 September 2015  via ResearchGate.
3. Bittencourt-Silva, Gabriela Bueno; Siva, Hélio Ricardo da (April 2013). "Insular Anurans (Amphibia: Anura) of the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Southeast, Brazil". *Check List*. **9** (2): 225–234. doi:10.15560/9.2.225  via ResearchGate.
4. "How much fruit do fruit-eating frogs eat? An investigationon the diet of Xenohyla truncata (Lissamphibia: Anura:Hylidae)". *Journal of Zoology*. **270** (4): 692–698. 19 April 2005  via ACADEMIA.
5. "Frugivory and Seed Dispersal by Hyla truncata, a Neotropical Treefrog". *Copeia*. 8 August 1989  via ResearchGrade.

## InfoBox

| *Xenohyla* | |
| --- | --- |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hylidae |
| Tribe: | Dendropsophini |
| Genus: | *Xenohyla*
Izecksohn, 1998 |
|
| Type species | |
| *Hyla truncata*
Izecksohn, 1959 | |
| Species | |
| 2 species (see text) | |


title: Les Sièges

abstract: Les Sièges is a commune in the Yonne department in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté in north-central France.

text:
# Les Sièges

**Les Sièges** (French pronunciation: \[le sjɛʒ\]) is a commune in the Yonne department in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté in north-central France.

## InfoBox

| Les Sièges | |
| --- | --- |
| Commune | |
| The town hall in Les Sièges | |
| Location of Les Sièges | |
| Les SiègesLes Sièges | |
| Coordinates: 48°10′51″N 3°31′10″E / 48.1808°N 3.5194°E / 48.1808; 3.5194 | |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bourgogne-Franche-Comté |
| Department | Yonne |
| Arrondissement | Sens |
| Canton | Brienon-sur-Armançon |
| Government | |
| Mayor (20202026) | Antoine Barbirati |
| Area**1** | 23.59 km2 (9.11 sq mi) |
| Population (2021) | 416 |
| Density | 18/km2 (46/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 89395 /89190 |
| Elevation | 109–257 m (358–843 ft) |
| **1** French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers \> 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |


title: Transitional Executive Council

abstract: The Transitional Executive Council (TEC) was a multiparty body in South Africa that was established by law to facilitate the transition to democracy, in the lead-up to the country's first non-racial election in April 1994. As part of the multi-party negotiations that ended apartheid, the African National Congress (ANC) pushed for the creation of a body that would ensure a level playing field, arguing that the governing National Party would not be impartial, as it would also be contesting the election. The TEC was created by the Transitional Executive Council Act, 1993, and consisted of one member of each of the parties that participated in the negotiations, with the notable exceptions of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC); and the Freedom Alliance, an alliance of right-wing and black groups such as the Inkatha Freedom Party who had abandoned the negotiation process. The TEC consisted of 19 people, one each from the 19 groups that participated in the negotiations, and it had a number of subcouncils. The subcouncils focused on particular areas, such as stability and security, intelligence, and law and order, with members appointed because of specific expertise, and they received instructions from the TEC. TEC subcouncils had the power to curtail government actions, to access information relevant to their purposes, and to review and reject legislation passed by the Tricameral Parliament of South Africa, and the Bantustans if it deemed that these laws would hamper the attainment of democratic elections. Although State President F. W. De Klerk downplayed the role of the TEC after its first sitting on 7 December 1993, Cyril Ramaphosa, who represented the ANC on the body, said that it marked the end of minority rule in South Africa. The TEC was the first time that black South Africans played a major role in the governance of the country, and among its actions was the dismissal of the Ciskei government, after its collapse in March 1994, and the appointment of two administrators for the territory, and it took control of Boputhatswana, along with the South African government, after the government of Lucas Mangope refused to give assurances that it would permit free and fair elections in the territory.

text:
# Transitional Executive Council

The **Transitional Executive Council** (TEC) was a multiparty body in South Africa that was established by law to facilitate the transition to democracy, in the lead-up to the country's first non-racial election in April 1994.

As part of the multi-party negotiations that ended apartheid, the African National Congress (ANC) pushed for the creation of a body that would ensure a level playing field, arguing that the governing National Party would not be impartial, as it would also be contesting the election.

The TEC was created by the Transitional Executive Council Act, 1993, and consisted of one member of each of the parties that participated in the negotiations, with the notable exceptions of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC); and the Freedom Alliance, an alliance of right-wing and black groups such as the Inkatha Freedom Party who had abandoned the negotiation process.

The TEC consisted of 19 people, one each from the 19 groups that participated in the negotiations, and it had a number of subcouncils. The subcouncils focused on particular areas, such as stability and security, intelligence, and law and order, with members appointed because of specific expertise, and they received instructions from the TEC. TEC subcouncils had the power to curtail government actions, to access information relevant to their purposes, and to review and reject legislation passed by the Tricameral Parliament of South Africa, and the Bantustans if it deemed that these laws would hamper the attainment of democratic elections.

Although State President F. W. De Klerk downplayed the role of the TEC after its first sitting on 7 December 1993, Cyril Ramaphosa, who represented the ANC on the body, said that it marked the end of minority rule in South Africa. The TEC was the first time that black South Africans played a major role in the governance of the country, and among its actions was the dismissal of the Ciskei government, after its collapse in March 1994, and the appointment of two administrators for the territory, and it took control of Boputhatswana, along with the South African government, after the government of Lucas Mangope refused to give assurances that it would permit free and fair elections in the territory.

## InfoBox

| Transitional Executive Council | |
| --- | --- |
| <br>Multiparty Body of the Republic of South Africa | |
| 1993–1994 | |
| Coat of arms of South Africa | |
| Date formed | 7 December 1993 (1993-12-07) |
| Date dissolved | 10 May 1994 (1994-05-10) |
| People and organisations | |
| State President | Frederik Willem de Klerk |
| No. of ministers | 19 ministers |
| Member party | 19 political groups |
| History | |
| Incoming formation | Negotiations to end apartheid |
| Outgoing formation | 1994 election |
| Predecessor | De Klerk Cabinet |
| Successor | Mandela Cabinet |


# List of women's football clubs in Scotland

## League pyramid

All women's leagues in Scotland are part of a pyramid structure, with the Scottish Women's Premier League being at the top. Leagues become more regional at the bottom.

Clubs are allowed numerous teams in the Leagues, however, no club can be permitted to have more than one team in each of the top two divisions. More than one team from the same club can, however, compete in the 2nd divisions.

The Women's football in Scotland pyramid has 4 steps in it. They are:

| Level | League(s)/Division(s) | | | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **Scottish Women's Premier League 1**
(Scottish Building Society)
*8 clubs* playing 21 games - 1 relegation | | | | | |
| 2 | **Scottish Women's Premier League 2**
(Scottish Building Society)
*8 clubs* playing 21 games - 1 promotion, 2 relegations | | | | | |
| 3 | **SWFL Division 1 – North**
*12 clubs* playing 22 games - 1 promotion | | **SWFL Division 1 – South**
*12 clubs* playing 22 games - 1 promotion | |
| 4 | **SWFL Division 2 – North**
*9 clubs* playing 18 games | **SWFL Division 2 – West**
*12 clubs* playing 22 games | **SWFL Division 2 – Central**
*12 clubs* playing 22 games | **SWFL Division 2 – East**
*12 clubs* playing 22 games |
|

## Scottish Women's Premier League

The teams below are competing in the Scottish Women's Premier League in the 2021 season:

### SWPL1

### SWPL2

## Scottish Women's First Division

The teams below are competing in the Scottish Women's First Division in the 2021 season:

### SWFL 1 North

### SWFL 1 South

## Scottish Women's Second Division

The teams below are competing in the Scottish Women's Football League Second Division in the 2019 season:

### North

* Buchan Youth
* Buckie Thistle
* Caithness
* Forfar Farmington Development
* Moray
* Ross County
* Turriff United

### West

* Bishopton
* Dumbarton United — *withdrew*
* Gleniffer Thistle
* Kilwinning
* Pollok United
* Queen of the South — *withdrew*
* Rutherglen
* St Mirren
* Stranraer
* United Glasgow

### Central

* Airdrie
* Broxburn Athletic
* Cumbernauld Colts Yellows
* East Kilbride
* Glasgow Girls Development
* Hamilton Academical Under-23s
* Hawick United
* Motherwell Development
* Murieston United
* St Mirren
* West Park United

### East

* Bonnyrigg Rose
* Dryburgh Athletic
* Dundee City
* East Fife Violets
* Edinburgh Caledonia
* GOC
* Hearts Development
* Hutchison Vale Development
* Jeanfield Swifts Development
* Kelty Hearts
* Lothian
* Spartans Development

1. "SWFL Division 2 - North". Scottish Women's Football. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
2. "SWFL Division 2 - West". Scottish Women's Football. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
3. "SWFL Division 2 - Central". Scottish Women's Football. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
4. "SWFL Division 2 - East". Scottish Women's Football. Retrieved 16 August 2018.


title: Passion Play (film)

abstract: Passion Play is a 2011 American drama film written and directed by Mitch Glazer, executive produced by Rebecca Wang and starring Mickey Rourke, Megan Fox, Rhys Ifans and Bill Murray. Filming for the production began in December 2009 and is presented by Rebecca Wang Entertainment. It premiered at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival.

text:
# Passion Play (film)

***Passion Play*** is a 2011 American drama film written and directed by Mitch Glazer, executive produced by Rebecca Wang and starring Mickey Rourke, Megan Fox, Rhys Ifans and Bill Murray. Filming for the production began in December 2009 and is presented by Rebecca Wang Entertainment. It premiered at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival.

## Plot

Nate (Mickey Rourke), a small-time jazz musician and recovering heroin addict, is clearly a hard-luck case. After a performance one night, he is mugged and bound. He awakens to find himself in a vehicle and being driven out into the desert, but he is helpless to do anything about it. His assailant then walks Nate away from the car and is about to kill him, but instead the assailant is shot dead by a band of Native Americans, and Nate is left unharmed. Nate wanders around in the desert and climbs a mountain, where he looks down upon a carnival and sideshow. He walks through the carnival, and asks the owner to use a telephone, and he wanders among the fire eaters, sword swallowers, and other performers. Nate finds himself drawn to the exotic beauty of Lily (Megan Fox), a freak performer who has wings on her back. Lily is cold and dismissive, but it dawns on her that this gentle giant may well be her ticket to a better life. The sideshow owner (Rhys Ifans) attempts to kill Nate, but Lily rescues him by stealing a truck, and together they flee to the city.

