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- Math Connections with the Real World - MathArt in Ancient Cultures - MathArt in the Arts & Sciences - MathArt: Patterns in Nature Each of the classes are 6 weeks in length. There’s a schedule for the online classes to be taught live (1 hour per week). If you can’t make the live class, there is also a recorded version of a previous live class, which can be watched at any time. The student will have access to all the classes for 1 year. Math Connections with the Real World “Math Connections with the Real World” is an online class that teaches its students that math is not just a secluded subject by itself, but is very much connected to nature, music, science, history, literature, architecture, etc. The course explores those connections, and students will see how valuable math is when learning about the world around us. There are 6 main lessons to the course. A good pace would be to cover one lesson per week. The lessons are: Week #1 – Introduction & History of the Golden Ratio and the Fibonacci Numbers Week #2 – The Golden Number & Fibonacci in Art, Architecture & Nature Week #3 – The Fibonacci Numbers in Nature Week #4 – The History & the Golden Ratio of the Great Pyramid Week #5 – Phi & Quasicrystals Week #6 – The Mathematics of Music As you can see, learning about Fibonacci Numbers and the Golden Ratio and how we can see this math in our everyday life is a main focus of this course. Before taking this course, I had never heard of these numbers, or at least didn’t remember hearing about them. It was all very new to me. I’m glad to have been able to learn about this type of math. Who is the Course For? The course is for students 10 and older. In my opinion 10 might still be too young to fully be able to absorb the material as there is math used to explain concepts that isn’t taught till later middle school or even high school. There’s addition, subtraction, multiplication, percents, squaring & cubing numbers, and advanced geometry and algebra that are used in explanations. I love math and was always pretty good at it. It’s been a while since I’ve studied it in school, so have forgotten somethings, but some of the math explanations were a tad complicated to fully follow even for me. However, you don’t need to be able to fully follow all the math to benefit from this course. There’s enough resources and information that can be tailored somewhat to varying levels. For example, while my 7-year-old, I realized very quickly, was much too young to take the course, there were video’s that were simpler and suitable for even her age. So even only watching those video’s, she was able to get a basic understanding of Fibonacci numbers and understands now that plants and nature uses math laws. In my opinion, the course would be ideal for 12 and older. Components of the Course Each week has various learning tools. Usually you can download a study guide. It might include some notes, questions kids can answer while following along with the videos, project ideas, etc. Also you can download a .pdf version of the PowerPoint presentations. Then there is either a live class if you’re available during that time, or you can watch the video’s of a previously recorded class. Usually there are several optional activities that a student could do if they had the ability and interest to do so. There’s also a variety of resources pulled from the web: video’s, activities, things to read, etc. And finally, at the end of each lesson, there is an online flash card based quiz. It’s very similar to match games, where you have to find the 2 cards that match. How I Used The Course & My Opinion As I have quite a busy schedule, I used the previously recorded class video’s, so I could watch at my own pace and time. I have mixed feelings about these video’s. As it was mostly just reading the notes together, and circling words and then erasing, I didn’t feel the classes added a lot of value for the time. As many times the material being covered was a bit more difficult, I feel like I would have benefited more from reading the .pdf’s of the slide show myself, attempt to digest the material ahead of time, come up with questions that if answered would help it make more sense to me, and then attend a live class where I could ask the questions. Sometimes when a student that attended the recorded class would ask a question that was answered, I found that helpful. But more often than not it was simply reading and then interacting by circling or drawing some lines and then erasing their work. I downloaded the .pdf’s to check them out, but I didn’t print them out or use them. I can see how the study guides would be beneficial, to help the student actively be engaged instead of just listening. The slide show notes were a little bit more difficult to learn from as it was similar to reading an encyclopedia. I had to really force myself to get through it. It was like exposing yourself to all the information at once, but I didn’t really grasp it well till further along in the lesson. I also didn’t complete the optional activities that were to be done off the computer, but I did enjoy reading up on them and benefited from the photos’ of others that had completed them. My favourite part of the course was the resources pulled from the web. There were such a variety and at such varying levels that this is the area I learned the most from. There were even parts that my daughter could benefit from. You could pick and choose which resources to use. I sampled most of them, but I really enjoyed the variety of video’s. This is where the real value of the course was for me. I also appreciated the online game type quiz. It wasn’t something you had to study for or anything, but was a good learning tool all on its own. Overall I learned a lot and am happy to have gained this knowledge about Fibonacci Numbers and the Golden Ratio. I personally especially enjoyed how math is used in nature and art. I wasn’t such a big fan of the online classes, as I found them a tad dry and challenging to keep my focus in. However, you get what you put into it and with a little extra work on my part I could have benefited more from them. I did thoroughly enjoy and benefit from other components of the course especially the curated web resources. As the bundle contains 4 classes, the next class I am looking forward to taking is “MathArt: Patterns in Nature”.
Great Birding Moments # 19 King Parrot I remember the first time I ever saw a King Parrot. It was back in the late 1970s on a holiday in NSW. We’d been several days in Sydney and we drove to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. We were planning to take the children on the Scenic Railway which happens to be the world’s steepest incline railway and then cross the valley in the scenic skyway which takes you towards the famous landmark, the amazing rock formation called The Three Sisters. We did all of those things and it was one of the highlights of our holiday. Unfortunately, we did not have a great view of the valley, the surrounding mountains or the Three Sisters due to thick fog for most of the morning. One thing did stand out in the fog, however. For the first time I saw an Australian King Parrot. As you can see from the photo the male is bright red and green. Viewing this species for the first time, from a few metres away, when everything around you is dull, foggy and damp is an amazing memory I have. - Great Birding Moments – a list of the articles I have written in this series, with links.
The workplace, like the rest of the world we live in, is a mixture of the good and bad, of nobility of purpose and unbridled ambition, of supportive encouragement and backstabbing politics. Someone once told me that if you get more than two people in a room, you have the ingredients for conflict, politics, and factions. Working in high-pressure workplaces only intensifies this tendency for conflict (additionally fueled by intra-office email). To make sense of this, and sometimes to seek a resolution, I write poems. From what I hear from friends and colleagues, this could become an entire genre of poetry—the poetry of workplace conflict. I don’t write nasty little darts aimed at superiors, subordinates, or colleagues. Save that for Twitter or Facebook. (I once watched two colleagues battle it out with each other on their Facebook pages, and I finally intervened when it showed no signs of stopping.) Instead, I try to think through what might be at the heart of the matter, reflect on it, and then begin to understand it by writing a poem or series of poems. I’ve done this when (1) someone was unjustifiably laid off; (2) the workplace became overwhelming; (3) a conflict (not necessarily involving me) broke into the open or, even worse, stayed disruptively hidden; (4) dealing with a career disappointment; (5) dealing with a career success, which can be even more of a problem than a disappointment; (6) people use their titles or positions to force their desired path or outcome; (7) meetings go on behind closed doors that result in bad decisions; and (8) resources were over-allocated to one area while another area starved. These are just a few of the situations. Poetry can be useful, sometimes helpful, in just about any kind of challenge or problem in the workplace. This poetic exercise has taught me two things. First, I’m surprised at how much workplace conflict is driven by fear. Fear of someone seeming smarter or more capable. Fear of embarrassment. Fear of what may happen if we accept responsibility. Fear of making a mistake. Fear of failure. Fear of loss or respect or position. Fear of doing something new or different. All of us experience these very human fears. All of us have been affected, sometimes overwhelmed, by these fears. Poetry—writing a poem—can often help identify these fears and how they motivate ourselves and others. Second, I’ve found that writing poetry to address these workplace situations has a calming effect. Allowing our thoughts and fears to flow into our pens and keyboards (I prefer a pen for a first draft) helps diminish anxiety and angst. I can often look at very tense and intense situations more calmly and with a better perspective (not always, mind you, but often). Try it. Try using poetry to explain and understand a problem or challenge (or crisis or disaster) in your workplace. See what happens. Problems may not be immediately resolved, but understanding will increase. “This book is elemental.” —Dave Malone, poet and professor You Might Also Like Latest posts by Glynn Young (see all) - Poets and Poems: Nick Laird and “Feel Free” - April 16, 2019 - Poets and Poems: Ailbhe Darcy and “Insistence” - April 9, 2019 - “The Banished Immortal: A Life of Li Bai” by Ha Jin - April 2, 2019
Failure Of Doha Talks On Afghanistan May Lead To Further Conflict Escalation - MSF Umer Jamshaid 6 days ago Tue 16th April 2019 \| 06:41 PM The failure of the inter-Afghan talks in Doha to achieve any political solution to the conflict will only lead to an exponential increase in fighting as compared to last year, Christopher Stokes, the special representative of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF, or Doctors Without Borders) in Afghanistan, told Sputnik "We know that this fighting season there is a lot of expectation around the Doha talks, the different talks that are happening in Doha or in Moscow and if those talks don't succeed, Afghans have told us that the fighting will be even worse this year," Stokes said. Stokes added that MSF would be forced to step up a plea for donations if there was a large increase in fighting. "We won't do a specific drive unless there is a big deterioration in the fighting this year," Stokes noted. Afghanistan has long been gripped by war and political instability, but the two main rivals, the Afghan government and the Taliban movement, have been making efforts toward achieving peace by holding indirect talks. Along with these contacts, Afghan diaspora and Afghan politicians, such as former President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai, as well as representatives of the political office of the Taliban in Qatar have recently launched intra-Afghan talks. The first round of intra-Afghan talks took place in Moscow on February 5-6. The Afghan government's delegation was absent from the talks. Following the conference, attendees produced a declaration, in which they outlined their desire for the talks to be attended by officials of the Afghan government in the second round. It also stipulated that Taliban leaders should be removed from international "blacklists" and expressed the need to end the war in Afghanistan. The second round of the talks is expected to be held in the Qatari capital on April 19-21.
Mental health coverage unequal in many Obamacare plans Insurance coverage for mental and physical illness remains unequal despite promises that Obamacare would help level the playing field, mental health advocates and researchers say. A new study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that consumer information on a quarter of the Obamacare plans that researchers examined appeared to go against a federal "parity" law designed to stop discrimination in coverage for people with mental health or addiction problems. This makes it nearly impossible for consumers to find the best plan to cover their mental health needs, the research suggests. "It's critical to monitor whether these regulations are being implemented in a way that fulfills the promise of parity," says associate professor Colleen Barry, who led the study published in the current online issue of the journal Psychiatric Services. "Clearly, better monitoring is needed." Barry and her colleagues examined benefit brochures offered during the first Affordable Care Act enrollment period in 2013-14 in two state-run exchanges, hoping to replicate a consumer's shopping experience. Although she won't name the states, Barry says one was large and the other small, and adds that the results can be extrapolated to plans offered in other states and on the federal exchange. The study found two big problems: financial disparities such as different co-pays or deductibles for mental and physical health services; and more stringent requirements for "prior authorizations" from insurers before patients can get mental health services. Such differences may steer people away from buying these plans, Barry says. She's concerned insurers have an incentive to do that because covering people who use mental health services tends to be more expensive. The federal law first required parity for group health insurance policies in 2010, and Barry says as of Jan. 1, 2014, insurance plans on state exchanges were also required to offer plans with equivalent cost-sharing and prior authorizations for mental and physical health. But Clare Krusing, spokeswoman for the industry trade group America's Health Insurance Plans, says the rules contained some important changes affecting plan design that were only required for insurance plan years that started on or after July 1, 2014. Krusing adds that it's unfair to say a plan doesn't offer mental health parity based only on what consumers see before buying the plans. "It's nearly impossible to say a plan is not in compliance if you are just looking at the summary of benefits and coverage," Krusing says. "You have to look at the claims history to make sure it's at parity." Differences in the levels of benefits in each state are designed with government oversight, and the amount of cost sharing is determined by tier of coverage on the exchange, points out Cigna insurance CEO David Cordani, who had not seen the study. Consumers who are unhappy with the level of coverage in their plan, for whatever reason, should "buy up" to a plan on a higher tier, he says. In the eight states that it sells on the exchanges, Cigna's plans don't require prior authorization for outpatient mental health treatments, says spokesman Jon Sandberg. Cost sharing levels for behavioral health office visits are the same as the cost-sharing levels for other specialists too, he says. Mental and physical health are inextricably linked, so benefits covering physical health may extend to some aspects of mental health, Cordani says. For example, the majority of antidepressants are prescribed by primary care doctors. "Disconnecting the mind and the body, which is the way historically insurance wanted this, doesn't make any sense," says Cordani. Mental health professionals say the medical system has discriminated against those with mental health or addiction problems for decades. Pre-Obamacare insurance plans often required higher co-insurance or deductibles for mental health care visits compared with physical health care visits, or capped the number of days patients could spend in a psychiatric hospital but not in an acute care hospital. The ACA promised one of the largest expansions of mental health and substance abuse coverage in a generation, requiring that all new small group and individual market plans offer mental health services, and cover them on par with medical benefits. That means if there's a 10-visit limit for psychiatrist visits, there must also be a 10-visit limit for primary care physicians. But Sheila Schuster, a mental health advocate in Kentucky with a doctorate in clinical psychology, says insurers still often "hide behind" the issue of medical necessity – denying coverage after a certain point because they deem it medically unnecessary. "People are being told they're not going to authorize any more (psychiatric) sessions, for example," she says. "On the physical health side, you've got blood pressure readings and X-rays. But how do you measure the depth of someone's depression?" Limiting outpatient care can backfire for insurers as well as patients, since allowing more outpatient sessions can help patients avoid an expensive psychiatric hospitalization, Schuster says. Patrick Kennedy, a former congressman from Rhode Island who sponsored the parity legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, says he was shocked that the printed material examined by researchers openly described differences in mental and physical health coverage. The Obama administration should require all insurance plans to disclose how they approve both medical and psychiatric claims, he says, adding that plans wouldn't be able to discriminate if those processes were open for public inspection. Contributing: Liz Szabo
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation publishes content on education and related issues. Find and access current and archived items in our database. America is in need of a new pathway to opportunity, one where employers, government, and learners share in the risk of talent development. Our current education and training systems are struggling to align to the changing workforce development needs of the economy, and there is a need for expanded leadership and investment from the business community. We need a new approach that will create shared value and more effective pathways to employment. Now is the time to act. In our special edition report, released in hard copy at the 2017 USCCF hosted America Working Forward event, through research, data, and case studies we discuss the complexity of the skills gap and those who are paving the way forward. While technical skills are often industry-specific, soft skills such as professional communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and time management are valued by employers across sectors. The importance of these skills is widely acknowledged; yet, they are not taught with consistency or given prioritization. Building on lessons learned, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has organized a TPM Academy that is focused on developing the capacity of business organizations seeking to organize employer members and orchestrate talent supply chains. The TPM Academy is supported by this curriculum. A report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation explores the role of high-quality childcare in building a strong workforce. As the height of graduation season winds down, newly minted graduates are inevitably getting questioned on their next steps: What will you study? What job do you have lined up? How will you use what you learned? At the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center, we believe that business is part of the solution to closing the skills and achievement gaps and filling the jobs that will drive economic growth. Our goal is to showcase how businesses are taking a leadership role in advancing student successes throughout various stages of individuals’ personal and educational development.
By Office of Corporate Communications June 30, 2017 Congress authorized and the President signed into law the World War I American Veterans Centennial Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 113-212) to “commemorate the centennial of America’s involvement in World War I and honor the over 4 million men and women from the United States who served during World War I.” Introduced by Representative Doug Lamborn of Colorado and Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri, the legislation passed into law on December 16, 2014. The designated recipient organization for this commemorative coin program is the United States Foundation for the Commemoration of the World Wars, a non-profit organization incorporated in the District of Columbia which seeks to identify resources to support planning and execution of programs, projects, and activities commemorating and educating the public regarding the Centennial of World War I. The Foundation is authorized to receive the surcharges ($10 per silver dollar) to assist the World War I Centennial Commission in commemorating the centenary of World War I. The authorizing law for the 2018 World War I American Veterans Centennial Commemorative Coin Program required a competition to be held to select a winning coin design emblematic of the centennial of America’s involvement in World War I. The law called for a single winner to design both the obverse and the reverse of the coin and that all designs submitted be accompanied by a plaster model. Recognizing that this would be a significant amount of work for the participating artists, the Mint decided to utilize a two-phase program, which allowed artists to demonstrate their interest in the competition without expending significant time and effort. During Phase One of the competition, which was open from February 29–April 28, 2016, artists were encouraged to submit their contact information and three to five work samples for consideration. These portfolios were evaluated by an expert jury who selected 20 artists to participate in Phase Two. During this second phase, which closed on August 16, 2016, the artists were required to submit a design for both the obverse and reverse of the coin as well as plaster models of the designs. Because of the demands placed on the artists, the Mint paid a fee of $1,000 to each participating Phase Two artist and provided plaster basins. The expert jury, composed of three members of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC), three members of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), and chaired by the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Management & Budget, Department of the Treasury, once again evaluated the entries. The final design of the coin was selected by the Secretary of the Treasury based on the winning design selected by the expert jury. The winning design will be unveiled later this year. See more Inside the Mint articles
18 Characteristics of Texas Public Doctoral Programs UTMB Health produced this report to comply with Texas Administrative Code Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 5, Subchapter C, Rule §5.51, which states: Each public university and health-related institution with one or more doctoral programs on its program inventory shall collect and publish information on its website regarding the "18 Characteristics of Doctoral Education" as approved by the Board, on a schedule determined by the Commissioner. Each institution must develop and implement a plan for using the 18 Characteristics for ongoing evaluation and quality improvement of each doctoral program. Readers may obtain additional information from the THECB web site here
Retinoblastoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the retina, the light-sensitive layers of nerve tissue at the back of the eye. If left untreated, retinoblastoma is a potentially blinding and fatal eye cancer. Although it is relatively rare, it is the most common malignant eye tumor in children. Retinoblastoma generally develops in children from birth to 5 years of age. It can run in families or occur spontaneously, and may involve one or both eyes. It occurs in both genders and in all races. If left untreated, the tumor can spread outside the eye to other organs and cause death.
Salsa, the most basic relish of Southwestern cuisine and a well-loved dip, is sometimes known as salsa fresca or salsa ranchera. Store-bought salsas are generally quite good, not to mention convenient, but there’s nothing like making fresh tomato salsa in midsummer. Homemade salsa tends to get liquidy as it stands, especially if you make it with juicy, ripe tomatoes, so drain it off occasionally. Serve with stone-ground tortilla chips or use for topping quesadillas or other southwestern specialties. Makes: about 2 cups - 2 cups chopped ripe tomatoes - 1 small onion, quartered, or 2 scallions - 1 to 2 fresh hot chili peppers, seeded and coarsely chopped (jalapeño or serrano for heat; poblano for a milder flavor), or one 4- to 8-ounce can chopped mild green chiles - Several sprigs fresh cilantro - Juice of 1/2 to 1 lime, to taste - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin - 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste Cut the tomatoes into quarters and if there are a lot of seeds, remove and discard them. Chop into a few smaller pieces. To prepare in a food processor, simply combine all the ingredients in the workbowl and pulse on and off until the ingredients are coarsely pureed. To prepare by hand, finely chop the tomatoes, onion, chiles, if using, and cilantro. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Store in an airtight jar. This will keep for several days, but it best fresh. - Here are lots more recipes for salsas, chutneys, and relishes.
Vlassenroot has multiple large laser, plasma and oxygen cutting machines at its disposal. The largest cutting machines have up to 7 x 30 meter beds. All machines are CAD-CAM controlled, and some are equipped with 5 axes, which makes it possible to apply bevel edges. Close to 2.000 m² of laser cutting surface \| 5 axes CAD-CAM controlled Up to 5kW \| 210 m² single laser beds Close to 2.000 m² of laser cutting surface 5 axes CAD-CAM controlled Up to 5kW 210 m² single laser beds What materials can we cut? Think long, thick and complex. Vlassenroot's 12 experts combine years of experience in cutting all kinds of steel, from basic to speciality. - High strength steel up to 25 mm thickness in lasercutting and 80 mm with oxy - Abrasion resistant steels up to 25 mm thickness in lasercutting and 120 mm with oxy - Armoured and ballistic steels 25 mm and 80 mm (same structure as above) - Stainless steel up to 12 mm thickness in laser cutting - Aluminium up to 8 mm in thickness in laser cutting Available cutting machines Vlassenroot has the possibility to offer different cutting technologies to its customers. Some of its machines have truly impressive dimensions with 5D laser cutting, plasma cutting and oxygen cutting up to 30m. All of Vlassenroot’s cutting machines are part of a standardised workflow. Regrouping different technologies, Vlassenroot can respond to the customer’s needs in a flexible and high-performance manner. Here again, a high level of quality is the standard. Every year, our people cut more than 13 000 tons of steel in an uninterrupted and continuous process. Vlassenroot is DIN EN ISO 9001: 2015 certified in this regard.
STYROFOAM-FREE since 2014, the annual Surrey Fusion Festival—showcasing more than 50 cultural pavilions and authentic cuisine from around the globe—will now feature 100 per cent biodegradable plant-based straws and wooden cutlery. Taking place this year July 21–22 at Holland Park, the two-day event is expected to draw more than 100,000 visitors. The event’s enhanced environmental focus, which includes on-site organics disposal carts, aims to minimize landfill waste and support Surrey’s vision for becoming a more sustainable city. “Implementing important sustainable initiatives like these is key to successfully achieving the vision, goals and desired outcomes outlined in our Sustainability Charter,” said Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner. “We are proud to announce the inclusion of biodegradable straws and cutlery at the Surrey Fusion Festival, which has become such a popular destination for enjoying delicious food and experiencing culture from around the globe.” The organic material, as part of the City of Surrey organics program, will be processed into 100 per cent renewable natural gas (RNG) at the new Surrey Biofuel Facility—the first fully integrated closed-loop waste-to-energy system of its kind in North America. RNG produced at the facility will then be used to fuel the city’s fleet of natural gas powered waste collection and operations service vehicles, with excess feeding the city’s environmentally sustainable District Energy System. The Surrey Biofuel Facility has received national recognition from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) and earned the Envision Platinum Award from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure. It is capable of diverting more than 115,000 tonnes of residential and commercial organic waste from the landfill each year and producing approximately 120,000 gigajoules of renewable natural gas (RNG), as well as approximately 45,000 tonnes of nutrient-rich compost, annually. “We would like to thank all the vendors, committee members and event organizers who worked with us in support of this important initiative,” said Surrey Councillor Mike Starchuk, Chair, City of Surrey Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee. “Through collaboration and our rich tradition of community involvement, Surrey will move forward to become a thriving, green, inclusive city.” Surrey Fusion Festival Named the “Best Festival” at the Regional Canadian Event Industry Awards in 2017, Surrey Fusion Festival brings together over 50 cultural and community groups from around the world and more than 150 artists and performers. Presented by Coast Capital Savings, the 2018 event welcomes headliners Walk Off The Earth to the stage on Saturday, July 21 and Ranjit Bawa on Sunday, July 22. For more information, visit surreyfusionfestival.ca.
Let's make something fun together Draw inspiration from the things you love in your life. Seek new feelings and experiences. Let them guide the things you make for others. It's not a game until you're playing it. Get your idea to the table as quickly as possible with the right tools, materials, and approach. Share your game with others. Take notes. Do they experience what you intended? Are they having fun? Put in the time to try new things. Respond to criticism. Adapt to the things you didn't expect. Great games are forged through iteration. Make it a reality, if you're ready. Talk to designers, developers, and publishers to find out if your game has what it takes to succeed. Meet others who make games. Talk about your aspirations. Learn and grow. We can help. Your game will be better for it.
Creating a bridge to the intangible world of the human senses is not easy. Perhaps that’s why so many brands concentrate on just what consumers can tell us about their products. However, by peeling back the layers of the human senses we can build up a more complete picture of the full sensory product experience. Whether it’s for new product development or modifying and reformulating existing ones, an in-depth, actionable understanding of the senses is crucial to success. To create a complete picture we need to combine our expert with consumer perception. By blending these together, we can not only understand the complex sensory profile but understand how people perceive and talk about your product. These two things together ensure that this sensory science breaks out of the lab, with insights that are both powerful and actionable. The world of sensory analysis is a bit of a minefield, so we work in collaboration with you to craft the best combination of techniques to give you the most actionable insights. While there is no chance we can tell you everything about how we approach sensory research in a single paragraph, what sort of approaches do we commonly use? To understand the sensory profile of products, Quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) helps to list out all the possible descriptions and profile them. Whilst Time Intensity Testing can measure how the strength of these characteristics changes over time, pinpointing the highs and lows, building a full temporal picture. With a reformulation, the whole point is that people do not notice a difference. Difference/Discrimination Testing can help accurately measure whether these differences between products can be distinguished. Optimisation Modelling creates a predictive model based on consumer liking, helping to inform product design or product formulation and the effect on consumer attitudes, helping to develop ‘the best’ product. Sensory analysis is crucial to a product’s success. While concentrating on all the other areas of product design and communication are also key, sensory science seeks to optimise the product itself. Without a great product experience, how can we expect success? Whether we are trying to understand where your product sits in relation to competitors, building a sensory blueprint for your R&D teams or anything in between, our sensory scientific expertise will ensure that no stone will be left unturned as we seek a more complete understanding of your product. Our sensory experience spans many different categories – contact us to talk about your category.
The Onin War was a vital moment in the history of Japan. It saw the collapse of central authority and the descent of the nation into feudal clan warfare. It was even more significant for the city of Kyoto, which was devastated by the war. Japan in 1467 In 1467, Japan was a strange sort of empire. For centuries, an emperor had ruled in theory but not in practice. The shogun ran Japan. In theory, the military dictator was chosen by the emperor. In practice, the power relationship was the other way round, with shoguns maintaining emperors as figureheads. The shogun, always a man from a powerful noble family, ruled through military might. He had his own court and civil service, the bakufu, with which to run the country. During the 14th and 15th centuries, the imperial title had also been disputed. Until the mid-15th century, a rival Southern Court had challenged the established emperor. Although they had been defeated, the conflict had shown that men could take anything; provided they had the strength and will to seize it. The Disputed Shogunate In the mid-1460s, political conflict stirred over who would be the next shogun. The Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa ran the country. When he had no children, he had named his younger brother as his heir. Then the shogun had a son. He wanted to make that son his heir, but his brother wanted to retain his claim. Two prominent nobles and advisors to the shogun, Hosokawa Katsumoto, and Yamana Sozen, took opposing sides over the issue. Hosokawa backed the brother while Yamana backed the son. The choice of who would succeed the shogun was an excuse to resolve a long-standing conflict. Both men were looking to strengthen their own position and give themselves control of the country after the shogun died. War in Kyoto As tensions rose, lords gathered their armies around the city of Kyoto, the center of national politics. Trying to prevent war, the shogun announced that whoever first used violence would be labeled a rebel. For a few months, a tense peace held. It could not last. In the spring of 1467, the home of one of Hosokawa’s followers was burned down. In response, his side attacked the home of one of Yamana’s generals. Over one hundred thousand soldiers were gathered in and around the city. The violence quickly escalated, with brutal fighting in narrow streets, gardens, and courtyards. Both sides were pillaging and burning each other’s homes. Buildings were destroyed to punish enemies, provide materials for defenses, and make space for fighting. Fighting for Survival It was not a war of maneuver and distinct battles. There were no decisive encounters that could bring it to an end. It was a messy fight for survival, each side trying to wear the other down. The elite fled Kyoto, abandoning their fine homes to find safety in the provinces. Those left behind faced disease, starvation, and gangs of robbers roaming the ruins. Nothing was safe; even temples were left in ruins. Neighboring communities took up arms to protect themselves from bands of roaming samurai. Into the Provinces For the first year, the war was contained in Kyoto. Over time, it spread to the outlying regions. In trying and failing to contain the conflict, the shogun had shown that he could not control the country. There was no reason to obey such a man. Daimyos – local lords – gathered their armies of samurai and supporting forces and went to war. A decade of violence followed. Prominent Clans grappled for control of the country. Lesser nobles took their side in the hope of attaining power or settling scores. Following defeats, hostages were taken as guarantees of good behavior. When violence flared up again, those victims of fortune met brutal ends. Three Clans were especially prominent in the fighting. The Hosokawa and the Yamana, who had triggered the war, played a leading part. Despite their leaders being related, theirs was one of the most vicious disputes. The Akamatsu Clan also emerged to prominence under General Akamatsu Masanori. The breakdown of authority gave a new lease of life to pirates in the surrounding seas. The 1470s saw a rise in piracy that would last for the next century. Some of those pirates acted with support from the daimyos. Kyoto in Ruins At the start of the war, Kyoto’s population may have been as high as 100,000 people. During the fighting, that number dropped dramatically. Some died, some fled. Merchants feared to go to the city, and its economy declined. After the first year, fighting in the city was intermittent. The constant threat of violence meant there was no hope of rebuilding, even during times of relative peace. It would be decades before Kyoto began to recover properly. The daimyos, who had once based themselves there in elegant townhouses, now stayed in the provinces, safe in fortified homes from which they could see enemies coming. Collapse of the Shogunate The war ground to an end in 1477. Hosokawa Katsumoto, one of the originators of the war, was dead, but his clan triumphed. The shoguns were now their puppets, with a Hosokawa deputy giving the orders. The emperor was a figurehead overseen by a figurehead; the real power two steps removed from the throne. Several great clans had been wiped out during the war. The Yamana, Isshiki, and Hatakeyama all disappeared. Other clans, such as the Takeda and Saito, rose to take their place. They had gained power through violence and had no qualms about using it again. While the Hosokawa had gained control of the shogun, the war had deprived the government of much of its power. The shogun’s weakness had been exposed. For the next hundred years, daimyos would fight against each other and central authority. The war that almost destroyed Kyoto did the same for the shogunate. Conrad Totman (2005), A History of Japan, second edition. Stephen Turnbull (1987), Samurai Warriors.
DDoS Attacks Spike, Indonesia & China to Blame Akamai Technologies released a new State of the Internet report recently indicating that DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks have risen dramatically since it issued its last report in April 2013. DDoS attacks are on the increase (from Q1 2013) and it's causing a great deal of alarm among Internet professionals, spurring technology giants such as Google to do something about it. The source of the DDoS attacks is worthy of note in this Akamai report. The amount of malicious traffic from Indonesia nearly doubled its "attack traffic," from 21 percent in Q1 to 38 percent in Q3. That's a surprise as China now falls to second with 33 percent of its traffic deemed that of a malicious nature. The two account for more than half of observed attack traffic according to Akamai. DDoS attacks can cause substantial number of problems for websites - as you may well know. Google, however, hopes to provide some relief, announcing Project Shield this week, a solution the tech company hopes will help small websites stay online during these distributed denial of service strikes. Project Shield essentially enables small site owners to serve their content through Google in order to withstand DDoS attacks and not go offline. The Project Shield experiment was created in response to a Google Ideas request, a think tank known created to provide technology solutions to social issues, particularly in areas where political unrest and social injustice are most problematic. The Project Shield initiative is not exactly open for business yet, but it could signal that the future of Web security could be in the hands of big companies like Google.
Facts about Bill Frisell Bill Frisell Biography Bill Frisell grew up in Colorado, then moved east to Boston and New York to study guitar in the late 1970s. He toured Europe and began recording in the early 1980s, and his first album, In Line was released in 1982. Since then Frisell has released more than a dozen recordings that defy easy categorization. Often called a jazz guitarist, Frisell’s original compositions reflect influences from Bill Evans, Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk to The Beatles, Frank Zappa and Jimi Hendrix. He has also recorded his own versions of songs by Madonna and John Philip Sousa, as well as folk, blues and jazz standards and musical scores for movies (including two for director Gus Van Sant). A big hit with jazz and guitar critics, Frisell’s other recordings include Rambler (1984); Is That You? (1989); Have a Little Faith (1992); Quartet (1996); Nashville (1997); Deep Dead Blue (1998); Good Dog Happy Man (1999); The Willies (2002); and Further East/Further West (2005).
