Feathers are epidermal growths that form the distinctive outer covering, or plumage, on birds and some non-avian theropod dinosaurs. They are considered the most complex integumentary structures found in vertebrates, and indeed a premier example of a complex evolutionary novelty. They are among the characteristics that distinguish the extant Aves from other living groups. Feathers have also been noticed in those Theropoda which have been termed feathered dinosaurs.
Although feathers cover most parts of the body of birds, they arise only from certain well-defined tracts on the skin. They aid in flight, thermal insulation, and waterproofing. In addition, coloration helps in communication and protection.Plumology (or plumage science) is the name for the science that is associated with the study of feathers.
Feathers are among the most complex integumentary appendages found in vertebrates and are formed in tiny follicles in the epidermis, or outer skin layer, that produce keratin proteins. The β-keratins in feathers, beaks and claws — and the claws, scales and shells of reptiles — are composed of protein strands hydrogen-bonded into β-pleated sheets, which are then further twisted and crosslinked by disulfide bridges into structures even tougher than the α-keratins of mammalian hair, horns and hoof. The exact signals that induce the growth of feathers on the skin are not known, but it has been found that the transcription factor cDermo-1 induces the growth of feathers on skin and scales on the leg.
Feather or Feather step is a dance figure in the International Style Foxtrot. Depending on a syllabus, it consists of three or four steps (man stepping basically forward), with the third step (right foot) done outside the lady (lady on the right side) with a slight turn in the body position to the right.
The feather is also known as the continuity finish in silver American Style Foxtrot.
The step was first introduced in 1920 by G. K. Anderson.
The ISTD syllabus considers the fourth step that aligns the man with the lady into a normal dance position to be part of the Feather Step variation, while the IDTA syllabus does not.
The pattern and especially its distinctive part (steps 2 and 3) gave rise to several variations:
The hurricane is a sweet alcoholic drink made with rum, fruit juice, and syrup or grenadine. It is one of many popular drinks served in New Orleans.
The creation of this passion fruit–colored relative of a daiquiri is credited to New Orleans tavern owner Pat O'Brien. The bar allegedly started as a speakeasy called Mr. O'Brien's Club Tipperary and the password was "storm's brewin'."
In the 1940s, he needed to create a new drink to help him get rid of all of the less-popular rum that local distributors forced him to buy before he could get a few cases of more popular liquors such as scotch and other whiskeys. He poured the concoction into hurricane lamp–shaped glasses and gave it away to sailors.
The drink caught on, and it has been a mainstay in the French Quarter ever since. It is more commonly served in a disposable plastic cup, as New Orleans laws permit drinking in public and leaving a bar with a drink, but they prohibit public drinking from glass containers.
The hurricane cocktail is made differently on the islands of the Bahamas. The drink is composed of various measures of coffee liqueur, 151 rum, Irish cream, and Grand Marnier. It's commonly found in the downtown bars of Nassau.
Turbomasters were an Australian, Canadian, and European exclusive range of Transformers toys, released in 1992 as part of their final year of products for the original franchise. A subgroup of the Autobots, there were six Turbomasters: Thunder Clash, Rotorstorm, Boss, Hurricane, Flash, and Scorch. They all had the gimmick of missile launchers which became their engines or turbines when in vehicle mode. Their rivals were the Decepticon Predators. A seventh Turbomaster called Hyperdrive was designed but never released.
Thunder Clash - Function: Commander-in-chief. Thunder Clash is the leader of the Turbomasters and commands the respect of the Autobots, and the loathing of the Predators. He possesses a sharp and keen strategic mind, able to counter the abilities the Predators possess. Thunder Clash transforms into a Cybertronian truck cab with an accompanying trailer, which transforms into a command center.
Rotorstorm - Function: Guide and strategician. The only airborne member of the Turbomasters, Rotorstorm transforms into a helicopter. Possesses a "dodge" ability that allows him to guide his grounded comrades. He maintains an image that he is a ruthless and fearless fighter, respected by all, even the Decepticons, so that he can inspire and motivate his comrades.
"Hurricane" is a song written by American rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars that is featured on their third studio album, This Is War. The song was written by lead vocalist and songwriter Jared Leto and produced by Leto, Flood and Steve Lilywhite. There are two versions of this song, one which is included on the album and another which is a collaboration with rapper Kanye West, titled "Hurricane 2.0", which was released as the fourth single from the album in November 2010. This version only appears on the deluxe version. The latter has a variation in certain parts of the track. "Hurricane" was awarded Best Single at the Kerrang! Awards 2011. The thirteen-minute music video, directed by Leto under the pseudonym Bartholomew Cubbins, garnered controversy when it first premiered on November 29, 2010, causing it to be banned by MTV due to containing sexual content. An edited version, however, was put on heavy rotation on MTV2.
Jared Leto wrote the piano ballad "Hurricane" in winter 2007 whilst in Berlin. In an interview, Jared said the following about the song:
Stagecoach is a 1939 American Western film directed by John Ford, starring Claire Trevor and John Wayne in his breakthrough role. The screenplay, written by Dudley Nichols, is an adaptation of "The Stage to Lordsburg", a 1937 short story by Ernest Haycox. The film follows a group of strangers riding on a stagecoach through dangerous Apache territory.
Stagecoach was the first of many Westerns that Ford shot using Monument Valley, in the American south-west on the Arizona–Utah border, as a location, many of which also starred John Wayne. Scenes from Stagecoach, including a famous sequence introducing John Wayne's character the Ringo Kid, blended shots of Monument Valley with shots filmed on the Iverson Movie Ranch in Chatsworth, California, and other locations.
In 1995, this film was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the United States Library of Congress and selected for preservation in their National Film Registry.
In 1880, a motley group of strangers boards the east-bound stagecoach from Tonto, Arizona Territory to Lordsburg, New Mexico Territory. These travelers are unremarkable and ordinary at first glance. Among them are Dallas (Claire Trevor), a prostitute who is being driven out of town by the members of the "Law and Order League"; an alcoholic doctor, Doc Boone (Thomas Mitchell); pregnant Lucy Mallory (Louise Platt), who is traveling to see her cavalry officer husband; and whiskey salesman Samuel Peacock (Donald Meek).
Stagecoach is a 1966 American film, directed by Gordon Douglas as a remake of the John Ford classic black-and-white western Stagecoach, which won two Academy Awards and received five other nominations, including placement among 1939's ten Academy Award for Best Picture contenders, a rare distinction for a western. Taking a differently focused casting approach from the then-27-year-old original version which listed its ten leading players in order of importance, the story's ten central characters were portrayed in 1966 by major stars billed in alphabetical order. Filming took place between July and September 1965.
In parallel with the 1939 version, Ann-Margret, who is listed first, replaces first-billed Claire Trevor as the dancehall hostess/prostitute Dallas. Red Buttons, in second place, takes the role of Mr. Peacock, the alcohol peddler in a minister's garb, played in 1939 by 8th-billed Donald Meek. Third-placed Michael Connors portrays the tough gambler, Hatfield, originated by fourth-listed John Carradine. Alphabetically-fourth Alex Cord is the Ringo Kid, the role that made second-billed John Wayne into a star beyond the quickly made low-budget B-western series which had primarily represented his screen appearances during the 1930s. In fifth place is Bing Crosby, making his final major acting appearance in a theatrical feature, playing the alcoholic Doc Boone, bringing his own interpretation to the character portrayal which won fifth-billed Thomas Mitchell the 1939 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.