Nate and Lily begin to form a relationship. Nate, fearing another assassination attempt, seeks out Happy Shannon (Bill Murray), a gangster with deep pockets who had ordered Nate killed after Nate had slept with his wife, whom Happy also had murdered. Nate plans to put Lily on display for paying customers, and he offers Happy 75 percent of the proceeds. Happy dismisses the proposal and does not believe Lily has wings, but he later sees for himself, when Nate arranges an appearance of Lily for him, but at a safe distance.

Nate and Lily go to a motel, talk, and then have sex. Happy finds them and then abducts Lily, but to keep Lily compliant, he agrees not to harm Nate so long as Lily lives with him. Nate tries to stay away from Lily, but he realizes he is in love with her. When Nate attempts to see Lily and rescue her from Happy, he fails. By now, the sideshow owner has also learned that Lily is with Happy, and he breaks in and attempts to take her. Happy pulls out a pistol and shoots him to death.

Later, Nate discovers that Happy is showcasing Lily in a theater, and again Nate goes to rescue her. He smashes the glass case in which Lily is being confined, and together they run to the top of the building, chased by Happy's men. Nate tries to convince Lily to fly away, but Lily lacks confidence in her ability to fly. Nate then jumps off the building, and Lily jumps after him, discovering that she can indeed fly. She catches Nate before he hits the ground, and together they fly off into the desert.

Nate looks down on the ground below as they are flying and sees his own corpse at the spot in the desert where the Native Americans had shot his assailant, suggesting that everything that happened from that point forward was actually a dying dream. He is last seen being carried away by Lily into the sky.

## Cast

## Reception

*Passion Play* received negative reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a rating of 3%, based on 33 reviews, with an average rating of 3.2/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "*Passion Play* has a terrific cast, but don't be fooled – the only real question at the heart of this misbegotten mystery is what its stars were thinking." On Metacritic, the film has a score of 22 out of 100, based on 11 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".

An incompletely edited cut of the film premiered at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival.

Festival reviews included *Variety* describing it as "Perversely eccentric and frequently inert." In a video review, David Poland extended his condolences to Glazer for his 20-year dedication in realizing the project, but described the experience as "an absolute car wreck." eFilmCritic's Erik Childress left the screening after an hour and declared it "Awful." Karina Longworth from *Village Voice* asserted that "It's hard to imagine that anyone will take *Passion Play* nearly as seriously as it takes itself."

## Release

Despite initial reports that the film was going straight to DVD due to the negative critical reaction at the Toronto International Film Festival, Image Entertainment announced *Passion Play* would be given a limited theatrical run, starting on May 6, 2011 in New York City and Los Angeles.

Glazer confirmed the new release had a final cut vastly improved by a "generation" from the very rough cut screened in Toronto.

## InfoBox

| Passion Play | |
| --- | --- |
| Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Mitch Glazer |
| Written by | Mitch Glazer |
| Produced by | Daniel Dubiecki
Megan Ellison |
| Starring | Mickey Rourke
Megan Fox
Rhys Ifans
Bill Murray
Kelly Lynch |
| Cinematography | Christopher Doyle |
| Edited by | Billy Weber |
| Music by | Dickon Hinchliffe |
| Production
company | Annapurna Productions |
| Distributed by | Image Entertainment |
| Release date | * September 10, 2010 (2010-09-10) (Toronto) |
| Running time | 91 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $15 million |
| Box office | $3,669 |


title: Olney Carnegie Library

abstract: The Olney Carnegie Library is a Carnegie library located at 401 E. Main St. in Olney, Illinois. Olney's library association was founded in 1882, but the city did not have its own library building until the Carnegie Library was constructed in 1904. The library was designed in the Classical Revival style by John W. Gaddis; it is the only Classical Revival building in Olney. Its design features brick pilasters with Corinthian capitals, two terra cotta finials atop the roof, and leaded-glass windows with keystone-patterned stone lintels. The library served as Olney's main library until 1990 and is now the Carnegie Museum. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 14, 2002.

text:
# Olney Carnegie Library

The **Olney Carnegie Library** is a Carnegie library located at 401 E. Main St. in Olney, Illinois. Olney's library association was founded in 1882, but the city did not have its own library building until the Carnegie Library was constructed in 1904. The library was designed in the Classical Revival style by John W. Gaddis; it is the only Classical Revival building in Olney. Its design features brick pilasters with Corinthian capitals, two terra cotta finials atop the roof, and leaded-glass windows with keystone-patterned stone lintels. The library served as Olney's main library until 1990 and is now the **Carnegie Museum**.

The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 14, 2002.

## InfoBox

|  | |
| --- | --- |
| Olney Carnegie Library | |
| U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
|  | |
|  | |
|  | |
| Location | 401 E. Main St., Olney, Illinois |
| Coordinates | 38°43′52″N 88°4′53″W / 38.73111°N 88.08139°W / 38.73111; -88.08139 |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1904 (1904) |
| Built by | Robards, B.L. |
| Architect | John W. Gaddis |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| MPS | Illinois Carnegie Libraries MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 02000037 |
| Added to NRHP | February 14, 2002 |


title: Marlene Dobkin de Rios

abstract: Marlene Dobkin de Rios was an American cultural anthropologist, medical anthropologist, and psychotherapist. She conducted fieldwork in the Amazon for almost 30 years. Her research included the use of entheogenic plants by the indigenous peoples of Peru.

text:
# Marlene Dobkin de Rios

**Marlene Dobkin de Rios** FRAI (April 12, 1939 – November 10, 2012) was an American cultural anthropologist, medical anthropologist, and psychotherapist. She conducted fieldwork in the Amazon for almost 30 years. Her research included the use of entheogenic plants by the indigenous peoples of Peru.

## Early life and education

Dobkin de Rios was born in 1939 in The Bronx into a Ukrainian Jewish family. She was the daughter of Bernard Dobkin, a salesman from Kyiv, and Anne (née Schwartz), a bookkeeper whose parents emigrated from Galicia. Her family were Russian Jews.

Dobkin de Rios completed a bachelor's degree in clinical psychology at Queens College, City University of New York in 1959. In 1963, Dobkin de Rios earned a M.A. in anthropology from New York University. She researched gender issues including the social aspects of purdah in Turkey and the French colonial empire's policies impacting women in French West Africa.

She conducted doctoral research on the Preclassic Maya's use of psychoactive plants. In 1972, she earned a Ph.D. at University of California, Riverside. Her dissertation was titled *The Use of Hallucinogenic Substances in Peruvian Amazonian Folk Healing*.

## Career

In 1972, Dobkin de Rios became a tenured professor cultural anthropology at California State University, Fullerton. She taught at Fullerton from 1969 until her retirement in 2000. Dobkin de Rios led fieldwork in the Peruvian and Brazilian Amazon for almost thirty years. Her research included the use of entheogenic plants by the indigenous peoples of Peru.

From 1999 to 2000, Dobkin de Rios directed the qualitative dimension of research of ayahuasca use among adolescents within the União do Vegetal in Brazil.

Dobkin de Rios was a fellow of the American Anthropological Association and the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. She served as president of the Ethnopharmacology Society (1979-1981) and the Southwestern Anthropological Association (1979-1980).

## Personal life

On November 7, 1969, Dobkin married artist Yando Rios, son of Peruvian healer Don Hilde. They had two children. Dobkin de Rios died on November 10, 2012, in Placentia, California of cancer.

## Selected works

* Dobkin de Rios, Marlene (1972). *Visionary Vine: Psychedelic Healing in the Peruvian Amazon*. Chandler Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-8102-0456-0.
* Dobkin de Rios, Marlene (1976). *The Wilderness of Mind: Sacred Plants in Cross-Cultural Perspective*. Sage Publications. ISBN 978-0-8039-0752-2.
* Dobkin de Rios, Marlene (1984). *Hallucinogens, Cross-Cultural Perspectives*. University of New Mexico Press. ISBN 978-0-8263-0737-8.
* Dobkin de Rios, Marlene (1992). *Amazon Healer: The Life and Times of an Urban Shaman*. Prism. ISBN 978-1-85327-076-5.
* Dobkin de Rios, Marlene; Janiger, Oscar (2003). *LSD, Spirituality, and the Creative Process*. Inner Traditions / Bear & Co. ISBN 978-0-89281-973-7.
* Dobkin de Rios, Marlene; Rumrrill, Róger (2008). *A Hallucinogenic Tea, Laced with Controversy: Ayahuasca in the Amazon and the United States*. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-313-34542-5.
* Dobkin de Rios, Marlene (2009). *The Psychedelic Journey of Marlene Dobkin de Rios: 45 Years with Shamans, Ayahuasqueros, and Ethnobotanists*. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-59477-891-9.
* Dobkin de Rios, Marlene (2011). *Fate, Fortune, and Mysticism in the Peruvian Amazon: The Septrionic Order and the Naipes Cards*. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-59477-947-3.

## InfoBox

| Marlene Dobkin de RiosFRAI | |
| --- | --- |
| Dobkin de Rios in 2002 | |
| Born | (1939-04-12)April 12, 1939
The Bronx, New York City, U.S. |
| Died | November 10, 2012(2012-11-10) (aged 73)
Placentia, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Cultural anthropologist, medical anthropologist, psychotherapist |
| Children | 2 |
|  | |
| Academic background | |
| Alma mater | Queens College, City University of New York
New York University
University of California, Riverside |
| Academic work | |
| Institutions | California State University, Fullerton |
|  | |


title: Lift ticket

abstract: A lift ticket or lift pass is an identifier usually attached to a skier's or snowboarder's outerwear that indicates they have paid and can ride on the ski lift(s) that transport people and equipment up or down a mountain.

text:
# Lift ticket

A **lift ticket** or **lift pass** is an identifier usually attached to a skier's or snowboarder's outerwear that indicates they have paid and can ride on the ski lift(s) that transport people and equipment up or down a mountain.

## Types of lift tickets

Types of lift tickets may vary by specific number of rides, time period (half day, day, night, multi-day, season), or type of lift.

Direct application to clothing

Before ticket wickets, zip-ties, and RFID cards, lift tickets were stapled or glued directly to clothing, to prevent ticket holders from transferring lift tickets from one skier to another, thereby depriving ski resorts of revenue. This approach, however, damaged skiers' clothing.

