title: Del Close

text: Del Close (March 9, 1934 – March 4, 1999) was an American actor, writer, and teacher who coached many of the best-known comedians and comic actors of the late twentieth century. In addition to an acting career in television and film, he was one of the influences on modern improvisational theater. Close is co-founder of the iO, or iO Chicago, (formerly known as "ImprovOlympic").


title: Del Close

text: Close was born on March 9, 1934, in Manhattan, Kansas. He ran away from home at the age of 17 to work in a traveling side show, but returned to attend Kansas State University. At age 19 he performed in summer stock with the Belfry Players at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. At age 23 he became a member of the Compass Players in St. Louis. When most of the cast—including Mike Nichols and Elaine May—moved to New York City, Close followed. He developed a stand-up comedy act, starred as the Yogi in the Broadway musical revue "The Nervous Set", and performed briefly with an improv company in Greenwich Village with fellow Compass alumni Mark and Barbara Gordon. Close also worked with John Brent to record the classic Beatnik satire album "How to Speak Hip", a parody of language-learning tools that purported to teach listeners the secret language of the "hipster".


title: Del Close

text: In 1960 Close moved to Chicago, his home base for much of the rest of his life, to perform and direct at Second City, but was fired due to substance abuse. He spent the latter half of the 1960s in San Francisco where he was the house director of improv ensemble The Committee, featuring performers such as Gary Goodrow, Carl Gottlieb, Peter Bonerz, Howard Hesseman and Larry Hankin. He toured with the Merry Pranksters, and he created light images for Grateful Dead shows.


title: Del Close

text: In 1972, he returned to Chicago and to Second City. He also directed and performed for Second City's troupe in Toronto in 1977. Over the next decade he coached many popular comedians. In the early 1980s he served as "house metaphysician" at "Saturday Night Live"; for many years, a significant percentage of the show's cast were Close protégés. He spent the mid-to-late 1980s and 1990s teaching improv, collaborating with Charna Halpern at Yes And Productions and the ImprovOlympic Theater with Compass Players producer, David Shepherd.


title: Del Close

text: In 1987, Close mounted his first scripted show, "Honor Finnegan vs. the Brain of the Galaxy", created by members of Close and Halpern's Improv Olympics from a scenario by Close, at CrossCurrents in Chicago. Running concurrently at the same theater was "The TV Dinner Hour", written by Richard O'Donnell of New Age Vaudeville, featuring Close's running routine as The Rev. Thing of the First Generic Church of What's-his-name.


title: Del Close

text: During this period, Close also appeared in several movies; he portrayed corrupt alderman John O'Shay in "The Untouchables" and an English teacher in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off". He co-authored the graphic horror anthology "Wasteland" for DC Comics with John Ostrander, and co-wrote several installments of the "Munden's Bar" backup feature for Ostrander's "Grimjack". Close performed in the 1993 world premiere of Steve Martin's "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company.


title: Del Close

text: An obituary published in the "Manhattan Mercury" said that Close’s father died in Manhattan, Kansas, on December 16, 1954 after being found unconscious in his jewelry store and that the cause of death was “self-inflicted.” Close would have been 20 years old and, according to Kim "Howard" Johnson, a biographer in the documentary "For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close", said that Close was in New York at the time, over a thousand miles away from where his father died.


title: Del Close

text: Close had told many varied and dramatic accounts of his father’s suicide, with the general story being that his father did it right in front of him when he was a child (accounts vary in age between 6-17 years old) by drinking a caustic liquid (various accounts on which type of caustic liquid).


title: Del Close

text: Regardless of when or how the suicide of Close’s father occurred, many of his friends believed it had a profound effect on him. Close would frequently bring it up in conversation with friends and even on stage. In the 2020 documentary "For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close", he is filmed on stage saying to the improv actors and audience, “My father was a spectacular suicide. He drank a quart of sulphuric acid, slashed his wrists. And they kept him alive for two days longer than Jesus hung on the cross, and I used to use that death to get sympathy and to get laid with.” Then Close wanted to do an improv scene where he would play himself and another actor, Dave Thomas, would play the doctor who would tell Close that his father had just died from the suicide that Close had described. Thomas refused, saying in the documentary that he didn’t think it would be a good joke and that there was an obligation to the audience to create laughs—not just to make them gasp. Close replied, “Now perhaps you’re not used to this particular kind of horrifying honesty, but I expect the same thing from you and nothing less.”


title: Del Close

text: Close was addicted to cocaine but decided to change his lifestyle when his student John Belushi died of a drug overdose in 1982. Close had recently read the book "A Witch's Guide to Psychic Healing" by Yvonne Frost, which argues that the modern Pagan religion Wicca can provide spiritual healing. He joined a Wiccan coven in Toronto and fought his drug habit together with Wiccan priests who performed a banishing ritual. He stopped using drugs and remained an active Pagan.


title: Del Close

text: Close died of emphysema on March 4, 1999, at the Illinois Masonic Hospital (now the Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center) in Chicago, five days before his 65th birthday. He bequeathed his skull to Chicago's Goodman Theatre to be used in its productions of "Hamlet", and specified that he be duly credited in the program as portraying Yorick. Charna Halpern, Close's long-time professional partner and the executor of his will, conveyed a skull that she claimed was his, in a high-profile televised ceremony on July 1, 1999.


title: Del Close

text: A front-page article in the "Chicago Tribune" in July 2006 questioned the authenticity of the skull, however, citing the presence of teeth (Close was edentulous - toothless - at the time of his death) as well as showing the presence of autopsy marks (Close was never autopsied) among other problems. Halpern stood by her story at the time but admitted three months later, in a "The New Yorker" interview, that she had purchased the skull from a local medical supply company.


title: Del Close

text: Bill Murray organized an early 65th birthday party and wake, shortly before Del's anticipated death as he lay on his deathbed in a Chicago hospital, memorialized in a two-part video.


title: Del Close

text: After Close's death, his former students in the Upright Citizens Brigade founded the annual Del Close Marathon, three days of continuous improvisation by hundreds of performers at various venues in New York City.


title: Del Close

text: In 2002, Cesar Jaime and Jeff Pacocha produced and directed a film composed of interviews with former students, friends, and collaborators of Del Close. The film documented not only Del's life and history, but the impact he had on the people in his life and the art form he helped to create. It is not sold on DVD and was made as a thank you and a tribute to Del, "as a way to allow those that never got to meet or study with him, a chance to understand what he was like."


title: Del Close

text: The Delmonic Interviews includes interviews with: Charna Halpern (co-founder of Chicago's iO Theater), Matt Besser (iO's The Family; Upright Citizens Brigade), Rachel Dratch (iO; Second City; Saturday Night Live), Neil Flynn (iO's The Family; NBC's Scrubs), Susan Messing (iO; Second City; Annoyance Productions), Amy Poehler (Upright Citizens Brigade, Saturday Night Live), and Miles Stroth (iO's The Family; Del's "Warchief"). The film was shown at several national improv festivals, including the 2004 Chicago Improv Festival, the 2004 Phoenix Improv Festival, the 2002 Del Close Marathon in New York City, and the 2006 LA Improv Festival.


title: Del Close

text: Close is featured in an extensive interview in "Something Wonderful Right Away", a book about the members of the Compass Players and Second City written by Jeffrey Sweet. Originally published in 1978 by Avon, it is currently available from Limelight Editions.


title: Del Close

text: From 1984 to 1988, Del Close wrote comic book stories in First Comics' "Grimjack". With regular writer John Ostrander, Close co-wrote Munden's Bar stories in "Grimjack" issues #3, 4, 8, 10, 17, 22, 25, 28, 35, and 42. (Close knew Ostrander from the Chicago theater scene.) From 1987 to 1989, also with Ostrander, Close wrote anthology-style horror stories in the DC Comics title "Wasteland". Several of the stories are allegedly autobiographical; one recounts Close's experiences while filming "Beware! The Blob" (1972), and another recalls an encounter with writer L. Ron Hubbard, author of horror and science fiction, and founder of Scientology. Eric Spitznagel wrote about when he heard Close recount his alleged meeting with L.Ron Hubbard, in which Close claimed to have suggested to Hubbard, "Well, if you’re worried about taxes, you should just turn Scientology into a religion" (an anecdote that Spitznagel claimed many others have heard Close recount also). On Twitter, there is a tweet by "Del Close" with the same quote attributed to Close. (It's important to note that the tweet is dated in 2011, the twitter account started in 2009, and Del Close died in 1999.) In the 2020 documentary, "For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close", one of the interviewees, Charna Halpern, recounts that she had heard Close say the same anecdote about Close and Hubbard. There have been a number of different individuals that have claimed for themselves, or been attributed with, giving Hubbard the suggestion of turning Scientology into a religion in order to make a lot of money.


title: Del Close

text: In 2004, writer/comedian R. O'Donnell wrote "My Summer With Del" for "Stop Smiling" magazine #17 Comedian Issue. The feature was an account of O'Donnell's visits at Del's Chicago apartment as well as recounting highlights of their time spent at CrossCurrents, the theater that housed both their comedy groups.


title: Del Close

text: In 2005, Jeff Griggs published "Guru: My Days with Del Close" detailing their friendship during the last two years of Close's life. Due to Close's poor health (in part caused by long-term alcohol and drug use), Halpern suggested that Griggs run errands with Close. "Guru" gives a particularly detailed and complete picture of Close based on those shared hours. At the beginning of their relationship, Griggs was a student of Del's, and the book includes several chapters in which Griggs depicts Close as a teacher. The book has been adapted into a screenplay, and as of 2006 Harold Ramis was attached to direct the script. Ramis (who died in 2014) wanted Bill Murray to play Close.


title: Del Close

text: Close co-authored the 1994 book "Truth in Comedy: The Manual of Improvisation" (with Charna Halpern and Kim "Howard" Johnson), which outlines techniques now common in longform improvisation and describes the overall structure of "Harold", which remains a common frame for longer improvisational scenes.


title: Del Close

text: In 2007, Eric Spitznagel wrote an article in the September issue of "The Believer" magazine reflecting on Close's life and his propensity for storytelling.


title: Del Close

text: In 2008, Kim "Howard" Johnson published "The Funniest One in the Room: The Lives and Legends of Del Close", a full-length biography. Johnson himself was a student of Close; the two remained friends until Close's death.


