Category Archives: Anatomy

Anatomy

Ellen Pompeo REVEALS that Sandra Ohs exit from Greys Anatomy hit her harder than Patrick Dempseys – PINKVILLA

Ellen Pompeo is opening up about the heartbreaking exits of her Greys Anatomy co-stars Sandra Oh and Patrick Dempsey. In a recent chat with Dax Shepard, the actress revealed that Sandras death in the show hit her harder than Dempseys.

Save

Greys Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo looked back on how both Sandra Oh and Patrick Dempseys exits from the show affected her. The 51-year-old star chatted with Dax Shepard on his Armchair Expert podcast, revealing that Sandras exit weighed on her more than Patricks exit did. Ellen admitted that she had a fear about Sandra leaving and wondered if there even was a show without Sandra? She added that if she had left along with Sandra, she worried about being typecast.

Ellen went on, saying, Sandra is a different kind of actor. You never doubt whether Sandra Oh is gonna work again, right? Shell work forever, right? But for me, I had to think, Am I gonna work again? Or am I going to be so typecast?

However, with Patricks exit, Ellen was determined to stay and prove that she could carry the show without the man. I couldve left because the man left, which is not a story that I want to tell. Like, Hes not here anymore, so I have to go. So that story then becomes, What can I do without the man? Because they had put that in my head for so long that I was no good without him, she says.

Ellen added that she stayed and one of the reasons was that she wanted [to] prove to [herself] that they were wrong in all of the things they put into [her] head over all of those years.

ALSO READ: Ellen Pompeo gets candid about watching herself age from 33 to 50 on Greys Anatomy: Its not so fun

x Your comment has been submitted to the moderation queue

Excerpt from:
Ellen Pompeo REVEALS that Sandra Ohs exit from Greys Anatomy hit her harder than Patrick Dempseys - PINKVILLA

Anatomy

The Anatomy of an Acoustic Guitar – Reverb News

Learning an instrument is a lifelong journey, but it's not only about technique and tone. It's also about understanding how the instrument in your hands was made. Nowhere is this more true than with acoustic guitars. Knowing the parts that comprise the whole means stepping into that space where craftsmanship meets engineering.

Whether you've had an acoustic in hand for decades or are just beginning your adventure with the instrument, this guide dissects an acoustic guitar from tip to toe and explores what makes each part tick.

Unlike electric guitars, which have a variety of configurations of the locations for tuning pegs, the vast majority of acoustic guitars are split with three up top and three below. This is in part due to heritage but also in part to physics: Since acoustic guitars typically have heavier-gauge strings, the distribution of tension on the horizontal axis of the neck helps maintain intonation and minimize torsion.

Tuning pegs can extend through the middle of the headstock on many old acoustics.

Acoustic guitars do, however, have more options on the orientation and mechanics of tuning pegs. Closed back machine heads are more standard. Some builders retain the classic feel and function of open-back designs.

The material construction of tuning pegs varies widely, though stainless steel is the most common. Some designs may also integrate more tonal materials, such as brass on the tuning barrels for added sustain and warmth.

Old-school acoustics and vintage restoration instruments may have what is becoming a rarity in tuner-peg positions: With tuning machines and pegs set perpendicular to the headstock itself, the tuning pegs extend through the headstock, allowing for a naturally arcing string-wind.

The next component your string touches is the nut, which cradles the strings as they stretch down the fretboard. Though slender and easily overlooked, the nut is an essential ingredient in the tonal quality of your acoustic instrument. The shape and size of the nut will depend on the design of your guitar.

Arguably, it's the materials it's made of that matters the most. Traditionally, animal bone was the go-to option for rich and full tone. However, advances in synthetic materials allowed for other innovations. These days some of the more common nut materials include synthetic ivory or bone, such as those in the line of Graph Tech TUSQ nuts.

This Cordoba Classical has a 52mm (2.04") nut.

Though it's one of the smallest components of your guitar, nut dimensions vary and make a massive difference in tone and playability. The height of the nut, as well as the depth of notches for strings, is one of the main variables securing your instrument's intonation and string height.

The width of the nut too matters as it establishes a main measurement of the fretboard. Typically, steel-string acoustic nut widths range from 41mm (1.61" or 1 5/8") to 47mm (1.85"), with many coming in at the middle around 4344mm (from 1.6875" or 1 11/16" to 1.73" or 1 3/4"). Classical or nylon-string guitars are typically wider at the nut, and are commonly 51mm (2") or larger.

A difference of a few millimeters can drastically change how a guitar feels and plays. Depending on the size of your hand and your preferred style of playing, you may prefer a smaller or wider nut, with larger sizes allowing more space for fingerpicking styles.

If you're buying a new instrument, the design and crafting crews have likely set the exact specifications for optimal performance. If, however, you're looking to do a DIY nut upgrade, be sure to do your homework on the size and spacing to ensure your upgrade helps your instrument become even more of its truest self.