Buy, Sell or Hold? Investing in art has emerged as a good investment alternative after the world crisis started in 2007 in the United States, along with other secondary investment opportunities such as hedge funds, private equity funds or various exchange trade funds. Market trends have shown that during the time of crisis collectors seek to acquire works by recognized and highly acclaimed artists as a means of somewhat more secure investment, while in the booming market modern, contemporary and emerging artists gain more popularity. The art market stability therefore allows for more risky purchases, similar as in the financial market, while some analytics suggest the two have already merged. The unifying trend between the art and the financial market has been first noted about a decade ago, when the art industry started employing financial protocols in calculating the security of acquisitions through portfolio management, benchmarking, market research, art indices and applying it to the art business. However art can never be perceived as a financial commodity, because of its very nature, which leaves a large angle of unpredictability within the market. Still, there are art investment funds that make efforts to treat their artistic assets as they would financial products. And large companies have known to have and build their own corporate collections, not as a means of investment, but more as a corporately responsible marketing move beneficial for public relations. There is a myriad of studies with pro and con information on investing in the arts, but fact remain that art investment can be more beneficial than investment in some of the more conventional assets. Collecting art can also bring various benefits to the investor, along with the financial gain. According to the latest data gathered from ArtRank, we create a short analysis of pros and cons of investing in emerging artists. As previously mentioned, buying new art can be beneficial on multiple levels, but it is the most risky endeavor in the art market. Nobody can claim with an absolute certainty that artist one may like will be the next Banksy. And when it comes to Banksy, the data is showing his artwork is not in demand as much anymore, resulting in the decrease in price. Among the emerging artists that may be interesting to collectors the first place is occupied by Zak Prekop in the category under $10K. A little more expensive collecting option are Sam Moyer and Jean-Baptiste Bernadet, with their artwork currently selling under $30K. Stylistically, all of these artists operate within the realm of abstraction, with distinctive approaches in terms of media and chromatism, which supports the idea that investing in substantiated abstract art is still very much trending. Coming from the world of urban art, Christian Rosa’s work is quoted at below $100K, with him being ranked third in the category. His Miro-esque abstract paintings with suggestive details and symbolics promise to be still on the rise in the booming urban art market. There are some urban artists whose art prices are peaking at the moment, being unlikely they will be on the rise any further. This group includes names such as KAWS and Lucien Smith, so collectors who have been investing in works of the named creatives may be advised to contemplate the sales of their prized possessions. Since fluctuations on the art market art happening rather quickly, it goes without saying that acting fast is of crucial importance. Also, the collectors aiming to assemble compilations by these artists alone, the market may be in favor of their vaults soon. Of course, a selection of artists who got the art market spirits all stirred up in the past and now are on a slight decline on the market exists and what is interesting, one of the luminaries of street art, Banksy, tops the list. This comes with little surprise, considering the worldwide craze about his artwork that is still largely happening, but we doubt this concerns the street vigilante very much, as he stays true to his core values and work mode. Still, it is certain Banksy will prevail all the current art market trends and his art may be a good treasure to hold for the future. Finally, for all aspiring collectors looking to invest smartly it is advised to get informed on many levels, however the art purchase will never be risk free if conducted solely out of the wish for profit. In the end, it is always more important to love and enjoy art, in which way the acquirer will always get his money’s worth.
Making sub plans for your special education classroom can be exhausting. Letting your guest teacher know about each of your students’ needs without overwhelming them or setting your students up for failure can be challenging. These tips will help you in your sub planning for special education this school year. Prepare your materials way before you’re gone. At the start of the school year, make a binder filled with information about your students’ accommodations and needs. Make sure the sub, whoever it may be, is aware of all information to help your students be successful whether it’s behavior plans, testing accommodations, or incentives to keep them on track. Although some information is confidential, you want to make sure that any guest teacher is following your students’ IEPs. Plans are there to protect and ensure your children have the educational opportunities they deserve every single day. If you end up being gone for an extended period of time (i.e. illness or maternity leave), you’ll want to make sure your sub is prepared for any eventuality. Reader Erin F. said, “I wish I would’ve left detailed information on each student. Ideas on how to be successful with each student and make learning easier for each of them. My sub greatly struggled with connecting to the students and there was a huge drop in grades while I was on leave.” Here’s an example of the information you could leave about each student. Your sub would appreciate knowing a snapshot about each student’s academics and behavior. Tips for success are also a great bonus! (These forms are included in my Complete Short & Long Term Sub Binder Bundle). For special education, it’s also important to note any accommodations your students will need. You can grab these FREE student accommodation forms by singing up for my free resource library. Consult your team. Keep in mind that if you coteach with another content area or classroom teacher, they may have a lot of plans already made, or you can work together to make sure things run smoothly. Have your coteacher share their plans with your substitute teacher when you’re absent. Arrange this at the start of the year. If you’re both going to be gone, make sure to have emergency or backup plans available. Be sure to let other teachers in your building know where you keep your set of emergency sub plans! When you have emergency sub plans ready, all your sub needs to know is where they are located. (This is why every teacher needs emergency sub plans!) Organize materials for each student. Your students in special education have different needs and are at varying levels. Having a clear layout of who needs to be taught what is extremely important. Consider having folders for each student in your classroom with anchor activities to support their learning. Teach your students ahead of time that these are their go-to activities when you’re absent or if they finish their other work early. Use social stories to prepare your students. Some students with special needs may struggle with changes in routine. Using social stories to prepare your students for a sub at the start of the year can be incredibly helpful if and when you’re gone. Reader Liz C. uses this strategy in her special education classroom. “To prepare my students for a sub, I use a social story about a substitute. We review it before the sub comes.” Preparing students early can help them be ready if a short term absence is extended. “My students have also had to learn to be super flexible after I shattered my wrist this year. I had to have surgery and was out unexpectedly for three weeks! I do have fantastic aides who help to keep the classroom as consistent as possible for them,” Liz said. Resources for Special Education Sub Planning If you’d like to save time and streamline this process, ready to go resources from my shop can make this much easier! The Special Education Sub Plan Bundle is a life saver for elementary special education teachers. This HUGE bundle includes lesson plans at a Pre-K through 5th grade level. They are print-and-go, so all that’s left to do is print, copy, and organize the lessons. The Complete Substitute Binder Bundle helps you put together ALL of the information your sub will need about your students. All that’s left to do is fill out the forms, and you’ll know that you haven’t missed a thing! Sub planning for special education shouldn’t be more difficult than being home sick or out for the day. Whether you’re absence is planned, or you are at home unexpectedly, these tips for sub planning for special education will help your classroom run smoothly while you’re gone. You May Also Enjoy Pin This Post for Later
We’re grateful for all the up-and-coming women who distill, blend and otherwise make sure that our favorite whiskeys and spirits find their way to our glass. But we should also pay homage to those who paved the way and played an integral part in whiskey history. Women have always been involved in the production of beer, wine and spirits. According to Fred Minnick, author of Whiskey Women: The Untold Story of How Women Saved Bourbon, Scotch, and Irish Whiskey (Potomac Books, 2013), the first evidence of women making beer was found on Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets that date to around 4000 BC. While Minnick’s book should be required reading for those who seek to know more, here are just a few ladies who’ve helped advance, protect and develop whiskey. Ellen Jane Corrigan, Bushmills In all but name, Ellen Jane Corrigan was the first CEO of a major spirits company when she stepped in to run Irish whiskey distillery Bushmills after her husband, Patrick, died in January 1865. She’s most noted for taking the first steps that transformed Bushmills into an international whiskey powerhouse, but she did it all. She negotiated the terms of Bushmills’ lease in 1874, preserved and protected the distillery’s vital water supply, and introduced electricity to the facilities. She also turned the distillery into a limited liability company to enable it to shift from a local Northern Ireland distillery into an international entity. When she sold Old Bushmills in 1880, Corrigan negotiated a voting spot on the board of the new company, something not typically offered to women at that time. In 2005, Helen Mulholland was appointed as master blender for the Irish whiskey brand, a role she still holds today. Helen and Elizabeth Cumming, Johnnie Walker Before Johnnie Walker became the blended Scotch whisky dynamo it is today, a woman ran its most important distillery, Cardow. The first was Helen Cumming. The illicit whisky enterprise she helped run began in the early 1800s, when Cumming was reported to have lured excise agents into her Cardow farm for a meal, and then hoisted a red flag outside to alert other distillers to the presence of the agents. The distillery eventually became legal when excise laws were eased. Her husband, John, became registered as a “distiller of genuine malt whisky” in 1824. Eight years later, he handed over the business to their son, Lewis. Helen still contributed to Cardow, “the smallest distillery in Scotland,” with just two employees. When Lewis died in 1872, Helen was 95 years old. She encouraged her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth, to take over Cardow. A brilliant businesswoman, Elizabeth recognized that blending whisky was becoming increasingly popular, but the distillery couldn’t keep up with demand. In 1884, she acquired four acres of land within 300 yards of the original buildings. Over the next year, Elizabeth built a new distillery and eventually sold the old one to William Grant. When John Walker & Sons Limited, later named Johnnie Walker, purchased the Cardow Distillery in 1893, it was no longer “the smallest distillery in Scotland.” Its substantial whisky-making capacity played a key part in Johnnie Walker’s rise to become an empire. Augusta Dickel, George Dickel The only American whiskey distillery owned by a woman in the 1800s that’s still in production is George Dickel, established in Tennessee as a liquor wholesale company in 1861. Named for its founder, George A. Dickel, the company blended and bottled whiskeys, with most of its spirits procured by the Cascade Distillery in Coffee County, Tennessee. Eventually, Dickel purchased the distillery. In his will written in 1894, Dickel instructed his wife, Augusta, to sell the business at the “first favorable opportunity.” However, after he passed away, she ignored his wishes. Augusta maintained her husband’s share of George A. Dickel, although she didn’t participate in the day-to-day operations. She mostly traveled to Europe, where she brought her whiskey to associates in France. While it’s not the most heroic of stories, by ignoring her husband Augusta kept the company intact, which passed on to brother-in-law V.E. Shwab after her death in 1916. Now renamed as Cascade Hollow Distilling, Nicole Austin was appointed in 2018 as its general manager and distiller, where she oversees the legacy George Dickel brand. Elizabeth “Bessie” Williamson, Laphroaig Often referred to as “The First Lady of Scotch,” Elizabeth “Bessie” Williamson is credited with having saved Scotland’s Laphroaig Distillery from a military takeover. But she also changed the American demand for Scotch from blends to single malts. Shortly after she graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1934, Williamson began work as a temporary secretary at the Laphroaig Distillery on the Scottish island Islay, where she became the trusted lieutenant of owner Ian Hunter. After he suffered a stroke in 1938, Hunter asked Williamson to become the distillery manager. She took over his full-time duties just before World War II began. It was not a moment too soon. Whiskey production ceased during wartime, as the government diverted grain to feed soldiers. Laphroaig was turned into a major ammunitions hub, with explosives hidden in the malt barns. Yet, Williamson refused to give in to every military demand. She made sure no one melted down the stills or other equipment to make munitions. She also ensured that no one stole her whiskey and kept the distillery’s business afloat during the crisis. When World War II ended, Williamson forged ahead and developed relationships with other distillers. She made bold, smoky Laphroaig a sought-after whisky for blends. But instead of wasting her Scotch’s distinctive peaty character in blends, Williamson envisioned marketing Laphroaig as a single malt. When Hunter died in 1954, he left the distillery to Williamson. She forged ahead as an ambassador for Islay whiskies and single malts. The Scotch Whisky Association named her as American spokesperson from 1961–64, giving her the opportunity to tour the U.S. and spread the gospel of Scotch whisky. Williamson died in 1982. Rachel Barrie, Brown-Forman Currently the whisky-maker for Brown-Forman’s BenRiach, Glenglassaugh and GlenDronach distilleries, Rachel Barrie built her reputation as the first modern female master blender in the spirits industry. Barrie studied chemistry at the University of Edinburgh before she began her career as a research scientist at the Scotch Whisky Research Institute. She then moved into production at the Glenmorangie Company, where she earned the title of master blender in 1995, working with the Glenmorangie and Ardbeg Scotch whiskies. Barrie is noted for her work in developing award-winning whiskies. But in addition to her accomplishments in whisky, she also opened the doors for other women to enter the spirits business. Marianne Eaves, Castle & Key Representing the up-and-coming generation of women in whiskey, Marianne Eaves is the master distiller for Kentucky Bourbon producer Castle & Key. When she took on the role in 2015 for the brand-new distillery, she was the first woman to earn that title in Kentucky since Prohibition. After she graduated from the University of Louisville with a degree in chemical engineering, Eaves worked at Brown-Forman, the company behind Woodford Reserve, Old Forester and Jack Daniels. In five short years, she ascended from intern to master taster, where she worked in the storied research and development lab alongside Woodford’s master distiller Chris Morris. In 2015, Eaves left Brown-Forman to launch Castle & Key at the site of the Old Taylor Distillery, a historical site that had been out of commission since 1972. Today, she oversees the production of Castle & Key’s gin and vodka, as well as new rye and Bourbon bottlings scheduled for release in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
A bendable battery that can fully charge a smartphone in less than one minute could soon be powering popular gadgets. The potentially-revolutionary aluminium battery is also more environmentally friendly than current lithium-ion and alkaline batteries and keeps working for "thousands" of cycles. The "ultrafast rechargeable aluminium-ion battery", developed by chemists at Stanford University, is a "major breakthrough" for portable technology, according to the team that discovered it. Their findings were published in the journal Nature. In experiments the battery successfully charged a smartphone in one minute, compared to current lithium-ion batteries that take hours to deliver a full charge. The aluminium-ion battery delivers two volts of electricity and could also potentially replace the millions of 1.5 volt AA and AAA batteries used in gadgets ranging from remote controls to toys. Researchers have been experimenting with aluminium batteries for decades, but have never found the perfect combination of materials to produce enough voltage via a cell that lasts for thousands of cycles of charging and discharging. "We have developed a rechargeable aluminium battery that may replace existing storage devices, such as alkaline batteries, which are bad for the environment, and lithium-ion batteries, which occasionally burst into flames," said Hongjie Dai, a professor of chemistry at Stanford, adding that the battery won't catch fire "even if you drill through it". The experimental battery uses a negatively charged anode made from aluminium, and a positively charged cathode made from graphite. The electrolyte inside is a salt that's liquid at room temperature, making it more stable and better for the environment than conventional batteries. The prototype is also reportedly more durable, lasting more than 7,500 cycles without loss of capacity. Previous aluminium-ion batteries lasted around 100 cycles, with lithium-ion batteries running to around 1,000 cycles. "This was the first time an ultra-fast aluminium-ion battery was constructed with stability over thousands of cycles," the authors wrote. While it currently produces half the voltage required to power a smartphone the researches believe that improvements to the cathode material could increase voltage and energy density. "Otherwise, our battery has everything else you'd dream that a battery should have: inexpensive electrodes, good safety, high-speed charging, flexibility and long cycle life. I see this as a new battery in its early days. It's quite exciting," Dai said.
Skeleton is a sport of razor-thin margins. When an athlete is hurtling down an icy track at speeds of 140 kilometres per hour, an errant elbow or tiny deviation from the ideal race line can mean the difference between a podium finish and defeat. But what they lose on the track, athletes could claw back in the lab. Team GB’s skinsuits have been credited with giving British competitors the edge over competition in the 2018 Winter Olympics. On Friday, Dom Parsons won Team GB’s first medal in Pyeongchang, securing bronze in the men's skeleton despite ranking twelfth in the world. A day later, Lizzy Yarnold successfully defended her gold medal with a blisteringly fast final run in Pyeongchang. “The lead skeleton drivers, they’re all good drivers,” says Rob Lewis, managing director at TotalSim, a company that has helped develop aerodynamic suits for the British Cycling team. “With a lot of sports you quickly find that being a good sled driver or being a good bike rider is fine – but being ten per cent better at that doesn’t make you much faster.” Instead, Lewis says that athletes can find easier gains by improving their aerodynamics of their equipment. For skeleton champ Lizzie Yarnold, Olympic success is all in the mind For a skeleton driver, that process begins with a 3D scan of their entire body, says John Hart, a researcher at Sheffield Hallam University's who has helped develop and test for Team GB athletes in previous Winter Olympics. First, the athlete is scanned in 3D while they’re in position on the sled. This scan, which can be down to a resolution of half a millimetre or less, is then used to create a 3D model of the athlete’s body to be used for virtual wind tunnel experiments. “We can then take that, run the simulation on it and then understand the aerodynamics for that individual athlete,” says Hart. Although the athletes themselves will return to the wind tunnel multiple times during the design process, these personalised models tell engineers how air flows over each part of the the athlete's body. This information then helps them decide where to place seams, and when to switch from a smooth material to a rougher one. “You can control the airflow over different parts of the suits by having different materials,” says Hart. Starting with a smooth, skintight suit helps air cling closely to the body, reducing friction. “You need to make them bloody tight – make sure there are no wrinkles, nothing bunched up,” says Hart. But it’s useful to change things up at points. A carefully placed seam can encourage more air to cling to the athlete, while rougher patches of material break up the airflow and help the athlete turn corners more easily. But there is a danger of over-optimising, says Lewis. A piece of equipment that has been designed to work really well when the air is flowing in one direction might hold athletes back in a crosswind. “Suddenly the good helmet becomes a really terrible helmet,” he says. “The gains you thought found aren’t quite as robust and you have to re-think it.” And all of these adjustments must be made within the confines of the sport’s rules. Fortunately, when it comes to skeleton, the rulebook leaves a fair bit of room for engineers to get creative with skinsuit designs. Adding aerodynamic elements under or on top of the suit is prohibited, as are coated textiles, but they don’t get more specific than that. “There’s nothing in the rules that dictate how you stitch it together, or it’s made of different materials,” says Hart. Despite objections from other athletes, Team GB’s skinsuits were given the all-clear ahead of Parsons’ bronze medal-winning run. But when it comes to race day, Hart isn’t convinced that aerodynamics alone is enough to give athletes the edge. “They have a huge support team behind them, they have a huge technical team, they are just very well supported and prepared and that goes a long way, [further] than we can from aerodynamic adjustments.”
Reader's advisory: Wired News has been unable to confirm some sources for a number of stories written by this author. If you have any information about sources cited in this article, please send an e-mail to sourceinfo[AT]wired.com. Eight people and a dozen laptops were crammed into a tiny windowless conference room at 5 p.m. last Monday. On the laptops: untested code. On the conference table: piles of silicon and metal. On the people's minds: escalating, deadline-induced panic. But by 2:30 a.m., data was being transmitted wirelessly to what had become a laptop-based flight control center for a Linux-controlled rocket. The aircraft was a few steps closer to blasting off into the upper atmosphere. Project leaders Andrew Greenberg and Brian O'Neel breathed a sigh of relief – finally they had some assurance that they weren't, as Greenberg put it, "going to look like complete idiots" when they present the team's research this week at Usenix 2003, a major technical conference. Greenberg and O'Neel head up the Portland State Aerospace Society, an amateur rocket group based at the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. Their team hopes to launch a 12-pound rocket this September that will travel at three times the speed of sound to 55,000 feet. "There's nothing like getting 25 people out to a desert in the middle of nowhere for a launch and knowing if you screw up your rocket will become a giant lawn dart," Greenberg said. "Years of work turns into a 12-foot hole in the ground." With the brainpower at PSAS, that probably won't happen. The 50-member group includes high school and Portland State University students, as well as engineers from Intel, Xerox, Wind River and local tech companies. The team builds suborbital rockets that are smaller than commercial rockets, but larger and more powerful than hobby ones. In addition, the project relies on open-source software and hardware, which can dramatically improve the performance of the rockets. "There's no fancy equipment, so a lot of what we use as test equipment turns out to be hacked development boards, blinking LEDs, and occasionally a loud buzzer which scares the hell out of everyone," Greenberg said. The group's latest rocket, set to launch this September, has an onboard computer comprised of an AMD 586 processor and a Jumptec MOPS/520 PC/104+ board – basically, a modest 133 MHz PC on a four-by-four inch slab of plastic. There's also a power supply, a PCMCIA card carrier for an 802.11b card to transmit data to the ground, and a carrier board for a 128-MB CompactFlash card for long-term storage. The flight computer runs a stripped-down version of Debian Linux, with the 2.4.20 Linux kernel. Instead of burdening the flight computer with repetitive tasks such as sampling sensors, PSAS opted to offload those tasks to other processors. Small and fast microcontrollers run everything from the inertial measurement system to the recovery device, which triggers a small explosive to deploy the parachutes. The flight computer transmits data to the ground through a 2.4 GHz wireless link at basically the same frequency as ham radio. "It's probably not the best system, but it's available and cheap, and there's nothing like seeing if your wireless card will withstand 15 Gs for 10 seconds without ripping apart," Greenberg said. PSAS opted to use Linux because most team members are familiar with it. But Linux does pose one problem: It is not a real-time operating system. A processing hiccup lasting even a tiny fraction of a second – which are frequent in traditional operating systems – "could rip our rocket into shreds," Greenberg said. So the team uses FSMLab's RTLinux for handling critical real-time tasks in a small, deterministic environment. "We're all about free software and open hardware," Greenberg said. "Everything we do is published on the Net. So many amateur groups don't publish their work. We think that's sad and a waste. We'd be years ahead if we knew technical details of other amateur projects." "Hopefully people won't make the same mistakes we did, since we've published them all – except for the really dumb ones. They were just too embarrassing." PSAS has four goals: to develop high-energy motors, build mobile ground-control systems, create adaptable airframes and develop advanced avionics. Most amateur or model rockets cannot be controlled while in flight. PSAS, however, plans to implement avionics that would actively guide the rocket in flight by adjusting its fins, a necessary feature for eventually getting into orbit. If everything goes according to plan, PSAS members think they will have an active guidance system in a year. Of course, all these advanced features could raise the government's eyebrows, particularly during these paranoid times. Greenberg said the group has had some trouble procuring parts, particularly for engines. They plan to modify their engine designs to get around the lack of commercially available parts. But Greenberg said his group shouldn't be held to any firm time lines for launches and advances. "We have a long, brilliant history of building something extraordinarily cool," he said, "only to discover later we were complete idiots."
Can You Use a Verizon or Sprint Phone on Another Network? You love the phone you got from Verizon or Sprint, but you need to change your network. Let’s see below how you can let go of your current carrier and switch networks while you still keep your old device. Many always wonder if they can keep their devices and move to other networks. For current Sprint and Verizon customers, this could be a confusing question to answer. Before we address this concern, let’s first quickly review on what CDMA and GSM technologies are and why these are important to decide which phones can move across networks. Once you read on below and learn what's possible, compare cell phone plans at Wirefly to find the best plan for your needs. CDMA vs. GSM Technology That Carriers Use The cell networks in US either use the CDMA or GSM technology. Both types of technology are completely different and not compatible with one another at all. Verizon and Sprint use CDMA technology on their network, and AT&T and T-Mobile’s network use GSM technology. GSM networks use SIM card that can be removed to distinguish their subscribers within their network. CDMA technology embeds electronic serial numbers into each device to identify their separate subscribers. It would need some specialist reprogramming if you want to move out and switch your network. It is easy to move from one network to another and keep your device with a SIM card. All you need to do is have the phone unlocked, take out the old card, and swap it with the new card from your new network. Now you can keep your device and enjoy your new network. This is how it would work with T-Mobile and AT&T. The recent launch of LTE networks by all operators has made things a little easier. All LTE networks in the US are built on GSM technology. This means that the newer Verizon and Sprint LTE enabled handsets have a SIM card included, and may work on all GSM networks. However, this depends on how each specific model of the cell phone is designed. Older phones might use the SIM card only for their LTE services. If that is the case, you may not be able to use the 2G and 3G services for your calls and messages. If you already have a Sprint phone but need to switch to a cheaper plan, there are many plans that might be right for you. Your current Sprint device would work on plans on many MVNO such as Ting, US Mobile, Tello, and many other carriers. Sadly, taking your Sprint device over to the Verizon Wireless network is almost impossible. Verizon would most likely require that you purchase a new Verizon smartphone to use on their network. Reasons they would provide include the spectrum bands that don’t work well together and many others. Switching Over From Sprint To AT&T or T-Mobile While there is no guarantee, you might be able to bring over your Sprint phone to the GSM based networks such as T-Mobile and AT&T. It would be more possible with LTE- capacity devices and the later models of the Apple iPhones. If they accept your device and deem it suitable, you might get some good LTE service but might have to compromise with bad or average talk, text, and 3G data. This might sound confusing but even if you manage to get your Sprint phone unlocked to try move it over to another network, there is more to be done. You will have to check with your new carrier and determine if they would accept the make and model of your device. Switching Over From Sprint to Other CDMA Networks It might be easier to move over to other CDMA networks such as Total Wireless, Straight Talk, and other Verizon resellers and till keep your old device. However, you would need to verify your device’s ID number with each provider directly to see if you are eligible to make this switch in networks and keep the device. Taking your current device from Verizon to Sprint used to be impossible in the past. However, Sprint is not accepting certain Verizon smartphones, such as the later model Apple iPhones. Even though both carriers use the same technology, not all Verizon devices would respond well to the Sprint services. You will have to verify directly with Sprint to see if your Verizon device would work with their network. Moving From Verizon to AT&T or T-Mobile The good news for Verizon users is that their Verizon LTE devices have the networks unlocked as soon so you buy the phone. Certain smartphones like the iPhone might support GSM data and voice when you switch the Verizon SIM card with one from T-Mobile or AT&T. Sadly, there are no guarantees that this would work. Even if the new SIM card does work with the Verizon device, it doesn't mean that you would be able to access the 2G and 3G networks. Therefore, while you can use high speed data, with limited 2G and 3G services, you might not be able to make any call or send SMS messages. I certainly hope that this article has cleared some of the confusion about switching your cellphone from one network to another, and provided you with all the options you could consider. Wirefly Is America's Most Trusted Source For All Cell Phones, Plans, TV, and Internet Deals Wirefly offers great deals on a large selection of smartphones, cell phones, tablets, mobile hotspots, and other wireless devices for the nation's most popular carriers. Use Wirefly’s innovative cell phone and plan comparison tools to ensure you are getting the best deal on the market. Shop with confidence knowing that Wirefly wants to help you find the best prices on cell phones, cell phone plans, TV, and Internet service.
Western New York Pediatrics offers a full array of services to help your child maintain good health. Common conditions we treat include: WNY Pediatrics' Therapy Dog Maple MacLeod is a Yellow English Labrador Retriever. She became a Certified Therapy Dog in December 2015. Maple visits the office with one of our nurse practitioners, Bernadette Macleod, who is Maple's owner and handler . Maple's superpowers include reducing blood pressure, helping people smile and giving warm fuzzies. Maple offers comfort and distraction during vaccinations ! LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR Kelly Thompson is a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She joined Western New York Pediatric Associates in 2014 as the Behavioral Health Consultant. Kelly enjoys working with the families and patients at WNY Pediatric Associates providing short term counseling, case management, assessing appropriate level of care and linking to appropriate resources within the community. coordination of care. Kelly will see children with anxiety, worries, depression and some behavior disorders. Her focus is on education and early intervention.
Womens Health Zone 5 Tips for Women Suffering from Osteoporosis The Various Differences Between Osteoporosis and Osteopenia 4 Osteoporosis Facts You Didn’t Know Evaluating the Treatment for Osteoporosis in Women When thinking about treatment for osteoporosis in women you should know that the condition is quite difficult to treat, but it is a lot easier to... Osteoporosis Osteopenia Treatment – Find Out More About Your Health Issue Before thinking about the osteoporosis osteopenia treatment you should know that osteopenia is the condition that makes your bones become weak getting you close... Prevention and Treatment for Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is the disease of the bones, where the mineral density of the bones decreases and risk of fractures increases. Since options of treatment... 6 Tips That Tell You How to Prevent Osteoporosis Knowing how to prevent osteoporosis is the key to healthy and strong bones that are not prone to breakage and fractures. It is best... Osteoporosis Symptoms and the Importance of Bone Density Testing Osteoporosis is a disease of porous bones where the bones are weakened and bone mass decreased, leading to a greater risk of fractures. It... Strength Training Routine for Osteoporosis Sufferers As the disease progresses, the bone mass and bone density decrease thus leading bones to become fragile. Due to this reason, strength training routines... Calcium Supplements Important for Bone Health From time to time we have had inflicting information about calcium supplements, whether they are necessary or good for you or whether they are... Drinking Beer Can Help Women Ward Off Osteoporosis A new research has shown that beer can stop your bones from going brittle. The study found that women who drink beer regularly have... Is Caffeine and Coffee OK for Weight... Colon and Breast Cancer Prevention Through Lifestyle... Vegetarian Diet Could Be the Key to... 5 Fashionable Women Incontinence Products You Will... Copyright © 2018 WomenHealthZone.com • All rights reserved. Edit with Live CSS
For this Valentine’s Day, why not explore your inner Pop Artist with a Jim Dine inspired painted heart. Jim Dine is an American Pop Artist who was born in Cincinnati Ohio in 1935. He is currently 81 years old. He is known for his paintings, drawings, sculptures and printmaking. His artwork was included in an art exhibition in 1962 that was considered one of the first “Pop Art” exhibitions in America. Included in this exhibition were other Pop Artists, such as Andy Warhol. The Pop Art movement shocked America and the art world and helped shape the nature of modern art. One of my favorite pieces of his artwork is Confetti Heart. In this art project, we will use tempera paint and a heart stencil to create a painted heart inspired by Jim Dine’s Confetti Heart. We’ll call it Pop Heart! 😉 Supplies needed for this project are: - Tempera paint (or acrylic paint) – basic colors including black. - Canvas or canvas board - Paint brushes in varied sizes - Masking tape - Palette for mixing paint - Construction paper The first step is to create a small frame by lining the outer edges of your canvas with masking tape. Next, it’s time to create your painted background. Squeeze out a small variety of colors and fill your rectangular background shape with random brushstrokes of color. Make sure to wash your brush between colors to keep your colors bright and clean. Once your entire background is covered with paint, allow it to dry completely. Now it’s time to create your heart stencil. Fold your piece of construction paper in half and cut out a heart shape that will fit within your background. Apply a few pieces of tape to the back of your heart to hold it in place and place your heart in the center of your painting. Next, apply black paint around the entire edge of the heart stencil. Once you’ve gone around the entire heart, continue adding black paint along the edges of the background as well. As you apply the black paint, make sure to first remove the excess paint from the brush by scraping the brush along the edge of the palette to allow a thin application of black paint. Next, dip your brush in the black paint and tap your brush in random patterns on the background to add black painted texture. Allow your painting to dry completely. Once your painting is dry, gently remove your heart stencil to reveal a nice clean heart shape. Next, using the same techniques as earlier, apply black paint along the left side of the heart and also apply black paint splatters by tapping your brush on the inside of the heart as well. Allow your painting to dry and for the final step, remove the masking tape along the edges of the background to reveal a nice white frame. Our finished painted heart! Here’s our painted heart side-by-side with Jim Dine’s Confetti Heart. Have fun creating your very own Pop Heart!