title: Del Close

text: In 2022, Bob Odenkirk wrote a memoir "Comedy, Comedy, Comedy, Drama", which includes excerpts of an interview with Del Close who was influential in the startup of his career.


title: SsangYong Rexton

text: The SsangYong Rexton (Korean: 쌍용 렉스턴) is a mid-size SUV manufactured by SsangYong Motor since late 2001. The name Rexton is derived from the Latin title 'rex' and the English word 'tone', which is intended to mean "the ruler's tone".


title: SsangYong Rexton

text: In 2017, the second generation Rexton debuted in Seoul 2017, and to the European market in Frankfurt 2017. The new generation Rexton features SsangYong's new body-on-frame platform, which it shares with the Musso pick-up. Other improvements include active safety driving pack, increased towing capacity, and electric parking brake system with auto hold.


title: SsangYong Rexton

text: The Rexton is offered with a choice of a new 2.0L petrol turbo or 2.2L diesel engine and available in two or four-wheel drive. It is equipped with Mercedes-Benz 7G-Tronic automatic or AISIN 6-speed automatic transmission or 6-speed manual transmission.


title: SsangYong Rexton

text: The Y200 series Rexton was produced from 2001 to 2006. The car's design was styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro's Italdesign studio. And it was available only with four-wheel drive and one of four engines: a 2.3-liter 112 kW (150 hp) petrol engine, a 2.7-liter and common rail diesel, a 2.9-liter diesel and a 3.2-liter and petrol engine. 2,7XDi was based on Mercedes-Benz OM612 2,7CDI turbodiesel but had details that greatly distinguished it from the actual Mercedes one. In June 2003, another version ("RX 280") appeared on the European market with a 2.8-liter licensed M104 engine (148 kW (199 hp) and 277 N·m (204 lb·ft))) manufactured by Mercedes-Benz.


title: SsangYong Rexton

text: In the summer of 2003, the Rexton was introduced in Europe. Technically, it is based on a slightly extended chassis of the SsangYong Musso. Initially, it was only available with a choice of two engines: a 2.9-liter five-cylinder diesel and 3.2-liter six-cylinder gasoline engine. Both engines were borrowed from the Musso which were licensed from Mercedes-Benz.


title: SsangYong Rexton

text: The transmission options for the diesel model were originally either a five-speed manual with a gearbox from the American company Tremec or a four-speed automatic with a gearbox from the Australian company BTR Automotive. The petrol model was only offered with the automatic transmission. In 2004, with the introduction of the 2.7-liter "XDi" diesel engine, a five-speed Tiptronic gearbox (NAG 5G-Tronic provided by Mercedes-Benz) became an optional extra with that engine.


title: SsangYong Rexton

text: In early 2006, SsangYong unveiled an upgraded Rexton. The vehicle features numerous technologies to reduce carbon emissions, such as a catalyzed diesel particulate filter and a


title: SsangYong Rexton

text: variable-geometry turbocharger. Based on these upgrades, the South Korean government classifies the 2008 Rexton as a low-emissions vehicle, making it eligible for an exemption from a quasi tax related to environmental standards for five years after the purchase of the vehicle. Other improvements include enhanced parking brake technology, a tire pressure monitoring system (as seen on the SsangYong WZ concept car), an electronic toll collection system and a forward collision warning and avoidance system.


title: SsangYong Rexton

text: In Malaysia, the Rexton was assembled starting in August 2006 by Competitive Supreme Sdn Bhd (CSSB), also the sole importer and distributor of SsangYong vehicles in Malaysia.


title: SsangYong Rexton

text: In 2008, Project Kahn, famous for tuning luxury and sports cars, presented a modified Rexton 270 SPR at the 2008 British International Motor Show. It was so well received that in 2009, it became part of the British SsangYong range. It features added kit, chrome highlights and a "sportier" interior, but unusually, in the initial models, it does not have a radio/CD player, as it is intended that those that potential customers would want to put their own sound system in. However, the R-Line later gained a Kenwood double-DIN touch screen navigation system with steering wheel-mounted controls. The R-Line also has a more powerful version of the 2.7-liter straight-five turbo diesel engine producing and torque at 2400 rpm.


title: SsangYong Rexton

text: A revision version called the Rexton W, was released worldwide at Busan Motor Show 2012. And it was the first facelift model with Mahindra & Mahindra of which SsangYong is a subsidiary. SsangYong re-designed front grille with new headlights, rear combination lamp and retuned chassis. The car introduced the new 2.0-liter XDi diesel engine Euro 5 with standard DPF come from the Korando and the 3.2-liter petrol engine retuned for Euro 5 standard. And it is equipped with Mercedes-Benz 5G-Tronic automatic which the same gearbox with the previous model or manual gearbox.


title: SsangYong Rexton

text: At the end of 2015, SsangYong introduced to the European market the 2.2-liter "e-XDi" diesel engine with Euro 6 compliance. This engine improved power and torque than the previous 2.0-liter "XDi" diesel engine. This 2.2-liter diesel also comes with the Mercedes-Benz 7G-Tronic automatic gearbox.


title: SsangYong Rexton

text: In 2005, SG Automotive released the Huanghai Aurora which heavily resembled the Rexton. However, SsangYong chose not to sue SG Automotive, citing China's lawsuit system which is favorable to their companies. SsangYong only informed SAIC, which was the largest shareholder at the time, of the copyright issue with SG Automotive.


title: SsangYong Rexton

text: The Y400 series Rexton traces its roots to the SsangYong LIV-1 concept car and the SsangYong LIV-2 concept from Paris Motor Show 2016. In 2017, 2nd generation Rexton debuted to Korean market in Seoul Motor Show 2017, and to global market in International Motor Show Germany 2017. With the car's design, SsangYong claims that the Rexton got the inspiration from the Greek temple Parthenon.


title: SsangYong Rexton

text: The new generation Rexton features SsangYong's new body-on-frame platform using Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS), which shares with SsangYong Musso pick-up. Other improvements include safety driving equipments, increased towing capacity (up to 3,500 kg) in both manual and automatic forms, and electric parking brake system with auto hold.


title: SsangYong Rexton

text: The Rexton is offered with a choice of a new 2.0 L "e-XGDI 200T" petrol turbo engine or 181 horsepower 2.2 L "e-XDI 220" diesel engine and available in two-wheel or part-time four-wheel drive. It is equipped with Mercedes-Benz 7G-Tronic automatic or AISIN 6-speed automatic transmission or 6-speed manual transmission.


title: SsangYong Rexton

text: In Korea, the Rexton was chosen as the Best Ergonomic Design Award by the Ergonomics Society of Korea. It also received Award of the Prime Minister in Korean Good Design Award 2017. G4 Rexton has earned Best Value award for two consecutive years. It won three titles at last year's awards including the Best Value Off-roader and 4x4 of the Year 2018.


title: SsangYong Rexton

text: The second generation Rexton equipped with 9 airbags, including a driver knee-airbag and second-row side airbags. It also features intelligent safety driving system including Autonomous Emergency Brake System (AEBS), Forward Collision Warning System (FCWS), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), High Beam Assist (HBA), Lane Change Assist (LCA), and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA).


title: SsangYong Rexton

text: In Korean New Car Assessment Program (KNCAP) the SsangYong G4 Rexton received top safety rating of Grade1 (5 stars, 88.5 pts.) on a 2017 registration.


title: SsangYong Rexton

text: Mahindra revealed a rebadged version of the 2nd generation Rexton called the Alturas G4 at the 2018 Auto Expo, India. The SUV is slotted above the Mahindra XUV500.


title: SsangYong Rexton

text: During its lifespan, it was offered in both 2WD and 4WD drivetrains and it was the flagship model of the brand until it was discontinued in late 2022 due to poor sales and marketing.


title: SsangYong Rexton

text: The Alturas G4 was assembled in Mahindra & Mahindra Chakan Plant in India between 2018 and 2022, by using CKD methods from SsangYong's Pyeongtaek plant.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: In molecular biology, molecular chaperones are proteins that assist the conformational folding or unfolding of large proteins or macromolecular protein complexes. There are a number of classes of molecular chaperones, all of which function to assist large proteins in proper protein folding during or after synthesis, and after partial denaturation. Chaperones are also involved in the translocation of proteins for proteolysis.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: The first molecular chaperones discovered were a type of assembly chaperones which assist in the assembly of nucleosomes from folded histones and DNA. One major function of molecular chaperones is to prevent the aggregation of misfolded proteins, thus many chaperone proteins are classified as heat shock proteins, as the tendency for protein aggregation is increased by heat stress.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: The majority of molecular chaperones do not convey any steric information for protein folding, and instead assist in protein folding by binding to and stabilizing folding intermediates until the polypeptide chain is fully translated. The specific mode of function of chaperones differs based on their target proteins and location. Various approaches have been applied to study the structure, dynamics and functioning of chaperones. Bulk biochemical measurements have informed us on the protein folding efficiency, and prevention of aggregation when chaperones are present during protein folding. Recent advances in single-molecule analysis have brought insights into structural heterogeneity of chaperones, folding intermediates and affinity of chaperones for unstructured and structured protein chains.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: Many chaperones are heat shock proteins, that is, proteins expressed in response to elevated temperatures or other cellular stresses. Heat shock protein chaperones are classified based on their observed molecular weights into Hsp60, Hsp70, Hsp90, Hsp104, and small Hsps. The Hsp60 family of protein chaperones are termed chaperonins, and are characterized by a stacked double-ring structure and are found in prokaryotes, in the cytosol of eukaryotes, and in mitochondria.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: Some chaperone systems work as foldases: they support the folding of proteins in an ATP-dependent manner (for example, the GroEL/GroES or the DnaK/DnaJ/GrpE system). Although most newly synthesized proteins can fold in absence of chaperones, a minority strictly requires them for the same. Other chaperones work as holdases: they bind folding intermediates to prevent their aggregation, for example DnaJ or Hsp33.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: Chaperones can also work as disaggregases, which interact with aberrant protein assemblies and revert them to monomers. Some chaperones can assist in protein degradation, leading proteins to protease systems, such as the ubiquitin-proteasome system in eukaryotes. Chaperone proteins participate in the folding of over half of all mammalian proteins.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: Macromolecular crowding may be important in chaperone function. The crowded environment of the cytosol can accelerate the folding process, since a compact folded protein will occupy less volume than an unfolded protein chain. However, crowding can reduce the yield of correctly folded protein by increasing protein aggregation. Crowding may also increase the effectiveness of the chaperone proteins such as GroEL, which could counteract this reduction in folding efficiency. Some highly specific 'steric chaperones' convey unique structural information onto proteins, which cannot be folded spontaneously. Such proteins violate Anfinsen's dogma, requiring protein dynamics to fold correctly.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: Other types of chaperones are involved in transport across membranes, for example membranes of the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in eukaryotes. A bacterial translocation-specific chaperone SecB maintains newly synthesized precursor polypeptide chains in a translocation-competent (generally unfolded) state and guides them to the translocon.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: New functions for chaperones continue to be discovered, such as bacterial adhesin activity, induction of aggregation towards non-amyloid aggregates, suppression of toxic protein oligomers via their clustering, and in responding to diseases linked to protein aggregation and cancer maintenance.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: In human cell lines, chaperone proteins were found to compose ~10% of the gross proteome mass, and are ubiquitously and highly expressed across human tissues.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: Chaperones are found extensively in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), since protein synthesis often occurs in this area.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: In the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) there are general, lectin- and non-classical molecular chaperones that moderate protein folding.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: There are many different families of chaperones; each family acts to aid protein folding in a different way. In bacteria like "E. coli", many of these proteins are highly expressed under conditions of high stress, for example, when the bacterium is placed in high temperatures, thus heat shock protein chaperones are the most extensive.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: A variety of nomenclatures are in use for chaperones. As heat shock proteins, the names are classically formed by "Hsp" followed by the approximate molecular mass in kilodaltons; such names are commonly used for eukaryotes such as yeast. The bacterial names have more varied forms, and refer directly to their appearant function at discovery. For example, "GroEL" originally stands for "phage growth defect, overcome by mutation in phage gene E, large subunit".