Once free of the nut, your strings run down the neck. This portion of your instrument consists of up to four elements. Some you see, some you don't. Yet all work together to provide a tonal runway for your fretting fingers.

Your neck is likely constructed of at least two pieces of wood. The first is a slab out front that we call the fretboard. The vast majority of acoustic fretboards are made of darker-colored hardwoodssuch as rosewood or ebonywhich offer both durability and impart tonal character. The fretboard is joined to the neck itself, which is that contoured piece of wood your palm cradles in the back. Here too, a variety of materials abound. While maple or mahogany is common, acoustic builders may also match neck materials with those of the body.

When your neck and fretboard are matched up the shape and dimensions are strategically set. Neck shapes are often brand-specific but generally fall into a range of hard to soft "C" or "V" profiles.

Custom Shop Jimmy Page Dragon Telecaster, C-profile neck.

The other measurement that matters for neck profile is the radius of the fretboard. In short, while some classical or vintage acoustics have prairie flat fretboards, most have degrees of curve to them for increased playability. Acoustic guitars typically will have fretboard radius of 10", 12", or 16", with the smaller numbers reflecting a more accentuated arc.

Finally, the scale-length of any guitar is also an important measurement and something to consider when buying an acoustic. The scale-length is the distance between the nut and the bridge. Generally, described as "short" or "long" scales, the measurements here generally range from 24" to 25.5" or longer. Gibsons famously use a 24.75" scale-length (though it has varied somewhat over time), while Martin's standard scale-length is 25.34".

Martin SC-13E, 24 3/4" scale

The neck also has up to two metal components that complete the ensemble. Of course, there are the frets out front. These come in various sizes, both in width and height. While modern electric guitars typically range from 22 to 24 frets, acoustic guitars typically have fewer, with most landing in the 20-fret range. In terms of material, you can expect to find brass, nickel, or steel, with the former typically found on vintage instruments.

The second metal component is under the hood: the truss rod. While not all acoustics will have one, truss rods are inset within the neck and typically run from the heel to just under the nut. As you change to lighter or heavier gauges of strings, truss rods ensure the right balance of rigidity and flexibility so your neck doesn't bow. Tinkering with a truss rod is an art and science. Typically adjustments are made by removing a small truss rod cover right above the nut on the front face of the headstock.

When all of those components are brought together, your acoustic guitar neck is a material and tonal combo that connects at the heel to the body.

Luthiers have developed a deep catalog of acoustic body designs that are the result of endless variations and innovations of three key elements: shapes, woods, and construction.

Since the body of your acoustic functions as a resonant chamber, it's no surprise that the dimensions and shape of the body make a huge difference on sound projection and sustain. There are a number of shapes that contribute to a growing typology of acoustic guitars. But the most common categories include the following:

Dreadnought: This iconic shape with large shoulders and large lower-ends are your all-around strumming and picking machines.

Grand Auditorium: This design takes the best of the dreadnought but modernizes it by narrowing the waist of the guitar slightly and at times enhancing fretboard reach with a cutaway.

Orchestra: These feature an almost shrunken-dreadnought type body that results in more maneuverability and brighter tones ideal for finger-picking.

Concert: This throwback to the mid-19th century is a mid-size body that champions EQ in the mid- and upper-ranges, making it ideal for cutting through any unplugged session.

Jumbo: The name says it all. This one looks like a dreadnought that put on a few pounds but uses that new space to bellow out still more bottom end and bigger sounds.

Parlor: Small but bold, these designs are known for strong projection of mid-range tones.

Mini: These compact builds are ideal for mobility or smaller players.

7 Acoustic Guitar Body Shapes, Their Differences and Sounds

When it comes to woods, acoustic guitar builders have experimented with just every material on the green earth. It's common to feature a different tonewood for the top of the guitarknown as the soundboardfrom the back and sides.

Top woods like spruce or cedar impart a pop to the sound as it resonates and escapes the sound hold. The back and sides are commonly constructed over hardwoods known for deeper tones, such as mahogany or rosewood. Of course, some designs opt for a single wood for tops and sides, like koa, to give the guitar an all-encompassing tonal voice.

With the shape set and woods selected, construction is where craftsmanship, innovation, and budget intersect in acoustic designs. Bodies will either be constructed of laminated or solid woods. The former are made of layered and bound wood, which is generally a more economical approach. Solid tops and backs are less friendly on the pocket book but often result in richer tones and resonance.

Ladder Bracing | More Treble, More Air

X-Bracing | Tighter, Focused Mid-Range

The bracing of the bodythat inner skeleton of the body that seems to ingest all those picks dropped through the soundholealso affects sound and provides space for luthier's to develop the DNA of their design. Even more than body shapes, bracing "patterns" are diverse, with X-bracing and A-bracing common in steel-string acoustics, and fan-bracing or lattice-bracing common in classical guitars.

