Ford not sure which direction they are going with the next RS. Looks like a tossup between going with a 5 door Focus RS and a 3 door Fiesta RS. Also an outside shot at an AWD Focus RS.
Please, dear God, Ford, give me a backup plan should Subaru neuter/make super expensive the STI. Or even just another option would be great. Although an AWD Fiesta RS 5-door would be awesome, if only they would consider it.
Finished a 7 page review paper in one night. (Does it still count as one night if I finish at 4:30 the next morning? Oh well, better go get my three hours of sleep. Manuscript in reply if any of you are interested in cephalopod ink defenses. #oppositelock(Edit comment)
Very little is known about the evolution of cephalopods. Shells of primitive cephalopods have been found in the fossil record, but it is nearly impossibly to infer anything about their body plan from these fossils. The ideal fossil for examining ancient cephalopods would be an octopod, but since they have a soft body, they would have decomposed rapidly, and as such, there are very few of such fossils available. In fact, only eight octopod fossil species have been found, in six genera (Clarkson 1998, Fuchs et. al. 2009). The oldest shell-less cephalopod fossil (296 mya), largely accepted as a primitive octopod, shows evidence of an ink sac (Kluessendorf 2000). A set of 95 million-year-old fossils of octopods found in Lebanon still have the same features as modern octopods, suggesting that very little evolution, and no change in body plan, has taken place in at least the last 100 million year (Fuchs et. al. 2009). The ink defense system of cephalopods, which as previously mentioned originated more than 300 million years ago, also seems to have been highly evolutionarily conserved. Melanin retrieved from an ink sac of a Jurassic-period (160 million years old) giant cephalopod is nearly identical to melanin found in modern cephalopods, specifically the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis (Glass et. al. 2012). Melanin is used in cephalopod ink not only as a dye (Mather et. al. 2010, Derby 2007), but also as a binding agent for other signal molecules, such as dopamine, preventing dilution and oxidation (Derby 2007), suggesting that its importance would lead to few changes in its evolutionary history. Although sea hares, another marine mollusc, exhibit a similar ink defense, it is believed that these are convergent defenses, and did not originate from a single common ancestor (Derby et. al. 2007). The ink sac in sea hares is not homologous to the one found in cephalopods, since it utilizes secretions from both an ink and an opaline gland (Johnson & Willows 1999), while cephalopod ink defenses only secrete ink (Mather et. al. 2010). Some scientists suggest that the ink sac in both cephalopods and sea hares is a modified hypobranchial gland (Derby 2007). The hypobranchial gland produces mucus and other biologically active compounds in molluscs. However, due to the ink sac’s location beneath the digestive gland (Mather et. al. 2010), the author believes that it may have evolved from a vestigial second stomach or digestive gland, and that inking behavior is a result of an emptying of stomach contents to reduce weight during a fight-or-flight response, similar to that of many vertebrates. In order for the ink defense in cephalopods to be so heavily conserved, it needs to exhibit some sort of positive (or negative) selection. Due to their behavior as mobile benthic invertebrates, cephalopods have a high exposure to predators (Wood et. al. 2010). One study of the Caribbean reef squid Sepioteuthis sepioidea reported an average of seven predatory encounters per hour (Hanlon & Messenger 1996). An ink defense allows cephalopods more time to escape from their predators. In fact, a study examining S. sepioidea found that inking increased predation time by the French grunts Haemulon flavolineatum by an average of 1.30 seconds (Wood et. al. 2010). Considering that the average swimming speed of these reef squid is 1.4 m/s, and they can reach speeds of 10 m/s (O’Dor 1988), inking behavior can give the squid a head start on their predator of 10 body lengths or more. Since inking is such a protean behavior, very few predators have adapted methods of dealing with it. This ink can deter predation in a number of ways. The most common function of cephalopod ink is that of an anti-predatory visual stimulus (Derby et. al. 2007, Mather et. al. 2010). An ink cloud can prevent visual predators from determing which direction a cephalopod traveled during its escape. In the "Blanch-Ink-Jet Maneuver," a cephalopod changes color and jets away at the same time that it releases a cloud of high-mucus ink. This cloud of ink maintains its shape and acts as a pseudomorph, or decoy, so that the predator attacks the ink cloud instead of the cephalopod (Derby 2007). The cuttlefish Sepia latimanus has been observed using what is known as a "Passing Cloud," where a dark patch moves along the body of the cuttlefish from posterior to anterior, culminating with the release of a dark cloud of ink in order to confuse predators as to the location of