Ticket wicket

Ski resorts (and other venues that issue tickets) commonly use a wicket to secure the ticket (called a "ticket wicket"), a short piece of light wire which loops through the ticket holder's clothing or backpack. The ticket wicket was invented by Killington Ski Resort employee Martin S. "Charlie" Hanley, in 1963, and given its name by his wife Jane. Hanley patented the ticket wicket in Canada and the United States in 1966, and assigned the rights to Killington's parent company, The Sherburne Corporation, for whom he had developed the wicket while on their payroll. The Sherbourne Corporation licensed the ticket wicket to ski areas across the U.S. following a ski operators road show, at which the Hanleys promoted it. Despite quick and widespread adoption of the wicket both domestically and abroad, however, Hanley never made any money off the soon-ubiquitous ticket wicket; an avid skier, he was content to invent something that further developed the then-nascent sport of downhill skiing. In 1995, John C. Myles, Melisa Syracusa, and Edward M. Friedlander Jr. patented another version of the ticket wicket.

The wicket inspired several innovations to make its use more convenient, such as ski ticket holder "pigtail". In addition, many ski jackets are designed with wickets in mind, providing plastic or cloth loops that allow the attachment of a wicket without interfering with zipper operation.

Zip-tie

Today, although ticket wickets are still widely used, some resorts now use plastic zip-ties rather than metal wires to secure tickets. As Greg Morrill notes, "The zip-ties made it easier to remove the ticket, but the zip-tie remained. I still see quite a few skiers with a collection of ticket-less zip-ties hooked to their parka." The difficulty removing zip ties from clothing is but one issue those plastic fasteners fail to resolve; another is: "For ski areas there was the problem of checking tickets. Historically this was a manual process performed by lift personnel. But as the number of skiers increased, staff had to be added expressly to check tickets. Part of this need was also driven by the fact that as ticket prices went up there was more incentive for customers to rip-off the system." Manually checking tickets is complicated by the popular practice of skiers Morrill refers to as "Ticket Turkeys", who retain a collection of used ski tickets on their clothing, thereby forcing human ticket checkers "to parse through a collection of tickets to find the current one."

RFID card

Some ski resorts have overcome the above-mentioned problems by issuing, instead of lift tickets, digital cards embedded with RFID chips. These cards are kept in a pocket during the skier's visit to the resort, as they do not need to be removed for the access gate to detect them.

History

The invention of the electronic ski pass is thanks to an Italian company, ALFI of Borgo Ticino (NO), which in 1974 supplied the first electronic access control system in the world for ski lifts in San Vigilio di Marebbe (Italy). The following year this solution was extended to the entire "newborn" Dolomiti Superski (Italy)

In 1999 ALFI supplied the first RFID ISO 15693 electronic ski pass system to the French resort of Plan Joux (France).

In April 2018, the first totally dematerialized ski pass solution in the world was presented, using smartphones instead of the classic RFID cards, by the Italian company BLUETICKETING of Pont Saint Martin (AO).


title: Syllitus parryi

abstract: Syllitus parryi is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It was described by Pascoe in 1862.

text:
# Syllitus parryi

***Syllitus parryi*** is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It was described by Pascoe in 1862.

## InfoBox

| *Syllitus parryi* | |
| --- | --- |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Cerambycidae |
| Genus: | *Syllitus* |
| Species: | ***S. parryi*** |
| Binomial name | |
| ***Syllitus parryi***<br>Pascoe, 1862 | |
|


title: Xenohormesis

abstract: Xenohormesis is a hypothesis that posits that certain molecules such as plant polyphenols, which indicate stress in the plants, can have benefits for another organism (heterotrophs) that consumes it. Or in simpler terms, xenohormesis is interspecies hormesis. The expected benefits include improve lifespan and fitness, by activating the animal's cellular stress response. This may be useful to evolve, as it gives possible cues about the state of the environment. If the plants an animal is eating have increased polyphenol content, it means the plant is under stress and may signal famines. Using the chemical cues the heterotophs could preemptively prepare and defend itself before conditions worsen. A possible example may be resveratrol, which is famously found in red wine, which modulates over two dozen receptors and enzymes in mammals. Xenohormesis could also explain several phenomena seen in the ethno-pharmaceutical side of things. Such as in the case of cinnamon, which in several studies have shown to help treat type 2 diabetes, but hasn't been confirmed in meta analysis. This can be caused by the cinnamon used in one study differing from the other in xenohormic properties. Some explanations as to why this works, is first and foremost, it could be a coincidence. Especially for cases which partially venomous products, cause a positive stress in the organism. The second is that it is a shared evolutionary attribute, as both animals and plants share a huge amount of homology between their pathways. The third is that there is evolutionary pressure to evolve to better respond to the molecules. The latter is proposed mainly by Howitz and his team. There also might be the problem that our focus on maximizing the crop output, may be losing many of the xenohormetic advantages. Although the ideal conditions will cause the plant to increase its crop output it can also be argued it is loosing stress and therefore the hormesis. The honeybee colony collapse syndrome may be caused by lack of consumption of stressed nutrients.

text:
# Xenohormesis

**Xenohormesis** is a hypothesis that posits that certain molecules such as plant polyphenols, which indicate stress in the plants, can have benefits for another organism (heterotrophs) that consumes it. Or in simpler terms, xenohormesis is interspecies hormesis. The expected benefits include improve lifespan and fitness, by activating the animal's cellular stress response.

This may be useful to evolve, as it gives possible cues about the state of the environment. If the plants an animal is eating have increased polyphenol content, it means the plant is under stress and may signal famines. Using the chemical cues the heterotophs could preemptively prepare and defend itself before conditions worsen. A possible example may be resveratrol, which is famously found in red wine, which modulates over two dozen receptors and enzymes in mammals.

Xenohormesis could also explain several phenomena seen in the ethno-pharmaceutical (traditional medicine) side of things. Such as in the case of cinnamon, which in several studies have shown to help treat type 2 diabetes, but hasn't been confirmed in meta analysis. This can be caused by the cinnamon used in one study differing from the other in xenohormic properties.

Some explanations as to why this works, is first and foremost, it could be a coincidence. Especially for cases which partially venomous products, cause a positive stress in the organism. The second is that it is a shared evolutionary attribute, as both animals and plants share a huge amount of homology between their pathways. The third is that there is evolutionary pressure to evolve to better respond to the molecules. The latter is proposed mainly by Howitz and his team.

There also might be the problem that our focus on maximizing the crop output, may be losing many of the xenohormetic advantages. Although the ideal conditions will cause the plant to increase its crop output it can also be argued it is loosing stress and therefore the hormesis. The honeybee colony collapse syndrome may be caused by lack of consumption of stressed nutrients.

## Etymology

The term xenohormesis was first coined by Kondrad T. Howitz and David A. Sinclair, in the 2004 paper "Small molecules that regulate lifespan: evidence for xenohormesis". *Xeno* comes from greek, meaning foreign, and hormesis is the adaptive response of organisms and cells to stress.

## Applications

There are many applications for this products, mainly found in the micronutrients. One of the most obvious ones is in the pharmaceutical section. Such as the antimalarial artemisinin which is synthesised from *Artemisia annua.* The density of this product also increases with stress, which is probably not a coincidence, however not in a case of mutualistic xenohormesis.

It has also been shown that it affects macro nutrients, cold shock may increase the level of unsaturated fatty acids.

## Mutualistic Xenohormesis

Some times xenohormesis is targeted to specific organisms. Such as in the case Acacias, which produce food bodies, which the ants consume, in turn protecting the tree. If a herbivore feeds on an Acacia, it will release more of these bodies. In turn attracting more ants and/or wasps. There are also many cases of mutualistic xenohormesis for the dispersal of a seeds and pollen. Though not all xenohormesis is mutualistic.


title: Leon Kelly (footballer)

abstract: Leon Kelly is an English former footballer who played in the Football League for Cambridge United. His uncle Tony was also a professional footballer.

text:
# Leon Kelly (footballer)

**Leon Kelly** (born 26 June 1978) is an English former footballer who played in the Football League for Cambridge United. His uncle Tony was also a professional footballer.

## InfoBox

Leon Kelly
| Personal information | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Date of birth | (1978-06-26) 26 June 1978 | | |
| Place of birth | Coventry, England | | |
| Position(s) | Forward | | |
| Senior career\* | | | |
| Years | **Team** | **Apps** | **(Gls)** |
| 1997 | Massey Ferguson |  |  |
| 1997–2001 | Atherstone United |  |  |
| 2001–2003 | Cambridge United | 2 | (0) |
| 2001 | Stalybridge Celtic (loan) | 8 | (3) |
| 2001 | Nuneaton Borough (loan) | 3 | (0) |
| 2002 | Dover Athletic (loan) | 13 | (3) |
| 2002–2003 | Ilkeston Town |  |  |
| 2003–2006 | Worcester City |  |  |
| 2006–2008 | Hinckley United | 73 | (15) |
| 2008–2009 | Solihull Moors |  |  |
| 2009 | Bromsgrove Rovers |  |  |
| 2008–2009 | Aylesbury United |  |  |
| \*Club domestic league appearances and goals | | | |


title: Tregurnow

abstract: Tregurnow is a settlement in St Buryan civil parish on the Penwith peninsula in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. At Tregurnow farm is an interesting Celtic cross from the medieval period similar to ones found on the Isle of Man. Tregurnow also gives its name to the site of a stone circle that previously stood in the area at grid reference SW 43818 24523 and the cliffs above Lamorna Cove also bear the same name.

text:
# Tregurnow

**Tregurnow** is a settlement in St Buryan civil parish on the Penwith peninsula in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom.

At Tregurnow farm is an interesting Celtic cross from the medieval period similar to ones found on the Isle of Man. Tregurnow also gives its name to the site of a stone circle that previously stood in the area at grid reference SW 43818 24523 and the cliffs above Lamorna Cove also bear the same name.

50°03′44″N 5°34′28″W / 50.06219°N 5.57449°W / 50.06219; -5.57449


title: Patna Monorail

abstract: Patna Monorail was a proposed monorail system for the city of Patna.

text:
# Patna Monorail

**Patna Monorail** was a proposed monorail system for the city of Patna.

## Network

There were 4 lines proposed to be built. RITES, the consultancy arm of Indian Railways had begun soil inspection as well as ground survey for the monorail network.