These patterned wood reinforcements are most often constructed of spruce. Because the patterns are bound to the body they also play a role in transferring vibration within and out of the guitar. That is, they're literally unseen and unsung heroes merging sonics and physics that help get the sound your fingers play to your inner ear.

No other instrument on earth is as versatile as the acoustic guitar. It's a staple on stage and in the studio, has annual gigs for months on end by summer campfires, is both the gateway for new players and tool for seasoned songwriters, and is equally at home in a Sunday service or resistance march. Whether unplugged or electrified, the endless possibilities for configuring the above components make acoustic guitars both classic and forward-thinking.

Buying Guide: Acoustic Guitars

Everything you need to know about body shapes, styles, and other considerations

Continued here:
The Anatomy of an Acoustic Guitar - Reverb News

Anatomy

Eye on the Lowcountry: The Anatomy of the Eye – WCBD News 2

Strom ThurmondNews / 16 hours ago

Parade honoring Lt. Hendricks.News / 17 hours ago

Regal Cinemas reopens two locations in the LowcountryNews / 19 hours ago

3 Degree Guarantee for Friday, August 21stNews / 20 hours ago

Babe ClubNews / 21 hours ago

Doom FlamingoNews / 21 hours ago

Rob's 5pm Weather Artist of the Day for Friday, August 21stNews / 22 hours ago

Rob's 4pm Friday, August 21st Weather Artist of the DayNews / 22 hours ago

Gov. McMaster calls on DHEC to issue guidance visitation at nursing homes, assisted living facilitiesNews / 23 hours ago

Mayor Tecklenburg speaks to News 2 about city's COVID-19 responseNews / 23 hours ago

Former Lowcountry athlete prepares for first season with Arizona CardinalsNews / 24 hours ago

CCSO completes annual culture trainingNews / 1 day ago

Excerpt from:
Eye on the Lowcountry: The Anatomy of the Eye - WCBD News 2

Anatomy

Virtual anatomy labs and at-home dissections: Stanford summer programs thrived online – Scope

In early July, a package arrived at the family home of Caitlin Dinh in Fallbrook, California. Inside were a vacuum-sealed sheep brain and pig heart, a suturing kit, a blood pressure cuff and a stethoscope.

Dinh had received the package so she could participate in Stanford Medicine's Clinical Summer Internship program. As instructors watched via Zoom, she applied the blood pressure cuff and stethoscope on her mom (vitals all normal!), and she dissected the heart and brain. She also practiced suturing a fresh pig's foot she bought at a butcher shop.

When Dinh, a rising junior at the University of Southern California, had registered for the program in January, she expected to spend two weeks on the Stanford campus with other undergraduate and high school students, attending lectures and learning clinical skills. Disappointed but not surprised when COVID-19 forced the program online, Dinh said she nevertheless "really enjoyed the course."

"I learned more about medicine in two weeks than I did in two years of college," she said.

Stanford Medicine offers about 20 programs for high school and undergraduate students every summer; they focus on various aspects of medicine, such as anesthesia, research and public health. While the pandemic caused the cancellation of some courses that required in-person learning, others shifted online.

One course went a step further: The Clinical Anatomy Summer Program moved into virtual reality. In addition to sending suturing tools, Stanford Medicine staff shipped VR kits to the high schoolers enrolled in the two-week course.

Wearing headsets, the students "met" in a virtual reality anatomy lab where their avatars could explore three-dimensional models of hearts, lungs and other organs. They "held" the organs, rotated them around, even poked their heads inside for a look at the inner workings.

Sakti Srivastava, MD, professor of anatomy, said that when shelter-in-place orders happened, he knew his department couldn't offer the program in person. But he and others had been developing a VR course for medical students studying in low-resource countries, and they wondered if it might work for the high schoolers.

"We scratched our heads and said, 'We've been doing this other VR work. Can we put something together on short notice?'" Srivastava said.

They reorganized the course, offering two one-week sessions of online lectures interspersed with VR visits to the anatomy lab. "The great majority of students liked it and said they learned a lot," Srivastava said.

Another course, Explore, a lecture series on biomedical research for high school students, became a webinar. In years past, students commuted to the Stanford campus for three hours of lectures and discussions; this summer, they tuned in every weekday morning for a month, learning about bioengineering, cancer, neuroscience and many other aspects of a career in research.

With 154 students, a webinar was the only viable option, said Cindy Limb, managing director of the program. Though the high schoolers were muted, they were able to type in questions and receive answers in real time.

"They constantly submitted questions," Limb said. "They were really engaged in the topics."

The directors of the Clinical Summer Internship also found the multitude of questions to be one of the upsides of virtual classes: Students who are normally shy about raising a hand in a class often have no trouble typing in a question during an online session, they said. Another benefit was that they could magnify a video of an instructor showing a dissection.

"The students were great, really adaptable and flexible," said Sarita Khemani, MD, a clinical associate professor of medicine and co-director of the internship. "They were so eager to learn, they made it work."