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: Hsp10/60 (GroEL/GroES complex in "E. coli") is the best characterized large (~ 1 MDa) chaperone complex. GroEL (Hsp60) is a double-ring 14mer with a hydrophobic patch at its opening; it is so large it can accommodate native folding of 54-kDa GFP in its lumen. GroES (Hsp10) is a single-ring heptamer that binds to GroEL in the presence of ATP or ADP. GroEL/GroES may not be able to undo previous aggregation, but it does compete in the pathway of misfolding and aggregation. Also acts in mitochondrial matrix as molecular chaperone.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: Hsp70 (DnaK in "E. coli") is perhaps the best characterized small (~ 70 kDa) chaperone. The Hsp70 proteins are aided by Hsp40 proteins (DnaJ in "E. coli"), which increase the ATP consumption rate and activity of the Hsp70s. The two protein are named "Dna" in bacteria because they were initially identified as being required for "E. coli" DNA replication.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: It has been noted that increased expression of Hsp70 proteins in the cell results in a decreased tendency toward apoptosis. Although a precise mechanistic understanding has yet to be determined, it is known that Hsp70s have a high-affinity bound state to unfolded proteins when bound to ADP, and a low-affinity state when bound to ATP.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: It is thought that many Hsp70s crowd around an unfolded substrate, stabilizing it and preventing aggregation until the unfolded molecule folds properly, at which time the Hsp70s lose affinity for the molecule and diffuse away. Hsp70 also acts as a mitochondrial and chloroplastic molecular chaperone in eukaryotes.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: Hsp90 (HtpG in "E. coli") may be the least understood chaperone. Its molecular weight is about 90 kDa, and it is necessary for viability in eukaryotes (possibly for prokaryotes as well). Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a molecular chaperone essential for activating many signaling proteins in the eukaryotic cell.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: Each Hsp90 has an ATP-binding domain, a middle domain, and a dimerization domain. Originally thought to clamp onto their substrate protein (also known as a client protein) upon binding ATP, the recently published structures by Vaughan "et al." and Ali "et al." indicate that client proteins may bind externally to both the N-terminal and middle domains of Hsp90.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: Hsp90 may also require co-chaperones-like immunophilins, Sti1, p50 (Cdc37), and Aha1, and also cooperates with the Hsp70 chaperone system.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: Hsp100 (Clp family in "E. coli") proteins have been studied "in vivo" and "in vitro" for their ability to target and unfold tagged and misfolded proteins.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: Proteins in the Hsp100/Clp family form large hexameric structures with unfoldase activity in the presence of ATP. These proteins are thought to function as chaperones by processively threading client proteins through a small 20 Å (2 nm) pore, thereby giving each client protein a second chance to fold.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: Some of these Hsp100 chaperones, like ClpA and ClpX, associate with the double-ringed tetradecameric serine protease ClpP; instead of catalyzing the refolding of client proteins, these complexes are responsible for the targeted destruction of tagged and misfolded proteins.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: Hsp104, the Hsp100 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is essential for the propagation of many yeast prions. Deletion of the HSP104 gene results in cells that are unable to propagate certain prions.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: The genes of bacteriophage (phage) T4 that encode proteins with a role in determining phage T4 structure were identified using conditional lethal mutants. Most of these proteins proved to be either major or minor structural components of the completed phage particle. However among the gene products (gps) necessary for phage assembly, Snustad identified a group of gps that act catalytically rather than being incorporated themselves into the phage structure. These gps were gp26, gp31, gp38, gp51, gp28, and gp4 [gene 4 is synonymous with genes 50 and 65, and thus the gp can be designated gp4(50)(65)]. The first four of these six gene products have since been recognized as being chaperone proteins. Additionally, gp40, gp57A, gp63 and gpwac have also now been identified as chaperones.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: Phage T4 morphogenesis is divided into three independent pathways: the head, the tail and the long tail fiber pathways as detailed by Yap and Rossman. With regard to head morphogenesis, chaperone gp31 interacts with the bacterial host chaperone GroEL to promote proper folding of the major head capsid protein gp23. Chaperone gp40 participates in the assembly of gp20, thus aiding in the formation of the connector complex that initiates head procapsid assembly. Gp4(50)(65), although not specifically listed as a chaperone, acts catalytically as a nuclease that appears to be essential for morphogenesis by cleaving packaged DNA to enable the joining of heads to tails.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: During overall tail assembly, chaperone proteins gp26 and gp51 are necessary for baseplate hub assembly. Gp57A is required for correct folding of gp12, a structural component of the baseplate short tail fibers.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: Synthesis of the long tail fibers depends on the chaperone protein gp57A that is needed for the trimerization of gp34 and gp37, the major structural proteins of the tail fibers. The chaperone protein gp38 is also required for the proper folding of gp37. Chaperone proteins gp63 and gpwac are employed in attachment of the long tail fibers to the tail baseplate.


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: The investigation of chaperones has a long history. The term "molecular chaperone" appeared first in the literature in 1978, and was invented by Ron Laskey to describe the ability of a nuclear protein called nucleoplasmin to prevent the aggregation of folded histone proteins with DNA during the assembly of nucleosomes. The term was later extended by R. John Ellis in 1987 to describe proteins that mediated the post-translational assembly of protein complexes. In 1988, it was realised that similar proteins mediated this process in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The details of this process were determined in 1989, when the ATP-dependent protein folding was demonstrated "in vitro".


title: Chaperone (protein)

text: There are many disorders associated with mutations in genes encoding chaperones (i.e. multisystem proteinopathy) that can affect muscle, bone and/or the central nervous system.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: The Ford Fairmont is a model line of compact cars that was manufactured by Ford from the 1978 to 1983 model years. The successor of the Ford Maverick, the Fairmont marked the third generation of compact sedans sold by Ford in North America and the first design no longer based on the Ford Falcon. Slotted between the Pinto and the Granada within the Ford line (later the Escort and LTD), the model line was marketed by Lincoln-Mercury as the Mercury Zephyr.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: The inaugural model line of the rear-wheel drive Ford Fox platform, the Fairmont and Zephyr shared underpinnings with twelve additional model lines for Ford and Lincoln-Mercury; though the Fairmont was produced for six model years, the Fox platform underpinned Ford vehicles for another two decades, remaining in production in various forms through the 2004 model year.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: In contrast to its predecessor, the Fairmont was offered in four different body configurations: two-door sedan, four-door sedan, five-door wagon, and two-door coupe.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: Through its production, Ford produced the Fairmont at numerous facilities across North America. On November 15, 1977, the 100 millionth vehicle assembled by Ford Motor Company was a 1978 Ford Fairmont Futura coupe. For 1984, Ford replaced the Fairmont with the front-wheel drive Ford Tempo.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: In April 1973, the American EPA released its comprehensive list of fuel economy results. In October of the same year, the 1973 oil crisis started. At the time, Ford's North American product line included the subcompact Pinto and Mustang II, and the compact Maverick, but replacements for all of these models would soon be needed. At the same time, Ford of England's Cortina line was in need of refreshing, as was the Taunus model built by Ford of Germany.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: Changes were also happening at Ford's executive level, as William O. Bourke, ex-chairman of Ford of Europe and one-time managing director of Ford of Australia, was made executive vice president of North American Operations and Robert Alexander, previously with Ford of Europe as vice president in charge of car development, moved to same position in the States.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: Hal Sperlich was vice-president of product planning and research at Ford. A proponent of downsizing, Sperlich conceived of a "world car" that could be sold in both Europe and North America as a solution to the needs of the various divisions.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: Some sources suggest that the "Fox" name was borrowed from the Audi 80, sold in the US and Australia as the "Audi Fox" beginning in May 1973, because Ford's executives considered the 80 their class-leading subcompact competitor, and made it the baseline reference for the new platform. Another reports that Ford used the Fox name in an internal report as early as February 1973, making it less likely to have been borrowed from the German model. In December 1973, Ford President Lee Iacocca formally approved development of the Fox platform.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: Although the Fairmont would be the first Fox-based car to reach the market, development was guided by an anticipated sport coupe to be based on the new platform.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: Development started in early 1973 on both a short wheelbase version, to replace the Pinto/Cortina/Taunus lines, and a long-wheelbase version, that would become the Fairmont. By 1974, the difficulties faced in meeting the conflicting regulatory requirements in different markets and differing production methods used by the various divisions had killed the world car idea. In 1975, North American Automobile Operations took over development of the Fox platform from Sperlich's Product Planning and Research group.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: The first running Fox/Fairmont prototype was a modified Cortina with a MacPherson strut and torsion bar front suspension.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: A 1980 Fairmont station wagon converted to an electric vehicle by Electric Vehicles Associates Inc. and renamed the "EVA Current Fare Wagon" was evaluated by the US Department of Energy from March 1980 to November 1981.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: The Ford Fairmont was launched in August 1977 as a 1978 model. The name was first used by Ford in 1965 for the Australian Fairmont, an upscale trim level model of the Ford Falcon (XP), and had also been used in the South African market in 1969.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: The Fairmont is based on the rear-wheel drive Ford Fox platform, using steel unibody construction. The independent front suspension comprised lower lateral arms, MacPherson struts, and helical-wound coil springs. In what Ford called a "modified" or "hybrid" MacPherson strut system, the coil springs were mounted separately from the struts rather than concentrically, being located between the lower arm and front cross-member. A front anti-roll bar was standard equipment. The rear suspension used a solid axle suspended on coil springs and vertically mounted dampers. The axle was located by four links; two lower trailing arms and two sharply angled upper control arms.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: The Fairmont has power-assisted brakes, with 10.0 inch vented front discs and 9.0 x 1.8 inch rear drums. Standard wheels and tires were 14x5.0 and DR78-14 respectively. Steering was by a rack and pinion system with 3.2 turns lock-to-lock.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: For its entire production run, the standard engine for the Fairmont was a inline-4 (shared with the Pinto). Initially producing 88 hp, following several revisions, output rose to 90 hp to 1983. The 2.3 L engine was initially paired with a 3-speed manual (replaced by a 4-speed in 1979), with a 3-speed automatic offered as an option. For 1980 only, a 120 hp turbocharged version of the 2.3 L engine (shared with the Mustang Cobra) was available in Fairmont sedans and coupes. Examples with the turbocharged engine were distinguished by a center-mounted hood "power bulge".