## Project detail

The total estimated cost of the project was 2000-2500 Crore. The total length of the proposed 4 monorail corridors in Patna would be 32 km and in the first phase route length between 20 km and 25 km was to be completed.

As of 2021 the project has not commenced.

## InfoBox

| Patna Monorail | |
| --- | --- |
| Overview | |
| Locale | Patna, Bihar |
| Transit type | straddle-beam Monorail |
| Number of lines | 4 (planned) |
| Daily ridership | 32,000 (Estd.) |
| Operation | |
| Began operation | Government of Bihar preferred metro rail over mono rail |
| Train length | 4 coaches |
| Technical | |
| System length | 32 kilometers (20 mi) |
| Electrification | 750 V DC |
| Average speed | 31 km/h (19 mph) |
| Top speed | 80 km/h (50 mph) |


title: Omphiscola

abstract: Omphiscola is a genus of small to medium-sized, air-breathing, freshwater snails, aquatic pulmonate gastropod mollusks in the family Lymnaeidae.

text:
# Omphiscola

***Omphiscola*** is a genus of small to medium-sized, air-breathing, freshwater snails, aquatic pulmonate gastropod mollusks in the family Lymnaeidae.

## Distribution

This is a European genus.

## Species

Species within the genus include:

Nomen nudum Species inquirenda

## InfoBox

| *Omphiscola* | |
| --- | --- |
|  | |
| *Omphiscola glabra* | |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Superorder: | Hygrophila |
| Family: | Lymnaeidae |
| Subfamily: | Lymnaeinae |
| Genus: | *Omphiscola*<br>Rafinesque, 1819 |
|


title: Pabna Polytechnic Institute

abstract: Pabna Polytechnic Institute is a polytechnic institute located in Pabna, Bangladesh.

text:
# Pabna Polytechnic Institute

**Pabna Polytechnic Institute** is a polytechnic institute located in Pabna, Bangladesh.

## History

The college was founded in 1924 when the Zamidar of Trash, Banomali Roy, in Pabna named **BL Eliot Technical School**. In the 1960s, the Government of East Pakistan established many Polytechnic Institute in different district of East Pakistan under Five-Year Plan. As part of the plan in 1962 that technical school becomes Pabna Polytechnic Institute. On 10 January 1970, Waker Ahmed, the Director of Technical Education founded the construction work of the Pabna Polytechnic Institute on 30 acres of land beside the north-east corner of Edward University College. Academic activities begin with three technologies Civil, Mechanical and Power in the new campus in 1978. now add new six technologies Electrical, electronics, computer, construction and refrigeration and airconditioning.

## InfoBox

Pabna Polytechnic Institute
| পাবনা পলিটেকনিক ইনস্টিটিউট | |
| --- | --- |
| Building of PPI Pabna | |
| Type | Government Polytechnic Institute |
| Established | 1962 (1962) |
| Principal | Md. Atiqur Rahman |
| Academic staff | 105 |
| Students | 5200 |
| Location | Pabna, Bangladesh<br>23°45′32″N 90°23′59″E / 23.75889°N 90.39972°E / 23.75889; 90.39972 |
| Campus | 30 acars |
| Website | ppi.pabna.gov.bd |


title: Mark Sargent

abstract: Mark Sargent is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian international representative forward, he played in the NSWRL premiership for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Newcastle Knights, winning the Rothmans Medal in 1989 while playing for Newcastle.

text:
# Mark Sargent

**Mark Sargent** (born 18 August 1964) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian international representative forward, he played in the NSWRL premiership for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Newcastle Knights, winning the Rothmans Medal in 1989 while playing for Newcastle.

## Playing career

A Newcastle junior, Mark Sargent signed with Canterbury-Bankstown and made his first grade debut for the Bulldogs on 13 April 1986 against the North Sydney Bears at the Belmore Sports Ground. Sargent would play 19 games for the Bulldogs until the end of the 1988 NSWRL season and was unlucky to miss a place in their premiership winning team that year.

In 1989, Sargent signed for the Newcastle Knights who had been admitted to the competition in 1988. That year he co-won the Rothman's Medal for 'best and fairest' player of the year along with Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks second rower Gavin Miller.

Sargent was selected to represent New South Wales, playing from the bench in Game III of the 1990 State of Origin series. At the end of the 1990 NSWRL season, he went on the 1990 Kangaroo tour, becoming the Knights' first international representative. Sargent played in 11 games on the Kangaroo Tour, scoring 3 tries. He made his test debut for Australia as a substitute in the third and deciding Ashes test against Great Britain at Elland Road in Leeds won by the Kangaroos 14–0, and went on to play from the bench in the two tests series win over France at the end of the tour. He had actually been selected as a substitute for the second Ashes test against Great Britain at Old Trafford in Manchester in what was to be his test debut, however coach Bob Fulton did not use any of the teams subs (Sargent, Des Hasler, Greg Alexander and David Gillespie) during the game won 14–10 by Australia thanks to a last minute try to captain Mal Meninga.  The win by the Kangaroos in Manchester kept the Ashes series alive after the Lions had produced a shock 19–12 win in the first test at London's Wembley Stadium. His selection for the second test saw Sargent become the Knights first ever test representative.

An injury riddled 1991 season saw him miss selection for both NSW and Australia's successful home Trans-Tasman series against New Zealand. He bounced back in 1992, though he again missed selection for both NSW in the Origin series as well as The Ashes series defence against the touring Great Britain side. However, he regained his test spot when he was selected on the bench for a mid-season 1992 World Cup qualifier against Papua New Guinea in Townsville where he crossed for his only test try in a 36–14 win for the Aussies. His form continued for the Knights and along with his front row partner Paul Harragon who made his Test and Origin debut in 1992, helped Newcastle into their first ever finals series.

At the end of the 1992 season, Sargent, Harragon and fullback Brad Godden were the Knights players selected to Australia's victorious World Cup final squad for a 4-game mini-tour of England (the Australian's played three lead up games against English club sides). Sargent was the only one of the trio selected for the final played in front of the then international rugby league record attendance of 73,631 at Wembley Stadium. The match, won by Australia 10-6 thanks to a late Steve Renouf try, was Sargent's last game for Australia and the only one of his 5 tests that he would be in the starting team.

Sargent, a Prop forward, retired from playing at the end of the 1995 ARL season. He played 145 games (19 for Canterbury, 126 for Newcastle) and scored 18 tries in his career (all for the Knights). He represented New South Wales on one occasion in State of Origin, and also represented Country Origin on three occasions between 1989 and 1994. He was also captain of the Knights in 1995 along with fellow front rower Paul Harragon.

## Post-playing career

During the Super League war Sargent was the corporate services manager of the Hunter Mariners who played in the Super League competition.

Sargent was a member of the NRL Judiciary in 1999 and 2000, and was the team manager at the Knights when they won the 2001 NRL Grand Final 30–24 over Parramatta. Sargent resigned from the position in 2005 after publicly voicing his concerns over the future of the Newcastle club.

In 2015 he completed his PhD in public policy at the University of Newcastle.

## Footnotes

## InfoBox

Mark "Sarge" Sargent
| Personal information | |
| --- | --- |
| Full name | Mark Sargent |
| Born | (1964-08-18) 18 August 1964 |
| Playing information | |
| Height | 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) |
| Weight | 108 kg (17 st 0 lb) |
| Position | Prop |
| Club  Years Team Pld T G FG P  1986–88 Canterbury Bulldogs 19 0 0 0 0  1989–95 Newcastle Knights 126 18 0 0 72  Total 145 18 0 0 72  Representative  Years Team Pld T G FG P  1989–94 NSW Country 3 0 0 0 0  1990 New South Wales 1 0 0 0 0  1990–92 Australia 4 1 0 0 4 | |
| Source: | |


title: Liberia in World War II

abstract: Liberia became militarily involved in World War II in January 1944, with the election of William Tubman, at which time it declared war on Germany and Japan. Before this, Liberia participated in the war for two years under the terms of a defense agreement with the United States. Apart from Ceylon and the Belgian Congo, Liberia possessed one of the few remaining sources of rubber for the Allies. To guarantee a steady supply of rubber from the world's largest rubber plantation, operated at Harbel by the Firestone Company since 1926, the US government built roads throughout the country, created an international airport, and transformed the capital, Monrovia, by building a deep water port. In early 1942 the Liberian government granted the U.S. the right to "construct, control, operate, and defend such commercial and military airfields as might be deemed necessary by mutual agreement". Therefore an advance U.S. Army construction force arrived in June 1942. It was tasked to prepare installations and defend them pending the arrival of the full force. The advance force was made up of the 41st Engineer General Service Regiment, Company A, 812th Engineer Aviation Battalion, the 802d Coast Artillery Battery, and an advance detachment of the 25th Station Hospital. The eventual full deployment of the 25th Station Hospital Unit represented the first African American medical unit to be sent overseas. A detachment was dispatched to Monrovia to train the Liberian Frontier Force. The 1st Battalion, 367th Infantry Regiment was also earmarked for Liberia. After being on and off alerts since April 1942, the unit, now reorganised as a separate battalion, arrived in the country on 10 March 1943. It principally guarded supplied and Robertsfield. But after 10 months in Liberia the battalion was sent to Oran in French North Africa to guard airbases. The 99th Pursuit Squadron was also earmarked for Liberia but its deployment there was cancelled when after January 1943 the need for air defence there had dissipated with the threat from Vichy and the Axis removed. Eventually the 802nd Coastal Artillery Battery was disbanded in Liberia; instructors for the Liberia Guard Force and hospital and service troops remained, as Robertsfield remained useful to the Air Transport Command until the end of the war.. U.S. Army Forces in Liberia came under the command of Brigadier General Percy L. Sadler; there were some instances of conflict between the U.S. troops, almost entirely Black, and the Liberian population. In 1944, with its entry into the war, Liberia adopted the United States dollar and became one of only four countries in Africa to join the newly formed United Nations. The Africa-Middle East Theater of Operations was "established on March 1, 1945, was mainly concerned with the liquidation of the Army's property holdings and other interests in Africa, Palestine, and the Persian Gulf area. The North African installations of the Mediterranean Theater and its base commands at Casablanca were transferred to the new Theater in March 1945; the United States Army Forces in Liberia were transferred to it in April 1945." "The United States Army Forces in Liberia were subsequently under the North African Service Command, which was the former Mediterranean Base Section, at Casablanca. By 1946 all [the Town Commands] except the agency at Casablanca were discontinued." U.S. Army Forces in Liberia was inactivated on 28 February 1946.

text:
# Liberia in World War II

Liberia became militarily involved in World War II in January 1944, with the election of William Tubman, at which time it declared war on Germany and Japan. Before this, Liberia participated in the war for two years under the terms of a defense agreement with the United States. Apart from Ceylon (present day Sri Lanka) and the Belgian Congo, Liberia possessed one of the few remaining sources of rubber for the Allies. To guarantee a steady supply of rubber from the world's largest rubber plantation, operated at Harbel by the Firestone Company since 1926, the US government built roads throughout the country, created an international airport (known as Robertsfield Airport), and transformed the capital, Monrovia, by building a deep water port (the Freeport of Monrovia).