Photo of Maximilian Floridia, a rising high school senior from Redlands, California, taking his mom's blood pressure and photo of Kayla Stephens courtesy of Stanford Medicine's Summer Clinical Internship program. Image of Stanford Medicine's Clinical Anatomy Summer Program's virtual lab by technology consultant Matt Hasel.

Read the original:
Virtual anatomy labs and at-home dissections: Stanford summer programs thrived online - Scope

Anatomy

The Anatomy of Stereotypes: Japan and the "Amae" Myth – Unseen Japan

Needling your partner into buying you a frivolous gift. Acting coy to convince a coworker to do some menial task for you, even though youre more than capable of performing that task yourself. Pouting and splaying yourself dramatically across the nearest surface to get someones attention.

Chances are, youve engaged in similar indulgent behaviors. Theres even a word for this in Japanese: amae (). Amae derives from the verb amaeru () meaning to depend on others, act like a spoiled child, or presume on anothers kindness for emotional fulfillment.

Popularized by psychoanalyst Doi Takeo in the early 70s, amae has been hailed by some as the keyword explaining the Japanese psyche. Its undergone numerous dissections in both Japanese and Western academic articles and used to differentiate Japanese and Western child-rearing habits.

Is amae that unique to Japan? The short answer is no. But how and why did it become viewed as a Japanese-only concept?

Amae already existed in the Japanese lexicon prior to Dois discovery. Amai () is also common, meaning sweet, sugary, and naive, among other definitions. Its also similar to the verb amayakasu () meaning to pamper or spoil.

While Doi does point out that amae exists in other cultures, he argues that Japan is unique in having a word for it ingrained in their daily lexicon. He would be correct there. However, Doi also partly hinges his argument on the inability to translate amae into English.

Amae has morphed into other nominal forms as well. (amaenbo) describes a spoiled person or animal who constantly demands affection. Your cat begging for head scratches every fifteen minutes when youre trying to read a book is acting amaenbo. A simple YouTube search of will garner you hundreds of videos of cats, dogs, even rabbits acting amae, begging for treats or pets, much to the laughing consternation of their owners. The videos with humans feature a more intimate and playful dynamic, usually with a woman acting coquettish towards her boyfriend.

13 [] https://news.tv-asa

(amae jouzu) is used to describe someone whos very good at giving puppy-dog eyes and getting others to spoil or do something for them. For example, I was very skilled at coaxing my ex to dispose of any spiders or earwigs in the apartment, even though I wasnt particularly grossed out by those insects and could do it myself.

Doi Takeo ( ) is the person credited with framing amae as a psychological phenomenon at the core of Japanese social interactions. He was a psychoanalyst and professor at the University of Tokyo. He also practiced abroad in the United States, and his various culture shocks drove him to explore what made the Japanese what they were. His work culminated in the 1971 book The Structure of Amae ( (Amae no Kozo). Dois book became a bestseller, and was translated into English in 1973 by John Bester, who rendered amae as dependence.

Doi loosely defines amae as the desire to depend and presume upon anothers love or bask in anothers indulgence. The ideal relationship to express this need is that between a parent (usually a mother) and child:

The psychological prototype of amae lies in the psychology of the infant in its relationship to its mother; not a newborn infant, but an infant who has already realized that its mother exists independently of itself [A]s its mind develops it gradually realizes that itself and its mother are independent existences, and comes to feel the mother as something indispensable to itself, it is the craving for close contact thus developed that constitutes, one might say, amae.

A child begging for a snack or story while the mother is working is an example of amae. The emotional reward is priceless and beneficial to both parties, as the child experiences a sweet sensation of being taken care of, while the mother feels needed and trusted.

Dois book may have become a bestseller, but that doesnt mean it wasnt without criticism. Some critics didnt like the vague openness of Dois definition and lack of empirical data to back his claims. Others found the book leaned too closely towards Nihonjinron (), texts that perpetuate Japans national and cultural uniqueness.

While Doi does point out that amae exists in other cultures, he argues that Japan is unique in having a word for it ingrained in their daily lexicon. He would be correct there. However, Doi also partly hinges his argument on the inability to translate amae into English. Yet translators have found suitable English counterparts, such as whining, pouting, coaxing, and sulking. Spoiling or indulging someone tends to be looked down upon in the US; the English translations thus inevitably carry somewhat negative connotations. Alternatively, a translation can be found through a combination of words, some of which Doi provides himself such as wish to be loved or dependency needs. The point remains that just because a word doesnt have an exact equivalent in another language doesnt mean its impossible to translate or doesnt exist in another culture.

With such a broad definition, amae has been used to excuse numerous behaviors and social constructs. This 2019 BBC article conflates amae with workplace sexism, citing an example of a male boss demanding his female employees serve tea. Again, thats not amae, just sexism. An example of amae within this scenario can still be found, but in order for it to be an act of amae, we would have to see the female employees beguiling their male boss into serving tea instead. A proper representation of amae is one where an individual within the subservient position is able to leverage control over one in a dominant position. The example in the BBC article merely reinforces the sexist gender roles that continue to perpetuate Japanese society.