Definition of Liyar. Meaning of Liyar. Synonyms of Liyar Here you will find one or more explanations in English for the word Liyar. Also in the bottom left of the page several parts of wikipedia pages related to the word Liyar and, of course, Liyar synonyms and on the right images related to the word Liyar. Definition of Liyar No result for Liyar. Showing similar results... Meaning of Liyar from wikipedia Recent Searches ... Related images to Liyar
How to Buy a Truck Scale? You would know the importance of truck scales if you have a transport business. These scales are really big for trucks to be weighed on and they are usually mounted of a solid foundation. Trucks are weighed here both when they are empty or when they are full of goods. These truck weights are very important so that trucks are not overloaded when they travel. When a truck travels overloaded, it would be easy for it to get damaged and shorten its life. Also, if you overload your trucks the tarmac roads can get damaged and so the government prohibits it. These truck scales are provided by the government and are located at specially designated places. The government may be the ones providing these weighing service but they are not the only ones who should check if trucks do not carry extra loads. Portable truck scales are now being used by truck owners to ensure that their trucks are not overloaded when they travel the roads. This helps them in reducing the cost involved in weighing the truck. Time is saved if you can weight your own trucks with your portable trucks scales since you don’t have to go to the nearest scale to weight them. Even truck scales have been affected by technological advancements happening everywhere. This advancement has led to newer and more accurate truck scales. There are many kinds of truck scales available. There will be low profile truck scales that are easy to mount. You can also find heavy, high profile truck scales that are difficult to mount. If you have a small sized van then you would need a small scale, and for a bigger van, you would require a large size scale. Choosing a scale for weighing vehicle require a careful choice for the best size according to your requirements. The price of a truck scale is dependent on its size and design. Make sure you set a budget for your truck scale. If you have a tight budget, then you should get quotes from different dealers and compare the rates before choosing the best among them. if you are looking for good product quality, you don’t always find that in the cheapest ones. It has been often overlooked by truck owners to consider the requirements of your business before choosing a truck scale. There are many scales being sold that claim to satisfy your business needs. If you want to save time and money, then it is important to do your own research. You have to consider the following factors: the environment in which the scale will be used; the presence of dust and moisture in that environment; the total weight of the vehicle both empty and full; and if you need a portable scale. It is important to know these factors so that you can find the right product suitable for your business needs.
The Government Of The Kingdom Of Sweden The current government of the Kingdom of Sweden was established in 1975 after adopting the 1974 Instrument of Government Act. This act formalized the government as a Constitutional monarchy. Therefore, the monarchy no longer takes executive decisions, but rather serves as a symbolic head of state. The government consists of the Riksdag (a legislative body), the Prime Minister, and Cabinet ministers. The Swedish Constitution The Constitution of Sweden regulates the relationship between the legislative and executive powers and defines the basic rights of the country’s citizens. It consists of four fundamental laws: the Instrument of Government, the Act of Succession, the Freedom of the Press Act, and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression. Some of the rights ensured by the Instrument of Government include the freedom to practice religion, the freedom to protest, the freedom to create political parties, and the right to obtain information. The Act of Succession deals with the line of monarchy and declares that only individuals from the House of Bernadotte may hold the crown. The Freedom of the Press Act allows civilians access to government documents and provides for the freedom to communicate information with the media. The Law on Freedom of Expression prohibits censorship. The Riksdag is the decision-making body of the government. Since 1971, it has had 349 elected members. Political parties are proportionately represented, based on the national vote. However, a political party must receive at least 4% of the vote in order to serve. Since 1994, these members fulfill a fixed 4-year term. The Riksdag members come together to vote for the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the Riksdag officially appoints them to the office. The Prime Minister then goes on to appoint Cabinet Ministers. Although the Prime Minister and Ministers govern the country, they are responsible to the Riksdag. These individuals make the decisions for the government, not the monarch. The Prime Minister usually selects Ministers based on the political parties in the Riksdag and sometimes they are serving as members of the Riksdag when appointed. If this is the case, an alternate will take their seat so that they may serve out their ministerial duties. The Prime Minister and Ministers often referred to as the government, work to carry out the decisions of the Riksdag. Additionally, they write new policies, regulations, and amendments to present to the Riksdag for decision making. The legislative body allocates budgets to each government office, and the funds are further appropriated by the Ministers. The Cabinet may represent Sweden in the European Union and negotiate agreements with other governments. Local and Regional Government The government of Sweden is made up of more than the Riksdag, Prime Minister, and Cabinet. It has local and regional offices as well. The country is divided into 20 counties at the regional level and 290 municipalities at the local level. The regional government is administered by county councils, which take on administrative tasks that are too large for municipal government. Some of the most common services that the regional government oversees are healthcare and tax levies. Like the regional government, the municipalities are managed by elected councils that administer a variety of public services. Some of these services include water, education, elderly care, child care, transportation infrastructure, and public welfare. Not all municipalities administer the same services, although, they are all required to administer basic public services.
Tuesday 9 September 2003 Opening Session of Sustainable Trade Day Thank you, Commissioner Lamy, for giving me the opportunity to participate in this important event. It is certainly particularly significant for me that this event should take place on the eve of the WTO's Fifth Ministerial Conference. Sustainable development was the first issue I had to address as Director General of the WTO. In fact, on the very first day of my term in office, exactly one year ago, I travelled to Johannesburg to attend the World Summit on Sustainable Development (the “WSSD”). I greatly appreciate discussing issues related to sustainable development within the context of the United Nations. At regular meetings of the Chief Executive Board under the UN, sustainable development is at the heart of our discussions. As you know, trade liberalization is an important engine of economic growth — it contributes to poverty alleviation. Trade liberalization also leads to a more efficient allocation of resources, including natural resources. I particularly welcome the fact that WSSD, and the Rio Summit before it, have recognized this. In fact, WSSD explicitly stated that the main contribution the WTO can make to sustainable development is the successful completion of the Doha Development Round. Our main objective now in WTO is to bring the Doha Round to a successful conclusion, with the Cancún Ministerial Conference being an important step along the way. The Doha Round, as you know, has been launched in full cognizance of the importance of Sustainable Development, a concept enshrined in the Preamble of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the WTO. The importance for WTO members of pursuing a sustainable development path was also reflected in the fact that the Doha Declaration assigned certain WTO bodies the task of monitoring the environmental and developmental aspects of the new negotiations. Let me address the way in which the Doha Round can contribute to sustainable development. I will first look at the developmental aspects of our work, and then at the environmental. The Development dimension First, with regard to development, it is important to mention that great efforts have been undertaken in the WTO to integrate developing and least-developed countries in these negotiations, particularly through trade related technical assistance. The Doha Declaration contains numerous commitments on technical assistance and capacity building. It also contains commitments to mainstream trade into national plans for economic development and poverty alleviation. To achieve these objectives, the WTO has built strategic partnerships with other international institutions, as well as regional development banks. In addition, a “Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund” which has been established through the contributions and pledges of WTO Members, has proved to be instrumental in financing technical assistance needs. Let me now turn to some of the more substantive aspects of WTO's developmental work. At the centre of the Doha Development Agenda are market access issues. In the negotiations on agricultural and industrial goods, and in services, special attention is being paid to products and sectors of export interest to developing countries. There is great expectation about the results of the market access negotiations, and rightly so. There can be little doubt that the benefits from liberalisation could be substantial. The share of developing countries in world trade amounts to approximately 30 per cent. Through the new negotiations, it can be made to grow even further. Trade liberalization and improved market access also have the potential to contribute to increased South South trade. According to recent statistics, intra developing country trade has almost doubled over the last decade, reaching 10.7 per cent of total world trade in 2001. In the agricultural sector, policy reform and trade liberalization can offer potential gains for all countries, particularly developing ones. The reduction of trade distorting agricultural subsidies is crucial to facilitating access to international markets for developing country exports, and increasing their competitiveness in this important sector. In addition to market access, developing country concerns are being addressed through many other components of the Doha Development Agenda. For instance, the Agenda calls on the WTO to tackle “implementation issues,” which include addressing the difficulties that developing countries face in fulfilling existing WTO obligations. The Agenda stipulates that WTO Members look at the implementation of the special and differential treatment provisions of various WTO Agreements. They must also look at the problems faced by small economies, and must examine the issues of “trade, debt and finance” and of technology transfer. On TRIPS and Public Health, WTO Members reached an historic agreement just a few weeks ago to resolve the issue of access to medicines for countries without manufacturing capacity. Poorer countries can now make full use of the flexibilities in the WTO’s intellectual property rules in order to deal with the diseases that ravage their people. This is concrete proof of the seriousness with which Members take the development dimension of these negotiations. The environment dimension Let me now turn to the environmental aspects of the WTO's work. For the first time in the history of the multilateral trading system, environment negotiations have been launched in the WTO. These negotiations have been welcomed by WSSD. For many years, WTO Members have examined the relationship between international trade and international environmental law. At issue was the consistency between the two legal regimes. The negotiating mandate agreed to in Doha was to a large extent a culmination of that work. The Doha mandate explores how WTO rules can apply to a trade dispute between WTO Members that concerns the provisions of an environmental agreement that they have signed. Various limitations were placed on the mandate so that WTO members would only address those issues that they are sufficiently comfortable with. For, it is important to remember that this is the first time that we hold environment negotiations in WTO. Although carefully circumscribed, these negotiations are extremely significant in that they signal the beginning of new relationship between the international trade and international environmental regimes — a relationship in which each regime recognizes the importance of the other. It is also a relationship in which each regime explores how best it can harmoniously co-exist with others. I am pleased with the progress that WTO Members have made on this part of the environment mandate. The environment negotiations are also looking at how to enhance cooperation and information exchange between the WTO and the environmental community. For, it is widely recognized that greater consistency and coherence between the WTO and MEA legal regimes can be achieved through improved coordination. Such coordination can avoid the emergence of conflicting obligations at the international level. In fact, it is for this reason that WTO Members have repeatedly called for improved national and international coordination between trade and environmental policy makers. I am pleased that WTO members have made important progress on this part of the mandate. They have identified numerous avenues through which increased cooperation can take place. I would like to pay tribute to the role played by Ambassador Yolanda Biké (of Gabon) in leading the discussions on trade and environment. The environment negotiations also comprise trade liberalization in environmental goods and services. The objective of these negotiations is to ensure that goods and services which may be needed for environmental protection, are made more accessible to all through the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade. An environmental good could for instance be a catalytic converter, and an environmental service could be a consultancy service provided by a waste management firm. One of the important issues in these negotiations will be to define what environmental goods actually comprise. A pending question, for instance, is whether the negotiations will only cover industrial goods, or will include agricultural goods as well. Having spoken about the environment negotiations that are taking place, I hasten to add that these negotiations do not exhaust the scope of the WTO's work on environment. The reasons for this are that the broader inter-linkages between trade and environment are continuing to be explored in WTO, but outside the negotiating context, with issues such as environmental labelling being looked at. Another reason is that, as I have mentioned earlier, the environmental aspects of all the negotiations taking place in context of the Doha Round are being monitored. For instance, in the rules negotiations, members are looking at whether existing rules on subsidies capture environmentally harmful, trade-distorting, fisheries subsidies. These negotiations demonstrate how the international trade and international environmental protection agendas can meet, with trade liberalization contributing to natural resource conservation. It is one of the areas of the Doha negotiations being monitored for its sustainable development dimension. As you can see, sustainable development issues pervade all aspects of the Doha Development Agenda, and the Doha Round has the capacity to deliver sustainable development gains. The World Summit on Sustainable Development has called for the successful completion of the Doha Round, and this is what WTO Members are currently striving to achieve. The Ministerial Conference that will start tomorrow is an important step along the way. It will be a chance for WTO members to take stock of two years of negotiations under the Doha Development Agenda, and to take meaningful steps in setting the road map for the final phase. The success of this Round, and the contribution which it can make to sustainable development, is vital to us all.
Nasrettin Hoca is made up of 70 separate pieces of wood. There are 15 different types of wood: Walnut, Root Walnut, two different Spalted Linden, Pear, Alder, Poplar, Ayous, Doussie, Wenge, Cherry, Merbau, Spaltek White Beech, Ovangkol, White Poplar. They are glued together on a Birch Plywood. There is no dye and stain involved. You see the natural colors of different types of wood. Wood has been finished with natural wax. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, materials, dimensions, and color may vary slightly. NASREDDİN HOCA (1208-1284) A popular scholar, He was famously considered the foremost protagonist of comical tales with an emotional content or other messages. Another important element in Nasreddin Hodja stories is the donkey, a reflection of the feelings of the people. It is impossible to imagine Nasreddin Hoca without his donkey, which is itself a vehicle of satire. In one of his stories Hodja was going somewhere, he got on his donkey with his back facing to the front. The people yelled at him: You are sitting on your donkey the wrong way round. No, he said. It's just that the donkey is standing the wrong way round.
The spicy ground beef here is more like spicy meat sauce. It is not served as an independent entrée or appetizer in our house. Instead it is used as a condiment or topping in rice and noodles. In China, there is a long time tradition to make meat sauce with heavy dose of salt and oil, in some areas chili peppers too. The original purpose in doing so is to preserve meat and other food ingredients when food was scarce. However, as time goes by, people get attached to this type of food. Pick any Asian grocery store you like. Go in there. You will see so many different varieties of chili oil sauces, meat pepper sauces and pickles on the shelves. Sometimes I buy meaty sauce from my favorite Asian grocery stores. Other times I like spending time in kitchen whipping up my own special spicy meat oil sauce. I usually add spicy ground beef to the freshly homemade noodles as a topping. The flavor is enhanced and the noodles are so much more appetizing O(∩_∩)O~ 1 lb lean ground beef (95% or 100% lean) 2 gloves of garlic, peeled and finely diced 1 small piece of ginger root, fine chopped 2 tablespoons rice cooking wine 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper 1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder 1/4 to 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce 1 to 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1/4 cup Pixian chili paste 1 teaspoon oyster sauce 1/4 teaspoon ground Sichuan peppercorns 1/3 to 1/2 cup crushed red chili pepper/ cayenne pepper salt to taste 1/2 cup of cooking oil 1 package of dried seasoned tofu (weighs around 200g. Usually sold in fridge section in Asian grocery stores) Dice the dried tofu. Heat a light weight cast iron wok over high heat. Add oil, and then ground beef, along with chopped ginger and garlic. Stir fry the beef until it turns slightly golden brown. Reduce the heat to medium low. Add rice cooking wine, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, Pixian chili paste, oyster sauce, ground Sichuan peppercorns, crushed red chili pepper/ cayenne pepper. Sauté the mixture over medium low heat for 8 to 10 minutes Add diced tofu. Season with salt. And then continue to sauté for another 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat The spicy ground beef can be stored in Ball Mason jars in the fridge for up to a week. It goes really great with noodle soup and steamed white rice. I posted how to make noodles at home before: Homemade Noodles in Thick Pork Broth Cook the noodles in boiling water for 45 seconds to one minute. Add to a bowl, along with soy sauce, sesame oil, Sichuan peppercorn oil, chili oil sauce, spicy ground beef with dice tofu, finely shredded cucumber, chopped cilantro, green onion, and of course, crunchy soybeans. Crunchy soybeans was posted recently: Crunchy Soybeans Use pair of chopsticks to toss everything together. Bon appetite! O(∩_∩)O~
Reporting a Crime Reporting by Phone To report a crime you can reach the York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office by calling: - 757-890-3621 for non-emergencies - 911 in case of emergencies Information We'll Ask For When you call you will be asked for basic, yet pertinent information such as your name, address and the number from which you are calling. A deputy will meet with you to begin an investigation and will need to know information such as: - If there are any injuries to persons - If there is any property damage - Names of suspects, victims or witnesses, if known - Physical descriptions of suspects - Vehicle descriptions (including license plate number and color) - What happened - Where and When it happened What to do If You've Witnessed a Crime If you have witnessed or have been a victim of a crime, please stay as calm as possible. Deputies and or other emergency response personnel will be dispatched immediately. If the crime is still in progress or there is still a threat of danger you will be asked to stay on the line so that dispatchers can keep responding deputies and or other response personnel apprised of the situation. This will ensure that the information needed is relayed to responding personnel as quickly and efficiently as possible. By staying as calm as possible, you are helping us to help you. Anonymous Crime Line If you have information about a crime or criminal activity you may also call our anonymous Crime Line at 757-890-3400. During regular business hours, your call may be answered by a investigator. After hours or on weekends your call will be answered by a dispatcher who will forward the information to the Crime Line Officer.
Asbestos Lawsuits for Mesothelioma and Asbestosis Most people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestosis have been exposed to asbestos from a job where they were breathing asbestos fibers. - Factory Workers - Ship Builders - Brake Repair Workers - Construction Workers - Insulation Manufacturers and Installers - Asbestos Miners As a result of inadequate safety precautions and a lack of warnings provided for decades, workers may be left with a devastating asbestos injury decades after this exposure, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer and other complications. A growing number of cases have also surfaced involving second-hand asbestos exposure, where the individual lived with someone who worked around asbestos and may have breathed fibers that were carried home on their clothing or in their hair. This has been found to occur among spouses who washed the workers’ clothes and among children who were held by their father after coming home covered in asbestos fibers. The asbestos attorneys at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. review potential injury lawsuits for individuals throughout the United States who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestosis. To review a potential claim for yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation. MESOTHELIOMA FROM EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS It is estimated that approximately 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year. Most begin in the chest cavity. Because the signs of mesothelioma, asbestosis and other asbestos-related diseases often take a long time to manifest, diagnosis of these ailments often comes decades after exposure. There is no cure for these asbestos exposure injuries and most of those who are diagnosed with mesothelioma from asbestos often only have a prognosis of one to five years after the illness is discovered. In many cases, industries and employers knew for years that asbestos exposure was dangerous to their workers, but put profits ahead of worker safety and failed to warn them of the dangers of exposure and failed to provide the proper safety equipment. Many individuals each year are able to obtain an asbestos settlement, as massive jury verdicts have repeatedly been handed down throughout the United States. No Fees or Expenses Unless You Receive an Asbestos Settlement Our lawyers can provide a free consultation and claim evaluation to determine what benefits your family may be entitled to for payment of medical costs, lost wages and personal injury damages as a result of injuries from exposure to asbestos. Numerous settlements and financial recoveries have been obtained for asbestos victims and their families nationwide. If you, a friend or family member have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, we can protect your rights and pursue the compensation you may be entitled. Request a free consultation and claim evaluation. There are no fees or expenses until you secure a recovery.
Australian entrepreneur Craig Wright claims he created the crypto-currency Bitcoin, after years of speculation around who was the anonymous inventor. Wright made the claims to the BBC, Economist, and GQ. Core members of the Bitcoin development team and community are said to have also confirmed his identity. The founder of Bitcoin has been attached to the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, but no one has come from the shadows to claim the identity -- until now. During a meeting with the publications, Wright digitally signed messages using cryptographic keys from the early days of Bitcoin. Wright posted a detailed explanation on his blog. "These are the blocks used to send 10 bitcoins to Hal Finney in January as the first bitcoin transaction," Wright told the publications during his demonstration. Wright has been in the Bitcoin-founder rumor mill for years. It's worth noting that in December, high performance computing firm SGI denied any involvement with Cloudcroft Supercomputers Australia, a supercomputer firm that was founded by suspected bitcoin founder Craig Wright under his parent company DeMorgan. "By creating a world-class forum, we believe we can remove the fear surrounding bitcoin and the blockchain, and help unlock the remarkable potential of both," Wright explains on his website that dispels Bitcoin rumors.
Members of the Hobart and William Smith community are preparing for the 17th annual Literacy Volunteers of Ontario-Yates (LVOY) Spelling Bee, which will take place on Sunday, Feb. 10 at Geneva High School. Proceeds from the event will fund important literacy initiatives in the region. HWS will be represented by B+, a team of faculty members including Professor or Art and Architecture Lara Blanchard, Associate Professor of Classics Leah Himmelhoch and Professor of Biology Beth Newell. Last year, the HWS faculty and staff team won first place at the competition and an HWS student team took third, collectively raising $800 for the agency. This year, the B+ team hopes to raise $300 for an entry fee into the friendly competition. The money will support the mission of LVOY, which has offered free and confidential one-on-one tutoring to adults who want to improve their reading, writing and English-speaking skills in Ontario and Yates counties since 1967. Donations can be made via check to “LVOY” and sent to Newell through campus mail. Newell will also accept checks or cash at the February faculty meeting. To support the HWS team, members of the HWS community are invited to attend the competition which will be held in the Geneva High School auditorium. The fundraiser will also include a bake sale and a used book sale.
Words like “schizophrenia” and “bipolar disorder” have guided psychiatric treatment for decades, but they may be meaningless labels that mask a lack of real knowledge about the molecular events behind these related constellations of symptoms. That’s the critical view that greeted the latest edition of the psychiatrists’ “bible,” the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM-5, published by the American Psychiatric Association in late May. Among those critics is Thomas Insel, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, who highlighted the debate about the DSM-5 in an April blog post. Insel called for the discovery of biomarkers that could both re-categorize common mental illnesses and open doors to better therapies. This work has already begun at companies such as Austin, TX-based Myriad RBM, a subsidiary of diagnostic testing company Myriad Genetics (Nasdaq:MYGN) of Salt Lake City, UT. Myriad RBM, formed in 2002 as Rules-Based Medicine, was an early developer of protein assay panels that test not only for known disease biomarkers, but also for other proteins that might be unsuspected troublemakers. As a partner with researchers at the University of Cambridge, UK, RBM developed an experimental test for schizophrenia in 2009. That led to an ongoing collaboration with Roche—one of a number of notable partners RBM gained before it was acquired in 2011 by Myriad. Myriad, a genetic testing pioneer founded in 1991, built its business around its early flagship test, BRACAnalysis, which looks for variations in two genes that significantly elevate a woman’s risk of breast cancer. Myriad controlled the market for BRACA gene testing due to its portfolio of gene patents, but some of those have now been invalidated by the US Supreme Court in its June 13 ruling. The market impact of the ruling on BRACAnalysis is yet to be seen, but competition is likely to increase among providers of tests based on single genes that powerfully increase disease risk. However, many diseases result from an interplay of multiple gene mutations, and diagnostic companies are using their knowledge of those interactions to add value to their diagnostic products. Myriad moved in that direction when it acquired RBM for $80 million, augmenting its DNA and RNA screening repertoire with proficiency in protein detection. “Few other companies have expertise in all three,” says Craig Benson, president of Myriad RBM. “We sort of used to say we complete the Triple Crown of molecular biology diagnostics.” The company’s protein assay panels now cover a range of focus areas including oncology, cardiovascular disease, and inflammation. Myriad RBM’s primary customers are pharmaceutical companies and research institutions that are looking for help in drug development and clues to the core mechanisms of disease. Benson, who joined Rules-Based Medicine at its birth as a spin-off from Austin, TX-based Luminex (NASDAQ: LMNX) says the company had to persuade clients at first that they should look beyond the biomarkers that were already known to be associated with the diseases they were researching and use RBM’s fuller “multiplexed” assay panels. RBM’s founding principle was that complex diseases such as neuropsychiatric disorders would only be fully understood by examining multiple molecular factors, and the relationships among those factors in different individuals. “We almost forced customers to think about things in a different way,” Benson says. “It was a little bit of evangelizing in the early days.”
5 STEPS OF SPIRITUAL S.T.U.D.Y The S.T.U.D.Y acronym has been taken from “The Journey” curriculum Go over the 5 Steps of Spiritual S.T.U.D.Y from “The Journey” Select: choose a reading Take It In: read the text and think it through Underline: underline the words or phrases most meaningful to you Dialogue: have an inner dialogue or shared discussion Yours to Keep: capture the message Practice the steps by using this worksheet: STUDY- Yours to Keep Go through the quotes and share during the Dialogue section At the conclusion of each discussion have each person fill in the “Yours to Keep” section on the worksheet All of the quotes are taken from the World Scriptures book and focus on spiritual growth. If you prefer to make your own worksheet the quotes are here: Buddhism. Garland Sutra 10 Practicing step by step, One gradually fulfills all Buddha teachings. It is like first setting up a foundation Then building the room: Generosity and self-control, like this, Are bases of enlightening beings’ practices. Confucianism. Analects 2.4 The Master said, “At fifteen I set my heart upon learning. At thirty, I had planted my feet upon firm ground. At forty, I no longer suffered from perplexities. At fifty, I knew what were the biddings of Heaven. At sixty, I heard them with a docile ear. At seventy, I could follow the dictates of my own heart; for what I desired no longer overstepped the boundaries of right.” Hinduism. Bhagavad Gita 6.45 Through constant effort over many lifetimes, a person becomes purified of all selfish desires and attains the supreme goal of life. Islam. Qur’an 48.29 Muhammad is the Apostle of God; and those who are with him are strong against unbelievers, but compassionate amongst each other…. And their similitude in the Gospel is: Like a seed which sends forth its blade, then makes it strong; it then becomes thick, and it stands on its own stem, filling the sowers with wonder and delight. Judaism. Talmud, Aboda Zara 20b Study of Torah leads to precision, precision to zeal, zeal to cleanliness, cleanliness to restraint, restraint to purity, purity to holiness, holiness to meekness, meekness to fear of sin, fear of sin to saintliness, saintliness to the holy spirit, and the holy spirit to life eternal. Christianity. Romans 5.3-5 We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts.
This sounds like a pretty intense request, doesn’t it? Control your life force. What exactly does that mean? In yoga, we define life force as Prana. It is simply the energy that flows through us. Although it is not physiologically documented, prana is known to be carried into and out of the body through the breath. Pranayama is the control of the life force. You may remember the term pranayama from this week’s YOLY Challenge. We can control our life force or prana when we manipulate the breath and direct it in some manner. As the fourth limb of the yogic system, pranayama is made up of a range of techniques that begin with simple awareness and continue with more intensive control approaches. Although pranayama is an integral part of the postures, it is not generally taught until a student is comfortable resting with their breath in either a supine or seated position. Why should we practice pranayama? It is an essential aspect of yoga that takes into account the body as well as the mind. As we learn to deepen and slow down our breathing habits, our lung capacity extends, oxygen levels increase and all systems benefit. Breathing practices also give your mind focus – you virtually tune in when you pay attention to your breath. This can occur whether you are in a resting pose or actively performing the asanas. As many teachers will tell you, “if it is not with the breath, it is not yoga.” Through this blog, I hope to share many of the various pranayama methods with you. While some are relaxing and clarifying, others can be energizing, stimulating, or even mind blowing. I told you this would be intense. Proceed with caution.
I'm going to start publishing summaries here of papers I read that are interesting, pointing out the high-lights I read. I have a lot of catching up to do, and sometimes I don't find out about a paper until later, so I will be reviewing some older papers here as well, but I'll make sure to include dates. Let me know if these summaries are interesting to you by contacting me at 0xdabbad00 on gmail and twitter! Microsoft paper, July 2011, Authors: Matt Miller, Tim Burrell, Michael Howard - Great tables showing mitigations (DEP, ASLR, SEHOP and others) available for different versions of Windows, Visual Studio compilers, and versions of IE and Office. Shows when different technologies were introduced. - Describes the economics of exploitation and how these mitigations drive up costs for an attacker. Using 3 tactics: - Enforce invariants: "Invalidate an attacker‘s implicit assumptions" - DEP, SEHOP - Create artificial diversity: ASLR - Leverage knowledge deficits: /GS (stack cookies) - "There are no known exploits for stack-based vulnerabilities that have been capable of bypassing the combination of /GS, SEHOP, DEP, and ASLR." - "No exploits have been observed in the wild that rely on corrupting heap metadata and target Windows Vista and beyond. " Note this statement is only relevant to "heap metadata" corruptions. - Links to this great presentation (video and audio, but no slides, 45min) from Matt Miller BlueHat v8: Mitigations Unplugged Microsoft paper, November 2007, Author: Ulfar Erlingsson Describes memory corruption attacks, but more importantly to me, describes defenses (and their performance impacts) which are: - "Checking Stack Canaries on Return Address" - This is /GS. Discusses how this protection is not applied to all functions due to heuristics, to try to be performant, but this allowed for the ANI vulnerability. - "Moving function-local variables below stack buffers" - Compiler can rearrange variables on the stack so a buffer overflow will not over-write other variables. - "Make data not be executable as machine code" - DEP - "Enforcing control-flow integrity on code exe" - The concept here is that for things like C-structs that contain function pointers, to avoid having these over-written with arbitrary function addresses and subsequently executed, you can check these if you happen to know that they can only be one of some set of possible values. - "Encrypting addresses in code and data pointers" - Even though a function pointer might be over-written, encrypt it so that the attacker doesn't know what value to over-write it with. This concept is used on Vista's heap metadata. - "Randomizing the layout of code and data in memory" - ASLR Defense Science Board, January 2013, dozens of authors, approx 90 pages. - Categorizes adversaries into: - Those that can take advantage of known threats. - Those that can find 0-days - Those that can create vulnerabilities in systems (Tier V-VI threats) - The only countries capable of creating vulnerabilities, according to the report, are the Russians, Chinese, and US. Those that create vulnerabilities are basically those that can modify the supply chain or leverage insiders. Willing to spend billions of dollars and years to do so. Provides the example of The Gunman Project. According to the report, these advanced threats require the US to spy on adversaries in order to know about them at all. - Section 8 is the most interesting part to read, as it discusses "Enhancing Defenses to Thwart Low- and Mid-Tier Threats", and provides a success story of how this has been accomplished in the Dept of State. See pages 59-62, which describe: - "126.96.36.199 Automate Patch and Threat Management Functions" states "Over time, fewer staff should be needed to maintain software patches and network configurations, allowing a shift in effort toward hunting adversaries who have penetrated our networks. Most of the COTS technologies available today have user interfaces that allow high levels of flexibility for determining what is deemed unusual network behavior, allowing system administrators to adjust and adapt the monitoring systems as threats evolve." - "188.8.131.52 Audit to the Enterprise Standard" - Discusses improvement of security posture not only in terms of technical solutions but also through "peer pressure" by grading personnel and holding managers responsible. - "184.108.40.206 Build Network Recovery Capability" - Advocates having a back-up network and systems to use while kicking an adversary out of one network. - "220.127.116.11 Recover to a Known (Trusted) State" - Have the ability to rapidly revert to back-ups. - Like much of the thought leadership occurring in cyber, it advocates better defined career paths for "cyber warriors". You can tell this doc is gov focused, as it mentions "cyber" repeatedly (911 times!). - Strong focus in the report on nuclear. Discusses how US nuclear defense should be a guide for how cyber could be similarly organized and implemented (isolated and very different than other capabilities).