In early 1942 the Liberian government granted the U.S. the right to "construct, control, operate, and defend such commercial and military airfields as might be deemed necessary by mutual agreement". Therefore an advance U.S. Army construction force arrived in June 1942. It was tasked to prepare installations and defend them pending the arrival of the full force. The advance force was made up of the 41st Engineer General Service Regiment (less the 2d Battalion), Company A, 812th Engineer Aviation Battalion (later redesignated the 899th Engineer Aviation Company), the 802d Coast Artillery Battery, and an advance detachment of the 25th Station Hospital. The eventual full deployment of the 25th Station Hospital Unit represented the first African American medical unit to be sent overseas. A detachment was dispatched to Monrovia to train the Liberian Frontier Force. The 1st Battalion, 367th Infantry Regiment was also earmarked for Liberia. After being on and off alerts since April 1942, the unit, now reorganised as a separate battalion, arrived in the country on 10 March 1943. It principally guarded supplied and Robertsfield. But after 10 months in Liberia the battalion was sent to Oran in French North Africa to guard airbases. The 99th Pursuit Squadron was also earmarked for Liberia but its deployment there was cancelled when after January 1943 the need for air defence there had dissipated with the threat from Vichy and the Axis removed. (Employment of Negro Troops, 452)

Eventually the 802nd Coastal Artillery Battery was disbanded in Liberia; instructors for the Liberia Guard Force and hospital and service troops remained, as Robertsfield remained useful to the Air Transport Command until the end of the war. (Employment of Negro Troops, 622).

U.S. Army Forces in Liberia came under the command of Brigadier General Percy L. Sadler; there were some instances of conflict between the U.S. troops, almost entirely Black, and the Liberian population.

In 1944, with its entry into the war, Liberia adopted the United States dollar and became one of only four countries in Africa to join the newly formed United Nations.

The Africa-Middle East Theater of Operations was "established on March 1, 1945, was mainly concerned with the liquidation of the Army's property holdings and other interests in Africa, Palestine, and the Persian Gulf area. The North African installations of the Mediterranean Theater and its base commands at Casablanca were transferred to the new Theater in March 1945; the United States Army Forces in Liberia were transferred to it in April 1945." "The United States Army Forces in Liberia were subsequently under the North African Service Command, which was the former Mediterranean Base Section, at Casablanca. By 1946 all \[the Town Commands\] except the agency at Casablanca were discontinued." U.S. Army Forces in Liberia was inactivated on 28 February 1946.

## Further reading


title: Synophis zaheri

abstract: Synophis zaheri, also known as Zaher's shadow snake, is a species of snake in the family, Colubridae. It is found in Ecuador.

text:
# Synophis zaheri

***Synophis zaheri***, also known as **Zaher's shadow snake,** is a species of snake in the family, Colubridae. It is found in Ecuador.

## InfoBox

| *Synophis zaheri* | |
| --- | --- |
|  | |
| a = Synophis zaheri | |
| Conservation status | |
|
Vulnerable  (IUCN 3.1) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | *Synophis* |
| Species: | ***S. zaheri*** |
| Binomial name | |
| ***Synophis zaheri***
Pyron, Guayasamin, Peñafiel, Bustamante & Arteaga, 2015 | |
|


title: Xenohammus nigromaculatus

abstract: Xenohammus nigromaculatus is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It was described by Maurice Pic in 1926. It is known from Vietnam.

text:
# Xenohammus nigromaculatus

***Xenohammus nigromaculatus*** is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It was described by Maurice Pic in 1926. It is known from Vietnam.

## InfoBox

| *Xenohammus nigromaculatus* | |
| --- | --- |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Cerambycidae |
| Tribe: | Lamiini |
| Genus: | *Xenohammus* |
| Species: | ***X. nigromaculatus*** |
| Binomial name | |
| ***Xenohammus nigromaculatus***<br>(Pic, 1926) | |
|


title: Leon Kessel

abstract: Leon Kessel (1911–2001) was a South African international lawn bowler and team manager. He competed in the first World Bowls Championship in Kyeemagh, New South Wales, Australia in 1966 and won a bronze medal in the triples with Kelvin Lightfoot and Tommy Harvey at the event. He was the team manager of the all-conquering South African team during the 1976 World Outdoor Bowls Championship.

text:
# Leon Kessel

**Leon Kessel** (1911–2001) was a South African international lawn bowler and team manager.

He competed in the first World Bowls Championship in Kyeemagh, New South Wales, Australia in 1966 and won a bronze medal in the triples with Kelvin Lightfoot and Tommy Harvey at the event.

He was the team manager of the all-conquering South African team during the 1976 World Outdoor Bowls Championship.

## InfoBox

Leon Kessel
| Personal information | |
| --- | --- |
| Nationality | South Africa |
| Born | 1911 |
| Died | 2001 |
| Sport | |
| Club | Reading Country Club, Alberton<br>and Southern Transvaal |
| Medal record      Representing  South Africa   World Outdoor Championships  1966 Kyeemagh  triples | |


title: Trevor Rosier

abstract: Trevor Kenneth Rosier was an English cricketer who played five matches of List A cricket between 1968 and 1973. He was born in Stockwell, London. A right-handed batsman who bowled right-arm medium, Rosier made his Minor counties debut for Bedfordshire against Cambridgeshire in the 1968 Minor Counties Championship. He played 22 matches of Minor Counties cricket for Bedfordshire from 1968 to 1973. At the end of the 1972 season, when Bedfordshire challenged Yorkshire Second XI for the championship, he took 8 for 38 in Yorkshire's first innings and then scored 118 in Bedfordshire's reply; Bedfordshire went on to win by three wickets to secure their second Minor Counties Championship. He made his List A debut against Dorset in the 1st round of the 1968 Gillette Cup. He made 2 further List A appearances, against Hampshire in the 2nd round of the same competition and Lancashire in the 1973 Gillette Cup. In his 3 List A matches for Bedfordshire, he scored 82 runs at an average of 27.33, with a high score of 52. This score came against Hampshire. With the ball, he took 5 wickets at a bowling average of 25.00, with best figures of 3/22. He also made List A appearances for Minor Counties South, playing 2 matches in the 1973 Benson & Hedges Cup against Hampshire and Somerset. He scored 22 runs in these matches, which came at an average of 11.00 with a high score of 19. With the ball, he bowled 18 wicket-less overs.

text:
# Trevor Rosier

**Trevor Kenneth Rosier** (14 January 1943 – 16 July 2023) was an English cricketer who played five matches of List A cricket between 1968 and 1973. He was born in Stockwell, London.

A right-handed batsman who bowled right-arm medium, Rosier made his Minor counties debut for Bedfordshire against Cambridgeshire in the 1968 Minor Counties Championship. He played 22 matches of Minor Counties cricket for Bedfordshire from 1968 to 1973. At the end of the 1972 season, when Bedfordshire challenged Yorkshire Second XI for the championship, he took 8 for 38 in Yorkshire's first innings and then scored 118 in Bedfordshire's reply; Bedfordshire went on to win by three wickets to secure their second Minor Counties Championship.

He made his List A debut against Dorset in the 1st round of the 1968 Gillette Cup. He made 2 further List A appearances, against Hampshire in the 2nd round of the same competition and Lancashire in the 1973 Gillette Cup. In his 3 List A matches for Bedfordshire, he scored 82 runs at an average of 27.33, with a high score of 52. This score came against Hampshire. With the ball, he took 5 wickets at a bowling average of 25.00, with best figures of 3/22.

He also made List A appearances for Minor Counties South, playing 2 matches in the 1973 Benson & Hedges Cup against Hampshire and Somerset. He scored 22 runs in these matches, which came at an average of 11.00 with a high score of 19. With the ball, he bowled 18 wicket-less overs.

## InfoBox

Trevor Rosier
| Personal information | |
| --- | --- |
| Full name | Trevor Kenneth Rosier |
| Born | (1943-01-14)14 January 1943<br>Stockwell, London |
| Died | 16 July 2023(2023-07-16) (aged 80) |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Bowling | Right-arm medium |
| Domestic team information | |
| Years | Team |
| 1968–1973 | Bedfordshire |
|  | |
| Career statistics | |
| Competition List A  Matches 5  Runs scored 104  Batting average 20.80  100s/50s 0/1  Top score 52  Balls bowled 318  Wickets 5  Bowling average 45.40  5 wickets in innings 0  10 wickets in match 0  Best bowling 3/22  Catches/stumpings 2/– | |
|  | |
| Source: Cricinfo, 4 August 2011 | |


title: Patna Law College

abstract: Patna Law College is law institute in Patna, in the Indian state of Bihar. This is affiliated to the Patna University and courses were approved by the Bar Council of India of New Delhi.

text:
# Patna Law College

**Patna Law College** is law institute in Patna, in the Indian state of Bihar. This is affiliated to the Patna University and courses were approved by the Bar Council of India of New Delhi.

## History

Patna Law College was established in July 1909. Prior to the establishment of this Institution the teaching of Law used to be imparted in Patna College. Till 1917 the College was affiliated to Calcutta University. When Patna University came into existence in 1917, it became affiliated to it. Up to 1 January 1952, Patna Law College was a Government institution and functioned as an independent unit. From that date it became a constituent college of Patna University under the Patna University Act, 1951.

## InfoBox

Patna Law College
| Type | Public, Law college |
| --- | --- |
| Established | 1909 |
| Chancellor | Shri Fagu Chauhan |
| Vice-Chancellor | Prof. Girish Kumar Choudhary |
| Principal | Dr. Mahammad Sharif |
| Location | Patna, Bihar, India |
| Affiliations | Patna University |
| Website | www.patnalawcollege.ac.in |


title: Little Bras d'Or

abstract: Little Bras d'Or is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Cape Breton County on Cape Breton Island.

text:
# Little Bras d'Or

class=notpageimage|Little Bras d'Or in Nova Scotia

**Little Bras d'Or**  is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Cape Breton County on Cape Breton Island.

## Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Little Bras D'Or had a population of 148 living in 64 of its 68 total private dwellings, a change of 9.6% from its 2016 population of 135. With a land area of 3.85 km2 (1.49 sq mi), it had a population density of 38.4/km2 (99.6/sq mi) in 2021.