Calling amae the foundation of all social interactions in Japan erases the myriad other ways relationships between people form.

However, acting amae in the workplace can be disadvantageous, especially if youre a woman. This incredibly sexist article laments the behavior of pampered women who hoist difficult tasks on their male coworkers who, of course, take their careers much more seriously than women do. Theres also a massive amount of articles on how to perform amae at work or in romantic relationships, and most of them are geared towards women. Amae to a certain extent falls under the umbrella of kawaii, or cute. However, articles like these enforce the idea that women have to act childish and manipulative to get their way.

Rather than an emotion, amae covers a variety of behaviors, relationships, and mutual understandings. Its also considered unacceptable to act coquettish and needy with someone who hasnt agreed to engage in that behavior. Age and social status also play a part. Id act needy to my boyfriend of two years, but I wouldnt presume to do the same with a new coworker, especially if they were younger than me. Successfully carrying out amae involves the ability to read social cues, a skill not everyone is adept at or capable of doing.

Does amae exist in other countries outside of Japan? You bet. Amae isnt unique to Japan; the only unique factor lies in how embedded amae is in the Japanese language. As many have pointed out, theres a danger in casting amae as a purely Japanese concept; doing so perpetuates the myth that Japan, and therefore Japanese people, are special. Calling amae the foundation of all social interactions in Japan erases the myriad other ways relationships between people form. It also smacks of homogeneity numerous other ethnic communities who call Japan home may not necessarily structure relationships on amae.

Recently, its been trendy for non-Japanese writers to pen pieces elucidating on a profound Japanese word (which contributed to the birth of the Japanese art of _____ meme). Fortunately, amae hasnt fallen prey to too many Western romanticizing clickbait pieces. Hopefully it stays that way.

Doi, T. (1973). The anatomy of dependence. (Trans. John Bester). Kodansha International.

Niiya, Y., Ellsworth, P. C., & Yamaguchi, S. (2006). Amae in Japan and the United States: An exploration of a culturally unique emotion. Emotion, 6(2), 279295. doi:10.1037/1528-3542.6.2.279

Read more from the original source:
The Anatomy of Stereotypes: Japan and the "Amae" Myth - Unseen Japan

Anatomy

Anatomy of an NBA champion: Which playoff teams fit the statistical profile? – theScore

What does a champion look like?

Anyone familiar with the pantheon of NBA champions knows that certain teams have dominated - only 12 franchises have won the last 40 titles. But what do those champions have in common? Do they provide a statistical profile we can use to learn about this year's playoffs?

After identifying a group of common statistical characteristics last year, the Bucks, Warriors, and Raptors came out as the most likely champions, with the Trail Blazers being identified as a sleeper contender. As it turned out, the Raptors took out the Bucks in the Eastern Conference finals and defeated the decimated Warriors for the championship, while the Blazers made a surprise run to the West finals.

When we're looking for statistical similarities among championship teams to help us evaluate this year's postseason field, we'll use the last 15 seasons. The NBA's current 30-team, six-division scheduling format has been in place since 2004-05. The league had already adopted rules that prioritized offense by eliminating hand-checking and illegal defenses. And it's also recent enough to account for the modern importance of 3-point shooting.

Let's dig into the numbers that link these NBA champions and see what they say about this year's playoff teams.

Modern champions have compiled a minimum win percentage of .634 - the equivalent of 52 wins in 82 games - and a top-five overall record during the regular season.

Even that might be a bit conservative, as the winning percentage outlier, the 2005-06 Heat, were on a 55-win pace (41-20) after Pat Riley took over coaching duties from Stan Van Gundy, and a 58-win pace (42-17) with Shaquille O'Neal in the lineup after the big man missed 18 of 20 games to start the season. You'll also notice that the last seven champs finished with top-three records.

Who fits the bill this year? Bucks, Raptors, Lakers, Clippers, Celtics

Who doesn't measure up? Nuggets, Rockets, Thunder, Heat, Pacers, Jazz, 76ers, Mavericks, Magic, Nets, Trail Blazers

Nearest outlier: Nuggets

Denver (.630) finished one win shy of cracking the .634 threshold and placed sixth overall rather than in the top five. It's not a stretch to say the Nuggets would've made up the difference had rookie Michael Porter Jr. been healthy and at his best all season.

An NBA champion needs to boast a top-eight scoring differential and top-eight net rating per 100 possessions. Specifically, the previous champions have outscored opponents during the regular season by at least 3.9 points per 48 minutes or 4.1 points per 100 possessions. The 2011 Mavs are an obvious outlier here, and a top-five differential might be the more accurate cutoff.