What should be done now that the Supreme Court has officially declared Obama not legally president of the U.S. ?Continue Juan Valdez has not received any gifts yet The United States waged a war with only one church in its history. It was with the Mormon church. They believed their prophet Joseph Smith was a living God a second Mohammed who you either followed or were put to the sword. They still believe their prophet is a God who must be obeyed without question. They formed a plan to take over the Earth called the United Order. They massacred a wagon train of Christian settlers on September 11th 1857. They practised a treachery that… While you we're asleep watching American Idol, The Voice, America's Got Talent and other NWO controlled programs, your 2nd amendment rights have been taken away and will slowly be taken away by 2 year internals, within the next 6 years. Read The Full Story:U.N. Small Armrs Treaty Passes Moscow, Russia – A Russian government official bragged that Barack Obama was a KGB operative and that his presidency had been planned since birth, an American physicist and government contractor reports. Tom Fife, an American computer networking specialist and international businessman, reported the alarming facts about the Kremlin’s connection to Barack Obama. The boast from a Communist Party official reportedly occurred during a business trip to Russia, 16 years before Barack…
Corporal Frederick (Fred) George Topham, V.C. Cpl. Topham was born on August 10, 1917 in Toronto, Ontario. While growing up there, he attended several local schools such as King George Public School and Runnymede High School. When Topham first got into the workforce he tried several different types of employment such as hard-rock miner, rubber worker at Goodyear and as well as at a saw company. He was residing at 631 Beresford Avenue in Toronto when he first enlisted with the 48th Highlanders. His service with the 48th was very short lived, lasting only 30 days before he moved on to the Army Service Corps as a Medical Orderly. He was strong and athletic and it was recommended he join the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion. Topham completed his Parachute Course at Fort Benning, Georgia U.S.A. on March 12, 1943 and embarked shortly after to the UK on July 24, 1943 to be taken on strength with the Battalion. He parachuted on both Operation Overlord on June 6, 1944 and Operation Varsity on March 24, 1945. He served in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. It was during Operation Varsity where Topham won the highest gallantry award bestowed by the British Empire, the Victoria Cross, which made him the only member of the Battalion to receive such an honour. After the war, Topham briefly served with the Toronto Police Service before changing careers to Toronto Hydro, where he worked until his untimely death on May 31, 1974. If you wish to visit this Canadian war hero, he is resting at the Sanctuary Park Cemetery, 1570 Royal York Road, Etobicoke, Ontario M9P 3C4. Section A, Lot 147C. Below is the citation to Cpl Topham the day he won the Victoria Cross. B-39039 Cpl. Frederick George TOPHAM, V.C. On 24th, March, 1945, Corporal Topham, a Medical orderly, parachuted with his battalion onto a strongly defended area east of the Rhine. At about 11:00 hours, whilst treating casualties sustained in the drop, a cry for help came from a wounded man in the open. Two medical orderlies from a field ambulance went out to this man in succession but both were killed as they knelt beside the casualty. Without hesitation and on his own initiative Corporal Topham went forward through intense fire to replace the orderlies who had been killed before his eyes. As he worked on the wounded man, he was himself shot through his nose. In spite of severe bleeding and intense pain he never faltered in his task. Having completed immediate first aid, he carried the wounded man steadily and slowly back through continuous fire to the shelter of the woods. During the next two hours Corporal Topham refused all offers of medical help for his own wound. He worked most devotedly throughout this period to bring in wounded, showing complete disregard for the heavy and accurate enemy fire. It was only when all casualties had been cleared that he consented to his own wound being treated. His immediate evacuation was ordered, but he interceded so earnestly on his own behalf that he was eventually allowed to return to duty. On his way back to his company he came across a carrier, which had received direct hit. Enemy mortar bombs were still dropping around, the carrier itself was burring fiercely and its own mortars ammunition was exploding, an experienced officer on the spot had warned all not to approach the carrier. Corporal Topham, however, immediately went out alone in spite of the blasting ammunition and enemy fire, and rescued the three occupants of the carrier. He brought these men back across the open and although one died almost immediately afterwards, he arranged for the evacuation of the other two, who undoubtedly owe their lives to him. This non-commissioned officer showed sustained gallantry of the highest order, for six hours most of the time in great pain. He preformed series of acts of outstanding bravery and his magnificent and selfless courage inspired all those who witnessed it. Browning Hi-Power 9mm Pistol You can see in one of the photos Cpl Topham carrying a semi-automatic pistol tucked in his belt line that is tethered to a lanyard in order not to lose it. The Browning Hi-Power 9mm pistol on display below would be that same model he carried overseas. This semi-automatic pistol was durable, introducing high capacity magazines holding 13 rounds, allowing for faster reloading than the traditional revolver. The maximum effective range in the hands of a skilled shooter would be 50 yards.
Spills in Wisconsin Enbridge Pipeline 14 Spills 50,000 gallons of crude oil in Grand Marsh, WI - July 2012 Over 50,000 gallons of crude oil mixed with diluent (that contains benzene) was spilled in Grand Marsh from Line 14 on July 27, 2012 . Enbridge detected the spill using pressure monitors and shut the line down. Enbridge reported that the spill was contained to a field affecting 5 or 6 acres. Residents reported waking up to a smell the next morning, without being told what was happening. The immediate neighbor was evacuated. 17,000 tons of contaminated soil was eventually removed. Line 14 was installed in 1998 and was inspected twice in the five years prior to the spill. Image Source: EPA The map below depicts a selection of oil spills in Wisconsin. Click on any marker for additional details. For further information about historical Enbridge oil spills, please refer to this document for the original reports from the Wiscosnin Department of Natural Resources.
for young men wanting to discern their direction in life and life-commitment choice. Information about the weekends can be found at http://www.whatsalifefor.com/ The last weekend was Friday 12 to Sunday 14 October, 2012 at “The Cliffs”, Shoreham, Victoria. Two men joined us for that discernment weekend and gained clarity around their questions. One offered this poem The Origins of Fire (a poem for men) by Adrian Scott, from his book, The Call of The Unwritten. It is published on The Drumbeat – Men As Learners and Elders (MALEs) site for men http://18.104.22.168/menaslearnerselders/the-drumbeat The Origins of Fire (a poem for men) The origins of fire lie hidden in that dark, secret place where our ancestors stole fire from the gods. This incendiary power can ignite the fuse in your genes, illuminating the lonely shadow side of your living. I have never known a man who doesn’t test the ashes of last night’s fire to gauge the chances of re-ignition. When a man has expended the fires of youth and spent the fuel of innocence when he has entered the age of dust and ashes, he is heir to the dissolving tears of grief. This is no easy passage, many will try to frighten you with brimstone and burning, but I say to you that hell is not a destination; it is the subway of the burnt ones. It is the blazing of those who are holy, holes scorched into the fabric of the ego, holes you can trust. This is the true fire of wounded brotherhood, of breath-taking together, of birthing a wisdom from the embers of each day’s burning, to fan to flame the sparks, fire for the earth – and how I wish it were burning already. Adrian Scott, The Call of the Unwritten, 28 - Chief Raoni cries - Seminars – Heart of Life, 2012
Jesus loves terrorists, too (Reflecting on the Sydney Siege) The Sydney Siege has changed Australia. Granted, I’ve not lived here long enough to recount how Australia felt in another era, or to recall the tone of childhood here, but fourteen years (most of my adulthood) and a sliver of preschool days must count for something. Most would say it’s a fair generalization to say that Australians have grown up feeling safe. As a nation we’ve made our place on the map through our strange animals—the cute variety as well as the lethal variety—and the draw for tourism that comes from the beauty of places like the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, the Great Ocean Road, and our many fantastic wine regions and sweeping coastlines. Although Australia hasn’t been exempt from tragedy through recent years (in addition to the tragedy deeply woven into the foundation of our colonial history), our image as a place of rest, fun, and adventure is not only a reputation that onlookers hold, but that Australians readily claim. We’ve prided ourselves on competitive sport, fantastic beach culture, strong mateship, and a laid back approach to life and work, and have lightheartedly endorsed the notion that most of life’s problems can be solved with a beer, a barbie, and a backyard game of cricket. And then all of that changed When lone gunman Man Haron Monis holed himself and seventeen hostages inside a the Lindt Chocolate Café in downtown Sydney, the nation was jolted into the sharp reality that we aren’t exempt from the types of scenarios we often see play out on world news reports in places like America, Europe, or the Middle East. It was a sobering day for Sydneysiders, and for all of Australia. We realized, with sadness, that terrorizing events can happen anywhere, any time, and to people as “regular” as a young pregnant woman, a part-time barista, or a high powered attorney. #IllRideWithYou exposed the Aussie spirit The stand of solidarity with (non-jihadist) Muslims through the #illridewithyou hashtag on social media spread like wildfire in the days following the siege, giving strong testament to the Aussie “mateship” spirit, as well as to the determination of our nation not to live in fear of one another. Since Sydney is one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse cities on the face of the planet (40% of us were born outside of Australia), seeing tolerance move into a tangible and very vocal demonstration of care for one another gave cause for the nation (and the whole world) to celebrate and say, look how far we’ve come. And, indeed, it’s been refreshing to see unfold. As a city, and as a nation, we look around and see one another—hopefully—with an invigorated sense of appreciation for some of the things that make us unique as a nation, recognizing that our uniqueness is more than just our population of wallabies and koalas, but rather our rich diversity of the human soul. It’s this stunning and varied landscape of people that make Australia stand out as more than just a sexy tourist destination. In the days that followed the siege, the tone across Sydney was incredible. Instead of noses glued to phones, people were talking with strangers, patting each other on the back, and asking, “how ya going, mate?” There was a genuine respect and care for one another that was stirred and it was breathtaking. I wonder though, if in our compassion for one another, we are open to having compassion for the very people bent on destroying what we stand for? To love your enemies (easier said than done) When he walked the earth, the God-man Jesus said things like “love your enemies” and “bless [or pray for] those who persecute you.” We rattle off these quip phrases often without thinking within our own borders. It’s easy to “love” enemies that we don’t rub shoulders with. How easy is it when they are within our cities and across our streets? What about when they’re armed with an automatic weapon full of ammo? Most of us won’t come into contact with men or women like the Sydney Siege gunman who overtly claim to be our enemies, but if we did, then what? What does love look like then? What does love look like? I don’t honestly know the answer to that question—I wish I did. I’m asking Jesus what it means to love an enemy that seems to epitomize evil, one who laughs in the face of monstrosity and injustice. (I’m thinking of Boko Haram now. Lord, have mercy in Nigeria.) As much as I’m still personally wrestling with that question, and searching for real life application for these horrific ordeals, I believe that part of loving our enemies has to do with the approach we take in our prayer life. While watching the Sydney Siege unfold last month I had the hostage-taker and his family on my heart almost as much as the victims and their families. Almost. Maybe that sounds a little crazy; he was a man, after all, who was resolute on destroying all that so many of us work to build for one another. But I’m challenged, prodded, and spurred by Jesus to remember that God cares as deeply about the man perpetrating evil as he does the victim held within evil’s grip. What if Love had reached him before he’d reached those seventeen? This idea of loving our enemies is hard to wrap my brain around, much less my heart, but I believe it’s the way Jesus demonstrated when he walked among us declaring the kingdom of heaven on earth. The Apostle Paul helps me to remember that no one is beyond the reach of our kind and merciful God. Before his radical conversion at Damascus, Paul was unyielding in his mission to persecute and destroy Christians. After his encounter with Jesus he became, arguably, the most influential follower of Jesus in history. Paul reminds me that Jesus loves terrorists, too. When a child sounds like Jesus A couple of days after the Sydney Siege, I was explaining to the kids what had happened downtown so that we could pray for the families of those who had been killed in the siege. I kept the details preschool-vague, but told them enough so we could pray together and to help prepare them for a visit to the memorial site in Martin Place. Although the gunman was already dead (which I forgot to mention), the prayers of my four-year-old reflect God’s heart more than most of us would have the compassion and courage to think: “Jesus, I pray for that man who had a bad and sick heart. Would you please heal him and give him a good heart. And I pray for the whole, wide world for everybody that ever did one bad thing or any number of bad things – would you give them a new heart. Take away their bad hearts and give them new ones. And I pray for that family that their mommy died and that man. And thank you for mommy for making us dinner tonight and for our family and our friends and all the good things in the whole wide world that you gave us. Thank you for Christmas. In Jesus’ name, amen.” -Levi, age 4 (17 Dec, 2014) Levi’s bedtime prayers remind me that I am no better than this man with the “sick heart.” Whether I have done “one bad thing or any number of bad things,” Jesus is the one who can rescue me and heal my heart and make a way for me to live in right relationship with the world around me. That same Rescuer makes himself available to all who are willing to be rescued. Living upside down As Australia has realized that we’re not exempt from acts of terror, and that—despite that knowledge—we also live with a strong and beautiful sense of mateship and the desire to take care of one another, let us also embrace the way of Jesus and commit to loving our enemies and asking him what that looks like in real time in our real lives. The way of the world is to hate our enemies and seek revenge on those who cause us hardship, pain, persecution, and heartache. But let us be a people that love radically and pray for those fixed on our destruction. Let us be a people who live according to the upside down kingdom – a people who build up rather than tear down, who sow love rather than seek revenge, who serve the ‘least of these’ rather than flatter the famous and influential. Let us be a people who love one another. Dear God, teach me what it means to love my enemy. For the love of Sydney, for the love of God, and for the love of the world. Friends, 2014 was a tough year for the world and for Australia. Now that the Sydney Siege is over, may I ask you to continue praying for our city? For most of us the crisis is over, but for the seventeen victims and their families, as well as for the gunman’s family, the crisis has only just begun. There is much healing and reconciliation yet to come. #PrayForSydney For the Love of Sydney, P.S. I wrote this piece on January 1st, and scheduled it to post today. In the last week we’ve seen horrific acts of terrorism in France and unspeakable violence and terror in Nigeria. It seems we will never have a lack of enemies. I continue to ask: Jesus, how do we love? because I still have very little idea…
This little piece has been inspired by me seeing all of the people running the London Marathon to raise money for rhino conservation. Some people were running in Jim Henson style suits, and I'm sure that 26.2 miles in one of those would be hard. So if you don't read nay more of this blog please go to Save the Rhino and make a donation: http://www.savetherhino.org/support_us/donate/donate_now The Southern white rhino had almost become extinct in Southern Africa, due to trophy hunting. However, after a group where found in what is Now Kwa-Zulu Natal (in the Umfolozi-Hluhluwe region) a concerted conversation effort meant that the population in South Africa soared. This is a triumph of conservation and something that we should be proud of. Meanwhile outside of the safe haven of South Africa, rhinos continued to be poached for their ivory and the number of rhinos in other countries plummeted. Most of this story I first heard from one of my fellow PhD students after he had started a job for WWF working on rhino protection. During the years that surrounding nations had their rhino stocks completely decimated, the South African population remained relatively unscathed. The reasoning that I've heard for this is that it was just a lot easier to poach from the other countries. But after all of the rhinos outside of SA were killed the poachers turned their sites on the country at the tip of the continent. Since 2007 rhino poaching has accelerated rapidly: in 2014 1,215 rhino were poached, up 200 on the previous year and 1,202 from 2007. From what I was told by my colleague who worked for WWF, at least three rhinos are poached from Kruger National Park every day. The killing of a rhino takes a lot of preparation, some prosecutions have found that the original targeting of a reserve occurred years in advance. Poaching is so lucrative that flying a helicopter into a private reserve is economically viable, and this makes small reserves particularly vulnerable. But most of the people who actually do the poaching are driven to it by poverty and do not make huge amounts of money. With a wide pool of potential poachers to draw from, the middle men who make the money can always find more people to fill the rolls of any poachers who get caught (and often shot and killed). This makes this a hydralike problem, and so very difficult to stop on the ground in Africa. So why do rhinos get poached? For their horns, which are shipped mainly to Vietnam to be ground up and used as hangover 'cures' and cancer 'cures.' Most people in Vietnam do not realise that to get the horn to cure your babelas (hangover) a rhino has to die. This seems like a great area for conservation groups and charities to focus, increase the knowledge in the countries that the horn is sent to and maybe the demand will dry up? There has been recent set back because an agreement between South Africa and Vietnam on poaching fell through. Set backs like this are hard to take and almost incomprehensible. I have two proposals to help solve this problem: one sensible and the other very extreme and probably illegal. 1. Put up huge billboards in Ho Chi Minh City showing poached rhinos, go to schools and teach children about where rhino horn comes from. Pay for TV commercials on pay-per-view to get into the homes of the people who buy rhino horn. 2. (I don't actually advocate this, it's just a hypothetical idea for a serious problem) Poison large amounts of wildebeest, springbok or buffalo horn. This is readily available from the game industry, which effectively farms these animals for food. This horn is almost indistinguishable from rhino horn. Flood the market with this toxic product. I'm pretty sure that people will stop buying rhino horn to cure their babalas when all of their friends who have done it have become seriously ill. I advocate stopping the demand. The poverty around the source makes this a difficult issue to stop here. So spending money in Vietnam might be the best way to solve it. But what do I know! For charities, maximizing how much money they get donated is probably one of their biggest issues. Without money from generous people a lot of the great charitable works can't be done. So one very interesting question is what effects how much money people give. Step in behavioural ecology and my PhD supervisor Nichola Raihani. She's just published a paper in Current Biology, getting a fair amount of press coverage (Independent and Huffington Post to name a few). What she and her co-author found was that men's response to donating is effected by two factors: how attractive a female fundraiser is and how much other men have donated. Males actually appear to compete with each other when donating to a 'high quality' (my words) potential mate. Interestingly, and potentially useful for the fundraising sector, females don't compete when donating to attractive male fundraisers. So there seems to be an aspect of sexual competition between males... All really useful and cool stuff. Plus it's come from the use of a large database, and more studies are likely to come out as big data becomes more available for biologists. I just hope that people don't take this literally and that facebook now doesn't start bombarding me with charity adverts featuring scantily clad women telling me that my male friends have donated £100! This is great research into how humans cooperate and what drives our behaviour when performing seemingly altruistic behaviours. Raihani & Smith (2015) Competitive helping in online giving. Current Biology, Unconditional generosity in humans is a puzzle. One possibility is that individuals benefit from being seen as generous if there is competition for access to partners and if generosity is a costly—and therefore reliable—signal of partner quality [ 1–3 ]. The “competitive helping” hypothesis predicts that people will compete to be the most generous, particularly in the presence of attractive potential partners [ 1 ]. However, this key prediction has not been directly tested. Using data from online fundraising pages, we demonstrate competitive helping in the real world. Donations to fundraising pages are public and made sequentially. Donors can therefore respond to the behavior of previous donors, creating a potential generosity tournament. Our test of the competitive helping hypothesis focuses on the response to large, visible donations. We show that male donors show significantly stronger responses (by donating more) when they are donating to an attractive female fundraiser and responding to a large donation made by another male donor. The responses for this condition are around four times greater than when males give to less-attractive female (or male) fundraisers or when they respond to a large donation made by a female donor. Unlike males, females do not compete in donations when giving to attractive male fundraisers. These data suggest that males use competitive helping displays in the presence of attractive females and suggest a role for sexual selection in explaining unconditional generosity. It's something that every child wonders at some point while splashing around in the bath or at a swimming pool: 'Why are my fingers all wrinkly?' The rest of your skin stays pretty much the same after a prolonged soak but your hands and feet take on prune like characteristics. I always assumed that your hands just absorbed the water and that caused the problem. I formulated this opinion before I knew much about biology and never really scrutinized this idea, which really doesn't stand up to much scrutinization. But a cool bit of research (abstract below) has found that it's all to do with being able to handle wet objects better.WE have evolved a mechanism for improving how do things in the wet. Water being absorbed into the fingers isn't even a part of this phenomenon, as it's actually driven by the autonomic nervous system.The authors of the paper talk about theories as to why we don't have wrinkled fingers more often but the question I find interesting is why do we have them at all? Surely results like this tell us about our evolutionary past and the environments in which our ancestors lived and foraged. I have no idea if chimps, gorillas or orangutans have this adaptation. If they don't then it suggests it evolved after we diverged from our closest relatives. Ideas about humans foraging along the seashore have been a big part of understanding how humans evolved and spread out of Africa, so maybe this finding a clue to that? A lot of this post is speculation, but that's the part of science that drives future areas of research and the joy of think about 'why?' is what I love so much about science. Kareklas et al. (2013) Water-induced finger wrinkles improve handling of wet objects. Biology Letters Upon continued submersion in water, the glabrous skin on human hands and feet forms wrinkles. The formation of these wrinkles is known to be an active process, controlled by the autonomic nervous system. Such an active control suggests that these wrinkles may have an important function, but this function has not been clear. In this study, we show that submerged objects are handled more quickly with wrinkled fingers than with unwrinkled fingers, whereas wrinkles make no difference to manipulating dry objects. These findings support the hypothesis that water-induced finger wrinkles improve handling submerged objects and suggest that they may be an adaptation for handling objects in wet conditions. One of my old colleagues, who's just finishing up his PhD has just had a paper published. James Westrip, supervised by Matt Bell, is working on interspecific communication through the pied babblers. Here's the abstract for the paper and a link to it: Bell & Westrip (2015) Breaking down the Species Boundaries: Selective Pressures behind Interspecific Communication in Vertebrates. Ethology, DOI: 10.1111/eth.12379 Studying heterospecific communication provides an opportunity to examine the dynamics of cross-species social behaviour. It allows us to ask questions about the extent to which the transfer of information is adaptive or accidental and provides an empirically tractable context for manipulating relationships. To date, most studies of heterospecific communication have focussed on receivers. However, the selective pressures on signallers can be as important in determining the dynamics of interspecific communication. Here, we propose a simple framework for thinking about cross-species information transfer, which (i) considers whether information exchange is either accidental or adaptive and (ii) whether it is unidirectional or bidirectional. To clearly classify interactions, it is necessary to quantify all of the payoffs of interspecific communication to both signallers and receivers. This requires accurate characterisation of the currency influenced by cross-species communication (e.g. weight gain, foraging success, survival). However, quantifying the payoffs may be difficult, because each side may be benefiting via different currencies. To date, studies on heterospecific communication have focussed on only one dimension of a niche (usually antipredator or foraging signals). However, because niches are multidimensional, investigations should incorporate multiple aspects of a species’ niche, to get a better perspective on why we see certain patterns of information use between species. This post is likely to be controversial and contentious. It’s likely that some people may misread it and interpret what I’ve written in the wrong way – so please read it to the end. Therefore, before I go any further I’ll point out that I am a firm believer in sexual equality; both women and men deserve equal pay and opportunities. I see many examples of sexism in the world and they all make me feel ashamed to be male. As I have gotten older I’ve become more attuned to the prejudices that pervade modern British society, as progressive as we like to think it is. There is no but at the end of this statement. This post has been inspired by both my understanding of biology and the fact that I haven’t heard this argument made anywhere else. Sexism may be a natural state, but that doesn’t make it a morally defensible one. Conflict is rife in the animal world between predators and prey, between males competing over access to female, females competing over access to males and between members of a breeding pair who are raising joint young. Sexual conflict exists in all sexually reproducing species, be they animal or plant. When two individuals aims are not perfectly aligned, as happens for example when a male and female bird decide to breed together, then there will be conflict – over how much each invests in their offspring and even if they decide to stick around to help raise them. Conflict of this kind is theorized to be the reason behind sexual differentiation: the production of one large gamete with lots of resources or lots of smaller ones with fewer resources. This initial difference sets up conflicting interests between the large gamete producers, females, and the small gamete producers, males. Females typically invest heavily in offspring and so want to choose the best sexual partner, whilst males do best by spreading their inexpensive (although there is a cost to sperm production) seed. But what has this got to do with feminism and misogyny? In modern human societies men are in a position of power. They are paid better, more likely to be employed etc. For society to be equal we are asking for a subset of a species to voluntarily give up a position of strength, but what benefit do they get from doing this? One argument would be that having more women higher up in companies will be good for business, we’ll be promoting purely on merit and so only the best will get to the top. This is likely to be true. But I’m an evolutionary biologist and this way of thinking seems very close to group selection – which we know is not how evolution works. Animals, plants and even people will behaviour in a way that is optimum for them, if this optimum happens to coincide with the optimum for the group then that’s great and then we get cooperation. But the interests of the group or species do not always coincide with the individual. So, individual members of the board of executives are unlikely to voluntarily give up their position to a woman just because the company will do better. Similarly, a male boss is likely to employ a man in his mid-twenties over a woman of similar age because he is less likely to take leave because of a baby, making the life of the boss easier. In behavioural economics experiments people will actually pay so that others will incur a cost (this is called spite). What I am trying to say is that the reason why sexism still exists in modern western society may be because we haven’t come at it from the correct angle, we’ve simply relied upon people behaving in a way that is moral and ethical, which can only get us so far – we’ve not thought about it in an evolutionary way. Males don’t always have to win - sexual conflicts are not always static. Some species, like elephant seals, have extreme sexual dimorphism (driven by competition between males) and this makes females very week in the interactions of this species (I’ve not studied seals and so his might be a crap example). However, in species like the dunnock, the balance of power between males and females is in constant flux. Sometimes the males win, getting to mate with two females and have twice the number of offspring, and sometimes the females win, getting to mate with two males and have them both help rear her young. I went to a conference where they found that dunnocks in New Zealand actually behaved differently to those in the UK and the outcomes again were in flux. What this shows is that through changing costs and benefits, even the habitat, we can influence sexual conflict and potentially sexism. It’s very difficult to change the way people behave, but if we can influence the environment in which businesses work and that men and women interact. The He For She campaign is a great idea to changing male behaviour early, but if the benefits of sexism remain in later life it may have limited effect. Another way to change things is to avoid any possibility of sexism. For example, it used to be thought that women couldn’t play the tuba but then orchestras started to have blind auditions and all traces that the player might be a women were cover up. The result was a massive increase in the number of women playing the instrument in orchestras. In the leave due to a baby example I used above, making it possible for men to take as much paternity leave as women can take maternity leave could eliminate the difference in cost to employer – rendering choosing a man the same as choosing a woman. By reposing the question and asking why sexism exists, we can seek to find evolutionary answers that may allow us to put an end to it. You may think this is overly simplistic, that we're rational creatures and so above any such 'manipulation' but how much washing up we do is effected by our environment! I am a behavioural ecologist, my main interests revolve around familial conflicts and their resolutions. However, my scientific interests are fairly broad.
Subdividing a problem into manageable pieces is a critical task in effectively parallelizing computation and even accelerating sequential computation. A key method that has received a lot of attention for doing so is graph partitioning. The basic graph partitioning problem is to split a graph's vertex set into a given number of almost equally sized blocks while minimizing a suitable objective function. The simplest and perhaps most common form of graph partitioning asks for the vertex set to be partitioned into k blocks, while minimizing the number of edges between the blocks (called cut edges). Even this most basic variant is NP-hard, by a reduction from 3SAT. Graph partitioning has many application areas, including VLSI, scientific computing, designing scalable distributed systems, genome sequencing, and routing in road networks. The role that graph partitioning plays in each of these applications, is one of efficiency. Given its usage in many varied areas, it is critical to understand how a high-quality graph partition can be computed and used in practice. In this thesis, we want to develop an algorithm that is particularly well suited if the number of blocks that the graph needs to be partitioning in is very large. You should have: - solid knowledge in algorithms and data structures - good knowledge in C++
Why Interest is Paid?Interest is paid for the following reasons: 1. Capital is Productive Capital improves the quality and increases the quantity of out put with in a given time. It means that capital contributes in the national dividend and therefore it is demanded and paid as a share of capital in the national dividend. 2. Capital Involves Lending Capital has a lending cost behind it. This why interest is demanded and paid to cover the lending cost. 3. Capital is Capable of Alternative Uses Capital is a secure commodity so it commands price. Therefore interest is demanded because of scarcity of capital. 4. Capital Increases the Efficiency of Land and Labour Capital increases the efficiency of land and labour and reduces the cost per unit of out put. Interest is therefore demanded and paid because it reduces cost per unit and also brings out a standard in the production. 5. Capital is Mobile Capital is mobile and it moves easily from one channel of production to another within a country. Sometimes it also moves out side the country. Interest is demanded because of its productivity and scarcity due to mobility and is therefore paid. 6. Capital is a Result of Saving + Lending Both saving and lending are painful in the sense that saving involves sacrifice of present consumption and lending. It involves the risk of bad debts and it also involves the risk for long term waiting for the amount to be returned. Interest is demanded for such a sacrifice and inconvenience. 7. Capital Serves as a Substitute for Land and Labour Interest is demanded for the service of capital which substitutes land and labour and is accordingly paid.
Although calibration of a robotic manipulator's kinematic parameters is well-established as a technique for improving end-effector positioning accuracy, little attention has been given to the relationship between the parameters of a kinematic model and the corresponding physical features for a particular manipulator. If each kinematic parameter of a robot corresponds to one and only one of its independent physical features, then a change in the value of an optimal parameter would reflect a change in the corresponding physical feature. This knowledge is of potential value in isolating the sources of wear and damage (which alter the physical features) in a manipulator, and more generally, in predictive maintenance. I have shown that the choice of kinematic model has a strong effect on the physical feature/kinematic parameter relationship, as well as on the calibration process in general. The most suitable kinematic model for preserving this relationship includes redundant parameters, which may numerically interact among themselves during the parameter estimation process and may complicate the interpretation of results. On the other hand, a kinematic model with no redundant parameter contains too few parameters to establish a comprehensive physical features/kinematic parameters relationship. I have explored multiple site pose measurement as a method of preserving the desired relationship even in the presence of redundant parameters. I have analyzed the calibration process and the effect of redundant kinematic parameters thereon from both geometrical and linear algebra viewpoints. Robot tasks involving off-line programming crucially depend on the absolute accuracy of the robot. Accuracy issues arise for us in the context of employing a robotic system as a precision positioning device in a medical operating room. A robot may potentially improve the overall accuracy, and hence, the quality of an orthopedic surgery by guiding the surgeon to different pre-operatively-selected poses. Since accuracy requirements are extremely stringent in invasive medical applications such as knee-surgery or brain surgery, it is necessary to develop better error-compensation methods for robots. The absolute accuracy of a robot depends to a large extent on the accuracy with which its kinematic parameters are known. Many methods have been explored for inferring the kinematic parameters of a robot from measurements taken as it moves. Some require an external global positioning system, usually optic or sonic. We used instead a simple radial-distance linear transducer (LVDT) which measures the distance from a fixed point in the workspace to the robot's endpoint. This incomplete pose information is accumulated as the robot endpoint is moved within one or more spherical shells centered about the fixed point. Optimal values for all the independent kinematic parameters of the robot can then be found. This represents a particularly easy and economic approach to robot calibration.
Dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating which is usually painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars) to prevent tooth decay in deep tooth grooves. Sealants are applied in a dentist’s office. They can only be seen if looking very close at a tooth and typically last from 5 to 10 years. Sealants are only applied to children’s teeth because they are more susceptible to tooth decay. Sealants should be checked at your regular dental appointment and can be reapplied if they are no longer in place. At Anderson Dentistry, applying sealant is quick and easy… no drilling or removal of tooth structure is required. Sealants save you time and money by preventing dental decay from affecting your children. They are one more way to insure a healthy smile!
Quantum Key Distribution, or how to communicate encrypted information in a totally secure manner, has gone from being an idea to being a commercial possibility in thirty years. In a recent paper in Science Advances, researchers from Duke University, Ohio State University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have beaten a new record with their multi-dimensional qdit encoding (Islam et al., Sci. Adv. 2017;3: e1701491, 24 November 2017). The idea of superposition, i.e., having for example 50% vertically polarized and 50% horizontally polarized, is unique to quantum mechanics. Once we measure the polarization of the photon it will be either horizontally or vertically polarized, but we can generate photons that will be in a superposition state until it is measured. The no-cloning theorem states that it is not possible to clone a quantum state, so we cannot observe a photon and copy exactly the original state of the photon. This way, if Alice wants to communicate with Bob, they can use a protocol to detect any eavesdropper. But more than that, they can generate a protocol to account for possible attacks and still distill a secured key. Bennet and Brassard described their protocol using the polarization of photons: vertical is 1, horizontal is 0. But since then other ways of encoding the information have been developed. The group of Islam et al. has used time-bin encoding. They encode the information in the time of arrival of the photon. They generate time bins and each one of them corresponds to one bit of information. One advantage of this is that they can encode more than two bits of information in each photon. They have generated four time bins (see figure), so they can send pulses of photons in four different positions. Then, at the detection side, they interfere the pulses with themselves. To do this they use three unbalanced interferometers. Because the interferometers are unbalanced they interfere different time bins. This way they can track the visibility of the interference, and compare the experimental visibility with the expected one, in order to secure the communication. Because in the path from Alice to Bob there can be looses, all QKD protocols have limitations. At some distance no photons will be expected to arrive, and only detections coming from dark counts, or straight light will be registered. The fact of encoding more than just on bit of information per photons makes this protocol more robust against looses (for qbits it would be d=2 while here it is d=4). The researchers have also used Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detectors (SNSPD). These detectors have high detection efficiency, very low dark count rates (clicks not related with detected photons), and low saturation . The only drawback of these detectors is that, in order to avoid thermal noise they need to work at 4K. But there is being an important development in these devices recently. This helps the communication rate, which is one of the problems towards a commercialization: if QKD protocols cannot transmit as fast as classical systems, it will not be practical. This work puts a new record at 26.2 Megabits per second for 20 km, and 1.07 Megabits per second for 83 kilometers. This is 10 times larger than previous research. Physicist, working in quantum optics and nonlinear dynamics in optical systems. Loves to communicate science.