46°15′2.99″N 60°17′19.86″W / 46.2508306°N 60.2888500°W / 46.2508306; -60.2888500 (Little Bras d'Or, Nova Scotia)


title: Omphisa variegata

abstract: Omphisa variegata is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by George Hamilton Kenrick in 1912. It is found on New Guinea.

text:
# Omphisa variegata

***Omphisa variegata*** is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by George Hamilton Kenrick in 1912. It is found on New Guinea.

## InfoBox

| *Omphisa variegata* | |
| --- | --- |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Crambidae |
| Subfamily: | Spilomelinae |
| Tribe: | Margaroniini |
| Genus: | *Omphisa* |
| Species: | ***O. variegata*** |
| Binomial name | |
| ***Omphisa variegata***<br>Kenrick, 1912 | |
|


title: P Velorum

abstract: p Velorum is a triple star system in the constellation Vela. Parallax measurements by the Hipparcos spacecraft put it at a distance of 87.5 light-years, or 26.8 parsecs from Earth. It is visible to the naked eye with a combined apparent magnitude of 3.83. The primary component is a spectroscopic binary whose components have an orbital period of 10.21 days. The inner spectroscopic binary consists of two F-type stars, a subgiant and a main-sequence star. There is a companion star which is a white A-type main-sequence star, with an apparent magnitude of 5.76. It is separated 0.361 arcseconds from the primary and has an orbital period of 16.651 years.

text:
# P Velorum

**p Velorum** (abbreviated to **p Vel**) is a triple star system in the constellation Vela. Parallax measurements by the Hipparcos spacecraft put it at a distance of 87.5 light-years, or 26.8 parsecs from Earth. It is visible to the naked eye with a combined apparent magnitude of 3.83.

The primary component is a spectroscopic binary whose components have an orbital period of 10.21 days. The inner spectroscopic binary consists of two F-type stars, a subgiant and a main-sequence star. There is a companion star which is a white A-type main-sequence star, with an apparent magnitude of 5.76. It is separated 0.361 arcseconds from the primary and has an orbital period of 16.651 years.

1. van Leeuwen, F.; et al. (2007). "Validation of the new Hipparcos reduction". *Astronomy and Astrophysics*. **474** (2): 653–664. arXiv:0708.1752. Bibcode:2007A&A...474..653V. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20078357. S2CID 18759600.
2. Evans, D. S. (1969). "A Rediscussion of p Velorum". *Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society*. **142** (4): 523–541. Bibcode:1969MNRAS.142..523E. doi:10.1093/mnras/142.4.523.
3. "Sixth Catalog of Orbits of Visual Binary Stars". United States Naval Observatory. Archived from the original on 2017-08-01. Retrieved 2017-07-16.
4. Gontcharov, G. A. (2006). "Pulkovo Compilation of Radial Velocities for 35 495 Hipparcos stars in a common system". *Astronomy Letters*. **32** (11): 759–771. arXiv:1606.08053. Bibcode:2006AstL...32..759G. doi:10.1134/S1063773706110065. S2CID 119231169.
5. Eggl, S.; Pilat-Lohinger, E.; Funk, B.; Georgakarakos, N.; Haghighipour, N. (2013-02-01). "Circumstellar habitable zones of binary-star systems in the solar neighbourhood". *Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society*. **428** (4): 3104–3113. arXiv:1210.5411. Bibcode:2013MNRAS.428.3104E. doi:10.1093/mnras/sts257. ISSN 0035-8711.

## InfoBox

p Velorum
| Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000 | |
| --- | --- |
| Constellation | Vela |
|
| Right ascension | 10h 37m 18.13995s |
| Declination | −48° 13 32.2349 |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 3.83 (4.13 / 5.76) |
| Characteristics | |
|
| Spectral type | F3IV + F0V + A6V |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| U−B color index | +0.04 |
| B−V color index | +0.31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Astrometry | |
|  | |
| **Radial velocity (Rv)** | 21.20 ± 0.7 km/s |
| **Proper motion (μ)** | RA: -133.41 mas/yr
Dec.: -1.82 mas/yr |
| **Parallax (π)** | 37.26 ± 0.36 mas |
| **Distance** | 87.5 ± 0.8 ly
(26.8 ± 0.3 pc) |
| **Absolute magnitude (MV)** | 2.15 / 2.70 / 2.14 |
|  | |
| Orbit | |
| **Primary** | p Vel A |
| **Companion** | p Vel B |
| **Period (P)** | 16.651 yr |
| **Semi-major axis (a)** | 0.361″ |
| **Eccentricity (e)** | 0.726 |
| **Inclination (i)** | 128.5° |
| **Longitude of the node (Ω)** | 37.2° |
| **Periastron epoch (T)** | 2019.562 |
| **Argument of periastron (ω)**
(secondary) | 288.9° |
| Details | |
| p Vel Aa | |
| **Mass** | 1.88 |
| **Radius** | 2.56 |
| **Luminosity** | 12.5 |
| **Temperature** | 6,710 |
| p Vel Ab | |
| **Mass** | 1.29 |
| **Radius** | 1.22 |
| **Luminosity** | 2.79 |
| **Temperature** | 6,740 |
|  | |
| p Vel B | |
| **Mass** | 2.41 |
|  | |
| Other designations | |
| CD−47° 6042, HIP 51986, HR 4167, SAO 222199 | |
| **p Vel A**: HD 92139 | |
| **p Vel B**: HD 92140 | |
| Database references | |
| **SIMBAD** | data |


title: Vans Half Cab

abstract: Vans Half Cab was Steve Caballero's second signature shoe offered from Vans. This shoe came out 3 years after the Caballero. The new generation of skateboarders had been cutting the original Caballero into a mid top to help them perform more technical street flip tricks. Steve Caballero noticed this and Vans decided to offer a mid top version in 1992. Long time and current Vans' employee, Bunny Caminiti, altered the original Vans Caballero pattern to the sloped mid-top that is now known as the Half Cab.

text:
# Vans Half Cab

**Vans Half Cab** was Steve Caballero's second signature shoe offered from Vans. This shoe came out 3 years after the Caballero. The new generation of skateboarders had been cutting the original Caballero into a mid top to help them perform more technical street flip tricks. Steve Caballero noticed this and Vans decided to offer a mid top version in 1992. Long time and current Vans' employee, Bunny Caminiti, altered the original Vans Caballero pattern to the sloped mid-top that is now known as the Half Cab (Style 33 in Vans' non-sequential numbering system).

## History

Street skaters were using the original high top Caballero shoe in their own modified versions; they would cut the shoe down and then tape where they had cut the shoe. The shoe had been re-invented for the first of many times. "The Half Cab has become one of the most legendary skate shoes of all time, worn by an entire generation of pro riders who redefined street skating". The Caballero patch was taken off the side panel and was replaced with the words "Half Cab" and had a picture of Cab performing a half cab, or half caballerial.

In 2005 the Cab low was released as a dual signature shoe between Cab and former professional skateboarder Scott Kane. It featured a low top version of the Cab with a cupsole, unlike the Cab and Half Cab which featured Vans signature vulcanized "Waffle Grip". In 2007 the first Half Cab Pro was released. The differences between the Half Cab and the pro included the outsole, insole, and the use of premium materials. The outsole includes slightly shallower grip pattern, the insole is thicker, and offers more padding than the regular Half Cab and most other Vans and it is able to be taken out unlike most other Vans where the insole is glued in.

In 2009 Vans re-introduced the Cab as part of a twenty-year celebration. It was re-released in the original two colorways offered. In late 2009 the Cab low Vulc was introduced as a low top alternative to the mid.

The shoe is no exception to Vans collaborations with artists, bands, companies, and skate shops and is often released under exclusive colorways by itself, or in pack.

## Features

The Half Cab features a two piece toe cap, Vans signature Waffle Grip, various side panels that were included in the design of the original Cab, and is sold under the Vans Classic Line with upgraded version sold in the Pro Skate category.

* The Hypebeast
* Sneaker Obsession


title: Liberty National Life Complex

abstract: The Liberty National Life Complex, is a corporate office complex located in downtown Birmingham, Alabama. The complex is made up of two connecting buildings. The original building was built in 1925 and contains 10 stories. The second building, a 16-story building, was originally built in 1952 as a 10-story building, but was expanded in 1971 by six stories. The complex served as the corporate headquarters of Torchmark Corporation and its predecessor company, Liberty National Life, from 1925 until 2006.

text:
# Liberty National Life Complex

The **Liberty National Life Complex**, is a corporate office complex located in downtown Birmingham, Alabama. The complex is made up of two connecting buildings. The original building was built in 1925 and contains 10 stories. The second building, a 16-story building, was originally built in 1952 as a 10-story building, but was expanded in 1971 by six stories. The complex served as the corporate headquarters of Torchmark Corporation and its predecessor company, Liberty National Life, from 1925 until 2006.

## Background

The original 10 story building, built in 1925 contained, a replica of the Statue of Liberty located on a pedestal at the top of the building. The 36-foot (11 m) tall statue was moved to the Urban Center, an office complex off of Interstate 459 in Liberty Park, Alabama in 1989. Liberty Park is a commercial, residential and retail development between Torchmark Development Company and Drummond Company.

The south side of the complex's 16 story building contains a large version of the company's "Torch" Logo, which is the logo of both Liberty National and Torchmark. It is not often seen due to the company's 10 story parking deck that, built in 1991, that is located opposite the logo.