its prey (Mather et. al. 2010). In fact, the use of pseudomorphs as a defense against Green turtle hatchlings by Octopus bocki is so effective that more mature green turtles will no longer attempt to predate conspecific octopods (Caldwell 2005). The creation of pseudomorphs is possible because the duct which runs from the ink sac to the funnel, where it is jetted out of the mantle of the cephalopod, passes through a hypobrachial gland which adds mucus to the ink. Due to the incompleteness of the fossil record, it is impossible to determine at which point in the evolutionary history of this defense mucus became a prominent portion of ink secretions. Cephalopod ink has also been shown to act as a phagomimic (Derby et. al. 2007, Derby 2007, Mather et. al. 2010) to attract predators to one location while the prey flees. It also functions as a conspecific alarm cue in some species (Derby 2007, Wood et. al. 2010). Some species of cephalopod which live in unique environments have evolved special adaptations to their ink defense systems. Cephalopods are believed to have originated in shallow water environments (Kluessendorf 2000), and modern shallow water cephalopods have ink which is primarily black, brown, or purple in color. However, deep water cephalopods have been found to have ink that is red in color (Mather et. al. 2010). Some deep water species of squid (such as Heteroteuthis dispar) even maintain cultures of bioluminescent bacteria in their ink sacs instead of melanin, so that they are able to secrete a bioluminescent ink (Wood et. al. 2010, Mather et. al. 2010). However, related species of cephalopod still demonstrate markedly similar ink composition. There is evidence that the ink defense of cephalopods is currently evolving. Some deep water species do not use the ink defense, probably due to the fact that it would be ineffective as a visual predatory deterrent in the low light environment (Derby et. al. 2007). Many octopods have also developed other means of defenses. Ameloctopus littoralis and the undescribed "Wonderpus" both exhibit arm autonomy, while Blue-Ringed octopods (Hapalochlaena spp.) carry tetrodoxin-laden venom which is lethal even to large vertebrates such as humans. These octopods have greatly reduced or vestigial ink sacs (Huffard & Caldwell 2002). The Blue-Ringed octopods can ink as juveniles (up until 4 to 6 weeks) but not as adults (Huffard & Caldwell 2002), implying that perhaps ontogeny does recapitulate phylogeny. Some mature H. lunulata still exhibit inking as an artifact of unusually strong mantle contractions, but this ink elicited no reactions in predators or conspecifics, had little to no mucus content, and was diluted rapidly, suggesting that production of many of the chemical components of ink found in other cephalopods was no longer being produced (Huffard & Caldwell 2002). These observations suggest that the ink defense is disappearing in Blue-Ringed octopods, and will likely do the same in other genera of octopods and other cephalopods which are able to evolve an alternative defense mechanism. Although the lack of a significant fossil record for cephalopods prevents a proper understanding of the origins of the ink defense, the indications of strong evolutionary conservation suggest that this defense was instrumental in allowing cephalopods to occupy as large a portion of natural history as they do. Although some cephalopods seem to be discarding the trait, it is very unlikely that it will disappear from the phylogeny entirely, and we will continue to be able to enjoy the marvels of this novel defense mechanism. #oppositelock(Edit comment)
Arrived in NYC last night. Within an hour I had already seen a GT-R, a beautiful E39 wagon, several Jags, a Bentley... Manhattan is THE place for carspotting and I'm happy. :D #oppositelock(Edit comment)
If it's as tidy as it looks (and it looks pretty damn tidy), my vote is borderline NP. It does say negotiable, so that's a plus. And what little is visible of the interior looks reasonably good. #oppositelock(Edit comment)
Owner said: "Since the motorcycle was recovered, I have discussed with many people about what to do with it. I would be delighted if it could be preserved in its current condition and exhibited to the many visitors to the Harley-Davidson Museum as a memorial to a tragedy that claimed thousands of lives."
So I help coach a country club swim team in the summer which means that I have access to a pool whenever I goddamn feel like going. I have yet to go to sleep and I can't go in to work until around 7. I am seriously considering going to swim some laps to get my fat ass in shape. If it works out and I don't drown, it might end up being a regular thing I do before work. Wish me luck I don't drown. #oppositelock(Edit comment)
I need to start carrying a camera on me more, or get a camera phone once again.
One of the guys at work seriously screwed up one of the work vans. The van is a 2011 Caravan with the Stow-n-Go seats in it, and it's got about 50k miles on it. He was at one of the properties the company owns (a campground), and he backed over a fire hydrant with the left-rear corner of the van.