Exposing Ebola outbreak data You probably heard about the ongoing Ebola outbreak and may be wondering how bad it really is. I went looking for some hard data which proved to be difficult to obtain so I put on my hacker hat and went about fixing that by creating a node package and an HTTP API that can return the latest data and do basic outbreak projections. Update: I've also created a repo with the data in multiple formats. Update 2: Here's an animated chart of the viruses exponential outbreak potential in 2015. Here's how I did it: First I had to get the data from somewhere. I found HealthMap had sourced data from the World Health Organization's PDF reports and packaged it in the form of CSV so I used that. Since the data is only updated every 18 days I implemented local caching to avoid needlessly wasting any bandwidth. Once I had the node package up on NPM it was trivial to build the RESTful API on top of it. I chose to use expressjs as the backend framework and had it up and running on my server in no time. Nginx sits in front of the node process to handles caching and rate-limiting in order to ease the load on my tiny server and upstart keeps everything running. Projecting the outbreak: What I was most interested in was the rate at which the outbreak is spreading. By looking at the data we can discern it's growth rate and apply that to predict the amount of cases in the future. The results are frightening and will hopefully prove to be extremely pessimistic. Of course, the real-world has natural limits that do not fit into an exponential regression model. This is good because at the current rate of infection everyone on earth would have the virus by 2017. What will end up happening is that an s-curve will emerge at some point, the question is when.
Q. Where can I find literary analysis for short stories, poems, or fiction? McGill onLiterature Plus contains essays on short stories, fiction, drama and poetry, as well as author biographies and information about major themes in literature. It also provides directories of characters and character descriptions and plot anlysis. The essays are written by qualified people and vetted by experts, so you can cite them in papers and trust the content!
Althought its application is not obligatory in certain branch of enterprises it can be applied successfully in all kinds of enterprises as in: - Organisms that are interested for the better organisation of their environmental management processes. - Organisms which wish they ensure the quality and reliability of suppliers and their collaborators appearing their sensitivity in environmental issues. - Organisms which wish to gain advantage against their competitors. - Organisms which wish their attendance in competitions, with pre-requisite the existence of such System in their company. - Organisms that are interested for the optimisation and their continuous improvement. In conclusion, ISO 14001 concerns all kinds of organisms and enterprises that wish to measure the effect of their activities in the environment, they set corresponding environmental objectives and they try for their achievement.
How can MFIs best work with energy companies to bring renewable energy (and finance for it) to remote communities? How can these organizations make sense of the growing market of renewable energy products available? How can the sector access the long-term, low-cost debt required to reach scale in a working capital-intensive industry? And how can Arc Finance continue to help its partner organizations and other institutional friends to move from idea to business model to pilot to scale? These were among the questions discussed in a workshop round-table format with twenty CEOs and managers from Arc’s REMMP partner organizations in India (representing almost a dozen organizations across several states in India) and the Arc Finance team. Funding challenges and opportunities were arguably the key issue of the day, with Arc partners FWWB and Milaap.org leading the discussion about the challenges of accessing low-cost and longer-term debt finance. Over the past several months, Arc Finance has been undertaking stakeholder research on debt finance needs by MFIs specifically for energy lending. The findings show strong demand and interest for an energy specific debt facility for MFIs, and this was reinforced by Arc’s partners at the Delhi Meeting. All present agreed that the market is ready for innovative new financing initiatives to scale the sector. Results-driven business model experimentation was also a particular theme of the day. The partners discussed their experiences and lessons-learned from experimenting with different business models. The willingness to experiment and adapt when things aren’t working is a characteristic of successful organizations in any sector; energy finance is no different, as Utkarsh, WSDS, Mahashakti Foundation and Grameen Koota demonstrated when sharing their experiences. The partners then took a deeper look at different sales models, which are central to any organization’s energy finance business model. Should an organization retain mobile agents such as Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) to carry and demonstrate products to potential customers? If so, should the VLE’s offer informal credit to customers who cannot afford to buy in cash? How does the institution get the products into the hands of agents – through micro-consignment, for example? With whom lies the responsibility for timely after sales service in the case of a defective product? Several of Arc’s partners in India and other countries are exploring these options, identifying and adapting the right model for energy lending. DCBS (a small MFI in West Bengal) and Simpa Networks (a developer of proprietary metering technology for solar home systems which now uses a direct sales model) have both shown innovations in sales models – particular through agents. And while anecdotes are not evidence, sometimes one deserves a moment’s spotlight: the son of a DCBS client who received a loan for a solar lantern recently placed 44th out of more than a million candidates nationwide in tertiary entrance exams, something he attributes in large part to being able to study in the evenings thanks to his solar lamp. How to transition from “push” products (supply-led) to “pull” products (demand-driven) was a dominant theme as well. The primary market barrier for energy products is lack of trust – particularly when government initiatives in the past have introduced poor quality products, hindering their reputation and making energy programs all the more difficult down the track. But as so many stakeholders know, energy clients very often become repeat energy clients – who increasingly “pull” new products as their trust and energy needs and appetites grow. The final session of the day was interactive and more open. The participants were asked to articulate their visions and dreams for the small-scale renewable energy finance sector in the years to come. Beyond sales targets, what do they want the future to look like? Arc’s wide range of partner organizations had various aspirations, from product expansion to unlocking new sources of financing. But one common thread was the recognition that this sector is not just about providing lighting to off-grid communities. Rather, it’s about understanding and supporting the so-called “energy ladder,” or “escalator.” Partners are committed to providing broad solutions to help clients climb this ladder while increasing household economic productivity along the way. The willingness of Arc’s partners to share information so freely is clear evidence that they see themselves all heading in the same direction and that ending “energy poverty” is a shared goal. This partners’ meeting built upon an Arc-workshop held in Manila last October in conjunction with the Microcredit Summit, and there is strong enthusiasm for this group to morph into a de facto network. Arc Finance provides a range of services to stakeholders, from Technical Assistance (which includes product identification, marketing, human resources, business model and sales support) to loan guarantees, catalytic grant funding and training. But core to its mission is being a “conduit” of sorts, a hub to develop new partnerships in small-scale energy finance. To this end, this partners’ meeting in Delhi was an exciting platform that Arc Finance was proud to organize, and from which the Indian sector can continue to grow.
The alignment files (.dat) are sequence alignments in FASTA format. These files contain an aligned listing of known binding sites for each E. coli DNA-binding protein. For a number of these the location of the binding site upstream of the translation start codon is listed beside the name. Binding site data was obtained largely from the DPInteract database. These files (.sco) contain the sequences and scores for each matrix search hit in the E. coli genome. At the beginning of the file, the scores for the known input sites are listed (using the scoring method of Berg & Von Hippel, 1987). The mean and standard deviations of the scores for the known sites are calculated, and these values are used to determine cutoffs for the searches. We used a cutoff equal to the mean of the scores of the input sites, and a looser cutoff at two standard deviations below the mean of the scores of the input sites. The second section of this file contains a listing of all matrix hits in the E. coli genome scoring better than two standard devations below the mean of the scores of the input sites. Column 1 contains the sequence of the predicted binding site, column 2 gives the chromosome number (always equal to 1 for E. coli), column 3 gives the coordinate in the genome for the start point of the predicted binding site, column 4 gives the direction (1 is forward and 0 is reverse complement) and column 5 gives the score of the site against the weight matrix. These files (*.dba) describes the location in the E. coli genome of each matrix search hit that is within 600 bp upstream or 100 bp downstream of the start codon. Column 1 gives the coordinate in the genome of the start point for the predicted binding site. The next columns give the name(s) of the closest gene in each direction that the sites is upstream of, and the distance that the site is located upstream of this gene (a positive number refers to the distance upstream of the start codon, a negative number refers to a distance downstream of the start codon). The last column (in parentheses) gives the percentage of the site that is located within noncoding regions. At the end of the file, there is a summary of the overall percentage of sites located in noncoding regions for each of the 2 cutoffs.
Looking for medical cannabis treatment in Long Island NY? We have over 30 years experience combined in treating patients with severe medical cannabis. Striving to help each patient improve their pain and functional levels. In 2016 the Health Department in New York State approved Cannabis for pain management which included seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, neuropathies, Parkinson’s diseases chronic pain syndrome and glaucoma. Cannabis also has side effects which includes dizziness and euphoria which is tolerated by most of the patients. Cannabis is available in different forms like capsules, vapor and sublingual oil. Cannabis is actually the flowers, leaves and buds of hemp plant which is known as Cannabis Sativa. Many States in America have passed laws that allow people with health problems to grow and use Cannabis for their own requirement. What do the Professionals say regarding Cannabis? Some medical experts do not recommend Cannabis although it has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. They feel it will give other problems although it will relieve muscle stiffness and pain in people suffering from multiple sclerosis. Medical experts are of the opinion that it may damage coordination and memory judgement putting you at risk of accidents if you drive. People suffering from AIDS and cancer can relieve nausea and improve appetite. Cannabis is known to work and give relief from pain when other medicines have failed. It should be used when all other medicines have failed, and should not be used with other medicines that bring about mood control and sleepiness like sedatives, antidepressants and anxiety drugs as it can interact with them. Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection A lumber epidural steroid injection is given for different types of spinal pain which includes • Lumbar spinal stenosis-which happens when the spinal cavity becomes narrow and exerts pressure and pain. • Lumber herniated disc- when part of the spinal disc leaks out • Sciatica-pain which starts with pressure on the sciatica nerve Inflamed or Pinched Nerves Pain in the lower back The lumbar epidural injection is a procedure that is hardly invasive when anesthetics and steroids are injected into the epidural area of the spine to relieve pain, pressure and inflammation. You can get rehab for pain in this spinal block as the pain is not limited. There is a multidisciplinary team who can treat you for getting rid of the pain. For this procedure you have to lie face down with a pillow under the stomach to open the spine to inject steroids. Lower Back Pain Lower back consists of interconnecting bones, nerves, joints, ligaments and muscles which provide flexibility, support and strength to the spine. But a sprain to the ligament or injury to the muscle can give pain. If you have pain in the lower back it has to be properly identified to provide treatment, The lower back supports the weight of the upper body and helps you to make regular movements like twisting and bending. The low back muscles are responsible for rotation and flexing of the hips and supporting the spinal column. Whenever there is an injury in the lower part of the back the body reacts with a healing process that is provocative giving pain. About The Author: This content has been written by associate in nursing skilled related to Cannabis Treatment Long Island, a corporation famed to supply wonderful help on Pain Management Long Island.
As these areas tend to collect more tanning lotion. If you have hydrogen peroxide around your house, use this on a cotton ball to wipe away the orange. Always test a small patch of skin first though, as it can be irritating to some people. Finally you can give body hair bleach a try. This is the kind you use to bleach hair on your upper lip. Put it on the skin for 10 minutes then rinse it off. Good luck, and you may have to try these treatments more than once. Orange can be very stubborn on your skin. One of our editors will review your suggestion and make changes if warranted. Note that depending on the number of suggestions we receive, this can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Thank you for helping to improve wiseGEEK! View slideshow of images above. Watch the Did-You-Know slideshow. Mary McMahon Edited By: Kristen Osborne Last Modified Date: This Day in History. The Star Spangled Banner poem was written. I do have some of the symptoms, but not enough to be sure. I'm getting my own iron level test, since doctors I've met refuse to try. Jaundice has a lot more related symptoms, but jaundice usually is total body yellow. Any chance you remember what tests were run on Mystery Diagnosis for Hemochromatosis? None of the home tests, listed in wrongdiagnosis, relate to my symptoms. I'm waiting for House to bring it up one episode. Orange skin discoloration that involves the hands and feet is a classic sign of the carotenemia - high levels of carotene in the skin. The fact that the orange discoloration involves the hands and feet tends to differentiate this from jaundice. Typically in jaundice it is less prominent on the hands and feet. Also in jaundice, you would notice that the white portion of the eyes are yellow. I've already noted excluding jaundice. Please stop replying to this post if you can't retain what you read. It is not helpful. Persistence of jaundice indicates that there is something wrong with your gall bladder or liver. In jaundice, the color of your skin turns into pale yellow or orange. Expose the affected skin to air whenever possible. Protect the affected area from heat and cold. Wear loose-fitting, soft clothing. Apply medicines prescribed for skin reactions. Protect all of your skin from the sun. For instance, wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and long-sleeved shirts when outside. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher on any skin exposed to the sun. Re-apply every 2 hours if in the sun, and after bathing or sweating. What caregivers can do Keep track of any new medicines, soaps, detergents, or foods that may have caused a rash. Offer gentle massages with moisturizing lotions or creams. True orange skin color needs to be differentiated from yellow skin (such as jaundice), bronze skin (see hyperpigmentation), red skin, dark skin or other skin color changes; some causes of skin described as "orange" may possibly be listed under these areas. Aug 20, · Finally, tanning sometimes causes orange skin. Self-tanning products infamously have a tendency to turn the skin orange, and it is advisable to do a test patch with the product before applying it to the whole body to see how it interacts with the underlying skin color. An excess of dietary carotenoids may cause a marked orange discoloration of the outermost skin layer. This benign and reversible condition – which is most easily observed in light-skinned people and may be mistaken for jaundice – is known as carotenosis or carotenoderma or carotenodermia. Causes of Orange skin, alternative diagnoses, rare causes, misdiagnoses, patient stories, and much more. Orange skin and Skin color changes (12 causes) Orange skin and Skin problems (12 causes) Orange skin and Skin symptoms (12 causes) Orange skin and Dark skin (11 causes). In jaundice, the color of your skin turns into pale yellow or orange. Even the white part of your eye can turn yellow. Jaundice is the yellowish staining of the skin Jaundice occurs when there is too much - bilirubin being produced for the liver to remove from the blood. Causes. Carotenaemia is usually caused by excessive intake of carotenoids, such as β-carotene, which are converted to vitamin A (retinol) in the body and contribute to normal skin colour. Carotenoids are found in the normal diet, the source being orange-coloured fruit and vegetables.
Furthermore, when conducting primary research, not only the researcher is able to gather responses, but the nonverbal communication and gestures play a huge role. They help the researcher identify the various hidden elements which cannot be obtained when conducting secondary research. On the other hand, when looking into how to do primary research for dissertation , the researcher should be aware of the high costs involved in the process of gathering primary data. Thus, if the researcher is on a low or a limited budget, conducting primary research is not recommended. Also, this type of research requires a lot of time to complete Otis College of Art and Design, This means that the researcher will have to set a timeline in order to make sure that the research is conducted within that timeframe. Considering the pros and cons of this method of research , you should understand how this research is conducted, what difficulties you might have to face and what aspects you should look into so that you can answer should I use Primary or Secondary Research in my Dissertation effectively. Secondary research is another example of research methodology in a dissertation. This type of research, reviews and analyzes past researches and studies. The researcher when conducting this type of research makes sure that relevant past researches are identified and included for analysis purposes. In addition to this, models and theories of authors are also included to understand the concept in a better manner. The theories and models are chosen based on the research question that has been formulated. Also, the aims and objectives of the research are considered while researching past studies. Furthermore, already published data from authentic and credible sources is also utilized when a secondary research is being conducted Guides. This gives credibility to the research. This type of data collection method does not require any statistical test or the use of any tool. Similarly, the data analysis techniques also differ. The data is not analyzed for the purpose of a specific research, instead already published data is used as it is for analysis purposes. However, what the researcher should take into consideration is the credibility and authenticity of the data that is being used and the ethics surrounding secondary information. The data collection process is one of a kind where, if the data is not authentic and credible, will cause problems for the researcher. Thus, it is extremely important for the researcher to understand all the related issues. Talking about the advantages, secondary research does not require a lot of time like primary research. You can conduct secondary research in a few weeks if you have access to the right information. On the other hand, the costs involved in this data collection process are feasible i. Thus, this type of research can be conducted without having huge budgets set out for research purposes. It aims to provide in-depth findings through informal discussions with participants Collis and Hussey, This interview method was chosen over unstructured or structured interviews, because this study intends to answer the research questions by asking specific questions, but not so much unstructured that it generates useless data, and not so less structured so as not to miss out on any unanticipated information. The interview questions in the semi-structured interview are in appendix. The themes utilized in this study were derived mainly from the literature review and were crucial in developing the questions that were raised during the study. The semi-structured approach also provided the researcher with the ability to probe answers. Answer probing was particularly useful in responses whereby more explanation was needed in order to fully understand the answers. Due to the recent adaptation of online recruitment, the semi structured interviews was targeted at members of the team who had witnessed or orchestrated the shift towards online recruitment, that way these respondents would be better able to answer questions that relate to the comparison of both methods. Also, members of the online recruitment team being interviewed had different positions within recruitment and handled separate tasks. The questionnaires were given to them beforehand, when the approval was first sought, and each respondent chose the questions that they were more qualified to respond to. Therefore the research was such that all respondents answered some questions, while some others were answered by a particular individual because of their knowledge of that process. Table 2 outlines the respondent details and their interview theme. Each respondent were asked for their consent to interview, prior to the interview sessions, and also requested not to have their names mentioned so as to prevent any form of organizational backlash if the contents of the study were interpreted in any other non-academic form, and distributed. They have therefore been given fictional names, so as to make the research more readable. Based on the research objectives and the issues to be investigated, it would have been most appropriate if all recruitment staffs within the organization were interviewed. However, due to the time constraints and resource limitations inherent in this study, a non-probability sample of the population was selected. Saunders et al asserts that a non-probability sample is most often used when adopting a case study strategy. A non-probability sample, as described by Oppenheim, , is a sample in which the probability of each case being selected from the total population is not known. The samples of graduates that were chosen to partake in the quantitative study are too small to constitute a probability sample of graduates within London or UK. Also, the number of employees within Lloyds who took part in the qualitative study was not high enough to constitute a significant portion of the recruitment department within Lloyds TSB. Therefore the study focused more on the quantitative facts of the perception of recruitment within the organization, as opposed to theories expressed in the literature review, and what graduates on the outside thought of online recruitment. In collecting data that could be analysed using quantitative means, Easterby-Smith et al claims that researchers could collect either primary or secondary data. It also gives greater confidence that the data collected would match the research objectives. The researcher therefore chose to collect primary data from 20 graduates using questionnaires distributed-in-person to each respondent. This was done amongst friends and colleagues within the university who have utilized online recruitment systems. Data from the semi-structured interviews would be collected using a tape recorder, and the conversations with all four employees would be transcribed word for word, and expression for expression. The advantages inherent in this approach is that it allows the researcher to document and see patterns in words and emotions that would not be available if other forms of interviews were conducted. The quantitative data collected during the course of this study, whilst still in its raw form, is described by Saunders et al as being useless and conveying little information to most people. Univariates, which are total sample distributions of one variable at a time Oppenheim, was utilised in analysing the frequency and percentage occurrence of each variable; including both ordinal and nominal, category and rating scale questions. However an indepth correlation or bivariate analysis was not conducted due to the low number of graduate respondents, and also due to the fact that the study was mainly concerned with the viewpoint of the organization, and not necessarily that of the graduates. Results would be analysed using Excel and graphs would be drawn out to analyse all data with the aim of comparing them to the qualitative study. Yin suggests that in studies whereby the research question has been formulated based on the literature review; these theories that have been used in the postulation of the research question could also be used in analyzing the findings. Thereby suggesting that a deductive approach to data analysis would be essential for theoretical driven studies. Based on these arguments, this study analyzed the qualitative findings using deductive methods. The findings from each respondent and questionnaire theme were analyzed according to the literature review topics discussed. In the instance whereby different respondents had something to say about a particular issue, all their opinions were recorded and taking into consideration in the analysis of findings. A fact sheet of all findings according to the theory is illustrated in chapter 4. Full transcripts of the interview are in the appendix. The pattern matching procedure, as postulated by Saunders et al, , would be utilized in this deductive analysis. It involves predicting a pattern of outcomes based on theoretical propositions. These propositions are thereby analyzed in the data analysis process. This procedure involves the development of an analytical framework, utilizing existing theory, and then testing the adequacies of the framework as a means of explaining the findings Saunders et al, In the instance where a pattern is found as initially predicted, it would be evidence that suggests that there is indeed an explanation for findings. A number of ethical issues have been identified and raised with respect to this study. A must-have student resource. This in-depth guide covers all you need to know about dissertation secondary research and how to do it in 4 simple steps. Secondary research dissertation - High-Quality Essay And Research Paper Writing Company - We Can Write You Custom Essays, Term Papers, Reports and Theses for an Affordable Price Professional Essay Writing Company - We Help Students To Get Reliable Assignments for an Affordable Price Reliable Homework Writing and Editing . It will involve primary data, secondary data, quantitative and qualitative research methods, lit reviews, theory and policy studies and an exploration of alternatives. My dissertation is to be based around the experience of . During such times you might ask yourself ‘should I use Primary or Secondary Research in my Dissertation’, as these are the two most common research methods. Thus, to make sure that you select the most suitable research strategy for your research, learn about the two most common research strategies to make the right choice. Primary and secondary sources. For some research projects, it is important (or you may be required) to use primary sources, instead of or in addition to secondary sources. This is mandatory if the dissertation consists of primary quantitative or qualitative research, but may not be needed in dissertations in theory subjects or focused on secondary or tertiary research. The importance and size of this section varies with discipline and with the method chosen.
The Missing Word is a short story by Ace Moloi published by Art Fusion Literature. The foreword thereto by Mpho Matsitle is republished here. Often times Christian literature (from poetry to gospel music all the way to film) has abandoned the demands of art by the wayside and is at best no more than a bland sermon or at worst empty ritualistic platitudes and regurgitation of scripture. One might say, just like the ministry of Ace Moloi’s ‘Major Prophet’ in this short story, there’s a case of ‘the missing word’ in Christian literature. Moloi has always held “misgivings about the so-called Christian art.” He writes: “To me art is art purely because it is art, without any self-cleansing disclaimer of separateness, i.e. Kingdom Poet. I love art. To a fair extent, I live art. So, when we journeyed from Bloemfontein to Randburg, north of Johannesburg, to witness the PIA Tour 2017, I was captured by a sense of apprehension, holding my breath that the highly anticipated poetry event in the Christian calendar would truly be about poetry and not just loosely selected Biblical quotes.” Elsewhere he notes how “there’s just an overconcentration of people who namedrop God in their songs.” Christian literature has suffered the same fate. A string of well-meaning and truly agreeable quotes and name-dropping God has come to define it. And artistry has been treated as secondary, if at all necessary. However Christianity and art are not mutually exclusive; neither needs to suffer for the other. This is true even for any other convictions be they political, cultural or religious. That is to say “doing it for the Lord” is not an excuse to do bad art. In any case the Lord only deserves the best from us. Nor is being ideologically kliye a get out jail free card from the unforgiving demands of art. Anyone who’s spent any considerable amount of time in the church will know that the best preachers are artists extraordinaire of words and The Word. Seeing that even in the ordinary cause of Christian ministry there is brilliant artistry, it is thus ludicrous for writers to hide behind the faith when called to account for bad art, extrapolating just critique of their produce as criticism (even an attack) of their beliefs. In The Missing Word, Moloi rescues Christian literature from this rut. Like a true novelist, he takes on the subject of the (s)inner lives of miracle pastors/prophets without an ounce of preachiness, judgement or cheap moralising. He bequeaths them ambiguity and nuance. For the close reader what cannot be missed is the strong Christian theological underpinnings of this piece of great literature. It is not often that those who diagnose the problem offer solutions. The infamous jibe goes “those who can’t; criticize.” Moloi here demonstrates that he truly can do all things through Christ who strengthens him. For him, there is no missing word between competence and criticism. To purchase the story sms SHORTY to 48748 (sms charged at R10)
TG: Part of the problem is that we have lost the sense of everybody in the family sitting down together at the table. There is no time for this discussion. The other thing is women are often misread, when we express anger or discontent. “You are just an angry black woman.” It’s an easy scapegoat. Instead of thinking there is something greater going on here. This person is mentally not able to make rational decisions. It is easier. ATM: If a black male or female uses curse words in their speaking, then they are deemed ratchet. If a white person uses curse words, then they are deemed hilarious. “Oh my God, they are so humorous.” No one wants the “Angry woman stereotype.” As a black woman, you must present yourself more delicately to be accepted by your race and other races. This is the same thing for the black mother. Typically, with parents, and as a black parent you go through a different set of things. It is the thing of crying at night and waking up in the morning with a smile. You wipe your tears and realize you have a child to raise. In society the black mother and black father are misunderstood and the realities of what they encounter are not concentrated on heavily by the media. TG: It is both. The thing is, both parents are trying to figure it out. Both the mother and the father do not know the right things to do in all matters of life. Also, in this situation. ‘“I know I am smart and educated, but if I am in a meeting and sound passionate about something, then a white person could say “No I disagree with this.”’ If I disagree, then I am combative. So, as a result, knowing I know my stuff, and am very confident, I feel I must keep my opinion to myself because it will not be received as intended. Then, this is what starts to happen. I start to retreat. It is the same thing when we have mental conditions. People feel like if they admit it or say something, then they must retreat. It keeps getting worse. A lot of times it is our arrogance. “I have it all together. I cannot possibly be crazy.” You can be walking around looking normal to the outside. When coming home, you raise hell. ATM: You only see your true self when looking in the mirror. It is interesting how our only representation of seeing “self” is through pictures, videos, and the mirror. We as human beings cannot physically face ourselves. You can lie to everyone else, but you cannot lie to yourself. Even if you do lie to yourself, then it just does not feel right. TG: Exactly. The person you have to face in silence is the real you. When you have to face your real thoughts, feelings, this is where the truth lies. Sometimes it is in these moments when the truth comes out that you do not have it under control. There is something there. Trevor to the outside world is a cute and guy. They did not know he was going home raising hell. For the mother to protect Trevor from the outside world, she sees one thing. The outside world sees another thing. This is a disservice because he could end up being harmful to himself and others. I know someone who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia. We used to joke and taunt that person because they were extremely paranoid. Imagine how insensitive we felt when we realized they were diagnosed with schizophrenia. This is how our community handles it. We stop at feeling bad or guilty, instead of saying “You have to get help. You cannot stay here. And it is necessary and not optional because I love you.” ATM: Society tries to put them away and put it in the box. Also, to push it away from the media. Why isn’t this handled in the media more? This film ‘Bricked’ wakes it back up. It is a touchy subject for anyone. TG: If we do not address it, then we are going to have more people in our community who are a danger. Fostering mental illness makes us endanger ourselves and people. We have tough love for everything else. Why can’t we have tough love for mental illness? She realizes she cannot do it anymore. ATM: As a parent when raising a child from a newborn, toddler stage, to adolescence – you have a deep, hearted connection. You are sometimes oblivious to seeing them as an adult. You see the little boy. This creates the enabling. “Aw, my little Trevor does not have a problem.” TG: It is also constant denial. As parents we blame ourselves. So, to admit that your child has a dysfunction, disability, or disadvantage, then it makes you question “Did I do this? Was it my genes? Did I drink while pregnant?” If you acknowledge it, then it might mean you are admitting to some faults. This is where the selfishness and being self-absorb comes into play. I can say this as a parent. Sometimes the selfishness gets meshed in with caring for your child. “I do not want to admit something is wrong,” because perhaps that is a reflection on me and my parenting. Unfortunately, this comes from our society being so concerned with how we look, how we are perceived by the outside. Thank you for asking me for the interview. This is very impressive. I am happy about speaking on this topic. It is a phenomenal film and not just because of the subject matter. Not to praise myself, but we have a fantastic cast. They embodied the characters. I feel so connected when I watch it. I am so proud to be a part of this piece. I do a lot of dramatic work, but I love doing comedy. It’s fun, but it’s so good when you get the piece you can sink your teeth into. You are not only able to do your art and craft, you can live out your purpose. As an actor, my goal is to connect with at least one person. I am a theatre actress as well. If one person comes up to me saying “oh my God, this is my life. I can relate to this,” then I have done my job. This is touching a lot of people more than we think. I have to thank God for this, for letting me use my craft and my artistry to affect and educate people in a positive way. Also, to give people incentive and the courage to finally address it. As an actor, I have more than done my job. As a person, I have more than fulfilled my purpose. I am blessed with being able to do something that I love. I am grateful for this character. I am grateful for the director Aleshia for trusting me with Cynthia. I let God use me, and he did. He is using all of us collectively to serve a greater purpose and greater good. ATM: In this sense, God is using you as a vessel. He reigns his gifts and passion inside you. I would assume sometimes in your acting you say, “I did not know I could do this.” It is you, but it is not you, for the most part, it is God working through you. TG: Absolutely. Go head girl. My aunt saw it in DC. and said she learned a lot from it and loved it. She said that one of her friends said he wished he had known about the movie, because his daughter was recently diagnosed with bipolar condition. The biggest compliment as an actor is if a film or show affected you, in some way, helped you to feel or understand something, it provided a release, it made you think, it made you smile, or how about it was the first time you smiled all day. Thanks for giving us a chance to pour into you. I am excited about this. How did you find out about us, the movie, etc.? How did this come about? ATM: Research, and I found the topic intriguing and important. TG: I appreciate it. The distributors are seeing how Bricked is being exposed and received. It is pivotal for us to get exposure for the film. People want to know about it. God is going to have his hands over all of this. This piece cannot stop here. I know it cannot. Talking about him using me as a vessel? Girl, he might be using you as a vessel for us to be able to get exposure so it can be out there
The first group of Augustinians assigned to the New World went to Mexico. The first Augustinian priory (convento) in the New World began at Ocuituco in Morales State, Mexico in 1533. These members of the Order had been sent to Mexico by the Province of Spain (later called the Province of Castile). On 3 March 1533, these seven members of the Order of Saint Augustine sailed from San Lucas de Barrameda near Seville. On 22 May 1533 they stepped ashore at the port of Vera Cruz in Mexico, and travelled to Mexico City. They soon established seven houses. Alonso de la Vera Cruz, a young priest and professor who had travelled across the Atlantic on the same boat as the third group of Augustinians, joined the in Order on arrival in Mexico in 1536. He founded the first university in the New World in the town of Tiripetio, about 25 km southwest of Morelia. The Augustinians were involved in the establishment of the pontifical and royal University of Mexico, at which Vera Cruz taught for a number of years. Girolamo Seripando O.S.A., as the Prior General of the Order from 1539 to 1551, wrote to these men. He told them: "With Christ You do not have to wish nothing but that the salvation of the souls by which he was thirsty in the Cross". A fourth group of twelve men arrived from Spain in 1539. In 1549 the Prior General wrote again to the Order in Spain, for the second time successfully at the instigation of Emperor Charles V of Spain. He asked that members of the Order be sent to South America in greater numbers. By February 1562 there were almost 300 Spanish Augustinians in Mexico, in fifty houses. They were distinguished by their willingness to admit local people to the Order. There was such an increase of the local vocations that after 1577 it no longer it was necessary to solicit members of the Order from Spain to serve in Mexico. Specìfic geographical areas were assigned to the Order of Saint Augustine: to the south, the present Mexican states of Morelos, Guerrero and Puebla; to the north, between the Otomis Indians of Hidalgo; and to the west, the regiòn of Michoacán inhabited by the Tarascos Indians. One region of focus was Michoacán, in the west of Mexico, where the local people had a right not to be trusting of all men from Spain. In Mexico City in 1529, the leader of the ruling elite was the cruel bete noir of the Spanish colonial era, Nuño Beltrán de Guzmán. The reign of corruption and terror of Guzmán in Mexico City was ended by its courageous Bishop, Juan de Zumárraga. He managed to smuggle a message to the king by entrusting it to a sailor on a ship bound for Spain. Royal agents were sent to arrest Guzmán. In an attempt to avoid detention and to deflect criticism by achieving fame as a conqueror, he organised an expedition and set off to the west. His first destination was Michoacán, where he left a trail of pillage and murder in his wake. In the course of this rampage, a Tarascan king was dragged behind a horse and then burned alive because Guzmán thought he was withholding information regarding a gold treasure. A man whom the local people came with affection to call "Tata Vasco," Vasco de Quiroga (1470? - 1565) was appointed Bishop of that province in 1537. Quiroga had a dream of an ideal community that he wished to bring into practice. Utopia, the most famous book by (Saint) Thomas More of England, had been published nineteen years earlier in 1516. Quiroga believed that applying its principles among the local Indian population would be a perfect way to counteract the memory of the cruelty of Guzmán. He developed local arts and crafts, and added additional Spanish skills to them. The Augustinians in Michoacán supported the vision and the practices of de Quiroga. Each Augustinian priory (convento) that they built combined the principles of Spanish architecture with local decorative arts. Local artists developed their native skills, and at the same time received instruction in the Spanish styles of construction. Ancient Augustinian monasteries in Mexico still exist, although no longer in the possession of the Order. With a strong desire to arrive at the natives in its own language, the Augustinians learned the various dialects of the local native language. They also wrote books of religious instruction in these languages, and thus made many valuable contributions in linguistics. In 1576 Melchor de Vargas O.S.A composed a cathechism in the Otomi language of Mexico; Diego Basalenque O.S.A. (died 1651) and Miguel de Guevara O.S.A. compiled works in the languages of the savage Matlaltzinkas of Mexico. Manuel Perez O.S.A. translated the Roman Cathechism into the Aztec language in 1723. They were less reluctant that some other religious orders to introduce the local people to the Christian practices of receiving Penance and Eucharist. Their sense of social justice also encouraged them to guard the interests in the local people when it came to paying rent or tithes to the men from Spain who had been given usage rights over the land suitable for raising animals and for farming. Mexico was separated from Spain (Castile) when the Province of Mexico was founded in 1568, and the Michoacán Province (in the west of Mexico) in 1602. The work of the Augustinians in Mexico was outstanding. The Order in Mexico initially had responsibility for establishing the Order in the Philippines, because this initially had been the administrative arrangement in the civil administration of the colonies of Spain by the kings Charles V and Philip II. Once a greater number of Augustinians was needed in the Philippines, their supply came from Spain, and the Philippines in 1575 became a separate Province of the Order. Even so, the original Mexican province has some claim to have been the founder of the Province of the Philippines. For general pages on Augnet about the history of the Order of Saint Augustine in Latin America, click here.