* "Liberty National Life Headquarters | Buildings | EMPORIS". *Emporis*. Archived from the original on August 12, 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2016.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

## InfoBox

| Liberty National Life Complex | |
| --- | --- |
|  | |
| General information | |
| Status | Completed |
| Type | Corporate Office |
| Location | 2011 Third Avenue South Birmingham, Alabama, USA |
| Coordinates | 33°30′36″N 86°48′06″W / 33.510014°N 86.801796°W / 33.510014; -86.801796 |
| Opening | Building One: 1925
Building Two: 1952 |
| Owner | Torchmark Corporation |
| Management | Torchmark Corporation |
| Height | |
| Antenna spire | Building One: 143 feet (44 m) |
| Top floor | Building One: 10
Building Two: 16 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | Building One: 10
Building Two: 16 |
| Floor area | 487,000 square feet (45,244 m2) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Building One:Warren Knight & Davis |
| Main contractor | Building Two:Brice Building Company |


title: Systemic scleroderma

abstract:
Systemic scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis, is an autoimmune rheumatic disease characterised by excessive production and accumulation of collagen, called fibrosis, in the skin and internal organs and by injuries to small arteries. There are two major subgroups of systemic sclerosis based on the extent of skin involvement: limited and diffuse. The limited form affects areas below, but not above, the elbows and knees with or without involvement of the face. The diffuse form also affects the skin above the elbows and knees and can also spread to the torso. Visceral organs, including the kidneys, heart, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract can also be affected by the fibrotic process.
Prognosis is determined by the form of the disease and the extent of visceral involvement. Patients with limited systemic sclerosis have a better prognosis than those with the diffuse form. Death is most often caused by lung, heart, and kidney involvement. The risk of cancer is increased slightly. Survival rates have greatly increased with effective treatment for kidney failure. Therapies include immunosuppressive drugs, and in some cases, glucocorticoids.

text:
# Systemic scleroderma

**Systemic scleroderma,** or **systemic sclerosis**, is an autoimmune rheumatic disease characterised by excessive production and accumulation of collagen, called fibrosis, in the skin and internal organs and by injuries to small arteries. There are two major subgroups of systemic sclerosis based on the extent of skin involvement: limited and diffuse. The limited form affects areas below, but not above, the elbows and knees with or without involvement of the face. The diffuse form also affects the skin above the elbows and knees and can also spread to the torso. Visceral organs, including the kidneys, heart, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract can also be affected by the fibrotic process. Prognosis is determined by the form of the disease and the extent of visceral involvement. Patients with limited systemic sclerosis have a better prognosis than those with the diffuse form. Death is most often caused by lung, heart, and kidney involvement. The risk of cancer is increased slightly.

Survival rates have greatly increased with effective treatment for kidney failure. Therapies include immunosuppressive drugs, and in some cases, glucocorticoids.

## Signs and symptoms

**C**alcinosis, **R**aynaud's phenomenon, **E**sophageal dysfunction, **S**clerodactyly, and **T**elangiectasia (CREST syndrome) are associated with limited scleroderma. Other symptoms include:

### Skin symptoms

In the skin, systemic sclerosis causes hardening and scarring. The skin may appear tight, reddish, or scaly. Blood vessels may also be more visible. Where large areas are affected, fat and muscle wastage may weaken limbs and affect appearance. Patients report severe and recurrent itching of large skin areas. The severity of these symptoms varies greatly among patients: Some having scleroderma of only a limited area of the skin (such as the fingers) and little involvement of the underlying tissue, while others have progressive skin involvement. Digital ulcers—open wounds especially on fingertips and less commonly the knuckles—are not uncommon.

### Other organs

Diffuse scleroderma can cause musculoskeletal, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, renal, and other complications. Patients with greater cutaneous involvement are more likely to have involvement of the internal tissues and organs. Most patients (over 80%) have vascular symptoms and Raynaud's phenomenon, which leads to attacks of discoloration of the hands and feet in response to cold. Raynaud's normally affects the fingers and toes. Systemic scleroderma and Raynaud's can cause painful ulcers on the fingers or toes, which are known as digital ulcers. Calcinosis (deposition of calcium in lumps under the skin) is also common in systemic scleroderma, and is often seen near the elbows, knees, or other joints.

Musculoskeletal

The first joint symptoms that patients with scleroderma have are typically nonspecific joint pains, which can lead to arthritis, or cause discomfort in tendons or muscles. Joint mobility, especially of the small joints of the hand, may be restricted by calcinosis or skin thickening. Patients may develop muscle weakness, or myopathy, either from the disease or its treatments.

Lungs

Some impairment in lung function is almost universally seen in patients with diffuse scleroderma on pulmonary function testing, but it does not necessarily cause symptoms, such as shortness of breath. Some patients can develop pulmonary hypertension, or elevation in the pressures of the pulmonary arteries. This can be progressive, and can lead to right-sided heart failure. The earliest manifestation of this may be a decreased diffusion capacity on pulmonary function testing. Other pulmonary complications in more advanced disease include aspiration pneumonia, pulmonary hemorrhage and pneumothorax.

Digestive tract

Diffuse scleroderma can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. The most common manifestation in the esophagus is reflux esophagitis, which may be complicated by esophageal strictures or benign narrowing of the esophagus. This is best initially treated with proton pump inhibitors for acid suppression, but may require bougie dilatation in the case of stricture.

Scleroderma can decrease motility anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. The most common source of decreased motility is the esophagus and the lower esophageal sphincter, leading to dysphagia and chest pain. As scleroderma progresses, esophageal involvement from abnormalities in decreased motility may worsen due to progressive fibrosis (scarring). If this is left untreated, acid from the stomach can back up into the esophagus, causing esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Further scarring from acid damage to the lower esophagus many times leads to the development of fibrotic narrowing, also known as strictures, which can be treated by dilatation.

In patients with neuromuscular disorders, particularly progressive systemic sclerosis and visceral myopathy, the duodenum is frequently involved. Dilatation may occur, which is often more pronounced in the second, third, and fourth parts. The dilated duodenum may be slow to empty, and the grossly dilated, atonic organ may produce a sump effect.

The small intestine can also become involved, leading to bacterial overgrowth and malabsorption of bile salts, fats, carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamins. The colon can be involved, and can cause pseudo-obstruction or ischemic colitis.

Rarer complications include pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis, or gas pockets in the bowel wall, wide-mouthed diverticula in the colon and esophagus, and liver fibrosis. Patients with severe gastrointestinal involvement can become profoundly malnourished.

Scleroderma may also be associated with gastric antral vascular ectasia, also known as "watermelon stomach". This is a condition in which atypical blood vessels proliferate, usually in a radially symmetric pattern around the pylorus of the stomach. It can be a cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding or iron-deficiency anemia in patients with scleroderma.

Kidneys

Kidney involvement, in scleroderma, is considered a poor prognostic factor and frequently a cause of death.

The most important clinical complication of scleroderma involving the kidney is scleroderma renal crisis (SRC), the symptoms of which are malignant hypertension (high blood pressure with evidence of acute organ damage), hyperreninemia (high renin levels), azotemia (kidney failure with accumulation of waste products in the blood), and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (destruction of red blood cells). Apart from the high blood pressure, hematuria (blood in the urine) and proteinuria (protein loss in the urine) may be indicative of SRC.

In the past, SRC was almost uniformly fatal. While outcomes have improved significantly with the use of ACE inhibitors, the prognosis is often guarded, as a significant number of patients are refractory to treatment and develop kidney failure. About 7–9% of all diffuse cutaneous scleroderma patients develop renal crisis at some point in the course of their disease. Patients who have rapid skin involvement have the highest risk of renal complications. It is most common in diffuse cutaneous scleroderma, and is often associated with antibodies against RNA polymerase (in 59% of cases). Many proceed to dialysis, although this can be stopped within three years in about a third of cases. Higher age and (paradoxically) a lower blood pressure at presentation make dialysis more likely to be needed.

Treatments for SRC include ACE inhibitors. Prophylactic use of ACE inhibitors is currently not recommended, as recent data suggest a poorer prognosis in patient treated with these drugs prior to the development of renal crisis. Transplanted kidneys are known to be affected by scleroderma, and patients with early-onset renal disease (within one year of the scleroderma diagnosis) are thought to have the highest risk for recurrence.

## Causes

No clear cause for scleroderma and systemic sclerosis has been identified. Genetic predisposition appears to be limited, as genetic concordance is small; still, a familial predisposition for autoimmune disease is often seen. Polymorphisms in *COL1A2* and *TGF-β1* may influence severity and development of the disease. Evidence implicating cytomegalovirus (CMV) as the original epitope of the immune reaction is limited, as is parvovirus B19. Organic solvents and other chemical agents have been linked with scleroderma.

One of the suspected mechanisms behind the autoimmune phenomenon is the existence of microchimerism, i.e. fetal cells circulating in maternal blood, triggering an immune reaction to what is perceived as foreign material.

A distinct form of scleroderma and systemic sclerosis may develop in patients with chronic kidney failure. This form, nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy or nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, has been linked to exposure to gadolinium-containing radiocontrast.

Bleomycin (a chemotherapeutic agent) and possibly taxane chemotherapy may cause scleroderma, and occupational exposure to solvents has been linked to an increased risk of systemic sclerosis.

## Pathophysiology

Overproduction of collagen is thought to result from an autoimmune dysfunction, in which the immune system starts to attack the kinetochore of the chromosomes. This would lead to genetic malfunction of nearby genes. T cells accumulate in the skin; these are thought to secrete cytokines and other proteins that stimulate collagen deposition. Stimulation of the fibroblast, in particular, seems to be crucial to the disease process, and studies have converged on the potential factors that produce this effect.

A significant player in the process is transforming growth factor (TGFβ). This protein appears to be overproduced, and the fibroblast (possibly in response to other stimuli) also overexpresses the receptor for this mediator. An intracellular pathway (consisting of *SMAD2*/*SMAD3*, *SMAD4*, and the inhibitor *SMAD7*) is responsible for the secondary messenger system that induces transcription of the proteins and enzymes responsible for collagen deposition. *Sp1* is a transcription factor most closely studied in this context. Apart from TGFβ, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) has a possible role. Indeed, a common *CTGF* gene polymorphism is present at an increased level in systemic sclerosis.

Damage to endothelium is an early abnormality in the development of scleroderma, and this, too, seems to be due to collagen accumulation by fibroblasts, although direct alterations by cytokines, platelet adhesion, and a type II hypersensitivity reaction similarly have been implicated. Increased endothelin and decreased vasodilation have been documented.

Jimenez and Derk describe three theories about the development of scleroderma:

* The abnormalities are primarily due to a physical agent, and all other changes are secondary or reactive to this direct insult.
* The initial event is fetomaternal cell transfer causing microchimerism, with a second summative cause (e.g. environmental) leading to the actual development of the disease.
* Physical causes lead to phenotypic alterations in susceptible cells (e.g. due to genetic makeup), which then effectuate DNA changes that alter the cells' behavior.