Yes, you read that right. Over it. The hydrant didn't break, fortunately. It broke the rear bumper cover and dented in the crash bar behind it as the van climbed up the hydrant, and when it came down the hydrant punched right through the rear floorpan.
With help from other employees, they stacked curbing behind the van, and drove up onto that to get the hydrant out of the floor. When they did that, the top of it carved a groove in the floor up to the rear suspension. Then, they stacked up more curbing in front of the rear tire, drove onto that, and off the hydrant.
Since we only have a limited fleet of vans, it's still in service until we can arrange a replacement while it's taken to the body shop for repairs.
Its raining. I got brand new summer rubber on the MR2. Went to grab some oppo on the way to work. The car on the new tires works like a charm in the wet, so safe and planned oppo was had, and now sitting at my desk, sipping a café au lait.
Like a boss. Image still not related, at all. #oppositelock
Now this really explains why BMW drivers are asshats.
[www.autoevolution.com]
#tips
(Edit comment)#oppositelock
Ford not sure which direction they are going with the next RS. Looks like a tossup between going with a 5 door Focus RS and a 3 door Fiesta RS. Also an outside shot at an AWD Focus RS.
[www.autocar.co.uk]
#tips
(Edit comment)#FordFriday
#oppositelock
AWD FOCUS RS 5-DOOR.
AWD FOCUS RS 5-DOOR!
AWD FOCUS RS 5-DOOR!!!!!!!!!
Please, dear God, Ford, give me a backup plan should Subaru neuter/make super expensive the STI. Or even just another option would be great. Although an AWD Fiesta RS 5-door would be awesome, if only they would consider it.
(Edit comment)Finished a 7 page review paper in one night. (Does it still count as one night if I finish at 4:30 the next morning?
Oh well, better go get my three hours of sleep. Manuscript in reply if any of you are interested in cephalopod ink defenses. #oppositelock (Edit comment)
The oldest shell-less cephalopod fossil (296 mya), largely accepted as a primitive octopod, shows evidence of an ink sac (Kluessendorf 2000). A set of 95 million-year-old fossils of octopods found in Lebanon still have the same features as modern octopods, suggesting that very little evolution, and no change in body plan, has taken place in at least the last 100 million year (Fuchs et. al. 2009).
The ink defense system of cephalopods, which as previously mentioned originated more than 300 million years ago, also seems to have been highly evolutionarily conserved. Melanin retrieved from an ink sac of a Jurassic-period (160 million years old) giant cephalopod is nearly identical to melanin found in modern cephalopods, specifically the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis (Glass et. al. 2012). Melanin is used in cephalopod ink not only as a dye (Mather et. al. 2010, Derby 2007), but also as a binding agent for other signal molecules, such as dopamine, preventing dilution and oxidation (Derby 2007), suggesting that its importance would lead to few changes in its evolutionary history.
Although sea hares, another marine mollusc, exhibit a similar ink defense, it is believed that these are convergent defenses, and did not originate from a single common ancestor (Derby et. al. 2007). The ink sac in sea hares is not homologous to the one found in cephalopods, since it utilizes secretions from both an ink and an opaline gland (Johnson & Willows 1999), while cephalopod ink defenses only secrete ink (Mather et. al. 2010).
Some scientists suggest that the ink sac in both cephalopods and sea hares is a modified hypobranchial gland (Derby 2007). The hypobranchial gland produces mucus and other biologically active compounds in molluscs. However, due to the ink sac’s location beneath the digestive gland (Mather et. al. 2010), the author believes that it may have evolved from a vestigial second stomach or digestive gland, and that inking behavior is a result of an emptying of stomach contents to reduce weight during a fight-or-flight response, similar to that of many vertebrates.
In order for the ink defense in cephalopods to be so heavily conserved, it needs to exhibit some sort of positive (or negative) selection. Due to their behavior as mobile benthic invertebrates, cephalopods have a high exposure to predators (Wood et. al. 2010). One study of the Caribbean reef squid Sepioteuthis sepioidea reported an average of seven predatory encounters per hour (Hanlon & Messenger 1996). An ink defense allows cephalopods more time to escape from their predators. In fact, a study examining S. sepioidea found that inking increased predation time by the French grunts Haemulon flavolineatum by an average of 1.30 seconds (Wood et. al. 2010). Considering that the average swimming speed of these reef squid is 1.4 m/s, and they can reach speeds of 10 m/s (O’Dor 1988), inking behavior can give the squid a head start on their predator of 10 body lengths or more. Since inking is such a protean behavior, very few predators have adapted methods of dealing with it.