Recently, while browsing the Huffington Post website, I found a story about a dog who was nursing piglets. It’s funny what the mind chooses to churn over in the middle of the night, until the brain turns to butter. Hmmm, dogs wet-nursing pigs. Cosmic joke or… what? Well, I dreamed up a theory, a possible back story. Maybe the owner of the menagerie is a truffle hunter. Using dogs to hunt for truffles works better than using pigs, because they aren’t as tempted to eat the prize immediately after finding it. Maybe the human thought pigs nurtured by a dog would take on some of the canine’s traits and get into less truffles, so to speak. Maybe the Acme gene-splicing kit hadn’t arrived in the mail yet and this was his Plan B. I’ve mentioned such phenomena before in this column, the mind-bending thing Darwin called inter-species altruism. Some other prime examples are dogs who nurse kittens or tiger cubs, seeing-eye dogs for old elephants, and therapy dogs for stressed-out monkeys. Maybe one payoff for the dog in the latter case is that it’s good to have a friend who likes to bond by fussing over you until you’re flea-free. Inter-species altruism is quite natural for dogs, many of whom are hard-wired to look out for cattle and sheep, not to mention their human companions. But what if you’re a small dog, say a Yorkie-Poodle Mix? What could you tend then? Well, we have a friend named Sophie who has just such a dog, and Peanut is very protective of Sophie’s backyard hens. Okay, she’s not a cattle dog, she’s a chicken dog, but her fierce devotion to her feathered friends proves she’s not a chicken-dog. I tended the Bay Woof booth at the Bay Area Pet Fair a few weeks ago. It was fun to see all manner of dogs parading past with their owners, all manner of people. Ronald Reagan once said that if you’ve seen one redwood tree, you’ve seen them all. You sure couldn’t say the same about dogs. If you’ve seen a thousand dogs, you ain’t even scratched the surface. It was interesting to watch this guy walking around the fair wearing a dog costume, greeting the two-legged attendees and their four-legged friends. The dogs seemed distrustful of him at first. I imagined them thinking, “Wait a minute… He looks like one of us, but he doesn’t walk the walk.” But when the guy took off his dog head and the real dogs understood that he was just another wannabe – like the Washington Redskins’ fans who call themselves the Dog Pound and dress up in dog masks, or gangsta rappers who throw around phrases like “Wuz up dawg?” – they became friendlier toward him. I wonder if dogs feel the way Irishmen do and proclaim amongst themselves: “There are only two kinds in this world, them that’s canines and them that wishes they was.” Stop me if you’ve heard this one: A Methodist minister and his wife decide to adopt a dog with the stipulation that the canine, too, must be Methodist. They find a home that fosters dogs and the caretaker claims to have just such a pet available. When the minister and his wife arrive to meet said canine, the foster dad puts the dog through his paces to prove his claim. He points to his library shelves and says, “Nicodemus, fetch me the Bible.” Without hesitation, the dog scans the bookshelf, pulls down the Bible with his mouth, and drops it on the floor. Then the man says, “Turn to Psalm 23.” With a deft nose and paw, the talented pooch does so. The couple is so impressed that they adopt the dog on the spot and take him along to a Bible meeting that very evening. When they regale the congregation with the dog’s amazing abilities, one of the brethren pipes us: “Wow, can he do normal tricks, too?” The minister replies, “I don’t know, let’s see.” Turning to the dog he says, “Nicodemus, heel.” The dog jumps up on a chair, puts his right paw on the minister’s forehead, and starts howling at the moon, at which the minister’s wife shrieks, “Oh my Lord, he’s not a Methodist dog! He’s Pentacostal!” Until next time, dog bless us every one. Herb Canine is one of writer/musician Tad Toomay’s many alter egos.
WALTHAM, Mass. -- The new multipurpose Bentley Arena, the most environmentally sustainable ice arena in the U.S. and the first standalone ice arena to earn the LEED platinum certification, has received another national honor for its environmentally sustainable design and construction. The arena was one of three finalists for the annual USG NACDA Sustainability Award given by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and the USG Corporation, a manufacturer of building products. The award recognizes NCAA member institutions, honoring athletics directors and their universities for incorporating sustainable practices and materials into their athletics facilities. Bentley shares the prestigious recognition with UCLA, which was selected as the overall winner, and Georgia State University. As a finalist, Bentley will received $10,000 in USG product, for use toward any athletics or academic facility. "Bentley embraces sustainability as a core value campus-wide and we're honored that the Arena was recognized as a finalist for the NACDA Sustainability Award," said Dr. Andrew Shepardson, Vice President of Student Affairs. Bentley's new state-of-the-art arena hosts the university's NCAA Division I hockey team and prominent university events such as career fairs, high-profile speakers, alumni events and concerts. The 76,000-square-foot arena marks Bentley's continued rise as a modern, nationally-recognized business university and is a prime example of sustainable design and energy efficiency. After opening in February 2018, the building became the first standalone ice arena to earn the LEED platinum certification, the highest possible rating, according to the U.S. Green Building Council. Sustainable features include: 1,400 solar panels on the roof, which provide 40 percent of the building's annual electricity needs; high-efficiency LED lighting; and an innovative heat recovery loop that captures waste heat from the arena's ice-making equipment and uses it to heat the hot water system and for space heating. The arena is expected to use approximately 48 percent less water than buildings of similar size and capacity due to the installation of the most efficient water-saving plumbing fixtures on the market. "The Bentley Arena's best-in-the-nation environmentally sustainable design is a point of pride for athletics and the entire Bentley community," said Bob DeFelice, Bentley University's director of athletics. ""We're thrilled by this latest national honor for Bentley Arena as an environmentally-friendly venue." ABOUT BENTLEY UNIVERSITY Bentley University is one of the nation's leading business schools, dedicated to preparing a new kind of business leader with the technical skills, global perspective and ethical standards required to make a difference in an ever-changing world. Bentley's diverse arts and sciences program combined with an advanced business curriculum prepares graduates to make an impact in their chosen fields. The university enrolls approximately 4,000 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students. For more information, visit www.bentley.edu.
Naag Panchami falls in the middle of the monsoon. It is a Hindu festival that worships the serpent god, Naag. Pictures of Naag are posted in doorways, and milk is offered to him. It is believed that worshipping Naag protects against snake bites. This festival marks respect to serpents as the water guardians, and to ensure regular rainfall in the Kathmandu Valley.
I recently read with appreciation a funny travel related, yet culturally intriguing article on Sicilian language. Here follows my rendition of the article in a broader language attempting to reach out to those self-motivated travellers who like to have some basic language and cultural homework done before visiting a new place. I mean, those who wish to visit Sicily, at least once in their life, and opt for a deeper, more informed, friendly experience with Sicilians, and warmer memories to take back home. Sicilian. Not a simple dialect, but a true idiom; UNESCO recognizes the Sicilian status as a mother tongue. Colourful but versatile, direct but suitable for any situation thanks to some explanatory exclamations, that every tourist should surely know before setting foot on the island. The dialect is mixed with Italian through loans that act as reinforcers, without which there would be no clarity for a doc Sicilian. Taking stock of the situation in principle, there are 10 words most used by a Sicilian, which make up an average of 50% of a sentence. First in the ranking for use, we find minchia, word now also legitimized, accepted and used in other areas of Italy. Its use lends itself to different areas and to different situations: irony, exclamation, amazement, fear, happiness and appreciation and is not linked to bon ton and precise rules of behaviour, but it is always accepted and never criticized. It will hardly not happen to hear this word in a common dialogue with a Sicilian. Following we find cumpà-compa / ‘mpare-‘mbare, literally godfather. Its role is actually to put at ease the interlocutor or identify him as a friend, or buddy, in addition to a type of greeting can be a method of reassurance if used at the end of the sentence marking a relationship of confidence. The variant changes if we are in the eastern or western part of the island. Following we find mizzica in amazement, and for more formal environments, avà, literally “come on” or “let’s go”, used more in the Catania area; and futtitinni, the latter being the real Sicilian mantra, able to exorcise any fear or restlessness. Continuing in the search we will certainly find ammatula, or “unnecessarily”, for example in the expression “longu ammatula” or uselessly tall, to indicate an immature person. And, camurria serious feeling of annoyance. Finally, pacchione, word on which Palermo and Catania are in disagreement, in fact for the first this word indicates a person in considerable overweight in the second case a very beautiful and attractive girl. In conclusion we have peri peri, loitering without any purpose, and ntzù the Sicilian onomatopoeia par excellence. The classic snap of tongue used by Sicilians to deny something. Original source gds.it
Spending a holiday in the province of Trapani offers many opportunities to get in touch with landscapes surrounded by nature. There is no lack of opportunities to visit ancient villages and enjoy food and wine delicacies. Here we go from Zingaro national park to Erice: what to see along the Trapani coast. Between Castellammare del Golfo and San Vito Lo Capo there are a succession of sun kissed solitary coves with crystal clear water and sandy beaches which are nestled between strips of indented coast covered with lush vegetation. Here you will find the Zingaro nature reserve, one of the most famous national park jewels of Italy. It is about 1,700 hectares between land and sea, inaccessible to cars and famous for its pristine landscape, strong colour contrasts and the mirrored surface of the sea. Established in 1981, the reserve was strongly fought for by environmentalists and the local population who lobbied fiercely against the construction of yet another coastal road that would invade this treasure of sea and land by allowing access to cars. From the San Vito Lo Capo approach there is a remaining piece of asphalt road from the 70s to remind us of the failed project. The road welcomes the visitor to the entrance of the park and is then transformed in to wild mule tracks that pass through almond groves, carob, olive and ash trees, brooms, euphorbias, lemons and thickets of dwarf palms. The dwarf palm tree, despite its name, grows to three meters in height and is one of the symbols of the reserve due to the fact that in the past its leaves were widely used by the communities that lived in this rural area for the construction of bags, baskets, hats, mats and more. Along the way you can visit several museums that reveal the ancient bond between man and earth and testify to the pastoral soul of the nature reserve, underlining the importance of agricultural and maritime activities for the local economy. Testimony to this are the naturalistic museum of manna, the museum of marine activity, the museum of rural culture and the centre for environmental education. Another treasure guarded by the reserve is the orchid which in spring lines the paths and fascinates visitors with its bright colours. Each of the many coves invites a stop, but in order to cover the entire 6.2 km path that leads from Scopello to San Vito Lo Capo, you must allow at least two hours and a quarter without considering the breaks. Cala Capreria, the first beach you come across from Scopello, is as beautiful as any other, but in summer it is one of the busiest. The next beach reachable only by boat is Cala del Varo followed by Cala della Disa which is the largest beach in the Park. Its name derives from the vegetation that characterizes it, mainly consisting of ampelodesma which in Sicilian is ddisa. Further afield are Cala Beretta and Cala Marinella two of the less frequented beaches of the entire coastline due to their distance from the reserves two entrances. Two further beaches are accessable from the San Vito entrance: the beautiful Cala Torre Uzzo and Cala Tonnarella dell’Uzzo. The best time to visit the Zingaro is late spring or early autumn when, in addition to being less hot, you can enjoy absolute tranquillity both in the coves and along the path. Remember to carry plenty of water and wear comfortable shoes before attempting the walk. Just two kilometers from the southern entrance of the reserve is the delightful fishing village of Scopello, a picturesque village famous for its seventeenth-century baglio, the ancient tonnara and its wonderful Faraglioni. The Faraglioni, protagonists of numerous much publicised photographs, gave the name to the village which, after having long been called Cetaria for the abundance of tuna, was then christened Skopelos, i.e. rocks. How can you resist a dish of fish cous-cous in nearby San Vito Lo Capo or a walk along the main street of one of the most lively and best known Sicilian villages in the world. The beach, moreover, was counted in 2016 among the most beautiful beaches in Italy for its unpolluted sea, the surrounding landscape and its many services. Another jewel on the Trapani coast for a swim or a stroll is the unmissable bay of Cornino at the foot of Monte Cofano. The beach amazes the visitor above all for its tranquility and for the wonderful vista of the Monte Cofano promontory which, with its steep paths and uncontaminated nature, is a true paradise for lovers of trekking and mountain bike. Behind Monte Cofano sits the small medieval village of Custonaci, famous for its precious marble which is exported internationally. It also boasts the most famous living nativity scene in all of Sicily. Custonaci also has a historic centre to discover made up of narrow alley ways and small houses which are embraced by the rock and where time seems to have stopped. A visit to these areas can not but include the small town of Erice. With a sweatshirt, comfortable shoes and without being discouraged by a bit of fog that often surprises visitors even in summer, the ancient Phoenician and Greek city shows its thousand faces from the height of its 751 meters of altitude. Spending an afternoon among its cobbled alleys – to taste the delicacies of the territory in confectioner’s shops, admiring the handcrafted products and taking photos of the many panoramic spots – has the flavor of a little escape from reality and is an excellent antidote to city stress.
Newspapers, magazines and trade publications receive them by the truckload. That means sloppy, inaccurate, pointless releases are the first to hit the newsroom wastebasket. To make sure yours isn't one of them, avoid these 7 Deadly Sins: 1. Providing insufficient or wrong information on your press releases, particularly telephone numbers. Releases must be complete, accurate and specific. (Note: A news release is the same as a press release.) 2. Writing too long. They should be no longer than a page. 3. Sending it too late. Mail or fax it to local media at least two weeks before an event, preferably three or four. Major magazines work four to six months ahead of time. 4. Sending a release with no news value. News is what happens that is different. If it isn't different, it isn't news. 5. Blatant commercialism. Avoid hackneyed words and phrases such as spectacular, incredible, the only one of its kind, breakthrough, cutting-edge, unique and state-of-the-art. 6. Omitting a contact name and phone number. At the top of the first page in the left corner, let editors know who they can call if they have questions. Include day, evening and cell phone numbers. 7. Calling after you send a release and asking questions like "Did you get my news release?" or "Do you know when it will be printed?" Don't follow up with a phone call to see if the media got your release, unless you are absolutely sure that someone will check for you. Most reporters and editors don't have time. If you do follow up, make sure you have a reason to call. Suggest a particular angle to your story, or ask the media people if they need any other information. By Joan Stewart Photography by SugarFreeSk
Saturday, May 19, 2007 However, I have noticed some weird behavior when web applications deployed to Tomcat use environment variable such as USER_HOME. For instance, when starting OpenMRS, the application needs to get the "user.home" system property in order to load modules, runtime properties, etc from the home directory of the user who started Tomcat. Because the Tomcat Service Manager starts the Tomcat instance as the LocalSystem user (which doesn't have an actual user account on my machine), it can't find the directory specified by the "user.home" variable. Actually, it usually returns just "Application Data", which causes OpenMRS to look under "c:\Application Data", instead of "c:\Documents and Settings\LocalSystem\Application Data". My first thought was to configure Tomcat Service Manager to use a different user when starting up. I opened the Tomcat Service Manager Properties dialog (right click Tomcat > Configure... in the task tray), navigated to the "Log On" tab, and configured Tomcat to run as me. I saved the settings, closed the dialog, and restarted Tomcat. Nothing. Same result as before. Even more strange was the fact that sometimes the user.home was "c:\Application Data" and other times it was set to "c:\Documents and Settings\Default User". I wouldn't care if it was one or the other, but the constant switching was causing weird behavior in OpenMRS. I found the following bug to help explain this behavior. It looks like the developers are just going to squash this bug (which is fine), but if anyone needs this functionality, let them know. My next solution was to create a new user account for the LocalSystem user. I'm still testing this out and will post the results when I get a chance. I believe you might also be able to specify a username/password using the tomcat5 service commands, but I'll go with a quick fix until that becomes necessary. So it turns out that while the Tomcat Service Manager does not implement the "Log On As" feature, the Windows Service does. If you're using Tomcat Service Manager, then you will have an Apache Tomcat or TomcatX (where X=the major version number) service installed. You can check the Log On settings by following these instructions. 1. Click on Start, Control Panel, Administrative Tools then Services. 2. Right click on Apache Tomcat and select Properties. 3. Click on the Log On tab and fill in the authentication details of the Windows user that you want to start Tomcat. Thursday, May 17, 2007 And the workaround is relatively simple. Uncheck "Provide proposals for user defined tasks" under Windows > Preferences > Ant > Editor > Content Assist. Tuesday, March 20, 2007 In collaboration with Google, the OpenMRS project is proud to offer internship opportunities through the Google Summer of Code program. OpenMRS is a successful open-source project developing an electronic medical record system for developing countries. Have you ever imagined that writing code could save lives? Then apply to OpenMRS for the Google Summer of Code 2007 and make a difference this summer. - Develop software for the developing world - Contribute to a major open-source project - Learn from experienced open source developers solving real-world problems - Earn a summer-long stipend so that you can focus on your work - Make a difference in the world by helping in the fight against HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria...doing what you enjoy most This summer, students around the world have the opportunity to participate in an exciting collaboration between OpenMRS (http://openmrs.org) and Google, Inc. to further develop an open-source medical record system that improves the care of patients with HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria. The Google Summer of Code 2007 program provides promising student software developers an opportunity to help these vulnerable populations by spending their summer vacation writing new code that will be used in countries throughout the developing world. During this twelve week program, successful applicants will work directly with assigned mentors to complete their choice of a variety of focused development tasks laid out by the OpenMRS collaborative.
I’m not going to pretend that I have any idea what actually goes on inside of admissions offices. What I want to talk about is whether high schools students should strive to become well-rounded or if they should specialize. Some have described these more specialized students as being “angular,” since they are pitching a certain angle to schools. Here’s the question—do colleges want the piano-playing quarterback with a 4.0 average or the student who focused on working on their own research in biochemistry? There’s a lot of talk about passion in college admissions. If you know what you’re really into, the best course of action is to show, not tell. Avoid seeming inauthentic—pursue interesting opportunities, not just those that might look great on an application. Some even think that the notion of passion is outdated and rather problematic. If you’re not sure what you really want to devote yourself to, that’s also okay. It might even be better. After all, you don’t want to close any doors too early. Make it clear that you want to use some of your time at university figuring out what makes you tick. Do yourself a favor and gather information so you can ultimately chose the right major. The next 5 or so years of your life will be the most dynamic and exciting yet—there’s no way to know what you’ll end up doing. Colleges seem to be interested in what students do outside of the classroom. They want students that will contribute in places other than just lecture halls. The thing is, both generalists and specialists are active outside of classes—so the trick is to do something or many things. Just be sure it makes you stand out as an active part of at least one community. Here’s another tip: figure out what flexible skills and experience you developed while involved in your extracurricular adventures. Although you might not always be a member of your theatre troupe, it is critical that you recognize and maintain your skills in public speaking and improvisation. The closest I’ll come to an answer is this: Colleges want to see the person behind the data points listed on a transcript. This may seem trite, but there’s truth to it. Establish a balance between nailing your AP exams and creating awesome extracurricular experiences. Focus on one interesting hobby or try 10—just be smart about whatever you decide and make sure you’re pursuing things for reasons other than the college admissions process.
Taking AP exams not only helps in getting into schools, but also saves you time and money If you're a student reading this, you're probably thinking about how much you're dreading the upcoming month until you take your AP exams. Which is why you're unaware of how much those exams will actually help in the immediate future. The AP exams not only act as a resume booster for college applications, but has multiple benefits for your overall college career. Let's take a look at an AMAZING infographic below to prove our point: The infographic pretty much speaks for itself, but there are a few facts that we think should be highlighted because it'll probably have the most impact on students. First Year GPA Boost in College - We're not saying that taking AP exams will automatically boost your GPA coming into your first year. The data just shows that students who do take AP exams have higher GPAs than students who don't take AP exams. Our hypothesis is that AP students are more motivated and therefore will push themselves to perform better coming into college. In addition, the level of learning achieved through taking AP courses could have an indirect impact on student performance. AP courses are more rigorous and require determination to excel, which can result in better study habits and possibly better retention of higher level materials. Graduate Faster- This is definitely a proven fact. Students who do take AP classes and pass their exams graduate more quickly vs. students who don't. By passing AP exams, many colleges and universities offer class credit to specific courses that they offer that reflect the same AP course the student took (i.e English 101 and 102 class credit for passing AP English Lit). The reason for this is the AP classes are designed to teach college level material for all the subjects offered. Therefore, it is assumed that students who perform well on the exam have a deeper understanding of the content and are given a "stamp of approval" to have mastered that course and not have to repeat a similar course again in college. This results in students being able to advance more quickly and take higher level courses and skip all the introductory level courses. Saves you Money!!! - Show me a college student who doesn't want to save money and I'll quit my job and work for you as your own personal assistant. This links back to the previous point. You can graduate quickly because you can get credit for classes depending on which AP exams you pass. Getting credit for courses means you don't have to take them, which means you don't have to pay for them. Think about it, without getting credit for those course, students will have to take those courses for credit, and taking college courses costs money. Now how does that not sound enticing? Overall, it seems like enrolling to take AP exams to get ahead is not such a bad idea. Not only will you statistically get better grades, but you also will graduate more quickly. Oh yeah, and you save a couple thousand bucks along the way ;) See how practicing with Omninox can help you with AP exams AP® is a trademark registered and/or owned by the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this site.
Introducing Planet Four: Terrains Dear Martian Citizen Scientists! We are excited to introduce to you a new companion citizen science project to Planet Four called “Planet Four: Terrains” built on the Zooniverse’s new platform. You have explored with us here in Planet Four some of the most detailed surface observations ever made in our solar system and many of you have acknowledged and wondered about all the other amazing features visible in these images that we did not ask to be studied, like spiders, networks of channels and weirdly looking craters. (some of you will remember that one of these even led to a re-observation of the same crater with the HiRISE camera). It is an interesting fact that when one decides to make a camera that can resolve a lot of small details, that it will not be able to scan a lot of area. One has to decide, as long as we don’t have infinite data transport capabilities and infinite mission time at other planets and moons in the solar system. That’s why the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), the spacecraft that houses the HiRISE camera that produced all the images in the Planet Four project has a complementary camera system onboard to provide context, appropriately called CTX for ConTeXt camera. It has a lower resolution than HiRISE (approx 5-6 m compared to HiRISE’s 25 to 50 cm) but takes images from a far larger region than HiRISE. So here is our idea: We confirmed that many of the features you were asking about are still recognizable with the lower resolution images of CTX. Therefore we would like your help in gathering spatial statistics in where around the south pole we can find which kind of patterns on the ground that are related to CO2 ice activities. Your help in classifying CTX data into a set of ground patterns will serve to decide where the HiRISE camera will be pointed next during 2016’s south polar spring season observation campaign. This way your contributions directly improve the scientific output of both CTX and the HiRISE camera and we are very excited to provide to you a way to point the highest resolution camera in the solar system to the most interesting areas of the Martian south pole! You can find the new project, a more detailed science case description and an awesome spotter’s guide at this address: http://terrains.planetfour.org Thanks as always for your time and your enthusiasm!
The Spiritual Theology of St. Ignatius Loyola July 31 is the feast day of one of the most influential people in the history of Christianity, Inigo de Loyola. Born in 1491, he was baptized Inigo and, almost 40 years later, added Ignacio. According to Hugo Rahner, S.J. in Ignatius the Theologian, the choice of the name Ignatius was based on Inigo’s understanding of the Bishop and martyr of Antioch as a model of selfless love and an advocate for the apostolic teaching authority. A substantial library has developed over five centuries about his conversion, spiritual teaching, and prudent practicality. Ignatius founded the Society of Jesus, a religious order of men also known as the Jesuits. As one of the Catholic Church’s largest and most influential orders, the Society has spread Ignatian influence throughout Christianity in its world wide network of schools and missions. Although he was born on the eve of the Renaissance and the modern era, Ignatius was a product of the late Middle Ages. Surprisingly, his approach to the following of Christ was to propel Catholic Christianity into an amazing revival and laid the foundations for many Protestants and Catholics to confront the secular challenges of the Post Modern era. Examination of Consciousness Perhaps the best way to begin to understand the life and legacy of Ignatius Loyola is his distinctive method of prayer – his way of relating to God – the Examen. It is not an examination of conscience in the sense of finding fault with oneself. Rather it is a method of heightening one’s consciousness about the ways we encounter God and freeing ourselves to move more deeply and consciously into that encounter. The key themes of Ignatian spirituality are contained in The Examen: (1) finding God in all things, (2) “indifference”- in terms of a Zen-like detachment and trusting openness, (3) discernment – am I truly being led by the Spirit and, if so, where? (4) being “actively available” to serve God in others, to be a “contemplative in action.” The Examen consists of five points, moments, or movements of the soul, mind, and heart: 1. Recall that you are in the Presence of God. Much is said about Ignatius’ military background as a young minor Spanish noble and the orderly mentality he is supposed to have brought to the founding and development of the Society of Jesus. As an experienced man who came to conversion after a serious battle injury, however, Ignatius, in his path as a pilgrim to the Holy Land and to life, became more and more imbued with the overwhelming presence of God. 2. Look at your day with Gratitude. The God of Ignatius is a loving God of gifts. God is not an aloof military officer or stern judge. In the imagination of Ignatius, God is somewhat analogous to a liege lord in the medieval sense, but without the human limitations. All that is good and wondrous about us and around us is only a veiled manifestation of the overflowing of that Ultimate Goodness. The response to this goodness is a profound gratitude. 3. Ask for help from the Holy Spirit In keeping with ancient Christian tradition and belief, all true knowledge of God, and even faith, is the work of the Holy Spirit. What nature hints at, the Spirit reveals. Ignatius’ trust in God is shown in terms of his openness to the Spirit which drives out all fear. 4. Review your Day The Examen was recommended as a midday activity, although it can be done a second time at the end of the day. The review is not an mental or written checklist. The aim is to be open to what the Spirit reveals about the occurrences of our daily lives and their deeper meaning. If you are in the process of reforming your life, the awareness may focus on basic do’s and don’ts of avoiding sin and acting out of love alone. For those further along the path, the challenge is more subtle. What have I seen? What have I heard? What have I touched? What did I miss? What did I encounter? 5. Reconcile and Resolve This an act of renewed consciousness. If I messed up, now is the time to understand why and to make amends. Maybe an apology is in order. Maybe reducing stress or increasing awareness is in order. This is not a time to beat up on yourself. Ignatius commands gentleness and compassion. On the other hand, if I responded in a good or better way, it is important to feel how it came about so that I can continue to be open to the Spirit the next time as well. Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer We seldom realize that the mode of relating to God, as given to his followers by Christ, is his own prayer. This identification with the actual physical and mystical person of Jesus is central to the spirituality of St. Ignatius. Jesus came to do the will of the Father and that is our calling as well. So how much time are we supposed to take with this beautiful method of prayer? A. One hour. B. 30 minutes. C. 15 minutes. D. As Long As it Takes. The answer: C. 15 minutes. You are supposed to be out and about doing God’s work which the Spirit is pointing out to you. Time’s a wasting! Then again, St. Ignatius would allow you some leeway, as long you worked it out with your spiritual director and weren’t dodging your responsibilities. A Guided Meditation Phyllis Zagano leads the everyday person on a beautifully guided walk through The Examen for everyday people at “American Catholic.” For More Information For a good overview of the life of St. Ignatius Loyola, with an excellent bibliography, see, “The World of Ignatius of Loyola”. The Ignatian Spirituality Center in the Seattle, Washington area presents a very contemporary and brief description on its home page. A summary of Ignatian Spirituality from the 1930’s by Fr. Pinard De La Boullaye, S.J. is concise and reasonably accessible.
Calling anglers of all experience levels! If you are planning a fishing trip to see us in beautiful Northwestern Ontario, we will help you prepare for your adventure by telling you everything you could ever want to know about Walleye, the most common freshwater game fish. Facts about Walleye • Walleye are ranked high in the food chain • They are known for their fine texture and delicious meat and are the most sought after fish in many northern states and most of Canada • Walleye will come closer to the shore during the night time • They tend to be the most active on overcast days and windy days with choppy waters • Walleye aren’t color blind but are known to only see the colors red and green • A Walleye’s diet consist of other fish, crayfish, worms and minnows • Walleye’s get their name from their huge marble like eyes that look like a layer of reflective pigment Hopefully these Walleye fishing tips can help make you more successful at reeling in the best Walleye! Walleye are extremely abundant on all of the lakes we have fly-in fishing camps on, so pack your tackle box, get all of your fishing gear and book a stay with us at Mattice Lake Outfitters today! We are located all along the peaceful shores of the Ogoki-Albany River. We are sure you will have the ideal fishing experience, so give us a call at 1-800-411-0334 with any questions you may have!
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Our beloved CSA comes to an end this week, at least for this season. Since June, we have made weekly pilgrimages to Indian Line Farm, which is situated in a verdant valley below the Taconic Mountain range. Once your feet hit the earth here, and you look up at the mountains, stress seems to wash away and your mouth begins to water as you glance at the current week’s offerings. Most of the produce is picked and ready for us, but we also go out into the field to pick green beans, cherry tomatoes and husk cherries, as well as stunning bouquets of flowers. At the farm, and then when we sit down at our dining room table, we give thanks to Elizabeth and her crew for their efforts. Our summer subscription starts off with many delightful greens, and we eagerly await the almost ripe tomatoes grown in the long tunneled hoop house. We mark the season with the farm, embracing zucchinis and eggplants, and now we appreciate root vegetables and hardier greens. Eating seasonal food in the season it is produced is nothing new, for prior to modern methods of canning and freezing, one either ate food directly from the garden or from the stored vegetables in the root cellar. Though one can purchase Asparagus officinalis and Fragaria x ananassa at the grocery and consume these all year along, we instead cherish the long fresh spikes of asparagus in May and the plump red strawberries in June. Persephone Books has just published Ambrose Heath’s The Country Life Cookery Book with illustrations by Eric Ravilious. Heath (1891-1969), a much renowned British journalist, wrote over 70 cookbooks as well as countless newspaper columns on food. In his preface to this new edtion, Simon Hopkinson notes: “Seasonal is simply how it was. Those of my grandparents’ generation, as well as that of Mr. Heath, knew nothing else other than, say, the purchase of a pound of leeks from the greengrocer in winter; followed by no leeks at all, all summer long……seasonal cookery writing is all the rage, now, but this was not always so. “ Already we look forward to next year’s progression of vegetables with Indian Line Farm, and for now, we will turn to our hoop house for winter greens and lettuces. Now on our trips to the grocers, I try hard not to eat out of season. The Persephone Biannually, No 16 Autumn/Winter 2014-15, pg.4 NOTE: Persephone Books publishes “reprints of neglected fiction and non-fiction by mid-twentieth century (mostly) women writers.” Each of their 110 books is a delight to hold in your hand with its elegant “dove-grey jacket, fabric endpaper” and matching bookmark. I adore those bookmarks and cherish them. If you are in London, a visit to their store at 59 Lamb’s Conduit Street is a must.