Who fits the bill? Bucks, Raptors, Lakers, Clippers, Celtics, Mavericks

Who doesn't measure up? Nuggets, Thunder, Pacers, Rockets, Heat, Jazz, 76ers, Nets, Magic, Trail Blazers

Potential outlier: Thunder

Forget playing at a championship level; Oklahoma City played at an all-time level with its best lineup on the floor this season. The five-man combination of Chris Paul, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Dennis Schroder, Danilo Gallinari, and Steven Adams outscored opponents by 29.9 points per 100 possessions in 177 minutes together - a full seven points better than the NBA's next-best lineup. The Thunder have the top-performing quintet among 218 lineups that logged at least 100 minutes together over the last two seasons.

Notwithstanding the 2009-10 Lakers, a top-nine offensive rating (points per 100 possessions), a top-six effective field-goal percentage, and a top-20 3-point percentage are all requirements for a championship offense. Dig deeper and you'll find that as NBA offenses have shifted to emphasize the 3-point shot, the last eight champions all finished in the top nine in 3-point shooting.

However, in the interest of consistency, we'll include the 2010 Lakers and say that the 2020 champion only requires a top-11 offensive rating, a top-15 eFG%, and a top-23 3-point percentage.

Those very modest cutoffs don't really discriminate.

Who fits the bill? Bucks, Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets, Heat, Jazz, Mavericks,Trail Blazers

Who doesn't measure up? Raptors, Celtics, Thunder, Pacers, Rockets, 76ers, Nets, Magic

Potential outliers: Rockets, Celtics, Lakers

Houston missed the 3-point accuracy cutoff by 0.3 percentage points, while Boston missed the eFG% cutoff by only 0.1 percentage points. Meanwhile, the Lakers barely qualified, as the last 15 champions have all had top-23 3-point shooting teams, and Los Angeles ranked 22nd in that category this season.

Although offense gets all the attention, every champion in our sample finished in the top 11 on the defensive end, with at least a top-13 mark in opponents' effective field-goal percentage. Also, note that 12 of the last 13 champions finished in the top eight in limiting opponents' effective field-goal percentage.

Who fits the bill? Bucks, Raptors, Lakers, Clippers, Celtics, Pacers, Thunder, 76ers, Nets

Who doesn't measure up? Nuggets, Rockets, Heat, Jazz, Mavericks, Magic, Trail Blazers

Potential outliers: Heat, Jazz

Miami and Utah both finished in the top 13 in opponents' eFG%, but their overall defensive rating was 0.1 points per 100 possessions worse than the top-11 mark needed to qualify.

The postseason, let alone the Finals, is about transcendent talent. Depth can carry you to the playoffs and an All-Star can perhaps drag you into the second or third round. But if you want to compete in June, you need a Hall of Fame-type player. There's a reason every Finals for the last 29 years has featured at least one of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan, Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, or Steph Curry.

There's obviously no way to quantify with 100% accuracy where players rank individually in the NBA, but one fun tool is using data that determines how stars stack up based on their average rank across a plethora of catch-all stats. Andy Bailey made this measure famous on Basketball Twitter, and a similar model can now be found at B-Ball Index. According to that data, each of the last 15 champions has had a player rank in the top 15 during the regular season.

You'll also notice every champion featured at least one All-Star, with 12 of the last 15 teams employing more than one.

All 15 champions featured at least one All-NBA selection (nine of 15 had multiple players on the year-end list), and 13 of the last 15 champions boasted at least one All-Defensive team selection. But those awards won't be handed out for weeks, so we can't use them to filter this year's squads.

Let's look for teams with a top-15 player this season, according to the average of those aforementioned stats.

Who fits the bill? Bucks, Raptors, Lakers, Clippers, Celtics, Nuggets, Thunder, Rockets, Heat, Jazz, 76ers, Mavericks, Blazers

Who doesn't measure up? Pacers, Nets, Magic

Potential outlier: Pacers

It's incredibly unlikely, but if Victor Oladipo can find his pre-injury form - or if T.J. Warren is suddenly the player he was in the seeding games on a full-time basis - Indiana would have the type of player good enough to be in the top-15 conversation.

Given there's no real home-court advantage in the bubble, this category obviously takes on far less meaning than it did in previous years. Still, a team that excels no matter where it plays is usually a pretty good indicator of a contender, so let's look at the home/road splits of recent champions and then compare that to the splits 2019-20 teams posted up until the March 11 shutdown.

We're looking for teams that posted a minimum home win percentage of .707 (equivalent to a 29-12 home record in a full season) while also recording a winning record on the road.

Who fits the bill? Bucks, Raptors, Lakers, Clippers, Celtics, Nuggets

Who doesn't measure up? Pacers, Heat, 76ers, Thunder, Rockets, Jazz, Mavericks, Magic, Nets, Trail Blazers

Potential outlier: Rockets

Had Houston won just one more home game this season, the Rockets would've met the home winning percentage required to qualify. Perhaps they would've boosted their .688 mark up to the necessary .707 had they played all nine home games lost when the season was postponed.