This ink can deter predation in a number of ways. The most common function of cephalopod ink is that of an anti-predatory visual stimulus (Derby et. al. 2007, Mather et. al. 2010). An ink cloud can prevent visual predators from determing which direction a cephalopod traveled during its escape. In the "Blanch-Ink-Jet Maneuver," a cephalopod changes color and jets away at the same time that it releases a cloud of high-mucus ink. This cloud of ink maintains its shape and acts as a pseudomorph, or decoy, so that the predator attacks the ink cloud instead of the cephalopod (Derby 2007). The cuttlefish Sepia latimanus has been observed using what is known as a "Passing Cloud," where a dark patch moves along the body of the cuttlefish from posterior to anterior, culminating with the release of a dark cloud of ink in order to confuse predators as to the location of its prey (Mather et. al. 2010). In fact, the use of pseudomorphs as a defense against Green turtle hatchlings by Octopus bocki is so effective that more mature green turtles will no longer attempt to predate conspecific octopods (Caldwell 2005).
The creation of pseudomorphs is possible because the duct which runs from the ink sac to the funnel, where it is jetted out of the mantle of the cephalopod, passes through a hypobrachial gland which adds mucus to the ink. Due to the incompleteness of the fossil record, it is impossible to determine at which point in the evolutionary history of this defense mucus became a prominent portion of ink secretions.
Cephalopod ink has also been shown to act as a phagomimic (Derby et. al. 2007, Derby 2007, Mather et. al. 2010) to attract predators to one location while the prey flees. It also functions as a conspecific alarm cue in some species (Derby 2007, Wood et. al. 2010).
Some species of cephalopod which live in unique environments have evolved special adaptations to their ink defense systems. Cephalopods are believed to have originated in shallow water environments (Kluessendorf 2000), and modern shallow water cephalopods have ink which is primarily black, brown, or purple in color. However, deep water cephalopods have been found to have ink that is red in color (Mather et. al. 2010). Some deep water species of squid (such as Heteroteuthis dispar) even maintain cultures of bioluminescent bacteria in their ink sacs instead of melanin, so that they are able to secrete a bioluminescent ink (Wood et. al. 2010, Mather et. al. 2010). However, related species of cephalopod still demonstrate markedly similar ink composition.
There is evidence that the ink defense of cephalopods is currently evolving. Some deep water species do not use the ink defense, probably due to the fact that it would be ineffective as a visual predatory deterrent in the low light environment (Derby et. al. 2007). Many octopods have also developed other means of defenses. Ameloctopus littoralis and the undescribed "Wonderpus" both exhibit arm autonomy, while Blue-Ringed octopods (Hapalochlaena spp.) carry tetrodoxin-laden venom which is lethal even to large vertebrates such as humans. These octopods have greatly reduced or vestigial ink sacs (Huffard & Caldwell 2002). The Blue-Ringed octopods can ink as juveniles (up until 4 to 6 weeks) but not as adults (Huffard & Caldwell 2002), implying that perhaps ontogeny does recapitulate phylogeny. Some mature H. lunulata still exhibit inking as an artifact of unusually strong mantle contractions, but this ink elicited no reactions in predators or conspecifics, had little to no mucus content, and was diluted rapidly, suggesting that production of many of the chemical components of ink found in other cephalopods was no longer being produced (Huffard & Caldwell 2002). These observations suggest that the ink defense is disappearing in Blue-Ringed octopods, and will likely do the same in other genera of octopods and other cephalopods which are able to evolve an alternative defense mechanism.