Congress has provided generous tax incentives for employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). The benefit of the tax incentive is offered to not only the employer, but also the employees; lenders of an ESOP; and shareholders selling the stock. Furthermore, the states have enacted laws that apply to ESOPs, thus further increasing the total incentives. An ESOP is a qualified, defined contribution employee retirement plan designed to invest primarily in employer stock of a sponsoring company. A company establishes a trust fund with the aim to buy shares from existing shareholders (owners) or to issue new shares. Alternatively, a company can also borrow money to allow employees to buy existing or new shares. The company provides the cash contributions to repay the loan that is tax deductible. Employee ownership of stocks can be carried out in different ways. Employees can purchase the stock options directly, receive stock options from the company as a bonus, or obtain the options through a profit-sharing plan. Also, some employees take part in ESOP through worker cooperatives. Generally, shares are allocated to full-time employees over 21 years of age. The allocations are made on the basis of a pre-determined formula. Senior employees may have more right to the shares and vesting can apply. The vesting schedule can be done gradually or over a period of three to six years. ESOPs provide a number of benefits to the sellers, to the employees and to the company. Benefits to the seller include: Keep in mind that there are certain limits and drawbacks regarding ESOP contributions. The laws regarding ESOP tax incentives are not applicable for partnerships and many other types of corporations. Only specific companies can benefit from the tax incentive offered for ESOPs. As mentioned above, S-corporations and C-corporations are eligible for tax incentives for an ESOP. However, S-corporations have lower contribution limits and they cannot complete an ESOP “rollover”. Private companies are required to buy shares of employees that leave the company. This can become a major expense for the company. Furthermore, the cost of establishing an ESOP is significant. Companies will have to incur about $40,000 for even the simplest of plans. The cost of the plan will be higher for large companies. Also, whenever any new shares are issued, it dilutes the shares of existing owners. The management of the company must weigh the pros and cons of the ESOP before using it as a tax saving and exit strategy. ESOPs may be suitable for companies valued at more than five million, EBITDA of one million and at least 15 employees. When implemented correctly, the tax savings for these companies can amount to millions of dollars. A husband and wife team that owned a regional fence contracting company was looking for an exit strategy but did not want to sell to outsiders. They also wanted to participate in future growth of the company, which was valued at 15 million dollars. The husband and wife are 100% shareholders. Upon setup of the ESOP, owners receive $450,000 at closing and take back a 10-year seller note of $14.55 million at a 4.0% interest rate (Life of loan interest = 3.1 million). Sellers will also receive 500,000 warrant in exchange for taking back subordinated notes. At the end of the 10-year period, warrants are estimated to be worth $3.7 million. In addition, as a 100% ESOP-owned S-Corp, all future profits will not be taxed from that point, resulting in tax savings of over $7 million.
The new year started right with a small project at the wild coast in the eastern cape province. The donated container finally arrived and construction on the temporary workshop unit started. Climate conditions differ much from Johannesburg but buildCollective approach stays the same. As the hot and humid climate at the exposed site does not necessarily suit the light-clay and less insulation capacity but rather cooling qualities are needed we looked at some buildings in the area. To stay green, easy and fast to build and provide protective cooling qualities we adopted the traditional construction of woven branches filled with earth. Three 200 by 70 Pillars were casted, hessian (jute) and welding mesh were tightened around them, connected with wire and filled up with earth. A new self-produced truss was created – timber with bended flatsteel , much lighter and easy to join and rejoin. A small team of three people of the neighbourhood joint the experimental workshop construction and were excited by the strength of the wall. After filling the wall got an ordinary plaster job by the local team.
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Open /etc/apt/sources.list with an editor Append the following sources to the end of the file. Save the file. deb http://http.kali.org/kali kali main non-free contrib deb-src http://http.kali.org/kali kali main non-free contrib Update the package lists to include the newly added sources. Install the open-vm-tools package. apt-get install open-vm-tools All relevant dependencies will be satisfied and the relevant packages installed. Done. With all the virtual machines I run on my local network, remembering host IP’s off the top of my head becomes pretty unmanageable. Installing the avahi package for CentOS servers provides a nice way for automatic hostname detecting in app’s supporting Bonjour discovery (like iNet for OS X). yum install avahi I often find myself chasing after a specific version of an RPM package (Xen comes to mind), and there is a handy command option that list all versions of a package for a given repo. Issuing this will list all available versions of package available. yum list package-name This guide assumes you already have successfully installed a CentOS virtual machine within VMware Fusion. Launch your desired Virtual Machine and from the menu bar within VMware Fusion, select Install VMware Tools . This will load an iso and simulate a cd-rom has been inserted. VMware Tools requires Perl as a dependancy, we need to resolve it before we can begin with the installation. yum install perl We need to mount the cd-rom within the guest virtual machine before we are able to access its content. We do this by Creating a new folder to mount the cd-rom in. Then we mount the cd-rom into the folder we just created. The fact that it is read-only is fine. mount /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom Now we need to access the disk and extract the tools somewhere. cp /mnt/cdrom/VMwareTools-XXX.tar.gz /tmp Change our working directory to tmp (shorter commands make life a little easier). The extracted files are compressed, we need to uncompress them. tar xvf VMWare-Tools-XXX.tar Change working directory again into the newly decompressed folder. Finally, lets begin the VMware Tools installation.. just follow the onscreen instructions (I usually just leave everything as default). See, easy peasy! Unless you have the package ‘sudo’ installed on your system, any attempts of issuing the ‘visudo’ command will fail. Classic school boy error, but one easily made. yum install sudo
Auto auctions are a way of promoting new, and most often, used automobiles based on auction system. GM led the way with these new compacts introducing the Buick Special, Oldsmobile F-eighty five and Pontiac Tempest These car were read this article about 6 inches longer than the 1960 compacts.There was also a increase in aluminum engines, a trend that lasted only a few years earlier than fading away. This pink battery operated car will attraction to little women and boys. What was additionally actually particular about that is that it hadn’t been “restored” before the public sale bloc, giving us a true glimpse as to what these once creme de la creme vehicles had been and felt like. I grew up in a world of outdated Alfa Romeo and Bugatti and to see this example on this state attain the public sale is an indication that collectors are embracing vehicles in their unique state and stopping the over-restoring butchery of the previous many years. Charity Public sale: A charity public sale can assist you elevate a substantial sum of money. You possibly can request your pals or family to donate their second-hand gadgets, or approach local company companies to donate products for the auction in return totally free commercials on the occasion. Charity Car Wash: This is maybe one of many simplest ways to raise funds and create awareness for a charitable cause. Organize your charity automotive wash at a excessive site visitors location and repair a particular amount for washing a automobile. Visit new automotive as well as used automobile dealerships, and provide your services. Â Lots of the automobiles on the market at police impound auctions end up there ‘trigger parking tickets or rushing tickets will not have been paid and the automotive has been seized to cover these moneys owed. In a nutshell, to reduce storing and upkeep costs, police or authorities companies are letting impounded automobiles be put up for sale pop over to this website at automobile auctions with extremely low beginning bids. The company’s first auction was a charity fundraiser called “Fiesta de los Autos Elegante.” The company is now properly-established, and runs a number of large “fiestas” per yr, though they’re now not referred to as fiestas. Do not miss this public sale event!!!! People although can’t instantly use auto auctions, but must undergo those holding auction membership. In Japanese regulation, solely dealerships may turn out to be members to auto auctions. The way the system is about up permits people to have entry to information, however preserve the auctions orderly with only professionals actually in a position to bid. A small proportion of the dealers which can be members of Japanese auto auctions are additionally used car exporters that the majority usually use the auto auctions as their main car auction supply of used automobiles. Other than these exporters, most members are used automobile dealership that sell in Japan and are utilized by Japanese individuals to find a automotive they need. Within the United States, auto auctions are comparatively unknown to the general public at giant, but play a major role as a wholesale marketplace for second-hand automobiles. Most auto auctions are closed auctions, that means only dealers can use them. A automobile seller auction is a specialised type of public sale. Name or go to Auto Sellers Change online. It does not matter if you cannot see your favourite mannequin at the public sale for you’re sure to search out one which catches your eye. Simply ensure you have searched and found some information about the automotive fashions and makes together with the worth checklist. There are on-line search databases that present you locations of those auctions in addition to the makes and fashions accessible. That is so as to have a walkabout and consider all the cars on public sale. You additionally would have ample time to inspect every automotive you are interested in. Make sure you inspect the doorways, hood, tyres, etc. Since you cannot take a look at drive the car, that is actually one of the simplest ways you can defend yourself against shopping for a wrong automobile. Wednesday Evening is Public sale Night time. It’s best to make sure that you understand the principles of the auction earlier than you bid. Often if you register to bid on the public sale, they may even provide you with a set of the public sale guidelines and tips. The primary benefit to purchasing from motorhome auctions is price. Usually, motorhomes purchased from auction can be anyplace from 30% to 50% lower than the unique cost. A potential drawback to buying from auctions is the tendency to get overly emotional or to impulse bid, particularly if you’re inexperienced. There are several try this site issues you can do to ensure that you actually discover a good deal at motorhome auctions. The very first thing to do is to attend arrive on the auction early so you may have more time to examine each RV before the bidding begins. By doing this you will get a great sense of how auctions work and how a lot totally different kinds and features usually value on the auction. When you’re able to bid at a motorhome auction , carry a friend with you. Attend the Public sale. Neat automotive pics! These Ferrari 250s were particularly designed for long-distance races with this specific automobile being pushed to a race victory on its debut by a young Phil Hill driving for Bill Devin, which explains the automobile’s white and darkish blue color scheme. The highest result was for the 1978 Ferrari 312 T3 Formula 1 automobile – this automobile gained the 1978 British Grand Prix driven by Carlos Reutemann and the 1978 Race of Champions driven by Gilles Villeneuve. Large South Auction and Antiques is situated in Wilmington, North Carolina and so they normally maintain an public sale each Sunday afternoon. Thad Woods Auction Vintage is located in Waynesville, North Carolina and have been around since 1975. Antiques Auctions in Charleston, SC, Charleston property sales, Charleston Antiques The Property Sale Supply of Charleston, South Carolina. We focus on (however should not restricted to) full property and antique auctions. Horse, Boat, Vintage Or Any Other Type Of Auction Rd. Lagrange, Georgia View. Don’t miss this public sale occasion!!!! College buses and non operating autos will probably be supplied for auction at 10:00 AM. Made use of auto listing on-line websites give you facilities to create your necessity as perfectly as a cellphone vary in order that any involved proprietor may call you proper too building it a terrific deal more convenient with a wider assortment of decisions from totally different owners. At their official auction website you can find information on all of their auctions and bank repos, repossessions and insurance coverage total loss and repairable gear and vehicles. Other kinds of auctions specialize within the sale of police or authorities automobiles; a few of those actually allow public access. Regardless of their source, vehicles are despatched to auction with the main goal to be sold quickly and hassle-free, and this normally occurs at prices that sellers can easily recoup with a small revenue from a resale. Contrary what is it worth to popular belief, cars seldom promote for unreasonably low costs on the seller auctions. The reserve value just isn’t disclosed publicly and a winning” auction bid is just thought of a sale if the reserve worth is met. Most car dealerships don’t pay cash for the vehicles they purchase at auto auctions. This topic Police Automobile Auctions Website can be present in most of the articles on the net however what we’re offering here on this article is a bit completely different from different articles that you’d read. However on reading this text about Salvage Automobile For Sale , it’s essential official site to have realized that we’ve got kept our words on high quality and content. All the following tips and recommendations related to Fowlers Car Auctions Websites are not the only ones that you would ever get. Buying a automotive online could sound a bit risky but eBay has a very good Free Car Buy Protection program to protect your equipment car buy in opposition to fraud and material misrepresentation. Talk to a number of others who have successfully accomplished a equipment automobile earlier than attempting it yourself. She and her husband Henry constructed up the collection before he handed away, and Jane enjoys driving each one, from a BMW Isetta bubble automobile to a Lamborghini Miura. Until not too long ago she had by no means owned a basic automobile and had by no means bid at an auction, but usually visits the Historics at Brooklands auctions near her dwelling in south-west London just to admire the beautiful cars. There are three fundamental corporations which provide basic automotive values. From the outside the automobile appears like they’ve combined the front finish of a 1970 automobile and the rest from a sixty nine. Those that have seen the films will notice the differences between the two. It wasn’t listed as the blue Yenko featured in “2 Fast 2 Furious”, however it is, by apperance a perfect reproduction of the automotive won and driven by Paul Walker’s character within the movie. Using automobile seat protectors when you may have babies is the smart way to keep your automobile looking, and even smelling like new! Kick mats shield your car seats from kid’s kicking ft! There are limitless potentialities for making, or buying Father’s Day, Christmas, or every other vacation reward baskets for Dad-listed below are several strategies on find out how to put one together, or order one on-line. SafeFit Kick Mats shield the back of your automotive seats from child’s kicking toes while in their car seat. The automobile auction is the oldest within the state. NADA blue e-book car value – discover vehicle information and costs on cars to be sure to get the most cost effective deal on your subsequent automobile, truck, SUV, or other automobile. Antique automotive click values values through the use of quite a lot of automotive guides and by perusing the classified ads in antique automotive publications. Public auctions are run by government or authorities businesses. These included the ‘Magic Roundabout’ Carousel (H852), ‘Mr Mac Henry’s’ trike (H859), the ‘Magic Roundabout’ practice (H851) and ‘Dougal’s’ automotive (807), a modified CitroÃ«n DS that includes models of ‘Dougal’ the dog, ‘Dylan’ the rabbit and ‘Brian’ the snail. A couple of my childhood buddies had die forged automobile collections and the very best ones were from Corgi. The star of the RM Public sale was the 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale by Scaglietti that offered killer deal for $26,400,000. The standing-room-solely crowd cheered because the McQueen Ferrari rolled on stage after a short video, which noted that the V12-powered automotive was delivered to the late actor and auto fanatic in the course of the filming of the film Bullitt, further including to its celebrity attract. The feel-good story of the weekend got here from the Gooding & Firm auction. Individuals although cannot straight use auto auctions, however must go through those holding auction membership. In Japanese regulation, only dealerships might become members to auto auctions. The way the system is about up permits individuals to have entry to data, however preserve the auctions orderly with only professionals really capable of bid. A small proportion of the dealers which can be members of Japanese auto auctions are additionally used car exporters that most typically use the auto auctions as their main supply of used autos. Apart from these exporters, most members are used vehicle dealership that sell in Japan and are used by Japanese people to find a automobile they want. In the United States, auto auctions are comparatively unknown to the general public at massive, however play a significant role as a wholesale marketplace for second-hand autos. Most auto auctions are closed auctions, that means only sellers can use them. A automotive dealer auction is a specialised form of public sale. Call or visit Auto Sellers Alternate on-line. I would be in search of uniqueness I might also do some searching for futuristic automotive designs a good place to begin would a picture search in the major search engines. It appears to me that the automobile manufacturers only make refined changes every you could look here year or two, you may see a giant change after ten years, from say 196o to 1970 however not often after solely two years. What you need is a safe way to enter the world of on-line purchasing and are available out with much less items on hand and additional cash. The spacious, beautifully completed inside is a perfect setting for the nice intimacy that solely this type of automobile affords. It solely takes about four minutes to fill out the shape for Free Auto Insurance coverage Quotes Their experts will discover you the best deal on automobile insurance and prevent time as well as money. Car producers had been consolidating or closing all through the 1920′s and through the despair that adopted. Not many of those click this American automobile makers have survived to the present day, however even those that have survived are becoming increasingly uncompetitive and at the moment are experiencing major problems that threaten their existence largely resulting from competitors from overseas auto manufacturers. Of all presents, the one that can convey best happiness to the whole household is a tremendous motor automotive. LUXURY The improved Packard Eight is the supremely luxurious automobile. We anticipate that this auction might be an excellent success because it consistently has been since its inception 4 years ago…” mentioned Dana Mecum, founder and president of Mecum Auctions. His document-setting L-88 made history as soon as again, promoting for $three.2 million, the highest value ever achieved for a Corvette at public sale.” The sale of this L-88 shatters the earlier file of $1.6 million spent for the 1963 Corvette Rondine” Coupe built this content by Pininfarina which sold on the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction in 2008. Nicely documented and in excellent situation, the automobile was offered with its original tank sticker, classic race photographs and time slips, and the bragging rights of being the winner in the 1967 NHRA A/Sports activities class at the U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis. The automotive was later returned to inventory form in 1970. Find a vendor’s public sale web site.
16‐Credit Credential Program This credential program is designed to prepare students for a career in Web Application development. Educational and financial institutions and small businesses of all types have expressed this need. This 16-credit program is designed to fit within SUNY Ulster’s Network A.S. Computer Science and A.S. Computer Science (Online) degree programs. The program curriculum is made up of two courses in Computer Science and two courses in Web Development. Student Learning Outcomes At the completion of the Web Application Developer Credentials program, a student will be able to - Learn the fundamentals of computer programming; Graduates will be prepared for employment as website and web application developers. Requirements for Program Entry High School diploma or equivalent Satisfactory placement in Entering Student Assessment MAT 115 College Algebra and Trigonometry Developmental Assistance Available For students who do not meet basic reading and math requirements, or who have other learning issues, extra assistance is readily available through SUNY Ulster’s Learning Center, Patrik Math Center, the Writing Center, the Peer and Friend Tutor Program, and English as a Second Language (ESL) tutors. For More Information For more information contact Admissions 1‐800‐724‐0833 ext. 5018 or 5022
negotiable instrument is a document that carries a legal right to receive payment in the future. It is legal right that is transferable by delivery or by delivery and indorsement (or endorsement). Examples are cheques and bills of exchange. instruments are mainly governed by state statutory law and this is generally, the common law. Drafts (cheques) and notes (eg bills of exchange) are the two categories of instruments: draft is an instrument that orders a payment to be made. For note is an instrument that promises that a payment will be made. For example, certificates of deposit (CD's) are notes. are the negotiable instrument most commonly used in business transactions to finance the movement of goods and to secure and distribute loans. Negotiable instruments do not include money and certain payment orders. TITLE: The rule of derivative title, which is applicable in most areas of the law, does not allow a property owner to transfer rights in a piece of property greater than his/her own. However, if an instrument is negotiable this rule is suspended. A purchaser in good faith (who has no knowledge of a defect in the title or claims against it) takes title to the instrument free of any cheque is a draft, other than a documentary draft, payable on demand and drawn on a bank. is defined as an "order," which is a "written instruction to pay money signed by the person giving the instruction." A cheque, therefore, contains an order rather than a promise to pay money. In most cases, a cheque is a negotiable instrument. A preprinted form of a cheque invariably satisfies both the essentials of a draft and the requirements for negotiability. of exchange have fallen into disfavour with the rise of banks and cheques drawn on a bank account. They come under the Bills of Exchange Act 1909 (Cth). A bill of exchange is: unconditional order in writing by the person giving the bill the addressee to pay on demand or at a fixed or determinable future certain sum of money to or to the order of a specified person or to property professional are mainly concerned with cheques, this module will concentrate on this particular negotiable instrument. instruments must have the attribute of negotiability. This attribute has three elements. The negotiable instrument must be: writing signed by maker or drawer promise or order. In an ordinary draft, this requirement is usually satisfied by inserting the drawee’s name immediately following the word "To" on the printed form in the lower left hand corner of the instrument. A cheque usually meets the requirement because the drawee’s bank’s name is printed and encoded on the face of the instrument. be unconditional. Generally, a promise or order is unconditional unless the writing states an express condition of payment, that the promise or order is subject to or governed by another writing, or that rights or obligations with respect to the promise or order are stated in another writing. In other words, if the writing contains none of these provisions, the order or promise is unconditional. order to pay money must be a fixed amount on demand or at a definite instruments that are payable on demand, including virtually all cheques, are so payable for the last reason: they make no express provision for time of payment. to order or to bearer. Payable to bearer or order at time it first comes into possession of a holder. other undertaking or instruction. Beyond the maker's order or promise money, the instrument itself must not contain "any other undertaking or instruction" by the maker or drawer "to do any act in addition to the payment of money," (or Not) By Declaration. The opposite issue is whether or not the parties can use a form that is a negotiable instrument and avoid negotiability by declaring, on the instrument, that it is not negotiable. The answer is yes, except for a cheque. statement on a cheque that it is not negotiable (eg, "nonnegotiable") is ineffective to destroy negotiability, if the cheque is otherwise are commonly noted or endorsed in some way. These are messages to parties who may come into contact with the cheque. The following is a summary of typical endorsements: TO BEARER: This endorsement authorises the paying bank to pay the cheque to the bearer at the time. The bank does not have to confirm that the bearer is the owner of the cheque. A bearer cheque also informs intending holders of the cheque that it is negotiable by delivery. TO ORDER: This endorsement is an instruction to the bank to only pay the cheque to the drawee or an indorsee. The cheque is only negotiable by delivery and endorsement. The bank should must take care to collect the cheque only on behalf of the payee or a lawful indorsee. However, there are a number of defences available to the bank under the relevant legislation. A CHEQUE: Instructs the bank to only pay the cheque into a bank account or to another bank. That is, the bank must not pay cash. The crossing must be two parallel transverse lines. NEGOTIABLE CROSSING: If the words “not negotiable” are added to a crossed cheque, it is no longer a negotiable instrument. It warns all parties who deal with the cheque that they cannot get a better title than the transferor and therefore, they take the cheque subject to all defects in title. A cheque cannot be "not negotiable" unless it is crossed. PAYEE ONLY: Does not impose any contractual duty on the bank because there is no contract between the drawer and the bank. However a bank that ignores the endorsement may be guilty of negligence toward the true owner of the cheque.
Identity Theft Information Identity Theft & Security Breach Information Welcome to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs identity theft information webpage. Identity theft doesn’t have to be inevitable. There are things that you can do to reduce the chances that you become a victim and to minimize the damage should it happen to you. If you’re a business owner, and you would like more information on how the Hawaii’s identity theft laws will affect your business, read our Business Briefing. For a list of security breaches affecting 1,000 or more Hawaii residents that were reported to the Office of Consumer Protection, see our Security Breach Notices Identity Theft Warning Signs - Unauthorized charges on your credit card - Receiving credit cards that you did not seek or apply for - Missing credit card bills - Calls or letters from debt collectors or businesses about merchandise you did not buy or services you did not authorize - Being denied credit or offered credit at less favorable terms for no apparent reason - Unauthorized credit cards or charges on your credit report Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security number, credit card number or other identifying information, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. Your personal information can be stolen or obtained from businesses or government entities you have patronized if the business or government entity suffers a security breach. Security breaches can occur for a variety of reasons: - Hackers, or unauthorized access to personal information - Accidental release or display of information - Theft of personal information by a business’s employee or contractor - Stolen laptops, computers, or other equipment In the event of a security breach, if your personal information has been lost or stolen, you may be notified directly by the breached business or government entity, or, in the case of large security breaches, the notification may be via press releases and news media. PROTECTING YOURSELF WITH SECURITY FREEZES If you’re concerned about identity theft, those reported mega-data breaches, or someone gaining access to your credit report without your permission, you might consider placing a credit freeze on your report. What is a security freeze? A security freeze means that your file cannot be shared with potential creditors. A security freeze can help prevent identity theft. Most businesses will not open credit accounts without first checking a consumer’s credit history. If your credit files are frozen, even someone who has your name and Social Security number would probably not be able to obtain credit in your name. How do I place a freeze on my credit reports? Act 22 of the 2018 Legislative Session recently amended the Hawaii law governing security freezes to allow Hawaii residents, including children under 16, to request a security freeze without being charged a fee. Additionally, effective in September 2018, a new federal law, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Act, will extend the right to obtain a free credit freeze to the rest of the country. To place a security freeze, consumers and guardians of protected consumers, must request one from each of the credit reporting agencies – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The request can be made by mail, online, and telephone. HOW TO “FREEZE” YOUR CREDIT You can place a security freeze by contacting each of the credit reporting agencies at the websites, phone numbers, and mailing addresses below. Consumer Reporting Agency \|(888) 397-3742\|\|(800) 685-1111\|\|(888) 909-8872\| \|Experian Security Freeze P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013 \|Equifax Security Freeze P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348 P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19016 \|* When requesting a placement, temporary lift, or removal of a security freeze by mail, please include the following information with your request: 1) Your complete name, including any suffix such as Jr. or Sr., 2) Your complete current mailing address and previous mailing addresses the past two years, 3) Social Security number, 4) date of birth, and 5) a copy of your government issued identification card, such as a driver license, state ID card, etc. Check with each credit reporting agency for any additional documents required.\| After receiving your credit freeze request, each credit bureau will send you a confirmation letter containing a unique PIN (personal identification number) or password. Keep the PIN or password in a safe place. You will need it if you choose to lift the freeze. Does a credit freeze affect my credit score? No. A credit freeze does not affect your credit score. A credit freeze also does not: - prevent you from getting your free annual credit report - keep you from opening a new account, applying for a job, renting an apartment, or buying insurance. But if you’re doing any of these, you’ll need to lift the freeze temporarily, either for a specific time or for a specific party, say, a potential landlord or employer. The cost and lead times to lift a freeze vary, so it’s best to check with the credit reporting company in advance. - prevent a thief from making charges to your existing accounts. You still need to monitor all bank, credit card and insurance statements for fraudulent transactions. Can anyone see my credit report if it is frozen? Certain entities still will have access to it. • your report can be released to your existing creditors or to debt collectors acting on their behalf. • government agencies may have access in response to a court or administrative order, a subpoena, or a search warrant. How do I lift a freeze? A freeze remains in place until you ask the credit reporting agency to temporary lift it or remove it all together. When you placed a security freeze on your credit report, you were provided with a personal identification number (PIN). Use this PIN when you request a consumer reporting agency to temporary lift the security freeze by mail, telephone, or online. What’s the difference between a credit freeze and a fraud alert? A credit freeze locks down your credit. A fraud alert allows creditors to get a copy of your credit report as long as they take steps to verify your identity. PROTECTING YOURSELF FOLLOWING A SECURITY BREACH WITH A FRAUD ALERT - Contact your creditors, including credit card companies, banks, credit unions, and other lenders, to determine whether there is any suspicious or unauthorized activity that has occurred on your accounts - Contact any of the three credit reporting companies to place a fraud alerton your credit report. A fraud alert does not block potential new credit, but places a comment on your credit history to alert creditors to contact you prior to opening a new account. Once you have contacted any one of the three credit reporting companies the other two will be notified that you have placed a fraud alert on your credit report. (See credit reporting company contact information, below) - Once you have placed a fraud alerton your credit report, you will be entitled to a free copy of your credit report. The credit reporting companies will send you a letter telling you how to order your free credit report. Review your credit reports carefully for suspicious activity or charges. - Be alert! The first year following a security breach is when your stolen personal information is most likely to be used by ID thieves. How do I place a fraud alert on my credit reports? To place a fraud alert on your credit reports, ask one of the three credit reporting companies to put a fraud alert on your credit file. Confirm that the company you called will contact the other two companies. Don’t forget to mark your calendar because the initial fraud alert stays on your report for 90 days. You can renew it after 90 days. Contact information for the credit reporting companies: Consumer Fraud Division P.O. Box 740256 Atlanta, GA 30374 National Consumer Assistance P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013 Fraud Victim Assistance P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19016 Three types of fraud alerts are available: - Initial Fraud Alert. If you’re concerned about identity theft, but haven’t yet become a victim, this fraud alert will protect your credit from unverified access for at least 90 days. You may want to place a fraud alert on your file if your wallet, Social Security card, or other personal, financial or account information are lost or stolen. - Extended Fraud Alert. For victims of identity theft, an extended fraud alert will protect your credit for seven years. - Active Duty Military Alert. For those in the military who want to protect their credit while deployed, this fraud alert lasts for one year. How do I get a free copy of my credit reports? All consumers can obtain a free annual credit report from each of the major credit reporting agencies, regardless of whether they have been victims of identity theft. Call 1-877-322-8228, or request one online. IDENTITY THEFT & SECURITY BREACH LINKS - Free resources on identity theft - Sample letters and forms for victims of identity theft - Create an identity theft report and get a recover plan
In this webinar, Debunking Diversity Myths, we’ll start with the why of diversity, equity, and inclusion, discuss some of the common (and confusing) terms often bandied about, and share SCORE’s experience and lessons learned in the context of research and what works and what doesn’t. By the end of the session, you’ll have a sense of the ways you might measure your own success and we’ll close with a call to action. To access the webinar: http://harrisburgu.adobeconnect.com/debunkingdiversitymyths-atd/ Susan Fort, as Director of Learning for SCORE, is responsible for the strategy and execution of key recruiting, onboarding, and learning initiatives. She leads innovation and oversees the systems and processes for new recruits (3000 annually) and ongoing volunteer education of 10,000+. Ongoing learning includes content development and a robust and varied learning execution strategy: online learning, the annual volunteer virtual conference, and the national leadership conference. Since 2017, she has partnered with SCORE’s Culture of Inclusion working group on the educational strategy and execution to support and grow SCORE’s culture of inclusion and diversity matters value. This has included an online learning module and in-person training program delivered to approximately 400 leaders in SCORE. Susan's career connects people with meaningful learning. She creates powerful learning experiences, empowers nonprofit leaders, and champions volunteerism. From 2004-2009, she founded and led a Business Alliances for Local Living Economies chapter in Baltimore, Maryland. She holds a MEd from Cambridge College and a BA in French and International Studies from Guilford College. Follow Susan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanfort/. More about Susan’s work at SCORE: https://www.dvinci.com/thinking/training-volunteers-mentor-small-business-executives © 2018 Central PA ATD Chapter
Georgia officials are working on a plan to fund state colleges not based on enrollment, but on outcomes. Schools would be rewarded for student success and high graduation rates. All well and good, I suppose, but it’s easy for me to see pressure being put on professors to give students passing grades whether they deserve them or not. This has been happening over the past few decade, but this effort seems like it will accelerate the trend. From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Georgia is writing a plan that would drastically change the way it funds public colleges, tying the money to student success and graduation rates, not enrollment. Starting with the 2015 fiscal year the amount of money colleges receive would be determined mainly by how well students progress through college and the number of degrees awarded. Many details still need to be finalized, but a group appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal signed off on a draft framework Monday. The state is emphasizing graduation rates because projections show about 60 percent of all jobs by 2020 will require education after high school. Only 42 percent of Georgia’s adults currently possess a college degree or certificate.