title: Ford Fairmont

text: As an option, a inline-6 (shared with the Maverick and Granada) was offered from 1978 to 1983 model years. While offering less horsepower than the 2.3 L inline-4, the 3.3 L inline-6 produced significantly more torque. For 1978, the standard transmission was a 3-speed manual (replaced by a 4-speed for 1979); a 3-speed automatic was offered as an option.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: For 1978 to 1981 model years, the Fairmont was offered with two different Windsor V8 engines (shared with mid-size and full-size Ford vehicles). For 1978 and 1979, a 139 hp V8 was offered, available with a 4-speed manual transmission for the 1979 model year only. It was replaced by a 115 hp V8 for 1980 and 1981. The 255 engine was paired exclusively with a 3-speed automatic transmission.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: The Fairmont debuted for 1978 with three body configurations; a two-door sedan, a four-door sedan, and a five-door station wagon. Late in the 1978 model year, a two-door coupe was introduced; named "Futura", the name revived the sporty trim level used for the 1960s Ford Falcon.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: The Fairmont Futura was developed from a Fairmont-based Thunderbird design proposal from March 1976. The Futura was a two-door coupe distinguished by a model-specific roofline that featured a wrapover B-pillar similar to the 1977–1979 Ford Thunderbird but without opera windows. The rear fascia was also given its own wrap-around taillamp design. To further differentiate the Futura from the standard Fairmont, the coupe was fitted with the 4-headlight fascia from the Zephyr, and a cross-hatched grille was used in place of the standard eggcrate grille. For the 1980 model year Ford expanded the Futura nameplate to include a four-door sedan and added a Futura station wagon for 1981.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: For 1981, the exterior trim was revised with the addition of a slim molding strip along the side exterior panels; convenience equipment was also increased. For 1982, several model revisions were made. Ford moved the Fairmont station wagon to the Granada model line and the Futura trim became the sole trim, expanding it to the two-door sedan for the first time. Effectively, this standardized the four-headlight front fascia (of the Futura coupe and Mercury Zephyr).


title: Ford Fairmont

text: For 1983, Ford introduced an "S" model of the Fairmont Futura as a base trim. Sold only as a sedan and only with the 2.3 L engine, the radio and right-hand mirror of the Futura S became options.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: During the early 1980s, Ford undertook a major revision of its product ranges. Following the 1981 introduction of the Ford Escort, the automaker sought to expand its use of front-wheel drive across the compact and mid-size segment; the rear-wheel drive Fox platform remained in production, used entirely for performance and luxury vehicles (the Mustang, Thunderbird, and their Lincoln-Mercury counterparts).


title: Ford Fairmont

text: Released for the 1984 model year, the Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz replaced the Fairmont/Zephyr. An extended-wheelbase sedan counterpart of the Escort/Lynx, the front-wheel drive Tempo and Topaz followed the Thunderbird in using aerodynamic-influenced exterior styling. As the Fairmont was ending its model cycle in 1983, it would become the sole Ford model in North America to retain "FORD" lettering in place of the Ford Blue Oval emblem; the Thunderbird (which used its own emblem) never used Ford badging on the grille.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: The same one-piece lift-up tailgate designed for the Fairmont wagon was also used on the fourth generation Australian XD, XE and XF series Ford Falcon and Fairmont wagons, which were produced until 1988.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: From the 1978 to 1983 model years, the Mercury Zephyr served as the Mercury counterpart of the Ford Fairmont, replacing the Maverick-based Comet. The third vehicle to use the nameplate within Ford Motor Company, the Mercury Zephyr shares its nameplate with the 1936–1940 Lincoln-Zephyr and the 1950–1972 Ford Zephyr (produced by Ford of Britain). Within the Mercury line, the Zephyr was slotted between the Bobcat (replaced for 1981 by the Lynx) and the Monarch (replaced for 1981 by the Cougar).


title: Ford Fairmont

text: Sharing the same model range as the Fairmont, the Zephyr was offered as two-door and four-door sedans, a five-door station wagon, and a two-door Zephyr Z-7 coupe. At its launch, the Zephyr was externally distinguished by the use of four headlights (initially only used by the Fairmont Futura). The exterior was styled with design elements that were adopted by multiple Mercury product lines during the early 1980s (the Lynx, Capri, Cougar, and Marquis), including a waterfall-style grille, horizontally-ribbed taillamps, and (non-functional) front fender vents.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: The Zephyr was initially offered in standard, ES (a successor to the ESS trim of the Monarch), and Ghia trims, for 1981, both were replaced by GS trim (the equivalent of Futura on non-coupe Fairmonts). In line with other Mercury station wagons, the model line was offered with a Villager option package, including exterior (simulated) woodgrain trim.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: At the beginning of the 1980s, the Zephyr was gradually phased out of the Mercury model line. For 1982, both the 4.2L V8 option and the station wagon were moved to the Cougar model line. As Mercury transitioned its model line to front-wheel drive, the Zephyr was replaced by the Mercury Topaz for the 1984 model year.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: Following its use by Mercury, the Zephyr nameplate was used by Lincoln a second time. The 2006 Lincoln Zephyr mid-size sedan was renamed the Lincoln MKZ for 2007, commencing the Lincoln "MK" model nomenclature.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: The Ford Durango was produced by a joint venture between Ford and National Coach Corporation in 1981. Based heavily on the Fairmont Futura coupe, the Durango was a two-door, two-seat car-based pickup truck that was intended as a possible replacement for the 1977–1979 Ford Ranchero as well as a competitor to the downsized Chevrolet El Camino/GMC Caballero. Approximately 200 are estimated to have been produced.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: The "European Sport Option" was an appearance and suspension package offered in 1978 through 1980. It is abbreviated "ES Option" or "ESO". Exterior changes included a black grille, black cowl grille, deluxe bumpers, black window frames, black exterior mirrors, black C-pillar ventilation louvers, bright belt moldings and turbine wheel covers. The interior featured black carpeting, a black three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, black instrument panel with gray engine-turned trim and black or chamois-colored seats. The running gear was modified with stiffer springs, re-valved shocks, and a rear anti-roll bar. The ESO mounted DR78-14 radial tires on 5.5 inch wheels, one half inch wider than stock.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: In 1978 Ford also made available specially prepared Fairmonts suitable for use as police cars and taxicabs. Initially the only engines offered for these applications were the 200 cubic inch inline six or the 302 V8. Ford's product literature lists the following special features for both packages:


title: Ford Fairmont

text: The Ford Fairmont was introduced in Mexico in late 1977 as a 1978 model, replacing the Ford Maverick that was produced there locally. The Mexican Fairmont was available exclusively with the 5.0 L engine (302) with manual and three-speed automatic transmissions. It was offered as a two- or four-door sedan and a wagon. The Futura coupe with its distinctive Thunderbird-style roofline was never offered in Mexico. Instead there was an uplevel two-door sedan called the Fairmont Elite. It was distinguished from other Fairmonts by its higher level of equipment and vinyl roof. It used the four headlight grille from the Fairmont Futura along with the Mercury Zephyr's taillamps and rear quarter window louvers.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: For 1981, all versions of the Fairmont got four headlights. The regular Fairmont continued to use the Futura grille while the Fairmont Elite used the Mercury Zephyr grille.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: For 1982 the Fairmont Elite was renamed the Ford Elite II, and was offered in both two- and four-door sedans. The Elite II used the entire front end and matching rear bumper from the 1982 North American Ford Granada. The base Fairmont adapted the Mercury Zephyr grille used on the previous Elite.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: For 1983, the Fairmont received a new 3.8 L Essex V6 engine which was sold in addition to the existing V8. This was the last year of the Fairmont as it was replaced later by the Ford Topaz which was a hybrid assembly of the Mercury Topaz with a Ford Tempo front end.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: A version of the Fairmont was manufactured in Venezuela where it was sold as the Ford Zephyr. The Ford Futura was also sold as an individual model without Fairmont badging.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: Contemporary reviews were generally favorable, with many commenting on the "European" feel of the car and comparing it to the Volvo 200 series.