Although the lack of a significant fossil record for cephalopods prevents a proper understanding of the origins of the ink defense, the indications of strong evolutionary conservation suggest that this defense was instrumental in allowing cephalopods to occupy as large a portion of natural history as they do. Although some cephalopods seem to be discarding the trait, it is very unlikely that it will disappear from the phylogeny entirely, and we will continue to be able to enjoy the marvels of this novel defense mechanism. #oppositelock (Edit comment)
#MorningOppo
#FordFriday
#oppositelock (Edit comment)
#MorningOppo
#FordFriday
#oppositelock (Edit comment)
#MorningOppo
#FordFriday
#oppositelock (Edit comment)
#MorningOppo
#FordFriday
#oppositelock (Edit comment)
#MorningOppo
#FordFriday
#oppositelock (Edit comment)
#MorningOppo
#FordFriday
#oppositelock (Edit comment)
#MorningOppo
#FordFriday
#oppositelock (Edit comment)
#MorningOppo
#FordFriday
#oppositelock (Edit comment)
#MorningOppo
#FordFriday
#oppositelock (Edit comment)
#MorningOppo
#FordFriday
#oppositelock (Edit comment)
#MorningOppo
#FordFriday
#oppositelock (Edit comment)
#MorningOppo
#FordFriday
#oppositelock (Edit comment)
#MorningOppo
#FordFriday
#oppositelock (Edit comment)
#MorningOppo
#FordFriday
#oppositelock (Edit comment)
#MorningOppo
#FordFriday
#oppositelock (Edit comment)
#MorningOppo
#FordFriday
#oppositelock (Edit comment)
'mornin
#fordfriday anyone?
(Edit comment)#oppositelock
Morning wood. #oppositelock (Edit comment)
It ain't everyday you hear about one of these swaps (diesel is $1.50tt per litre while premium is $4.00tt). I'm sure you guys would appreciate this.
Warning our car prices are crazy high btw (1US=6TT).
[www.trinituner.com] #oppositelock
(Edit comment)#oppositelock (Edit comment)
[sandiego.craigslist.org]
WWWWAAAANNNNTTTT #oppositelock
(Edit comment)So it looks like I have the day off; working construction for the summer and 2 inches of forecasted rain (already raining here) do not mix.
I'm too awake to go back to sleep so I think I'll work on some drawings and listen to some music, or perhaps some Forza.
#oppositelock
(Edit comment)1980 Chevrolet El Camino, 305 cui, 4 barrels, 200 000km, suspicious lack of interior pic, 5900$. NPOCP?
[www.lespac.com]
#oppositelock
('Morning.)
(Edit comment)#oppositelock (Edit comment)
Update: Harley to keep tsunami bike
[www.allaboutbikes.com]
Owner said:
"Since the motorcycle was recovered, I have discussed with many people about what to do with it. I would be delighted if it could be preserved in its current condition and exhibited to the many visitors to the Harley-Davidson Museum as a memorial to a tragedy that claimed thousands of lives."
#tips
(Edit comment)#oppositelock
This guy's average speed in this video is about 65 gears per second.
#oppositelock
(Edit comment)Really enjoying this lately...anyone else tried it? #oppositelock (Edit comment)
So I help coach a country club swim team in the summer which means that I have access to a pool whenever I goddamn feel like going. I have yet to go to sleep and I can't go in to work until around 7. I am seriously considering going to swim some laps to get my fat ass in shape. If it works out and I don't drown, it might end up being a regular thing I do before work. Wish me luck I don't drown. #oppositelock (Edit comment)
/ex-swimmer
/haven'ttouchedapoolin10+years #oppositelock (Edit comment)
[www.trademe.co.nz]
I want more money than I have.
#oppositelock (Edit comment)
Yes please. #oppositelock (Edit comment)
I need to start carrying a camera on me more, or get a camera phone once again.
One of the guys at work seriously screwed up one of the work vans. The van is a 2011 Caravan with the Stow-n-Go seats in it, and it's got about 50k miles on it. He was at one of the properties the company owns (a campground), and he backed over a fire hydrant with the left-rear corner of the van.
Yes, you read that right. Over it. The hydrant didn't break, fortunately. It broke the rear bumper cover and dented in the crash bar behind it as the van climbed up the hydrant, and when it came down the hydrant punched right through the rear floorpan.
With help from other employees, they stacked curbing behind the van, and drove up onto that to get the hydrant out of the floor. When they did that, the top of it carved a groove in the floor up to the rear suspension. Then, they stacked up more curbing in front of the rear tire, drove onto that, and off the hydrant.
Since we only have a limited fleet of vans, it's still in service until we can arrange a replacement while it's taken to the body shop for repairs.
#oppositelock
(Edit comment)Its raining. I got brand new summer rubber on the MR2. Went to grab some oppo on the way to work. The car on the new tires works like a charm in the wet, so safe and planned oppo was had, and now sitting at my desk, sipping a café au lait.
Like a boss. Image still not related, at all. #oppositelock
(Edit comment)Have to be up in 3 hours, haven't been to bed yet. Insomnia is fun! #oppositelock (Edit comment)
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