Soapstone has been used for ages through out the world. Setting hot pots or pans directly in your soapstone sink will not affect the surface. Soapstone is non-porous, it is resistant to bacteria and chemicals. Soapstone is a very durable material, but it can be scratched, usually they can be sanded out. Kitchen sinks are that piece of hardware, which need to be of better quality materials. Often kitchen sinks stink and cause inconvenience to people nearby, especially if it has functional issues. Hence, just to save on money, do not settle for cheapest sinks, which may call for maintenance over and over again. If you want your kitchen to look attractive and inspiring to others, then having a best kitchen stainless sink is worth considering. Marble sinks gives a shiny and elegant finish to your luxury kitchen. But maintaining this look can be a problem, due to the porosity of the marble. Sealing helps to prevent this to a particular extent. But various juices, soft drinks and house hold cleaning liquids may cause dirty spots on the marble. Brice Levasseur Kitchen Sink Monday November 19th, 2018 06:03:18 AM Hit One of The Thumbnails Below to Get More Kitchen Sink Ideas Monday November 19th, 2018 06:03:18 AM
Disabilities might happen at any time in the life of an individual. Because of this, it is necessary to plan efficiently and adjust the estate strategy when an unpredicted disability interrupts the life of the owner of an estate. After speaking with Estate Planning Attorney Steven F. Bliss in San Diego, I have come to realize, “Disabilities happen with higher frequency as somebody ages.” This could indicate that a person that has currently produced an estate plan may have to adjust the planning when among these issues develops. If the disability impacts the senses, it may be possible to acquire assistance and keep the estate strategy as is. However, if the problem affects motor abilities, cognitive thinking or causes the owner to end up being frail or bedridden, there may have to be more significant changes made to the scheme. If the owner did not formerly add health care or long-lasting care into the strategy, it ought to be added when the disability has begun. Long-lasting care is often needed as soon as the owner of an estate becomes much older. However, anytime after 50, this could be required. It is very important to make sure that the estate plan produced consists of health care concerns, infirmities and possible special needs. The hereditary report to the owner must provide information if any disabilities are most likely. However, they could arise through accidents, occurrences, natural aging or emergencies. If the health concern results in a wheelchair, ending up being stuck in bed for extended periods or comparable situations, the estate plan may have to be altered considerably. The owner must be open to exactly what is required and how to modify this with his/her existing situation. Disabilities and the Estate Plan For estate owners that are not impacted personally by an impairment, they might have family or beneficiaries that have been a victim of circumstances that cause or trigger a disability. If the estate coordinator understands the medical expenses, she or he might make sure the correct amount of insurance is acquired, that a house nurse may be hired or other possible processes are started. If the successor has perceptional deficiencies, this might indicate that the condition alters only one element of his/her life. An example would be someone having lost a hand. They might not be as in the requirement of dire help as someone that has become wheelchair bound. By correct planning, the estate owner may be able to hand down properties, income, property as well as a company to a successor with a disability. Make sure that the estate is managed correctly, but there might have to be an attorney or additional caregiver to assist with these service matters. This may suggest working with someone in an advisory capacity or to ensure specific issues are looked after when the beneficiary requires medical attention. In some instances, the disability might just be a temporary problem, and the estate owner may prepare appropriately. This may result in an equally beneficial scenario for both the owner and beneficiary. Planning for the Future through Disability No matter who is affected by the individual needs, the estate owner ought to understand what it had to see past these problems and plan for the future. Medical professional and health care assessments may assist in comprehending the impairment and ways to combat the issues that emerge due to the condition. This could cause the proper and proper treatment that permits the estate owner or heir to perform the wishes of the estate plan. With long-lasting and short-term impairment care manager, other matters worrying the possessions and property have to be settled. This might indicate splitting the assets up or designating particular recipients for various holdings. Through using a lawyer, agent, and executor, it is possible to guarantee the estate strategy is adequately developed and use. Adequate planning is required to prepare for beneficiaries and recipients and other issues, the estate planner might not be adversely affected significantly by the impairment. It is essential to make sure all documentation has been filled and submitted appropriately in addition to other persons considered. If there is the capacity for a challenge to the estate plan, the owner may have to make different strategies to decrease these problems as much as possible. Legal Help with Disability in Estate Planning There are many aspects of legal disability planning. Contact us today to ensure the very best legal protection. You can Find Steve Bliss Here: 3914 Murphy Canyon Rd Suite A202, San Diego, CA 92123
In the later stages of high school, especially in college, writing a research paper becomes an integral part and parcel of the academic life of a student. The number of research papers that a single student needs to write keeps on increasing as the level of study progresses. Students are expected to balance all these papers along with other assignments for a bunch of different subjects. No wonder, then, that they are always trying to find a good source of help that they can turn to while working on their papers. This source needs to be available round-the-clock as well as inexpensive. Helpful seniors can be a great source of help in college. This is why networking is heavily encouraged amongst academic circles. They have already been through this phase, and the fact that they have successfully surpassed it says that they might have a few tips and tricks up their sleeves to help you with your work. They can help “do my research paper”, although not entirely. However, they will most certainly allow you to browse through the materials that they gathered while writing their papers on that topic the previous year. A casual friendship with them means that you can be more open with them than with teachers. If you have to write a research paper and are looking for help on the same, then your teachers and professors are your best bet. Not only are they qualified in that field and can, thus, guide you through the process, but also they are the ones in charge of correcting the papers, so they know exactly what tip can help you achieve that much more marks than your peers. However, they have to be very cautious while guiding you because letting you on confidential details can amount to academic malpractice, which might land both you and the teacher in hot water. Of course, this is something that has been tried by almost every college student, at least once in their academic career. Although this option has a notorious reputation because your friends and you coming together can lead to everything other than studies, but if done the right way, this can actually be a very helpful way to work on your paper. Your friends can tell you where to find research papers and how to begin working on your paper. You all can consult each other and clarify your doubts together. Make sure that you stay focused on the end goal. Availing the cheap yet effective services of professional writers is an excellent source of help with research papers. You do not need to share them with your peers, and you get customized services in lieu of a token amount of money. What’s more is that if you do not like the finished paper, you can send it back for alteration, absolutely free of charge. These writers can help write papers on any subject and on any topic as they have a wide gamut of knowledge. However, make sure that the writer you have hired is a certified writer and not just another fraud on the Internet. Here are some steps that you can follow when working on research paper assignments: - Read the bae materials very carefully. Often times, going through the generic information gives you an idea for an inventive thesis question. - Make sure that the data mentioned in the paper is all relevant in answering the thesis question. Every other detail can be concluded as unnecessary ornamentation for which the student can be penalized. - The formatting style of the paper should be appropriate and the same style should be maintained throughout the paper. - Do not forget to revise the contents of your paper.
if you are doing media works like word processing or image design or new logo design you need to try different fonts. If you are using Linux operating system then this can be a bit tricky. You can get fonts from websites such as http://www.dafont.com/ or https://www.fontsquirrel.com/ . Mostly these downloaded files will be compressed files, so unzip them and have them ready. As Root user: Copying to the font location: If you want to install it to the main font location then you need to be either root or be part of sudo group. gksu pcmanfm /usr/share/fonts/truetype/ sudo fc-cache -fv As Non Root user: $ mkdir .fonts $ cp *.ttf .fonts Now use it in your favourite tool and enjoy 🙂
If you are looking for feedback, tips and advice on how to lose weight fast, sorry to have disappoint you. Here’s the thing… Most of the people I have spoken to would love to drop a14lbs or 6kg in a month, or a dress size in a couple of weeks. The harsh reality is that will not happen in such a short time span if your mindset and expectations are not set correctly. Let’s get real, how many restuarant meals, or take outs did it take for you to get into your current state of being? How long in a period of time do you imagine you put these pounds on? When was the last time you worked up a sweat? When you get into a mood is the first thing you reach for food? Then there is the realisation period…. You know, that moment when the dress you normally wear feels too tight, wont zip up, rides up, is too tight across the bust, bulges are showing in all the wrong places. Then the frustration of going on a crash diet, only for the diet to end up in a crash where no pounds are lost and more frustration as you gain weight instead of losing it. Losing weight should be seen as part of daily living, when you make a decision to eat healthy and have a more energetic and mindful lifestyle. You see, if you do not learn how to eat healthy, what healthy options to choose, what unhealthy foods to swap out or remove from your current way of eating, then you will struggle with achieving your weightloss goals. Albert Einstein says ‘You cannot solve a problem with the same thinking that created it’ Similarly you cannot lose weight with the same foods that helped you put the weight on…. So where do you begin? Start with looking honestly at your food groups. Are you eating enough fruits, vegetables? Are you getting enough fibre? Are you eating healthy fats? Drinking enough water – soda and fizzy drinks and juices do not count. Knowing what your metabolic base rate is will also help you to know how much exercise and calories you need to eat and expell on a daily basis. Your MBR or Metabolic Base Rate is the number of calories your body needs to function on a day to day basis. Your body needs energy to pump blood to the heart, to digest food, to move and so on. Putting an exercise regime in place for a minimum of 3 days a week of 45 minutes will also help to improve circulation, mental wellbeing, physical wellbeing and more importantly burn fat. Inches are more important than the scales when it comes to weightloss. Looking and feeling good in your clothes is a major confidence booster. The scales are secondary. My advice is whilst it is important to know where you are starting from on the scales, measuring yourself every other week is far more productive and encouraging that jumping on the scales and finding you have put on pounds instead of losing them. If you are on the right diet, you will gain muscle at the same time as losing fat. Lean muscle burns fat and is much heavier an yway. More on this point in a later blog post. Knowing how many calories to eat on a daily basis is a good start to helping you to reduce your weight in a healthy way. Click here for a great calorie counter that also explains how it should be used. There are many healthy eating meal plans and sites available online, find one that suites your taste buds. Just google it. I hope this has reset your expectations and will help put you on track to losing weight the healthy way. If weight is lost over time, it is less likely to return in abundance. Where you lose weight quickly, there is more likelyhood for you to gain weight and some! Why? because you did not learn how to eat healthy, exercise and sustain that way of living. Remember if you approach your weightloss as a lifestyle change, it should be seen as a more permanent, ongoing way of life, rather than a temporary fix for an event, or occassion. If you have found the information useful, please comment on the post below.
Looking to turn your passion for teaching into an even better future? If the answer is yes, an Early Childhood Education Degree from Manhattanville College in the Lower Fairfield County area is your solution for personal and professional growth in the field of education. As a teacher working today, we know it’s important to you that you learn from faculty members who have in-depth knowledge of the challenges of today’s classroom. For a unique educational experience that offers practical, convenient scheduling that fits your busy life, attend the School of Education at Manhattanville College. We provide the perfect balance of practical and theoretical knowledge you’ll need to pursue your goals. Isn’t it time you came to Manhattanville? Situated conveniently in Westchester County, an easy 30 minutes from New York City, Manhattanville College enjoys one of the most diverse small campuses in the country. Manhattanville’s School of Education is widely recognized as one of the top schools of its kind; is accredited by CAEP; and is perfectly tailored to offer you the kind of graduate programs you need to advance your career. If you yearn for a traditional face-to-face classroom environment rather than an online program, Manhattanville College offers flexible schedules and a convenient location for busy working professionals. Become a specialist in your field at Manhattanville College If you’d still like to know more about our Early Childhood Education Degree in the Lower Fairfield County area, reach out to us by phone, online or through social networking. Our graduates are well prepared for the classroom. Manhattanville College is your solution to effective career advancement. Early Childhood Education: The Early Childhood Education Department at Manhattanville College prepares students to work as socially responsible, caring, reflective teachers of children from Birth through Grade 2. We help students learn to nurture and support children's growth, development and learning while respecting and collaborating with their families and communities. Our Early Childhood Program in the Lower Fairfield County area: - Workday evening class times - Three seasonal study start times (Fall, Spring and Summer) with rolling admissions - Faculty members who are experts in their respective fields - The chance to network with faculty, guest speakers and alumni - Personal attention aimed at promoting the individual success of each student - Opportunities to increase your earning potential - Effective career advancement - Jump Start: our accelerated teacher certification program specially designed for teachers interested in changing career paths
The rumor that raced through Washington last week of an atom bomb someplace in the city being readied for the next terrorist atrocity had a familiar ring to me. In late July 1961, President Kennedy, just back from the grim Vienna summit with Khrushchev, asked me to dinner in Palm Beach. After daiquiris and Frank Sinatra records on the patio, his three guests and I gathered around the table for fish-in-a-bag, a White House recipe. Between lusty bites, Kennedy told the story of Khrushchev's anger over West Berlin, the island of freedom in the Soviet empire's East Germany. "We have a bustling communist enclave just four blocks from the White House," I noted, meaning the Soviet embassy. Kennedy paused, fork between plate and mouth, and said, "You know, they have an atom bomb on the third floor of the embassy." Aware of JFK's love of spy stories, I said something like, "Sure, why not?" No, Kennedy continued, it was his understanding that the Soviets had brought the components of an atomic device into the building in inspection-free diplomatic pouches and assembled it in the upstairs attic. "If things get too bad and war is inevitable," he said, "they will set it off and that's the end of the White House and the rest of the city." I laughed. Still suspending his bite of fish, Kennedy said, "That's what I'm told. Do you know something that I don't?" No sign of mirth. The conversation moved on. Five years ago I was lecturing in Staunton, Va., and retold the story. In the question session, a man in the audience rose and said, "You may not believe that story about the bomb in the attic, but I do. I worked for 25 years at the Defense Intelligence Agency, and that was our understanding." And now I can hear Kennedy asking again, "Do you know something I don't?"
Extraordinary images, never before published in book form, of the forgotten American WWII Airplanes at the bottom of the Kwajalein Atoll lagoon, are published for the first time in The Airplane Graveyard , a new book from award-winning underwater photographer Brandi Mueller. Their success in the Marshalls gave U. She has been scuba diving for 18 years and instructing for 12, diving all around the world both teaching and taking photos. Seventh Fleet... Swimming through the ships, he looked into compartments and saw numerous human bones — skulls, leg bones, jaws — after all this time. Each in turn was subjected to a heavy and continuous bombardment in preparation for the landings. On the 19th, while the Engebi landings proceeded, the transports prepared to land troops on Eniwetok, and by Feb. The 29-member team, which includes researchers who live on the U. By the beginning of World War II , Japan had established the Marshalls as an integral part of its defensive perimeter, and the islands became an important target for the Allies in their wartime planning. Battle for the Marshall Islands. The naval forces subjected the island to gunfire for four days. The battle for Kwajalein would prove more difficult, as the 7th Infantry pounded the Japanese garrison there for three days until the island was declared secure on February 4. Farnham first came across a reference to a plane that had gone down in the lagoon on Jan. Marines stormed the beaches of the strategically significant Japanese island of Saipan, with a goal of gaining a crucial air base from which the U. As in the earlier assaults the heavy bombardment killed many of the defenders and the assaulting waves met only light resistance. Battleships and cruisers began immediately laying down a devastating bombardment on the enemy defenses. In late January 1944, a combined force of U. The haunting images are accompanied by a text that includes a historical account of the aircraft by military historian Alan Axelrod. They now used the Reserve Group and the men that had not been put ashore.U.S. Marines Invade the Marshall Islands - World War 2 Newsreel - 1944 Marine and Army troops launched an amphibious assault on three islets in the Kwajalein Atoll, a ring-shaped coral formation in the Marshall Islands where the Japanese had established their outermost defensive perimeter in World War II. Each sweep covers about an 800-foot swath. The Kwajalein divers are still hunting for the elusive Kingfisher that sparked their pursuit in the first place.
Learning is a lifelong endeavor, and our parents model this every day. As partners in the education of our children, families have the opportunity to spend time in the classrooms, sharing special talents and knowledge, helping with projects/events and leading by example. We value our families and work to ensure a strong home-school connection. We are all life-long learners and avid readers! Here are some of our favorite titles. You can help support our fundraising efforts with your purchases through smile.amazon.com. Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World by Tony Wagner Most Likely to Succeed: Preparing our Kids for the Innovation Era by Tony Wagner Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women Teach Like A Pirate: Increase Student Engagement, Boost Your Creativity, and Transform Your Life as an Educator by Dave Burgess Conscious Parenting: The Holistic Guide to Raising and Nourishing Healthy, Happy Children by Gabriel Cousens Kids Deserve It! Pushing Boundaries and Challenging Conventional Thinking by Todd Nesloney Mindful Education: Cultivating Well-Being in Teachers and Students by Daniel Rechtschaffen Nature Preschools and Forest Kindergarten: The Handbook for Outdoor Learning by David Sobel Some of our Favorite On-line Places
Preimplantation genetic testing for Monogenic Disease (PGT-M) assesses embryos to help prevent the transmission of an inherited genetic disorder to children. A couple may be interested in PGT-M if they are concerned about passing on a known single-gene condition to their children due to one of the following reasons: 1. If both parents carry a mutation for example for cystic fibrosis, there is a 1 in 4 chance that their offspring will have the disease. 2. Using knowledge of CF carrier or disease status in the parents, scientists can look at the chromosome segment in which the gene lies to determine from which parental chromosome the gene originated. 3. Scientists can then determine whether the chromosome segment inherited by each embryo contains the normal or mutated copy of the CF gene. 4. This helps determine whether the embryo inherited a single mutation from either parent and will be an unaffected carrier, whether the embryo inherited a mutation from each parent and will be affected with CF, or whether the embryo did not inherit any mutations. If the embryo is likely unaffected, it is considered to be a good candidate for transfer By identifying IVF embryos that most likely do not carry a particular genetic disorder, PGT-M can: Faster results due to an ultra-rapid workflow compared to single tandem repeat (STR) technology1 1. Natesan S, Bladon AJ, Coskun S, et al. Genome-wide karyomapping accurately identifies the inheritance of single-gene defects in human preimplantation embryos in vitro. Genet Med. 2014;(January):1–8. Learn more about how PGT-M can help prevent the inheritance of a genetic disorder to your childrenLearn more
Investing terms are important to understand if you want to get involved in the markets. A full understanding of them will help you make better choices when it comes to how you are investing your hard earned funds. One of the terms that you should know is something called a “dividend”. What Is A Dividend? A dividend is money paid out to shareholders who hold shares of the company through the ex-dividend date as a way of sharing the company’s success. The companies themselves determine if they will or will not pay a dividend and how much that dividend will be. It is a payout that comes off the top of the profits that the company makes in a given year. The information for how much the dividend is for a given company is easy enough to find on a variety of financial news websites. Simply look up the stock symbol of the company you are interested in and find the category that says “dividend”. It will show a number for how much of an annual dividend the company pays out on an annual basis. If a company has a stock that is trading at $20 per share and has a dividend of $0.20 based on their earnings per share, then the yield on that dividend is 1%. That is to say that the company pays out 1% annually to shareholders just for holding the stock. The investor then has the option to either reinvest the dividends or have them paid out directly. The dividends are paid out on a quarterly basis regardless of if the investor has them reinvested or if they have them paid out directly. It is a nice little bonus for those who hold the stock of a company that pays these dividends. Who Pays A Dividend? Most companies that pay out dividends are larger companies that have a lot of profit and not enough things to do with those profits. They instead decide to pay out some of those profits in the form of dividends. Some of the largest companies in the world have been doing this for many decades and have had ever increasing dividends throughout those years. Therefore, those who hold on for a very long time can be rewarded very richly just from the dividends alone.
Steve Jobs, co-founder and former CEO of Apple Inc., passed away on Wednesday, October 5th, 2011 at the age of 56. Born on February 24th, 1955 in San Francisco, Steven Paul Jobs was adopted as an infant by Paul and Clara (née Hagopian) Jobs. While attending Homestead High School in Cupertino, California, Jobs began working at Hewlett-Packard where he met Steve Wozniak. After graduating from high school in 1972, Jobs attended Reed College in Portland, Oregon, but dropped out after one semester, returning to California in 1974. There he became a member of the Homebrew Computer Club with his friend Steve Wozniak, and also worked at Atari, where he and Wozniak created a circuit board for the video game Breakout. Founding of Apple Computer On April 1st, 1976, Apple Computer was founded by Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. The three created fully assembled desktop computers which they called the Apple I. That product was followed a year later on June 5th, 1977 by the very successful Apple II series, which went on to sell nearly 6 million units by the time it was fully discontinued in 1993. The Apple II is considered by some to be the first successful home computer, though it was quickly passed by IBM-based PCs. Of course, Jobs is best known for another product. The Macintosh computer and the Mac operating system project was created as a project similar to Apple’s Lisa. Jobs took control of the project early on, and eventually made it the focus of the entire company, although the Lisa and Apple II did continue to be sold. The Mac’s graphical user interface metaphors and the Macintosh’s mouse were famously inspired (some would use a stronger word) by a visit to Xerox’s PARC labs. It was lauded by critics for its ease-of-use and design, particularly with regards to the use of proportional fonts and immediately recognizable iconography based on real-world objects. In January of 1984, the Macintosh line of computers was introduced to the public during Superbowl XVIII in a Ridley Scott directed commercial entitled “1984.” The commercial itself is now considered to be a landmark moment in advertising. Exit from Apple, founding of NeXT and Pixar Although the Mac was a revolution for the computer industry, Apple, Inc. suffered from internal divisions between CEO John Sculley and Steve Jobs. Weak Mac sales — part of an overall industry slump — exacerbated the conflicts between the two. Reports that Jobs had become difficult to work with became commonplace. On April 10th, 1985, a board meeting was held to convince Jobs to step back from management and become more of a product visionary. However, in the meeting, Jobs and Sculley began a two-day long power struggle over management of the company, with Jobs lobbying to have Sculley removed completely. Ultimately, Jobs lost. He remained Chairman of the company, but had no clear role. The conflicts continued until Sculley removed Jobs from Apple completely on May 31st, 1985. Although it was a sad day for Apple and (the company itself would proceed to end up in a downward spiral that would continue until Jobs’ return), Steve himself eventually accepted the decision and later described himself as “grateful” for it. In a 2005 commencement address at Stanford, he said: I didn’t see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life. After his departure, Jobs wasted little time, founding NeXT, a place where Jobs could continue to execute on his vision of desktop computing outside the sphere of Apple’s drama and bureaucracy. The slick, jet-black workstations that NeXT built were paired with a new operating system — NeXTSTEP — which was based on the up-and-coming Mach kernel, highly advanced for its time. The character traits that Jobs brought to NeXT from Apple were evident in nearly everything the company made: both the hardware and software were elegantly, painstakingly engineered both inside and out. (In fact, the desktop’s cases were made of magnesium, an unheard-of material for the era.) Like Apple, the company didn’t fear putting a premium price on its products, and it spent much of its time marketing to academic institutions. Though NeXT never caught on big with private companies, its distinctive black cube-shaped PCs could regularly be found in university research labs throughout the late 1980s and 1990s. CERN’s Tim Berners-Lee — the inventor of the World Wide Web — used a NeXTcube to create the world’s first web server. NeXT wasn’t Jobs’ only post-Apple gig, though. In 1986, Steve Jobs bought what would become Pixar from LucasFilm for $10 million. Pixar wasn’t initially the movie-making powerhouse we know today, but instead created poorly selling computer systems. As Pixar began creating animated commercials, Jobs sold off the hardware division in 1990 to better focus Pixar on films. Under the direction of John Lasseter, the company eventually released Toy Story in 1995 to wild acclaim. It began a run of movies that were and are amongst the best animated movies of all time. Like Apple in later years, Pixar seemed to have a magic touch and only release products after relentless attention to detail. In 2006, Disney acquired Pixar for $7.4 billion, making Jobs Disney’s single-largest shareholder at the time. Return to Apple In late 1996, Steve Jobs returned to Apple in a move which came as something of a surprise. After Apple’s efforts to develop its own next-generation operating system failed, the company had been widely reported to be interested in acquiring a company called Be and the BeOS, but at the last minute chose to acquire Jobs’ NeXT, Inc, instead. With the acquisition, Jobs returned to the company he’d founded as a “special advisor” to then-CEO Gil Amelio — a role he quickly transcended with his enormous influence over the company. Just six months after Apple formally acquired NeXT, Amelio was forced out of the company and Jobs took over as the de facto leader. Jobs was officially named the “interim CEO” of Apple in September 1997, which caused some in the industry to jokingly dub him the “iCEO.” “Interim CEO” title in hand, Jobs immediately began to make his mark on Apple and the industry. After only two months on the job, Jobs gave a now-legendary presentation at Macworld Expo 1997, in which he introduced Bill Gates to jointly announce that Microsoft would invest $150m in Apple and commit to several new versions of Office for the Mac. The move sent shockwaves throughout the industry, with more to come. Alongside designer Jonathan Ive, Steve Jobs initiated a quick reversal of the company, tapping Ive to design what would become the iMac. Ive had previously been frustrated by his lack of influence at Apple, feeling that design took place too late in the process of product development to “truly innovate.” Luckily, he had the CEO’s ear from day one, and the partnership created some of the most iconic products of a generation. The iMac was released in 1998 alongside an aggressive simplification of Apple’s Macintosh lineup. From a design standpoint, the iMac was a nearly complete reinvention of the personal computer, and returned Apple to a leadership position in the PC industry. “Apple leads when it expresses its vision through its products,” said Jobs during the iMac launch. The computer daringly did away with traditional PC components such as floppy disks and serial ports, while helping to popularize the USB standard and the concept of out-of-the-box internet connectivity. It was a bold move for a newly minted interim CEO, but it proved to be a huge success for Apple. The company lost $878 million in 1997, and earned $414 million in 1998. Jobs then embarked on a plan to revitalize the aging Macintosh OS using technology he had built at NeXT. That software ultimately become Mac OS X. Jobs first showed off “Rhapsody,” an early version of OS X, in 1997, before he’d even assumed the position of interim CEO. In 1999 Apple launched OS X Server 1.0, which had radically new UNIX underpinnings, but offered a similar look and feel to Apple’s “classic” OS. OS X was released to consumers in early 2001. The operating system proved a foundation for Jobs’ vision of the future of computing, which would unfold over the next decade. 2001 marked a major transition for Apple. Not only did the company launch its first Apple Store, which would go on to become a worldwide chain of successful retail outlets, but Steve Jobs announced a new “digital hub” strategy for the company, which put the Mac at the center of a number of personal digital devices, like digital cameras, video cameras, MP3 players, and PDAs — none of which Apple produced at the time. All that changed in October, when Apple produced the iPod. The product, in its various iterations over the years, went on to sell over 300 million units, and redefined Apple from simply being a computer company to be a consumer electronics company — in 2007 Apple Computer, Inc. officially dropped the “Computer” from its name. On the five year anniversary of the iPod, Steve Jobs gave an interview to Steven Levy which was published in Newsweek. In the piece Jobs told Levy, “We believe that customers are smart, and want objects which are well thought through.” Apple would deliver on that promise in 2007 when the company introduced a revolutionary new smartphone — dubbed the iPhone — to the world. The iPhone and its operating system (iOS, which was originally known as iPhone OS) went on to revolutionize the mass market appeal of the smartphone, and fundamentally altered the mobile phone industry in everything from spectrum utilization to phone carrier plan pricing. The iPhone also created an entirely new market of third-party mobile applications, leading to a boom for software developers. In 2010, Steve Jobs introduced the iPad at a special event in San Francisco. The device — which was based on iOS — essentially kick-started a new industry of touchscreen tablets. Both the iPad and its successor, iPad 2, have been remarkably successful. As with the original Mac, the iPad was Jobs’ attempt to re-think computing with a human focus. It set the stage for what Jobs called the “post-PC” era of personal computing. Indeed, Jobs’ relentless drive to push Apple and industry forward continued until his very last product announcement as Apple’s CEO: a service called iCloud which would wirelessly keep the company’s devices in sync through the use of cloud storage technology. After kicking off the PC era with the Apple II, reinventing the PC with the iMac, and finally extending the PC’s status as a digital hub with the iPod, Jobs was ready to do away with the PC entirely. Resignation from Apple In mid-2004, Jobs told Apple employees that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and subsequently underwent a complex surgery (a pancreaticoduodenectomy, known as the “Whipple procedure”) to treat the disease. In the following years Jobs took several leaves of absence, including an absence in 2009 during which he underwent a liver transplant at the Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute in Memphis, Tennessee. During these leaves, Tim Cook temporarily ran Apple. On August 24th, 2011, Steve Jobs resigned as CEO of Apple, saying, I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come. I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee. Tim Cook succeeded Jobs as CEO of Apple. Steve Jobs is survived by his wife Laurene Powell Jobs, his children Reed Paul, Erin Sienna, Eve, and a daughter, Lisa Brennan-Jobs from a previous relationship. This article was originally published at ThisIsMyNext.com as Steve Jobs, 1955-2011.
Here we go again. The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate Wednesday by a quarter of a percentage point — the second rate hike in about 10 years. Last year’s rate increase, the first since 2006, offered a few lessons for consumers wondering how the move might affect mortgages, car loans, saving rates and other parts of their personal finances. The biggest lesson is that a single rate increase on its own may not make much of a difference, analysts say. If the Fed continues to move slowly, as it has been, it may be a while before you see a change in mortgages, savings accounts and other accounts. But if officials raise the key short-term rate more regularly, the effects could be more dramatic. Trying to guess exactly what the Fed will do is a loser’s game. The latest projections show the Fed is expected to raise rates three times next year, which would bring the benchmark rate up to 1.4 percent by the end of the year. But the Fed could move at a different pace. After all, the expectations at this time last year were that the Fed would move up the key rate by a full percentage point in 2016 — but the reality was that interest rates stayed pat until now. “Not even the Fed knows how far and how fast interest rates are going to go up,” says Alan MacEachin, corporate economist at Navy Federal Credit Union. Still, here are a few things to keep in mind about how the Fed’s move may affect your wallet: Anyone about to purchase or refinance a home tends to become anxious about the Fed raising rates. But history shows there’s actually very little correlation between the Fed’s benchmark interest rate and 30-year fixed-rate mortgages. Mortgage rates, which are more closely tied to the rates on long-term bonds, such as the 10-year Treasury bond, can go up and down for a number of reasons. Take a look at what happened last year, when the Fed raised the federal funds rate by 0.25 percentage points. Mortgage rates moved slightly higher initially, then fell for six straight weeks. They fell even further after some major events, such as Brexit, sent more investors piling into Treasury bonds, which are typically viewed as safe havens during times of uncertainty. Rates have been rising again recently, especially since the election. The average rate on 30-year fixed-rate loans went from 3.47 percent in late October to 4.13 percent last week. But that run-up put rates roughly back where they were last year before the Fed’s rate increase. Most experts expect rates to increase more moderately in the coming year. Mike Fratantoni, chief economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association, is predicting home loan rates won’t go up much more than they already have. “We expect that the 10-year Treasury rate will stay below 3 percent through the end of 2018,” he said, “and 30-year mortgage rates will stay below 5 percent over the same period.” Main takeaway: Don’t rush to buy a home because you think interest rates are going to go up. Even if rates keep rising, the change is expected to be gradual. The second rate hike from the Fed shouldn’t have a huge impact on the price of your car, says Jack Nerad, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book, a car research website. For example, on a $25,000 loan, an interest-rate bump of 0.25 percentage points would increase your interest charges by about $5 a month. Auto loans ticked up a tiny bit after last year’s increase, and a similarly small change may happen this time around, Nerad says. (Average rates for five-year loans on new cars rose from 4.34 percent to 4.4 percent a few weeks after the rate hike last year before coming back down, according to Bankrate.com.) But most people will find that what really drives the cost of their car is not what the Fed does but whether they negotiated to get a lower price, says Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate.com. Likewise, having poor credit can lead to a higher interest rate and more costs overall, he says. Main takeaway: Instead of stressing over the Fed, focus on boosting your credit score and researching prices so that you can haggle to get a good deal. This is one of the rare areas where the Fed rate hike could be felt right away. That’s because the rates on credit cards and other lines of credit, such as home equity loans, are directly affected by the Fed, credit experts say. With Wednesday’s rate hike, the rate on your credit cards should increase by that much within one or two statement cycles, McBride says. But while a single rate increase can lead to slightly higher credit card rates, it may not add much to your debt load. Multiple rate hikes, however, could start to make a difference. Average credit card rates increased only slightly over the past 12 months, from 15.8 percent on Dec. 16, 2015 — the date of the last Fed increase — to about 16.3 percent last week, according to Bankrate.com. Main takeaway: If you’re trying to pay off debt, keep making big payments now on the chance that rate increases will continue. The best move would be to pay your card off in full each month. The last rate hike didn’t bring any relief to savers, and this rate increase probably won’t either. Many banks and credit unions may wait until the Fed’s benchmark interest rate is a little bit higher before they start passing along those rates to savers, McBride says. He says one issue is that many financial institutions are already holding a lot of cash, so they don’t have much of an incentive to attract more deposits by offering higher rates on savings accounts. Instead, some banks and credit unions may keep saving rates low while they slowly increase the rates they charge on credit cards, mortgages and other loans, he says. Then, after several rate increases, they may move to raise the rates on savings accounts and certificates of deposit. Main takeaway: The best way to find better yields on savings accounts is to shop around and compare rates from credit unions, small banks and online banks. “Don’t expect those returns to fall in your lap,” McBride says.

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