## Diagnosis

In 1980, the American College of Rheumatology agreed on diagnostic criteria for scleroderma.

Diagnosis is by clinical suspicion, presence of autoantibodies (specifically anticentromere and anti-scl70/antitopoisomerase antibodies), and occasionally by biopsy. Of the antibodies, 90% have a detectable antinuclear antibody. Anticentromere antibody is more common in the limited form (80–90%) than in the diffuse form (10%), and anti-scl70 is more common in the diffuse form (30–40%) and in African-American patients (who are more susceptible to the systemic form).

Other conditions may mimic systemic sclerosis by causing hardening of the skin. Diagnostic hints that another disorder is responsible include the absence of Raynaud's phenomenon, a lack of abnormalities in the skin on the hands, a lack of internal organ involvement, and a normal antinuclear antibodies test result.

## Treatment

No cure for scleroderma is known, though treatments exist for some of the symptoms, including drugs that soften the skin and reduce inflammation. Some patients may benefit from exposure to heat. Holistic care of patients comprising patient education tailored to patients' education level is useful in view of the complex nature of the disease symptoms and progress.

### Topical/symptomatic

Topical treatment for the skin changes of scleroderma do not alter the disease course, but may improve pain and ulceration. A range of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as naproxen, can be used to ease painful symptoms. The benefit from steroids such as prednisone is limited. Episodes of Raynaud's phenomenon sometimes respond to nifedipine or other calcium channel blockers; severe digital ulceration may respond to prostacyclin analogue iloprost, and the dual endothelin-receptor antagonist bosentan may be beneficial for Raynaud's phenomenon. Skin tightness may be treated systemically with methotrexate and ciclosporin. and the skin thickness can be treated with penicillamine.

### Kidney disease

Scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) is a life-threatening complication of systemic sclerosis that may be the initial manifestation of the disease. Renal vascular injury (due in part to collagen deposition) leads to renal ischemia, which results in activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). This raises blood pressure and further damages the renal vasculature, causing a vicious cycle of worsening hypertension and renal dysfunction (e.g., elevated creatinine, edema). Hypertensive emergency with end-organ dysfunction (e.g., encephalopathy, retinal hemorrhage) is common. Thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia can be seen. Urinalysis is usually normal but may show mild proteinuria, as in this patient; casts are unexpected.

The mainstay of therapy for SRC includes ACE inhibitors, which reduce RAAS activity and improve renal function and blood pressure. Short-acting ACE inhibitors (typically captopril) are used because they can be rapidly uptitrated. An elevated serum creatinine level is not a contraindication for ACE inhibitors in this population, and slight elevations in creatinine are common during drug initiation.

Scleroderma renal crisis, the occurrence of acute kidney injury, and malignant hypertension (very high blood pressure with evidence of organ damage) in people with scleroderma are effectively treated with drugs from the class of the ACE inhibitors. The benefit of ACE inhibitors extends even to those who have to commence dialysis to treat their kidney disease, and may give sufficient benefit to allow the discontinuation of renal replacement therapy.

### Lung disease

Active alveolitis is often treated with pulses of cyclophosphamide, often together with a small dose of steroids. The benefit of this intervention is modest.

Pulmonary hypertension may be treated with epoprostenol, treprostinil, bosentan, and possibly aerolized iloprost. Nintedanib was approved for use in the United States Food and Drug Administration on September 6, 2019, to slow the rate of decline in pulmonary function in patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD).

### Other

Some evidence indicates that plasmapheresis (therapeutic plasma exchange) can be used to treat the systemic form of scleroderma. In Italy, it is a government-approved treatment option. This is done by replacing blood plasma with a fluid consisting of albumin, and is thought to keep the disease at bay by reducing the circulation of scleroderma autoantibodies.

## Epidemiology

Systemic scleroderma is a rare disease, with an annual incidence that varies in different populations. Estimates of incidence (new cases per million people) range from 3.7 to 43 in the United Kingdom and Europe, 7.2 in Japan, 10.9 in Taiwan, 12.0 to 22.8 in Australia, 13.9 to 21.0 in the United States, and 21.2 in Buenos Aires. The interval of peak onset starts at age 30 and ends at age 50.

Globally, estimates of prevalence vary from 31.0 to 658.6 affected people per million. Systemic sclerosis has a female:male ratio of 3:1 (8:1 in mid- to late childbearing years). Incidence is twice as high among African Americans. Full-blooded Choctaw Native Americans in Oklahoma have the highest prevalence in the world (469 per 100,000).

The disease has some hereditary association. It may also be caused by an immune reaction to a virus (molecular mimicry) or by toxins.

## Society and culture

### Support groups

The Juvenile Scleroderma Network is an organization dedicated to providing emotional support and educational information to parents and their children living with juvenile scleroderma, supporting pediatric research to identify the cause of and the cure for juvenile scleroderma, and enhancing public awareness.

In the US, the Scleroderma Foundation is dedicated to raise awareness of the disease and assist those who are affected.

The Scleroderma Research Foundation sponsors research into the condition. Comedian and television presenter Bob Saget, a board member of the SRF, directed the 1996 ABC TV movie *For Hope*, starring Dana Delany, which depicts a young woman fatally affected by scleroderma; the film was based on the experiences of Saget's sister Gay.

Scleroderma and Raynaud's UK is a British charity formed by the merger of two smaller organisations in 2016 to provide support for people with scleroderma and fund research into the condition.

## Prognosis

A 2018 study placed 10-year survival rates at 88%, without differentiation based on subtype. Diffuse systemic sclerosis, internal organ complications, and older age at diagnosis are associated with worse prognoses.

## Research

Given the difficulty in treating scleroderma, treatments with a smaller evidence base are often tried to control the disease. These include antithymocyte globulin and mycophenolate mofetil; some reports have shown improvements in the skin symptoms, as well as delaying the progress of systemic disease, but neither has been subjected to large clinical trials.

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is based on the assumption that autoimmune diseases such as systemic sclerosis occur when the white blood cells of the immune system attack the body. In this treatment, stem cells from the patient's blood are extracted and stored to preserve them. The patient's white blood cells are destroyed with cyclophosphamide and rabbit antibodies against the white blood cells. Then, the stored blood is returned to the patient's bloodstream to reconstitute a healthy blood and immune system that will not attack the body. The results of a phase-III trial, the Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation International Scleroderma (ASTIS) trial, with 156 patients, were published in 2014. HSCT itself has a high treatment mortality, so in the first year, the survival of patients in the treatment group was lower than the placebo group, but at the end of 10 years, the survival in the treatment group was significantly higher. The authors concluded that HSCT could be effective, if limited to patients who were healthy enough to survive HSCT itself. Therefore, HSCT should be given early in the progression of the disease, before it does damage. Patients with heart disease, and patients who smoked cigarettes, were less likely to survive. Another trial, the Stem Cell Transplant vs. Cyclophosphamide (SCOT) trial, is ongoing.

Asengeprast is an experimental systemic scleroderma drug candidate. It is a small molecule inhibitor of the G-protein coupled receptor GPR68 with antifibrotic activity.

## InfoBox

| Systemic scleroderma | |
| --- | --- |
| Other names | Diffuse scleroderma, systemic sclerosis, Curzio's Syndrome |
|  | |
| Patient with systemic scleroderma | |
| Specialty | Rheumatology |


title: XXL (Young Posse song)

abstract: "XXL" is a song recorded by South Korean girl band Young Posse. It was released by Beast Entertainment on March 20, 2024, as the lead single for the extended play (EP) of the same name.

text:
# XXL (Young Posse song)

**"XXL"** is a song recorded by South Korean girl band Young Posse. It was released by Beast Entertainment on March 20, 2024, as the lead single for the extended play (EP) of the same name.

## Background and release

On March 4, 2024, Beats Entertainment announced Young Posse's second EP *XXL*, slated to be released on March 20. The release schedule was revealed a day later, followed by the track listing on March 7, with "XXL" announced as the lead single. Concept photos were released on March 9, showcasing the members in outfits reminiscence of 90s hip-hop. On March 19, a teaser for the music video for the song was released. The song was released digitally on March 20, along with its music video.

## Composition

"XXL" was co-written and composed by Kiggen and Rick Bridges. Musically, the song is described as an old-school hip hop song which pays homage to the song "Come Back Home" by the 90s Korean hip-hop group Seo Taiji and Boys.

## Credits and personnel

Adapted from Melon credits:

* Young Posse – vocals
* Kiggen – lyrics, composition, arrangement
* Rick Bridges – lyrics, composition, arrangement

## Charts

Chart performance for "XXL"
| Chart (2024) | Peak
position |
| --- | --- |
| South Korea Download (Circle) | 82 |

## InfoBox

| "XXL" | |
| --- | --- |
| Single by Young Posse | |
| from the EP  *XXL* | |
| Language | Korean |
| Released | March 20, 2024 |
| Genre | Old-school hip hop |
| Length | 2:32 |
| Label | Beats |
| Songwriter(s) |  |
| Producer(s) | * Kiggen * Rick Bridges |
| Young Posse singles chronology | |
| "Young Posse Up"
(2024) "**XXL**"
(2024) "On My Scars"
(2024) | |
|  | |
| Music video | |
| "XXL" on YouTube | |
|  | |


title: Leon Pohle

abstract: Friedrich Leon Pohle was a German painter. He is mostly known for his portraits.

text:
# Leon Pohle

**Friedrich Leon Pohle** (1 December 1841, Leipzig – 27 February 1908, Dresden) was a German painter. He is mostly known for his portraits.

## Life and work

Pohle began attending the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts when he was only fifteen years old. In 1860, he became a student of Jozef Van Lerius in Antwerp. After returning to Germany he went to Weimar, where he studied under Ferdinand Pauwels at the Weimar Saxon-Grand Ducal Art School. In 1866, he returned to his home town, although he went on several study trips. He settled down as a free-lance painter in Weimar in 1868.

Pohle's early work tended to be genre pieces and rather derivative. He later developed his own style in the field of history painting. He became a teacher at the Dresden Academy in 1877 and, later, a Professor. It was there that he made his name as a portraitist. Among his best known portraits are those of his fellow artists Ludwig Richter, Carl Gottlieb Peschel and Ernst Hähnel. He won several gold medals at local exhibitions. Osmar Schindler was one of his students.

A street in Dresden has been named the "Leon-Pohle-Straße" in his honor.