If you're wondering why some other metrics were left out of this research, I discovered that assist metrics, rebound rates, turnover measures, free-throw frequency, and opponent 3-point percentages didn't produce trends as consistently as the statistics cited above. The championship teams we examined often finished in the bottom third in at least one of those categories.

Only three teams managed to check every box. Unsurprisingly, the Bucks, Lakers, and Clippers enter the postseason as the clear-cut favorites when considering the statistical profile of an NBA champion, though the Lakers' shooting woes could prove to be a fatal flaw.

Just missed the cut: Raptors, Celtics

Both Toronto and Boston missed checking every box after falling short on the offensive end.

The Raptors finished 13th in offensive rating when no recent champion finished worse than 11th, and their half-court efficiency is perhaps the biggest postseason question mark looming over the defending champs.

The Celtics boasted an elite overall offense (fourth ranked) but fell short in effective field-goal percentage, which indicates that a fair share of their offensive success can be tied to offensive rebounding and free throws (as well as taking care of the ball). Both of those tend to dry up in the postseason when defenses and officials place extra value on every single possession. So Boston's inability to score efficiently on the first shot of possessions is concerning.

Just happy to be here: Magic

Orlando's the only playoff team without a single championship indicator, but it's worth noting that the only box Houston checked was "star talent." James Harden's brilliance is the only thing ensuring the Rockets enter the postseason with a better championship profile than the Magic.

Joseph Casciaro is theScore's senior basketball writer.

Link:
Anatomy of an NBA champion: Which playoff teams fit the statistical profile? - theScore

Anatomy

Anatomy of the perks of power – Stabroek News

That there are perks of power that go with political office is universally accepted as a fact of life. It is underpinned by an unwritten but nonetheless indelible (if there can be any reconciliation between such a contradiction in terms) rule that the holders of political office have earned, apart from the right to govern, the prerogative of a certain allocation of rewards for their faithful. Though there are other perks usually wrested from the state to be allocated for political loyalty, one such reward is the allocation of jobs that do not fall under the jurisdiction of the conventional Public Service. The state, or rather, the taxpayer must meet the emoluments associated with these political gifts. They are, as well, usually fashioned to suit the whims of the powers that be on the basis of what is determined to have been the contribution made by the particular beneficiary to the overall gain.

These are usually revolving door arrangements characterized by the periodic incoming and outgoing of the winners and losers, respectively. Unsurprisingly, therefore, the process is usually underpinned by equal measures of angst and anticipation on the respective sides. Sometimes, almost always, the process, becomes polluted by a great deal of ill will and vendetta with the termination of the losers contracts and the process of being shown the door assuming outrageous levels of theatre, ranging from the hilarious to the scandalous to the sublime. Some of these hand-over-take-over exercises are even believed to be underpinned by long-standing personal vendettas which have been known to play out in ridiculous public displays.

For reasons that remain unclear the more salacious and unpalatable the theatre surrounding these events the more they appear to attract the focused attention of some of the mainstream media. Social media, meanwhile, with their accustomed eye for scandal and sensationalism have taken to these things like proverbial ducks to water, mindful to garnish the naked facts with toppings of sleaziness and scandal even as the powers that be perform their stiff upper lip trick, as though the ensuing bacchanal is a figment of everyones imagination.

All too frequently, these episodes are disgraceful enough to match the ribaldry of even the most seasoned tenement yard cuss down, the studied indifference to the goings on by those in the upper echelons on both sides adding its own hilarious twist to the circumstance.

The leopards on all sides of the political spectrum cannot really be expected to change their spots. They do what they understand to be expected of them, except, of course that they appear to seriously expect that after the brouhaha that attends the musical chairs scenario associated with the distribution of the perks of power comes to any end, they can then revert to their own exalted positions as though the whole thing were a figment of everyones imagination and in the expectation that the citizenry, with its long memory, will take their antics seriously.

See more here:
Anatomy of the perks of power - Stabroek News

Anatomy

Origins and anatomy of the deep state – The Standard

President Uhuru Kenyatta (C) his deputy William Ruto (L) and Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga during the launch of Building Bridges Initiative report at Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi on November 27, 2019. [Stafford Ondego]Recently the concept deep state has sauntered into our political lexicon with razzmatazz. To hear Deputy President William Ruto and his supporters frequent invocations of the deep state, you get the spooky feeling that there is a secret army of malcontents lurking deep within the bowels of government whose goal is to vehemently curtail his presidential ambitions.On the other hand, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his coterie are accusing Ruto of splitting hairs to find an excuse to reject the outcome of the 2022 presidential elections. They add that as DP he is, in fact, the embodiment of the deep state. Is Ruto chasing his own tail?The term deep state, derived from Turkishderin devlet, refers to a type of governance made up of networks of power operating independent of a state's political leadership in pursuit of their own agenda and goals.It arose in the 1990s as a way of describing a kind of shadow or parallel system of government in which unofficial or publicly unacknowledged individuals play important roles in defining and implementing state policy. Potential sources for deep state organisation include organs of state such as armed forces or public authorities (intelligence agencies, police, administrative agencies and government bureaucracy). In popular usage, the term carries an overwhelmingly negative context, although this does not reflect its scholarly understanding.