title: Ford Fairmont

text: The 1978 Fairmont has been called the "most efficient Ford family (sedan) ever built from a space-per-weight perspective."


title: Ford Fairmont

text: In 1978 Bob Glidden campaigned an NHRA Pro Stock Futura powered by a Cleveland V8. The car won its debut race on 8 July 1978 at the Edgewater Winston Championship Series, where it also set a national record. Additional wins followed at the NHRA Grandnational, U.S. Nationals, Fall Nationals, World Finals and Beech Bend WCS. Glidden won his third national championship title with the car. The Futura was retired at the end of the 1978 season.


title: Shindong

text: Shin Dong-hee (born September 28, 1985), better known by his stage name Shindong (lit. meaning: "prodigy"), is a South Korean rapper, singer, dancer, host, radio personality and video director. He is best known as a member of Super Junior and its subgroups Super Junior-T and Super Junior-H.


title: Shindong

text: Shin Dong-hee was born in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do on September 28, 1985. Little is known about Shindong's personal life, and many thought he was an only child. He has a younger sister named Ahn Da Young. With a love for dancing, Shindong signed up for the 2002 Goyangsi Youth Dance contest and won grand prize. A year later, he joined the contest again and won gold. In 2004, Shindong joined the Mnet Epi Contest and won both the gold prize and popularity award. In 2005, Shindong signed up for the "SM Best Youth Contest" and won first place for Best Comedian, achieving the grand prize. He signed a contract with SM Entertainment and received lessons to further improve his dancing ability.


title: Shindong

text: Months after joining the company, Shindong was put in the large all-boy rotational group Super Junior as a member of its first generation, Super Junior 05. He decided to use the stage name 'Shindong' as his birth name sounds similar to bandmate Donghae. 'Shindong' is derived from his surname and the first character of his birth name, meaning "child prodigy".


title: Shindong

text: Shindong officially debuted as part of 12-member project group "Super Junior 05" on November 6, 2005, on SBS's music programme "Popular Songs", performing their first single, "Twins (Knock Out)". Their debut album "SuperJunior05 (Twins)" was released a month later on December 5, and debuted at number three on the monthly MIAK K-pop album charts.


title: Shindong

text: In March 2006, SM Entertainment began to recruit new members for the next Super Junior generation. However, plans changed and the company declared a halt in forming future Super Junior generations. Following the addition of thirteenth member Kyuhyun, the group dropped the suffix "05" and became officially credited as Super Junior. The re-polished group's first CD single "U" was released on June 7, 2006, which was their most successful single until the release of "Sorry, Sorry" in March 2009.


title: Shindong

text: During his career with Super Junior, Shindong was put into two subgroups, smaller groups that are branched off of the larger Super Junior group. In February 2007, he was placed in the trot-singing Super Junior-T. A year later, he became a member of Super Junior-H.


title: Shindong

text: On September 27, 2011, he along with Yesung and Eunhyuk filled in for bandmate Heechul, who enlisted for mandatory military service on September 1, during the performance on "Music Bank" and Show! Music Core of Kim Jang-hoon latest single, "Breakups are So Like Me". Heechul is featured in the song and starred in the music video, which was completed the day before he enlisted.


title: Shindong

text: In November 2005, following Super Junior 05's debut, Shindong became an emcee on Mnet's music program "M! Countdown", alongside Leeteuk and Kangin. The trio hosted together until August 2007, when Kangin was replaced by Eunhyuk. The new trio's final day of hosting was on March 27, 2008.


title: Shindong

text: Shindong is popularly known as an active emcee and radio host of MBC's "BoBoBo Ai Joa" and KMTV's "Green Apple Sound", successfully establishing the image, "DJ Shindong." Shindong left Green Apple Sound to host MBC's "Stop the Boring Time Radio" with Kim Shin-young.


title: Shindong

text: From 2009, Shindong, along with Eunhyuk and Leeteuk, had been regular guests on SBS's "Strong Heart", where they hosted a special segment, Boom Academy, headed by entertainer Boom. On March 28, 2012, SM Entertainment announced Shindong's departure from the show. As of the April 10, 2012, broadcast, following the change in MCs and his departure, the show was re-vamped with Leeteuk and Eunhyuk, Kim Hyo-jin, Jung Ju-ri and Yang Se-hyung, billed as the 'six-fixed guests'.


title: Shindong

text: While Shindong had prior acting experiences as a comedian, his acting debut was in the Super Junior film "Attack on the Pin-Up Boys", which premiered on July 26, 2007. In 2008, Shindong played a major supporting role in the mini television series "Single Dad in Love" and also participated in the drama's original soundtrack. He and radio partner Kim Shin-young appeared in an episode of popular MBC drama "Queen of Housewives".


title: Shindong

text: On April 19, 2007, almost two months after Super Junior-T's release of their first single "Rokuko", Leeteuk and Kyuhyun became seriously injured in a car wreck, along with Shindong, Eunhyuk, and two managers, when returning home after a recording of the radio show "Super Junior Kiss the Radio". While they were on the highway, the front left tire burst as the driver was switching lanes, and the van ran into the guard rail/median on the driver's side and skidded for about 30 metres. At some point, the momentum caused the van to flip over on its right side.


title: Shindong

text: While Shindong and Eunhyuk suffered minor injuries, Leeteuk and Kyuhyun sustained more serious injuries, which required both to be hospitalised. Leeteuk had glass shards embedded in his back and above his eyes, requiring over 170 stitches. Kyuhyun, who was sitting behind the driver's seat when the wreck occurred, was the most injured and had a fractured hip, pneumothorax from broken ribs, and facial scratches and bruises.


title: Shindong

text: On November 5, 2014, S.M. Entertainment announced that Shindong would enlist in the army on November 25, 2014. However, due to a back problem, his enlistment was delayed until a further date the next year. On March 24, 2015, Shindong quietly enlisted in the military without any fanfare or interviews with the press. He was scheduled to enter his service in Incheon. He was discharged from his military duty on December 23, 2016, after serving 21 months of active duty at the 55th army division's military band.


title: EG Group

text: EG Group is a British retailer headquartered in Blackburn, United Kingdom, which operates filling stations, convenience stores and fast-food restaurants in Europe, the United States and Australia. The group was created through the combination of Euro Garages and EFR Group in November 2016. It remains one of the largest privately owned businesses in the United Kingdom.


title: EG Group

text: Euro Garages was co founded by brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa in 2001, who expanded the business from a single site (at a cost of £150,000) in Bury, Greater Manchester to circa 340 sites in the UK. The growth co-incided with oil companies selling off their consumer petrol station assets to focus on their core production and refining business. In October 2015, the private equity firm TDR Capital acquired a stake in the company.


title: EG Group

text: The Dutch-headquartered European Forecourt Retail Group was founded in 2007 as the European energy retail and marketing arm of the Israeli firm Delek, and was also acquired by TDR Capital in August 2014. In October 2016 Euro acquired EFR to form the Intervias Group, later renamed the EG Group. As a consequence of these transactions, TDR Capital now owns 50% of the enlarged group, with Zuber Issa owning 25% and Mohsin Issa the remaining 25%.


title: EG Group

text: EG Group's acquisitions have been largely funded by debt, with a net debt of over £7.3 billion at the end of 2019.


title: EG Group

text: In February 2017, EG Group purchased 78 UK properties from Kout Food Group, this including 70 Little Chef sites (some with attached Burger King and Subway franchises) and 8 standalone Burger King sites. EG Group would then transform the Little Chef sites into its franchise partners (such as Greggs and Starbucks) by October 2018. The group founded EG Diner as a temporary measure in January 2018, when its license to use the Little Chef name expired, effectively ending the Little Chef brand after almost 60 years.


title: EG Group

text: In early 2020, EG Group announced that they were opening 150 American Bakery outlets under a partnership with Cinnabon by 2025.


title: EG Group

text: In March 2020, EG Group became KFC's largest franchisee in the UK through the acquisition of 145 KFC outlets in the UK and Ireland.


title: EG Group

text: In October 2020, EG’s owners won a deal to buy the supermarket chain Asda from Walmart for £6.8 billion, bringing it back into British hands after more than 20 years. Questions were raised after its auditor, Deloitte, "suddenly quit" to be replaced by KPMG. However, the group indicated there were no auditing disagreements. This accquistiion would mean EG Group would work with Asda to create 'Asda on the Move'.


title: EG Group

text: In October 2021, EG Group bought Cooplands, the UK's second-largest bakery operating mainly in North East England and Yorkshire.


title: EG Group

text: In November 2017, the business secured approximately 1,000 petrol stations from Esso in Germany, which were transferred and integrated into the existing EG network in October 2018.


title: EG Group

text: On 5 February 2018, EG Group announced that it would purchase nearly eight hundred Kroger convenience stores for $2.15 billion. Later that month, EG Group announced that it had completed the acquisition of circa 1,200 sites in Italy from Esso. In April 2018, EG Group completed the acquisition of a portfolio of 97 sites in the Netherlands to supplement is existing network in the country. In December 2018, EG completed its acquisition of 225 sites of Minit Mart from Travel Centers of America LLC for upwards of US$330m.


title: EG Group

text: In July 2019, EG completed its acquisition of fifty four Fastrac branded sites in the United States, and announced a deal to acquire sixty nine sites operated by Certified Oil, also in the United States. On 31 July 2019, EG Group announced having entered a binding agreement to purchase Cumberland Farms.


title: EG Group

text: In November 2020, EG Group entered into a binding agreement for the acquisition of 18 locations of Schrader Oil in Fort Collins, Colorado.


title: EG Group

text: On 9 November 2018, Australian retailer Woolworths announced to the Australian Securities Exchange it had entered into a binding agreement to sell its 540 fuel convenience sites to EG Group for 1.72bn.


title: EG Group

text: An April 2022 report in "The Wall Street Journal" reported that Circle K parent Alimentation Couche-Tard is in talks to buy EG Group. Should a deal go through, it would significantly boost Circle K's presence in several markets including Europe as well as giving it a location in every US state except Utah.