SEE ALSO: Senator Langat released after denying incitement charges

SEE ALSO: Ruto seeks to save hotel by paying for land a second time

Go here to see the original:
Origins and anatomy of the deep state - The Standard

Anatomy

Camilla Luddington Reveals the Character She’d Most Want To Switch Roles With on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ – Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Greys Anatomy star Camilla Luddington has become a fan favorite since her debut as Dr. Jo Wilson (later Karev) in season 9. With her character overcoming various challenges over the years, the British-born actor exhibits a wide range of emotions on the medical drama.

Though she clearly embodies Jo, Luddington shared that she wouldnt mind playing this role on the medical drama if she had the chance.

In 2010, Luddington auditioned for the voice of Lara Croft in the legendary video gameTomb Raider. The Greys star recalled her elation upon getting the role.

When I got the call that I had gottenTomb Raider, I literally screamed. I was so excited, because growing up, she was really the only iconic female lead in a video game that I knew of, Luddington told PopSugar in 2018. So, I just remember thinking it was such an honor that I got to jump in the boots of Lara Croft.

While her video game persona and herGreys Anatomycharacter seem in sharp contrast to each other, Luddington sees some similarities.

RELATED: Why Greys Anatomys Camilla Luddington Says Her First Scene With Ellen Pompeo Was Legitimately Terrible

It was interesting to me that theres a lot of Jo Jo didnt grow up with her parents, so theres a lot of question about a lot of pain in her past, the William & Kate star shared. And, of course, Lara deals with the pain, and mourning, and loss of her own parents. So there is a similarity of them both being survivors in their own world.

The British actor is a self-proclaimed fan of Greys Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes, seeing her as a trailblazer for women.

Shonda has a way of keeping her audience on edge time and time again, Luddington said in 2016 interviewwith BUILD. She doesnt give in to what the audience wants and always it serves for a more captivating story line. Thats what I like about her. Shes just paving the way for females in the industry.

Though she has no intention of ditching her lab coat, Luddington confessed shed relish the opportunity to play a character from one of Rhimes other shows.

Scandals Olivia Pope. How could you not? she toldGood Housekeepingin 2015. On top of being this fabulous, powerful woman, the outfits are just opening my trailer door every day and seeing those fabulous coats and hats would make each morning a little bit better.

Playing a doctor on a medical drama can take its toll. Luddington revealed a side effect to being constantly subjected to health-related storylines.

I feel like a complete hypochondriac! Luddington told theChicago Tribunein April 2019. I feel like somethings probably wrong all the time. I didnt realize how many different ways there are to almost die,so I do feel like Im constantly living in a possible season finale of my own life.

Self-diagnosing aside, the Greys star thrives in her portrayal as Jo. Though when asked if there was a character she would want to trade places with, she had one in mind.

RELATED: This Greys Anatomy Star Reveals Her Worst Moment

I think I would want to play, she hesitated, maybe Bailey. She gets to boss everyone around. Thats kind of fun. I feel like as an intern were always taking crap and shes the one that dishes it out so it would be fun for that role reversal.

Here is the original post:
Camilla Luddington Reveals the Character She'd Most Want To Switch Roles With on 'Grey's Anatomy' - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Anatomy

Anatomy Of A Riot – Outlook India

A blasphemous FB post, police inaction, a truculent SDPI and rumours of Congress infighting...all lead up to Bangalore's worst street rioting in yearsBy Ajay Sukumaran

August 31, 2020

Ground ZeroRiot police patrol a street in the violence-hit area of Bangalore. Photograph by PTI

No sooner had the August 11 mob violence in east Bangalores Kaval Byrasandra locality been containedafter police firing which claimed three livesthan the politics kicked in. The Congress hadnt reacted immediately and when it did, the response was guarded. So, leaders from the ruling BJP lost no time in prodding the party over appeasementthe violence-hit localities have a sizeable Muslim population and the Congress has a strong presence there. In fact, Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy, whose house was ransacked and burnt down, had won the 2018 polls with the highest vote share in Karnataka.

So what had gone wrong? A Facebook post on Prophet Muhammed shared by Murthys nephew P. Naveen touched off the riotous scenes in which a mob attacked his house, vandalised two police stations and torched vehicles on the street. But various undercurrents in these localitiesseemingly linked to the municipal polls that are due this yearalso appear to fill the frame of what has been Bangalores worst street riotings in several years. Karnatakas home minister Basavaraj Bommai hinted as...

To read this piece, and more such stories in India's most exciting and exacting magazine, plus get access to our 25-year archives goldmine, please subscribe.

Continued here:
Anatomy Of A Riot - Outlook India