title: EG Group

text: In the United States, EG America has quickly become the fourth largest convenience store chain with its various brands following 7-Eleven's purchase of Speedway with Circle K and Casey's occupying the other spots ahead of EG America. EG America has opted to keep the various brand names as opposed to uniting them under one brand, but has made efforts to unite them: for instance, all locations began to sell Cumberland Farms branded coffee products, while locations acquired after the initial purchase of Kroger's convenience store chain have slowly started adopting the abstract continental United States logo that was originally owned by Kroger. All have begun having a shared loyalty program.


title: EG Group

text: Some EG America locations have begun offering franchised food concepts at their locations, such as Subway, Burger King, Sbarro, and Hunt Brothers Pizza, to compete better with chains that have long-established in-house food products, such as Sheetz, Wawa, Rutter's, QuickTrip, Casey's, and Buc-ee's.


title: Bill Marriott

text: John Willard "Bill" Marriott Jr. (born March 25, 1932) is an American billionaire businessman who is the executive chairman of Marriott International, of which he owns 11.28%.


title: Bill Marriott

text: Marriott was born in Washington, D.C., the son of Alice Marriott and J. Willard Marriott, the founder of Marriott Corporation. He attended St. Albans School in Washington, D.C. He is also an Eagle Scout and recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.


title: Bill Marriott

text: In 1954, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from the University of Utah, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. There, he met his wife, the daughter of a professor.


title: Bill Marriott

text: Upon graduating, he went to a Navy training school in Georgia. From June 1954 to 1956, he served on the USS Randolph aircraft carrier as a wardroom mess officer in the Navy Supply Corps.


title: Bill Marriott

text: When Bill was 22 years old, in 1954, Dwight D. Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie Eisenhower, were dinner guests of his father. Marriott was impressed by Eisenhower's style of inclusive decision making and carried this style later in his career.


title: Bill Marriott

text: Marriott joined Marriott Corporation in 1956. He pushed his father, who was wary of taking on debt after experiencing the Great Depression, to expand from the restaurant business into the hotel business.


title: Bill Marriott

text: He was elected executive vice president and member of the board of directors in January 1964, president of the company in November 1964, chief executive officer in 1972, and chairman of the board in 1985. Bill introduced the practice of revenue management to the hotel industry.


title: Bill Marriott

text: Effective March 31, 2012, Bill assumed the role of executive chairman of the company and relinquished the role of chief executive officer to Arne Sorenson.


title: Bill Marriott

text: In 2001, Marriott was recognized as The Industry Leader of The Year by Broad College of Business, Michigan State University.


title: Bill Marriott

text: On May 4, 2006, Marriott received an honorary doctorate of humanities from Weber State University and delivered the commencement speech.


title: Bill Marriott

text: On April 2, 2008, Marriott received the International Association of Business Communicators' Excellence in Communication Leadership Award.


title: Bill Marriott

text: On June 2, 2009, Marriott received the Icon of the Industry award from Cornell University School of Hotel Administration.


title: Bill Marriott

text: In 2010, Marriott received the Foreign Language Advocacy Award from the Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages in recognition of programs that provided language instruction to both non-English speaking and English speaking employees.


title: Bill Marriott

text: In 2018, Marriott received the Distinguished Service Award by the National Maritime Historical Society.


title: Bill Marriott

text: Marriott has been married to Donna Garff for over 60 years and they have four children, all of whom work for Marriott International, fifteen grandchildren, and twenty great-grandchildren. They raised their kids in a brick ranch-style house in Bethesda, Maryland.


title: Bill Marriott

text: In 2018, Bill's son John Marriott III sued both him and his uncle, Richard Marriott, for allegedly cutting John out of the family fortune, in part for divorcing his wife without approval of his father. The lawsuit was settled out of court.


title: Bill Marriott

text: Marriott is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Since 1978, the Marriotts have been supporters of the annual Festival of Lights on the grounds of the Washington D.C. Temple. In 1997, Marriott was called by the church to be an Area Authority Seventy and member of the Fifth Quorum of the Seventy. This was split in 2004 and Marriott joined the newly-created Sixth Quorum of the Seventy, serving until his release on October 1, 2011.


title: Bill Marriott

text: Marriott is actively involved in various boards and councils including, the U.S. Travel and Tourism Promotional Advisory Board, the executive committee of the World Travel and Tourism Council, the National Business Council, the board of trustees of the National Urban League, a director of the National Geographic Society, and a director of the Naval Academy Endowment Trust. He serves as chairman of the President's Export Council, a group that advises the president on matters relating to export trade, and serves as chairman of the Leadership Council of the Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: Vertebral artery dissection (VAD) is a flap-like tear of the inner lining of the vertebral artery, which is located in the neck and supplies blood to the brain. After the tear, blood enters the arterial wall and forms a blood clot, thickening the artery wall and often impeding blood flow. The symptoms of vertebral artery dissection include head and neck pain and intermittent or permanent stroke symptoms such as difficulty speaking, impaired coordination and visual loss. It is usually diagnosed with a contrast-enhanced CT or MRI scan.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: Vertebral dissection may occur after physical trauma to the neck, such as a blunt injury (e.g. traffic collision), or strangulation, or after sudden neck movements, i.e. coughing, but may also happen spontaneously. 1–4% of spontaneous cases have a clear underlying connective tissue disorder affecting the blood vessels. Treatment is usually with either antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin or with anticoagulants such as heparin or warfarin.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: Vertebral artery dissection is less common than carotid artery dissection (dissection of the large arteries in the front of the neck). The two conditions together account for 10–25% of non-hemorrhagic strokes in young and middle-aged people. Over 75% recover completely or with minimal impact on functioning, with the remainder having more severe disability and a very small proportion (about 2%) dying from complications. It was first described in the 1970s by the Canadian neurologist C. Miller Fisher.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: Vertebral artery dissection is one of the two types of dissection of the arteries in the neck. The other type, carotid artery dissection, involves the carotid arteries. Vertebral artery dissection is further classified as being either traumatic (caused by mechanical trauma to the neck) or spontaneous, and it may also be classified by the part of the artery involved: extracranial (the part outside the skull) and intracranial (the part inside the skull).


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: Head pain occurs in 50–75% of all cases of vertebral artery dissection. It tends to be located at the back of the head, either on the affected side or in the middle, and develops gradually. It is either dull or pressure-like in character or throbbing. About half of those with VAD consider the headache distinct, while the remainder have had a similar headache before. It is suspected that VAD with headache as the only symptom is fairly common; 8% of all cases of vertebral and carotid dissection are diagnosed on the basis of pain alone.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: Obstruction of blood flow through the affected vessel may lead to dysfunction of part of the brain supplied by the artery. This happens in 77–96% of cases. This may be temporary ("transient ischemic attack") in 10–16% of cases, but many (67–85% of cases) end up with a permanent deficit or a stroke. The vertebral artery supplies the part of the brain that lies in the posterior fossa of the skull, and this type of stroke is therefore called a posterior circulation infarct. Problems may include difficulty speaking or swallowing (lateral medullary syndrome); this occurs in less than a fifth of cases and occurs due to dysfunction of the brainstem. Others may experience unsteadiness or lack of coordination due to involvement of the cerebellum, and still others may develop visual loss (on one side of the visual field) due to involvement of the visual cortex in the occipital lobe. In the event of involvement of the sympathetic tracts in the brainstem, a partial Horner's syndrome may develop; this is the combination of a drooping eyelid, constricted pupil, and an apparently sunken eye on one side of the face.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: If the dissection of the artery extends to the part of the artery that lies inside the skull, subarachnoid hemorrhage may occur (1% of cases). This arises due to rupture of the artery and accumulation of blood in the subarachnoid space. It may be characterized by a different, usually severe headache; it may also cause a range of additional neurological symptoms.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: 13–16% of all people with vertebral or carotid dissection have dissection in another cervical artery. It is therefore possible for the symptoms to occur on both sides, or for symptoms of carotid artery dissection to occur at the same time as those of vertebral artery dissection. Some give a figure of multiple vessel dissection as high as 30%.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: The causes of vertebral artery dissection can be grouped under two main categories, spontaneous and traumatic.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: Spontaneous cases are considered to be caused by intrinsic factors that weaken the arterial wall. Only a very small proportion (1–4%) have a clear underlying connective tissue disorder, such as Ehlers–Danlos syndrome type 4 and, more rarely, Marfan syndrome. However, ultrastructural abnormalities of the dermal connective tissue components are discernible in two out of three patients with spontaneous dissection. Ehlers–Danlos syndrome type 4, caused by mutations of the "COL3A" gene, leads to defective production of the collagen, type III, alpha 1 protein and causes skin fragility as well as weakness of the walls of arteries and internal organs. Marfan syndrome results from mutations in the "FBN1" gene, defective production of the protein fibrillin-1, and a number of physical abnormalities including aneurysm of the aortic root.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: There have also been reports in other genetic conditions, such as osteogenesis imperfecta type 1, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and pseudoxanthoma elasticum, α antitrypsin deficiency and hereditary hemochromatosis, but evidence for these associations is weaker. Genetic studies in other connective tissue-related genes have mostly yielded negative results. Other abnormalities to the blood vessels, such as fibromuscular dysplasia, have been reported in a proportion of cases. Atherosclerosis does not appear to increase the risk.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: There have been numerous reports of associated risk factors for vertebral artery dissection; many of these reports suffer from methodological weaknesses, such as selection bias. Elevated homocysteine levels, often due to mutations in the "MTHFR" gene, appear to increase the risk of vertebral artery dissection. People with an aneurysm of the aortic root and people with a history of migraine may be predisposed to vertebral artery dissection. Vascular tortuosity or redundancy in young patients is associated with an increased risk of spontaneous dissection.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: Traumatic vertebral dissection may follow blunt trauma to the neck, such as in a traffic collision, direct blow to the neck, strangulation, or whiplash injury. 1–2% of those with major trauma may have an injury to the carotid or vertebral arteries. In many cases of vertebral dissection, people report recent very mild trauma to the neck or sudden neck movements, e.g. in the context of playing sports. Others report a recent infection, particularly respiratory tract infections associated with coughing. Trauma has been reported to have occurred within a month of dissection in 40% with nearly 90% of the traumas being minor. It has been difficult to prove the association of vertebral artery dissection with mild trauma and infections statistically. It is likely that many "spontaneous" cases may in fact have been caused by such relatively minor insults in someone predisposed by other structural problems to the vessels. A more likely theory, also as yet unproven, is that the low-energy traumatic dissections are actually spontaneous dissections brought to medical attention by the onset of neurological symptoms. These neurological events represent embolic phenomena due to loosening or breakdown of the clot at the site of the dissection, which can be triggered by low energy trauma or even occur spontaneously. The fragments travel within the arterial system downstream to the brain to cause stroke or stroke-like symptoms.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: Vertebral artery dissection has also been reported in association with some forms of neck manipulation. There is significant controversy about the level of risk of stroke from neck manipulation. It may be that manipulation can cause dissection, or it may be that the dissection is already present in some people who seek manipulative treatment. At this time, conclusive evidence does not exist to support either a strong association between neck manipulation and stroke, or no association. However, the two most authoritative articles on the subject, recent literature reviews and analyses, conclude that although there exists an association between "stroke" from vertebral artery dissection and chiropractic adjustment, there is insufficient evidence to indicate that the adjustment "caused" the dissection. A recent meta-analysis of the published data on the topic also looked to apply Hill's criteria for assigning causation in biological systems to the relationship between chiropractic adjustment and cervical artery dissection, finding that the relationship did not fulfill the required criteria for causality.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: The vertebral arteries arise from the subclavian artery, and run through the transverse foramen of the upper six vertebrae of the neck. After exiting at the level of the first cervical vertebra, its course changes from vertical to horizontal, and then enters the skull through the foramen magnum. Inside the skull, the arteries merge to form the basilar artery, which joins the circle of Willis. In total, three quarters of the artery are outside the skull; it has a high mobility in this area due to rotational movement in the neck and is therefore vulnerable to trauma. Most dissections happen at the level of the first and second vertebrae. The vertebral artery supplies a number of vital structures in the posterior cranial fossa, such as the brainstem, the cerebellum and the occipital lobes. The brainstem harbors a number of vital functions (such as respiration) and controls the nerves of the face and neck. The cerebellum is part of the diffuse system that coordinates movement. Finally, the occipital lobes participate in the sense of vision.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: Dissection occurs when blood accumulates in the wall of the blood vessel. This is most likely due to a tear in the tunica intima (the inner layer), allowing blood to enter the tunica media, although other lines of evidence have suggested that the blood may instead arise from the vasa vasorum, the small blood vessels that supply the outer layer of larger blood vessels. Various theories exist as to whether people who sustain carotid and vertebral artery dissection, even if they do not have a connective tissue disorder, have an underlying vulnerability. Biopsy samples of skin and other arteries has indicated that this might be a possibility, but no genetic defect in collagen or elastin genes has been convincingly proven. Other studies have indicated inflammation of the blood vessels, as measured by highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP, a marker of inflammation) in the blood.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: Once dissection has occurred, two mechanisms contribute to the development of stroke symptoms. Firstly, the flow through the blood vessel may be disrupted due to the accumulation of blood under the vessel wall, leading to ischemia (insufficient blood supply). Secondly, irregularities in the vessel wall and turbulence increase the risk of thrombosis (the formation of blood clots) and embolism (migration) of these clots of the brain. From various lines of evidence, it appears that thrombosis and embolism is the predominant problem.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: Subarachnoid hemorrhage due to arterial rupture typically occurs if the dissection extends into the V4 section of the artery. This may be explained by the fact that the arterial wall is thinner and lacks a number of structural supports in this section.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: Various diagnostic modalities exist to demonstrate blood flow or absence thereof in the vertebral arteries. The gold standard is cerebral angiography (with or without digital subtraction angiography). This involves puncture of a large artery (usually the femoral artery) and advancing an intravascular catheter through the aorta towards the vertebral arteries. At that point, radiocontrast is injected and its downstream flow captured on fluoroscopy (continuous X-ray imaging). The vessel may appear stenotic (narrowed, 41–75%), occluded (blocked, 18–49%), or as an aneurysm (area of dilation, 5–13%). The narrowing may be described as "rat's tail" or "string sign". Cerebral angiography is an invasive procedure, and it requires large volumes of radiocontrast that can cause complications such as kidney damage. Angiography also does not directly demonstrate the blood in the vessel wall, as opposed to more modern modalities. The only remaining use of angiography is when endovascular treatment is contemplated (see below).


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: More modern methods involve computed tomography (CT angiography) and magnetic resonance imaging (MR angiography). They use smaller amounts of contrast and are not invasive. CT angiography and MR angiography are more or less equivalent when used to diagnose or exclude vertebral artery dissection. CTA has the advantage of showing certain abnormalities earlier, tends to be available outside office hours, and can be performed rapidly. When MR angiography is used, the best results are achieved in the "T" setting using a protocol known as "fat suppression". Doppler ultrasound is less useful as it provides little information about the part of the artery close to the skull base and in the vertebral foramina, and any abnormality detected on ultrasound would still require confirmation with CT or MRI.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: Treatment is focused on reducing stroke episodes and damage from a distending artery. Four treatment modalities have been reported in the treatment of vertebral artery dissection. The two main treatments involve medication: anticoagulation (using heparin and warfarin) and antiplatelet drugs (usually aspirin). More rarely, thrombolysis (medication that dissolves blood clots) may be administered, and occasionally obstruction may be treated with angioplasty and stenting. No randomized controlled trials have been performed to compare the different treatment modalities. Surgery is only used in exceptional cases.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: From analysis of the existing small treatment trials of cervical artery dissection (carotid and vertebral) it appears that aspirin and anticoagulation (heparin followed by warfarin) are equally effective in reducing the risk of further stroke or death. Anticoagulation is regarded as more powerful than antiplatelet therapy, but anticoagulants may increase the size of the hematoma and worsen obstruction of the affected artery. Anticoagulation may be relatively unsafe if a large stroke has already occurred, as hemorrhagic transformation is relatively common, and if the dissection extends into V4 (carrying a risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage). Anticoagulation may be appropriate if there is rapid blood flow (through a severely narrowed vessel) on transcranial doppler despite the use of aspirin, if there is a completely occluded vessel, if there are recurrent stroke-like episodes, or if free-floating blood clot is visible on scans. Warfarin is typically continued for 3–6 months, as during this time the flow through the artery usually improves, and most strokes happen within the first 6 months after the development of the dissection. Some regard 3 months as sufficient.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: Professional guidelines in the UK recommend that patients with VA dissection should be enrolled in a clinical trial comparing aspirin and anticoagulation if possible. American guidelines state that the benefit of anticoagulation is not currently established.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: Thrombolysis, stenting and surgery are not used as widely as anticoagulation or antiplatelet drugs. These treatments are invasive, and are typically reserved for situations where symptoms worsen despite medical treatment, or where medical treatment may be unsafe (e.g. an unacceptable bleeding tendency).


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: Thrombolysis is enzymatic destruction of blood clots. This is achieved by the administration of a drug (such as urokinase or alteplase) that activates plasmin, an enzyme that occurs naturally in the body and digests clots when activated. Thrombolysis is an accepted treatment for heart attacks and stroke unrelated to dissection. In cervical artery dissection, only small case series are available. The thrombolytic drug is administered either intravenously or during cerebral angiography through a catheter directly into the affected artery. The data indicates that thrombolysis is safe, but its place in the treatment of VAD is uncertain.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: Stenting involves the catheterization of the affected artery during angiography, and the insertion of a mesh-like tube; this is known as "endovascular therapy" (inside the blood vessel). This may be performed to allow the blood to flow through a severely narrowed vessel, or to seal off an aneurysm. However, it is unclear whether the technical success of the procedure translates into improved outcomes, as in both cases the problem often resolves spontaneously over time. Stenting, as well as the insertion of coils by means of angiography, may be performed if there is an aneurysm and/or extension of the dissection into the V4 section of the artery.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: Surgery carries a high risk of complications, and is typically only offered in case of inexorable deterioration or contraindications to any of the other treatments. Various arterial repair procedures have been described.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: Prognosis of spontaneous cervical arterial dissection involves neurological and arterial results. The overall functional prognosis of individuals with stroke due to cervical artery dissection does not appear to vary from that of young people with stroke due to other causes. The rate of survival with good outcome (a modified Rankin score of 0–2) is generally about 75%, or possibly slightly better (85.7%) if antiplatelet drugs are used. In studies of anticoagulants and aspirin, the combined mortality with either treatment is 1.8–2.1%.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: After the initial episode, 2% may experience a further episode within the first month. After this, there is a 1% annual risk of recurrence. Those with high blood pressure and dissections in multiple arteries may have a higher risk of recurrence. Further episodes of cervical artery dissection are more common in those who are younger, have a family history of cervical artery dissection, or have a diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or fibromuscular dysplasia.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: The annual incidence is about 1.1 per 100,000 annually in population studies from the United States and France. From 1994 to 2003, the incidence increased threefold; this has been attributed to the more widespread use of modern imaging modalities rather than a true increase. Similarly, those living in urban areas are more likely to receive appropriate investigations, accounting for increased rates of diagnosis in those dwelling in cities. It is suspected that a proportion of cases in people with mild symptoms remains undiagnosed.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: There is controversy as to whether VAD is more common in men or in women; an aggregate of all studies shows that it is slightly higher incidence in men (56% versus 44%). Men are on average 37–44 years old at diagnosis, and women 34–44. While dissection of the carotid and vertebral arteries accounts for only 2% of strokes (which are usually caused by high blood pressure and other risk factors, and tend to occur in the elderly), they cause 10–25% of strokes in young and middle-aged people.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: Dissecting aneurysms of the vertebral artery constitute 4% of all cerebral aneurysms, and are hence a relatively rare but important cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: Spontaneous vertebral artery dissection was described in the 1970s. Prior to this, there had been isolated case reports about carotid dissection. In 1971, C. Miller Fisher, a Canadian neurologist and stroke physician working at Massachusetts General Hospital, first noted the "string sign" abnormality in carotid arteries on cerebral angiograms of stroke patients, and subsequently discovered that the same abnormality could occur in the vertebral arteries. He reported the discovery in a paper in 1978.


title: Vertebral artery dissection

text: Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes died on 27 November 2014 after developing a vertebral artery dissection as a result of being struck on the side of the neck by a cricket ball, while representing South Australia in a Sheffield Shield match on 25 November 2014 at the S.C.G.. The short-pitched delivery bowled by N.S.W. player Sean Abbott struck Hughes on the base of the skull, just behind his left ear which caused a vertebral artery dissection complicated by subarachnoid hemorrhage.


title: Macau Grand Prix

text: The Macau Grand Prix (; ) is a motorsport road race for automobiles and motorcycles held annually in Macau. It is the only street circuit racing event in which both cars and motorcycles participate, and one of only two current national Grand Prix events that are not part of the Formula One World Championship, the other being the New Zealand Grand Prix.


title: Macau Grand Prix

text: The first Macau Grand Prix event was held in 1954, as a sports car event. In 1961, the title race became an open-wheel Formula Libre event. The event has also had a variety of support races in its duration. Production cars joined the event in 1957, which were superseded by touring cars in 1972. The event received world championship status from 2005 to 2014 as the final round of the World Touring Car Championship. In 1976, the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix was introduced. In 2008, a GT3 race was added to the event, which became known as the FIA GT World Cup.


title: Macau Grand Prix

text: The highlight of the race weekend is the Macau Formula Three Grand Prix, featuring many national Formula Three champions and drivers from around the world, with the winner being awarded the FIA Formula 3 World Cup. Due to the challenging nature of the circuit, which consists of fast straights (a Formula Three car can reach a top speed of at the end of the straight), tight corners and uncompromising crash barriers, the Macau Grand Prix is considered one of the most demanding circuits in the world. Many current or former Formula One drivers have participated in the event early in their careers and some of them have won the prestigious prize. Previous winners include Riccardo Patrese, Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, David Coulthard, Ralf Schumacher, Ralph Firman, Takuma Sato, Lucas di Grassi, Edoardo Mortara, António Félix da Costa, Felix Rosenqvist and Dan Ticktum.


title: Macau Grand Prix

text: The Macau Grand Prix was originally conceived in 1954 as a treasure hunt around the streets of the city, but shortly after, it was suggested that the hunt's track could host a professional racing event for local motor enthusiasts.


title: Macau Grand Prix

text: The race continued as an amateur race until 1966, when Belgian driver Mauro Bianchi entered the race in an Alpine A220 (chassis #1722). Alpine Renault had also sent engineer Jean-Paul Castilleux to assist Bianchi with technical aspects of the car. Bianchi's victory and exposure led to more professional racing teams entering the Grand Prix in the following years.


title: Macau Grand Prix

text: The motorcycle race was introduced in 1967, and in that year the first fatal tragedy struck the race: double champion Dodjie Laurel was killed when he lost control of his car and crashed. This raised the alarm for more safety improvements for the race. Teddy Yip was one of the main forces behind the Macau Grand Prix back in the 1970s and 1980s, leading this Grand Prix to be one of the world's most famous motor racing events. The Macau Grand Prix parties he hosted for many years at his home also became a central part of the social aspect of the Grand Prix. Prize money at this time was not substantial, with 1980 winner Geoff Lees receiving thirty-four dollars and 1981 winner Bob Earl receiving thirty-six.


title: Macau Grand Prix

text: In 1983, it was decided by the organisers that since Formula Pacific was becoming obsolete, the race would be held as a Formula Three event. Initially, they wanted to run a F2 race, but as they were unwilling to make any large circuit modifications, which included cutting down trees, the organisers decided to adopt Formula 3 cars for the feature race and it was sanctioned by FIA as the F3 World Cup title race. At the same time, Yokohama Tire was officially designated as the sole supplier of control tires for the competitors.


title: Macau Grand Prix

text: This decision has seen the reputation of the event in the motorsport world increase rapidly, with the event attracting the best young drivers from Europe and Japan. The first F3 race was won by a young Ayrton Senna. The race in 1990 was a memorable one, as Michael Schumacher and Mika Häkkinen were involved in an incident when they were in first and second going into the final lap. At the main straight just after the Mandarin Oriental Bend, Häkkinen hit the back of Schumacher's car and crashed out when he attempted to overtake him. Schumacher's car was able to continue with its rear wing damaged and eventually won the race with the best aggregate time. Other notable winners include Formula One drivers David Coulthard, Ralf Schumacher and Takuma Sato. Since the introduction of F3 races, the Macau GP has gradually become a stepping stone for many F3 drivers to higher class motor-racing competitions such as the FIA Formula 2 Championship and Formula One. However, only three drivers in the field in the 2010s -- Valtteri Bottas in 2011, Max Verstappen in 2014, and Charles Leclerc in 2015—who have started this race have won a Formula One race, and 1995 was the last time a Macau Grand Prix winner won a Formula One race.


title: Macau Grand Prix

text: The Macau Grand Prix race weekend normally starts on the Thursday and ends on the Sunday on the second or third week of November. The first two days (Thursday and Friday) are generally scheduled for practice and qualifying. All races are held on Saturday and Sunday, with the final rounds of the heavyweights Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix and the Touring Car Guia Race (the final 2 rounds of the World Touring Car Championship), as well as the FIA GT World Cup, held on the last day. Both the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix and the Guia Race are sanctioned by the FIA and the winner of the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix is awarded the FIA World Cup. Apart from the two major races held at the race weekend, the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix is also one of the highlights of the weekend since it features former or current racers of the Superbike World Championship and stars of Britain's legendary open-road motorcycle races such as the Isle of Man TT.


title: Macau Grand Prix

text: Newly introduced into the 2007 race Macau GT Cup is the race for GT3 category cars. Since 2015 the winner of the race is awarded the FIA GT World Cup.


title: Macau Grand Prix

text: Over the years, the Macau Grand Prix's Guia Race four touring cars had belonged to the "Asian Touring Car Championship", and the current GT Cup race was once the "Supercar Cup" for road going exotic sports cars., the Formula Renault race, the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia race, the scooter race for locals and in the past but on a less than frequent basis, a Jackie Chan endorsed race for celebrity women drivers (partnered with pro racers) involving Mitsubishis, with whom Chan hold a sponsorship deal.


title: Macau Grand Prix

text: As of , there has been a total of 17 deaths from accidents at or related to the circuit; in total, 9 motorcyclists, 5 car drivers, 1 spectator, official and bystander each. 8 of those are from Hong Kong.


title: Macau Grand Prix

text: 1967: Arsenio Laurel: Killed when he lost control of his Lotus 41 and hit the corner sea wall, now called Mandarin Bend. He was trapped in his Formula car and burned.


title: Macau Grand Prix

text: 1971: David Ma: whilst qualifying, he lost control of his Lotus 47 under braking for the Statue Corner, striking into a lamp post. Ma was killed instantly. The wrecked remains of his car was dumped at sea on its return trip.


title: Macau Grand Prix

text: 1972: Chan Shui Fat: at the Guia Race, his Mini Cooper went out of control at more than 100 mph and left the road. Chan jumped out of the car before it crashed into a wall and burst into flames. He died from internal bleeding shortly after being admitted to hospital.


title: Macau Grand Prix

text: 1979: Tong Zheng Hui: at the ACP saloon car support race, Tong's Toyota Corolla coupe and Bobby Chung Datsun Sunny collided with each other and caught fire at Excelsior Bend, killing Tong and hospitalizing the other with serious injuries. The third driver involved, Wong Weng Kwong, was critically injured after crashing into barrier at the same place immediately before collision.


title: Macau Grand Prix

text: 1974: Dieter Glemser: during practice for the Guia Race, he lost control of his Zakspeed Ford Escort RS 1600 when it suffered from a blowout. The car hit a sea wall, spun across the rain-soaked track and ploughed into the mostly unprotected crowd, consisting of several young spectators. One of them, an eight-year-old child, later died of his injuries and five children between 6 and 10 received hospital treatment. The accident led Glemser, the 1971 Guia Race winner, to retire from racing months later.


title: Macau Grand Prix

text: 1998: At the Supercar Cup (the predecessor of GT World Cup), a Ferrari 348 caught fire due to an oil leak, this almost spread to the Ferrari of Aaron Kwok, causing him to park up and bail out. The driver parked the burning car in the pits with two firefighters trying to extinguish the fire. A Porsche 911T lost control spun out of control after hitting the oil slick, striking into two firemen and three track officials, before crashing into a barrier, destroying the car frontally. The fireman later died from his injuries.


title: Macau Grand Prix

text: 2012: : In a WTCC-spec Chevrolet Cruze in the CTM Touring Car Cup invitational, a part failure led to the car making contact with the Turn 2 (Mandarin Oriental) wall at speeds over 200 km/h. The rescue team tried to put out the fire with the fire extinguisher. The driver was airlifted to the hospital, but died shortly afterwards.


title: Macau Grand Prix

text: 2018: Sophia Flörsch: Suffered a spinal fracture after her Formula 3 car became airborne after contact leading into Lisboa corner, flipping over the catch fencing and striking a photographers' bunker.


title: Macau Grand Prix

text: The 3.8 miles (6.2 km) Guia Circuit features a combination of fast straights and tight corners, with the circuit's minimum width being only seven metres. It is recognised as one of the most challenging circuits in the world.


title: Macau Grand Prix

text: The first title race was held in 1954 as a sports car race. In 1961 the title race switched to the Formula Libre till 1974, when Formula Pacific came into play. 1983 was a start of the new era with the introduction of the Formula 3 rules, which attracted drivers from European Formula 3 championships and the Japanese Formula 3 Championship. 2019 introduced the Dallara F3 2019 machinery, with the entrants—all of them from the FIA Formula 3 Championship—using equal cars and engines for the first time.


title: Macau Grand Prix

text: In 2020 and 2021, the title race was run as a part of the 2020 China Formula 4 Championship and 2021 China Formula 4 Championship with exclusively local drivers and teams, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced travel restrictions on international FIA F3 drivers and teams.


title: Macau Grand Prix

text: The first Guia race for touring cars was held in 1972. The event was notable in that very few touring car races were held on street circuits at the time. From 2005 to 2014, the race became the final two rounds of the FIA World Touring Car Championship. In 2015, the category was replaced by the TCR International Series with Robert Huff winning both the last WTCC and first TCR races at the circuit. Huff has won a record eight races at the circuit.